Social Studies Test

Today students will be bringing home their review guide for Unit 2 in social studies.  They began making note-cards in class to help them review and study.  Questions and possible answers to the review guide are posted on the third grade website: Unit 2 Review

Progress Reports

Progress reports will be sent home tomorrow, Thursday, December 20th!  It will be put in your child's green homework folder.  The bottom portion should be signed and returned when students come back from winter break in January.  Thanks!

THANKS

A big thanks to Ellie and Evan's family for bringing in some supplies off of our Classroom Wish List! :)

Math Homework

Over the next few nights, students' study links will focus on the partial-products method for multiplication, as well as the lattice method.  Explanations and examples of both algorithms can be found on the following website: Everyday Math Family Resources.  After going in the cite, click on ...

• Algorithms in Everyday Math
• Grade 4
• Multiplication
• Partial Products OR Lattice

School e-mail

My school e-mail has been having a few problems lately.  I've had a few parents e-mail me, re-sending past e-mails that I did not receive.  If I have not responded to an e-mail from you  within 24 hours, please re-send the e-mail, as all my messages are not coming through for some reason.  Sorry for the inconvenience!  Thanks! - E. Magina

A Sneak Peek At Our Week ...

• Vocabulary:  The morphology/vocabulary focus this week will be on the prefixes re- and un-.  

• Writing:  Students will spend the week writing their Character Analysis Essays on James and the Giant Peach.  Mini-lessons for the week will focus on creating thesis statements, using transitional phrases, using language to explain evidence, and crafting conclusion paragraphs.  

• Math:  Students will complete lessons 5.5, 5.6, and 5.7 this week.  Students will learn about the partial products algorithm and lattice method for multiplication.  In math workshop we will begin starting a new weekly routine.  Every Friday will be "Problem Solving Friday."  Students will collaboratively work in groups to work on problem-solving activities related to concepts being taught in class.  

• Read-Aloud:  We will be finishing There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom this week!

• Reading:  Students will have five class periods to work on their final project choice for James and the Giant Peach.  Please remember to have your child bring in any needed materials!

• Social Studies:  On Monday, students will complete a Jigsaw Activity about events that effected Chicago culturally and economically.  Working as a team, students will create a poster together that reflects how The Great Migration, immigration, Chicago Fire, and the Industrial Revolution affected Chicago.  On Tuesday and Wednesday student learning will focus around guiding question #5:  How has Chicago’s geographic features changed over time?  On Thursday students will complete a study guide in class, and on Friday they will have a test over Unit #2.  

Concert Reminder

Just a reminder that the Winter Concert for 3rd graders is tomorrow at 2:00!  They are so excited to perform for everyone!

Wish List

On the right hand side of the blog, I'm starting to include some items on the Room 203 "Wish List."  These are items that we could use in the classroom!

1.  Lunch-Sized Plastic Bags - we use these all the time to help keep students' materials organized
2.  $1 Store Word Puzzles/Crossword Books - this would be a great free choice end of the day activity for the final 10 minutes of the day (3:05-3:15) when pick-up students are left
3.  Decks of Cards - having additional decks of cards would be very useful to have during the math games rotation of math workshop

James and the Giant Peach Final Project

Students will finish reading James and the Giant Peach tomorrow.  It has been a great shared experience for them reading this book!  Not only have they enjoyed the story, but they've demonstrated strong analysis skills reflecting on the main character James. 

To conclude the character study, students will be completing a final project, and writing a final paper.  You can find descriptions and rubrics for both on the third grade website: James and the Giant Peach.  

Students will have five writing class periods next week to work on their character analysis essays.  They have already done a large majority of the pre-planning during class.  Writing mini-lessons for the week will focus on different elements of the paper (i.e., developing a thesis, paraphrasing, etc.).  If students do not finish their final paper during class time next week, it will be due Thursday, January 3rd.  They will have the option to have their final draft written or typed.  

Today students will be bringing home a "menu" of 12 different project choices, in which they will choose one project to complete.  I ask that they have their choice made by this Friday, December 14.  Many wondered if they could complete a second project (which as a teacher, melted my heart!).  If they would like to complete a second project, they can for extra credit.  Because students will be completing a variety of character-based projects, the rubric used to grade the assignment is more open-ended.  It focuses on six main areas: character analysis, text interpretation, supporting evidence from the text, creativity, effort, and mechanics.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the projects/grading rubric!  During our reading block next week, students will have five class periods to work on this project.  Please have your child bring any materials needed to complete the project by next Monday, December 17.  

