Weekly Update for Room 210

Literacy:  Students have been practicing inferring the main idea of a short passage, and then a longer text.  We have also practiced using text features to support finding the main idea.  You can help your child at home by encouraging them to read non-fiction texts and asking them to find the main idea of different paragraphs within the text.  They should tell you the main idea and support it with details.  The main idea is ALWAYS A COMPLETE SENTENCE.  For example, the main idea of this paragraph is: Students have practiced finding the main idea in school this week and you can help at home as well.  (Notice I did NOT say: How students will practice finding the main idea.) 

During the writing block, we have been working on elaboration techniques. Next week, they will use what they've learned to practice writing 3 paragraph essays.  Students will learn to elaborate using a variety of strategies.  They will also practice using a variety of sentence structures within the paragraphs. 

Math: We are covering Lessons 2.3-2.6 in our Everyday Math curriculum this week. Today, students took the Math Boxes Assignment covering lessons 2.1-2.5. You can expect Home Links for homework most nights, and students may also continue to practice IXL or Front Row.

Science:  Exploring parallel and series circuits has been the focus of our lessons.  Students engaged in hands-on inquiry, as well as readings on the topic.  Students are welcome to explore the FOSS Science website at the bottom of the Energy page on the TGW!  User Name and Password: Noecker210

Reminders: 
10/27  Walk-a-Thon
10/30 QP #3 Due
10/31 Field Trip

Walk-a-Thon

Tomorrow (Friday, October 27th) students will participate in the Skinner North Walk-a-Thon.  Third grade will run/walk between 10:25-10:55am.  Feel free to come and cheer for your child!  Also, Mr. Schroeder asked me to tell you that veggies and lettuce are ready for harvest in the garden, and you are welcome to pick them while you are here!

Parent-Teacher Coffee Tomorrow, 10/17

I hope to see you tomorrow at the 3rd Grade Parent Coffee. It will be held in the Parent Room from 8:30- 9:30am.  See you there!

Looking at the Week Ahead: Week of 10/16

Literacy:  Students will work in differentiated stations and small groups to practice finding the main idea and supporting details in paragraphs.  We will also begin inferring the main idea when it is not explicitly stated in the text.  Towards the end of the week, students will use text features to infer the main idea of a short text.  During the writing block, we will also begin writing Prose Constructed Responses (writing about reading). 

Math:  Students took the Unit 1 math assessment today. Tomorrow, they will take the Unit 2 pre-test and we will begin Unit 2 on Wednesday.  You can expect Home Links for 2.1 and 2.2 as homework this week.  Unit 2 focuses on multiplication strategies and converting between units. 

Science:  We will finish our first Social Studies unit early in the week and begin our first science unit.  In our first science unit, students will study energy.  During the beginning of the unit, students will learn the components of a complete circuit.  They will also explore how to create a compete circuit with their science groups. 

Important Reminders:  
10/17 Parent-Teacher Coffee
10/26  40 BC Check-in (5 books + book talk)
10/27  Walk-a-Thon
10/30  Quarter Project #3 due
10/31  Field Trip
11/3 No School for students

Homework Assigned on Monday, 10/16

Math

• Front Row Math 15 minutes

Reading

• Read and work on 40 BC

Important Info

• Permission slip and money due by 10/25

Field Trip on October 31st

On October 31st, both third grade classes will take a field trip to the 34th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival. Click on the link below for additional details about the film we plan to see that day. 

https://festival.facets.org/schedule2017/halloween-monsters-in-the-moat

If you are interested in chaperoning the trip, please send me an email by October 21st. 

Homework Assigned on Friday, 10/13

Math

• Unit 1 Assessment is on Monday, 10/16
• Unit 1 study guide is due on Monday, 10/16
• Quarter Project part 2 is due on Monday, 10/16

Reading

• Read 30 minutes and work on 40 BC

Important Reminders

• Field trip permission slip and money is due on 10/25

Homework Assigned on Thursday, 10/12

Math

• Study guide is now due on Monday (the day of the test)
• Quarter Project check in #2 is due 10/16

Reading

• Read 30 minutes and work on 40 BC

Important Information

• Permission slip and money are due on 10/25
• Signed progress report due tomorrow!

Homework Assigned on Wednesday, 10/11

Math:

• SMJ pp. 2-34 are due tomorrow, 10/12
• Unit 1 Home Link packet due tomorrow, 10/12
• Study Guide due Friday, 10/13

Reading:

• Read 30 minutes
• 40 BC due tomorrow, 10/12

Important Info:

• Permission slip and money for field trip due 10/25

Homework Assigned on Tuesday, 10/10

Math: 
Home Link 1.13 
Work on study guide (due 10/13)

Reading: 
Read 30 minutes and work on 40 BC
40 BC Check-in #1 is due 10/12

Important Information:
Field Trip permission slip and money due 10/25
Our class needs volunteers to get quilt squares and website help
Quarter project part 2 is due 10/16

Progress Reports

Progress reports were sent home last Friday. Please sign and return your child's progress report by this Friday, October 13th. Thank you!

Looking at the Week Ahead: Week of 10/9

Literacy:  Students will take the final assessment for the self-monitoring portion of our first literacy unit. Then, we will move into the main idea and summarizing portion of the unit.  During this part of the unit, students will learn to write summaries and determine the main idea of a text.  During writing, we'll begin our Prose Constructed Response (PCR) unit. 

Math:  Study guides for the Unit 1 math test will be sent home on Tuesday.  They are due on Thursday.  We will take the final unit assessment on Friday. 

Social Studies: This week, students will participate in a mini-inquiry project focusing on a Native American tribe that once lived in the Chicagoland area.  They will research their tribe and create a quilt square representing their tribe later in the week.  Students will work in teams of 4 during this project. 

Interactive Read-Aloud:  I will continue to read aloud The Birchbark House, by Louise Erdrich. 

Important Reminders: 

• Tuesday, October 10 - Picture Day
• Thursday, October 12 - First 40BC Check-In
• Monday, October 16 - Quarter Project Park 2 due
• Friday, October 27 - Skinner North Walk-a-thon

Picture Day is Next Tuesday, 10/10

Just a quick reminder that picture day is next Tuesday, October 10th.  Picture day forms were sent home a few weeks ago. You may order online or send money to school with your child.  Please see the form for more details.

Looking at the Week Ahead: Week of 10/2

Literacy:  This week we'll wrap up the Self-Monitoring portion of our first unit.  Students will continue to practice using context clues.  They will also practice inferencing strategies.  Last Friday, we took the REACH BOY PT (Beginning of Year Performance Task) - this is a brief written assessment to monitor students' literacy progress from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. During writing, students will be introduced to Kid Blog.  We'll begin our second writing unit later in the week, which will focus on academic writing. 

Math:  Students will be instructed on lessons 1.8-1.12 this week.  You can expect corresponding Home Links for homework.  Students will review subtracting strategies as well as geometry and measurement skills. 

Social Studies:  A new Key Concept mini-project was introduced last Thursday. This mini-project corresponds to the Nat Geo Native American theme set we have been studying the last couple of weeks.  Students had the opportunity to work on the project in class last Thursday and Friday, and they will have time to finish their mini-projects in class today.  Thursday, students will be assessed on the Native American theme set texts.  During the assessment, students will be allowed to use the book. 

Other Important Reminders: 
Progress Reports Distributed - 10/6
Picture Day - 10/10
40 Book Challenge Check-In - 10/12
Quarter Project Part 2 due - 10/16
Skinner North Walk-a-Thon - 10/27