Third Grade Newsletter
March 2019
Are you doing awesome things in your classroom or school?
If so, we would love for you to present a session during the Summer Learning Events in July.
Pasco County Schools will be accepting session proposal submissions to present during the 2019 Together We Lead Leadership Conference and the Together We Learn Summer Symposium. This call will be open to all staff with innovative approaches to share their high-quality practices that result in supportive learning environments for all students.
Be on the look out for the Summer Learning Call for Proposals invitation which will go out to all staff during the week of March 11th.
ELA
Unit 4 Module Study is available to help you unpack the unit and plan for instruction. During this unit, learners will understand that there are different types and structures of government around the world, and the role of citizens to stand up their beliefs to create change.
Writers will understand that using different sources enhances their writing. They will focus on writing opinion pieces in which they, state their opinion, use relevant evidence from research/texts to form and support an opinion with reasons using facts and details. Students will connect ideas with linking words and phrases and will summarize or restate opinion, in a concluding statement or section.
Promotion to 4th Grade Guidelines
Here are a few resources to support you with the work:
Buidling Fluency
Reading fluency is necessary to become a proficient reader
- Students who are not fluent readers struggle with reading the words – this gets in the way of understanding what the text means
- Students who are not fluent readers struggle with finishing tests on time
Helping students become fluent readers is not difficult and delivers big dividends – it’s “low hanging fruit”
Try using the Poetry Fluency Routine with the poems in your Text Collection.
Collaborative Conversations
- Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
- Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
- Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others.
- Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.
#PascoSpringReads
WHEN
Friday, March 15th, 5pm to Sunday, March 24th, 11:45pm
WHERE
This is an online event.
MORE INFORMATION
We hope that you enjoy your spring break and spend some time recharging and relaxing! To celebrate and share great reads over break, please tweet a picture of yourself reading a great book with the hashtag #PascoSpringReads. Each person who posts a picture with the hashtag will be entered into a raffle drawing with the chance to win some additional great reads from our team.
Math
It is that time of year where we start planning for next year and we need your feedback! Please complete this one question multiple choice survey regarding the Eureka Math student materials. Click here for the survey.
During the month of March, Grade 3 students will be wrapping up Module 5 working with fractions as numbers on the number line and starting Module 6. We wrap up Module 5 with students identifying equivalent fractions using fraction strips, number bonds, and the number line as models. Students compare fractions on the number line to recognize that equivalent fractions refer to the same whole. Students then compare fractions with the same numerator. As they study and compare different fractions, students continue to reason about their size. They develop the understanding that the numerator or number of copies of the fractional unit does not necessarily determine the size of the fraction.
In Module 6, students will work with Collecting and Displaying Data. Module 6 builds on Grade 2 concepts about data, graphing, and line plots. The Module 6 Study is scheduled to be released on 3/12/19. It is recommended that Module 6 begin on 3/26/19. This module study will be posted to the module page of the Elementary Learning Network under the blue bar titled, Virtual Learning Opportunities.
New to Eureka Math? Be sure to join us for our Introduction to Eureka Math session on 3/27/19 from 4:30-6:30 PM. This training will be held at the District Office in Building 2 Magnolia Room. Registration for this session can be found through My PGS under Course #2119 Section #13242.
Science
In March, third grade students will complete their exploration of Space. SC.3.E.6.1 provides a chance to explore the radiant energy of the sun. This learning builds on standards started in 2nd grade on the impact of the sun’s energy on water. The curriculum maps provide opportunities for students to investigate this standard through hands-on learning. Take a look at the Hot Pockets activity in the Elaborate section of the map for this standard. The Core Text Companion contains reading and images that build background learning on the impact of the sun’s energy. Look at pages 4-5 in the hardcover Core Text Companion.
Reminder-STEM Fair paperwork is due April 6th. See the STEM Fair Information page for information on submitting paperwork or the number of projects per school.
Social Studies
Celebrating Women's History Month
Women's History Month in March is an ideal time to celebrate the brave, bold, and fearless women who have influenced history. The important role women have played in shaping our nation and the world can often be overlooked, whether in the fields of humanities, science, politics, law, the arts, and more. This month encourage your students to learn about her story. You may find suggested instructional resources to support student learning here.
DBQ - Evening 2 - Professional Development
Please join us for an evening to continue growing our knowledge on the DBQ Process.
March 12th – 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Building 2
- Course # 1362/ Section 13897
March 25th is Medal of Honor Day
In Florida, March 25 of each year is designated as “Medal of Honor Day” and Medal of Honor has been added to s. 1003.42, F.S., Required Instruction, p.4. This is a perfect opportunity to embed the Medal of Honor Character Development Curriculum. Since the 25th is teacher planning day, this would be a wonderful way to kick off the 4th quarter on the 26th.
Reminder that the Medal of Honor National Convention will be hosted in Tampa next Fall and they have asked our county in welcoming all the attendees. Please find here directions for a letter writing campaign to have all Medal of Honor recipients welcomed by a personal note from our Pasco County students. Submit your student letters to Tina Stavrou in OLL by May 1st.
Art, Music, PE
PE Teachers please visit the Florida Safe Routes to School website for the free curriculum that is used with our Bike Trailers. We will be hosting a Safe Routes curriculum/Bike Trailer training on March 25th at 9:00 am. Register on myPGS.