Next Week - SPIRIT WEEK!

Next Monday starts Skinner North Spirit Week (December 17-21)!

Each day your child is encouraged to show their SCHOOL SPIRIT by participating in each themed day!

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT ALL WEEK LONG!

MONDAY, Dec. 17
Crazy Hair Day! PHOTOS WILL BE TAKEN!
TUESDAY, Dec. 18
Pajama Day!

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19
Dress as you favorite Hero, Heroine, Prince or Princess Day! (no weapons, shields, wands. etc...)

THURSDAY, Dec. 20
Math Day! Wear clothes, shoes, and accessories that represent math
concepts in some way - patterns, numbers, symmetry, etc.!  See if you
can be Math-y from head to toe.
(Laura P., 3rd grade, Principle-for-a-Day selection)

FRIDAY, Dec 21
Hat Day!  Wear your favorite hat.  It can be silly, stylish, or
seasonal!  (Hats may not cover the child's face - no masks.)
(Tony M., 4th Grade, Principle-for-a-Day selection)


Have fun and thanks for all your school spirit!

Interactive Website - Chicago Fire

Students have really enjoyed learning more about the Chicago Fire during our second social studies unit.  In particular, they were quite engaged with the following website: Interactive Fire Timeline.  I'm sure they would enjoy showing you!

A Sneak Peek At Our Week ...

• Morning Work/Vocabulary:  Instead of completing our PAVE vocabulary activities, students will begin focusing their learning on two affixes each week.  The affixes we will be focusing on this week are -ful and -est. 

• Writing:  Students will learn the fourth, and final summarizing strategy this week - somebody-wanted-but-so-then.  This strategy will help them synthesize fictional texts into very concise summaries.  

• Math:  This week, students will be pre-assessed on learning goals and objectives of Unit 5: Big Numbers, Estimation, and Computation .  This pre-assessment will be used to differentiate groups for each and every lesson.  Following the pre-assessment, lessons 5.1-5.4 will be instructed this week.  Be sure to check the third grade website for the parent letter and unit explanation: Unit 5

• Read-Aloud:  We will be finishing There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom this week.  It has been a favorite amongst all students!  We will end this read-aloud discussing the theme, or author's message, and how it applies to the students' lives.  This discussion will continue into the next week as well.  

• Reading:  Students will finish reading James and the Giant Peach this week.  After choosing character traits to describe James at the beginning, middle, and end of the story, they will draw conclusions as to how he has changed throughout the novel.  Then, they will dig deeper and determine which events of the story had the most affect on James, causing him to change.  Finally, students will determine the theme of the text by identifying a theme topic, creating a theme statement, and finding evidence from the text to support their thinking.  

• Social Studies:  Students have really enjoyed working on their alphabet books, and will continue to work on them this week.  Lessons and activities this week will focus around the following guiding question:  What were some problems Chicago faced in its early development?  

Math Study Guide/Review Correction

There was a mistake on students' study guides.  They do not need to complete #19 and #20 about prime/composite numbers.  Instead, an important concept to review from Units 1-3 are open sentences.  Examples are listed below! (We will review this concept in class tomorrow!)

• 48 / x = 8
• 3n = 27
• 31 = 22 + r
• 57 - d = 31

Family Art Night

Family Art Night will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 3:30-5:30.  Participating families will interact with one another as they create pieces of art.  Children and their parents will enjoy three engaging art activities. 

Flyers will be coming home this Friday.  You can send your RSVP to dmfetzer@cps.edu.  Be sure to include the following things in your RSVP:

• Child's Name
• Total Number of People Attending (Adults + Children over 5)
• Which Grade Level Activities You'll Attend

Yearbook Order Forms

Yearbook order forms will be passed out this week.  Expect to see them on Friday with students other passed back materials.  The order forms are due Friday, December 14th!

What's Happening in the News

Last Thursday students did a wonderful job presenting their news article to the class.  Students had interesting comments and questions to add and discuss as well.  Listed below are the next due dates for students in Room 203.  

