3rd Grade April News!

April has been a busy month in 3rd Grade!

• Students started the Smarter Balanced State Test in Reading and Writing and will transition to math at the end of the month. 
• We had a great time practicing our language skills by interviewing our peers, collecting data, and discussing our findings (see photos!)
• In Social Studies and writing, we've been studying Portland.  Our focus has been on the geography, history, transportation, recreation, and bridges.  Students are writing paragraphs and creating art around each category.  Be looking forward to our field trip to Portland on May 12th (for Mrs. Long and Mrs. McGowan's class) and May 16th (for Mrs. Burch/Rauch's class).  
• In math, we completed our comparing fractions unit and have recently introduced measuring the perimeter of shapes.  
• A few members of the Oregon Symphony visited Earl Boyles earlier this month for a short performance WITH our students as well as a Question and Answer session.  We look forward to participating in a Carnegie Hall Link Up concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall May 4th!  Thank you for returning your permission slips!
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Looking forward to our Student Led Conferences.

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!

Student Led Conferences-March 22nd and 23rd

Save the date! This spring EB will have student led conferences on Wednesday, March 22nd and Thursday, March 23rd from 4:15-7:45. More details to follow!

Updated school calendars will be sent home next Wednesday.

Celebrating Friendship

Thank you, families, for helping to make our Valentine's/Friendship Party a success!

Thank you, Ms. Carter, for cutting all the hearts and circles for our owls!

Go Noodle, "Happy"

Game time!

Ninja Turtle!

"Everything is awesome!"

Thank you, Chisom, for the stuffed animals! The class loved them!

Let's Get Moving!

On a rainy day, Mrs. Long's class enjoys a game of "Don't Pop the Bubble" to learn volleyball skills.

Every other week, EB students are introduced to fun games they can play inside the classroom or outside.

Most days,  recess is held outdoors however, from time to time we have inside recess due to the weather. During recess, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of games led by our Playworks coach and trained junior coaches 
( 5th graders). Students can choose to engage in an organized game or free play.

Earl Boyles School has partnered with Playworks, to bring movement and play to the classroom and recess!  You can read more about this amazing program at: playworks.org

Did you also know that third graders have a quick afternoon movement break? We often use the website "Go Noodle" https://www.gonoodle.com/ to get our students moving and laughing. Teachers also use "S'cool Moves" activities designed to improve self regulation and focus. https://www.schoolmoves.com.
Ask your student about which Playworks,"Go Noodle" or movement activity they enjoy!

Go Noodle is often used in the classroom for movement breaks!

Earl Boyles Mission:

To be a rich and vibrant community that builds partnership, trust and collaboration with families to foster lifelong learning, health and well-being for children and adults in a school where every child receives the instruction that they need and deserve...everyday.

Earl Boyles Vision:

Families partnering with their school to create a diverse, supportive community that raises happy, healthy children who are successful in school and life.

February's Character Trait of the Month is Respect- Respectful people: treat others with respect, are tolerant of differences, use good manners, deal peacefully with disagreements, and think or act in a positive way about themselves or others that shows you care about their feelings. Respect is the Golden Rule-Treat others how you would like to be treated.

Spirit Assembly: Monday, February 27^th  at 10:15/ Student of the Month Award: Respect/ Twin Day