Third Grade News
February Curriculum Update
Reading Workshop
In two weeks we are going to start our nonfiction unit. We are going to be following the same format as our mystery unit in which we start with an introduction and discussion. We are then going to participate in book clubs and identify different elements of a nonfiction book through a "folder project." We will read nonfiction in our "Read Aloud" and surround ourselves with nonfiction titles during this time.
I have seen a lot of growth with our reading logs and please keep checking in with your child about their reading!
Writing Workshop
We have read a number of Picture Books in class to identify different elements of Persuasive Writing and analyzed a student sample. We are also working together to write a class essay and this has helped spur the work in their individual pieces.
Math
We are starting our next unit on Money tomorrow! The students will be able to identify the value of different pieces of currency and add and subtract money. We are going to do a lot of work in centers and use fake money for different activities to simulate real life experiences (you may want to take them with you to the store at the end of this unit). I also have some "Read Alouds" planned to identify different currencies around the world (in particular, Europe), their value compared to ours, and calculate how much we would spend on an object in...England, France, or Norway.
Towards the end of the month we are going to start the first unit on Measurement, Length. We are going to introduce the tools used to measure length and distinguish between different units of length.
Social Studies
It is great to see the students navigating different websites with ease and hearing comments like "Look how pretty the Northern Lights are!" and "I am excited to have Germany because I don't know anything about it and want to learn more!"
Word Study
The students are on their way to becoming "Super Spellers." They have been finding words on our Boggle board, "shaking up" our word canisters to find hidden words, tallying up Scrabble letters for points, and playing Appletters as apart of our new Morning Routine. We are going to continue to promote spelling and grammar as we move ahead for the rest of the year.