This Week In Our Classroom

Literacy:  Students will continue to study characterization using the characters in Every Living Thing, by Cynthia Rylant.  They have been learning how to look for clues in the character's feelings, actions, sayings (dialogue), thoughts, and what others say about them to develop a deeper understanding of the character.  We use the acronym FASTO to help remember these clues. 

During writing, students are working on their informational books about Chicago.  We will take a break from prose constructed response writing this week. 

Math:  Students will be instructed on lessons 3.6-3.10.  The lessons focus on comparing fractions, ordering fractions on a number line, decimals, and conversions.  You can expect corresponding Home Links. 

Social Studies:  Earlier in the week, students worked on a mini-project that focused on content from the first three chapters of Just Add Water.  Towards the end of the week, students will study Fort Dearborn and its significance.  They will also learn about events that led to the Fort Dearborn Massacre and work on a fun project around the topic. 


Important Dates:
12/7 40BC Check In (10 Books)
12/7 Skinner North Art Fair
12/13  Third Grade Class Spelling Bee
1/9 Quarter Project Part 2 Check In
12/20-12/21 Winter NWEA Testing

This Week In Our Classroom: Week of 11/27

Literacy: We started our next unit about Character Study this week!  It is our major unit for the 2nd quarter in the reading block.  I read aloud Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Pollaco, earlier in the week.  This text serves as the mentor text throughout the unit.  Students will be practicing the skills that we learn using Every Living Thing, an anthology of short stories.  Tasks are differentiated throughout the text to meet the needs of all of the students.  Students will work in partners, small groups, and independently throughout this portion of the unit.  Most of the work will be completed in school; however, unfinished work may be sent home as homework.

During the writing block, we'll use our social studies text, Just Add Water, and other short texts to continue to practice writing constructed responses. 

Math:  We're reviewing fractions and equivalencies in math.  Lessons 3.3-3.5 were instructed earlier in the week and corresponding Home Links were assigned for homework.  Students should continue to work on IXL lessons and Front Row at home. 

Social Studies:  This week, we began our second social studies unit: How Chicago Came to Be.  This unit is driven by our shared text, Just Add Water.  We use the text very frequently throughout the unit.  You may want to rent or purchase a copy to keep at home if you think it would be helpful.  It is available on Amazon (click the link above) for a very inexpensive price!  On Wednesday, students were introduced to a unit-long project that involves using the text.  

Important Dates:
12/5 Quarter Project Part 1 due
12/7 40 BC check-in (10 entries total)

A Sneak Peek into Our Week

Literacy:  Tomorrow, students will take the Main Idea, Details, and Summarizing unit assessment. Also, tomorrow, students will be starting their first round of literature circles this year!  They will read a National Geographic non-fiction book of their choice.  The book will be split into sections and each day students will be expected to read the next section in the book.  Then, they will meet with their small group to talk about the reading and practice discussion skills.  Students will use skills they've learned in the main idea and summarizing unit.  In writing, we will continue to practice essay writing and this week, we will begin using a text to support our thinking.  

Math:  Students will take the Unit 2 assessment on Thursday. The Unit 2 study guide was distributed today and we will review it in class tomorrow (Tuesday). Unit 2 SMJ pages and the Home Link packet are due tomorrow (Tuesday). On Friday, students will take the Unit 3 pre-test and we will begin the new unit next Monday.  Unit 3 focuses on fractions and decimals.  Students will learn to compare and order decimals in this unit.

Science:  We will will wrap up our unit on electricity and magnetism this week.  We will briefly explore electromagnetism and then, students will take a final assessment.  Notebooks and text books may be used on the final assessment.  Instructions and expectations for the Quarter 2 Project went home last week.  Please be on the look out and ask your child to see them if you haven’t seen them already!

Conferences: Parent-Teacher Conferences are this Wednesday, 11/15. Students do not have school this day.  Everyone who turned in a time preference sheet should have received it back by now with an assigned time. If you did not submit a form, I will send an email confirmation with your assigned meeting time this evening.

REMINDER:  There is a new TGW!  www.snthirdgrade.com

Important Reminders: 
Tuesday, 11/14: Main Idea, Details & Summarizing Unit assessment

Wednesday, 11/15:  No School for Students/Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, 11/16:  40 BC (8 entries due)

Thursday, 11/16: Unit 2 Math assessment

Friday, 11/17:  International Festival
Wednesday, 11/22 – Friday, 11/24:  Fall/Thanksgiving Break

Conference Scheduling Forms

Conference scheduling forms were sent home with your child last Thursday.  Return forms as soon as possible. Please indicate your top three preferences, and I will do my best to accommodate your preferences.

Holiday Catalogs

In December, students will work on a 2-week cumulative decimal project in which they will apply key concepts learned about decimals.  

We will need lots of CATALOGS for this project!  Since the holiday season is near, if there are extra catalogs you have at home, and don't want, please have your child bring them in to use for this project.  Please check the appropriateness of the catalog before you send it in.  

A Sneak Peek into This Week

Literacy:  We will wrap up our summarizing lessons this week and take the final unit assessment for our Main Ideas and Summarizing unit.  Following the assessment, students will participate in literature circle discussions using the skills we've been learning throughout the unit. Towards the end of the week, students will choose the book they will read.  During the writing block, students will type the paragraphs they worked on last week, and they will learn to use transition words and build stronger introduction and conclusion sentences.  We will also begin writing essays about short texts later in the week and early next week.

Math:  The final lessons in Unit 2 will be taught this week.  The lessons focus on geometry skills including triangles, quadrangles, and patterns.  You can expect the corresponding Home Links as homework.  The Unit 2 assessment will take place early next week.  Study guides will be sent home Friday of this week. 

Science:  "The Force of Magnetism" is the title of the second investigation in our Energy Unit.  Students will explore magnetism, learn about the magnetic fields, and investigate the force of a magnet.  Some reading may be assigned as homework - please check your child's planner. Information on the Quarter Project will be sent home later in the week. This project is science related - specifically, circuits and energy transfer.

Important Reminders: 
Wednesday, 11/15 Parent-Teacher Conferences; no school for students
Thursday, 11/16 40 BC Check-In (8 entries total)
Wednesday, 11/22 - Friday, 11/24 Thanksgiving Break; no school

School Pictures & Retakes

School pictures and proofs (if you didn't already order pictures) will be sent home tomorrow. Please see the note below regarding picture retakes and ordering pictures online.