News from the Week of 10/25

We started out the week with our Special Person's Day.  The children did a wonderful job honoring their special person with kind words, carefully crafted artwork and song. Many thanks to all who participated.  It meant a lot to the kids.

This week we worked on comparison number stories and the partial sums algorithm.  The latter is a new way of thinking for some and was a bit of a struggle.  We will continue to work on this in class. Please check in with your child after school on Monday to see if he/she understands the concept and can complete his/her homework correctly using this method.


In science we started a new unit about earth and space. We are in the process of designing an experiment to test how the type of soil effects plant growth.  Then we will actually perform the experiment. In the first chapter we'll learn about and test minerals and rocks. Several students have already brought in different rocks they have collected.

In reading we completed chapters 5, 6 & 7 in Charlotte's Web.  We were introduced to Charlotte, the spider, and the newly hatched goslings.  Wilbur also found out some bad news. Ask your child to tell you what Wilbur first thought of Charlotte and what bad news Wilbur received.  

Turning in homework on a consistent basis still seems to be a struggle for quite a few students.  Homework is not optional busywork.  It is used to reinforce concepts learned in class and is a vital part of learning and evaluation. It also shows me if your child retained the skills/concepts covered in class.  

The third grade team (Robin, Eva and myself) are meeting on Monday to discuss a more streamlined folder and assignment recording system.  I have already received input from some parents as well as Mrs. Sapp.  If you have any suggestions that you would like us to consider, please email me before Monday. Next week's blog will update you on the changes. 


Have a great weekend!

Spelling Words Unit 5

jubilee
hoist
interlude
morals
appalled
detest
loath
envy
rigid
hysterics

Homework for the Week of 10/25-10/29

All homework is subject to change.  Changes will be discussed in class, corrected on blue assignment sheet and listed on updated post.

Mon. - Home Links 2.5
            Read for 15 minutes
            Study for Spelling test (This week's spelling/vocabulary words are taken from Charlotte's Web.
             Mad Minute 11

Tues. - Write spelling words 3X  Please use Monday's list or call a friend.
            Workbook Plus pp.13& 14 write the last word of the last sentence, the end mark and the first word
            of the next sentence (capitalized) or use editing marks.
             Read for 15 minutes
             Mad Minute 12

Wed.. - Home Links 2.6
             Spelling Sentences

              Read for 15 minutes
              Mad Minute 13


Thurs. - Workbook Plus pp. 15 & 16
             Study for spelling test
              Read for 15 minutes
              Mad Minute 14

News form the Week of 10/18

This week we worked on parts-and-total diagrams to complete parts-and-totals number stories. On Friday students completed the Mad Minute in class.  Then we graphed the Mad Minute results for the week.  The goal is to complete 30 problems accurately in one minute.  Once your child has achieved this goal in addition, they will move on to subtraction.  Please make sure the Mad Minute is completed at home on Monday through Thursday. It only takes a minute.

We concluded the first chapter in our social studies book, "Communities Around Us."  This week's focus was on historical sites, historical societies and researching with reference materials.  The skills will be reinforced during library time.  The chapter review from the textbook was due on Friday.  Please make sure your child turns this in if they have not already done so.  Non-fiction texts are difficult for third graders to read and comprehend and I am pleased with the progress the students are making.

In reading we completed chapters 3& 4 in Charlotte's Web.  Our vocabulary and spelling list came from these chapters.  The students were introduced to the skill of using guide words to help find the definitions of these words in the dictionary. 

Monday is Special Person's Day.  The children have been working hard to prepare a short program to honor their special person.  Through Writer's Workshop, they created a thoughtful tribute to their special person, used the computer to type up their final copy and spent time illustrating it.  We look forward to welcoming all of our special guests.

Just a reminder....  In order for you to be aware of your child's progress and performance, all tests need to be signed by a parent and returned to school.  Every Monday the Spelling Test goes home and should be returned on Tuesday..  We have also had tests in Math, Science and Social Studies. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress, please contact me.

Homework Update 10/21

Since students need to be studying for their social studies and spelling tests on Friday, there will be no homework in English (Workbook Plus) tonight.

Wedensday Homework Change

Spelling sentences are homework tonight not spelling crossword. 

• At least 5 spelling words must be used
• Sentences may contain more than one spelling word as long as the sentence makes sense
• Each sentence must have at least 5 words

Homework Week of 10/18-10/22

Mon. - Home Links 2.3
            Read for 15 minutes
            Review for Social Studies p.38 Draw and fill in the diagram for Summarize Chapter and write the
            word only for Vocabulary 1-5
             Study for Spelling test (This week's spelling/vocabulary words are taken from Charlotte's Web and
                                                are listed at the bottom of this post.)
             Mad Minute 11

Tues. - Write spelling words 3X
            Workbook Plus pp. 11(Do not write sentence.) & 12
             Read for 15 minutes
             Review for Social Studies p.39 Write sentences for Facts & Main Ideas 6-8 and letters only for 9
             &10
             Mad Minute 12

Wed.. - Home Links 2.4
             Spelling Crossword
              Read for 15 minutes
              Review for Social Studies p.39 Write sentences for Critical Thinking 11 & 12
              Mad Minute 13


Thurs. - Workbook Plus pp. 13&14(Do not write sentences.  Use editing marks)
             Study for spelling test
              Read for 15 minutes
              Review for Social Studies p.39 Answer Skills question 13 and chose one of the writing activities
              Mad Minute 14

Social Studies review can be done nightly or whatever works best for your child.  The entire assignment will be collected on Friday morning.


