Newsletter

3rd-grade ** NEWS **

HOAGIE SALES (I love hearing about the hoagies sales. Thanks for helping to support our school and for blessing your friends and neighbors with delicious hoagies.)

Language Arts: Unit 4 week 4 Beloved children’s author, Beverly Cleary’s “Ramona and Her Father” gives us a chance to look at how a family can face problems together and adjust to situations even when they are difficult.

Week 4 vocabulary: anxious, cross, managed, alarmed, pretend, unfortunately W/ W: “Cereal Box” book share should be nearly done. Reports will be given on 2-28th.

Science: Today we completed Inv. 1. Students received a study guide for Inv. 1. The unit test will be given on Tuesday.

Math: Using multiplication/division diagrams this week will help children make sense of and solve number stories. Please continue to ask your child when time allows their 6, 7, & 8’s multiplication facts. (These are always the most difficult for everyone.)

Bible: Jesus blesses the children: biblical text Mark 10:13-16, essential question: What do Jesus’ actions tell us about who he was? Why do you think he thought children were important? Bible memory this week Acts 3: 6

 2/5 - 2/9 Unit 4 week 3 This week’s story is called “A Higher Goal.” The genre is expository exploring how positive change comes first from awareness of a problem and then creative solutions are practiced. *Discuss with your child a favorite quote you live by.
 * Language Arts: **

Week 3 vocabulary: utilize, awareness, pollution, emphasize

**Math:** Mastering multiplication facts continues to be our goal this week. Encourage your child to use reflex math or the triangle fact card they were given to practice, practice, practice so even 8 x 9 is automatic. Science: Inv. 1 part 4 ask the question “How do seed disperse from the parent plant?” Friday 2/9 students will have the study guide for Inv. 1 assessment which will be given on 2/13.


 * Bible: **Our text this week is John 4:1-42 the essential question “What does Jesus’ interactions with the woman tell us about him?” Bible memory Act 3:2-5

1/16 - 1/20 A big thank you to all that helped and supplied our last hot lunch.

I am planning a steam project with the class, but first, need a collection of empty paper towel rolls or empty toilet paper rolls. Please collect and send in any you have over the next month. Hope to have enough by March. Thank you.

Language Arts: Unit 4 week 1 Angela Shelf Medearis’s wonderful story “Seven Spools of Thread” explores relationships siblings have and how important it is to work together, ending with the African Proverb; “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” *Discuss with your child ways you as a family work together giving value to the African proverb. Week 1 vocabulary: beamed, argued, possessions, fabric, purchased, quarreling sphere, axis, rotates

Math: Finding missing factors, becoming secure with multiplication facts and solving number stories are our focus this coming week. When you have time encourage your child to practice their multiplication facts or do reflex math. Science: The new science unit will begin on Jan. 23, the parent letter that was in your child’s frog folder, which was sent home yesterday.

Bible: Memory work Acts 3: 2-4

12/11- 15 Our room is beginning to look like Christmas. Hope to see many of you Friday at our Christmas program. Children should come to our room at 6:40. There will be cookies to enjoy after the program in the library area. If you would like to contribute a dozen or two you may put them on the tables in the library before the program, or send them with your child when they come to our room. All 3rd graders will return to our room and remain there until you come. This evening is always a fun slice of the Christmas season.
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Language Arts: Unit 3 week 3 Digital Citizenship what is it and how can we be good citizens of it? This question, as well as safety online, will guide our reading and discussions this week. Our story’s title is “Messaging Maina”. Week 3 vocabulary: estimate, focus, record Math: We will develop strategies for finding area and perimeter using composite units. Science: Last week was all about evaporation, this week we will look at condensation and the amazing water cycle/recycling process that God has put in place.

Bible: the Essential question “What does Jesus ask of us? Matthew 25:31-40 Memory work John 3:16

for two weeks <span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> (11/13-24)
 * <span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">.................. **

<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Language Arts: Unit 2 week 6 does not have a spelling or reading packet, but students will have a list of spelling words to study. These are words that all third graders should know. Grammar: simple subject and simple predicates

Math: In math class this week we will focus on subtracting 4 digit numbers and borrowing across two zeros. We will also build and explore equal-factor arrays, and use the turn-around rule when solving multiplication facts.