• 12/6/12: Ian, Brian, Beila, Nicholas
• 12/13/12: Isis, Faith, Denise, Nia
• 12/20/12: Nathan, Adriana, Roshni, Matthew

Please remember, the page students will complete and websites for online newspapers can both be found on the third grade website: What's Happening in the News

Social Studies Unit 2 Project

Students will create an alphabet book for the culminating project of Unit 2 in social studies.  Students will have one class period each week to use as work time for this project.  Third graders began working on this project last week, and will continue working on it for the next three weeks.  The final book will be due shortly before winter break.  

You can find the project rubric and page format on the third grade website: Unit 2 - "How Chicago Came to Be".  Your child can work on this project at home as well.  If they would like to use a visual besides an illustration, like clip-art, magazine clippings, etc., they will have to find those materials at home.  Please let me know if you have any questions! 

Half Day Reminder

Please remember there will be a half day this Wednesday, December 5, 2012!  

Students will spend the morning rehearsing for the Winter Music Assembly, and then will participate in their clubs.  Lunch will be served at 11:15.  If you would like your child to wait and eat lunch after school, please send them with a snack.  Bus service will be available for students coming to school and going home at 11:45.  Youth Guidance will be available to families that need childcare until 6:00 p.m. for a fee.  Registration packets are in the main office.  Please contact Grace Dickman at gdickman@youth-guidance.org with any questions.  

A Sneak Peek at Our Week ...

• Writing: Students will continue learning strategies for summary writing.  The shift this week will focus on writing fictional summaries using steps of the plot mountain (exposition/introduction, rising action, climax, falling actions/resolution).  

• Math:  This week we will wrap up Unit 4.  Reviews and study guides will go home on Tuesday (and be posted on the website!) and will be due Thursday.  After playing a review game as a class on Thursday, students will have their test on Friday.  

• Read-Aloud:  As a class, we are continuing to collaboratively work on a thorough writing response after students drew conclusions about how the main character Jeff has changed throughout the text.  We will continue reading the novel this week. 

• Reading: During the week, students will independently read Chapters 16-27.  Learning goals will focus on how the setting affects characters, using the setting to predict character action, and lastly making predictions about plot events based on our knowledge of the characters.  There will be a small group discussion and weekly comprehension/vocabulary "check" on Friday.   

• Social Studies:  Throughout the week, students will focus their learning on discovering causes and effects of the Great Chicago Fire.  

Out of the Classroom

I will be out of the classroom this Friday 11/30, and Monday 12/3 for a professional development opportunity on Responsive Classroom training.  After tonight, I will get back to you with any e-mails or questions on Tuesday - thanks!

Weekly Reading Quiz

Continuing with the routine we've been following, each Friday students will have a weekly quiz or "assessment check" on learning goals of the week in reading.  This week the quiz will focus specially on chapters 1-15 of James and the Giant Peach.  Students will also be assessed on the seven weekly vocabulary words.  

Math Next Week

For math next week ...

• Tuesday - Study guide will be passed out
• Thursday - Review game in class
• Friday - Unit 4 test

A Sneak Peek at Our Week

• Writing:  Students will learn the "key word strategy" to write nonfiction summaries.  After focusing on the "5 W's" of a text, they will choose key words from their responses to help them construct a brief summary.  They will begin learning strategies for fictional text later this week.  

• Math:  Work on Unit 4: Decimals will continue this week.  Lessons will focus on the following: 
• 4.4: Explain why decimals are useful and estimate the sums and differences of different decimals
• 4.5: Extend methods of whole-number addition and subtraction to decimals
• 4.6: Adding and subtracting decimals to compute balances in a savings account
• 4.7: Extend basic computation to the thousandths
• 4.8: Review relationships between metric units of length
• *** A test will be Wednesday or Thursday of next week!

• Interactive Read-Aloud:  When reading There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom this week, students will focus their thinking and discussions around character motivation.  After identifying things the main characters say and do, they will look deeper at the motivation behind their choices.  

• Reading: The third grade will be reading James and the Giant Peach for a shared Character Study Unit.  This week, students will focus on learning about characters "deep down" by analyzing their appearance, the things they say, what others say about them, their actions, and their thoughts, and then conclude what this reveals about them.  

