Third Grade Nuts & Bolts
Week of October 12th
Homework
Homework is an important part of a student's developing study habits, as well as keeping families informed about a child's learning. The purposes of homework include practice, preparation, or extension. Some students will have varied assignments. The standard amount of time spent on homework is ten minutes per grade. Therefore, third graders are expected to spend 30-40 minutes on their homework. This includes practicing math skills, preparing for weekly vocabulary and spelling quizzes by completing various assignments. Homework is another way which allows the teacher to assess a student's comprehension of concepts when outside of the classroom and without teacher guidance.
If your child is unable to complete their homework after you have offered an explanation of direction, the expectation is that they stop, and they ask me their questions the next day. If your child wishes to spend more than the suggested time doing homework, kudos to them! Otherwise, please set a timer and have your child stop after 30-40 minutes regardless of how much they complete.
Words Their Way
Words Their Way is a word study program for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling. Students do not memorize individual words for a weekly test. Students engage in various word sort activities to understand spelling patterns, word meaning, and develop spelling strategies. Level B covers the spelling stage of "within word patterns", level C "syllables and affixes", and level D "middle-late syllables and affixes" As a result, students will have the ability to demonstrate what they learn through their writing.
Word sorts include cutting and gluing pictures and words, categorizing, reading, engaging in word games, and writing words. Through repeated hands-on activities, students will develop consistency when apply spelling patterns in their reading and writing.
Watch our garden grow
Memoirs
Mentor texts introducing memoirs include Goal! written by Mina Javaherbin; Nana Upstairs & Downstairs written by Tomie dePaola; Lester's Dog written by Karen Hesse; Nanuk - Lord of the Ice written by Brian J. Heinz; and BIGMAMA's written by Donal Crews. Currently, students are learning about writer's craft through the memoir Saturdays and Teacakes written by Lester Laminack. Students are learning effective ways authors identify characters, express a main idea, use personification, onomatopoeia, repetition of words and phrases, imagery to capture a reader's imagination, and using proper names to make something real.
Math - Chapter 2
Number bonds show "part, part, whole". Students are practicing adding/subtracting by tens and then subtracting/adding the extra ones. Most students find this to be a challenging concept. This Friday, students will be asked to "show me" seven different ways to show "part, part, whole". Next week, students will continue to work in chapter two rounding numbers and estimating the value of a number to the nearest ten and hundred. Front-end estimation is the final concept in chapter 2.
Geography
Third grade geography provides students exposure to various mapping skills and concepts relating to the "Five Themes of Geography". As students explore and interact through hands-on class activities, they test their knowledge and ability to make real-world connections. Every student's ability to develop a working knowledge of these concepts will evolve throughout the year.
Map study
Searching for locations
What is the location of 51'N, 0' ?
Third Grade Garden
The third grade is embarking on a project to revitalize the Lower School Garden.
Event Information
Spring Rain Farm
Mr. Wyzga and Ms. Carley will take third grade to the Spring Rain Farm to explore a family owned cranberry bog. Students will observe the harvesting process of the cranberries.
When?
Thursday, Oct 15, 2015, 08:30 AM
Where?