December Newsletter: 3rd Grade

Math

With winter break quickly approaching, our third grade scholars are hard at work mastering a number of new math skills and concepts!
Scholars are learning to:
  • Round whole numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.
  • Identify and represent numbers in standard, expanded and word form.
  • Correctly solve three digit addition and subtraction equations and word problems with regrouping.
Multi-Step Word Problems
  • Scholars are applying the CUBS strategy when solving multi-step word problems using all four operations. Identifying operation key words are an essential step in correctly solving these challenging word problems.
Support at Home:
  • Practice multiplication/division facts daily
  • Utilize Study Island & Reflex Math
  • Continue checking your scholar’s agenda each day for practice math pages that reinforce classroom learning.

Upcoming Events:
Monday, December 18th: Tower City Movie Field Trip
Thursday, December 21st: Winter Holiday Parties (Please check binder for sign up sheet)
/ ELA

During the month of December, our third grade scholars have been building mastery in a variety of ELA standards and skills! We have been reading a very engaging novel-- The Year of Miss Agnes
Reading
  • Determine a central idea (main idea) and support with evidence from the text
  • What is a possible message or lesson we can learn from the text?
All standards introduced in Reading are ongoing throughout the year! (Such as the standards related to characterization and describing how character’s actions drive the plot forward.)
Writing
  • Informative Essays
  • Developing a three paragraph essay with an introduction, body paragraph and conclusion.
  • We practiced writing “hook” sentences--the first sentence of the introductory paragraph
  • Writing facts and then supporting details within the body paragraph of our informational essays
  • Responding to all questions in written forms using the RAS method: 1. Use words from the question restated in the response, 2. Answer the question being asked, and 3. Support your response with evidence from the text.
  • Scholars are expected to use the correct conventions of English at all times! They must capitalize the first word of every sentnce, and the must use a punctuation mark at the end of every sentence!
Support at Home:
  • Complete monthly choice board activities.
  • Read 30 minutes a night with your scholar
  • We will not be checking out Library books again until January. All books should have been returned by December 13th
  • Have children write to you in paragraph form once a week retellingl their week at school
  • Utilize Study Island for additional support: Each scholar has his/her own learning pathway through NWEA. Please ask him/her to show you!
  • Ask your scholar questions about reading:
Examples: What character traits are shown byt the character’s actions?
How did the choices of the character affect the action?
What do you think will happen next? Why?