Third Grade News
Mrs. Behm, Mrs. Komar, and Mrs. Pilo
October 19, 2018
Community:
In our 3rd grade communities (our classrooms), we continue to discuss the Rose Glen BE STATEMENTS:
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Respectful
We are hoping that the students continue to work on these ideas at school and at home.
Language Workshop:
We have read and unpacked a book entitled One Smile by Cindy McKinley which seamlessly connected our readers to our next theme which is relationships. Our new essential question is: How are people transformed through relationships?
As we moved into this study, we took on the challenge to put into motion the lessons we were learning through the books we were unpacking and analyzing together. The students generated suggestions on what we could do in our classroom and school community to make a positive impact each day. Here is a snapshot of our thinking and ways to put compassion into action.
Reading Workshop:
In Reader’s Workshop, we were focusing on how authors and illustrators made intentional moves to develop their stories. We were also working on identifying lessons or a message that the authors may have intended for their readers. Our questions about what we were reading, guided us to look back at the text to support our thinking.
Writing Workshop:
We are near the end of our narrative study. Our emphasis during this journey was to support our writers in cycling through the writing process as they learned the different elements of a narrative piece. For the past couple of days, we have been revising and editing our selected piece to share with our classroom community. We will celebrate our best work thus far by having a classroom gallery sometime next week to share our stories.
Math:
Our current unit is focused on addition and subtraction of 3 digit numbers within 1,000. Students are learning and practicing various strategies that are more efficient (or we say “time saving”). We will then apply these strategies to solving addition and subtraction word problems.
At the beginning of this unit you should have received a parent letter in your child’s home folder. Each time we start a new unit you will get a new one. This is a tool to help you understand what we’re learning and how we’re learning it at school. There will always be some examples of strategies and ideas for how you might practice at home. Remember to record all practice on the pink math log and return to school signed each Monday.
Video showing some of the subtraction strategies we’re learning
Link to Unit 2 addition & subtraction letter
Science:
Our end of unit project for Force & Motion started this week. Students are working in small groups to design a rocket that can go the farthest. They are building the rocket in the makerspace and then testing it to see how far it can go. They also have the opportunity to make changes to their rocket to make it go even farther. They are having a great time with this hands on project!
Social Studies:
In Social Studies, we have connected the story One Smile to the students everyday lives. The students learned from the story that “one smile” can change the world. We have discussed ways that we can put this into action in our everyday lives. The students created a list of ideas and how they can bring these ideas to life.
Second Step:
In our Second Step lessons, the students have been learning about their feelings and the feelings of others. We have discussed the feeling of empathy and have practiced having the kids role play scenarios in which they have to have empathy toward a partner’s feelings. We feel that these Second Step lessons are very valuable to the students. Thank you for discussing the sheet that comes home with your child after some of the Second Step lessons.
Conferences:
Thank you to those parents who attended parent teacher conferences this week Thursday! It was great to have a chance to talk with you. We will see the rest of you next week Tuesday!
Remember next week the students will be off of school both Thursday, Oct. 25 and Friday, October 26.