Below you will find a weekly post with important reminders, updates, and what we have been learning. Check back each week to stay up to date!
April 8, 2022
The past few weeks in ELA, we have read chapters 9-16 in Peter Pan. We will be finishing the last chapter after Spring Break. We have continued to talk about character traits, summarizing each chapter, and how the chapters build on one another. We also began reading Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, a story also by JM Barrie. We have been comparing the similarities and differences in the two stories.
In math, we have worked on drawing area models of fractions, identifying/labeling fractions on a number line, finding equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions.
In science, they created a poster about a planet they chose to study. We also learned about the sun, constellations, the moon, and shadows. Our next unit is on landforms and water features of earth.
March 11, 2022
This week in ELA, we read chapters 6, 7, and 8 in Peter Pan. We continued to discuss character traits and how the characters have progressed throughout the story. We also learned about character motivation-what drives the character to act/feel the way they do. We also learned how to track our fluency with a partner. They get a timer and have 60 seconds to see how far they can read in the passage. They have done a great job doing this independently so I can pull students to work in small groups with me. I have slowly been introducing cursive to them and they worked on letters "i" and "t" this week.
In math, we continued to learn about unit fractions and practiced identifying fractions and partitioning them equally. We also discussed how when the denominator gets larger, the size of the fraction piece gets smaller and when the denominator gets smaller, the size of the fraction piece gets bigger. They took their first fractions quiz on Thursday and on Friday, they had an introductory lesson about fractions on a number line; which we will talk more about next week.
In science, we started a new unit on the solar system. They did their own research and compared Earth to another planet of their choice, by finding how they were similar and different. Then, they did basic research on all the planets by finding out its distance from the sun, length of time for one revolution around the sun, diameter, temperature, and number of moons. After they complete this, they will create a poster about the planet of their choice.
March 4, 2022
In ELA, we read chapter 4 and 5 in Peter Pan. We continued to work on summarizing the chapter in 2-3 sentences with the most important details as well as discussing how the chapters build/connect with one another. We also focused on character traits of each of the characters as well as their point of view. We read a similar story to "Cinderella," but it was from the step-mother's point of view. We discussed how the story was similar/different from the original Cinderella story. They used this knowledge to hold interviews with one another to see how Wendy, Peter, and John were feeling about their flight to Neverland.
In math, we reviewed area and perimeter with a fun review game and then they took their end of unit test. They did a great job on this, I think it was the highest average all year! Then, we started our next unit on fractions. They learned about numerators, denominators, and unit fractions. We also discussed how fractions have to be partitioned equally.
In science, we learned about direction, speed, and friction. We created a car ramp with three different heights and predicted which car would travel the farthest. Then, we had a review day and took an end of unit test.
February 25, 2022
In ELA, we finished reading chapter 2 and read 3 in Peter Pan. We started talking about character traits for each of the characters and how to summarize the chapters with the most important details from the chapter. We also had a mini lesson on adverbs and started finding them in the Peter Pan book.
In math, we discussed how we would use area/perimeter in our own lives. They also did Dr. Area/Perimeter activity where they had to diagnose their patients for either area/perimeter. This was helpful to discuss the language used for each and how to tell them apart. We spent the rest of the week practicing more difficult word problems that involved area/perimeter.
In science, they dropped their eggs off of the playground to see if their contraption would prevent it from breaking with the fall. They did a great job and almost all of them did not break! Then, we started talking about direction and speed as part of force and motion.
February 18, 2022
We began Module 3 in ELA this week. This module focuses on reading the literary classic: Peter Pan. We read chapter 1 and 2 and discussed the genre fantasy and started to identify fantasy elements in the first two chapters. We also learned about the author: J.M. Barrie and what inspired him to write Peter Pan.
In math, we created a path that a robot would go to discover perimeter. Then, we designed our own robots with certain requirements where they had to find the area/perimeter of the different body parts. They also practiced using the distributive property when finding the area of a large space so they could break it apart into two smaller sections.
In science, we learned about gravity and then the students designed a contraption to place an egg in that would protect it when they drop it off a high place on the playground. They spent time creating it with a partner and we will do the test next week!
February 11, 2022
This week in ELA we continued to work on poetry. We analyzed several poems together by focusing on the structure and language, they worked on poetry centers, and took a poetry quiz. I taught them the UNWRAP strategy for taking assessments. U-underline the title, N-number the paragraphs and circle the pictures/graphs/diagrams, W-walk through the questions to be familiar with them, R-read the text at least 2 times, A-answer the questions, P-prove their answers by showing where they found them in the text. I believe this strategy will help them tremendously on the assessments to come. On Friday, they took the Quarter 3 check in for ELA. We also reviewed the "bossy r" in phonics and the endings -ir, -er, -ar, -ur, -or.
In math, we began a new unit about Area and Perimeter. We learned how area is the measurement of space inside a shape and perimeter is the measurement on the outside of the shape. We practiced this with building different sized rectangles using square inch tiles. They then created a "proposal" for the town with a splash pad and playground area. They had to find the area of each space and then write a letter explaining which design they should pick.
In social studies, we finished up our Economics unit by completing their ice cream shop projects. Then, we began our Force and Motion unit in science. We learned how motion is when objects move from place to place because of a force (push/pull). We practiced using forces by dropping ping pong balls and measuring the distance they bounced back up, having two cups and trying to blow one ping pong ball from one cup into the other, and creating marshmallow catapults with popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and spoons.
February 4, 2022
I was out sick from Wednesday-Friday this week, but we had the awesome sub, Mrs. Domes! On Monday, they created a trading card about the frog they have been studying and wrote their essays on. We began a quick mini-unit on poetry. They worked on rhyme scheme, identifying stanzas/lines, and learned about figurative language. In third grade, we focus on similes, metaphors, and idioms. They also learned about the irregular past tense form of several verbs.
In math, we wrapped up the geometry unit and took the NC Check-In for math. They worked on categorizing shapes again that they did on the first day of the unit, but now they have much more specific categories for them based on their attributes!
In Social Studies, they had to apply what they have learned in economics to create an ice cream shop. They had to pick out equipment, flavors, toppings, prices of cup/cone/special sundaes, make a menu, make an advertisement, and then sell to customers. After they sold to customers, they had to figure out how much money they made and if they profited after the initial costs of creating the business. We will celebrate the end of the project by creating ice cream in a bag!
January 28, 2022
In ELA, they finished their essays by adding two proof paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph. They then self-edited/revised then worked with a peer to do the same thing. Their proof paragraphs were all focusing on the physical and behavioral adaptations their frogs have and how it helps them survive. We also worked a little more with specific vowel teams OA/OE, EA/EE, and AI/AY in phonics.
In math, we continued our geometry unit. In third grade we focus on quadrilaterals. We break down how quadrilaterals are 4 sided closed shapes and then there are subtypes like trapezoids (one set of parallel sides) and parallelograms (two sets of parallel sides). Then, within parallelograms, there are rectangles (4 right angles) and rhombi (4 equal sides). Lastly, the square is considered a rhombus, rectangle, parallelogram, and quadrilateral because it has attributes of all of them! Throughout the week we worked on learning all of these attributes for the specific shapes and comparing/contrasting them.
In social studies, we learned about exchanging/bartering money, opportunity costs and economic choices. We also talked about how production can be more efficient with processes like assembly lines.
January 21, 2022
In ELA, students finished up editing and submitted their frog adaptation paragraph and took their end of Unit 2 assessment. Then, they chose either the glass frog, water holding frog, or amazon horned frog to study more in depth for their 4 paragraph essay! They got into groups with their frog and began doing research using multiple sources. They found information about its habitat, what it looks like, prey, predators, and then its behavioral/physical adaptations and how that helps them survive. I modeled how to use their sources to find this information using the poison dart frog. Once they had all of their research, they begin to plan and write their essay. Due to weather and workdays this week, we only planned and wrote the introduction paragraph. We will finish up the essays next week! We've also been reviewing the 6 syllable types as a phonics review at the beginning of each ELA lesson. We have already learned closed, open, magic e, and this week we finished up vowel teams.
In math, we worked on two step word problems and multiplying by multiples of ten (such as 20x5). They learned you can just multiply 2x5 and add a 0 to get 100, but we discussed why this strategy works by breaking it down with place value. They took their end of unit 4 math test and we had our first lesson in our new unit: geometry! They practiced sorting shapes and identifying their different attributes.
In social studies, we continued to learn about entrepreneurs, goods/services, needs/wants, supply/demand, scarcity, and consumers/producers. We also learned about the three types of productive resources: human, capital, and natural and how these affect a business.
January 7, 2022
We had a great week back from break! The weather definitely made it interesting at the beginning of this week haha! In ELA this week, we reviewed/learned about the adaptations of the tree frog, glass frog, amazon horned frog, and water holding frog. Then, the students wrote an informational paragraph about these different adaptations using their research. We have also been working to make connections between pictures, captions, and text in books they are reading.
