Week of April 30 - May 4

We are entering May and the last month of school.  Our third graders are in the home stretch and looking forward to summer vacation.  During the next few weeks, there is still a lot of learning to do---with a sprinkling of fun added in:) Please read about what's coming up this week. 

Please attend the fabulous Volunteer Tea Party!  The staff would like to thank all the wonderful parents that help us throughout the year with a lovely "tea party".  Finger foods and desserts will be served.  Come on down and join the  fun.

Citizenship - This week we will review bullying and how we can help to prevent it by being more empathetic.  For the next two weeks, students will be working on identifying feelings in others and practicing empathetic behavior.

Reading – In conjunction with our unit on westward movement, we will read a historical-fiction story called Boom Town by Sonia Levitin. The story focuses on a period from 1848 – 1855, when people from all over the world went to California during the Gold Rush in search of job opportunities. Boom Town is about a family whose gooseberry pies become famous in the mining camps and help to transform a tiny community into a thriving boom town.

Writing -

Students will continue working on expository writing. Expository means "to explain". Students will learn how to brainstorm a web of ideas and generate a 4-square graphic organizer. This organizer will help them to write a multi-paragraph paper. The students will learn to defend an opinion using reasons, transition words, details, and elaboration. We will demonstrate some” I do’s” and “We do’s”. We will also give instruction on how to write a good introduction.

Spelling - This week we are on list #27. The pattern is  change y to i and es. Please help your child review this week because some of the words  may be more difficult.The test is May, April 4th.

Social Studies – We will be beginning our last Social Studies unit of the year. the students will be learning about immigration and migration.  After our country was formed, more and more people came to the U.S. in hopes of a better life.  As the United States acquired more land,  people started moving westward out of the crowded cities hoping to purchase cheap land in the west to build homes and farms.  One trail that was traveled was the Oregon Trail.  We will 

begin the unit with reasons for moving west and how difficult it was along the trail.  

Math-

Third grade math - Unit 9 is all about multi-digit multiplication and different strategies to find the answer.  During this unit students will be exposed to partial products, lattice and traditional multiplication techniques.  The highlight of the unit is always learning lattice multiplication.

Accelerated math 

April 23rd - April 27th, 2012

Don't be late....SAVE THE DATE for the

Mad Hatter Tea Party!

The May Watts Staff wants to say thank you to all of the parent volunteers that have helped the students. If you have volunteered, please save the date, Wednesday, May 2nd from 11am to 1pm. We hope to see you there.

****This is an adult afternoon event only!****

The Third grade students had a wonderful time at the DuPage Children's Museum! Thank you to all of our parent chaperones!

This week's news...

Citizenship - We will continue to discuss how to problem solve. Each classroom will discuss specific issues in the classroom as well. Teachers will remind students of ways to cool-off and use "I -messages" to tell people how they feel. Below is a short video designed to remind students that when conflict occurs they can use various strategies to solve the problem. Check it out - the song is kind of catchy!

How to Get Along

Reading – This week, we are taking a break from our Harcourt Reading Series to focus more heavily on our Expository Writing Unit. We will read a few non-fiction pieces in Time for Kids to enhance our expository writing skills.

Tune in next week, (April 30^th – May 4^th), when we will read a historical-fiction story called Boom Town by Sonia Levitin. The story focuses on a period from 1848 – 1855, when people from all over the world went to California during the Gold Rush in search of job opportunities. Boom Town is about a family whose gooseberry pies become famous in the mining camps and help to transform a tiny community into a thriving boom town.

Writing -

Students will continue working on expository writing. Expository means "to explain". Students will learn how to brainstorm a web of ideas and generate a 4-square graphic organizer. This organizer will help them to write a multi-paragraph paper. The students will learn to defend an opinion using reasons, transition words, details, and elaboration. We will demonstrate some” I do’s” and “We do’s”. We will also give instruction on how to write a good introduction.

Spelling - This week we are on list #26. The pattern is words that end in er, ful, ly, and able. Please help your child review this week because some of the words  may be more difficult.The test is Friday, April 27th.

Science–A Study guide on Simple Machines will be given out on Monday, 4/23. The test will be on Friday, 4/27.Students have learned that simple machines are tools that make work easier. The six simple machines are the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, wedge, screw and inclined plane. On our field trip to the children's museum, the children took part in a learning lab entitled "Why Wheels, Levers and Pulleys?" This is always an enjoyable unit for the students. The students are also gaining a better understanding of each of the six simple machines by completing a Power Point Flip Chart.

Math-

Third grade math –The Unit 8 Study Guide is due on Tuesday, 4/24. The Unit 8 Test is Wed., 4/25.The students have worked with fractions. We have reviewed numerator, denominator, parts of sets, and equivalent fractions. The students have compared fractions, used them in number stories, and used fractions greater and less than one. The students should also review and practice writing the value of digits in whole number place values and decimal place values of tenths and hundredths.

Accel.math - The Unit 8 Study Guide is due on Tuesday, 4/24. The Unit 8 Test is Wed., 4/25.The students have workedon Unit 8 which focuses on Area and Perimeter.

April 16-20, 2012

Don't be late....SAVE THE DATE for the

Mad Hatter Tea Party!

The May Watts Staff wants to say thank you to all of the parent volunteers that have helped the students. If you have volunteered, please save the date, Wednesday, May 2nd from 11am to 1pm. We hope to see you there.

****This is an adult afternoon event only!****

This week's news...

Field Trip Coming Up!
Third grade students are going to the DuPage Children's Museum!