<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible: memory work John 8:12 The essential question for us this week is how can we help others? The widow’s oil and Elijah’s example will guide our discussion as we seek to discover who God wants to bless, and how we can be a part of his blessing.

Science: Observing ice outdoors will help us understand where small animal go to stay warm or get cool. We will be wrapping up our second investigation this week. Expect a study guide to come home on Friday. Investigation 2 test will be the following Tuesday 11-21. (11/6-10)

Students will be completing their business letters next week. They will come home on Wednesday. You and your child may discuss whether you would like to mail them.

Language Arts: Unit 2 week 5 A Castle on Viola Street, A family works together with their neighbors to make changes to Viola Street one house at a time. Big dreams are built little by little. *Discuss with your child a dream you have for your family, and how they could help take small steps that will make the dream happen.

Week 5: vocabulary: appliances, project, owners, equipment, construction, leaky Math: Subtraction and the expand and trade method is our focus this week. My wiki site has a link to some useful algorithms. I also have a link to the algorithms below this week’s newsletter.

Bible: Memory work for Friday -I Corinthians 12:4-6. Our essential question as we explore the story of Moses is, “When God calls people to him what makes them say yes?”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Science: Why do some materials sink while others float? What property of water is at work when water changes into ice? These two questions will be the focus of our investigations this coming week.

<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">(10/30 -11/3) Language Arts: Unit 2 week 4 Working Together, is this week’s theme, our story Here’s my Dollar, is about a 9-year-old who after hearing about a need at a local zoo started a collection for the Chaffee Zoo. *Discuss with your child places/organizations that may need help. In class, we will be talking about raising funds for MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service).

Week 4 vocabulary: tour, slogan, volunteers, deserve, thrilled grammar: possessive nouns <span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Math: Partial-sums and estimating cost will be our focus in math this week. Please continue to encourage your child to work on reflex math and/or frontrow. <span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Science: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> Today we finished our first unit in science. Monday I will be giving out a review study guide to help students prepare for Investigation 1 I-Check test this week. The last attachment is the study guide if you feel your child would benefit from studying it over the long weekend.

<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible: Bible memory I Corinthians 12:4-5. Unit 2 takes us back into the creation story as we discuss what our purpose is. We will also be developing a plan for ways we can be a blessing to others in our school.

10/23-27 Thank you for taking time to come in for conferences. I always feel like I know your children better after talking to you.

Language Arts: Unit 2 week 3 Go West!,The railroad changed the face of the American West by carrying products and people to new lands. *Discuss with your child how the internet's ability to share ideas is the new face changer in today's world. Week 3 vocabulary: communities, immigrants, established, traditional

Digital Citizenship: Discuss with your child how to distinguish between personal information, which is safe to share online, and private information, which is unsafe to share.

Math: When you can, use vocabulary like perimeter as you take a walk around a park, or see if your child can figure out what area gets vacuumed when you clean, or what area of the table does a tablecloth cover. Tue. Unit 2 Progress check

Science <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">: Observations last week introduced the concept of water tension. This week we learn about water striders and how tension allows them to walk on water. We will also explore water on a slope. Bible: We completed our Circles of Grace lessons. Bible memory: I Cor. 12:4

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10/16-20)

Thank you for supporting our Race for Education, we did get wet but our class still enjoyed the morning and is grateful for your support.

Unit 2 week 2 Home-Grown Butterflies, Scientist Brent Davies had an idea about how helping butterflies could also help the villagers near the rainforest. Grammar/ singular and plural nouns

*Discuss with your child what your family can do to help preserve the fragile beauty near your home.

Week 2 vocabulary: disappear, protect, harming, supply, capture, enclosure Math: This week we continue to use division to solve number stories. On Thursday I am hoping to introduce fraction circles.
 * Reading and spelling test will be taken on Thursday

Science: Our first science unit is all about water, this week’s experience attempts to answer the question what happens when water falls on different surfaces.

