Wow I guess it has been awhile since I last posted something for a newsletter. It seems like we have had a lot going on, then vacation. The month of February flew by! Just to recap: We had our Maine Animal presentations--thank you to those who were able to stop by to visit our "museum" to view the Maine Animal google slides presentations and to see the animal dioramas. We also had Jump Rope for Heart, and Winter Fun Day--including a snow sculpture of an alligator(se photos for some pics of this!) Adi Regis brought in a salmon to share with the class--another photo opportunity. We took some assessments both in math--We are now on Unit 6 and a post assessment in Non-Fiction and a pre assessment in Characters for our next reading unit. Phew! I hope that everyone had a relaxing vacation after all of that!
As I said, we started Unit 6 in Math when we got back last week. It focuses on multiplication and gives children the opportunity to learn some games and strategies to practice their facts. However I do ask that they also practice their facts at home. I give them a quick 25 fact check every Friday. Some students are struggling with this because they need to practice more. I am asking for your help to help them. Five minutes in the car on the way to basketball practice or even while they are waiting for dinner to cook is a good time to practice some facts.
In Reading we just started a new unit dealing with characters. We have talked about observing what a character does and their actions and what they say to find out what kind of person they are. We will move forward this week with finding evidence that proves they are this type of person with these specific character traits. We are finishing up our read aloud Poppy and have actually started Because of Winn Dixie. We are hoping to watch the movie when we finish this unit.
In Writing we will begin a new unit this week in Opinion or Persuasive writing. This is a fun unit for the kids to learn about. Don't be surprised if they bring home many ideas to try out on you or try to convince you to get them something they have been wanting for a long time(maybe a new pet?)
They have worked hard on non fiction and you will see that they have written an essay on their Maine Animal as well as created a brochure or a google slides presentation on something that they know alot about. This was very fun for them and they were very motivated to work on these. If you are at CRES come check them out!
We had a great visit from the York Wildlife Center on Friday. They brought a few friends/ambassadors to visit and we learned many things about Ruby the red tailed hawk, Byron the Barred Owl, Skeeter the Gray Squirrel and Clifford the Box Turtle.
A few upcoming things to keep in mind:
I will be sending out a Sign Up Genius by the end of this week for upcoming Spring Conferences which will be held the week of 4/10-4/14. If you cannot make any of the times that I have listed, please email me as soon as possible, so that we can find an alternate date and time to meet. These are student led conferences so it is important that your child join you so that they can show you their progress since November.
All Third Grade classes will be celebrating Maine's Birthday on 3/15 and 3/16. All students will rotate through all 7 third grade classrooms with special activities in each classroom on 3/15 there is a special Maine themed lunch planned and on Thurs. 3/16 Wayne from Maine will be here to celebrate with us. If anyone is available to help out to chaperone the class or to help in my classroom, please contact me! We would love to have some parent volunteers!
EmpowerMe testing will begin on 3/22-24th and 3/27-28. Please make sure that your child is well rested and has a nutritious breakfast and snack.
Third Grade Concert will be held on Thurs. 4/6 5:30-6:15 pm in the gym. Students should arrive no later than 5:15.
I think that this is it for now. Please let me know if there are any concerns or questions that you may have. We have a busy March but it will also be fun!
All the Best!
Tracy
As I said, we started Unit 6 in Math when we got back last week. It focuses on multiplication and gives children the opportunity to learn some games and strategies to practice their facts. However I do ask that they also practice their facts at home. I give them a quick 25 fact check every Friday. Some students are struggling with this because they need to practice more. I am asking for your help to help them. Five minutes in the car on the way to basketball practice or even while they are waiting for dinner to cook is a good time to practice some facts.
In Reading we just started a new unit dealing with characters. We have talked about observing what a character does and their actions and what they say to find out what kind of person they are. We will move forward this week with finding evidence that proves they are this type of person with these specific character traits. We are finishing up our read aloud Poppy and have actually started Because of Winn Dixie. We are hoping to watch the movie when we finish this unit.
In Writing we will begin a new unit this week in Opinion or Persuasive writing. This is a fun unit for the kids to learn about. Don't be surprised if they bring home many ideas to try out on you or try to convince you to get them something they have been wanting for a long time(maybe a new pet?)
They have worked hard on non fiction and you will see that they have written an essay on their Maine Animal as well as created a brochure or a google slides presentation on something that they know alot about. This was very fun for them and they were very motivated to work on these. If you are at CRES come check them out!
We had a great visit from the York Wildlife Center on Friday. They brought a few friends/ambassadors to visit and we learned many things about Ruby the red tailed hawk, Byron the Barred Owl, Skeeter the Gray Squirrel and Clifford the Box Turtle.
A few upcoming things to keep in mind:
I will be sending out a Sign Up Genius by the end of this week for upcoming Spring Conferences which will be held the week of 4/10-4/14. If you cannot make any of the times that I have listed, please email me as soon as possible, so that we can find an alternate date and time to meet. These are student led conferences so it is important that your child join you so that they can show you their progress since November.
All Third Grade classes will be celebrating Maine's Birthday on 3/15 and 3/16. All students will rotate through all 7 third grade classrooms with special activities in each classroom on 3/15 there is a special Maine themed lunch planned and on Thurs. 3/16 Wayne from Maine will be here to celebrate with us. If anyone is available to help out to chaperone the class or to help in my classroom, please contact me! We would love to have some parent volunteers!
EmpowerMe testing will begin on 3/22-24th and 3/27-28. Please make sure that your child is well rested and has a nutritious breakfast and snack.
Third Grade Concert will be held on Thurs. 4/6 5:30-6:15 pm in the gym. Students should arrive no later than 5:15.
I think that this is it for now. Please let me know if there are any concerns or questions that you may have. We have a busy March but it will also be fun!
All the Best!
Tracy