Weekly Update: September 6, 2019

Happy First Friday!

Important Dates/Events:

 ·        MAP Testing begins next week for 3rd grade on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Please make sure that your child has a good breakfast and is on time for school.

·        Friday, September 13^th - School Mass at 10:00

·        Tuesday, September 17^th - 3B Scholastic Book Fair Visit
·        Thursday, September 19^th - Back to School Night at 7:00pm 

*Please Note-We have gym on Monday. Please have students dress in their gym uniforms.

The class and I had a wonderful first few days of school! Students were excited to be back, and I have really enjoyed getting to know them and welcoming them all to third grade! We spent time this week learning classroom procedures, reading some great books, and getting to know each other. 

Here are some photos from our classroom scavenger hunt where students discovered unique characteristics about each other!

Over the weekend and through next week students should be working on their Richard’s Pick posters. These should be designed horizontally, with their name written nice and big in the middle. Their name can be surrounded with family pictures, drawings of their favorite things, labels, etc. I can’t wait to see how great they all turn out! Posters are due Friday, September 13^th. 

Math- In 3B, I typically teach math in a small group format. While I am working with a group, other students will be circulating through math centers and doing problems in their books. On Monday, I will start introducing students the math centers and teaching them how to work independently while I am running a small group. This procedure takes much practice, but soon enough students will be ready to begin learning content in this manner.

This week I also gave students a pre-assessment. Along with providing me with useful information, it is also helpful in prepping students with regards to the focus of the upcoming unit. In Unit 1 students will extend their knowledge of place value and numeration. They will be ordering and comparing numbers, representing numbers using base-ten blocks, and drawing numbers on a number line. Shortly, students will begin receiving nightly homework from the Envisions workbook. It will typically consist of 1-2 practice pages.

Reading: I will begin teaching students the procedures for circulating through our reading centers, beginning first with Read to Self. Students will practice building their stamina for reading; my hope is for every student to be able to achieve the sense of getting “lost in a book.” I will also be teaching them how to choose a “Just Right Book,” one that peaks their interest and provides them with just the right amount of challenge and ease in order for them to advance as readers.

  

Writing: This week, students completed their first entry in their writing portfolios. They were given a few guidelines to follow but this was mainly completed independently. It is always exciting to see the growth and improvement in their writing from the beginning to the end of the year.

Phonics: Next week we will be beginning the Wilson Fundations program. Students are now very familiar with the program after being exposed to it in Kindergarten, first and second grade. We will start out with a review of what they learned last year before moving on to new content. 

Religion: Religion will also begin next week.  Students will begin 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.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful and relaxing weekend!