====<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible / Circles of Grace: Our first lesson's objective is for children to know that they and all people are created in God’s image. Discuss ways with your child how you as a family show respect to each other. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">One-third grader has completed the beginner's lessons in Typing.com. When possible encourage your child to log in at home to work on the program. The beginner' lessons always feel the hardest. Once your child gets through these lessons their fingers will fly. ====

sidewalks, traders, grumbles, blossomed, wailed, lonesome
====<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Math: Equal groups and picturing division will allow children to visualize division <span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">. ==== ====<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Social Studies: A study sheet will come home on Monday, preparing students for the test on Tuesday. Highlighted text is what will be covered on the test. ==== ====<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible: Bible memory Psalm 104:31-34 Our essential question this week is “What does Shalom look like today?” ====

9/25-29 Highlights in room 8: Students made apple snitz, and discovered the difference between material made from wool, cotton, flax and polyester. We also enjoyed some reading time in our peaceful courtyard.

Language Arts: Unit 1 week 5 My Very Own Room by Amanda Irma P`erez Five little brothers, two parents, and a house full of visiting relatives make a young Mexican American girl feel crowded. She loves her family, but how can she get a little space of her own? *Ask your child where their special places are; share where some of your special places are and why you consider them special. Week 5 Vocabulary: separate, determination, storage, exact, ruined, luckiest Math: Our first unit progress check will be taken this week. Number stories and the use of arrays will be explored as we continue to work with multiplication and division in Unit 2.

Social Studies: Discovering how the Hans Herr family lived in the 1700’s continues to be our focus this week. We are all looking forward to our special guest on Friday. My daughter Julia will be demonstrating the art of spinning and dyeing yarn

Bible: Bible memory: Psalm 139:1-4 How did Jesus (re)teach people about Shalom? God hears the cries of his people and sends Jesus his son to teach us how to live in peace.

9/18-22

Language Arts: Unit 1 week 4 Wolf by Becky Bloom Wolf discovers a different power when he learns to read. This is our first fantasy story. Children will compare and contrast the characters in this wonderful story to discover how similarities and difference are important. *What are some of the ways in which you and your child are similar, what are the ways that you are different? Help your child see these seminaries and differences as strengths. Week 4 voc.: passion, admire, concentrate, splendid, bothering, ached Math: Our length of day project begins this week. We will also be exploring mass, estimating and measuring mass. Continue to encourage your child to work on their reflex math site. Social Studies: Look for Field Trip information in your child’s green take home folder today. This week we continue to look at the Herr family from 1719, particularly what brought them to Pennsylvania. “What would make a family move to another country?”

Bible: Essential question this week: “Why do people have such a difficult time remembering God’s plan?” Israel’s kings, and how the prophets continually call the people back to God’s vision are the stories this week. Memory work Ps. 139:1-2 .

<span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">9/11-15

Language Arts: Unit 1 week 3 This week will include a nonfiction/expository article that asks the question, “How do green schools help the environment?” *Discuss with your child ways that your family helps the environment. Week 3 vocabulary: donate, members, unaware, contribute Math: We will review the basic multiplication facts and introduce division. If your child has time at home please encourage them to log into Reflex math. The games will build their fact understanding and recall. Bible: essential question for the week, “ Why does God need to teach people about Shalom?” The Israelites years in Egypt and their wilderness story frame our discussion this week. Bible memory Psalm 119:33-34

Social Studies: The next unit in S.S. covers the Hans Herr House in preparation for our field trip Oct. 6. We will be reading about what life was like for a child in the Herr household.

If you would like to be a chaperone for our Oct. 6th field trip please let me by Sep. 20th. The cost for students and adults is $6.00 per student/adult.

Please continue to encourage your child to log into Typing.com to practice their typing skills.

9/5-9/9/16

Each week I will post a summary of the content I hope to cover in our classes.

Language Arts: Unit 1 "Let's Learn” Week 1: First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg Everyone knows the jumble of feelings as the first day of school approaches -- especially if it's the first day at a new school. The surprise ending to our story helps students understand they are not alone with their apprehensions about the first day.  Week 1 vocabulary: nervous, nonsense, fumbled, trudged, chuckled

Math: Unit 1 is a review of the content that was covered in second grade. See Everyday Math Unit 1 newsletter, that will be in your child’s weekly “frog” folder.

Social Studies: What is a community, and who are the people that work, live and play in our community? These are the questions that guide our discussions and work. We are also learning about colonial times in Lancaster.

Bible: Bible memory Micah 6:8 Our first unit’s focus question asks, “What does the biblical story teach us about God and God's mission for us?” The essential question, “What is shalom?” helps us see the Old Testament stories, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the tower in new ways.