• Social Studies:  Unit 2 focuses on How Chicago Came to Be.  A brief unit description can be found on the third grade website: Unit 2: How Chicago Came To Be.  For the final project, students will create an Alphabet Book demonstrating their understanding of the guiding questions and key concepts of the unit.  

Homework

1.  Reading Response Logs:  Today students started a Character Study, using the shared text James and the Giant Peach.  For the next few weeks, their reading responses will reflect learning goals of the unit.  They correlate with the different mini-lessons that will be taught during the week.  Your child was provided with a list of different response questions/prompts.  Students were asked to choose a different response each night.  They can choose whichever prompt they like, and are not required to go in a particular order.  

2.  Vocabulary:  On Monday of each week, students will be introduced to 7 higher-level vocabulary terms that will be found in the text during the week.  They each were given a vocabulary "word map" packet to gain a deeper understanding of the terms.  These packets will be due on Thursday.  Each Friday, students will be assessed on the terms which gives them Thursday night to study and review the terms.  Here is a "suggested" schedule for your child to complete the packet:

• Monday: synonyms and antonyms, 1-3 per box (box #'s 4 and 5)
• Tuesday: other forms of the word, and an association, example, or sketch (box #'s 6 and 7)
• Wedesday: my very own sentence (box #8)

* Students will complete box #'s 1-3 in class

What's Happening in the News

Each quarter, your child will be a completing a What's Happening in the News assignment.  Students will select a current events news article and then read to discover the "Who, What, Where, When, and Why" of the news.  They will then use key words to provide a brief summary of the article.  After completing the assignment your child will present the information to the class on Thursday during the "share" portion of our classroom meeting.  There will be 4-5 presenters each week.  When presenting, students will need to summarize the news, and also share what the possible effects from the event may be. Students will not only practice their researching and public speaking skills, but will also discover that importance of staying up-to-date on current events.  For more information and resources, click on the following link: What's Happening in the News

This Thursday, the following students will be presenting: Ellie, Veronica, Charlotte, Naomi-Erin

Testable Questions

During class this morning, I shared students' testable questions that have already been approved to help others generate ideas.  I also shared a website with them that they found particularly helpful.  *Please note, these are just example questions - I told the students they could change the variables of the question to make it fit their interests/needs: http://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/ideas.php (this website can also be found on the third grade website!)

Quarter 2 Project

Just a reminder that Steps 1 & 2 will be due Monday, November 26th for approval.  In class over the last week we have focused on creating testable questions and hypotheses, and identifying different variables in a science investigation.  Click on the following link for more information about the project or these three components: Science Fair Project: Testable Questions, Hypotheses, & Variables

A Sneak Peek At Our Week ...

• Writing:  For the next few weeks, students will focus on summarizing expository and narrative texts.  This week, students will learn to use the Main Idea & Detail strategy to summarize texts.  

• Math:  Today students completed a math activity that integrated the arts.  Students studied a few of Ellsworth Kelly's art pieces.  They discovered how he used a grid system as the foundation of his work.  Students replicated this, and created abstract or patterned designs on a square grid of 100 (representing one whole).  Then, they counted the different colors they used, and determined the fraction, decimal, and percentage representations of those colors.  For the remainder of the week students will focus on comparing decimal values and adding and subtracting decimals up to the hundredths.  

• Interactive Read-Aloud:  We are continuing to read There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar.  Students have enjoyed the humorous parts in the text, as well as the more serious ones.  They are connecting and empathizing with the story's main characters.  

• Reading:  Students have finished determining explicit and implicit main ideas of expository text, and will begin to determine the main idea and supporting details of narrative texts.  

• Science:  This week students will finish introduction activities related to the Quarter  Project.  Today your child focused on taking a testable question, and creating a hypothesis statement using the key words if and then.  On Tuesday students will define different variables, and identify the different variables related to specific testable questions.  

Wax Museum Statues

Customize a free slideshow design

A Sneak Peek at Our SHORT Week ...

• Writing:  On Wednesday, students will share their final personal narratives with Mrs. de Nazarie's class who also wrote personal narratives. Students will enjoy celebrating and sharing their hard work!  Later this week, students will take a pre-assessment on different prefixes/suffixes and a spelling pre-assessment.  During Quarter 2 we will begin using the Words Their Way spelling program.  

