December 17th - 21st

Friday, 12/21- third grade read in.

12/24- 1/4- Winter Break, school resumes on 1/7.

Reading

We are continuing our author study on Chris Van Allsburg. This week, the students will finish reading The Sweetest Fig and The Widow's Broom. The main strategy that we will focus on is predicting and story endings.  The students will see how different endings change the story.  We will also continue to work on the skill from last week, which was inferring.  The students will use the information from the story and their own back ground knowledge to make predictions/guesses about the stories. Inferencing involves higher level thinking and so we will be spending the week on this strategy.

On Thursday, 12/20, we are planning on watching movies based on Van Allsburg's books. If anyone has a DVD copy of Zathura or Jumanji and are willing to let us borrow it, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

Writing

Some students are still finishing up on their personal narratives. Then we will move on to writing about the author Chris Van Allsburg and will respond to his books. We will also incorporate some winter writing as students finish their work.

Grammar

The students will examine how figurative language enhances writing. Figurative language is when people or animals represent a human trait or quality. We will practice using similes and metaphors in our writing. Similes use like or as to make comparisons. Metaphors are direct comparisons.

Spelling

The Unit 15 test will be this Friday, 12/21. The pattern focuses on words with "ar" in them. Please make sure to practice every night.

Science

We are continuing our unit on habitats.  The students will learn what a habitat is and all the things habitats need for plants and animals to survive.  The students will see how plants and animals live together.  We will also focus on the food chain: consumers, producers, carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.  Then the students will see how animals survive in the environment.

Third Grade Math

Unit 3 focuses on measurement, perimeter, and area. Students will be exposed to measuring with U.S. customary and metric units of length. In addition, they will learn the how to find the perimeter and area of a quadrilateral.

Accelerated Math

The beginning of unit 4 focuses on decimals. Students will be exposed to decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100. They will compare two decimals to tenths and hundredths and will learn how to write the decimals in expanded form. The second part of unit 4 focuses on different types of measurements. We will learn conversions between measurements as well.

December 10 - 14

Citizenship
The focus for citizenship this week is keeping hands and feet to yourself.

Reading

We are continuing our author study on Chris Van Allsburg. This week, the students will finish reading The Stranger and also read The Sweetest Fig and The Widow's Broom. The main strategy that we will focus on is predicting and story endings.  The students will see how different endings change the story.  We will also continue to work on the skill from last week, which was inferring.  The students will use the information from the story and their own back ground knowledge to make predictions/guesses about the stories. Inferencing involves higher level thinking and so we will be spending the week on this strategy.

Right before break, we are planning on watching movies based on Van Allsburg's books. If anyone has a DVD copy of Zathura or Jumanji and are willing to let us borrow it, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

Writing

Some students are still finishing up on their personal narratives. Then we will move on to writing about the author Chris Van Allsburg and will respond to his books. We will also incorporate some winter writing as students finish their work.

Grammar
The students will continue to work on plural nouns and possessive nouns.

Spelling

The Unit 14 test will be this Friday, 12/14. The pattern focuses on words with "ar" in them. Please make sure to practice every night.

Science

We will be starting our unit on habitats.  The students will learn what a habitat is and all the things habitats need for plants and animals to survive.  The students will see how plants and animals live together.  We will also focus on the food chain: consumers, producers, carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.  Then the students will see how animals survive in the environment.

Third Grade Math

Unit 3 focuses on measurement, perimeter, and area. Students will be exposed to measuring with U.S. customary and metric units of length. In addition, they will learn the how to find the perimeter and area of a quadrilateral.

Accelerated Math

The beginning of unit 4 focuses on decimals. Students will be exposed to decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100. They will compare two decimals to tenths and hundredths and will learn how to write the decimals in expanded form. The second part of unit 4 focuses on different types of measurements. We will learn conversions between measurements as well.

December 3rd - 7th

Important Dates: 
Mon. 12/3 - Grades 3, 4, and 5 Family Math Night 6:30-8:30
Wed. 12/5 - Grades K - 2 Family Math Night 6:30-8:30

Family Math Night's theme is Sports!  Football, Cricket, Basketball, and LaCrosse have never been this much fun.  Watch your children move, learn, and discover the excitement of Math!  So, warm-up and come out to participate in all the LIVE action.  There are going to be a few cool estimation exercises - so bring a pencil and get moving!  Walk-ins are welcome.


Citizenship
The focus for citizenship this week is respecting substitutes.  Unfortunately, teachers do have to miss school from time to time.  When we do, sometimes the students act differently with a substitute.  We will discuss the importance of be respectful and responsible with substitutes and how it keeps us safe.

 

Reading

We are continuing our author study on Chris Van Allsburg. This week, the students will be reading Two Bad Ants and The Stranger.  The main strategy that we will focus on is inferencing.  The students will use the information from the story and their own back ground knowledge to make predictions/guesses about the stories.  Inferencing involves higher level thinking and so we will be spending the week on this strategy.

Right before break, we are planning on watching movies based on Van Allsburg's books.  If anyone has a DVD copy of Zathura or Jumanji and are willing to let us borrow it, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

 

Writing

Some students are still finishing up on their personal narratives. Then we will move on to writing about the author Chris Van Allsburg and will respond to his books.  We will also incorporate some winter writing as students finish their work.

 

Spelling

The Unit 13 test will be this Friday, 12/7. The pattern focuses on words with "oo" in them.  Please make sure to practice every night.

 

Social Studies

We will be finishing our unit on our countries government by learning about our nation's capital, Washington D.C..  Students will learn how Washington D.C. became our capital and how it has changed since the beginning of our nation until the present time.  Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were two men that made a significant difference in our country. The students have been discussing their contributions to the country, as well.

 

Third Grade Math

Unit 3 focuses on measurement, perimeter, and area. Students will be exposed to measuring with U.S. customary and metric units of length. In addition, they will learn the how to find the perimeter and area of a quadrilateral.

Accelerated Math

The beginning of unit 4 focuses on decimals. Students will be exposed to decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100. They will compare two decimals to tenths and hundredths and will learn how to write the decimals in expanded form. The second part of unit 4 focuses on different types of measurements. We will learn conversions between measurements as well.