We have had a great week! Here are some of the highlights...
Language Arts: We have been reading and enjoying From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (a book that is as old as me!) The children have been working on writing concise summary statements of certain chapters and writing responses where they make text to self connections. They have improved immensely in two weeks!
The students are writing narrative stories, focusing on the writing traits: ideas, word choice, and conventions. We hope to finish these rough drafts before Spring Break! These kids are amazing authors!
We have also been focusing on test taking strategies...our Language Arts curriculum suggests this unit be taught before the end of the third quarter...so we've been doing some activities that allow the kids to use these strategies when taking reading tests. They are quickly figuring out that it's very important to pay attention to what the question is asking!!
Math: We have been focusing on measurement for the past two weeks. Measuring length with standard and metric units, measuring weight in lbs and oz, measuring capacity using cups, pints, quarts, and gallons, measuring elapsed time, and we will end the unit measuring temperature.
Social Studies: We are finishing up our unit on Political Science. The objectives for this unit can be viewed on http://www.fcpsteach.org/docs/Gr.%203%20May%2004.doc. Tomorrow they will be going to the computer lab to "take a trip" on Google Earth visiting many different national monuments and patriotic symbols. Mrs. Cicerone has developed this entire activity based on the interests of your children...it should be a ton of fun.
We recently wrote short reports that reflect some of the learning we have been doing about the government. The children took notes after reading from our text and viewing a movie, and then synthesized that information using their "learning laptops"...I will be taking those reports home over the weekend to read...I can't wait!
IMPORTANT INFO:
- Please make sure to review all of the graded work that will come home in the kids' Take Home Folders tomorrow. Keep them all at home and have your child return the folder empty...so we can begin filling it again!
- Our field trip is Tuesday...as of right now I have Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Pedersen, and Mrs. Gallo. I am allowed to take more than three if there are any parents who would still like to accompany us! Please make sure you have signed the permission slip!!
- Only two days of school next week...and then a short break...enjoy your families, and I will be back in touch after Spring Break!
Thanks!
