3rd Grade Newsletter
Third Grade Newsletter
Volume 7, Number 7 sadkins@pennoyerschool.org October 24, 2008
Hello Parents! This has been an interesting week we have had together. Some students are still struggling with behavior (we have not had a class reward at all this month due to the loss of more than four apples in a week) but the kids are mostly pulling themselves together. I was able to try some new things with them that were very successful. My favorite is a chart we started on book recommendations. Whenever a student finishes a chapter book and they liked it, they have the opportunity to recommend it to someone else. The books are reviewed, and these reviews are available for everyone to look at. This will help the kids when they choose a new book. Sometimes they seem rather lost and don’t know what book to pick to read, so this list of recommendations should help. The whole class has been very enthusiastic about this idea, and they have added quite a few books to our chart already. We had a busy week, so here’s what’s been happening:
Reading ~ Our story for this week was a fantasy story called Wolf! Most of the kids seemed to enjoy this story, as did I. Personally, fantasy stories have always been a favorite of mine since it evokes the imagination to think about things that are not possible. Be sure to ask your child what they thought of the story! The kids need more practice with summaries, so you could also ask your child to give you a summary of the book. This is a good thing to do after every book they read. You could even have your child tell you a summary of each chapter they read while they are still working their way through the book. Another important skill that good readers have is making predictions. It is always a good idea to ask your child what they think will happen next. We work on these things in class, and any reinforcement you can give at home will be very helpful.
Language Arts ~ Our grammar lesson this week was on singular and plural nouns. This is where we start getting into those tricky grammar rules. Most nouns just need an s to make them plural – the exceptions are words that end in s, sh, ch, x, or y. They did pretty well with this in class, but the test from today will tell the true story! The kids have finally started working on their own expository stories in our writing time. They had two topics to choose from: Write about a real life hero that you know, or write about your favorite subject in school. Be sure to ask your child which topic they chose! We just started working with our four squares today, and I have been having mini conferences with each child about their writing to make sure they are on the right track. So far so good! Once the four squares are filled out, the actual writing of the paper is easy. Ask your child to tell you the chant we have that goes along with our four square!
Math ~ We got into regrouping this week! On Monday the kids rounded numbers to find differences (they are rounding pros by now!) and then we got into regrouping Tuesday and Thursday. We spent Wednesday in our centers, reviewing the chapter up to that point. There were quite a few kids who struggled with regrouping (even though they learned it last year) so I spent time in the afternoons helping those kids who needed it. You should be able to find those extra practice papers in their folders. I feel pretty confident that the kids have a grasp on regrouping now. Next week the kids will learn how to subtract across zero and how to explain an answer. Their chapter 5 test will be next Thursday, October 30.
Science ~ We had an experiment on Monday this week where the kids created simple thermometers. Please ask your child to explain this experiment to you! We read through the next section of our chapter and completed the final four vocabulary words. We still have another section to go, but the test is coming up quickly. It looks like it will happen on Monday, November 17. Our schedule gets goofy with days off in November. Please encourage your child to bring home their green science notebook to start practicing their vocabulary words and definitions.
Social Studies ~ This week in social studies we used information on a map to identify locations. We watched a short video that used exciting footage of Washington, D.C. The children were able to watch and explore the many types of maps, the differences between maps and globes. We discovered the necessity of using maps to help learn about and navigate around the nation’s capital. In the next couple of weeks, we will be discussing some general information about the two candidates that are running for presidency, and what each stands for. We will hold a mock election on November 4th. If you have not already, please begin to inform your child about the two candidates that are running for presidency and what each stand for. The results will be given on November 5th.
Other Areas of Interest:
Next Friday is Halloween. Students may dress up in costume, but please no weapons or masks. Your child needs to be able to work in their costume, so please do not dress them in anything too cumbersome. We will participate in a parade along the back of the school at 1:15 and parents are invited to attend! Do not send any candy to school with your child on that day. Our room parents will take care of treats for our party in the afternoon. We are all looking forward to this extra fun day!
Halloween is also the last day of the first quarter. Report cards will go home the following Friday, November 7.
The Book-It forms are due on Halloween. Your child should have been reading one chapter book a week in order to complete their goal. Please have those forms turned in to me by Halloween at the latest. This is a mandatory assignment and is worth 100 points of your child’s reading grade.
That’s it for now! It looks like the weather is taking a turn for the worse next week, with highs in only the upper 30’s on Monday and Tuesday. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather! Also, toys coming to school have continued to be a problem. You would not believe the amount of Lego’s I have taken away just this week! When I see toys in my classroom, they will remain in my possession until Friday. Please do not let your child bring toys to school. I wish you all a wonderful weekend and remember to keep your child reading!
Mrs. Sarah Adkins
