Third graders are working hard. At this point in the year, we are increasing our test taking skills and building stamina in work and thinking. At the same time, the kiddos are having opportunities for fun. We enjoyed the Science Made Fun about changes (how many got pink ink sprayed on them?). The kids are also creating models to demonstrate sequence steps, and creating rectilinear animal forests to explore rectilinear figures. We have also returned to Math centers 3 days a week giving kids a chance to work more closely in small group with the teacher, and to have partner and review work opportunities.
Changes in Homework: Next week the kids will have a nightly reading Q & A passage. It is two sided- one side per night. The students are practicing reading closely and finding text evidence. All answers must be marked in the text. The kids should do PRRS (preview text, read text, closely read question, search and locate answers). They can write the acronym on their papers and check off each step as they do it. To alleviate homework, I am cutting cursive for now. Just a reminder, Sunshine math is not mandatory if your time does not allow for this.
Classroom Supplies Needed: I am in need of a few baggies of pennies- 20 or so per bag. Unless otherwise noted in writing- I will donate to a good cause on the completion of activities. We are learning about colonial North Carolina and will need coins for colonial games and trading/economics activity.
Help Needed at home: This week the children struggled with 6xs. I am going to hold up on 7s for a week to give kids a chance to practice more. If your child needs help with a math act, I placed a red reminder tag on their backpack strap. The kids are also struggling with finding missing sides in a rectilinear figure (2 rectangles put together). These are shown as an L for the basic shapes. They also need to be able to find area and perimeter of figure.
Important Dates: 3/23 cultural arts event 3/24 EARLY RELEASE 1:15 4/1 Saturday School- no foolin' :) 4/6 Oak View field trip 4/14 No School 4/20 Track out begins | What are we learning? Math: Finishing Area and Perimeter. Will follow up with fractions. Language Arts: Reading Informational: Understanding connections between paragraphs and sentences: cause and effect, sequence, comparison Writing: Writing opinion text Social Studies: North Carolina history Science: plants |