• Math:  Tomorrow students will take a pre-assessment on Unit 4 of math to determine their prior knowledge on different concepts and objectives related to decimals.  The pre-assessment will be used as a tool to differentiate small group instruction throughout the unit.  Following the pre-assessment, students will complete lessons 4.1: Decimal Place Value and and 4.2: Review of Basic Decimal Concepts.  The Parent Letter for Unit 4 can be found on the third grade website: Unit 4: Decimals.  Be sure that your child is continuing to practice their multiplication facts!  Use the online sites/games provided on the third grade website as a resource.  

• Interactive Read-Aloud: We are continuing to read There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar. 

• Reading Workshop:  This week our focus will be on types of Main Ideas.  Students will learn the difference between explicit main ideas (main ideas that are stated directly in the text) and implicit main ideas (main ideas that are not directly stated in the text).  They will learn the different approaches needed in order to determine each type of main idea.  

• Science:  On Wednesday, the project description, planning pages, and rubric for the Quarter 2 Project will be passed out and explained.  For the remainder of the week, we will discuss and review specific vocabulary and concepts related to the scientific method, and will complete a "mini" in-class experiment.  More information on the Quarter 2 Project can be found on the third grade website as well: Quarter 2 Project - Science Fair (this portion of the site will continually be updated throughout the quarter!)

Specials

Starting this week, we will be changing the specials schedule a bit.  The third grade schedule will change so that students have 60 minutes in Art and P.E. only.  Every other class will still be 30 minutes.  This seems to be more practical for art and P.E.  

Listed below is the specials schedule for the remainder of Quarter 2:

• Monday: P.E. (1 hour)
• Tuesday: Art (1 hour)
• Wednesday: Spanish/Music (30 minutes each)
• Thursday: Spanish/Music (30 minutes each)
• Friday: Art (1 hour)

Picture Retakes

Just a reminder, picture retakes are this Thursday!

Quarter 2 Project

We are excited to announce that our 2^nd Quarter Project will be a school-wide Science Fair!  This quarter, each student will have the opportunity to design an experiment that will help them investigate a topic and question they are curious about.  Next week, students will receive a detailed outline of each part of the project, important due dates, and helpful hints.  In order to help students practice effective time management skills, as well as get help from us and input from their peers, parts of the projects will be due at various times throughout 2^nd quarter.  The final project will be due on January 25^th.  Along with “check-in days”, we will also have classroom lessons to help students review the scientific method and several “project work days” during science class which will be announced in advance. 

The science fair requirements are different at each grade level have been designed so that students can complete the project independently with minimum assistance from adults.  The goal is for students to choose a topic that is of interest to them and design their own experiment.  Parents can help out in many ways, such as making sure experiments are safe and materials are accessible, helping students stay on schedule, and providing support and assistance as needed.

Although students will receive much more information next week, they may want to start thinking about their project this weekend!  On the back of this letter, you will find a list of helpful websites to begin brainstorming suggestions and ideas.  The most important thing to remember is that this project should be in the form of an experiment and not a model, “how to”, or collection of science facts.  Using the scientific method, students will design a testable question, form a hypothesis, research the topic, write a procedure, conduct an experiment, collect and analyze data, and communicate results at a school-wide Science Fair.  Topics, testable questions, and a general plan will need to be approved before students begin testing.  They will receive a planning sheet to help generate ideas and organize their thoughts next week.

Stay tuned for more information and other important dates!  If you have any questions now or throughout the project, please feel free to contact us.  We look forward to helping students in their scientific journeys!

Sincerely,

Skinner North Teachers

Parentheses & Variables

Students learned how to solve number sentences with parentheses and variables.  During class we created a little "rap" to help us remember!

Science Test

During class today, students worked on a study guide for the science test tomorrow.  The study guide and answer key are both posted on the third grade website under the Science Tab for Unit 1: Science Unit 1 Study Guide.  Happy studying!

Multiplication Timed Tests

It is very important that your child is continuing to practice his/her multiplication facts at home.  Students have taken two multiplication timed-tests, and will take them periodically over the next few months.  Having their multiplication facts memorized is needed for strong foundation of future learning and growth in math.  Many concepts that will be taught in the future build off these skills.    

