Mrs. Libby's Third Grade Class!

Reading
We have enjoyed learning about the mystery genre this month in reading.  While students are reading a mystery in their book groups they are learning about mystery elements, how to use schema (background knowledge) to make predictions, main idea (the mystery) and supporting details (clues), and character traits.  Once students finish their books they will create a “Wanted” poster for a character in their book.  They will pretend a character is missing and describe the character’s internal and external traits and how the book would be different without (their impact on story).  In November we’ll be completing reading assessments for the end of the trimester before transitioning into our next genre study, historical fiction. 

Writing
In writing we have been focusing on narrative writing.  Students brainstormed story ideas for a special person in their life and for strong emotions.  They then made sure their story idea was a focused “seed story” and not a general “watermelon story.”  This week we have been rehearsing our stories aloud with partners, drafting our stories, and setting writing goals based on our narrative pre-assessments.  We’re excited to share our finished products with you at November conferences!   

Math
This month students completed two math units which covered addition and subtraction with numbers to 10,000.  They are in the process of working through a mental math and estimation chapter.  Last week students brought home a set of subtraction flash cards to have for studying at home.   

Science
During our presentation with Peter from the Maine Energy Education Program (MEEP) students learned about solar and wind energy in addition to how a generator works.  Students were able to use a mini windmill to generate electricity to light an LED bulb and a mini solar panel to make a mini fan work.  We have continued to learn about energy using the MELTS acronym to help us identify forms of energy.  (Mechanical, Electrical, Light, Thermal, and Sound).  We will have some hands-on activities to help us identify these different forms of energy and then we’ll be completing a group project to learn about different sources of energy (solar, wind, fossil fuels, etc.) 

Technology
Our class has used the Google Chromebooks a few times now and the students are pros at logging into their accounts!  Raz Kids and IXL usernames and passwords were sent home a few weeks ago.  Students can access both of these sites at home via the links found on the HBS homepage for extra reading and math practice.  We also recently started to learn keyboarding using the site “Dance Mat Typing.”  Students do not have individual logins for this site and are keeping track of what level they are on with a log at school.  Students are welcome to practice keyboarding at home as well.  The address is: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z3c6tfr or you can simply search “Dance Mat Typing” in Google and the first link will bring you to the site.  Over the next month we will continue to improve our keyboarding skills and start to learn how to use Google Classroom and other Google applications.    

Conference Forms
Parent-Teacher Conference sign-up forms will be sent home next week.  Please sign up for three times you would be available and return the form to school as soon as possible.  I will then schedule you for one of the times you requested.  I am excited to share your child’s progress with you in just a few weeks! 

Glue Sticks
Our supply of glue sticks is already running low at HBS!  In our classroom we use glue sticks several times a week to add things to our reading, writing, and math journals, and for special projects.  We would welcome donations of glue sticks to our community supplies for all to use.  Thank you for the support! 

Electronic Newsletter
Starting in November, monthly newsletters will be sent electronically via email.  If you would prefer to receive a paper copy, please send in a note and you will receive a paper copy in your child’s folder at the end of the month. 

Important Dates
Tuesday, Nov. 6^th: Election Day, No School
Monday, Nov. 12^th: Veterans’ Day Observance, No School
Friday, Nov. 16^th: End of Trimester 1
Tuesday, Nov. 20^th: Early Release Day, Dismissal at 1:00
Nov. 21^st-23^rd: Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, Dec. 5^th: Early Release Day, Dismissal at 1:00

Reading
In reading we have continued to build read to self stamina.  Students were also introduced to the Book Bead Challenge which will run throughout the year to try and encourage students to read a variety of genres and share their reading with others.  When students finish reading a book they can sign up for a conference.  During the conference the student will talk about their book.  The student will then be able to choose a bead to add to their clip which will hopefully be filled up by the end of the year.  Students are encouraged to read at least two books from each genre (fantasy, poetry, historical fiction, etc.)  We will continue to get into the routine of read to self and reading conferences before we start our mystery unit in mid-October.  During our mystery unit we will be learning parts that make up a mystery story as well as developing an understanding of story elements. 

