Don't forget to turn your clocks forward tonight! We unfortunately lose an hour of sleep!
Reading & Writing
This week, we have been reviewing and learning more about cause and effect and compare and contrast. At the beginning of the week, we finished the picture book contest by exploring cause and effect in the stories. Towards the end of the week, we reviewed venn diagrams and explored an interesting non-fiction text called "Crocodiles and Alligators." Students compared and contrasted crocodiles and alligators and learned how to tell these reptiles apart.
As I mentioned, students have been taking DRA tests and STAR tests. Your child's scores will be in the "comments" box of the reading section on report cards. Please look out for them! I am happy to report that all students made growth!
To remind you, students who earn 10 or more AR points in the month of March will be able to attend a root beer float and cookie party on March 30. Many students are already nearing the 10-point mark! Lots of our students have been receiving AR rewards from Mr. Garrard, our librarian. Nice job, students!
Last but not least, we will be finishing our exciting read aloud book this week. We have been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and are almost to the end! This exciting story is one of my absolute favorites!
Math
This week, we prepared for and completed the trimester 2 math test. Overall, students did a wonderful job. I can tell that many of our third graders have been practicing their multiplication facts at home! We will continue our one minute timed multiplication tests in class, so please keep encouraging your child to practice with flash cards/strategy cards.
Next week, we will wrap up Unit 9 in out math books and continue on to learn about fractions in Unit 11.
Science
We ended our Physics of Sound unit this week. Students thoroughly enjoyed learning about sound! After a test, we celebrated by watching The Magic School Bus: The Haunted Mansion. The movie was all about sounds, pitches, and volume.
Additionally, we welcomed a special guest into our room on Wednesday. Mrs. Nelson, a representative from the city of Everett, came into our class to talk about water. She taught us interesting facts about where we get our water from and how we can do our part to save water. Students were very engaged and had a fun time participating in hands-on activities!
I apologize for the blurry quality of the phone-taken photos!
Biographies
On Friday, Mrs. Harrel came into our class and taught our students about Helen Keller. We read a story about her and then made poems from the interesting words in the story.
Mrs. Harrel's lesson introduced students to our next big project. In the upcoming weeks, students will begin a biography project. They will choose an important historical figure and create a report about the person's life. Students are already excitedly thinking about who they are going to choose!
- Please sign your child's Homework Sheet every day. Most students have been coming to school with their signatures, but several are forgetting! Thank you for your help!
- Please contact me if you are interested in providing root beer, cream sodas, ice cream, and/or cookies for the AR party on March 30.
- This website provides a great link where students can practice flash cards online: http://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards.html
Important Dates
March 2 - Early dismissal at 12:45, AR pizza party
March 16 - Early dismissal at 12:45
March 30 - Early dismissal at 12:45
"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sincerely,
