September 30, 2016

Hello Families,

It’s hard to believe it’s already the last day of September.  We’ve enjoyed getting to know students academically and socially.  We have good information to help us plan our instruction and create learning groups to maximize learning.  We would like you to be part of this process.  There are two ways you can do this in the month of October.

First, we hope you’ll attend our curriculum night.  On Wednesday, October 19 at 5:30pm we will be presenting information on our third grade curriculum.  

Second,  we will be holding conferences in October that we hope you’ll attend.  It gives us an opportunity to discuss individual goals and ask and answer questions.  Please look for a Sign-up Genius coming soon.    

Finally, we hope your child is sharing all the amazing learning that has been happening.  If not, be sure to ask them about the following:

• Opinion writing prompt
• 2-digit addition strategies
• Climates around the world
• Weather Wednesday
• Indian in the Cupboard
• Choice Time

Have  a great weekend!

The Third Grade Teachers

Third Grade News, Edition 3

Dear Families,

It was a wonderful week in third grade.  Students were very busy!  We are settling into our routines and making great progress.  

Literacy: We have completed the reading assessments for all students on our team!  We look forward to using this data to help us personalize your child’s reading instruction.  Next week, we will begin drafting our personal narratives.  Just a reminder that reading graphs are due every Friday.  Thank you for your support!

Math: This week, we continued to practice our addition and subtraction strategies.  We played some great games that reinforced these strategies.  Students can continue working on their basic computation skills at home.  Students have access to Fastt Math and DreamBox through our school website.  The username is your child’s first and last name capitalized (ex. KerriWallis) and the password is math.

Science - We started our “Weather Wednesday” this week.  Students collected temperature data for Hinesburg and an international location.  They will collect data throughout the school year.  At the end of the year, we will take a look at this data and analyze it.  We also learned how to identify different types of clouds, so that we can predict weather.  Students should be looking for these different cloud types in the sky!

Social Science:  Ms. Wright’s class is learning about the Eastern Woodland Indians’ homes called longhouses.  Many families lived in one longhouse together.  Ask your child what else they know about this subject!

Fundraiser

If your child is participating in the Genevieve’s Fundraiser, it is due back to school by October 5th.

PIE Morning Mingle: It was very nice to see parents at the PIE breakfast on Thursday.

Thank you for attending if you were able to do so!  We know how difficult it can be to go to events first thing in the morning!

Drill: We had our first evacuation drill on Thursday.  Our students did an excellent job!  They must remain quiet walking all the way to the church which is not an easy task!  

Have a great weekend!

The Third Grade Teachers

Third Grade News, Edition 1

Dear Parents, Family, and Friends,
    It is hard to believe that we have already completed our second week of third grade.  Students are learning our routines and settling in third grade.  Sharing our “All About Me Bags” gave students and teachers an opportunity to learn about each other!

   In Math, we are reviewing strategies for solving addition problems.  Ask your child to tell you what the Add One, Doubles, Doubles Plus One, and other strategies are.  Students can practice their facts using Fastt Math at home.  To get on Fastt Math, go to the HCS website.  Select online programs and Fastt Math.  Students should know how to access the program, since it’s the same process we use at school.  The username is your child’s first and last name without a space (example: johnsmith).  The password for all students is math.

   In literacy, we have discussed the 3rd grade expectations for reading and writing classes.  We are focusing on writing true stories about subjects that are very meaningful to us. Students have been learning to how to write complete sentences using capital letters and punctuation marks.  They are also learning about subjects and predicates.  

   In science, students will be studying Weather and Climate.  Students will begin gathering temperature data for Hinesburg and another international location.  They will continue to collect this data throughout the school year.  In addition, students will have opportunities to discuss science ideas in scientist meetings and their science notebooks.  This week, we talked about clouds.

   On Fridays, we will be having a team “Choice Time.”  During this time, students will have opportunities to use our makerspace, play cooperative games, create art projects, exercise and make new friends.  We are hoping that this time will promote third grade team unity!

   Please make sure to check your child’s bag for her/his home school folder.  We will send home important information in these folders.  Please return them to school the next day.

Wallis/Wright

   In Social Studies, Ms. Wright’s  students are studying  Native Americans.  We brainstormed a list of things we already know about this subject and have colored maps of where different tribes have been located in North America.  We are reading aloud from the book “Indian in the Cupboard.”  Today we made small books about several tribes!

   In Science, Mrs. Wallis’ students will be studying Weather and Climate.  Students will begin gathering temperature data for Hinesburg and another international location.  They will continue to collect this data throughout the school year.  In addition, students will have opportunities to discuss science ideas in scientist meetings and their science notebooks.  This week, we talked about clouds.

Sincerely,

The Third Grade Team