Happy May! I realize it has been awhile since I have posted a newsletter but I find that many people find it cumbersome and don't actually read it. I am attempting to make it shorter and to even look into some alternate ways of communicating with parents in addition to the occasional email. But until then....here's an update. First thanks to all of you for successful student conferences. It is always so beneficial We've had a lot going on as the weather has gotten better(or slightly so)
Math-We just finished unit 7 and will embark on Unit 8 starting next week--which is focused on measurement. There are a total of 9 Units in the Third Grade Everyday Math curriculum so this will be our next to last unit. I will send home corrected Unit 7 math tests after reviewing, please sign and return as they will be part of your child's portfolio. Also I am piloting a math program, along with some other teachers here at CRES, that was developed at Stanford University called Redbird. I just sent a sheet home about it in your student's yellow folder. They can access the program at home and I encourage them to work on it if they have a moment of screen time. The great thing about this program is that it adjusts to your student's ability and also gives them hints and instructs them on a math concept if they are having trouble. It is a complement to the EDM program. They all tried it out yesterday and seemed to like it. There are games and projects in the program as well. If you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me.
Writing-Students just wrapped up our Persuasive unit and wrote two pieces of persuasive writing. One speech and one essay. The speeches I will email you this weekend. The lovely librarians helped film the speeches during our library block. The essays are hanging on the door right outside the classroom. Students have become great persuaders and are passionate about many things! We began our next unit-Fairytales this past week and the students are very excited about this! Can't wait to see what they come up with!
Reading-We finished our character unit and now will finish out the year with another non-fiction unit on Research. Research is so important in the years to come that we try to give third graders a foundation of skills to carry them through and to build upon. We have been working on note-taking skills, cross text synthesis and expert lingo. Students should still be reading fiction at home and logging on a daily basis. My hope is that this year they have found a love of reading that will last their whole lives.
For Science and Social Studies our remaining units of study are: Weather and Natural Hazards and Maine Native Americans.
We were very fortunate to have Todd Gutner, WSCH Channel 6 meteorologist here visiting our third graders last week! He brought his van, Stormy and a film crew. He was awesome with the 140 or so third graders, answering their questions and teaching them about weather. Then our very own Jameson Moore introduced us and we were taped and then broadcasted on the morning news! Check out a picture of Jameson and Todd Gutner on my photos page. We also had our very own Michele Frietag, Horizons teacher, come visit our class to talk about her Native American heritage. She shared some interesting insight into how Native Americans lived long ago. Next Wed. 5/17 students will get to experience how Native Americans lived and worked when White Pines comes to show us. It would be helpful if we had two more parent volunteers who could join us from 9:30-11:00 am. If you can help, please email me asap.
Here are a few upcoming dates to be aware of as we wrap up our Third Grade year..
Monday May 29th--Memorial Day--no school
Third Grade Field Day-Wed. June 14
Beach Day-Friday June 16--Raindate Monday June 19th
Last day of school for students--half day-dismissal at 12 noon June 23rd. Report cards issued
Math-We just finished unit 7 and will embark on Unit 8 starting next week--which is focused on measurement. There are a total of 9 Units in the Third Grade Everyday Math curriculum so this will be our next to last unit. I will send home corrected Unit 7 math tests after reviewing, please sign and return as they will be part of your child's portfolio. Also I am piloting a math program, along with some other teachers here at CRES, that was developed at Stanford University called Redbird. I just sent a sheet home about it in your student's yellow folder. They can access the program at home and I encourage them to work on it if they have a moment of screen time. The great thing about this program is that it adjusts to your student's ability and also gives them hints and instructs them on a math concept if they are having trouble. It is a complement to the EDM program. They all tried it out yesterday and seemed to like it. There are games and projects in the program as well. If you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me.
Writing-Students just wrapped up our Persuasive unit and wrote two pieces of persuasive writing. One speech and one essay. The speeches I will email you this weekend. The lovely librarians helped film the speeches during our library block. The essays are hanging on the door right outside the classroom. Students have become great persuaders and are passionate about many things! We began our next unit-Fairytales this past week and the students are very excited about this! Can't wait to see what they come up with!
Reading-We finished our character unit and now will finish out the year with another non-fiction unit on Research. Research is so important in the years to come that we try to give third graders a foundation of skills to carry them through and to build upon. We have been working on note-taking skills, cross text synthesis and expert lingo. Students should still be reading fiction at home and logging on a daily basis. My hope is that this year they have found a love of reading that will last their whole lives.
For Science and Social Studies our remaining units of study are: Weather and Natural Hazards and Maine Native Americans.
We were very fortunate to have Todd Gutner, WSCH Channel 6 meteorologist here visiting our third graders last week! He brought his van, Stormy and a film crew. He was awesome with the 140 or so third graders, answering their questions and teaching them about weather. Then our very own Jameson Moore introduced us and we were taped and then broadcasted on the morning news! Check out a picture of Jameson and Todd Gutner on my photos page. We also had our very own Michele Frietag, Horizons teacher, come visit our class to talk about her Native American heritage. She shared some interesting insight into how Native Americans lived long ago. Next Wed. 5/17 students will get to experience how Native Americans lived and worked when White Pines comes to show us. It would be helpful if we had two more parent volunteers who could join us from 9:30-11:00 am. If you can help, please email me asap.
Here are a few upcoming dates to be aware of as we wrap up our Third Grade year..
Monday May 29th--Memorial Day--no school
Third Grade Field Day-Wed. June 14
Beach Day-Friday June 16--Raindate Monday June 19th
Last day of school for students--half day-dismissal at 12 noon June 23rd. Report cards issued