Third Grade News - March
**School Cancellation Information Link Third Grade Slideshow
We will be busy reviewing ELA and Math material this month. Students are getting ready for the Language Arts and Math portions of MCAS. We have been reviewing skills and using practice packets to help with independent practice.
We are spending more time getting ready for the open response writing sections of MCAS. The group is busy locating specific
details using the FUN strategy (Find, Underline, Number) and then including them in constructed responses using the paragraph format we have been using all year
(Topic Sentence, detail sentences, Clincher). They are also using the RAP strategy where they read a passage and summarize it
in 5 or less words in the section before the paragraph. I'm finding that this helps with comprehension and have asked them to
use the strategies on any homework assignments.
In math, we are working on perimeter, and then area to reinforce multiplication facts. The group
has been getting ready for the Math portion of MCAS by using our multistep problem solving and writing organizer (DICE). We will continue to use this strategy to help
get ready for the test. Please encourage use of strategies that are used in school on homework - it will help build strong study skills for upper grades.
All students should be practicing math facts with IXL.com and other links found on our Google Classroom page with the Personalized Learning Activities. The topics will help
get them ready for the Math portion of MCAS in the spring. I encourage students to tap into the class math page to help reinforce and extend their understanding of math topics being covered in class. Feel free to
click on the link to check out many free math resources Mrs. Herook Grade 3 Math Resource
The group is excited to start our research on The American Revolution and our conversations so far are quite interesting. We have some in class experts. :-)
In science, we continue to explore different forces, and will be using what we have learned to share at the Spring Science Inquiry Conference. We have been practicing the Engineering Process
and have had some fun with various activities.
There are a number of students in the room that need a new red ELA journal. Students use their journal to respond to comprehension questions during the week and are at the end of their books. The journal is red so
that students can easily organize and locate their materials as they need them. Please check with your child to see if they are in need of some additional school supplies. Thanks!
**I am leaving the information below for reference. **
Your child will have homework assignments Monday through Thursday, and sometimes over
the weekend. In addition, he/she will have 20 minutes of daily reading at home. Every week your child
will be taking home a homework calendar using a student planner. Each day, the group will write their
daily homework assignments on the calendar. Homework will also be listed on the class website
for those times when there may be a question on what homework is, or if the
calendar has been misplaced. When homework has been completed, please
sign the calendar and remind your child to return it to school the following day.
Homework will be checked at the start of school as part of the early morning routine. As a suggestion,
after your child has completed homework, it may help to have them place it back in their backpack
as part of the homework routine. Please assist in setting up good study skills by providing a quiet
place to complete homework.
Our Friday routine consists of reflecting on what was covered during the week. Students will write a summary
(1-2 sentences in the beginning) on the weekly summary sheet. This page is intended to assist
with communication at home of curriculum covered during school. Please review the sheet with your child,
and provide a signature with any comments at the bottom. Thanks in advance!
Feel free to check back on this page (URL listed at the bottom of the page), I try to provide
updates on a regular basis. Once we start projects, I will upload pictures of posters etc. for
home enjoyment. There are Internet links on other pages that support what we will be covering
in class, feel free to practice with them at home. I will continue to add additional links geared toward
third grade as I find them.
Enjoy the Month!
Mrs. Herook
In December, the group enjoyed poetry and practiced creative writing. One of the topics they especially enjoyed was personification - below is a link to posters
that the group put together. Enjoy!
Third Grade Personification
