Third Grade News
Mrs. Behm, Mrs. Komar, & Mrs. Pilo
November 16, 2018
Community:
We continue to work on the Be Statements in all of our classes. We are hoping that the students are now easily using: Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe in their everyday school life. Please discuss these Be Statements with your child and ask them where they are using the Be Statements the most.
Language Workshop:
We learned a lot about relationships and how they can make a lasting impression upon ourselves and others. Each picture book above, leads us to think about how we too could make an impact on others each day by the words and actions we choose to live. The characters that we met in these stories and analyzed collectively, inspired us. The intentional moves by both the illustrators and writers revealed the true character of each of the main characters. These books were filled with several significant themes that lead our learners to understand the importance of love, compassion, self control and perseverance. We continue to learn so much from each other and about each other through these rich conversations.
Essential Question: How are people transformed through relationships?
Reading Workshop:
In Reader’s Workshop, we have been researching different moves that writers and illustrators used when writing a persuasive text. Our readers are discovering that there are similarities and differences between narrative and persuasive writing. They are also realizing that the audience for each genre may differ depending on the purpose. In addition, we have been exploring, approximating, and learning different strategies to figure out challenging words. Your consistent support of having your child read every night makes a difference. Thank you families for your continued support in their joyful reading lives!
Writing Workshop:
Our young writers are entrenched in the composing stage of their persuasive pieces. Some writers are formulating reasons to support their stance. While others are coming up with evidence, examples or data to support their reasons. It’s quite intriguing and impressive how they are trying to persuade their intended audience. We are so pleased with their excitement and efforts to convince a specific audience.
Math:
We are still working away on our multiplication unit. This is a very important topic in 3rd grade and the goal is to make sure students gain a solid foundation in multiplication this year. Students have developed a better understanding of how to use various strategies, such as skip counting (with or without number lines), repeated addition, using patterns on the multiplication table, doubling, equal groups, and arrays.
Next we will learn about the multiplication properties (rules). We will learn about the commutative property as well as the distributive property. After that we will have the chance to multiply by multiples of 10 for example: 3 x 50. Check out this video to see the two strategies we will learn in action.
Multiplication Properties
Commutative Property (Turn Around Facts)
Distributive Property (Break Apart Rule)
Science:
We have begun a unit on magnets in science. Students have had the opportunity to explore and find out what is magnetic and nonmagnetic. They are learning about the north and south poles as well. They need to know that opposite poles attract (stick) and like poles repel (push away). Students will have the chance to do several hands on experiments to better understand attraction and repulsion.
Social Studies:
The students have just finished a unit on community and rights, responsibilities and laws. We will now be moving into science with a unit on magnets.
Second Step:
In our Second Step lessons, we have again been focusing on feeling and the need to understand that others feeling may be different from ours and how we can handle the differences in a respectful manner. We have also been discussing information on digital safety. Specifically, we have been discussing when a site is safe and when a site is unsafe. Please feel free to go over this information with your child.
NEEDED - Ear Buds or Headphones:
All third graders need a working set of ear buds or headphones. We use them daily for Dreambox in math, Raz Kids in reading, weekly for music, and for MAP & Forward testing. Please help us out by checking with your son or daughter to make sure they have one of these two options and that they still work. If you need to purchase new ones, make sure they have the straight plug so it fits in the ipad securely. Thanks for your assistance!
Save the Date:
The 3rd grade music concert and showcase of excellence is coming up on Wednesday, December 5. Please mark this important date on your calendar. See you then!
2:40 Dress Rehearsal in gym
6:00 Showcase of Excellence in 3rd Grade Classrooms
Music Concert to follow in gym
Six Flags Reading Program:
For completing 6 hours of reading outside of school time, students in kindergarten through grade 5 are eligible to earn a free ticket for Six Flags Great America. Please see the following links for more details and a reading log for you to print if you choose to have your child(ren) participate in this program. Reading logs will not be sent home with the students; it will be your responsibility to print them for your use. If you have no way to print a reading log, please contact your child's teacher and one will be sent home.
Your child may begin reading and recording his/her reading minutes any time! Completed reading logs are due by Friday, February 15th.
Please note: Six Flags does not allow 4K students to participate in this program.
Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Krahn, Rose Glen's coordinator for Read to Succeed.
#970-2451 or bkrahn@waukesha.k12.wi.us