Third Grade

Third Grade News

March 8 – 12, 2010

Week’s Highlights:

• Readers’ Workshops: The children wowed the teachers this week with their continued work on inferences in texts.  After reading together a great story by Cynthia Rylant, An Angel for Solomon Singer, the children each chose one thick question to which to respond.  They each wrote down their inferred answers and then shared with classmates who responded to the same question.  The responses led to some great discussions!
• Writers’ Workshops: We have moved on to the editing stage of the writing process.  The children are carefully looking over their stories using their “best work folders” to correct spelling, punctuation, and capital letters.  In the computer lab, they have started to type up their final drafts in preparation for publishing.  It is a great way to practice typing skills with a real authentic project.
• Math: Our study of fractions concluded this week.  The children compared fractions and explored equivalent fractions.  There are two fun games to play at home in the new math menu.  These games involve the use of fraction cards, which were sent home in backpacks today.  Keep your eye out for real applications of fractions in daily life!
• Science: Our very own Karen Kirk treated the students to a wonderful hands-on science experiment.  On Monday, she helped the children collect microbes and place them carefully in plates full of agar.  We collected samples from both indoors and outdoors.  Every day the children examine their specimens to look for growth and changes.  Dr. Kirk returned on Friday to look at the results with us.  She helped us identify the differences between mold and bacteria.  She also taught us some rather “interesting” facts about bacteria in our body.  Definitely ask your child about this!  Thanks Karen!
• Middle School Play: On Wednesday our class was lucky enough to watch a dress rehearsal of the Middle School’s performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream.  Everyone was hugely impressed with every aspect of the show – from the acting to the scenery to the costumes to the music and lighting.  Everything was done by the middle school students!  Definitely don’t miss the opportunity to see this great show!

Important Information:

• Homework: New book club books went home today.  Response journals and books are due back on Friday, March 26^th.
• Word Study: There will be an assessment on Friday, March 19^th.
• Goodbye to the Powers: We will say goodbye to Lauren in class on Friday, March 19^th.  Boo-hoo!
• Swim/Walk-A-Thon Collections are due by March 19^th.
• Conferences are Wednesday, March 24^th. Please schedule your time.  The information on how to sign-up electronically was sent out in the Baker Bulletin.  All Team in the Middle conferences are scheduled for 20 minutes.
• Save the Date: Following the children’s wishes, we have scheduled another joint musical production and publishing party for Wednesday, April 21^st beginning at 3:30.

Third Grade News

March 1 – 5, 2010

Week’s Highlights:

• Readers’ Workshops: The last two weeks we have been focusing on inferring.  This comprehension skill can be challenging for young students who are more concrete and used to looking for specific answers in texts.  We defined inferring as using reasoning to help make a smart guess.  We have practiced inferring meanings of new words from texts, and inferring answers to thick questions that aren’t directly answered by the author.  We also examined what leads us to make predictions we make as we read texts.  Good readers use their knowledge of the world and of books, as well as the specific text and pictures in the book to make smart inferences.  Next week’s reading assignment focuses on this comprehension skill.  Our new read aloud during snack time is My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett.
• Writers’ Workshops: We have moved on to the revising stage of our latest publishing cycle.  The children are actively rereading their stories and looking for specific ways to make them even better.  We are using a revising checklist to guide the review process.  The checklist covers the various writing lessons we have covered this year such as using dialogue and juicy words.  After children revise their story independently, they meet with a classmate to go through the process again.
• Math: We are into our second week on fractions.  Everyone has been exploring fractions of a whole and of a set.  Some children are also working on fraction word problems.  The new math assignment provides more information on third grade expectations in fractions and lets you see the type of work your child is currently doing.  The Mad Minute scores this week were not as high as anticipated.  Please practice the facts on a regular basis at home.
• Service Learning: Since our class narrowed down our focus to helping the environment, we have been brainstorming ideas for projects.  We are looking for something in which the children can be hands-on and directly responsible, and that does not involve money from families and friends!  Our first idea – to revamp recycling in the cafeteria – is being taken care of by the Student Council.  We are exploring a few other possibilities, but please let us know if you have any great ideas!

Important Information:

• Homework: Math journals are due next Thursday as always.  Reading journals are due next Friday.  There is a special assignment that connects to the work we are doing in class.  The assignment is taped in their journals.
• Word Study: A new cycle will start next week.  Be on the lookout for a new concept explanation sheet and list of “have-to-know” words.
• On-time arrival important on Monday, March 8^th. We have an important early meeting.  Generally by 8:30 there are only about 6 kids in the classroom.
• Book Orders are due online by Friday, March 12^th.
• Swim/Walk-A-Thon Collections are due by March 19^th.
• Conferences are Wednesday, March 24^th. The information on how to sign-up electronically is being sent out in the Baker Bulletin.  All Team in the Middle conferences are scheduled for 20 minutes.
• Battery Recycling: The middle school has organized a battery drop in the classrooms for families to recycle their used batteries.  Please send them in with your students.

Third Grade News

February 17 – 19, 2010

Week’s Highlights:

• Simple Machines: We celebrated the conclusion of our study of simple machines with a special event!  With the second graders, our class participated in a Simple Machines Olympics.  Everyone rotated through 6 activities, one for each of the simple machines.  Unlike the worldwide Olympics, our version was not competitive.  The goal was for each group to work as a team to best complete the activity.  Ask you child to describe some of the activities.
• Readers’ Workshops: The focus on biographies continued again this week.  During snack time, teachers read aloud mini-biographies to expose the students to a variety of important men and women.  The selection of texts for the next book clubs also focuses on biographies written in a range of styles.
• Writers’ Workshops: We talked this week about “juicy words”.  These words, as opposed to “flat words” are much more vivid and descriptive.  For example, instead of using “said”, we brainstormed words such as “exclaimed”, “whispered”, and “demanded”.   The children then went through their stories with an eye towards replacing some of their “flat words” with words that are “juicier”.
• Math: Our study of division continued this week.  Again, in third grade the focus is on understanding the concept not memorization of the facts or algorithms.  These are introduced in fourth grade.  The new math assignment focuses on division and provides a glimpse into the work we are doing in class.

Important Information:

• Homework: We are back to our regular routine.  New math journal assignments are due on Thursday, February 25^th.   New book club books and journals responses are due on Friday, March 5^th.  We had a serious talk in class about how the children need to step up responsibility for doing their best work on their homework assignments.  Work that has not been reviewed by the students or represent their best efforts will be redone.  Please have a talk with your child about the importance of increased independence and responsibility.
• Word Study: A new cycle will start next week.  Be on the lookout for a new concept explanation sheet and list of “have-to-know” words.
• Pancake Breakfast: Be sure to join the fun this Saturday, February 20th from 9:00-11:00 at this great BPO sponsored event!
• Swim/Walk-A-Thon: Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate in this student council sponsored event on Thursday, February 25^th.  We would love to get 100% participation from our class (right now we are only at 50%).  Even if your child raises just $1, the time and effort spent is valuable.  The deadline for turning in permission slips has been extended to Wednesday, February 24^th.  Third graders are scheduled to swim or walk from 4:30-5:00.