Language Arts: In Writer’s Workshop, students have started the process of taking their personal narratives through the full writing process. They each have chosen a personal experience to write about, and they are applying new writing techniques and strategies to enhance their stories. When they finish their first draft, we will edit them together, and all students will be publishing their final drafts. We are excited to share these with you!
During the month of November, we will also be focusing on paragraph writing. Students will learn how to write a topic sentence and include supporting details. Students will also be learning to write varied and complete sentences.
Students will soon be learning about fantasy and realism. Our word work focus will be special plurals. Students will learn about possessive nouns.
Accelerated Reader - Most students in our class have made their personal AR goals - woohoo!! We will be having an all-school celebration on Monday. Students will be setting individual AR goals for the 2nd trimester.
Cursive - We are excited to continue with cursive this month.
Math:
We are fully immersed in multiplication, and by now your child should know that a multiplication problem can be represented by:
Test your child by asking them show a random single-digit problem in the four ways listed above.
Each week we focus on one or two numbers to become more fluent with. This week, we are focusing on 3s and 4s. A great strategy to solve x4 problems is to double the other number twice. For example, with 4 x 7 you would double 7 once to get 14, then double it again to get 28 (the product).
Science
In science, the children have been reviewing the major concepts we have been exploring since the start of the unit. Here are some of the concepts we have been learning about.
Energy
Light
Social Studies:
We will continue our study of the Miwok Indians this month, learning about their traditions and way of life while living in this beautiful area we now call Marin. We will be making baskets on November 24 and 25 in class, and visiting the Museum of Native Americans in Novato. I will be sending home more information on both these activities soon!
Technology:
The third graders are using the iPads as tools to learn, create, and demonstrate their learning in various ways. We use Notability to annotate and draw on documents, Keynote to create digital presentations, iMovie for short videos, specialized apps for skill development, and so much more!
Depth & Complexity: A common, universal language that helps promote critical thinking and gives students a chance to make connections between past knowledge and new knowledge and ultimately integrate that to the real world!
This Month’s Icons:
Unanswered Questions - Students understand that there are many times when information is unclear, missing, or unavailable. They ask questions based on this missing information in order to try and gain a better understanding through various forms of research.
Rules - Students understand that there guidelines that help us structure our understanding of a concept learned. They will learn to construct rules that help us with this understanding.
Scholarly Attributes: These attributes distinguish strong and promising strong and promising scholars from ordinary academics. We discuss these ideas in depth and promote the behaviors frequently in class.
This Month’s Icons:
Inquirers - Scholars are curious and imaginative. They ask questions and seek out knowledge, which leads to more questions. Learning is a lifelong process and never ends.
Persistent Thinkers- Scholars ponder ideas and exercise intellect. They know it is okay to not always have the right answers and persevere through challenges.
During the month of November, we will also be focusing on paragraph writing. Students will learn how to write a topic sentence and include supporting details. Students will also be learning to write varied and complete sentences.
Students will soon be learning about fantasy and realism. Our word work focus will be special plurals. Students will learn about possessive nouns.
Accelerated Reader - Most students in our class have made their personal AR goals - woohoo!! We will be having an all-school celebration on Monday. Students will be setting individual AR goals for the 2nd trimester.
Cursive - We are excited to continue with cursive this month.
Math:
We are fully immersed in multiplication, and by now your child should know that a multiplication problem can be represented by:
- repeated addition
- equal groups
- an array
- a rectangle
- jumps on a number line
Test your child by asking them show a random single-digit problem in the four ways listed above.
Each week we focus on one or two numbers to become more fluent with. This week, we are focusing on 3s and 4s. A great strategy to solve x4 problems is to double the other number twice. For example, with 4 x 7 you would double 7 once to get 14, then double it again to get 28 (the product).
Science
In science, the children have been reviewing the major concepts we have been exploring since the start of the unit. Here are some of the concepts we have been learning about.
Energy
- Energy makes things happen.
- Energy comes to earth from the sun in the form of light and heat.
- Energy can be stored in fuel, food, and batteries.
- Energy is converted into motion and heat by machines and living things
- Energy can go from place to place by electric current, waves, and moving objects.
Light
- Anything that makes light is a light source.
- Light travels in rays (straight lines)
- We see things because light reflects off objects and goes into our eyes.
- Objects absorb some colors and reflect others.
Social Studies:
We will continue our study of the Miwok Indians this month, learning about their traditions and way of life while living in this beautiful area we now call Marin. We will be making baskets on November 24 and 25 in class, and visiting the Museum of Native Americans in Novato. I will be sending home more information on both these activities soon!
Technology:
The third graders are using the iPads as tools to learn, create, and demonstrate their learning in various ways. We use Notability to annotate and draw on documents, Keynote to create digital presentations, iMovie for short videos, specialized apps for skill development, and so much more!
Depth & Complexity: A common, universal language that helps promote critical thinking and gives students a chance to make connections between past knowledge and new knowledge and ultimately integrate that to the real world!
This Month’s Icons:
Unanswered Questions - Students understand that there are many times when information is unclear, missing, or unavailable. They ask questions based on this missing information in order to try and gain a better understanding through various forms of research.
Rules - Students understand that there guidelines that help us structure our understanding of a concept learned. They will learn to construct rules that help us with this understanding.
Scholarly Attributes: These attributes distinguish strong and promising strong and promising scholars from ordinary academics. We discuss these ideas in depth and promote the behaviors frequently in class.
This Month’s Icons:
Inquirers - Scholars are curious and imaginative. They ask questions and seek out knowledge, which leads to more questions. Learning is a lifelong process and never ends.
Persistent Thinkers- Scholars ponder ideas and exercise intellect. They know it is okay to not always have the right answers and persevere through challenges.
RSS Feed
