December Newsletter
Third Grade
Happy Holidays
November is the time of year I always count my blessings and reflect on all that I am grateful for as I am sure many of you do. This year I am especially grateful for the opportunity to teach your children each day. They bring me countless smiles and tremendous joy throughout our school days together. I continue to feel blessed to be part of such a supportive and caring community here at The Episcopal School of Dallas. I am spending my time off in Chicago this week with my family and friends. This Friday I surprised my mother by coming home on her 70th birthday. I truly cherish the time I get to spend with her and I am happy that we were able to make more special memories together. I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing break and you are able to spend some quality time with your families and friends as well.
North Dallas Shared Ministries
Reading
In Reader’s Workshop we learned how to apply higher level thinking skills to our reading and to ask “thick” questions before, during, and after reading. We learned to visualize what we read and create sketches of our mental images. We will continue to learn how to identify character traits with our class read aloud, Because of Winn-Dixie. We have been closely examining how Opal and the preacher talk and act, which has helped us get to know them as characters. When we return from break we will learn to use a “story plot” graphic organizer to identify the problem, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution of a story.
Writing
In Writer’s Workshop we have published personal narratives about small moments in our lives following the steps of the writing process. We learned how to write an essay and develop a thesis statement as we wrote about our wonderful grandparents for Grandparent's Day! We continue to practice downcurve cursive letters. As the holidays approach we will work on creative writing. Topics will include writing letters to Santa & our class “Elf on the Shelf”, gift giving, and Christmas traditions. We will begin to learn overcurve cursive letters. After Winter Break third graders will be writing in cursive for the rest of the school year!
Math
We studied multiplication and division. We learned about multiplication arrays, fact families, and how to use number models to represent and solve multiplication number stories. Please make sure your child is using Reflex Math in addition to our nightly homework to strengthen their multiplication and division fact power. Unit 5 will cover place value in whole numbers and decimals.
Social Studies & Science
In social studies, we will begin our study of The Oregon Trail. Third graders will form wagon groups and choose family names from the 1800's. As they travel along the trail they will learn about the hardships and challenges the pioneers faced. Also, we will begin my favorite class read aloud, Dear America: The Diary of Hattie Campbell, by Kristiana Gregory and journal from the perspective of a pioneer. In science, we started exploring the six simple machines. We look forward to connecting our knowledge of how the six simple machines work to how they were used on The Oregon Trail!
Calm Down and Keep Cool
Cardboard Challenge
Our cardboard challenge with Mrs. Hogan's Primer class was a huge success. The most enlightening moment in this project was in our final class discussion today. Some students were having difficulty parting with their cardboard creations and we came to the conclusion that the process of the cardboard challenge was more important than the final product. Students learned to collaborate with others, problem solve, think outside the box, and compromise with one another. These are valuable skills that we look forward to applying to our future class projects.
Cardboard Challenge
Important Dates
November 30: Classes Resume
December 2: Eucharist
December 3: Marathon Kids Family Run
December 17: Christmas Service 1:30 PM (Dismissal after service)
December 18-January 3: Winter Break
January 4: Classes Resume
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Rett! - December 7th
Happy Birthday Sean! - December 28th
Amber Looney
Email: looneya@esdallas.org
Website: esdallas.org
Phone: 312-404-2041
Twitter: @mslooneyesd