Third Grade News
Mrs. Behm, Mrs. Hempel, & Mrs. Pilo
April 13, 2018
Learner Profile:
April’s learner profile trait is risk-taker. We will be looking for students who approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Language Workshop:
In Language Workshop, the students have been working on a unit about power. The great books in this unit include Each Kindness, Tight Times, Fly Away Home, Bird Child, and The Other Side. All of these books are about social issues that children may encounter in their lives. We have discussed poverty, friendship, and homelessness. Although these topics sound very advanced for third grade students, each book is written so that third graders can easily understand the topic of the book. We have had some excellent and rich discussions about these important social issues. The students have also had a chance to write about these important topics and share them with their classmates.
Reading Workshop:
In Reader’s Workshop, the students have been focusing on characters and how their actions can change throughout a story. The students have also been working on the skills of critical reading and understanding that books have various themes. The students continue to work with their Literature Discussion Groups. The students also continue to read books that are at their “just-right” level. We are really encouraging the children to continue reading at home. This reading is very important to their overall reading development!
Writing Workshop:
This week students finished up their final copies of their fractured fairy tales. We also started the unit, “Writing Editorials to Make a Real World Difference”. Students will learn how to write an opinion piece with evidence to support their claims.
Math:
We finished our unit on time, measurement, and line plots. Your son or daughter can continue to practice their skills on Tenmarks. We are waiting to take the final test until after FORWARD is over - on Monday, April 23rd. They will need to be able to tell time to the minute, solve elapsed time problems using a number line, measure to the nearest half and quarter inch, and display/analyze data on a line plot.
Our current unit is a problem solving unit called Muffles Truffles where they are “working” in a chocolate shop. Students are solidifying their multiplication and division skills and will then apply them to finding area and perimeter.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies, we started a unit on the history of Waukesha. We will learn about the Native Americans, the pioneers, the Underground Railroad, and the Springs Era.
Second Step:
Our Second Step lesson this week focused on “Handling Accusations”. Students practiced using their calming down strategies to better help them when dealing with an accusation.
FORWARD Testing:
Third graders will continue their state FORWARD testing next week. Students will be using their ipads and earbuds/headphones to take the test. Ask your son or daughter if they have earbuds/headphones that work and are able to be kept at school all the time (not taken home each night). Please also make sure your son or daughter has their ipad each day and it’s charged to 100%. Thanks for your help in making this process go smoothly!
Environmental Education Field Trip:
Our field trip to the E.B. Shurts Building/Fox River will take place on Thursday, May 31 (Hempel and Pilo) and Friday, June 1 (Behm). A note asking for parent volunteers will be sent home soon.