Third Grade Update

Hi Families,
It has been so good to have our class back after the holiday break!

Here’s what’s happening in third grade:
Writing:
The class is finishing up their informational writing. They have chosen a topic they know a lot about and have organized their information into chapters. They are working on revising, editing, and publishing their work.

Math:
We have started a new unit recently and we are reviewing addition and subtractions methods and learning how to do proof drawings. We are practicing word problems, too.

Reading:
We are wrapping up our nonfiction reading unit. We have learned strategies to use while we read for information and we have learned how to teach someone else about the topic we read about. We have noticed text features within nonfiction writing.

HOMEWORK:
A new math and reading log went home yesterday. It should be returned on Monday, January 18. I encourage your child to get logged onto MobyMax (on Clever) to practice their math fact fluency. It has been quite awhile since some of our third graders have been practicing and this will be very helpful.

STEAM:
Next Monday, January 18 our class will be recording videos as part of their project in Steam. Your child may bring any props or clothes they need for dressing up.

Third Grade Families,
Here is our weekly update with some important information:

Book Fair: We will be previewing the book fair tomorrow. This will be our only visit to the book fair. If you are prepared for your child to make a purchase, you may send money with them tomorrow. Please be sure this is in an envelope labeled with your child’s name.
You may use this link to shop the book fair online.

Tomorrow is the final day do bring in canned goods for PE CARES.

Third Grade Self Evaluation: You will see a self-evaluation page come home. This is a page your child filled out in reflection of third grade. On the bottom of the page I have added their current reading level as well as their scores from MobyMax math fact fluency.

At-Home Learning Assignments: Please look for an envelope to come home. In this envelope are the assignments for your child to complete on Friday 11/20, Monday 11/23, Tuesday 11/24, and Monday 11/30.
On Tuesday, 12/1 I will begin using Google Classroom to communicate assignments and lessons. These will be live and/or recorded lessons as well as some scheduled classroom meetings via zoom. I will communicate more about the daily learning schedule over the next few days. Thank you for your support and patience as we make this transition.

A QR code was sent home a few weeks ago for your child to access Clever. On Clever they will be able to access Google Classroom, MobyMax, Epic, and Scholastic.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: I was able to meet (virtually) with some of you tonight and I look forward to meeting with the rest on Wednesday night to share you child’s progress.

 

3rd Grade Update

Hi Families,

Here are a few important things to know…

We have an early release this Friday, Nov. 13. Dismissal is at 12:15.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held virtually next Monday and Wednesday. You should have received an email with a link for the conference right after you signed up. Please let me know if you do not have this link. I look forward to sharing your child’s progress!

Book Fair:
Book Fair – Nov 16-20, M-Th 9-3:30 and Friday 9-10 for last minute shoppers. Unfortunately we cannot open this up to parents like we usually do during conferences, but you will be able to shop online.  Schedule and details will come soon along with a flyer.

Here is a link to the online shopping for the book fair. It will be open to shop from Nov. 11 – 24!!  https://www.scholastic.com/bf/georgetownelementaryschool2

PE CARES continues through Nov. 18. Please send in canned goods that will be donated to Love Inc. Thank you!

HOMEWORK: A weekly math and reading log went home today. It should be turned in next Monday. Your third grader will also have two math pages to complete for homework that’s due THURSDAY, Nov. 12. These math pages are review of concepts that have been taught. If your child is struggling with them, please give prompts to use math strategies they have learned.

Thanksgiving Break is November 25, 26, and 27.

Thank you for all the ways you support your child’s success in third grade!

3rd Grade Update

Hi Families,
We are having a great time in third grade! Here’s an update of our learning:

Writing: We continue with persuasive writing. This week we are developing our reasons into paragraphs and we will work on putting together all of our ideas into a speech.

Math: We are moving through unit two and we will learn the 8s multiplication facts as well as practice with word problems. It is very important that your third grader keeps consistent with practicing multiplication facts at home.

Reading: Our mystery unit has us reading like detectives! We are collecting clues in our reading to determine suspects and solve the mystery. We are learning new reading strategies to use while we read mystery books.

Word Work: Our third graders our working on word study and using activities to learn spelling and word patterns. We are also becoming more familiar with parts of speech such as noun, adjective, and verb.

Homework: Right now, third grade homework consists of the reading and math fact log. This should be turned in every Monday. Thank you for helping build responsibility in your child’s learning.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conferences will be held virtually on Monday, Nov. 16 and Wednesday, Nov. 18. Please look for an email to sign up for a 15 minute time slot.

Picture Retakes: Tuesday Nov. 3
If your child was not here for picture day, retake day is set for Tuesday, Nov 3.  We have extra picture forms in the office if you need one for retakes. If you didn’t like your child’s picture when they came home and you would like them to have retakes, simply send in the picture packet with your child on the day of retakes.  Your child will bring it to the ladies taking the pictures and they will be all set. Thank you!!

A QR code was sent home with your child for them to access CLEVER at home. Your child will be able to use this to practice math facts on MobyMax or read on EPIC.

Ms Van Arkel 🙂

3rd Grade Update

Hi Families,

Here’s what’s happening in our third grade class:
Writing: We continue working on persuasive writing. The third graders are learning about word choice and writing to their audience. They have had some great ideas for their speeches!

Math: This week we will learn the 6s and 7s multiplication facts. You will see the math test come home today. Our third graders worked hard on this test. Continued practice with multiplication facts will be very helpful as we move forward. Sometime this week, you will see an envelope of multiplication facts coming home. These are facts that have been in our folders the longest and that should be moved to memory. Please keep these in a safe place at home for continued practice. Thank you!

