This Week...

December 17- December 21, 2018

Reading:  Students were excited to start our new fiction unit!  At the beginning of the week, we explored various types of fiction.  Some of these included fables, folktales, and historical fiction.  We also read Mirette on the High Wire, which was a story based in France over 100 years ago.  Students identified important story elements using an organizer.  We also read an Ashanti tale about Anansi the Spider.  We had a discussion about how folktales often use literary and cultural language to convey a story that has been passed down from generation to generation.  Reading Logs are due Monday, January 7th.  (300 minutes)

Math:  Students took their unit 7 test on Monday.  Then, they surveyed the class with a question about a winter topic.  Students collected data, analyzed it, and graphed it.  They displayed their information using bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.  We will begin unit 8 (division) when we return from break.  Please remind your child to continue practicing his/her basic facts.

Social Studies:  Students reviewed major concepts from our Midwest unit by playing Kahoot!  They took their unit test on Thursday.  When we return from break, we will start our next social studies unit: Illinois!  In the LMC, students continued learning about primary and secondary sources.

Writing:  Students continued working on winter poetry.  They created their own poems about winter using juicy adjectives and strong verbs.  In grammar, students reviewed possessive nouns.

Word Study:  We focused on high frequency words and their patterns.  Students learned that it’s important to spell these words correctly in order to communicate clear writing to the reader.  We also worked on differentiating between synonyms and antonyms.

Miscellaneous:  Today, we exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  We also had fun celebrating Mr. Bob’s retirement with a special presentation during Winter Wonderland.  Last, but not least, thank you for the thoughtful class gift…it was very kind and I truly appreciate you thinking of me.     I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  Enjoy this special time with family and friends…see you back in 2019!

This Week...

December 10- December 14, 2018

Reading:  This week, we reviewed how to find the main idea of nonfiction articles about chimpanzees and the Taj Mahal.  Students used the title, headings, and topic sentences to figure out the most important information.  Then, they created an effective summary.  Students also took their nonfiction unit assessment.  Next week, we will begin our new reading unit: fiction! Reading Logs are due Monday, December 17.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We reviewed and practiced concepts from unit 7.  Students applied their knowledge of multi-digit multiplication to various story problems.  They also worked on solving three- digit computation problems.  The unit 7 test will be on Monday, December 17th.   A review guide went home on Thursday.

Social Studies:  Students continued working on their state research projects!  The Midwest test will be on Thursday, December 20th.  A review guide will be going home on Monday.  The test will also cover the Midwest states and capitals.

Writing:  Students did an expository writing project focused on how to build a snowman.  We read All You Need for a Snowman, by Alice Schertle.  They used transition words to describe the steps in an organized manner.  In grammar, students focused on possessive nouns.

Word Study:  We focused on various spelling patterns.  We learned that some vowel combinations can make different sounds depending on the word.  Students grouped words according to the following combinations: au, ow, oo, oy, ai, and oi.

Miscellaneous:  “Secret Snowpal” names went home on Wednesday!  Students need to create a homemade card with a special message for that particular classmate.  Snowpal cards are due Wednesday, December 19th.  Shh…remember, it’s a secret!  Just a reminder, next Friday is Winter Wonderland and Pajama Day!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

Snowpal Cards

Just a reminder, secret snowpal cards are due on Wednesday, December 19th! 

Cardboard Challenge!

Today, students got to share their Cardboard Challenge creations!  They reflected on the experience by sharing what they learned, the purpose of the challenge, and what creations they liked the best.  Students did a great job working together and using their imaginations!

This Week...

December 3- December 7, 2018

Reading:  This week, we focused on being word detectives.  We revisited the nonfiction article “New Hope for Beauty”.  Students practiced using context clues and the topic of the article to figure out the meaning of unknown words.  They also reviewed how to compare and contrast two different topics using an article about chimpanzees and humans.  Reading Logs are due Monday, December 10.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students took their unit 6 test on Monday.  We also started unit 7!  Students used their knowledge of basic multiplication facts to solve fact extensions.  They also solved two-digit x one-digit multiplication problems with and without regrouping.   A family letter went home this week, which details the important concepts from the unit.

