Literacy: Students will work on an in-class project for the majority of the week. The project relates to our Character Study unit. It asks students to choose a final presentation format and then present how the dynamic character - in the book they have just read during literature circles - changes. In addition to the project, students will work on word study activities and begin learning test-taking strategies, as the PARCC assessment will be administered to third graders this spring. We will spend a very minimal amount of time reviewing test-taking strategies each day. During writing, students will continue to draft their realistic fiction stories as we learn about using descriptive setting details and captivating endings!
Math: I will instruct lessons 5.7- 5.10 this week. You can expect corresponding Home Links for homework. If your child doesn't complete the corresponding SMJ pages in class, that will be assigned for homework as well. Students will practice subtracting fractions, creating line plots, and working with angles and protractors.
Science: This week students will study metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks. We will also study how the rocks create a rock cycle.
Quarter Project: Information for the Quarter 3 Project was sent home last week. Your child was sent home with a purple-colored one-pager that includes expectations and deadlines for the project. Additionally, your child was sent home with a research template packet Research should be completed in note-taking form (i.e. complete sentences are not necessary). Students must use four different sources, which must include more than just internet resources. In other words, please have your child gather information from books as well. Information is also available on the TGW if your child did not bring his/her copy home. The research packet is due on March 6th.
Important Dates:
2/22 - 40 BC Due (18 entries total)
3/6 - Quarter Project Part 1 Research Due
Monday, February 19, 2018
Sunday, February 11, 2018
A Sneak Peek into Next Week
I hope everyone had a safe and restful snow day last week! Here is a brief overview of what to expect next week:
3rd Quarter Project will be sent home on Monday. The project is literacy-based with a hint of science, as well!
Valentine's Day/Friendship Day: Students are welcome to bring in cards for ALL classmates on Wednesday, 2/14. We have 30 students in our classroom, and I sent the class list via email last week. I will give students time to distribute the cards on Wednesday afternoon. Please remember we cannot give out candy or edible treats. 💝
Literacy: Students will finish reading their literature circle book and engage in discussions that focus on the main character. Additionally, students will be introduced to a new word-study procedure we will begin to implement in the classroom. During the writing block, we are in the beginning stages of our Realistic Fiction unit. Students have developed a seed idea and now, they will begin writing the first draft of their story. They will learn a variety of narrative writing strategies including "showing" rather than "telling," using deliberate dialogue, and developing believable characters. Please ask your child to tell you about their story, and feel free to give constructive feedback! Authors appreciate feedback from readers.
Science: This past week, students began making a model of the weathering process. We will continue using this model to study the rock cycle and the different rocks that make up the rock cycle. Sedimentary rocks will be the focus in the beginning of the week. Towards the end, students will learn about metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks.
Math: We began Everyday Math Unit 5 last week. This week, I will instruct lessons 5.3-5.7. IXL checklists were sent home last week - please make sure your child has this taped in their planner. Students will add and subtract fractions, and they work in small partnerships to solve more in-depth problems using fractions.
3rd Quarter Project will be sent home on Monday. The project is literacy-based with a hint of science, as well!
Valentine's Day/Friendship Day: Students are welcome to bring in cards for ALL classmates on Wednesday, 2/14. We have 30 students in our classroom, and I sent the class list via email last week. I will give students time to distribute the cards on Wednesday afternoon. Please remember we cannot give out candy or edible treats. 💝
Literacy: Students will finish reading their literature circle book and engage in discussions that focus on the main character. Additionally, students will be introduced to a new word-study procedure we will begin to implement in the classroom. During the writing block, we are in the beginning stages of our Realistic Fiction unit. Students have developed a seed idea and now, they will begin writing the first draft of their story. They will learn a variety of narrative writing strategies including "showing" rather than "telling," using deliberate dialogue, and developing believable characters. Please ask your child to tell you about their story, and feel free to give constructive feedback! Authors appreciate feedback from readers.
Science: This past week, students began making a model of the weathering process. We will continue using this model to study the rock cycle and the different rocks that make up the rock cycle. Sedimentary rocks will be the focus in the beginning of the week. Towards the end, students will learn about metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks.
Math: We began Everyday Math Unit 5 last week. This week, I will instruct lessons 5.3-5.7. IXL checklists were sent home last week - please make sure your child has this taped in their planner. Students will add and subtract fractions, and they work in small partnerships to solve more in-depth problems using fractions.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Quarter project due date pushed back
Ms. Shakespeare and I have pushed back the quarter project part 3 due date from Tuesday, 1/23 to Monday, 1/29. Students should bring their toy and written or typed responses to school on the 29th. Below, I have provided the rubric for part 3 with an updated due date.
