Tag Archives: conferences

3rd Grade Update

Hi Families,

Here is an update of our learning:

Writing:
This week we are taking time to practice constructive responses. That means we are reading an article or short story and responding in writing. We are learning to answer the question well by using complete sentences with details from the text that supports our answer. This is a skill we continue to practice throughout the year.

Math:
We have been practicing telling time and writing it as before and after the hour. We will move on to elapsed time and interpreting and creating graphs.

Reading:
Book clubs have been meeting for the last week! Each book club has been given a book that has a main character that faces a problem. Each student must complete their reading assignment, make observations about the character, and then the book club meets to discuss. Each group discuss the problem and how the character reacts. They make predictions as they read as well.

Growth Mindset:
The past several weeks we have been talking about kindness. Our class has been working on a kindness challenge and we even made self portraits that included kindness quotes. We have also discussed Black History Month and learned about many courageous men and women who have made a difference by showing kindness with their actions and words even when it was not an easy thing to do.

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More Information:

Homework: A weekly reading and math log went home today. This is your third grader’s homework and should be returned each Monday.

• Our next Early Release day is Friday, March 5. Dismissal is at 12:15pm.

Parent- Teacher Conferences will take place (via Zoom) on Monday, March 8 and Wednesday March 10. I will be sending an email with sign up soon.

Book Fair: Our class will preview the book fair on Tuesday, March 9 and students may purchase on Thursday, March 11.

On Friday, February 12, we enjoyed some Valentine themed learning. Check it out!

 

 

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  🙂

Update: Week of October 28

Hi Third Grade Families,
Here is an update of our classroom learning:

Writing: We have been learning about persuasive writing. Our third graders have been learning about writing a thesis statement and using reasons and explanations to support their opinion. They have been learning writing strategies to address their audience as they write, too!

Word Study: In our word study groups, we work on sorting our word cards. We spend time learning about spelling patterns, vowel patterns, word endings, etc. We work with our words on an eight day rotation!

Math: We are in the middle of unit 2 and we are working on 2 step word problems. It will be important for your third grader to build their confidence in their basic multiplication facts so they can apply what they know to the 2 step problems.

Reading: We are into our mystery unit and we are having a lot of fun. Each third grader was delivered a mystery envelope last week. They soon learned that the envelope revealed their mystery chapter book they would be reading. Each student has been reading and collecting clues and noticing the suspects in their books to solve their mystery. The class even got a visit from a detective during one of our reading lessons!  🙂

Social Studies: This week we are learning about the landforms and bodies of water in Michigan.

Conference Times: Please look in your child’s homework folder for your conference time. Those were sent home today. 

Homework:
Reading and Math Fact Log due every Monday.
Please help your child remember to sign on the days they read and practice facts. 

Fun at the Football Game: We had a great time cheering on Jackson and the varsity football team last Friday! Go Eagles!!

Book Order: If you plan to order from the Scholastic Book Order, please do that by tonight. Thank you!

Fall Party: Our fall party is on Thursday. We will only be able to have 8 parent volunteers for our party. I have contacted our 8 volunteers. If you signed up to donate, please send in your item by tomorrow. thanks!
If your third grader will be bringing a costume to wear, please send it in a bag labeled with your child’s name. Please no blood, weapons, etc. thank you!

Looking forward to a great week in third grade!

 

Update: Week of March 4

Hi Parents,

March is here and we are getting closer to SPRING!!               

This Friday, March 8 is an early release day. Dismissal is at 12:15.

 

I look forward to seeing you at parent/teacher conferences next week. Your appointment time went home on a bright yellow slip of paper on February 22. If you are not sure of your time, please let me know. Thank you!

Math Test: We will have our math test on Thursday. We will review in class on Wednesday and that will come home. Please help your child to continue practicing math facts.

Reading: We begin our Biography unit. We look forward to reading about famous people in history. Later, your child will be writing a biography report about a person.

Writing: We begin our literary essay unit. We will use a mentor text and form big ideas about a character. We will work together to put our ideas into an essay.

Social Studies: We begin learning about Pioneer life.

