What Have Third Graders Been Learning?

It's hard to believe that March is almost here! Here are a few reminders....

• February's Rockin' Readers are due this week. It's expected that students read for 15-20 minutes on a daily basis at home.
• There is a Spirit Assembly this Monday at 10:30 in the gym to recognize students of the month for "Respect."  "Golden Awards" and "The Spirit Stick" will be presented to classes.
• Revised District Calendars for spring will be coming home. Due to the numerous snow days, the district has added back the following instructional days for students: March 22 and March 23, April 14, and May 26.
• Spring conferences will be student-led, and will take place from 4:15-7:45 on March 22 and March 23. Details will be sent home soon.

Here are some of the things we've recently focused on in third grade:

Math-

Unit 8: Understanding properties of multiplication. Students used the different properties to solve multiplication and word problems. 

This week students will study graphing (bar graphs and pictographs).

Language & Health-

We're studying a Health unit on "Saying No to Drinking, Drugs, and Alcohol." Students are learning what is harmful and helpful for our bodies and the steps to take when someone offers them something harmful:

1. Say "No!" with body and words

2. Give a reason, if they want

3. Go to a safe place

4. Tell a trusted adult

We're also practicing using quotation marks in writing, using words other than "said" and adding adverbs. For example, "I won't do that," Michael yelled loudly!

Writing- 

Students recently finished their district writing assessment. They read an article and watched a short video on Dental Health, took notes, and wrote an informational essay about "How to Have Good Dental Health." This week students will work on an opinion piece and cite reasons to support their point of view. 

Reading: Students have been reading two Historical Fiction books. A few weeks ago, we read Anna, Grandpa, and the Great Storm. We are currently reading Lily and Miss Liberty. As we read the novels, students identified elements of Historical Fiction, and learned comprehension strategies such as: asking and answering questions about each chapter, analyzing the main characters in the story and their different points of view, and describing how each chapter's events build upon the next chapter.

It's 1885, and New York City is alive with excitement: the Statue of Liberty is arriving from France! Lily decides to make and sell Lady Liberty crowns in order to raise money to pay for the pedestal for Miss Liberty.

The whole city of New York is blanketed by snow (The Great Blizzard of 1888). But it's the final day of the spelling bee, and snow or no snow, Anna has to get to school. It's not as easy as she expected!

Here is an exciting event that your student is currently preparing for in Music class!

Your family is invited to come together and sing!