Week of April 2nd, 2012

Important Dates
Monday, 4/2:  School Resumes
Thursday, 4/5:  Report Cards go home
Friday, 4/6:  No School

Reading
The students have been trained on how to use Six Minute Solution in the last couple of weeks.  This week we will focus on this program that helps students read fluently.  The students have learned that reading fluently consists of 4 different things.  To be a fluent reader, they must:  1.  read with accuracy; 2. read with the correct speed; 3.  understand what they read;  4.  read with expression.   Ask your child what this program is about!

Writing
We will begin our 4 week unit on expository writing this week.  There are many different types of expository writing, but we will focus on the "explanation" part of expository writing.  Many of the prompts we will write on ask a question and expect a explanation why.  Students then have to support their reasons with details and elaboration.  Here are examples of some prompts:  Why is school a great place? or What is your favorite animal and why?  Students will be using a 4-square graphic organizer to organize their thoughts before they write.  Students will be learning to write a 4 paragraph essay using this organizer.
 
Spelling
Yes, there is going to be a spelling test this week!  The students took the Unit 23 pretest before spring break.  Unit 23 focuses on words that have a VCV (vowel, consonant, vowel) pattern.  The spelling test will be this Thursday, 4/5/12.

Science
As we continue our study on the moon, this week we will focus mainly on the 8 phases of the moon.  A study guide will be going home on Monday, 4/2 and the test on the moon unit will be this Thursday, 4/5.

Math
All math classes will be beginning Unit 8 this week.  Unit 8 for third grade math focuses on fractions.  Unit 8 for accelerated math focuses on perimeter and area.