This Week...

January 29- February 2, 2018

Reading:  We focused on how dialogue is used in fiction stories.  We learned that characters’ words can show us a lot about their personalities.  Making text-to-text connections was another main topic this week.  We read two different mysteries by the same author and compared them using the key story elements.  We had a great discussion about book series and how you can make connections between the same characters.  When you make these connections, they deepen your understanding of the story.   Reading Logs are due Monday, February 5.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We dove right into long division!  Students used their knowledge of basic facts to help them solve more complex problems.  They also used various strategies to solve division story problems.  Today, students completed a review guide for unit 8, which will be going home today.  The unit 8 test will be on Monday, February 5.

Social Studies:  We reviewed the key concepts from our Illinois unit and completed a review guide.  The Illinois test will be on Tuesday, February 6.  The Northeast states and capitals test will be Wednesday, February 7.  Next week, we will continue researching a famous person from Illinois in the LMC.

Writing:  Using sensory details to create a picture in the reader’s mind was our main focus this week.  Students brainstormed details for different experiences, including eating lunch in the cafeteria.  In grammar, students worked on choosing the correct form for present tense verbs.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on adding –er to words to show a certain type of person.  For example, students added –er to “paint” to show that a “painter” is someone who likes to paint.  We also learned about open-syllable words that have a long vowel sound in the first syllable.  Students completed a sort to show which syllable was stressed.

Miscellaneous:  We had a busy week full of exciting experiences!  Students enjoyed the book fair!  It was great to see everyone picking out some wonderful books.  On Thursday, Dryden hosted a fabulous family reading night!  Next Wednesday is Global Play Day.  Students are welcome to bring in games/activities to play with their classmates (no electronics, please).  Just a reminder, field trip forms for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra are due February 9.  Valentine’s Day boxes are due February 12.  Students can bring their valentines on the day of the Valentine’s Day party.  Our first CogAT test will be on Tuesday, February 6.   Finally, as the weather gets colder, please remind your child to bring hats and gloves to school.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Book Fair!

We had a blast visiting the book fair today!  There were so many great books to choose from!

Book Fair!

Our class will be visiting the book fair tomorrow (Tuesday, January 30) from 11:40-12:10.  Students may bring money tomorrow and shop at this time.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week...

January 23- January 26, 2018

Reading:  We talked about the difference between literal and figurative language.  We discussed examples of similes, metaphors, personification, and idioms.  We also learned that a moral is a lesson that the author is trying to portray through the story’s main elements.  We read various fables and figured out how the elements help form the moral.  Students did an excellent job making inferences to determine the moral of the story.  In the fable, The Camel Dances, students came up with some of the following themes: follow your heart, don’t give up on your dreams, and believe in yourself.    Reading Logs are due Monday, January 29.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 8!  Students learned how to divide by making equal groups.  They also learned how to use their multiplication facts to help them solve various division problems.  Students figured out quotients and remainders using counters.  At the end of the week, students learned that when odd numbers are divided by 2, the remainder will always be 1.

Social Studies:  Branches of government continued to be our main focus in social studies this week!  We discussed how each branch of the government has a specific job, which helps the power stay balanced in our country and our state.  Students learned that the legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws.  We also discussed the Illinois economy.  Mrs. Toth from the Cook County Farm Bureau visited our room to discuss agriculture in our state.

Writing:  After reading the next chapter in My Name is Maria Isabel, students learned that Maria Isabel was shy.  The found details from the text to support their thinking.  They also worked on putting text evidence in their own words when describing a moment from the book.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on past tense verbs.  They learned that you typically add –d or –ed to show that the word is in the past tense.  We looked carefully at the sounds they produce and realized there are three distinct sounds: /t/, /ed/, and /d/.  Students completed a 3-way sort to differentiate between various words.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, our Erin’s Law presentation will be taking place on Friday, February 16.  Also, the book fair is coming to Dryden next week!  Information will be sent home today explaining all the details.  We also enjoyed a book talk from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library this morning!  Finally, an email was sent home this week with the scheduling link for spring conferences.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy the sunshine this weekend!

Agriculture in the Classroom Field Trip!

Mrs. Toth, from the Cook County Farm Bureau, came to our classroom to teach us about Illinois agriculture!  We learned about farming practices and different foods that are grown in Illinois.  Mrs. Toth shared that Illinois is the top-producer of pumpkins!

 

This Week...

January 16- January 19, 2018

Reading:  A major focus for the week was developing theories for mystery stories.  We talked about the importance of citing text evidence and our background knowledge to support our theories.  Students were very engaged and interested in our main mystery about the Mary Celeste, a mysterious ship from the 1800s whose crew went missing.  Students also read a Chinese folktale, Gu Dong is Coming, which was about two different characters.  They analyzed the characters’ actions, words, feelings, and thoughts to determine appropriate character traits.  Students took their reading MAP test today.  Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 23.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We reviewed and practiced concepts from unit 7.  Students applied their knowledge of multi-digit multiplication to various story problems.  We took the unit 7 test on Thursday.  Students also took their math MAP test on Tuesday.  An informational letter will be going home today explaining details for unit 8!

Social Studies:  Students learned about different historical moments in Illinois history, including the Great Chicago Fire and the Great Depression.  They learned that Chicago used the fire to rebuild their city with stronger materials, such as steel.  At the end of the week, we learned about the three branches of government.  Representative Carroll also came in to do a presentation about how our state government works.

Writing:  We continued reading in our Maria Isabel books.  Students learned how to use evidence from the text to develop appropriate character traits for Maria Isabel.  Then, students wrote about a person in their own lives and connected him/her to a particular trait.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on various spelling patterns.  They focused on words with double consonants.  They learned that the double consonant can be in the middle or at the end of the word.  Usually, a short vowel sound will precede a double consonant, but that’s not always the case.  Students sorted words based on these characteristics.  They also learned about spelling patters that create the /oi/ sound.

Miscellaneous:  A letter went home this week explaining our upcoming participation in Global Play Day, which will take place on February 7.  Just a reminder, there is no school on Monday.  As we get more snow and have colder temperatures, please make sure your child is prepared to go outside with the appropriate gear.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a great 3-day weekend!

State Representative Visit!

On Thursday, the third grade classes were fortunate to have Illinois Representative Carroll come visit!  He spoke to the students about state government and how laws are made.  He also shared important information about what a typical day looks like and how our government functions.  Representative Carroll enjoyed answering all our questions!