Coming Up Next Week
We have a busy week coming up...
Literacy: Students will finish their guided reading book and choose a literature circle book for the final part of our Character Study Unit. They will also take the final Character Study Unit assessment. During writing, students will practice finding text evidence, and they will give a book talk to the class on Thursday.
Math: On Monday, students will complete a Math Box Assignment covering 4.1 - 4.4. Throughout the week, I will instruct lessons 4.7-4.10. You can expect the corresponding Home Links. Students will practice using multi-digit multiplication strategies to solve word problems.
Science: On Friday, we began studying forces of nature that change the Earth. Students were assigned a differentiated National Geographic theme set text, which they will use to learn about different forces of nature including wind, water, ice, earthquakes and volcanoes Students will work with me to review and practice finding the main idea and details of a non-fiction text.
We have a field trip to the Chicago History Museum on Wednesday, 1/24. Trip slips were sent home last Thursday - please return on Monday. Students will need a brown bag lunch, as we will eat at the museum. I will email details to parent chaperones on Monday afternoon. Two chaperone spots are still open!
40 Book Challenge Notebooks are due on Thursday, 1/25 - I will extend the due date to Friday, 1/26 if extra time is needed. Students will give a 1-minute book talk in class on Thursday. Book talks should be memorized and no longer than one-minute. Additionally, students are required to complete a book talk planning sheet that should be taped into the back of their 40 BC notebook. This sheet is meant to help students plan out what they will say during their talk in class.
Science Night will take place on January 31st - quarter projects will be on display from 3:30-4:30pm. We hope you are able to make it!
Students have been working hard and will perform at the Winter Music Assembly on Friday, 1/26, at 9am and 2pm. We hope you are able to make one of those performances, as well!
Literacy: Students will finish their guided reading book and choose a literature circle book for the final part of our Character Study Unit. They will also take the final Character Study Unit assessment. During writing, students will practice finding text evidence, and they will give a book talk to the class on Thursday.
Math: On Monday, students will complete a Math Box Assignment covering 4.1 - 4.4. Throughout the week, I will instruct lessons 4.7-4.10. You can expect the corresponding Home Links. Students will practice using multi-digit multiplication strategies to solve word problems.
Science: On Friday, we began studying forces of nature that change the Earth. Students were assigned a differentiated National Geographic theme set text, which they will use to learn about different forces of nature including wind, water, ice, earthquakes and volcanoes Students will work with me to review and practice finding the main idea and details of a non-fiction text.
We have a field trip to the Chicago History Museum on Wednesday, 1/24. Trip slips were sent home last Thursday - please return on Monday. Students will need a brown bag lunch, as we will eat at the museum. I will email details to parent chaperones on Monday afternoon. Two chaperone spots are still open!
40 Book Challenge Notebooks are due on Thursday, 1/25 - I will extend the due date to Friday, 1/26 if extra time is needed. Students will give a 1-minute book talk in class on Thursday. Book talks should be memorized and no longer than one-minute. Additionally, students are required to complete a book talk planning sheet that should be taped into the back of their 40 BC notebook. This sheet is meant to help students plan out what they will say during their talk in class.
Science Night will take place on January 31st - quarter projects will be on display from 3:30-4:30pm. We hope you are able to make it!
Students have been working hard and will perform at the Winter Music Assembly on Friday, 1/26, at 9am and 2pm. We hope you are able to make one of those performances, as well!
Friday, January 12, 2018
Important: Guided Reading Homework Overview
I wanted to give you a heads up - as we move into the guided reading portion of our Character Study, students may have slightly more homework than usual.
Vocabulary: Students will be responsible for completing a vocabulary concept map each night. The vocabulary word will come directly from the novel they are reading in class. Students will need to write the sentence from the text, an inferred definition, the actual definition, a synonym, an antonym, draw a picture, and write a sentence of their own to show the student understands the meaning of the vocabulary word. This homework will be checked daily. This portion should not take longer than 10 minutes and students may use a dictionary or thesaurus.
Reading and Note-Taking Page: Each day, students are required to read a portion of their book and complete a "Note-Taking" page. They will have 30+ minutes to work on this in class each day; however, any incomplete work will be assigned as homework. I've asked students to take this home each night and return it the next day even if they have completed the work. The assignment will be checked daily. It would be very helpful if you can please double check to make sure it is completed and returned daily. If the work is forgotten at home, students will be expected to read a different book during the allotted time and make up the assignment fully as homework.
