Many of our students memorized Our Class Promise! I was very impressed! Last week, students who memorized the promise were able to pick a prize from the treasure chest.
Additionally, our class is showing very good attendance lately. I'm glad that everyone is able to stay well and is continuing to make school a priority!
It's hard to believe that October is just about over. We almost have 2 months of school under our belts!
Reading
Our focus in reading this week was to learn about author's purpose. We learned that authors write for three primary reasons: to persuade, to inform, and to entertain. Students learned the acronym "PIE" to help them remember the three components.
Students learned how to identify different pieces of writing using the author's purpose PIE.
Students also participated in a variety of activities this week to help them develop their reading fluency (their ability to read accurately and with expression). Early in the week, students practiced and performed small plays in groups of 2-3. We also did parter reading with selections from our favorite author as of late, Shel Silverstein. Our third graders are getting a big kick out of his silly poetry! Below is a picture of students reading Shel Silverstein poems to one another.
Math
We spent our entire week in Unit 3 learning about addition and subtraction story problems. Students learned to use comparison bars, comparison pictures, and math mountains to help them figure out what operation to perform in a story problem. Due to the fact that our class is largely visual, we are doing a great deal of picture drawing and "acting out" to help us find solutions. Students were sent home with a set of practice story problems over the weekend to help them prepare for the test we will take next week. Please encourage your child to read the story problems carefully, show their work, and label their answers!
Social Studies
This week, we finished our short unit covering basic map skills. Students were extremely excited to begin the long-awaited Create a Culture project on Thursday. Taking all of the information we learned during our culture and map skills units, students will each get the chance to create their own imaginary country and culture. They will complete a packets identical to the Country Report packets. Students will also be required to give short presentations. More to come on this project under the "Projects" page next week!
Also, congratulations to Darya for memorizing the 50 States Song! Darya sang us the song on Friday and we were all thoroughly impressed. Please look at last week's blog post to see the youtube link to view the 50 States Song.
Announcements
Important Dates
This week, we finished our short unit covering basic map skills. Students were extremely excited to begin the long-awaited Create a Culture project on Thursday. Taking all of the information we learned during our culture and map skills units, students will each get the chance to create their own imaginary country and culture. They will complete a packets identical to the Country Report packets. Students will also be required to give short presentations. More to come on this project under the "Projects" page next week!
Also, congratulations to Darya for memorizing the 50 States Song! Darya sang us the song on Friday and we were all thoroughly impressed. Please look at last week's blog post to see the youtube link to view the 50 States Song.
Spelling
Students received their second spelling list this week. After grading the tests, I can say that most students did an excellent job studying and preparing throughout the week. There were a number of students who could still use a bit more study time at home, however. Please help your child remember to practice spelling their words at home!
VIP of the Week: Kaitlan
This week, Kaitlan was the VIP of the Week! Apparent from her poster, Kaitlan is an all-around animal lover. She has many, many pets at home and wants to become a veterinarian when she grows up. Thank you for sharing with us, Kaitlan!
Announcements
- Last call for parent volunteers! I will be contacting those who are interested in volunteering in our class in the very near future. Many parents filled out the volunteer sheet distributed in the Parent Packets on the first day of school. If you are interested and you did not fill out that sheet, please contact me via email.
- Most students are remembering to get their Homework Sheets signed every night. However, there was a drop in the number of parent signatures on Homework Sheets this week. Students need their parent signatures to earn their stars on their homework star chart- please help them remember to get their Homework Sheets signed by a parent or guardian!
- Several students have come to class with Halloween candy and/or snacks to pass out to the class. Thank you so much to those of you who have donated food to our class! I will be passing out candy brought to class on Halloween.
- As always, remember that students are expected to read at least 25 minutes every night. Please do not sign off on the Homework Sheet until your student has read, or is read to, for at least 25 minutes.
Important Dates
October 28 - Harvest Night (6:30-8:00pm)
October 31 - Early Dismissal (12:45), Parent Teacher Conferences
November 1 - Early Dismissal (12:45), Parent Teacher Conferences
November 2 - Early Dismissal (12:45), Parent Teacher Conferences
November 3 - Early Dismissal (12:45), Parent Teacher Conferences
November 4 - Early Dismissal (12:45), Parent Teacher Conferences
November 18 - Turkey Bingo (6:00-8:00pm)
Sincerely,