Writing
In writing we have been reviewing convention expectations such as capitalizing the beginning of a sentence, names of places and people, and appropriate punctuation.  We have also been learning the difference between sentence fragments and complete sentences.  To help identify and write a complete sentence we use the “5 Star Sentence” model (1. capital letter, 2. subject, 3. action, 4. details, 5. appropriate punctuation).  Next, we’ll start moving to constructed response writing and then narrative writing to finish out the trimester. 

Spelling
The most recent spelling rules of focus have been the “short a sound” and the “ar sound.  Due to the upcoming short weeks, we will take a break from studying spelling lists and start back up when we have a full five-day week. 

Math
We recently completed chapter one in math which reviewed place value with numbers up to 10,000.  Next, we will be learning about rounding numbers to the nearest ten and nearest hundred, followed by addition and subtraction with numbers to 10,000. 

Social Studies
The past few weeks of social studies have been spent learning about the regions of the United States with a focus on the northeastern states.  Students brought home a light blue packet which had an optional study guide for those who wanted to practice at home.  In class we have been creating a “Northeastern States Lapbook” which has information about the regions’ land, water, climate, landmarks, culture, etc.  We will be making a lapbook for each region that we study.  When we are done learning about the region the lapbook will be sent home.  We will also continue to practice identifying the abbreviations, locations, and capital cities for the northeastern states. 

Science
Once we complete our study of the northeastern region of the US we will start our first science unit of the year, Energy!  We will be learning about the differences between potential and kinetic energy the different forms of energy, and renewable vs. nonrenewable energy sources.  To help kick off this unit we have Peter Zack from the Maine Energy Education Program (MEEP) visit all of the 3^rd grade classes.  Our presentation will take place on Friday, October 12^th from 9:00-9:55.  Students will be able to participate in some hands-on activities to help them learn about energy. 

Second Step Program
Last week we began using the Second Step program in our classroom, which is also being used school-wide.  This is a program which teaches “skills for social and academic success.”  Our lesson last week was about “focusing attention.”  We reviewed whole-body listening and the importance of being a good listener for learning and building relationships with others.  This week we learned about using “self-talk” to help address distractions that may arise in the classroom.   “Home Links” like the one attached will be sent home periodically to provide suggestions for how to foster these skills at home also.    

Technology
Our class will be primarily using Google Chromebooks this year when working on computers.  We are fortunate to have many Chromebook carts available at HBS as well as four Chromebooks in our own classroom.  Each student will have their own username and password, which stay with them throughout their time in the Brunswick School District.  In the coming weeks we will start learning about how to use the Chromebooks, how to protest usernames and passwords, and how to use many Google applications (Drawings, Docs, etc.)  Usernames and passwords for Raz Kids (online reading program) and IXL (online math program) will be sent home once we have practiced how to log on in class.  Raz Kids and IXL can be used for additional reading and math practice at home.  Later on in the year, once they are experts, students will be able to access their Google accounts from home and show you all of the work they have completed! 

Notes & Emails for the Office
Thank you all for being so diligent with communicating transportation changes, appointments, or absences with the office.  If you prefer to email with this information, please ensure that you send the emails to both Mrs. Delano (tdelano@brunswick.k12.me.us) and Mrs. Wallace (bwallace@brunswick.k12.me.us) in the office as well. 

Important Dates
Wednesday, October 3^rd: Fire Safety, 1:40-2:10
Friday, October 5^th: No School, Teacher Workshop
Monday, October 8^th: No School, Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day
Friday, October 12^th: “Energy Guy” Visit, 9:00-9:55
Tuesday, October 23^rd: School Picture Day

This week we have started learning about the difference between having a “growth mindset” and a “fixed mindset.”  A growth mindset helps you overcome challenges with positive thoughts like “I can do this” or “I may need to try something new to solve this problem.”  Having a fixed mindset means you believe you can’t get any better at something.  We are going to aim to have growth mindsets when we encounter something hard or new to us!  

To help introduce this concept we read The Dot by Peter Reynolds which is about a girl who believes that at first she can’t make beautiful art, but if she believes in herself she can create something great.  After we read the book, each student made their own “dot” which is now displayed outside our classroom!