MARCH IS READING MONTH:        
You will see a note coming home about ‘catching your child reading’. I can’t wait to fill our classroom wall with photos of our readers.

Fun Fridays:
In celebration of Reading Month, our class will celebrate on Fridays.

Friday, March 8: Get comfy and read: All school PJ day! Bring your favorite book to read.

Friday, March 15: Wear a SHIRT that others can read.

Friday, March 22: Wear a HAT that others can read.

THURSDAY, March 28: Read with a treat. We will read and have a snack.

 

Update: Week of February 25

Parents,
Here is an update for the week:

Writing: We will be practicing some constructed response writing before moving on to Literary Essays. We will be learning to answer a question about a text with complete sentences and detail.

Math: We are learning to use different strategies for 3 digit addition and subtraction. We are practicing with word problems too. We are also working hard with rounding to the nearest ten and hundred.
Please continue helping your child with multiplication practice with flashcards and MobyMax.

Social Studies: We begin learning about the French in Michigan and about the fur trade.

Reading: We will be practicing reading a selection and responding with a written response. We will move on to Biography reading next week. Please continue to support your child as a reader and encourage them to be reading 20 minutes at least 5 days a week. Keep track of this on the monthly homework reading calendar.

Other Announcements:

**Conference appointment slips went home last week. Make sure you found the bright yellow paper in your child’s folder. I look forward to sharing the progress your child has made.

**We have an Early Release on Friday, March 8. Dismissal is at 12:15.

**If you haven’t registered for the KIDS HEART CHALLENGE, please do so as soon as possible.  If we can get 50% of our school to register, we receive $500 in PE equipment.  No cost to register! More information can be found HERE.

Thank you!

 

Update: Week of February 18

Hi Parents,

Here are a few things to know this week:

Social Studies Homework: We have been studying the people of The Three Fires. We have studied the Ojibway and Potawatomi in class. Tonight’s homework assignment requires your child to read about The Odawa and complete the chart. They have done this two times in class so they should be aware of the procedures for completing this. This assignment is due tomorrow, Tuesday 2/19.

Conference Appointment Slips: These will be coming home on Friday. Look for the bright yellow paper in your child’s folder.

Multiplication Practice Page: Please check in with your third grader on what facts they should be practicing for Wednesday.

Thursday, February 21: Jet’s Pizza Night- make sure you mention our class! We could win a pizza party!

Friday, February 22: Popcorn Friday.

Week of November 5

Here’s an update for our week:

I look forward to meeting with you at conferences this week! I will see you on Monday evening or Wednesday evening.

We will preview the book fair on Tuesday. If you would like your child to make a purchase, please send money in an envelope labeled with your child’s name by Thursday. 

WRITING: We are working on opinion writing. Each student has chosen their opinion statement and is now working on writing their reasons with supporting details. We are learning to write this into a paragraph.

SOCIAL STUDIES: We continue to study the geography of Michigan. We started learning about natural resources.

READING: We are finishing up our unit on characters. We are studying the characters in the book Because of Winn-Dixie. We have been able to identify character traits and the way the main character changes throughout the story.

MATH: We continue working on multiplication and division. We have been practicing the facts by working on a lot of word problems.

THURSDAY NOV. 8: Jet’s Pizza Night- mention our class when you order!
MONDAY NOV. 19:  Culver’s Night  5-8pm

 

Update: Week of Oct. 29

Parents,
Here is an update for the week:

Reading Calendars are due Thursday. A new one for November will be sent home on Thursday. This is used to keep track of reading homework. It is recommended that third graders be reading for at least 20 minutes/at least 5 days a week.

We will complete our next practice page on Wednesday. Your child is keeping track of their progress at school and should know what multiplication facts they are working on. You should have seen the practice page come home last week with a “Got It” or a “Not Yet” note attached to it.

We have an early release day on Friday. Dismissal is at 12:15.

I look forward to meeting you next week at conferences! Conference appointment times were sent home on Friday.

Our class will visit the Book Fair next week.  We will look on Tuesday and purchase on Thursday. If you plan to have your child make a purchase, please send money in an envelope with your child’s name by Thursday. Thanks!