We Have Been Very Busy Learning Routines, Getting Used to Our 3Rd Grade Materials and Beginning

We have been very busy learning routines, getting used to our 3rd grade materials and beginning our journey through the new content. I am excited to see how the students will learn and grow this year! Here are some things coming up this month, please let me know if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Trisha Reszel

Math Facts

We have started using a website called Xtramath.org to practice our math facts. It is a site that begins with addition and works through division facts. I will be sending home a log in for each student to practice their math facts on the computer at home. (if available) We will have opportunity to practice here at school as well, but the extra practice at home will be very beneficial as we learn harder concepts in math this year! Thank you for your support!

Planners

As you may have noticed, planners have begun to make their way home. We have talked at school how the students are responsible for showing them to you. Please take a moment to talk about their day, ask questions, etc. We put vague summaries for each subject in there for this reason. The students are excited about this “rite of passage” into 3rd grade and it has been a success so far! These planners are something they will see in 4th and 5th grade as well.

Conferences

It seems too soon to be talking about conferences, but it will be here before we know it! I will be sending home a link soon for conference sign ups. These are 20 minutes conferences where we can discuss your child’s progress. Due to time restraints, there is only one time slot available per student. I will email this link out as well as send home a paper copy. Signups will be done online. Stay tuned!

Literacy Focus

This month we will be learning about making connections when we read to help us to better understand the story. We will turn our focus to retelling fairy tales using beginning, middle, and end. After a few weeks of using fiction books, we will turn to nonfiction where we will identify the main idea and find supporting details. When you see these concepts written in the planner, it would be a great time to ask your student to apply these skills to what they are currently reading at home.

Math Focus

Our first unit for math is all about math tools. We will use a number of math tools during this unit. It may seem like we jump around a little, but we will come back to it later throughout the year. This first unit is just to get their feet wet in the world of math. We have used number grids and clocks so far. Later in the unit, we will use rulers and measuring tapes, as well as a number of math games.

Social Studies Focus

We are learning about the world around us this year! We started our social studies time by doing some vocabulary activities to become familiar with the words we will see in Chapter 1. We are currently in the middle of an online voyage of discovery through space, Earth, and exploring our countries, oceans, and communities.

Homework

So far this year, homework has consisted of reading 20 minutes each night. I know how busy some nights are and as long as your student averages about 100min a week, that is A-OK! I am sending home a reading calendar to keep track of their reading. It can be returned at the end of them month, signed by an adult at home. Another important part of third grade is math facts and as mentioned, we have a great way practice those. When some additional practice may be beneficial, I will send home a couple practice sheets. These do not need to be returned to me, but rather are for practicing at home.

Learnapalooza

Each Friday, all 3rd grade students will have a chance to earn participation in LEARNAPALOOZA. If class time is used wisely, work is completed, and expectations are followed, students may participate. If a student receive a minor for a behavior or not following other expectations OR does not get their work done in class, they will work on this during LEARNAPOOLZA instead of participating in the activities. This is a lot of fun for a week of hard work!