Reading & WritingReading: This week in reading, we will begin our research unit. We will select an animal to research and use our nonfiction skills to gather information about it. At home, we recommend checking out websites and books with information about your child's animal. Writing: This week in writing, we will continue to work on writing poetry. We will learn to use several different craft moves to improve our poems. For example, we will learn what it means to choose specific words to set mood, pattern through repetition, and use comparisons to give our poems more imagery. At home, please continue your child to write poems. Ask your child to draw on beauty they see in the world or strong feelings they might experience. Word Study: We will be reviewing various concepts from throughout the past few weeks in preparation for a graded assignment. This assignment will be a culmination of identifying suffixes and applying spelling rules to words that end with a "silent e" or "y" when adding suffixes. Grammar and Conventions: We will begin to use and identify linking words and phrases at the start of sentences. Math & ScienceMath: This week in math we will be concluding our unit on fractions! On Monday, your child will be going to the Fraction Campsite where they will get to practice their fraction skills in a hands on fraction review! Your child is welcome to bring a blanket and a flashlight as we sing about fractions around the camp fire! The fraction test is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd. Please have your child review their pink fraction test review! Later in the week, we will be starting our new unit on time! Your child will review how to tell time by using an analog clock and be able to understand the difference between quarter past, half past , and quarter till. Science: This week in science we will be starting our brand new unit on Environments and Ecosystems! You child will be learning all about the Ecosystem pyramid as well as understanding how foods chains are an important part of our ecosystem.
Reading & WritingReading: In reading this week, we will learn how to find the main message of a poem and learn how important the beginnings and endings of poems can be. Our poetry reading test will be Wednesday. Please use the review to help you study. Writing: In writing this week, we will continue our poetry unit. We will learn how to incorporate big feelings into small poems. At home, please feel free to encourage your child to use the strategies below for some writing inspiration! Word Study: This week, we will practice spelling patterns. We will focus on changing the "y" to and "i" when adding a suffix. Grammar and Conventions: This week, we will focus on groups our thoughts into paragraphs. Math & Science:Math: This week in math we will be finishing up our unit of fractions by learning about sharing fractions. This is the math we need to know when we have two pizzas and three people. What fraction of pizza does each person get to eat? (Answer: 2/3) We will have some guided math stations, and then have our unit test. Science: In science this week, we will have a 'crossover' lesson as we study about weight and capacity. This mathematical concept is used often in both math and science. Students will learn to recognize when to use weight to measure something (in pounds for example) or to use capacity (such as gallons).
Reading & WritingReading: In reading this week, we dive further into our poetry unit. We will begin the week by studying how the beginning, middle, and end of a poem work together to create meaning. We will then study the use of sensory language in a poem designed to make the reader see, feel, hear, taste, or smell something. Finally, we will explore figurative language used in poetry. Some common types of figurative language include similies, metaphors, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia. At home, you can help by reading poems with your child. Some of our recommendations include poetry books published by Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky. Both of these authors write fun, engaging poems that are sure to bring a smile to your child's face! While reading poetry, ask your child to name the speaker of the poem, decide on the type of poem, and notice words that create a feeling for your child (mood). Writing: This week marks the start of our poetry writing unit! We will begin by using our poet's eyes to see the world around us in a fresh, new way. We will also learn to experiment with line breaks so that we might create rhythm and "music" for our readers. At home, try encouraging your child to use the strategies listed below to generate meaningful poems. Ask your child to write about something close to his or her heart! Word Study: As we continue adding suffixes to common root words, we will explore how a writer must drop the "silent e" of a word before adding the suffix. Math & ScienceMath: We will begin this week with guided math stations to give the students an opportunity to refine and practice their fraction skills. Students will have a small group with the teacher, as well as independent and partner work time. Later in the week, we will explore how to add fractions. On Friday, students will be bringing home a review sheet as homework to help them study for the upcoming fraction test. Science: We are wrapping up our Solar System unit by finishing the Planetary Explorer Project and taking the unit test. Below are some 'sneak previews' of parts of the Planetary Explorer project.
A Few Reminders:Reading & WritingReading: This week in reading, we will continue our exploration of poetry! We will learn how to decide on the mood a poet creates in his or her poem. We will also be learning various strategies for how to figure out the meaning of unknown words in poetry. Writing: This week in writing, we will continue using our persuasive writing skills to convince reader's of an opinion. We will also practice using an editing checklist in order to best proofread and revise our writing. GRAMMAR TEST: Tuesday, February 11th. Please study the pink review sheet. Word Study: This week, we will do some word work with suffixes -ly, -er, and -or. Math & Science:Math: This week in math we are learning about comparing fractions. We will start with fractions with the same denominator, then fractions with the same numerator. Your student will have the opportunity to participate in many hands-on opportunities which will reinforce these skills. We will also be talking about equivalent (or equal) fractions, and explore this using their fraction kits and number lines. Science: We are continuing our journey through the solar system and will be studying Uranus and Neptune. We will start a "Planetary Explorer" project with the students to give them the opportunity to show what they are learning. We will be sending home a test review on Thursday, because our Solar System Unit test is the following week.
A Few Reminders:Please send your child's recorder form and money by Friday, February 14th! Reading & WritingReading: This week, we will officially wrap up the end of our Mystery Unit. We will draw on all we have learned to participate in some fun activities during our "Mystery Celebration." Later in the week, we will begin our Poetry Unit. We will study the basics of poetry and explore the various types of poetry (narrative, humorous, lyrical, and free verse). Writing: In writing this week, we will continue in our "Changing the World" unit by exploring and drafting other forms of persuasive writing. We will practice creating petitions, surveys, and interviews. Specifically, we will explore how to incorporate the best evidence and quotes our peers have to offer us. Word Study: As we continue in our study of prefixes, we will explore suffixes "-ful," "-y," and "ness." Grammar and Conventions: This week, we will review various concepts from throughout the past few weeks. We will revisit adding prefixes and suffixes to root words, identifying abstract nouns within sentences, and ensuring subject/verb agreement in sentences. Math & ScienceMath: This week in math we will start our unit on fractions! Students will make a fraction kit to help them visualize fractions. They will learn about unit fractions, fractions of a whole, fractions of a set, and fractions on a number line. Science: In science we are continuing our journey through the solar system. We will be exploring Jupiter and Saturn, and also the relationship between the Sun, Earth and Moon. A Few Reminders:Digital Citizenship Week Join in on the fun as we promote a healthy balance of technology and other activities!
Reading & WritingReading: In reading this week, we will be wrapping up our "Mystery" unit. We will discuss the impact of "red herrings" in our mysteries and how authors include these clues to throw us off track. We will also learn to search back for clues we might have missed when a mystery's big reveal surprises us. Later in the week, we will explore how much of what we learn in mysteries transfers over into everyday fictional reading. Specifically, we will closely study characters and use our knowledge about them to predict what they might do next. At home, you can work with your child by reading fiction, "Just-Right" books. Ask your child questions such as, "Who is the main character, and what kind of person is he/she?", "What might the character do next?", and "What is the biggest problem in this story?" Writing: As we finish up our "Persuasive Speeches" unit, we will practice structuring our persuasive writing pieces into logical paragraphs. We will also learn to think of our intended audience and analyze each piece of evidence in our drafts for relevance and importance. Then, we will practice incorporating strong word choice that might evoke an emotional reaction from our reader. At the end of the week on Friday, January 31st, we will have our in-class Persuasive Timed Writing Test. Please make sure your child has prepared for this test by completing the light-blue review and outline sent home last Friday. Word Study: This week, we will be reviewing multiple concepts leading up to an assessment we will be having next week. We will review homophones, syllable patterns, and multiple sound spelling patterns such as "-eigh," "ough," and "-en." Grammar and Conventions: This week, we will continue our study of root words and affixes. Math & ScienceMath: This week in math we will be working on reviewing 2D and 3D figures, as well as area /perimeter with regular and irregular shapes. Your child will be rotating through small group stations where they will be practicing these skills. Your child came home with a math review sheet that is due Tuesday, January 28th. Our Geometry test is this Thursday, January 30th. Science: This week in science we will be continuing our journey through space! Our focus will be both Earth and Mars! Your child will learn various facts about both of these planets! It's going to be out of this world!