Characterization Think-Mark: As students read, they will look for characterization clues (important parts of text that show the main character's feelings, actions, dialogue, thoughts, and what others say/think of the character). This tri-fold bookmark is completed throughout the guided reading unit and will also be checked daily. Be sure to ask your child about this portion of the assignment each night to ensure they have remembered to add to their think-mark.
Vocabulary: Students will be responsible for completing a vocabulary concept map each night. The vocabulary word will come directly from the novel they are reading in class. Students will need to write the sentence from the text, an inferred definition, the actual definition, a synonym, an antonym, draw a picture, and write a sentence of their own to show the student understands the meaning of the vocabulary word. This homework will be checked daily. This portion should not take longer than 10 minutes and students may use a dictionary or thesaurus.
Reading and Note-Taking Page: Each day, students are required to read a portion of their book and complete a "Note-Taking" page. They will have 30+ minutes to work on this in class each day; however, any incomplete work will be assigned as homework. I've asked students to take this home each night and return it the next day even if they have completed the work. The assignment will be checked daily. It would be very helpful if you can please double check to make sure it is completed and returned daily. If the work is forgotten at home, students will be expected to read a different book during the allotted time and make up the assignment fully as homework.
Characterization Think-Mark: As students read, they will look for characterization clues (important parts of text that show the main character's feelings, actions, dialogue, thoughts, and what others say/think of the character). This tri-fold bookmark is completed throughout the guided reading unit and will also be checked daily. Be sure to ask your child about this portion of the assignment each night to ensure they have remembered to add to their think-mark.
A Look Back at Our Week
Literacy: This past week, we began the guided reading portion of our Character Unit. Students have been assigned a novel with a strong, dynamic main character. Students will continue to practice the skills they have learned, as they participate in small group discussions, skill practice with me, and independent reading activities centered around the novel. You can read more about the novels and the unit on the TGW.
This week in writing, we wrapped up our ABC books.
Math: We took the Unit 4 (Multi-Digit Multiplication) pre-test on Tuesday and began the unit on Wednesday. In addition to learning several strategies for solving multiplication problems, students will also begin solving multi-step number stories and using estimation to check for reasonable answers.
Social Studies: Unit 2 will wrap up this week. Students received a study guide yesterday, and they will work on completing the study guide in their Inquiry Notebook in class today. Students will take the open-book ("Just Add Water") unit assessment on Tuesday, 1/16.
Note: If you are interested in volunteering in our classroom, please sign up at http://signup.com/go/BpyCRnd. Your help is great appreciated!!
Important Dates
Monday, 1/15: No School in observance of MLK Day
Tuesday, 1/16: Unit 2 S.S. Assessment
Tuesday, 1/23: QP Part 3 due
Thursday, 1/25: 40 BC Check-in (14 entries total and book talk #2)
This week in writing, we wrapped up our ABC books.
Math: We took the Unit 4 (Multi-Digit Multiplication) pre-test on Tuesday and began the unit on Wednesday. In addition to learning several strategies for solving multiplication problems, students will also begin solving multi-step number stories and using estimation to check for reasonable answers.
Social Studies: Unit 2 will wrap up this week. Students received a study guide yesterday, and they will work on completing the study guide in their Inquiry Notebook in class today. Students will take the open-book ("Just Add Water") unit assessment on Tuesday, 1/16.
Note: If you are interested in volunteering in our classroom, please sign up at http://signup.com/go/BpyCRnd. Your help is great appreciated!!
Important Dates
Monday, 1/15: No School in observance of MLK Day
Tuesday, 1/16: Unit 2 S.S. Assessment
Tuesday, 1/23: QP Part 3 due
Thursday, 1/25: 40 BC Check-in (14 entries total and book talk #2)
Monday, January 8, 2018
Happy New Year and THANK YOU!
I wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year and let you know that I look forward to a fabulous second-half of the school year! We have some really exciting projects, lessons, and activities planned for the upcoming months, in addition to a field trip that we are in the works of planning right now. Please stay tuned for more details on the field trip, as I will send an update as soon as the date is finalized.
Also, I wanted to extend a big THANK YOU for the generous and thoughtful gift that I received from our class this holiday season! I am beyond grateful to have such amazing students with supportive parents this year, and I truly appreciate your generosity and kindness!
Also, I wanted to extend a big THANK YOU for the generous and thoughtful gift that I received from our class this holiday season! I am beyond grateful to have such amazing students with supportive parents this year, and I truly appreciate your generosity and kindness!
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