Weekly Update: September 20, 2019

Happy Friday 3B Parents!

It was so nice meeting and speaking with parents who were able to attend last night’s Back to School Night! I can tell I have a great group of parents this year and am so excited to work with all of you to help make 3^rd grade a great year for your child!

Important Dates to Remember:

• Friday, October 4^th - School mass at 10:00am
• Wednesday, October 9th-School Picture Day
• Friday, October 11^th and Monday, October 14^th – No School
• Friday, October 18^th – Progress Reports

  

Math: This week in math we have begun studying numeration; focusing mainly on place value and the three different ways to name a number. We also learned how to name numbers on a number line.

To help students gain a better understanding of place value. Students took turns becoming a place value using Place Value Hats. Once given a digit, students had to work together to name the 6 digit number they were displaying.

  

Reading: This week, lessons focused on how to write summaries for fictional texts. To help students organize summaries I introduced them to the model: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then. With this model, students state the main character and what they wanted. Then students introduce the problem of the story and what the character tried to do to solve the problem. Finally, students state how the problem was eventually resolved.

First, I modeled this format with the book, Bits & Pieces by Judy Schachner. 

Next, I read The Very Cranky Bear and students worked in groups to fill out their own summary charts!

Next week, students will work independently on using this model to write summaries for the book, Picture Day Perfection. 

You can help:

After reading a picture book with your child remind them of the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then model and ask them to use it to summarize the book. 

You can prompt them with the following questions:

• SOMEBODY--Who is the main character?
• WANTED--What did they want?
• BUT-- What was the problem?
• SO-- What did the character try to do to solve it?
• THEN-- How was the problem resolved?

  

Religion: We have begun working through chapter one and have started learning about Jesus’ life as a child as well as the start of his public ministry. Students will continue receiving reading assignments for homework. They are typically asked to read 2 pages nightly, this is a great time for them to review what we discussed in class and take note of the main ideas and keywords. Next week we will work through the first chapter test together so students gain an idea of expectations.

Grammar: This week we focused on learning all about nouns. *For fun--ask your child to tell and show you what a noun is (the way they learned in school).

Students were introduced to nouns through a PowerPoint on Monday, then they completed a notebook activity to specify different types of nouns on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they completed a noun sort. Thursday, they did a task card scoot around the room identifying all of the nouns in a sentence. Today they took a quick assessment! This pattern follows the typical grammar lesson format for the week.

Next week, we will reinforce what they know about nouns by working with both nouns and verbs.  

Writing: This week, students completed the Important Book writing assignment for Back to School Night. Hopefully you were able to check out their entry in our class book! If not, please feel free to stop by and check it out!

 I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend!