Special Visitor

 Judy's parents came in to celebrate her half birthday.  We had a wonderful time!

Secret Snow Pal

Your child brought home a letter explaining the project on Monday.  Your child has a secret snow pal that they need to make a card for.  Cards are due on Wednesday.  I sent home paper for them to make their cards.  If your child needs more paper, please let me know.  I am happy to send more home.

Cardboard Challenge

We are almost finished building our projects which will share with others next week.  This has been a great lesson in creativity, collaboration, and perseverance!  I will take pictures and you can check them out on our classroom blog.  Thank you to parents who were able to come in and help us build this week!

Another Special Visitor

 We were so excited to have Olivia's dad stop by and read a story that he wrote!  Then Olivia shared a favorite that she loves as well.  We had a great time celebrating Olivia's birthday.

Chapter 6 Videos

Our next unit is Chapter 6.  This unit focuses on bar modeling, a way to think abstractly about word problems.  Here are some videos that can be helpful during this unit.

Bar Modeling- an Explanation of How Bar Modeling Works

Solving a Multiple Step Word Problem Using a Bar Model

Multiplication Bar Modeling

Bar Models Made Easy

Special Visitor

 Arisa's dad stopped by to help us celebrate her birthday.  We really enjoyed the story!

Social Studies

 We began our new social studies unit! Our main focus this week was local government. We talked about all the important parts of city hall. We discussed how each department has a special job to help the community run smoothly. Some of the jobs we discussed included the city manager and the police department.  We will continue learning about local government next week.

Special Visitor

Ryan's parents were able to stop by and read a couple of books with the class.  

We had a good few laughs because the books were so funny!

 

Map Skills

 Students learned that a map scale shows the real distance between various places on a map. We practiced using a ruler to measure the distance and converted inches to miles. We also talked about the importance of checking the map scale each time, as they can vary depending on the map.

Nonfiction Reading

 Last week, we read a variety of nonfiction books! Students learned about the nonfiction text structures that authors use to teach the reader information. We read a biography called Snowflake Bentley, which had a problem/solution text structure. We also read Waiting for Ice and discussed author’s purpose. We used the acronym PIE to remember each purpose (Persuade, Inform, Entertain). Students used evidence from the text to support their thinking. We also practiced various strategies to help us figure out unknown words in Animal Tongues (context clues, background knowledge, glossary, substitute a different word, use the photos/illustrations, etc.).

High Frequency Words

 Each trimester we focus on a variety of third grade high frequency words to help your child practice and encourage them to spell them correctly in their written work.  In your child’s red folder I have included some of the words from this trimester that your child is still working on mastering.  It is not required, but feel free to practice these at home.

Halloween Fun

 We had a great time at the Halloween party.  A special thank you to everyone who donated items and/or their time to make the day special.

Math- Chapter 4

Hi, Everyone!

I cannot believe we are already on chapter 4!  Time has really flown quickly!  This chapter is all about learning and mastering multiplication.  Please be practicing multiplication at home.  This will be a great benefit to them during this unit and as we move on to our future units.  Here are some videos your child can watch to help them practice as well.

Basic Multiplication

Multiplication on a Number Line

Basic Division

More Basic Division Practice

Multiplication and Division

Special Visitor

 We were so excited to celebrate Charlie's birthday by having two special visitors (his parents) come and read with us.

Chapter 3 Update

 We will be concluding our Chapter 3 unit this week in class.  Last week, we learned how to solve single step and multi-step word problems.  We also worked on drawing a picture to help us solve word problems.  Bar modeling is one way that this can be accomplished.  We will continue working on complex word problems this week and will test on Monday.

Geography

 We started our first social studies unit: geography! Students learned about the importance of maps and how we use them to locate places. We discussed key terms like borders, hemisphere, and prime meridian. We also reviewed the seven continents.

Severe Weather Research

 We are working on our severe weather research in small groups in the LMC.  Your child is creating a newscast to teach others about their severe weather topic.  We will conclude this project before the end of October.  Thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time to help us with this project.

Severe Weather Research

 This week we started our research on severe weather.  We will be working on our research in the LMC.  Students will learn about how it forms and how to prepare for severe weather.  They will be creating a culminating project when they finish their research.   Stay tuned !

Multiplication Games

 We have learned several fact fluency games to help us practice our math facts.  This week your child got a packet of games to help them practice at home.  It was sent home yesterday in their red folder.  This is entirely optional.  As we learn new games, a new packet will come home. 

Typing Training

Typing training is a great way to help your child strengthen their typing skills.  Mrs. Goldstein came and talked to the class about how to use home row while typing.  Your child can access their account through clever.  If your child wants to practice at home, they can log into their clever account using their google log in information that is in their assignment notebook.

Flat Stanley

 This week we addressed our envelopes and we packaged up our Flat Stanleys and they are off!  Please let your family and friends know that they are on the way and to be looking for them in the next couple of weeks.  (Snail mail takes time!)

Xtra Math

This year, if your child would like to practice his/her math facts at home, they can log into their Xtra Math account.  The program starts with addition and will help them progress through subtraction, multiplication and division.  This is not required, however, it is something you can do if you so choose to help you support their math skills at home.  In order for their account to be linked to school, you will need to follow the directions that are included in your child’s Friday backpack mail.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Flat Stanley Update

Everyone has finished their letters!  We will be learning how to address an envelope next week and then your child’s Flat Stanley will be postmarked and off on their adventures!  Please let your family and friends know that they will be on their way shortly and to be looking for them in the next couple of weeks.  (Snail mail takes time!)

 

Technology Lesson

Today we had a special visitor!  Maria Goldstein came today to help the students learn more about how to use their chromebooks. 

Special Reader

 We were so excited to have Braxton's mom come and join us to read to the class!  It was a great story!

Reader's Workshop

We were so excited to start Reading Workshop in our classroom!  We discussed everyone’s roles and responsibilities as a reader. Students also got into the routine of selecting their own books during independent reading time. We reflected on our lives as readers and practiced responding to texts.

Flat Stanley

 We are so excited to be sending out our Flat Stanley projects soon.  Students are currently working on their rough drafts of their letters.  We can't wait to learn about all the adventures that Stanley is going to have!

Indoor Recess

It was a hot week this week so we had to spend some time indoors; but it didn't stop the fun in 3-4!  Students enjoyed all the in class materials we had and getting to know each other.  It was a great first full week of school!

Special Reader

 We were so happy to have Izabela's mom come and read with us to celebrate Izabela's birthday!  We read two stories which we all enjoyed!