Reading: Today we launched our Mystery reading unit. Each student was given a mystery book they will be reading. As they read, they will be asking questions to find out the mystery and gather clues to solve it. We will be using many reading strategies to do this.

A few more reminders…

Homework: Third grade homework consists of a reading and math fact log due each Monday. Please look for this to come home and support your child in taking responsibility with this. Thank you!

Math practice page: Students complete a math practice page each Friday. This helps build fluency and accountability with learning multiplication facts. Students work at their own pace and keep track of what fact they are working on each Friday. This has been a great way for students to practice using a growth mindset as well!

Fall Celebration: On Friday, we will do some themed activities throughout the day ending with a snack. Thank you for the donations!
While not required, your child may dress up in an appropriate costume. No blood, guts, weapons. Please make sure this is a costume your child can wear all day and can take on/off by themselves. We are trying to limit the amount of students congregating in the restrooms to change into costumes. Thanks for your help with this.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conferences will be held Monday, Nov. 16 and Wed. Nov. 18. These will be held virtually and I will be sending a link for signing up in the coming week.

Birthdays: Just a reminder that if your child chooses (this is not required) to bring in something for the class to celebrate their birthday, we ask that it be a non-food item. Items such as erasers, pencils, bookmarks, etc. work well.

Cold Weather Gear: It’s that time of year when the weather changes quickly. Please send your child in appropriate clothing to go out for recess. As you send hats, gloves, etc. please make sure these are labeled with your child’s name.

Thank you!

Ms Van Arkel  🙂

3rd Grade Update

Third Grade Families,
Here is a quick update of our learning:

Writing: This week we kickoff our persuasive writing unit. Our third graders will learn how to form an opinion statement (thesis) and write reasons with detail to form a persuasive speech.

Math: We begin unit 2 this week and will learn the 6, 7, and 8 facts for multiplication. We will be working on applying all the multiplication facts to word problems and other multiplication and division math problems. You should see a multiplication practice page coming home today with a ‘Not Yet’ or a ‘Got It’ page attached to it. This will let your child know what specific facts to practice to prepare for the practice page on Friday.

Reading: We are nearly done with our first writing unit. We have been learning all about how readers understand a story by retelling the story, using a comprehension check , and using strategies for tricky words. We will move on to our mystery reading unit next week.

Homework:
Third grade homework consists of a reading and math fact log. This should be turned in every Monday. Your child should come home with a new one today. I accidentally copied the wrong one to send home so the turn in date should say Monday, Oct. 26 (not the 19th), but since we don’t have school that day, it should be turned in on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Thank you!

Early Release and No School: 
This Friday, Oct. 23 is an early release. Dismissal is at 12:15. We do not have school on Monday, Oct. 26. 

Fall Celebration:
We will have our Fall classroom celebration on Friday, Oct. 30. I plan to do multiple activities throughout the day as it relates to our content. I have several Fall related word work and math games as well as books for the students to enjoy. While we will not be able to have parent volunteers, I will be sending out a link for parents to donate items for our snack that day. Please let me know if your child has an allergy. Thanks!

If your child chooses to wear a costume to school, please help your child choose a simple costume that can be worn the whole day.  The intent behind this is to limit children gathering in the restrooms to change, and limit the number of children needing assistance from teachers and staff to get into their costumes.  We invite you to send your children in a costume that includes no weapons or gore, and easily allows your child to participate in regular school routines and procedures.  Can they take it off themselves to use the bathroom?  Can they fit in their seat at their desk? Can they go down the slide or sit in the swings?  Can they wear a mask under their “mask”?  Please save bulky, or extravagant costumes for home use, and dress in a fun and simple costume for the school day.  Fall or pumpkin t-shirts are a great alternative as well. Thank you for your understanding with this!

Ms Van Arkel 🙂

3rd Grade Update

Hi Families
Here is an update of our learning in third grade:

Writing: This week we are finishing up our narrative writing. We will finish the week learning how to write a written response to a text. Next week, we begin learning about persuasive writing.

Math: We continue to practice multiplication and division facts with word problems and using lots of different strategies. We plan to review  on Wednesday or Thursday and take our test on Friday. 

Reading: We have been learning all about making predictions and using details when we make a prediction.  We will also be practicing giving a retell of the books we read.

A few more things to know………

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
As you see school work coming home there may be  a number grade (3,2,1) on some of them.
Use this as a guide:
3- proficient
2- progressing
1- beginning

HOMEWORK:
Third grade homework consists of reading 20 minutes, five nights a week and multiplication fact practice for 5 minutes, five nights a week. We have been talking a lot about goal setting to help us get better at reading and math facts. Lots of our third graders have made action steps to practice facts and read at home as a way to reach their goal. The reading and math fact log should be returned to school every Monday. 

Math Fact Cards: You will see your child’s blue fact folder filling up. As your third grader works on their math fact log, please help them choose one set of count bys (one color) flash cards to work on each night.  We have learned the 5s, 2s, 10s, 9s, 3s, 4s, so far. It is starting to become apparent which kids are regularly practicing their math facts and which kids are not. Please help your child gain confidence with their math work by practicing these at home.

Math Practice Page:
Each Friday, the third graders complete a math fact practice page. Last week they did the 5s fact page. When your child completes all the problems correctly, they will move on to the next practice page. This Friday, your third grader will either try the 5s page again or will try the 2s page for the first time. Please look for this practice page to come home so you will know what facts to practice with your child.

The next early release Friday is October 23. Dismissal is at 12:15.