January 2, 2017
Dear Third Grade Parents and Students,
Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a nice Christmas break with your families. I’m so happy to see the third graders again and am ready to get 2017 started!
Native American Project: Today, a packet explaining the Native American Project will be sent home with your child (purple). Please go over this packet with him or her. In it you will find an explanation of the written, visual and oral aspects of the project, a timeline, rubric and guidelines for how to support your child with this project.
The first deadline is: January 11th – Students need to choose a tribe to study and bring 2 kid-friendly books on the tribe to school. (See the packet for information on appropriate research materials. These books will remain at school until all research is completed. If you would like to preview the books with your child and help them tab the FOOD, CLOTHING, and SHELTER pages at home that is great, just bring them in by the 11th and send me a photo of the books/ an Amazon link so I can mark you child down for that tribe – 2 kid friendly books =tribe saved for that student!)
Multiplication/Division Facts: Students begin memorizing their multiplication and division facts. A letter is coming home tomorrow with more details and should be signed and returned to school by the end of the week. Even if students struggles with times tests last year, its amazing a difference a year makes developmentally in memorization and study skills. Most students succeed when they study a little bit each night and are prepared! We will be multiplication NINJAS this year and I know the kids will all earn a black belt by the end of the year.
Papers Coming Home: I will be sending home the Division test and book report today. Please review these with your child.
Items Needed: Any small, thin plastic tubs similar to ones berries or veggies come in and small, empty tissue boxes (square/cube style) to use in our science unit.
Reading Log: The December reading log needs to be turned in by tomorrow. I will hand out the January reading logs today. These will be due Wednesday, Feb. 1st.
GeoJorney Test: There is a test on the Southwest and Mountain region tests and abbreviations next Friday, Jan. 13th.
CURRICULUM:
Reading: We read Yonder Mountain: A Cherokee Legend; our target skill is compare and contrast. Students will create a graphic organizer to describe the meaning of the different symbols in the story. We also read about the Trail of Tears and discuss its significance.
Math: Students begin memorizing their multiplication and division facts this week. We begin with our 0 and 1 facts tomorrow (mixed). For students to succeed, it is crucial that they practice their facts daily at home.
We also begin a new chapter on fractions. This week we learn what a fraction is and about a whole fraction.
Science: Students begin a new engineering unit building CRABITATS- (Habitats+Crabs=Crabitats). In this unit students plan and create an ideal hermit crab habitat in a small group. Over the next month, we test the habitats and find evidence to determine what aspects are desirable. Students the redesign their habitat based on these findings.
Social Studies: We finish our study of culture. Students will also take the GeoJourney test for the Southwest and Mountain region states and abbreviations next Friday, January 13th. We will review the states in class this week and a study guide will also come home with your child this week.
Religion: We will review the Christmas Season, from Christmas Day to Epiphany. We will also begin our discussion about Jesus as the Good News in chapter 7.
Language Arts: Students work on there snow globe writing. We focus on adding similes and vivid details to make it interesting.
Spelling. Homework is due Thursday and the test will be on Friday. This week we work with contractions.
I’d he’s haven’t doesn’t let’s there’s
wouldn’t what’s she’s aren’t hasn’t couldn’t
he’d they’re
challenge word: we’re
Next week: Anthony
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Erin Meland