Week 6 Try to Remember the last week in September ...

The weeks are passing by so quickly!

Math can change!  Parents, if you have heard the kids talk about "Boxing" their subtraction problems or "Stealing One" and want to know how these methods work, please see my explanation document under Math handouts.  I seriously wish "boxing" had been in my learning toolbox as a child.

In math:  We are beginning multiplication!  Practice 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 facts first!

In reading:  We are wrapping up Fiction and moving on to Poetry for several weeks.  There will be a lot of new vocabulary but it is a fun and enjoyable unit.

In science:  We are still looking at the physical properties of matter and understanding the results of adding and subtracting heat.

In social studies;  Looking back at some important cultural periods in history and how they changed our perception of freedom and community

PLEASE:

• Consider a direct donation to the PTA for their drive, our PTA does so many wonderful presentations and offers so much support to our school.

• Be on the lookout for a sign-up genius scheduling Fall conferences!
• If you have any questions or concerns - email me.  I will get right back to you and we will meet to problem solve.

Another Great Week

Third grade is rolling along nicely!

I am so proud of how the class is managing their learning.  This week we tacked subtraction with regrouping which is a difficult concept.  The kids used their strategies, took their time and did great.

It's hard to believe it but we will be moving on to our first unit on the concepts of multiplication next week.

Beyond straight computation, we are discussing the heart of problem solving and understanding what words might be clues for each operation, or multiple step problems.  It's a process and the students are doing well.

In reading we continue to understand ourselves as readers and think about comprehension.  We discussed author's purpose and how knowing what the author intends with their writing can influence how we read.  This week we'll be working on a summary technique "Somebody Wanted But So Then" which is a framework for a basic fiction summary.

We'll have our first gallery walk of our own personal narratives this week.  The point of our lessons has been to understand that to be great writers we have to rewrite, add, stretch and change our words from our first draft to our last.

The kids are natural scientists and they respond with interest and enthusiasm even when our investigations don't work out.  Which they didn't on day!  But you can hear their reaction on a couple of videos posted in the handouts/pictures folder on this site.

REMEMBER!  Wednesday is EARLY RELEASE AT 12!  This is a new time this year.

Week Three and "What's the Deal with Reading Logs"

Week 3 went great with the exception of a tummy bug that is being passed around.  The students have been demonstrating that they understand my expectations for the classroom and we've gotten down to the business of learning.

In math we have been working on place value and addition.  I've been so impressed I had to compliment the second grade teachers.  The students know multiple strategies.  In third grade we will be working with the algorithm for addition and subtraction and ultimately place value up to 999,999.  You can help at home by making sure your children are fluent in basic addition facts.  This computation recall makes the kids so much more confident when we are doing more problem solving.

In science we have been studying matter and it's physical properties.  This week we explored magnetism and the definition of different states of matter.  More fun stuff to come.

Social Studies these next few weeks focuses on the concept of freedom in our country.  This week we have been looking closely at the first document defining the United States -- the Declaration of Independence. 

Our reading goals this week have been understanding the story structure of fiction, answering questions with proof from the text and determining character traits.

Generating a first draft for a personal narrative will be our job in Writing for a few weeks.  Specifically we'll delve into creating an interesting lead, using descriptive words and closing with a satisfactory ending.

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PARENTS THAT DETEST READING LOGS< READ ON ...
The debate about reading logs is time-honored.  As a teacher, I'm on the fence.  

Here's the fact:  A child that reads more becomes a better reader.  They learn more vocabulary and their reading strength supports all other academic areas.

I'm not taking a grade on the reading log - ever.  But I feel strongly that a third grader needs to read nightly.  I also want them to enjoy their reading.  Counting down the minutes or the pages means that they are completing a chore -- not falling into the land of their book.  A true reader reads until the action is over or the chapter is done or until they fall asleep.

On Fridays I am going to ask your students to write to me about their reading life for the week.  They will be able to write what they enjoyed, what they think will happen next, why they choose a certain author.  This will be a difficult task for "chore readers".  You can help as parents by getting your kids to talk to you about the book they are reading.  Your interest will motivate them and hopefully my guidance and questions will help them view themselves as true readers.

Wonderful Week 2

This week was so great I'm giving everyone next Monday off.  Okay, it's Labor Day but if I had any power at all I would totally reward the kids.

Thank you to all that attended the "Back to School" Night on 9/1.  If you didn't, the powerpoint is linked on this site under current handouts/other documents.

Please consider joining our wonderful PTA.  I did!  https://www.pt-avenue.com/parents.asp?schcode=FCE  FCE PTA Membership .  We are enjoying additional technology, programs and materials due to their generous management of fundraising and membership funds.  There's going to be an additional sunshade and new bottle-filling fountains installed soon as well.

100% of Salamanders turned in their homework!  Yee Haw!

Two of our units of study are changing for the coming weeks:

In math we will be focusing on addition, subtraction, rounding and place value.  Much of this will be review from 2nd and then applying that learning to larger numbers.

In social studies will are starting a unit that covers Freedom Week, so kids will get a little US history background.

Please join our class dojo to see how your child is doing in class.  The first two weeks we did a lot of whole class rewards and penalties so don't panic if it doesn't look like your kiddo has a perfect record.  Moving forward it is much more about individual behavior.

Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns!