This Week...

November 7- November 11, 2016

Reading:  Students determined the “big idea” of different articles.  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.  While reading a Time for Kids article about vultures, we learned that these helpful birds are becoming endangered and need our help.  We also started our new read aloud, The One and Only Ivan! Reading Logs are due Monday, November 14.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We started unit 4, which focuses on multiplication and division!  A family letter was sent home which details all the concepts.  We practiced drawing arrays to represent basic multiplication problems.  We also solved multiplication number stories using a graphic organizer.  Then, students used counters to model simple division problems.

Science:  We took our moon quiz on Wednesday.  In the LMC, students finished up their planet research!  They created and practiced scripts that will help them create a newscast!  We look forward to watching these movies next week!

Writing:  Students completed the final copies of their personal narratives!  We are excited to share them with each other next week.  Students also brainstormed descriptive phrases to symbolize the fall season.  They used these phrases to create list poems.  In grammar, students learned how to write possessive nouns.

Spelling:  Students took their week 10 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  We really enjoyed honoring a group of very special veterans today!  We were so lucky to have Mr. Lange visit our class and share his stories.  We are very grateful for his service and dedication to our country!  November book orders are due November 30.  These will be the last book orders that will arrive before winter break.  As the weather gets colder, please make sure your child brings warm outerwear for recess…thank you!  Have a wonderful weekend!

This Week...

October 31- November 4, 2016

Reading:  We focused on the characteristics of biographies.  Students learned that a biography is written about a real person and includes important events from his/her life.  Many biographies have a chronological text structure.  Students also learned how to read nonfiction reference articles by focusing on text features.  They filled out KWL charts about great white sharks.  The charts included their prior knowledge, questions, and information that they learned. Reading Logs are due Monday, November 7.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students reviewed major concepts from unit 3, which included: measuring to the nearest ¼ inch, finding the perimeter/area, and measuring the diameter/circumference of a circle.  They also used IXL, an online resource to review key measurement concepts.  Just a reminder, student log-in information and passwords are taped in the front of their assignment notebooks.  Students are encouraged to use this resource at home to practice any additional skills.  Students took their unit 3 test on Thursday.  We will begin unit 4 next week!

Science:  We learned about the phases of the moon and important characteristics about Earth’s closet neighbor!  In the LMC, students worked on their planet research projects.  They used the boxes and bullets organizer to take notes on the essential question: What makes my planet unique?  They have been using their knowledge of nonfiction texts to navigate an online resource: TrueFlix.

Writing:  Students edited their personal narratives with a checklist and met in groups to give peer feedback.  They checked for proper spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.  They also revised their pieces to ensure that strong verbs and showing details were included.  In grammar, students learned irregular plural noun forms, such as “feet” and “geese”.  The November writing words list went home on Thursday.  The November writing words test will be on Tuesday, November 29 and will include the October words.

Spelling:  Students took their week 9 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Students had a wonderful time celebrating Halloween at the beginning of the week!  Thank you to Leo’s mom, Blake’s mom, and Maggie’s mom for helping with our party!   Just a reminder, students will not have school on Tuesday due to an Institute Day.  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

This Week...

October 24- October 28, 2016

Reading:  Students focused on the various nonfiction text structures that authors use while writing nonfiction.  Description, chronological, comparison, problem/solution, and cause/effect were the main structures that students looked for while reading different texts.  They searched for key signal words and phrases to help them determine the structure.  Students also became word detectives!  We discussed how many nonfiction texts have challenging, content-specific vocabulary.  Students learned three strategies to use when coming across an unknown word: using context clues, accessing prior knowledge, and using the glossary.    Reading Logs are due Monday, October 31.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced measuring the perimeter of polygons.  We also created an experiment involving probability and pattern block shapes.  Students predicted and confirmed their guesses by collecting data on how many times a shape would fall on its edge.  We discussed line plots as a way to display data.  Finding the minimum, maximum, range, median, and mode were also practiced.  At the end of the week, students determined the area of various polygons.  They learned that in order to find the area, they need to count the number of square units inside the shape.  They also used number models to figure out the area by multiplying the amount of rows by the amount of squares in each row.  The unit 3 test will be on Thursday, November 3.  A review guide will be going home next week.

Science:  Students participated in an engaging, hands-on activity about the relative size of bodies in our solar system.  We talked about how scientists use scale models to demonstrate an idea that may be much larger in real life.  If the moon is a grain of sand, the earth would be a mustard seed, and the sun would be a basketball!  We discovered that the moon and sun appear to be similar in size because the sun is 93 million miles from us.  Students also took their sun quiz today.  Next week, we will begin our study of the moon!

Writing:  In writing, we began our personal narratives!  Students learned the characteristics of this writing genre and wrote about an important moment in their lives.  They started by identifying a strong section and adding more showing details.   They also took their October writing words test.  In grammar, students learned how to change singular nouns into plural nouns.  We discussed special endings and rules.

Spelling:  Students took their week 8 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Students celebrated Bullying Prevention month and Character Counts week!  Just a reminder, on Monday, students should wear their costumes for the afternoon only.  The Halloween parade will begin around 1:30.   Our party will take place when we get back to the classroom.  Thank you to everyone who donated supplies, organized games, and volunteered to help us!  Have a wonderful weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

Just Jump Challenge!

I'm thrilled to announce that our class raised the most money in third grade for the Just Jump Challenge!  Way to go!

Solar System Anticipation Carousel!

Students made predictions about various statements about the solar system!  They moved around the room and signed their names on true/false statements.  Throughout our unit, we will be investigating this information and finding out whether or not the statements are true or false!

This Week...

October 17- October 21, 2016

Reading:  Nonfiction text features were a key focus this week.  Students learned how to identify, locate, and utilize these features in a variety of nonfiction books.  They also discussed the purpose of each feature and how it helps the reader comprehend the text.  We also read A Butterfly is Patient.  Students worked on activating their prior knowledge and recording their wonderings about various topics.  To practice engagement in our books, students worked on FQR (Fact, Question, Response) charts during independent reading time in order to record their thinking about the topics.    Reading Logs are due Monday, October 24.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We dove right into unit 3!  Students practiced measuring line segments to the nearest whole, half, and quarter inch.  Finding personal references for the U.S. customary system and the metric system was a main focus.  At the end of the week, students practiced measuring the perimeter of polygons.  Just a reminder, please make sure your child is completing his/her fact test homework if applicable.

Science:  We started our new science unit: the solar system!  Students explored their own ideas about what causes daytime and nighttime.  They also tracked the shadow of a basketball hoop throughout the day.  They learned that the sun plays a part in creating shadows.  When the sun “appears” to move over time, it affects where the shadow moves on the pavement.

Writing:  Students learned how to incorporate “strong verbs” in their writing.  They continued to work on “showing” instead of “telling”.  In grammar, students discriminated between common and proper nouns.  The October writing words test will be on Thursday, October 27.  A list went home at the beginning of the month.  Students also have a list inside their take home folders.

Spelling:  Students took their week 7 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Thank you to everyone for their support in the Just Jump Challenge!  The Dryden PTA publication, Kidz Voice, is accepting essays, creative writing, nonfiction articles, and illustrations for their upcoming issue!  Please consider this great opportunity!  They are due on November 3.  An informational letter went home today that includes many important details for Halloween.  I also reviewed these with our class…please let me know if you have any questions!  Have a fabulous weekend!