Important dates for your calendar:
-Tuesday, March 28th-Thursday, March 30th NY State ELA test
-Friday, April 28th-Wax Museum from 2:30-3:00 (more info to come)
-Tuesday, May 2nd-Thursday, May 4th NY State Math test
Reader's Workshop
We have just begun a Biography unit. We started by reading short biographies. Last week we worked on finding important facts/dates while we read. We also discussed the basic structure of a biography, and we learned about timelines. This week the students will choose a person he/she is interested in learning more about. Your child will read a "Who Was/Is" book about this person. While your child reads he/she will post-it important dates and events in this person's life. We will work together to organize our learning, and write a first person narrative. We will have a Wax Museum on Friday, April 28th from 2:30-3:00 to present our hard work. Please save this date!!!
Writer's Workshop
Over the last few weeks we have worked on writing short responses to a text, and full essays. This work is in preparation for the ELA test that our students will take on March 28-30 (next week).
Math
We just completed our work with fractions. This week we will begin learning about geometry, and perimeter. The students will also begin longer multiplication and division timed test.
Last week I sent home a letter with the format for this testing. The students will take a 5 minute, 100 fact, multiplication quiz on Tuesday. This will come home Tuesday night for a parent signature. On Friday, the students will take a 5 minute, 100 fact, division quiz with related facts. This week the students will be quizzed on x2 and x3. Each student will take each quiz only once, and then move on the next week. I will use these quiz grades to help gauge who needs more practice, and I will use the scores for report card grades.
Science
The students are working on completing a research project for the Solar System. Each student has researched basic facts about the planets, and created research questions for each planet. Then he/she researched his/her favorite planet in more detail. Currently, the students are working on presenting their research with the use of a glog. This is an internet based tool that allows students to design a poster with many different visual elements. On Friday, I sent home instructions for your child to access their glog at home, however, we will be doing all of this work in school.
Please be on the lookout for instructions to view and comment on your child's glog. When we have finished our work I will also require your child to view and comment on three of their classmates' glogs.
Spelling
On Friday you should have received a letter with information about your child's progress in spelling. I am so incredibly proud of our students' hard work in spelling!
If your child has fewer than 5 priority words left to learn he/she will have a new assignment beginning this Friday, March 24th. On Friday, your child will bring home their writer's notebook, and a writing prompt. He/She will write a story which will be due on Thursday (normal spelling quiz day). In school on Thursday (while others take a spelling quiz) your child will edit his/her story with a peer. On Friday (while others make a new spelling list), your child will type his/her story to further check for spelling errors. I am hoping this will enrich your child's writing, spelling, and editing skills. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
If your child has 5 or more priority words remaining, he/she will continue with the regular spelling program until he/she has mastered all of the third grade words. Then, your child will transition to the new program described above.
