Category Archives: 3rd Grade Update

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

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.

3rd Grade Update

Hello Families,
A few things to keep you informed:

Homework: Please remind your child to return their math fact and reading log each Monday. A new one will be coming home tomorrow. I was not at school today as was not able to get one sent home.

Turkey Trot Information
Please read the information about the Turkey Trot on our P.E. teachers page.

Update from Mr. Waldie:
Please make sure you have checked the school blog for an update from Mr. Waldie.

Have a great week!
Ms Van Arkel

3rd Grade Update

Here’s an update of our learning in third grade:
Writing: The third graders have started drafting their personal narratives. They have carefully looked at mentor texts to notice what other authors do to make their writing powerful. They will work to try a lot of these strategies as they finish drafting this week. We will move on to revising and editing.

Math: So far we have learned the 5s, 2s, 10s, 9s, and 3s multiplication facts!! We have been learning lots of strategies for solving multiplication and division problems and word problems. The best way to support your child with multiplication right now is to help them practice their math facts. It is so crucial that they know their facts as we move in to new math concepts. Thanks!

Reading: We are learning the importance of building a reading life! We are learning how to choose good-fit books, how to read as if our books are like GOLD, and we are learning to keep track of progress with a reading log.

Growth Mindset: We continue to talk about how our mindset can make a difference in our learning and in our daily lives. This week, we talked all about facing challenges and I was able to challenge the class with the Coin Flip Challenge! We definitely needed to use a growth mindset with this! We also started talking abut choices and how each choice we make impacts our day and it can also impact ourselves and those around us. We read the book What Should Danny Do? and it reminded our class that each of us has the power to choose!

*Other important things to know*

Homework: Reading/Math Fact log: A Reading/Math Fact log was sent home with your third grader today (Monday 9/28) This will serve as third grade homework and is meant to support your child in gaining accountability and responsibility as a learner. Last week, your third grader started using a reading log in class and now they will be responsible for keeping track of their reading at home. This reading log will be turned in every Monday. Thank you for your support with this!

Walk a thon!!:
Thank you for supporting our school! Final donation date is Wed, Sept. 30. There’s still time to donate!

  •       Register your Child using School Identifier 5f3d669d605c9, please visit www.getmovinfundhub.com 
  •       Event Date: Thursday, September 24, 2020
  •       Final Donation due date: September 30, 2020
  •         Donations can be online through your child’s webpage.  Otherwise, donations in the form of cash & checks (in-school donations), should be turned in to the school.

  •         Please make checks payable to: Georgetown Elementary PTC

•           Visit this page for more details!!

Picture Day is this Thursday, October 1
Forms were sent home last week, but we do have some extra in the office if needed! If your child is not at school on Thursday, picture retake day will be Tuesday, Nov 3. If you would like to order your pictures online, you would go to geskusphoto.com/fallorders and you will need this webcode. 264BFISDGVNHA

The next Early Release is Friday, Oct. 23. Dismissal is at 12;15pm. If your child is a car rider, please be at school between 12:10 and 12:15 for pick up.  Food Service will be offering a sack lunch on early release days. Children can order a lunch with their teacher in the morning and will have them to take to their destination.

Thanks!
Ms Van Arkel 🙂

3rd Grade Update

Hi Families,

Our class has been doing a wonderful job at getting back into the school routine! We have taken time to get to know each other and learn our new procedures.
Here is an update of our learning:

Writing:
We are learning strategies for personal narrative writing. We are learning how to make goals and how to use strategies when we get stuck. We have been working on writing like a storyteller and not a reporter.

Growth Mindset:
We have been learning all about different character traits such as kindness, acceptance, friendship, courage, and bravery. With each trait, we read a book to help us understand what that character trait can look like. We will continue to learn about using a growth mindset as a learner and we will work on making goals for our learning. We will also be learning about how the parts of our brain help us learn.

Math:
We have started learning and understanding the concept of multiplication. We have learned to use drawings as a strategy. We will be using flashcards to learn and have started with the 5s facts. It will be important for your child to build a habit of practicing multiplication facts for at least 5 minutes, at least 5 days a week.

Reading:
We are working on building our reading life and choosing good-fit books. Our class is practicing building stamina as a reader.

A few more reminders:
• Scholastic Book order is due today (Mon. 9/14). If you are still planning to order ( Follow the directions on the flyer that went home), please do so by 10pm tonight.

• Occasionally we use headphones during computer time. If your child would like to use their own earbuds or headphones, please send them into school for your child to keep in their desk.

EARLY RELEASE is this Friday, September, 18. Dismissal is at 12:15. Your child may order a sack lunch to take home from food service.

 

 

Week of March 30: Online Learning

Hi Parents,

You should have received an email over the weekend from Mrs Reagan. This email was to explain how your child will use Google Classroom for their learning over the next few weeks. Last week, teachers participated in training and lots of collaboration through Zoom meetings to create assignments for our students. Our goal is to make these assignments reasonable and appropriate for our students to complete during this transition to learning at home. Assignments will be consistent with each third grader in the district.
****If your child has not done so, please have them log in to their school gmail account and accept the invite to our Google Classroom. This will be the primary way that I will communicate assignments. 
If you refer back to Mrs. Reagan’s email, it will give you a little more instruction on how to access this.
With the increased use of technology for learning, please remind your third grader about being a good ‘cyber citizen’. They have learned appropriate uses of technology in Steam class and it is important for them to be reminded that even though they are working at home, their school accounts continue to be monitored for appropriate use.
If your child would like more tasks and assignments throughout their day, you may refer them to the Learning at Home Resources page at the top of the blog. I continue to add more resources there.
Again, we are all doing the best we can and I appreciate the support you give your child at home. Yes, it will look different, but it is important that you are doing what works best for your family during this time.
Thanks again!
Take care!
Ms Van Arkel   🙂