Learning the Home Row!

Students are using the Dance Mat typing program to learn the home row keys!  No more one finger pecking at the keyboard! Everyone did a wonderful job resting their fingers in the appropriate position, and they are progressing quite quickly through the levels.  Learning the home row is always a challenge for third graders, as their fingers are still a bit small, but I'd encourage you to have your child practice at home as well.  The more they practice, the faster and more skilled they will become.

Welcome to a brand new year!

I'm so excited to be working with your children.  It was wonderful to meet everyone at Open House on Monday evening.

We've been busy getting to know each other as well as our routines and procedures in class.  I'd like to share a little bit
about what we're learning in the curriculum areas.

Writing

Our focus right now is on the personal narrative.  We have explored the differences between a "seed idea" and a "watermelon idea."  As you can imagine, watermelon ideas are those that are too big and not focused, while the seed idea is very specific.  

This year, students will learn to develop their seed ideas with greater detail, vocabulary, voice, and organization.  In class, we have looked at many examples of student writing and have had some nice discussion about what makes them either strong or weak examples of a narrative.  

At this time, students have selected their first seed idea, and most are almost finished with their graphic organizer.  

Math

We are well into our first unit, "Numbers to 10,000."  In this unit, students are learning to write numbers up to 10,000 in standard form, expanded form, and word form.  Students have worked on patterning and explored place value by comparing and ordering larger numbers.  

We are practicing these skills by using base ten boards and blocks to represent different numbers, playing games with partners, and working on practice pages from the Math in Focus program.  

Reading

Right now we are learning to choose "just right" books for ourselves.  Students are building their reading stamina and practicing early third grade comprehension skills like questioning, predicting, and inferring.  

At home, please have your child read for at least 15-20 minutes each night.  They can read independently, to you, or with you.  

I will be posting pictures and videos soon, so stay tuned.  Your children are doing a wonderful job in grade three!

News from Room 8

We had a wonderful time seeing "The Little Prince" in Portsmouth today.  The theater was beautiful, and the kids were really all on their best behavior.  A good time was had by all!

I'd like to pass along a couple of important dates:

Friday, May 5th = Weather Test
Students should be using this week to review their flash cards and any other materials from their science folders.

Monday, May 8th and Tuesday, May 9th = Math MCAS sessions
Please have students bring a healthy snack to school on these days.  We will begin testing first thing in the morning.

Monday, May 15th - Term 3 Progress Reports go home via backpack

Friday, May 26th - Early Release (1:15)

As the weather gets warmer, please send your child to school with a water bottle to stay hydrated.  Sports bottles are best!  Our side of the building gets quite hot in the spring.

Please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts at home for mastery.  Multiplication and division are still being used in almost everything we do!

Thanks so much for all you do at home to support your child's learning!
Sara Hartley