September Newsletter
First week of Sept: Students learned about using their laptops, accessing their school email, using google classroom to open a Reading assignment and 'listen to reading', and open a google doc to type a story. In math we began lessons about multiplication using loops and groups, ratio tables, pictures, and arrays. We also reviewed place value, digits, subtraction and addition. In writing we began working on personal narratives. In Science/social studies we started learning about how the first people might have arrived on North America, via the Bering Land bridge. We also did many activities about the geography of Earth and the different climates. We learned many fun classroom games and even played Simon says with the parts of our head, in French. We've done some wonderful artwork and started keeping track of what we do during Daily 5 (reading/writing) time, in our blue Workbook binders. Students have their own book drawers where they keep their own selection of books to read during read-to-self. Every student has a classroom job at the end of the day and they are doing a great job.
First week of Sept: Students learned about using their laptops, accessing their school email, using google classroom to open a Reading assignment and 'listen to reading', and open a google doc to type a story. In math we began lessons about multiplication using loops and groups, ratio tables, pictures, and arrays. We also reviewed place value, digits, subtraction and addition. In writing we began working on personal narratives. In Science/social studies we started learning about how the first people might have arrived on North America, via the Bering Land bridge. We also did many activities about the geography of Earth and the different climates. We learned many fun classroom games and even played Simon says with the parts of our head, in French. We've done some wonderful artwork and started keeping track of what we do during Daily 5 (reading/writing) time, in our blue Workbook binders. Students have their own book drawers where they keep their own selection of books to read during read-to-self. Every student has a classroom job at the end of the day and they are doing a great job.
From the District shared newsletter:
From the District shared newsletter:
3rd Grade News
3rd Grade News
This year, third grade is trying a modified open concept design. We have openings in the walls between each classroom, so that the teachers can collaborate and so that students can feel comfortable flowing between the three learning spaces. There will be times when we gather as a whole group for some guests who will be coming to share and teach us exciting new things, while other times we are able to focus in our mostly-divided-off quieter classroom spaces.
This year, third grade is trying a modified open concept design. We have openings in the walls between each classroom, so that the teachers can collaborate and so that students can feel comfortable flowing between the three learning spaces. There will be times when we gather as a whole group for some guests who will be coming to share and teach us exciting new things, while other times we are able to focus in our mostly-divided-off quieter classroom spaces.
All three classes began the year by establishing our classroom rules and expectations. We all three value students developing a love for learning while also setting high expectations for students to meet third grade standards (and possibly beyond).
All three classes began the year by establishing our classroom rules and expectations. We all three value students developing a love for learning while also setting high expectations for students to meet third grade standards (and possibly beyond).
In social studies/science, all third graders have been learning about continents, oceans, and the climates of the Earth. Students have done a lot of interdisciplinary activities that incorporate writing, math, and art instruction with our themes. In the afternoons we work on projects that have focused on geography and will soon be moving into a focus of Native American basic needs, the industry and economy of different regions of Maine, and a comparison of Native government and our current democratic system.
In social studies/science, all third graders have been learning about continents, oceans, and the climates of the Earth. Students have done a lot of interdisciplinary activities that incorporate writing, math, and art instruction with our themes. In the afternoons we work on projects that have focused on geography and will soon be moving into a focus of Native American basic needs, the industry and economy of different regions of Maine, and a comparison of Native government and our current democratic system.
We have spent time working on personal narratives and on opinion and persuasive writing, as well as learning more about spelling, punctuation, and parts of speech.
We have spent time working on personal narratives and on opinion and persuasive writing, as well as learning more about spelling, punctuation, and parts of speech.
In math, we are each approaching or nearing the end of module three in unit 1 of Bridges Math and learning about adding and subtracting to 100 and multiple strategies for multiplication. Math groups are differentiated and some students may move on to learn about measurement and solving for the unknown, while others will have more intense instruction to learn about time, and adding & subtracting (focusing on place value and number lines). Students have also spent time working on graphing.
In math, we are each approaching or nearing the end of module three in unit 1 of Bridges Math and learning about adding and subtracting to 100 and multiple strategies for multiplication. Math groups are differentiated and some students may move on to learn about measurement and solving for the unknown, while others will have more intense instruction to learn about time, and adding & subtracting (focusing on place value and number lines). Students have also spent time working on graphing.
Students have been gaining great stamina in reading-to-self and many are engrossed in chapter books every day during our post-lunch quiet reading time. In some classes students are meeting up, during Daily 5 literacy time, to read chapter books together in small groups. Whether in groups, pairs, or individually, students receive reading instruction during each week, reading books that are a just-right fit. During this time, the teachers can individualize reading instruction and offer differentiated instruction, while students not working in a group or with a teacher have 5 choices they can decide between for independent work with words, listening to read, buddy reading, writing, or more silent reading.
Students have been gaining great stamina in reading-to-self and many are engrossed in chapter books every day during our post-lunch quiet reading time. In some classes students are meeting up, during Daily 5 literacy time, to read chapter books together in small groups. Whether in groups, pairs, or individually, students receive reading instruction during each week, reading books that are a just-right fit. During this time, the teachers can individualize reading instruction and offer differentiated instruction, while students not working in a group or with a teacher have 5 choices they can decide between for independent work with words, listening to read, buddy reading, writing, or more silent reading.
Students have been working with their own laptops to write stories and accessing assignments on Google Classroom. Students have also been using Freckle for math and reading differentiated challenges and practice.
Students have been working with their own laptops to write stories and accessing assignments on Google Classroom. Students have also been using Freckle for math and reading differentiated challenges and practice.
All three third grade teachers also highly value the need for fun mixed in with learning. We frequently play quick games throughout the day and occasionally go outside to enjoy nature and learn some new outdoor games. We enjoy movement breaks and music & singing can be heard coming from happy learners in third grade. Many students are enjoying trying out Cub Chorus with Mrs. Hunter, once a week, and some have begun their during-the-school-day violin, viola, or cello lessons with Ms. Kaity Newell.
All three third grade teachers also highly value the need for fun mixed in with learning. We frequently play quick games throughout the day and occasionally go outside to enjoy nature and learn some new outdoor games. We enjoy movement breaks and music & singing can be heard coming from happy learners in third grade. Many students are enjoying trying out Cub Chorus with Mrs. Hunter, once a week, and some have begun their during-the-school-day violin, viola, or cello lessons with Ms. Kaity Newell.