I'm including a link to the third grade website that has a multitude of multiplication practice games online.  Scroll near the bottom of the page, and you will find the websites under related links: Multiplication Fact Practice.  Enjoy!

Conference Slips and School Photos

On Tuesday, expect the following things to be taken home by your child.  Both will be put in the "take-home" side of their homework folders: 

• School Photos
• Parent-Teacher Conference Forms

Due to a high request of similar conference times, I was unable to give everyone one of their "top 3" time slots.  Please let me know if your assigned time does not work for you, as I have a few openings throughout the day.  Thanks!

*** Just a reminder - all pledge money from the Walk-A-Thon is due this Friday!

A Sneak Peek at Our Week ...

• Writing:  This week students will be finishing their personal narrative pieces.  On Friday they were given a revision checklist to use.  This checklist reflects lessons taught throughout the unit of study.  After self-revising their paper, they will then have a peer revise it.  Then they will work on their final draft of their paper.  Handouts and checklists can be found on the third grade website: Personal Narrative

• Math:  Unit 3 will be ending this week.  After completing lessons 3.10 and 3.11, students will complete a study guide.  The test for Unit 3 will be on Thursday.  

• Interactive Read-Aloud:  For our read-aloud, we are continuing to read There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom.  Discussion has focused around learning about who the main characters are "deep down."  Students have focused on what the characters say and do, their actions, and what other characters say about them.  They then use this information to draw conclusions about the characters, and assign character traits to them.  Over the next couple weeks, we will be collaboratively writing extended responses with this text.  

• Reading:  Over the next two weeks reading lessons will be focused around main idea and details.  This week, students will determine the main idea of a paragraph by identifying the topic sentence, distinguish between main details and supporting details, and identify titles for reading selections.  

• Science: Science Unit 1 Water  wraps up this week.  Students will complete their final investigation on Monday, complete a study-guide in class on Tuesday, and take the test Wednesday.  Expect for students to bring home their science notebook and study guide Tuesday night to review.  

A Look at Next Week ...

Looking ahead at next week, we have a few units of study wrapping up for the quarter.  Expect tests on the following days:

• Wednesday, November 7th - Science Test: Water
• Thursday, November 8th - Math Test, Unit 3

Homework 11/1

Because we had such a busy afternoon with the WONDERFUL Wax Museum presentations, students in Room 203 did not complete their homework chart.  

Completing Study Links 3.8 is optional tonight (remember, it can be downloaded from the homework tab of the 3rd grade website!).  If it is not completed tonight, it will need to be completed over the weekend along with Study Links 3.9.  

Walk-A-Thon Pledge Money

Just a reminder to families that Walk-A-Thon pledge money is due by Friday, November 9th!

Parent-Teacher Conference Forms

Parent-Teacher Conference forms went out today!  Conferences will be held on November 13th.  On the forms that went out today, you will need to indicate your first, second, and third choice for conference times.  Each conference will be 10 minutes long.  Please try to have your child turn this form back into me by this Friday.  This will give me enough time to work out a schedule, and send the form back to you.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Creating Waterwheels

During science today, students investigated how powerful water truly is!  After discussing how people have used water to power machines for hundreds of years, it was time for the students to put their knowledge in action!  Their challenge was to create a waterwheel that would be able to lift a load.  In the case of this model, they had to lift a "canoe."  In teams, students brainstormed how to put the materials together in a way that made a working waterwheel.  Then, they designed and tested their model.  All groups were able to successfully accomplished their task.  Be sure to ask your child about their science investigation today!

Wax Museum Costumes

This is a reminder that Wax Museum presentations are this Thursday from 1:45-2:45 in the cafeteria.  Family and friends are encouraged to come!

If you would like to help your child with his/her costume, you may come into the classroom around 1:25/1:30.  We will head to the cafeteria to prepare for presentations around 1:40.  

Thanks for all of your support and guidance with this project!

A Sneak Peek At Our Week ...

• Writing:  After focusing on strong leads and endings last week, this week students will continue revising their personal narratives.  They will focus on revising different parts of the body of their narratives.

• Math: Multiplication and division are two main focuses of the week.  Then, students will apply their knowledge of different math concepts taught during prior/current units of study when participating in the "World Tour" lessons.  In these lessons, students compare Chicago with other cities around the world.  Lastly, student learning will focus on number stories and number sentences near the end of the week.  

• Interactive Read-Aloud:  We will continue reading There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom.  Students will focus on two main characters from the text, learning about who they are "deep down."  They will pay attention to their words, thoughts, appearance, actions, and what others say about them to infer what type of character they are.  

• Reading:  Early this week, students will finish their focus on using context clues when reading and take an in-class assessment over this strategy.  For the remainder of the week, the reading focus will be on main ideas and details.  

• Science:  This week will end students' learning in the Water Unit.  There will be a science test over this unit early next week.  A study guide will be sent home beforehand.  

Revised Quarter Project Deadlines

Good Morning!  Here is an updated schedule of revised Quarter Project deadlines:

• January 25th: Science Project
• April 5th: Literacy Project
• June 7th: Math Project

At-Home Help Needed!

To help students generate ideas and topics while writing, they decorated their journal covers with a collage of materials like photographs, clip-art, pictures, and memorabilia that are important were important and relevant to their lives. 

If you are interested in helping at home, I would send home 10 writing journals for you to cover with clear contact paper so that the collage materials do not get ruined.  I will complete one for you, so you have an example.  I would need the writing notebooks back Monday, October 29th. 

E-mail me at emreardon@cps.edu if you are able to/interested in helping - thanks so much!

ISAT Booklets

At the end of second grade, students were given a math and reading ISAT practice booklet to take home and work on.  We will be starting to look at some of the practice pages in the classroom.  Please have your child bring their booklets in by next Monday!  Thanks!

Star Student

Starting this week in Room 203, we will have a STAR STUDENT of the week each week.  Incorporating a Star Student in our weekly schedule is a great way to build a positive community of individuals, who appreciate, respect, and show interest in one another's lives.  

I will be contacting you the week before your son/daughter is Star Student.  Below is a description of the week's sharing activities: (Information can also be found on the Third Grade Website - Star Student)

MONDAY

Please send in 5-10 photos of your child, your family, pet(s), his/her favorite things to do, etc.  On the 3 x 5 index cards I provided, please write your child’s responses to the following:

• -     My Family
• -     My Pets
• -     My Favorite Book
• -     My Favorite Food
• -     My Favorite Color
• -     My Favorite Place
• -     My Favorite Thing To Do

TUESDAY

Turn in the Read All About Me! page.  Your child will share his/her page and we’ll add it to our Class Book. 

WEDNESDAY

Your child is invited to bring in his/her favorite book.  We will read his/her favorite book (or part of his/her favorite book) to the class.  Your child can give a book-talk if the book is too long to read in a 15-minute time frame. 

THURSDAY

You are invited to write a letter to the class telling us how special your child is to you.  Send the letter in the TOP SECRET envelope to school with your child.  I will read the letter to the class at our class meeting.  The content of the letter is up to you, but you may want to choose from the following ideas: describe special or funny stories about your child for the class to hear, write a silly or serious poem about your child, tell us some neat things we may not know about your child, or write a short story with your child as the main character.  Please do not let your child read this secret letter.  He/she should hear the letter for the first time at Thursday’s class meeting. 

FRIDAY

Your child may invite a special guest to eat lunch with him/her in the cafeteria from 12:45-1:05.  He/she may choose to eat with me instead.  If you are unable to join your child for lunch due to your work schedule or a prior obligation, please let me know and I will plan to eat with him/her.  Please contact me via a note in your child’s folder, before/after school, email, or phone to inform me of your plan.

Wax Museum Quarter Project

This is a reminder that the Wax Museum Quarter Project due date is coming up!  Here are a few important dates/times to know:

•  Friday, October 26th: Wax Museum Research Reports due (Please remember, no late papers are accepted!)

• Wednesday, October 31st: Wax Museum speech notecards need to be completed and brought to school.  We will have a dress rehearsal in the cafeteria on this day, and students will be practicing their speeches for the other third grade classroom.  

• Thursday, October 31st from 1:45-2:45:  Wax Museum Presentations are today during this time.  Parents and family members are welcomed and encouraged to come!  After presentations are over at 2:45 you may take your child home.  