Social Studies:  Students learned about the economy of the Midwest.  Henry Ford and his use of the assembly line was a main focus.  Students also began their state research projects!  Students applied various research skills with nonfiction books and online resources to find out key information about their Midwest state.

Writing:  Students read winter poetry.  Then, they created their own poems based on what they love or hate about winter.  They focused on using descriptive language and sensory details to help the reader visualize what was happening in their poems.  In grammar, students focused on irregular plural nouns.

Word Study:  Students learned that many words have similar meanings.  Students focused on finding pairs of synonyms.

Miscellaneous:  Students were so excited to begin the Cardboard Challenge this week!  Thank you to all the families who generously donated cardboard to our classroom…we greatly appreciate it!  Students met in small groups to brainstorm ways to use their cardboard.  After sketching out ideas and building their projects, the groups met with other groups to receive/give feedback.  They used this feedback to make changes to their creations!  On Monday, students will be sharing their projects with other classrooms in the gym.  December book orders went home this week and are due on Monday, December 10th.  Just a reminder, students will be taking their MAP tests next week.  We will be taking the reading MAP test on Thursday, December 13th and the math MAP test on Friday, December 14th.  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

The Cardboard Challenge!

Students worked collaboratively to create cardboard creations!

MAP Testing Information

Our class will be taking the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests on:

Thursday, December 13 (10:30 AM) Reading

Friday, December 14 (1:10 PM) Math

Weather Videos!

Students worked very hard researching severe weather!  After reading, taking notes, and creating a script, the groups filmed a weather video!  Please click on the link below to view our class projects!

https://drydenlmc.weebly.com/2018-2019-third-grade.html

This Week...

November 27- November 30, 2018

Reading:  Students determined the “big idea” of an article about chimpanzees.  They figured out that the first sentence of a paragraph will usually help them find the topic.  Nonfiction text features, like captions and photographs, can also help readers figure out the big idea.  Students also focused on the chronological text structure while reading an article about John F. Kennedy.    Reading Logs are due Monday, December 3rd.  (200 minutes)

Math:  We focused on division story problems and how to draw pictures of equal groups.  Students worked on missing factor equations and reviewed for their unit 6 test, which will be on Monday, December 3rd.  Please remind your child to practice his/her basic multiplication facts.

Social Studies:  We discussed how kids grew up in the Midwest during the late 1800s.  Students learned that families lived in soddy houses and shared many different chores on the farm.  We also had our introduction to the Midwest states and capitals.  Students will need to be able to match the state with its correct capital.  They also are learning a states and capitals song in music class with Mr. Deptula!

Writing:  After reading about the pioneers in social studies, students wrote letters written from the perspective of a child living in the Midwest during the 1800s.  In grammar, students focused on turning singular nouns into plural nouns.  They made sure to add –es to words with special endings (ch, sh, s, and x).

Word Study:  Students learned that certain words can be grouped together based on their meaning.  They brainstormed groups of words that had similar meanings.  Next, students created word maps based on a general topic.  For example, they determined which words fit with the word: ocean.  Then, they mapped out the words into subcategories.

Miscellaneous:  I hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving break and enjoyed the snow day!  This week, students participated in two different Zones of Regulation lessons.  They learned how to identify the size of a problem and how it relates to the zones.  They also used the “Stop, Opt, and Go” strategy to find ways to fix a problem.  We had a great discussion about how useful these strategies can be when we encounter a problem.  If you have extra cardboard around your house, you can still send it to school on Monday…thank you for all the donations so far.  Students are very excited to start the Cardboard Challenge process next week!  Have a fabulous weekend and please let me know if you have any questions.