9/25-9/28/17

Reading: This week  we learned about protagonist and antagonist in a story. We also started our Latin/Greek words. We will have a test this Thursday. In reading we started our reading groups and answering questions in Edmodo. On Thursday, we had our first spelling test. Please make sure to have your child practicing their spelling words each night. Next week we will introduce first and third person point of view.  Students will also have a new spelling list distributed to them on Monday. The next spelling test is 10/12.


Writing: This week in cursive, we continued learning upper case letters. We will finish up learning the upper case letters this week.  In writing, we began researching the life of ants, and began forming our opinion on the importance of ants and came up with facts to back up our opinion. Next week, we will be writing our rough and final draft of our opinion piece on ants.

Grammar: This week, we learned about concrete and abstract nouns and took an assessment on Tuesday. We also learned about adjectives. Next week, we will be reviewing adjectives and taking an assessment. Next week, we will also be learning about verbs.


Projects: This week we worked in small groups to come up with two prototypes of compound machines that will help keep their egg from breaking in our Egg Drop Project. The kids came up with some interesting ideas and we will begin building the prototypes next week.


Homework: Read 20 minutes everyday. Study Latin/Greek words for assessment on Thursday. Study spelling list (assessment 10/12).

Math update with Mrs. Neal

Hello third grade families,
This week in math we focused on place value, writing numbers using standard form, word form, expanded form, base ten form, and using place value discs. We also used our knowledge of place value to compare numbers. This week the homework will be as follows:
3rd grade:
Monday- IXL A.9
Tuesday- IXL A.11
Wednesday- Rounding worksheet
Thursday- Rounding worksheet

Thanks!

9/18-9/21/17

Reading: This week in reading we continued to Read to Self, but added in Word Work and Work on Writing. We also learned about context clues, and the students worked in pairs to create a made up word and put it into a sentence using context clues. The pairs read their sentence to the class and the class guessed what their made up word meant. They were very creative. The sentences will be up in the hall if you'd like to check them out. We also finished up our read aloud book, Third Grade Angels. The kids loved it so much that on Monday we will read the follow up book, Fourth Grade Rats.

Next week we will start learning our Greek/Latin prefixes and suffixes. We will also be learning about the protagonist and antagonist in a story. On Thursday, the students have their first spelling test. We will also be starting our book clubs next week. 

Writing: This week in cursive, we finished learning the lower case letters and started learning upper case. We also went through the writing process and wrote a rough draft on our opinion of the Birthday Cake Oreo. The students learned about using transition words and adding supporting details to their sentence topic. Next week, we will be learning about ants and writing another opinion piece using facts to support their opinion.

Grammar: This week, we learned about plural nouns, and the different rules for irregular plural nouns.They took an assessment on Thursday to check their understanding. Next week, we will be learning about concrete and abstract nouns, and adjectives. The students will have an assessment on both of these topics next week.

Projects: This week we continued learning about simple machines. We created a ramp (inclined plane) and a simple pulley machine. On Thursday, we went on a scavenger hunt to see what simple machines we could find around the school. I challenged them to continue to identify simple machines this weekend when they were at home and out and about. Next week, we will be starting our Egg Drop Challenge. The kids will work in groups to come up with two prototypes of simple machines that will help keep their egg from breaking. 

Homework: Read 20 minutes everyday. 

Google Calendar

Hello all!
Just a reminder that every day in class we put your student's homework into their google calendar. We chose to switch to google calendar instead of printing out all of the assignment pages a few years back to save paper. That is where they should be checking to find their homework assignments. Then if there are days that I push save instead of publish (whoops, sorry!) on the blog post, you can still find the homework! We do this every day at the end of class so unless your student is absent it should be there. If you need help figuring out how to access your student's google calendar feel free to ask me and I can help you. Thanks!
Mrs. Neal

Math update with Mrs. Neal

Hello all!
Last week in math we finished up our work with pictographs and bar graphs. They are now graph masters! We took a test on our graphing knowledge, which will be coming home this week. The homework will be as follows:
Monday- IXL A.3
Tuesday- IXL B.1
Wednesday- IXL B.4
Thursday- IXL B.2

Thanks!

9/11-914/17

I am really enjoying the kids. We had a great week, and had so much fun in projects building and playing with the catapults we made. 

Reading: This week in reading we continued to Read to Self and build our stamina. By Thursday, we were able to add in Work on Writing in writing journals. We also continued learning about plot structure, specifically the rising events, climax, falling events and resolution. Next week, we will look at context clues. 

Writing: We are continuing to learn and practice cursive. This week, we completed the MAPS Growth Assessment for fall during our writing time. On Thursday, we began talking about writing an opinion piece, using two flavors of Oreos. The kids got to taste Apple Pie and Birthday Cake Oreo and form their opinion on their favorite flavor (Birthday Cake won 16 to 8). Next week, we will brainstorm the reasons why or why not Birthday Cake was or wasn't their favorite, and begin writing their rough draft.

Grammar: This week, we reviewed nouns, and learned about pronouns. This next week, we will discuss plural nouns and irregular plural nouns. This week, the students will be given their first spelling list to begin studying. Their first test will be 9/28/17.

Projects: This week we started learning about simple machines. We created a catapult and a screw at our centers and the kids got to have a hands-on experience with these simple machines. Next week, we continue learning about simple machines they will get to do two more experiments: a pulley and a ramp. 

Homework: Read 20 minutes everyday. 

Math Update from Mrs. Neal

Hello 3rd grade families!
What a wonderful first week! I really enjoyed getting to know your students! This week in math we started reviewing graphs, focusing on bar graphs. We did a whole class graph where we collect data on our favorite summer activity. Then they created a graph on their own, collecting data on favorite ice cream flavors. They did an excellent job labeling and attending to precision, I am impressed! We will continue with bar graphs and start with pictures graphs this next week.
The homework for this week is the following:
3rd grade:
Monday- IXL U.6
Tuesday- IXL U.11
Wednesday- Practice test evens
Thursday- Practice math facts (we will take a test this day)

Thanks!
Holly Neal

Picture day Monday 9/11

Picture day is on Monday, 9/11. An order form went home in your child's binder. You can order online or send back the form with payment.

9/5-9/7 Our First Week

We made it through our first week! I have enjoyed getting to know each of the kids this week. It's been wonderful.

Reading: This week in reading we reviewed Read to Self and how to pick a good fit book.  Then, we started building stamina while reading.  They did a great job at this!  We also started learning about plot structure, specifically the exposition or hook in a story. We will continue to learn about the rising events, climax, falling events and resolution next week. 

Writing: We began learning cursive this week, which everyone was excited about! This week, the students also wrote an opinion piece so that I can see where they are in their writing. They could choose to answer one of two questions: what is the best superhero; or what is the best holiday? We also started brainstorming on a narrative that they will continue this week called "Where have my shoes and I been this summer?" 

Grammar: We reviewed nouns, and made a poster with examples of each type of noun: person, place, thing or idea. Next week we will be discussing plural nouns, and pronouns. 

Projects: We reviewed the different Tribe agreements.  We also did a lot of fun team building activities, like the marshmallow challenge and cup stacking challenge.  Next week, we start to learn about simple machines. 

Remember to send your child in with two healthy snacks everyday.