This Week...

October 5- October 8, 2015

Reading:  Students learned that good readers use the words in a story to create visualizations in their mind.  Creating these visualizations helps readers better understand the story.  We reread portions of Patricia Polacco’s The Bee Tree to practice this useful strategy.  Students also reviewed the key elements of fiction.  They used a story map to outline the main characters, setting, problem/conflict, plot, resolution, and theme.  They learned that thinking through a story map can help them monitor their understanding of a fiction story by focusing on the most important parts. Reading Logs are due Tuesday, October 13.  (100 minutes)

Math:  The partial sums addition method was practiced, in addition to the trade-first and counting up method.  We also worked on number stories with multiple addends.  Today, students completed a review guide.  The unit 2 test will be Wednesday, October 14.

Science:  Students learned that scientists use mental, pictorial, and physical models to represent ideas.  They made their own physical models of favorite animals using clay.  Students also had the opportunity to create their own science experiments based on an “I Wonder” statement.  They created questions, made a plan, and took observations.  Through this process, the students learned that they are scientists!  At the end of the week, we discussed how organisms have basic needs for survival.

Writing:  Students completed their first RA, or revision assignment, which asked them to turn one of their telling sentences into a showing sentence.  They also worked on a new skill: showing!  Students learned how to differentiate between telling and showing sentences.  They wrote about a time when they were excited using various showing details.  In grammar, we worked on combining sentences to form compound sentences, which included a connecting word and a comma.

Spelling:  We took our week 5 spelling test.  Next week will be a review week for spelling.  We will not have spelling homework and the test will be multiple-choice.

Miscellaneous:  Thank you to everyone who participated in Walk to School Day this week!  On Monday in the LMC, students worked on the skill of documenting by learning how to fill in a web for habitat research.  We will continue working on more note-taking organizers over the next few weeks.  Just a reminder, there will be no school for students on Friday (School Improvement Day) or Monday (Columbus Day).  Enjoy the long weekend!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week...

September 28- October 2, 2015

Reading:  Students learned strategies for staying focused and engaged in their independent reading books.  Rereading, creating a picture in his/her mind, and tracking the words on the page were just a few ways that helped students stay focused.  They also read a nonfiction article about snakes from National Geographic.  In order to pay attention to their thinking, students recorded information on post-its using a coding system.  Some of these ideas included connections, surprising facts, questions, and new information.  They applied the guidelines for having an effective book discussion when they shared their post-its with a partner.  Reading Logs are due Monday, October 5.  (100 minutes)

Math:  As we began unit 2, students discovered different kinds of fact families.  Students practiced using fact triangles to help them learn their basic facts.  They also analyzed various fact extensions by finding patterns.  Students completed function boxes by following various.  They worked on solving number stories with the problem solving steps and different diagrams.  Total-part-part, start-change-end, and quantity-quantity-difference were the diagrams students used. We continue to have 2 fact tests a week.  Please remind your child to be practicing their facts at home…thank you for your support!

Social Studies:  At the beginning of the week, students worked hard reviewing for their map skills unit test.  Students also shared their wonderful map projects!  It was very enjoyable to see all the interesting ideas and hard work students put into the projects.  Next week, we will begin our first science unit: habitats!

Writing:  Focus continues to be the target writing skill during WEX.  Students worked on developing tiny details that focused on sound.  They made careful observations to create interesting descriptions of various objects and moments.  Students continue to share their work and respond to each other using targeted, positive feedback.  In grammar, we worked on identifying the predicate in a sentence.

Spelling:  We took our week 4 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed a presentation on fire safety from Lt. Larson, who works with the Arlington Heights Fire Department.  As the weather gets cooler, please be sure your child has appropriate outerwear for recess time…thank you!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

Fire Safety!

Lt. Larson, from the Arlington Heights Fire Department, came to visit our class on Thursday!  We learned a lot of important information about fire safety.  He showed us his equipment and talked about what each piece is used for during emergencies.  We really enjoyed having him visit!

Meet Our Hermit Crabs!

Mr. Massive and Herman have joined our class for the past couple of weeks!  We have enjoyed taking care of them and learning more about these fascinating creatures!  Students completed KWL charts to record what they know about hermit crabs and what they want to learn.  Then, they used the iPads to research information about hermit crabs using Facts4Me and WorldBookOnline!

Writing Words!

Today, we started our monthly writing words!  Students took home the October list and an informational letter that explains the monthly writing words process.  We will take our October writing words test on Thursday, October 29.

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS to our class for raising the most money in third grade for the Just Jump Challenge!  In order to celebrate, the PTA will be providing us a freezer pop party!  We will be having our party this Friday, October 2.  I will be sending home the ingredient information today.  Please let me know if your child should not eat these treats or if there are any allergy concerns.  Thank you for your support!

This Week...

September 21- September 25, 2015

Reading:  Making connections as we read was a main topic this week!  Students learned that good readers make connections to gain a deeper understanding of the text.  Students read poetry and nonfiction articles to practice recording their thinking.  Writing down their thoughts in the margins of the text or on sticky notes helped the students feel prepared for purposeful reading discussions with their classmates.  Students also spent time reflecting about themselves as readers.  During individual conferences, students shared their strengths about reading and what they can do to grow as readers.  We developed specific reading goals and discussed how we can achieve them.  Reading Logs are due Monday, September 28.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Exact change and estimation were discussed using money.  Students also reviewed other major concepts from unit 1 and took the unit 1 math test.  As we began unit 2, students discovered different kinds of fact families.  Students practiced using fact triangles to help them learn their basic facts.  A letter about Xtra Math went home on Thursday.  This is a great resource for students to practice their math facts.  I appreciate your help in signing your child up to use Xtra Math at home.  Please let me know if you have any questions…thank you!

Social Studies:  Students learned how to read various community maps.  They focused on points of interest and street names to understand the layout of downtown San Francisco.  By looking at a map of downtown Washington D.C., students learned how to use the metro system!  They also worked on identifying various lines and transfer stops.  Our map skills unit test will be next Friday, October 2.  A review guide will be going home next week.

Writing:  In WEX, students continued to work on the skill of focus.  They learned that focusing in writing means to make careful observations, include tiny details, and stick to one topic.   Students also gave specific feedback to each other about their writing.  The first posted excerpts of the year are up on our blog!  In grammar, we worked on identifying the subject in a sentence.

Spelling:  We took our week 3 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Flat Stanleys were sent out today!  Please tell your friends and family to be on the lookout for a giant envelope.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the Just Jump fundraising event to help support our PTA.   I hope you have a terrific weekend…enjoy the beautiful weather!