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. 

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!