Third Grade Tribune
News from 3L and 3R October 9th
Fall Festivities
We will be holding our Fall Festivities on Thursday, October 29. If your child would like, he/she may bring a costume to school on that day as we will have a small parade at 9:30 and then our party after at 9:45. The costume should be a simplified version, if possible, of what your child will be wearing for trick-or-treating, as he/she will have a very limited time to change before the parade. The costume should be one that can be put on over your child’s regular clothes. Also we won’t have time for face painting, and masks are discouraged as they may be a safety issue. I trust your judgment! We’re looking forward to a spooky, fun day. Thanks for your help!
ELA
In Reading we are finishing up our study of identifying character traits and using context clues. We’ve used a variety of texts to study character traits of fictional characters, as well as some real people in history, including Abraham Lincoln and Wilma Rudolph. Students have done a nice job identifying character traits, but still need practice and reinforcement to distinguish between a character’s traits and a character’s feelings. This week we continued using context clues to help us understand new words and even used ‘magnifying glasses’ to detect the meaning. Please continue to support your child at home when they are reading and completing their weekly reading log. The skill work on the reading log is a great tool to reinforce some of the concepts taught at school.
In English and Writing we are finishing our study of nouns and typing our informational paragraphs about an animal. Students have enjoyed using their Chromebooks to research and publish their writing pieces. It’s been a learning experience for many and I would encourage you to allow your child to practice typing on the computer at home. We will use our Chromebooks more as the year progresses and the ability to type well will be a valuable tool!
Students were given the Quarter 1 Reading Assessment this past week. Overall, they did a wonderful job focusing and trying their best. This was an important assessment, as it evaluates each student’s knowledge of the skills and concepts taught throughout the first quarter. I hope to see all of you at conferences so that we can discuss your child’s specific needs fully. Happy Reading!
Math
The Unit 2 Chapter Test was sent home this week in Friday Folders. We reviewed the assessment together as a class and in small groups to celebrate our accomplishments as well as clear up any misunderstandings. I would encourage you to review the test with your child to reinforce key mathematical concepts.
Mathematicians are very excited about our next math unit - Understanding Multiplication. In this unit, students make sense of multiplication as finding the total number of object in all. They use drawings to combine equal groups, skip count on a number line, draw diagrams, and use arrays. As students solve multiplication problems presented in context, they make sense of the meanings of factors and products. Students look for and express regularity and repeated reasoning as the apply the Commutative Property of Multiplication to find products by using other known products.
Students have enjoyed using a variety of math manipulatives to model multiplication problems. Encourage your child to use objects found around the house such as buttons, pennies, Cheerios, or beans to reinforce the concepts of equal groups, jumps on a number line, and arrays.
Social Studies
Important Dates
October 16- Professional Development Day- No school for students
End of First Quarter
October 19- No School
October 23- Report Cards will be available on-line
October 28- Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 30- No school for students- Parent/Teacher Conferences