In math, we focused on two-step word problems with multiplication and division. We will learn about multiplying with multiples of 10 next week and then take our end of unit test. Two step word problems are definitely one of the most challenging standards in math. I can tell they are already getting more comfortable with them than they were in our addition/subtraction unit earlier in the year!
We began our economics unit in social studies and started with important vocabulary. We began learning about entrepreneurs. Later in this unit, they will have the opportunity to be an entrepreneur and create a product to sell to their classmates!
With it being the beginning of the year, we also picked a "Word of the Year." These are designed to help us identify goals and values we want to focus on this year. They did a great job taking this activity seriously and finding a word that fit their hopes and dreams for 2022. If they haven't told you yet, I encourage you to ask your child their word and why they picked it!
December 14, 2021
We have had a wonderful week as we prepare for our holiday break! The updates below will show what we have been learning the past three weeks, since Thanksgiving Break. I promise I will be better at updating the website weekly in the new year, thank you for your patience :)
In ELA, they wrote their own pourquoi story, peer and self-edited, then I printed them and they drew a picture to go along with it. We then began Unit 2 in our frog module and we have been learning about amphibians, specifically the glass frog, tree frog, bullfrog, and red-eyed tree frog. We wrote an informational paragraph about "Why polliwogs wiggle" and which adaptations glass frogs have that help them survive. This is preparing them to write their own informational paragraph at the end of Unit 2. We have worked on including a focus statement that answers the research question and including details and evidence that support this focus statement.
In math, we have continued to work on our fluency of multiplication and division facts. We have been solving one-step word problems using whichever strategy they prefer. Most students have been using skip counting and seem to enjoy singing the songs to help them learn their facts. A few of our students have already earned their multiplication license, which is amazing! We will continue testing throughout the next semester until all students earn their license. After the holiday break, we will be focusing on two-step word problems for multiplication and division.
In science, we completed our unit about Matter. We learned about the three states: solid, liquid, gas and their physical properties. We also learned about what happens when they are heated or cooled and the difference between mixtures and solutions. After break, we will begin our Economics unit in social studies!
November 23, 2021
Hi everyone! I am so sorry I haven't updated this website in a few weeks. I was out of town at the end of one week, then we had a two day week so it's been a bit of a weird schedule. In ELA, we began Module 2 which is all about frogs. We started by reading a few pourquoi stories which answer a "why" question. We read "Why do frogs have long tongues?" and "Why is the poison dart frog so colorful?" These are fun, made-up stories that give interesting answers to legit questions. We have also read a few poems about the glass frog, wood frog, poison dart frog, and polliwogs (another name for tadpoles). After reading a few of our own, we drafted a class pourquoi answering the question "Why do polliwogs wiggle?" I will type this up and email it to you to read. We had so much fun writing it together! They just picked their own "why" question and planned our their own pourquoi story. We will begin writing these next week after Thanksgiving break.
In math, we recently finished our addition and subtraction unit and began our multiplication/division unit. We focused a lot on two-step word problems at the end of the addition/subtraction unit. This is one of the most challenging standards we will learn this year and we will come back to it in this next unit. So if your child has not mastered it yet, do not be discouraged because there is still plenty of time! In our new unit, we have been reviewing our multiplication strategies and then we introduced the concept of division by connecting it with missing factor problems in multiplication. They seem to be catching on fast and are enjoying the challenge! We will begin testing for our multiplication licenses next week, starting with 5s! So, please help your child start practicing at home if they haven't already.
We finished up our history unit in social studies by talking about the Tuscarora Indians who lived/and some still live today in North Carolina! We also learned about the Civil War and the history of the state fair. They did an awesome job on their end of unit test and I feel that they learned a lot in this unit! We will begin our next unit in science about Matter when we return from break.
October 29, 2021
This week was a strange week because it was the end of Quarter 1 and the end of our ELA module 1. We took a reading preassessment for Module 2 and a Quarter 1 check in. Students also finalized their reading contracts and created a flipgrid reading them to practice their fluency. Next week, we will begin Module 2 about frogs!
In math, we took our first assessment in our addition and subtraction unit. We spent a day doing test corrections to help learn from our mistakes and practice growth mindset. We also learned how to solve addition the way we learned growing up using the standard algorithm method. On Friday, we completed our NC Check-In for Quarter 1 and then worked to escape from an Emoji Pumpkin Patch to practice our addition/subtraction and have a little fun before Halloween!
In Social Studies, we discussed the movement theme of geography and began our short history unit by talking about primary and secondary sources. Next week, it will be back to a more normal schedule with less testing, thank goodness!