A Few Reminders:Join us for a Spirit Night at Hungry Howie's (Highland Knolls location) on Tuesday, January 21st. We look forward to enjoying some delicious pizza with you from 5-9pm! ELA:Reading: This week in reading, we will continue our unit on mysteries. We will continue studying how mysteries typically go and we will look for patterns in the books we read. On Thursday, we will review for our test. Our mystery test will be Friday, January 24th. Please use the review to guide your conversations with you child while you read together at home this week. Writing: In writing this week, we will learn how to really convince our audience by using detailed evidence to prove our point. We will practice showing, not telling. We will also learn how to pick the strongest evidence based on our audience. We will think, "What would really convince the people I'm addressing?", and then we will discard evidence that is not convincing. At home, please continue working with your student on coming up with big, bold opinions. Practice thinking of reasons that would be the most convincing. Word Study: This week in Word Study, we will learn about multiple sound spelling patterns. Grammar and Conventions: This week in Grammar and Conventions, we will study root words. We will discuss how adding a prefix or suffix changes the meaning of the word. Please practice creating new words at home by adding prefixes and suffixes to root words. Math & Science:Math: This week in math, we will finish up our study of 3D shapes and then we will work on finding the area of composite shapes. A composite shape is formed from two shapes (like 2 rectangles joined together) so to find the area we must decompose the shape. Multiplication Facts: In third grade, we are studying our multiplication facts so that students can move into 4th grade knowing them very well. Facts set to music are a great way to learn the facts. This week we are studying our 8's - so here is a great video to help them learn! ScienceThis week in science, we continue our journey "through" the solar system. We will be studying the planets Venus and Earth. Students should now be able to recite the order of planets.
Homework: This week for homework in science your child will need to complete the Solar System reading passage/Order of the planets. Your child can use their interactive science notebook in order to help them place the planets in order. Check out the StoryBot video for another great reinforce of the order of the planets! A Few Reminders:Picture Day is Wednesday, January 15th! Monday, January 20th is Martin Luther King, Jr. day - there is no school! Reading & Writing:Reading: In reading this week we will continue our study of mysteries. We will learn how to keep on going when reading gets tough. Students will learn how to make their own strategies for when books get tricky. We will also learn different ways to talk and write about our reading. Later in the week, we will learn how to hold onto the story and clues as books get longer and longer. Lastly, we will look for patterns in mystery books and notice those patterns as we continue reading more and more mysteries. To help at home, encourage your child to problem solve when they feel "stuck" or confused in their reading. Have your child retell the biggest parts in their just right book. Writing: This week in writing, we will practice our persuasive writing. We will consider audience and learn how to address that audience in our writing. We will learn how to really expand our reasoning and explain why our opinions should matter to our reader. At home, help your child develop their big bold opinions by noticing problems and things that are noteworthy. Word Study: This week in Word Study, we will practice the VCV vowel pattern and breaking words into syllables. Grammar and Conventions: This week in Grammar and Conventions, we will study abstract nouns. Math & Science:Math: This week in math we are beginning our unit on geometry. We will start with identification of polygons and move into classification of quadrilaterals (4-sided figures). By the end of the week, we will be starting on 3-D shapes. At home, please encourage your student to keep up with their dream box and fluency practice. They should be able to know multiplication facts for x0, x1, x2, x3, x4, x5, x6, and x10. Science: This week in science, your students will continue to learn about the planets that make up our solar system. Students will identify the names of the planets and their order. We will be exploring each planet in depth, starting with Mercury. Reading & WritingReading: In reading this week, we will begin our new reading unit, Mystery! We will begin the week by solving a mystery right here in our classroom. We will learn to to figure out the mystery in story, look for clues, and identify the crime solver. We will also begin our new read aloud, A-Z Mysteries, The Absent Author. To help at home, read mystery books with your child and ask them questions like, "Who is the crime solver? What is the mystery? How would you describe the crime solver?" Writing: This week in writing we will begin our "Changing the World" Unit. We will begin the week with the question "What makes a piece of writing convincing?" Then we will begin writing persuasive pieces to address problems we see in our world. Later in the week, we will write pieces that convince our readers to see the beauty in the world and appreciate it. At home, talk with your child about problems and solutions in their everyday lives. Also, talk about things that are worth noticing and appreciating. Word Study: In word study this week we will revisit homophones and introduce homographs. Math & ScienceMath: As we jump in to the new year, we will start by reviewing some major concepts in math. Tables and relationships, strip diagrams, multiplication, division and word problems are the topics we will be reviewing. Students will rotate among the math teachers to revisit and practice these math skills in a small group setting. Science: We will be blasting off in our Solar System science unit. This week, students will learn about the Sun, which is the center of our solar system. This big ball of gas is our source of light and heat here on Earth.
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