Spelling/Vocabulary Words:
downspouts
grazed
meadow
shredded
frolic
glutton
decent
salutations
thoroughly
gnaw

News from the Week of 10/11

We are well into our novel, Charlotte's Web, and the kids seem to really enjoy it. They participated in cooperative literature circles on Thursday.  Literature circles are open ended discussions that explore a piece of literature which everyone in a small group has read.  They provide an opportunity to involve the participants in thinking more deeply about the meaning of what they are reading through social interaction.  They also provide an incentive for reading and allow participants to assume responsibility for their own learning.  I was impressed at their eagerness to try this format and thoughtful participation.

In Social Studies this week we chose community names and are developing community characteristics.  The community names that were chosen include Magic City, Torah City, Spaghetti Pizza and Ellwood Island.  The children described climate and landforms, created histories, and developed a list of goods, services and banks in their communities.  Next week we will finish the chapter and have a test on Friday.  Please make sure your child completes the daily review as part of their homework.

The math concepts we covered included reviewing fact and number families, the relationship between addition and subtraction and utilizing this knowledge to solve problems involving larger numbers.  Mad Minute practice papers will be going home next week for additional fact review and increased speed.  Your child has exactly one minute to complete as many facts as they can in order from left to right and top to bottom.  Mad Minutes should be returned to school the following day.

Homework 10/11-10/15

Mon. - Home Links 2.1
            Finish Ch. 1 of Charlotte's Web
            Read for 15 minutes


Tues. - Write spelling words 3X
            Workbook Plus pp. 7 & 8
             Read for 15 minutes

Wed.. - Home Links 2.2
             Spelling Word Search
              Read for 15 minutes

Thurs. - Workbook Plus pp. 9 & 10
             Study for spelling test
              Read for 15 minutes

For spelling games online:  http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/levels_color.cfm?sp=student
Choose the color green and unit 3.

News from the Week of 10/4-10/8

This week has been a busy start to October.  The children maintained a good attitude and worked hard on all of the tests.  I am very proud of them.  Thankfully we will be back to our regular routine and schedule next week.  In the midst of all the testing, we have learned some interesting facts about Christopher Columbus and had a fun time with our poems, reader's theater and a Columbus game.

3rd Grade Grading Scale:

E - Excellent Progress
S+ - Strong Progress
S - Satisfactory Progress
N - Needs Time/Improvement/Expereince

Next week we will be starting the novel, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.

Charlotte’s Web opens the door to a magical world, which a young girl named Fern finds herself a part of. Fern spends her free time with Wilbur the pig whom she loves and the other barn animals who play a large part in the life of Wilbur. Charlotte A. Cavatica, the large gray spider, befriends Wilbur and helps him deal with the shocking news that his life will end as bacon on someone’s plate. Charlotte goes as far as coming up with an interesting plan that only this spider could carry out with the help of Templeton the rat (who never does anything unless there is something in it for himself) to help Wilbur escape death.  http://www.edocere.org/book_summaries/charlottes_web.htm

We will be memorizing the poem, Recipe for a Hippopotamus Sandwich, by Shel Silverstein for the month of October.  Every day before lunch we practice the poem.  By the end of the month each child is required to recite the poem in front of the class or privately to me.


RECIPE FOR A HIPPOPOTAMUS SANDWICH

-by Shel Silverstein

A hippo sandwich is easy to make.
All you do is simply take
One slice of bread,
One slice of cake,
Some mayonnaise,
One onion ring,
One hippopotamus,
One piece of string,
A dash of pepper--
That ought to do it, And now comes the problem... Biting into it!

Please make sure you continue checking homework and signing off on the blue homework sheet every night.    Most children need to have adult support in getting this done.  They will be more independent as the year progresses.  Please remember that homework needs to be turned in on time unless there are extenuating circumstances.  Late work should be the exception.  Unfortunately,  I have been receiving many excuses for why work is not done.  Your child should have the two main homework books (Workbook Plus for English and Home Links for Math) at home and stored in a safe place.  If your child loses his/her book, you will have to purchase a replacement.    If your child does not turn in a late assignment by the following Monday of the week in which it is due, they will stay in at recess to complete it.

10/4-10/8 Homework

Mon. Home Links 1.12
Tues. Workbook Plus pp. 5 & 6
Wed. Home Links 1.13  Parents need to read and sign, study for math test
Thurs.Workbook Plus pp. 7 & 8

Science tests will go home on Friday. They are scored, but not everyone was here to take the test.  The last make-up test will be done on Friday.  Tests need to be signed and returned on Monday.

Your child should have taken home math workbook pages from school to review for his/her test.  The Home Links book can be used as well.  Elapsed time will not be tested.  Math tests will also go home on Friday and need to be signed and returned on Monday.