October 22, 2021
Our first module in ELA has been about learning challenges and how people around the world access books and education. To wrap up the module, this week, students picked two of their own learning challenges in reading. Then, they chose two strategies to overcome each challenge and wrote a four paragraph essay about it! We had an introduction paragraph, one paragraph for each challenge/how they will overcome it, then a conclusion paragraph. On Friday, they typed them and I plan to print them and hang them in the hallway. They were so proud of their essays and I was so proud of them for working hard! When I first told them they were going to write a four paragraph essay, many of them did not think they could do it. Seeing their faces when they finished was awesome! On Monday, they will record a FlipGrid reading their essay to practice their fluency.
In math, we learned how to add/subtract three-digit numbers using the expanded method. This means decomposing numbers by place value. For instance: 254 would decompose to 200+50+4. Next week, we will take our first assessment for this unit, then learn how to add on a number line!
In social studies, we began learning about geography. We discussed the 5 themes of geography: movement, regions, place, location, and human-environment interaction. We learned about the 3 regions of North Carolina: Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountains. We also discussed movement and how goods/ideas get from one place to another as well as how movement has changed over the years. We will continue talking about movement next week, then begin learning about history!
Friday, October 15, 2021
We have had another awesome week! I am so proud of the students for getting better working independently and in groups. In ELA this week, we read a story called More Than Anything Else about Booker T. Washington. We discussed how he was enslaved and was not allowed to learn how to read or write. However, even when he was freed, he had to work and was unable to go to school. We found the gist, lesson of the story, and details that support the lesson. Then, as a class, we wrote a paragraph to explain the lesson and its details. We also read Thank You, Mr. Falker; one of my all time favorite books! It is a true story about its author, Patricia Polacco, and how she struggled to read. But, she had a wonderful teacher who took the extra time she needed to help her be successful! It always makes me tear up when reading it!! Students worked in groups to find the gist, lesson, and details to support the lesson. Next week, they will begin working on an essay that explains their own learning challenges and steps they will take to overcome them.
In math, we learned how to subtract using the place value drawings and blocks. We discussed the difference between regrouping in addition and ungrouping in subtraction. The students are doing well with the place value drawings and seem to really enjoy it! We also learned how to round to the nearest 10 and 100 and are going to be using these skills to help us estimate and find a reasonable answer. We also took the Star Math test on Thursday that will give us another data point for where everyone is and how I can best helping them moving forward! Next week, we will begin adding and subtracting with the expanded form method.
In social studies, we discussed voting and how the voting laws have changed throughout the years to allow freedom for all people to vote. Then, we discussed the importance of local government and how it impacts our daily life. We wrapped up our government unit this week and will begin discussing geography next week!
Friday, October 8, 2021
In ELA this week, students wrote an informational paragraph about their expert country. They had to be sure to include an introduction with background information, focus statement, at least two supporting details, and a conclusion. They self-edited and peer-edited their paragraphs and then typed their final products! We finished up Unit 2 and will be starting Unit 3 next week!
In math, we finished our data/graphing unit and took our end of unit test. Then, we began Unit 3 which is all about adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers. We will learn to solve these problems with place value drawings, expanded form, then a number line. Once students have learned the different methods, they will be able to use what method works best for them.
In social studies, students finished and presented their posters on the branches of state government. Then, we learned about the importance of rules/laws and discussed some very odd laws North Carolina has, such as: it is against the law to sing off key in North Carolina. Of course some of these laws are not maintained anymore, but it was very funny seeing their reactions to them!
Friday, October 1, 2021
I can't believe it is October already! This week in ELA, we finished up our first half of Unit 2. Students were given a country to study, either Finland, Zimbabwe, or Thailand. They worked with their group to find the gist of each paragraph of the text, discussed the challenges some people in these countries face (in regards to accessing books) and how they overcome the challenges. We also practiced finding the main idea of a text, which we will continue to work on all throughout the year. Next week, students will draft an informational paragraph to explain what they have learned about their country.
In math, we began a unit on Data and Graphing. We practiced creating and interpreting bar graphs and picture graphs. This is a very short unit, so we will finish it up next week and begin a new unit on 3-digit addition and subtraction.
In social studies, we discussed the three branches of government and students chose one of the three branches to research with a group. They are creating posters about this branch of government and specifically focusing on information about the state level. Next week, they will present them and then learn about the local branches of government.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Happy Friday! We had another great week of third grade! Interims, mClass data, and BOG scores went home in their green folders today. Please review this information and reach out with any specific questions you may have.
