Curriculum Update

November has been a busy month - as they all seem to be! 

In reading, we worked further on story elements while reading various types of fiction.  We've practiced identifying main characters, choosing traits to describe them, and then finding evidence from the text that supports those traits such as dialogue or specific actions and behavior.
Students have also learned to recognize the story problem and solution while sequencing important story events. 
Comprehension has been a big focus this month.  We are learning to think more deeply about our reading and to cite reasons for our thinking.
During Term 2, the focus will be on nonfiction.  Students will learn about nonfiction text features like bolded/highlighted text, headings, the table of contents, glossary, and index.  They will learn about captions and diagrams and how these features aid in comprehension.

In math, we have practiced making bar models to help us solve one- and two-step word problems.  Students learned to take problems apart one sentence at a time and highlight key words and information. 
Recently, we have begun working with multiplication and time skills.  During class, students typically rotate to different stations to practice these skills in various ways.  At home, please continue to have your child study their basic facts in some way that is comfortable for them.  Students who have a strong grasp of their addition facts transition much more smoothly into multiplication. Term 2 focuses mostly on multiplication and division concepts. 

We have started learning about opinion writing, and this week, lessons mostly focused on differentiating between fact and opinion, the structure of an opinion graphic organizer, and understanding how to build an essay that is well-organized.  In grade three, students need to state their opinion on a given topic, support it with three reasons, provide facts or details for each reason, and provide a closing that restates their opinion.  For our first assignment, students are reading nonfiction text about entomophagy - the practice of eating bugs.  They will need to decide whether the cafeteria should include bugs on the school menu and support their thinking with evidence from the articles.  We had some very lively discussion about this in class!

We are learning about motion and forces in science.  Students have completed several hands-on and interactive activities to explore these concepts.  You will see some of these coming home in Friday Folders.  We are also just starting a social studies unit on the Wampanoag.  Students always love this unit.  Be sure to ask your child what they're learning in class!

Next week is conferences.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all and discussing your child's progress!
Sara Hartley