As Thanksgiving approaches, we are learning about the Pilgrim and Native Wampanoag communities that settled in Plimoth Plantation, and are thanking God for all His graces and blessings. May your homes and hearts be filled with family and friends...Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thank you to all who have donated items to keep our classroom and children healthy! We are always in need of tissues, paper cups, baby wipes, Chlorox wipes, and hand sanitizers. Your generosity is much appreciated!
Some Important Dates:
11/20 Spelling Test, Unit 10, pg. 57
11/25 First Trimester Report Cards
11/26, 11/27 Thanksgiving Vacation
11/30 *November Book Activity Due
11/30 *Pilgrim/Native American Diaries Due
11/30 November SRA Due
* These projects can be submitted before the Thanksgiving Recess, if they are completed early.
Grade 3 Weekly Schedule for Specialists:
Monday-- Art
Tuesday-- Library Skills
Wednesday--Physical Education
Thursday--Spanish and Music
Friday--Spanish and Library Circulation
1. Religion-- We have started our diocesan school program on safe environment, called the Circle of Grace. The children learned that God loves us so much, He gives us the area around our bodies as special and private, and others must respect those boundaries. For the next week and a half, the concept of boundaries and how to protect oneself with an action plan will be taught. The children will learn how to speak up for themselves, say no to inappropriate behavior, and seek help from a trusted adult when someone violates their boundaries.
2. Reading--Both reading groups will be focusing on the comprehension skills of comparing and contrasting, and drawing appropriate conclusions. The German Shepherds will enjoy the selection, Spiders at Work, and the Wolves will be analyzing the story A Very Important Day. Next week, we will enjoy a Thanksgiving play during reading time. All grade 3 students are working towards a "5" assessment for the SRA program this month which is due on Monday, November 30. The November rubric is:
Number of Stories-------------Assessment Grade
10 or more stories/activities------5
8 stories/activities-------------4
6 stories/activities-------------3
4 stories/activities-------------2
2 or less stories---------------1
**Students participating in reading with Mrs. Accardo or Sr. Kathy will be required to complete two less story activities (e.g. 8 stories is a 5 assessment.)
***The November book activity will involve reading the book Magic Tree House, Thanksgiving on Thursday, and completing related activities. This information, along with the books, has been distributed and children must submit their book activity by Monday, November 30. Several children have already completed and submitted their work, and I am encouraging the children to do so, ( if they don't want work to complete it over the Thanksgiving break!)
3. Language Arts--In Writer's Workshop, we are learning how to write our Pilgrim or Wampanoag diaries, by using the research information in our outlines. To help the children stay focused, I am assigning one diary entry a day to be completed, starting with Friday, November 13. Manila paper has been distributed to students on Friday, and there is plenty more if they need it. There will be a spelling test on Friday (Unit 10, pg. 57) and an advanced vocabulary test (Unit 8) on Wednesday. In grammar, we will continue learning and applying the rules to pluralize nouns. We will review our long vowel sounds o and u in phonics, and review the rules for syllabication of words.
4. Math--The children have easily grasped the concept of multiplication as repeated addition, and are memorizing the 0, 1, 2, and 5 tables. (We will introduce the 10 tables this week.) These are the easiest to learn, as the children already know how to count by 2's, 5's, and 10's. All students will have their own set of flash cards by Monday, which they will borrow for the remainder of the year. Please take care of them, as they are school property! I can not stress enough the importance of having your child PRACTICE his/her multiplication facts at least 10 minutes a day. The goal is to know the facts without having to count on your fingers. Make it a fun time...do it in the car, during TV commercials, at sibling's sports games, when a friend visits, etc. Or designate a sibling, grandparent, etc. to oversee this task. Your child's success in math, and in life, will depend on mastery of these facts. Don't leave him/her at a disadvantage!!
5. Science--We will continue to explore the lifestyle of the Pilgrims and Native Americans during the early 1600's. We have learned about the food groups essential for optimum health, and have analyzed our own diets and those of the Pilgrims and Wampanoags. We will also explore the use of natural herbs for healing, and compare their lifestyles with ours, regarding exercise, fresh air, sleep, and available medicines.
6. Social Studies--The children are beginning to create their Pilgrim and Wampanoag diaries, one entry at a time, starting 11/13/09. All the information previously researched can now be used to make their entries vibrant and interesting. I can't wait to read them share them!!
7. Handwriting--We will continue our discovery of the new cursive alphabet in our Handwriting Without Tears program. Our focus will be on correct posture, appropriate handgrip, and learning new letters r and s.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me, as we a partnership, with your child's best interests at heart!! Have a blessed week!
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