March 1, 2019

"In like a lion, out like a lamb"...Well the "In like a lion" part is a great phrase  to describe our classroom!  We are busy, busy, busy preparing for the end of the year and fourth grade!  In order to ease the transition to fourth grade and prepare children for moving from standards-based grades to letter grades, I will be putting both grades on papers. You will see the "3"  and also the corresponding letter grade. Many children (and parents) are surprised to see that when they get a "3", that might equate to a "C" in a letter grade.  Standards-based grades will continue to be used on the report card through the end of the year.

Check out what we've been doing this week...

Phonics/Grammar:  We focused this week on incorporating expected third grade conventions in all of our writing.

Reading:  We finished our Because of Winn-Dixie novel.  We discussed important motivations of the characters in the book, how the characters have changed from the beginning to the end, and indications of what  the theme of this book is.  We worked in our book clubs to ask and answer comprehension questions and practice fluency.  We learned how to use the UNWRAP strategy when reading passages and answering questions (U-Underline the title, N-Number the paragraphs, W-Walk through the questions without answering, R-Read the passage, A-Answer the questions, P-prove your answers). We'll continue to emphasize this strategy in prep for the Milestones.

Writing:  We discussed what a persuasive essay is.  We picked a topic important to students; Should students have homework?  We learned important debating techniques, including using emotion to influence the reader, presenting facts and details to support your opinion ,and  anticipating your opponent's reasons and making rebuttals. I was so impressed with the students in the class. They did a great job of not directing arguments at the person but the position they are standing for (ad hominem).  The class is split about 50/50 on which stance they have taken. I can't wait to see these essays that they are so passionate about!  The students practiced writing two or three different introductions to boldly state their opinion and introduce the topic.

Math:  We are working on the challenging concept of solving multi-step word problems.  We explored some SUPER challenging word problems.  Try them out!  They came home on Thursday and the worksheet says "Challenge" at the top.  I had to carefully analyze these problems myself!  We practiced memorization of multiplication facts.  We reviewed addition and subtraction with regrouping, multiplication of two-digit numbers, and rounding during our morning work time.

Class News...

I would HIGHLY encourage you to ask your child to practice typing at home.  They can write a short story, write someone a letter, or create a journal entry.  This will really help when we begin the Milestones.  Remember, we are taking the assessment online this year.  I will also be assigning homework and extra credit assignments that they can do in Microsoft Office 365 and send to me.  I may even start today! (Hint, Hint!). We reviewed in class how to login to the Office 365 from home.

There is a permission slip and money envelope coming home today for an in-house field trip third grade is planning. Please complete the form and return it separate from the donation envelope.

The Milestones testing dates are as follows:  ELA: April 16^th-18^th    Math: April 24^th & 25^th


Thank you, Mrs. Erwin, for sending in a HUGE pack of construction paper!  My artists need it!

Thank you, Mrs. Smith (Ana's mom), for sending in the sets of flashcards.  The kids LOVE using these to help them study! And thank you for the erasers too!