The Ritenour Review
2015 - 2016 Third Grade Weekly News
Websites to Use at Home
Math Sites:
- khanacademy.org
- xtramath.org
**We will add to this list in the coming weeks.
Baby Fish
To have a bit of fun, we decided to take a prediction poll on what type of baby fish are growing in our tank. Stay tuned! We are excited!
This Past Week
In reading, we paired up with helpful reading partners. We practiced listening to our partners to learn about them and help them grow as a reader. We looked at each other's reading logs and looked for patterns, we talked about genres we enjoyed and we shared about the topics near and dear to our hearts. Accountability is huge for learning growth. We will continue to work with each other to help grow in deep ways.
In math, we have worked on bar graphs. We identified the parts of a graph and how important the need for accuracy can be in relaying data. Some of us found that out the hard way while graphing their bean seeds. A few of our bar graphs show our plants are shrinking. Mistakes help us all grow. We are thankful for those mistakes.
We ended the week learning about multiplication. I presented a few simple multiplication word problems and asked for them to find strategies to solve. So far, we have discovered 6 different strategies to use for multiplication problems: drawing a picture, using an array, area model, repetitive addition, using an open number line, using a hundreds chart. The first step to solving any math problem is to visualize the concept and the problem. Knowing multiple strategies will help you when you get in a funk and cannot visualize initially. After our third day, they were writing their very own word problems and showing beautiful visualizations to show their thinking.
In writing, we are working on narrowing our topics down to a small moment - maybe 15 - 30 minutes worth of a memory. Within that small moment, we are adding our vision with being a storyteller. What did we feel, hear, think, taste, smell? We want our readers to feel like they stepped into our memory.
In science, we have been exploring been seeds and their life cycle. Key concepts we are working on right now:
- Germination is the growth of the plant from the seed.
- Plants create their own food.
- Seeds are dormant, living organisms
- Sunlight is necessary once the seed gains it's stem and leaves
Coming Up Next Week:
Next week, we are looking for normal - or at least a bit more routine.
Specifically in each subject we will be getting into the following:
- Math: The concept of Multiplication, Division and Weight vs. Mass. We are not working on being fluent in any area at the moment. We are identifying strategies that can help us tackle any area of math.
- Reading: We will work on checking our comprehension of our stories. Retelling is a huge skill to tackle this first quarter.
- Science: We will continue to watch our seed experiments. Our science quiz for the seed and its life cycle will be next Thursday or Friday.
Next Week's Mentor Sentence
~The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
*We will work on compound sentences and adding vivid verbs.
Words List for Next Week: Past tense words with 'ed'
Upcoming Dates
September 12 - PTO Meeting 6:00pm
September 18 - 1st & 3rd Grade Vision Screening
September 26 - Jog-A-Thon
October 3rd (afternoon) & 4th (afternoon/evening) - Student Conferences/E-Day
October 9th - Picture Re-Take Day
October 10th - PTO Meeting 6:00pm w/ Dedication of Shade Structure
October 15th-19th - Fall Break
Mrs. Kersey Reading to Our Class
Math Strategies
Making Baby Fish Predictions
Seed Life Cycles
STEM Family Activities Due Monday, September 10
We are excited to see what comes to school on Monday when families send in their STEM Family Projects! We've heard of some creative creations that are heading our way!
Here are a few important details:
STEM Family Activities Due Monday, September 10
- Create something useful from materials found in nature.
- Actual creation or photo/poster of item can come to school for display.
- Label with Student(s) and Teacher(s) names and grade level(s).
- Students take their project to the classroom, and teachers will direct to stage area for an all school display/museum of projects.
Jog-A-Thon
Check your child's folder for information about this important day at Boone Meadow.
Jog-a-Thon will take place on Wednesday, September 26th. The money raised helps PTO to purchase electronic devices, outdoor equipment, provide teacher grants for classroom projects and experiences, fund activities such as our talent show, carnival, and numerous other experiences.
Volunteer opportunities are available!