In ELA this week, we took our end of unit 1 assessment and began unit 2. We read two stories from an informational text called My Librarian is a Camel. We read about how people in some parts of Kenya and Papua New Guinea access books. We worked on finding the gist of each of these texts, the meaning of unknown words, and we discussed the challenges/how they overcame them. Next week, students will work with a group to study a new country together and complete the same activities we did this week as a class. We also learned about verbs during our grammar time.
In math, we practiced solving missing factor problems and then finished our first unit about Understanding Equal Groups. We also took our end of unit assessment. We were able to play different review games/activities to sharpen our skills before the test. Next week, we will begin a short unit on data/graphing.
In science, we learned about the muscular system and then finished up our Human Body unit. We also began our first social studies unit: Thinking like a Historian. We watched an introduction video about the branches of government to have an overview of what we will be learning next week.
Friday, September 17, 2021
This week in ELA, we learned about context clues and read the book The Word Collector to help us find them. Then, we read Malala's Magic Pencil and discussed the gist and the central message/lesson of the story. The students then applied what they learned and wrote a paragraph explaining the message of the story with the details that convey it.
In math, we we worked on our fluency with 2's, 5's, and 10's and then were introduced to the concept of missing factors. We will review this unit and take our end of unit assessment next week.
In science, we learned about our awesome opposable thumbs and practiced doing different activities without them. Then, we learned about our skin and did an activity where where we compared how sensitive different parts of our skin are. Next week, we will be finishing up this unit and moving on to our first social studies unit.
Friday, September 10, 2021
We had a short and sweet week this week! In ELA, we used our Nasreen's Secret School book from last week to find the central message/lesson and details that convey it. Then, students wrote a constructed response paragraph with this information. Next week, we will read another story and they will work to do this with less teacher guidance. We took the BOG on Thursday and I will send these scores home when they become available to us.
In math, we began working with our fluency with 2s, 5s, and 10s facts. We are using these numbers to solve problems with equal groups, arrays, repeated addition, and multiplication equations. We took another quiz because on our first test, I noticed many students flipping the factors instead of having it match the visual model. I was so proud to see growth for many students from the first test to this quiz!
In science, we learned about the different types of joints in our bodies and next week, we will explore our awesome opposable thumbs and skin!
Friday, September 3, 2021
Happy Labor Day Weekend! I hope you and your family have a chance to rest and relax after another great week of school. We have been mastering our routines and procedures, and it seems like everyone is starting to feel more comfortable and at home each day!
In ELA, we read Rain School and Nasreen's Secret School. Rain School is about a boy in Chad who builds his school with his classmates. Nasreen's Secret School is about a girl in Afghanistan who goes to a secret school for girls, because they are not allowed to go to school. We worked on finding the gist and central message/lesson of both of these books and we wrote our first short constructed response about Rain School. Next week, we will do a little more work Nasreen's Secret School and read a new story. We also had our first mid-unit assessment, I cannot believe we are already halfway through the unit! This will go home in their data binders in the next few weeks.
In math, we continued working on creating equal groups from word problems. We also learned how to use repeated addition, arrays, and multiplication equations to represent them. We had our first assessment in math as well, which will be in data binders soon.
In science, we talked more about systems and focused on the Skeletal System. We will learn about the Muscular System next.
We have a short week coming up next week, but we will be having the BOG on Thursday. This is to give us a baseline of where each student is at the beginning of the year so we can see all of the tremendous growth they make! Please make sure your child gets good rest the night before and eats a hearty breakfast on Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, August 28, 2021
We made it through our first week of third grade! We learned about classroom rules, procedures, and routines. We also did several activities to get to know one another and begin building our classroom family. We started our first units in ELA, math, and science.
In ELA, we took a pretest to see what we already know. We also learned how to pick "good fit books" and biographies. Our first module in ELA is about overcoming learning challenges and how children around the world access education/books. The first story we read is Waiting for the Biblioburro and we worked on finding the gist (what the story is mostly about). We will continue to work on finding the gist as well as the meaning of unknown words with a new story next week!
Our first math unit is about exploring equal groups, which will be the foundation for learning multiplication and division. We also took a few pretests in math learned how to track our growth in our data binders. These will go home every few weeks with assessments for you to see how your child is doing.
In science, our first unit is about the human body. We will be learning about what systems are and how we use them to survive. Next week, we will also begin learning about the Skeletal System. We will do one unit of science, then social studies, then science, etc. throughout the school year.
Check back next Friday for your weekly update :) Have a wonderful weekend!