Celebrating Winter

Just wrapping up the last day of school with some fun activities! We enjoyed a popcorn party, painted poinsettias, played boardgames, and ended the day with a music performance. Please remind your child to practice Xtra Math (xtramath.org) ten minutes daily and to read every day.  We'll see you back at school on Monday, January 4th. Happy holidays!
Click on the link below to read the latest article featuring the Class of 2025.
Class Of 2025: Winter Concert Celebrates Symphony Partnership

Poinsettias

Sharing treats and games together.

Here is the link to a great article about how to help your child become a more fluent reader.

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/what-to-do-when-kids-dont-read-fluently#.Vm5VzHt1XQY.gmail

Here's what's going on in 3rd grade this week:

Reading Learning Targets 

I can ask and answer questions as I'm reading a story

I can identify elements of a folktale

Math Learning Targets

I can determine when to multiply and divide in word problems

Writing

I can read an informational article, take notes, and form an opinion based on what I've read.

December Reading Logs

Tomorrow we'll be sending home reading logs for the month of December.  Remember that the most important home learning activity a student can do is to read for at least 20min per night.  Here are some guiding questions that you can use to discuss what your child has read.  Students can also use these questions to guide a written response to what they've read.  Thank you for supporting your child's learning by encouraging them to read every night!

December Reading Comprehension

Home to School Connection

Reading each night is the single most important task you can do to support and encourage ongoing learning at home.  We suggest 20-30 minutes of reading and another 5 minutes of discussion if possible. 

Here are some guiding questions for students to be thinking about during reading and for family members to ask after reading to encourage comprehension.  These are all based on the reading focus for the past month in our classrooms.

Retell:

-Who were the main characters?

-When and where did the story take place?

-What happened at the beginning? In the middle? At the end?

(use words such as first, then, next, after that, afterward,  last/finally)

-What was the problem?

-What was the solution?

-Did you agree with or like the solution to the problem?

If you could write the next chapter or a sequel to the book, what would you write?

Does this book remind you of another book you have read before or a movie you have seen? How are they the same and how are they different?

Compare and contrast two books with similar topics or by the same author. 

Can you infer what is going on if the author doesn’t directly tell you?

What are some text features you notice?  Bold print, table of contents, glossary, index, maps, charts, diagrams, captions, cut outs, comparisons, graphs, labels, headings…?

Conferences on Monday, Nov. 23rd and Tuesday, Nov. 24th

Has your 3rd grader been reading at home every night?  We do not send a homework assignment home each week, but we do send a reading log home with each student on a monthly basis.  We would like students to spend a minimum of 20 minutes each night reading a book or magazine of their choice.  The reading log goes home at the beginning of each month and is collected for a prize on the last day of each month.  

Reminder:

Conference times were sent home yesterday and we're looking forward to seeing all families during their scheduled time next Monday or Tuesday.  Students are encouraged to attend conferences with their families.  If you have a question about your students conference time please contact their teacher.

Learning Targets For This Week

11/16/15

Reading:  

I can read and identify compound words.

I can compare the characters, setting, problem and solution in two stories.

I can infer the central message in a story.

Math:

I can use the commutative property to solve multiplication equations.

I can solve multiplication word problems with an unknown number in all positions.

Learning Targets 

11/9/15

What will your student be learning this week? Take a look:

Reading:

I can read and identify syllable patterns.

 

I can compare and contrast key details from texts on the same topic.

Math:  

I can solve word problems that involve finding the area of a rectangular figure.

Remember that there is no school on Wednesday of this week due to the holiday.

Turn Back Clocks

Upcoming Events

November 2nd: October's Rockin' Readers are Due. Please make sure your child is practicing their reading at home on a regular basis.

November 3rd: Picture Retakes

November 17th: Pick up Cookie Dough Orders

November 17th-20th: Fall Book Fair from 3:15-4:30 in the library

November 23-24: Conferences (More info coming home in Wednesday folders)

November 25th-29th: No School

Learning Targets for 11/2/15

Math: I can explain the relationship between tiling and multiplying side lengths to find the area of a rectangle. I can multiply side lengths to determine the area of a rectangle.

Reading: I can read and identify comparative words. I can make inferences by asking and answering questions in a text. I can describe cause-effect relationships.

Writing: I can introduce a topic when writing an opinion. I can use linking words to develop ideas and support an opinion.

         

Students have been or will soon be learning songs to help them with skip counting. Ask your child to sing them to you!

Skip Counting Our Way Through Multiplication

3’s - Pop Goes the Weasel     7’s- Mary Had a Little Lamb

3, 6, 9, 12 7,14, 21

15, 18, 21 28,

24, 27, 30 35,

And now the fun’s begun! 42 and 49

56 and 63

70!

4’s - Row, Row, Row Your Boat 8’s - Jingle Bells

4, 8, 12, 16 8, 16

20, 24 24

28, 32, 36, 40 32, 40

We can count by 4’s! 48 and 56

64 and 72

80!

6’s - Happy Birthday

6, 12, 18, 24

30, 36, 42 9’s - We Will Rock You!

48, 54, 60 9, 18, 27, 36

Now I know my 6’s too. 45

54, 63, 72, 81

90

We also learned about multiplication by creating arrays!

Learning Targets for 10/23/15

Math: I can identify, sort and classify shapes and quadrilaterals (rhombus, rectangle, square, and more quadrilaterals).

I can use tiles to find the area of a rectangle, and measure the area of a rectangle using square centimeters.

Reading: I can identify key details and determine the main idea of a text.  I can determine the meaning of key words using the context in which the words are used.

Writing: I can write about a special memory,  using sensory details to paint an image in the reader's mind.

Upcoming Events

October 30th: Spirit Assembly, 10:15 in the gym featuring Character Trait of the Month: Responsibility. Class Awards and Students of the Month. It's also Crazy Hair Day!

November 3rd: Picture Retakes

November 17th: Pick up Cookie Dough Orders

November 17th-20th: Fall Book Fair from 3:15-4:30 in the Library