Reading
Earlier this month we completed our mystery unit with our mystery character “Wanted Posters.” If you didn’t get a chance to see them hanging in the hallway during conferences, don’t worry, they will be coming home soon! After all of the posters were complete, students had the opportunity to give each other feedback. We learned about what feedback is, why it’s important, and how it can be used to help us in the future. Students viewed three posters of their choice and give one star (a compliment) and one wish (a suggestion for improvement).
Also this month, students completed a “book report” on a published, personal narrative picture book. They were able to choose a book and analyze the book’s use of setting, characters, tone, etc.
Our next unit of study is historical fiction. For this unit students will be able to select a historical fiction book to read independently in class. We will be learning about the importance of setting and point of view and how it impacts the story in this genre.
Writing
This month we have been busy working on our personal narrative stories! Here are some of the skills we have been learning about:
- how to use dialogue to show thoughts/feelings of characters
- how to punctuate dialogue
- showing vs. telling
- where to make new paragraphs in a narrative story
- how to use transition words to show the passage of time
- how to create a strong ending
- how to edit a story using editing marks
- how to publish a story using neat handwriting and incorporating revisions and edits
For next month we’ll be focusing on how to write a constructed response based on books students are reading independently.
Math
We recently completed our math chapter on mental math and estimation and we are now learning about telling time! We have been focusing on reading an analog clock and identifying different ways to say a time, such as, “25 minutes past 4:00, or 10 minutes to 11:00.” We have also been learning how to convert hours to minutes and vice versa along with adding and subtracting amounts of time. The hardest skill in this chapter is elapsed time, how much time passes from the beginning of an activity to the end. It would be very helpful to practice these skills at home when you’re completing your regular routines. You can have your child tell you what time it is using an analog clock, or how much longer it will be until dinner or bedtime.
Our multiplication chapters are quickly approaching so we have started practicing early to get a head start! For now we’ll be reviewing the following multiplication tables: 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10. Students brought home multiplication flash cards earlier this week to add to their other sets at home and practice as they feel fit.
Science
Our energy unit was concluded with a group project where students learned about an energy source (coal, wind, solar, hydropower, etc.) and created a poster to teach the class.
We will begin a new science unit in January when we return from vacation. We’ll be learning about Earth in the Universe, complete with a visit from the Northern Stars Planetarium in our very own gym!
Social Studies
We have returned to our study of US geography with a focus on the southeastern region. Study guides were sent home at the beginning of the week if students would like to practice the locations, capitals, and abbreviations at home. In class we have started making a lapbook for this region, similar to the one that was made for the northeastern region.
Winter Apparel Reminder
The winter weather is upon us! Please remind your child to come to school prepared based on the weather that is expected for the day. Once it snows students are required to have boots and snow pants to play in areas outside of the blue top. It is also recommended that an extra set of clothes be kept in your child’s locker over the winter in case they need to change out of wet clothes.
Important Dates
Wednesday, Dec 5th: Early Release, Dismissal at 1
Wednesday, Dec. 12th: Fire Safety, 1:40-2:10
Dec. 22nd-Jan. 1st: Winter Vacation
Tuesday, Jan. 8th: Northern Stars Planetarium for 3rd Graders, Time TBD
Wednesday, Jan. 9th: Fire Safety, 1:40-2:10
Monday, Jan. 21st: No School, MLK, Jr. Day