*** On Wednesday, October 31st students should be fully prepared with their speech presentations (remember, they can use notecards!).  Mrs. de Nazarie and I will be grading their presentations both on Wednesday and Thursday.  Their costumes/attire will only be worn, and therefore graded on Thursday.  

Thank you for all of your support at home with this project!  Students have been very excited to "be" their famous Chicagoan for a day! 

Reading Workshop

Over the last few weeks, mini-lessons in reading workshop have focused on comprehension strategies.  Our unit of study began with lessons on self-monitoring, and today we finished a group of lessons focused on activating background knowledge and connecting it to new knowledge and learning.  

Starting on Monday, we will continue comprehension based mini-lessons but will focus on asking questions.  Students will:

• Learn to ask questions as they read
• Ask questions to gain information
• Wonder about the text to understand big ideas

During all comprehension lessons, we have been using non-fiction texts.  I have used nonfiction to model strategies, and students have completed shared and guided practice reading activities with nonfiction as well.  We have been able to integrate nonfiction texts focused on the science content we are currently studying as well.  

Staring next week, during independent reading time, students will be reading strictly nonfiction.  On Monday, students will look in the school library for texts, and can use the classroom library as a resource too.  If your child has any nonfiction texts at home that they are particularly interested in, or if you want to make a trip to the library for texts and topics that interest your child, please feel free to bring those books in as well!

Math Test Reminder and Information!

Students had a great time in math today playing the Jeopardy review for Unit 2!  The review game, and other documents and games are all posted on the Skinner Third Grade website.  Click the following link to take you there - Math - Unit 2.

The Jeopardy game is a review of the entire unit.  Not everything in the Jeopardy game will be on the test.  Students should practice reviewing their study guides to best prepare for the test.  

Today, students also completed an open response for the 'Final Jeopardy Question'.  It was definitely a challenging question that promoted higher level thinking skills, and the application of learning objectives.  Students practiced creating a bar graph/line plot that reflected the data in two different ways.  For the test tomorrow, I will be labeling both axes for them.  The y-axis (the line going vertically) will be labeled "Number of Students" and the x-axis (the line going horizontally) will be labeled "Number of (whatever object used)."  This was what was practiced on the front of their practice page.  

Study Links 2.9

At the end of the day, when students fill out their homework charts, I forgot to tell them to bring home their math notebooks to help them complete Study Links 2.9.  

Use the following website as a resource if your son/daughter needs assistance:

https://www.everydaymathonline.com/free_resources_main.html?frnologin=1#

Then click on: 
- Algorithms in Everyday Mathematics
- Grade 4
- Subtraction

The two algorithms that we are focusing on are:
1.  Trade-First Subtraction Method
2.  Partial Differences Subtraction Method

I will post this helpful Family Resource site on the Third Grade website, under the math tab! 

Progress Reports

Be looking for your child's progress reports today!  You will notice that there are no grades entered for speaking, listening, and research.  Both 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms will not be having grades for these subject areas.    

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, and I'd be more than willing to help! :)

Science Unit 1: Water

Today in class students began setting up their science notebooks.  These notebooks will be an important tool in the classroom this year!   Students were also assigned their first collaborative role for group-work and investigations during this unit.  Ask them what their first role is, I'm sure they would love to share!  Roles include the following:

Getter 1: Responsible for getting equipment from the materials station. 

Getter 2: Responsible for organizing and returning equipment to the materials station. 

Starter: The starter makes sure that everyone gets a turn and that everyone has an opportunity to contribute ideas to the investigation. 

Reporter: The reporter reports group data to the class. 

Recorder: The recorder makes sure that everyone has recorded information on student sheets or in science journals.  This personal also records group data on the board or on a class chart.  

The focus of the first science unit is Water.  Water is a unique earth material, the only material on Earth that occurs naturally in all three states of matter - solid, liquid, and gas.  Next to the air we breathe, water is probably the most important things in our lives.  Your child will learn all of these interesting things and more as we investigate water and its properties. 

One of the goals of this first module is to help students focus their observation skills on water - to begin seeing water in a new light.  Through their investigations into the properties of water and how it reacts to heating and cooling, students will begin to appreciate how important this unique material is.  

Room 203 students are looking forward to weeks of exciting investigations into the world of water!