Third Grade News
Mrs. Behm, Mrs. Hempel, and Mrs. Pilo
March 2, 2018
Learner Profile:
The learner profile for March is communicator. We will look for students who understand and express ideas confidently and creatively as well as work effectively and willingly in communication with others.
Language Workshop:
WOW!!! The students are really enjoying the new Language Workshop books. We are in the unit called Lessons Learned. The children are having a chance to hear folktales and legends from around the world. Please ask them to tell you about our most recent book entitled: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach. This is a Cuban folktale. The students have been having a wonderful time figuring out the themes, lessons learned, etc. In Language Workshop, the students are active participants in our discussions and also very active participants as we create our anchor charts. Feel free to stop by and see some of the anchor charts hanging in Mrs. Pilo or Mrs. Behm's classrooms.
Reading Workshop:
In Reading Workshop, the students have all been placed in an LDG (Literature Discussion Group). Some children are even starting another LDG book next week. The students have been gradually taking more control of their LDG group. In the LDG groups, we would like to see the teacher start the group with a prompt or idea and then have the students “run” with the discussion. We are excited to see the students doing this as this will really be helpful as we get the students ready for fourth grade.
As always - THANKS for having your child read at home. This really helps your child to make the most progress that he or she can make in the area of reading.
Writing Workshop:
Recently we had several lessons on using dialogue in writing. We also had a brief introduction to figurative language - similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and idioms. Next we will begin a unit on fairy tales. Eventually students will write their own fractured fairy tale.
Math:
Fractions have become a major part of our math learning lately! Students have learned how to represent fractions by drawing a partitioned shape, drawing a number line, or building them with fraction strips. The biggest thing they need to work on is making EQUAL PARTS. Our assessment for this first half of the fraction unit is coming up on Monday, March 5th.
The kids made their own fraction kit to help them visualize how two fractions may be equivalent or greater/less than each other. Here are some fraction relationships we’ve come up with together. We will continue studying equivalent and comparing fractions next week so this will not be on the first fraction assessment.
Science/Social Studies:
Our 3rd graders just completed a brief unit on magnets. The unit ended with the kids making a “magnetic powered car”. Next we will spend some time on digital citizenship.
Second Step:
This week our lesson was on emotion management. Students were asked to think about a time they felt a strong emotion. We discussed strategies to calm down so that our brains are able to calmly handle the situation.
Important - Please mark your calendars! The day of the grade 3 Showcase of Excellence/Concert has been moved:
Wednesday, March 21
2:30 - dress rehearsal – Grandparents welcome to join us for our performance.
Grade 3 evening only
6:00 - Showcase of Excellence (classroom)
6:35 (following classroom showcase - Concert)