November 24, 2009
Dear Parents,
Thirds graders have been super busy the last few weeks. They have learned lots of new things and have been working hard to show “all they know”.
We have continued to focus on and discuss expository texts in reading. As a result, we have learned many cool and interesting facts. The objectives we have focused on include interacting with a text before and during reading by making predictions, asking questions and making connections. We have been working on identifying the main idea and supporting details of a passage. In addition, students have practiced summarizing main ideas using succinct language. This tends to be a harder concept so please practice with your child at home. Also, please continue to have your child read daily and discuss the text he/she is reading with him/her. Next, we will be learning about making inferences and drawing conclusions, determining cause and effect, and locating information.
In math, we have worked on the different structures of addition and subtraction word problems. In other words, they know lots of the “tricky ways” word problems are written. Students are always expected to apply their understanding of concepts by solving word problems. This quarter, we also learned estimation strategies such as rounding to the nearest ten, hundred and thousand. Since this is truly real-life math, have your child practice their rounding skills on your next trip to the grocery store. Have them estimate how much money your family will spend. In addition, we practiced counting money and making equivalent sets. Again, let your child have your wallet and count away for extra practice. Lastly, we are working on graphing skills. Students have been learning how to read and analyze data. Next, we will gather data through surveys and complete our very own graphs.
We began the quarter with “how to” writing. We have learned lots from your children and they had lots of fun teaching us how to do things in which they are experts. We are currently learning all about friendly letters. We reviewed the parts of a friendly letter and connected this writing concept to identifying the main idea and supporting details. Students are soooooo excited as we begin to brainstorm and draft letters to people we admire. If you have not done so already, please help your child get the address of a person they admire so that they can write this person a friendly letter. In addition, we ask that you include a stamp. Of course, we will assist any students in need of researching addresses or stamps.
In social studies this quarter, we have focused on geography, citizenship and the roles we have in our communities. We have also begun our next science unit which is Soil Investigations. In science, we have learned many “wow” facts about soil. In addition, we all have gained more “respect” for the earthworm and the role it plays in providing the best soil. We have also learned about composting, which I hear many of you have already been doing at home. Next, we will be learning all about the different types of soil and experimented to identify the similarities and differences between them. Students really enjoyed our in house field trip, Earthworks. They are still talking about all of the cool things they have learned.
COGAT testing will be December 7th, 8th and 9th. Please make sure your child gets to bed early and has a good breakfast. Information on this test can be found on Paula Gregory’s, (AG teacher), website. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your amazing support.
Sincerely,
Erika Emelle
(eemelle@wcpss.net)