• The Field Trip is Wednesday, April 18th for 3BA and 3K and Thursday, April 19th for 3A and 3BR.
• Students need to bring a bag lunch, nutritious snack and drink
• NO MILK OR HOT LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE THE DAY OF THE TRIP

Citizenship - We will continue to discuss how to problem solve.  Each classroom will discuss specific issues in the classroom as well.  Teachers will remind students of ways to cool-off and use "I -messages" to tell people how they feel. Below is a short video designed to remind students that when conflict occurs they can use various strategies to solve the problem. Check it out - the song is kind of catchy!

How to Get Along

Reading - We are in the second week of reading a story called Rocking and Rolling by Phillip Steele. This non-fiction piece informs readers about various ways the earth is formed. The story focuses on earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and glaciers. This is a great informative text and students will use the story to practice locating information. Students will be reminded to use graphs, maps, insets, pictures and captions to locate important information.

Writing - 
Students will be working expository writing.  Expository means "to explain". Students will learn how to use and will practice how to fill in a 4-square graphic organizer to help write a multi-paragraph paper using reasons, transition words, details and elaboration. We begin instruction with how to write a good introduction.

Spelling - This week we are on list #25. The pattern is words that end in -tion and -sion.  Please help your child review this week because some of the words are longer and may be more difficult.  The test is Friday, April 20th.

Science - Our next science unit is on Simple Machines. Students will learn that simple machines are tools that make work easier. The six simple machines are the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, wedge, screw and inclined plane. On our field trip to the children's museum the children will be taking part in the learning lab entitled "Why Wheels, Levers and Pulleys?" This is always an enjoyable unit for the students.  The students will be working on an activity where they will gain a better understanding of each of the six simple machines.

Math-
Third grade math - The students will continue to work with fractions.  We will review numerator, denominator, parts of sets, and equivalent fractions.  The students will also compare fractions, use them in number stories, and use fractions greater than one.  A study guide will be coming home this week and a test will follow shortly.

Accel. math -  The students will continue working in Unit 8 which focuses on Area and Perimeter.  A study guide will go home this week and will be due next week.  Please look at the top of the study guide for the due date.  The Unit 8 test will be next week as well.

Volunteer Luncheon

Don't be late....SAVE THE DATE for the

            Mad Hatter Tea Party!

The May Watts Staff wants to say thank you to all of the parent volunteers that have helped the students.  If you have volunteered, please save the date, Wednesday, May 2nd from 11am to 1pm.  We hope to see you there. 

****This is an adult afternoon event only!****

Week of April 9 - 13

This week's news...

Field Trip Coming Up! 
Third grade students are going to the DuPage Children's Museum!  

• The Field Trip is Wednesday, April 18th for 3BA and 3K and Thursday, April 19th for 3A and 3BR.
• Permission slips are due Thursday, April 12th.
• The cost of the trip is $13.00 - make checks  payable to May Watts
• Students need to bring a bag lunch, nutritious snack and drink
• NO MILK OR HOT LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE THE DAY OF THE TRIP

Citizenship - This week  we will revisit how to problem solve.  Teachers  will remind students of ways  to cool-off and use "I -messages" to tell people how they feel.  Below is a short video  designed to remind students that when conflict occurs they can use various strategies to solve the problem. Check it out - the song is kind of catchy!

How to Get Along

Reading - For the next two weeks, we will be reading a story called Rocking and Rolling by Phillip Steele.  This non-fiction piece informs readers about various ways the earth is formed. The story focuses on earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and glaciers.  This is a great informative text and students will use the story to practice locating information.  Students will be reminded to use graphs, maps, insets, pictures and captions to locate important information.

Writing -  In writing the students have been working on an ending to a story for a writing contest!  That's right, the Naperville Area Humane Society, with the endorsement of Mayor George Pradel is asking students in grades 3-5 to participate.  The students were read a story about a skinny little brown dog named Duke who is neglected by his owners.  Duke is left chained outside all day with no one to pet him or play with him.  He doesn't even have enough water to drink!  One day, a raccoon happens by with a box stuck on his head.  Duke convinces the raccoon to come closer so he can get the box off the raccoon's head.  Well, in return, Duke asks the raccoon to help him and set him free.  The students are to finish the story and write about how the raccoon helps and what happens to Duke once he is free.  This assignment is to be done primarily in class, but the students may work on it at home if they wish.  Students have until April 20th to complete their ending.  Pictures are encouraged for extra credit!

Each grade level winner will ...

- Get a Naperville Area  Humane Society T-shirt
- Go "behind the scenes" at the Humane Society, have lunch and enjoy fun time with the shelter dogs and cats.
- Winning entries will also be posted on the Humane Society website
- A Press Release will go out the local newspapers

Students will be working in their endings while we begin immersing them with examples of what expository writing is.  Expository means "to explain".  Students will learn how to use a 4-square graphic organizer to help write a multi-paragraph paper using  reasons, transition words, details and elaboration.  We begin instruction with how to write a good introduction.

Spelling - This week we are on list #24.  The pattern is words that end in ed and ing .  The test is Friday, April 13th.

Science - Our next science unit is on Simple Machines.  Students will learn that simple machines are tools that make work easier. The six simple machines are the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, wedge, screw and inclined plane. On our field trip to the children's museum the children will be taking part in the learning lab entitled "Why Wheels, Levers and Pulleys?"  This is always an enjoyable unit for the students.  We start the unit by asking the question- What is work?

Math-
Third grade math - At the beginning of unit 8, the students learned about numerators, denominators and fractional parts of a set.  This week we will cover identifying fractions on a number line, equivalent fractions and comparing fractions.