This Week in Our Classroom...

Below is a brief overview of what to expect this week in our classroom. 

Literacy:  Students wrapped up using the National Geographic Theme Set leveled texts this week.  They will take the final comprehension assessment this afternoon.  For the remaining part of the week and into early next week, students will review non-fiction craft and structure.  Early next week they'll take a final (short) assessment over the structure of non-fiction texts as well as the text features that help readers use non-fictions texts. 

During writing, we'll continue to work on non-fiction writing.  Each student will have composed a 4-5 chapter, non-fiction book that includes an "All About" section, a more focused section, a short historical fiction story, and an essay.  Students will publish their first mini-books.  Then, they'll choose a new topic for the next book they'll be writing.  

Science:  This week we used stream tables to explore how erosion and deposition create and destroy landforms.  Students tested several variables including the height of the slope (hills/mountains) and amount of water flowing (flooding).  Please ask them to explain in more detail about what they learned from the stream tables and how the stream tables work.  Today we'll begin studying fossils.  Students will take the final iCheck (assessment) this week.  They may use their notes and their text books.  

Math:  Today students took the Unit 5 assessment.  We'll begin unit 6 next week.  Unit 6 will focus on division strategies as well as adding and subtracting angle measurements.   Students learn a strategy for dividing called, "Partial Quotients."  Click on the link to familiarize yourself with the strategy if you'd like.   You can also find many helpful videos on YouTube.  Please make sure your child is able to use the strategy in addition to the "long division" strategy if you've already taught them the "long division" strategy.  By the end of the unit, they should be able to use the "Partial Quotients" strategy fluently. 

IAR Testing:  Third grade will not be taking the IAR (required state test) until after spring break.  The test is computer-based this year, and your child will be expected to type a short response.  I would highly recommend practicing typing at home.  There are many free typing programs available on-line.  

Important Dates: 

3/19 Field Trip- Great Works "Chicago" play

3/19 25 books due for the 40BC

3/19 Literacy Night at Skinner North 3:45-5:15

3/28 Starry Night Fundraising Event

4/2 Spring Picture Day

4/6-4/10 Spring Break (no school for students)

Happy Birthday, Chicago!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHICAGO!!   Click on the link below to sing "Happy Birthday"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t4h0JbPDMUGynHDeUQBLm70vOuu9PJ0V/view?usp=sharing

This Week in Our Classroom...

Below is a brief overview of what to expect this week in our classroom...

Literacy:  Students will begin a short mini-unit using non-fiction texts that focus on forces that change the earth's surface.  The texts align with the content we are studying in science.  Throughout the unit, I will teach students to use text features strategically and notice the structure of the text.  Students will review using the index, table of contents, and headings/subheadings to locate information.  We will also explore multiple structures (cause/effect, problem/solution, compare/contrast, etc.) within a text.  During the writing block, students will apply using the text structures to write a non-fiction book.  This week they'll add an essay section to their book, as well as a short story!

Science:  Investigation 2 explores landforms, erosion, and deposition.  Students will use stream tables to model and investigate the slow processes of erosion and deposition over time.  They will observe how landforms grow and change during this process.

Math: Students will continue to explore adding and subtracting fractions using a line plot and number stories.  Later in the week, I'll teach students to measure angles and determine missing angle measurements using what they know about shapes and angles.

Carnivale @ Skinner North

The specials teachers organized a special Carnivale celebration for us today!  The kids loved showing off their hats in the Hat Parade.

This Week in Our Classroom...

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend!   Below is a brief overview of what your child will be up to this week in our classroom...

Literacy:  Several groups need one more week to finish up their guided reading novels.  They'll study character motivation, vocabulary connotations, and themes.  The other groups will begin a mini non-fiction unit of study.  In this unit, students will study the author's craft and structure.  They'll review text features, non-fiction text structures, and arguments the authors make within the text.  Likewise, during the writing block, we'll begin drafting non-fiction, historical pieces based on topics we've studied in social studies.  Your child may need to do a little research at home to fill in any holes as they get going with their writing.  Please ask your children what topic they'll be writing about this week!

Math:  Students will learn to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators this week.  They'll also work in teams to solve a tricky math problem.  Check in with your child to make sure he/she is understanding the Home Links content.  The content on the Home Links directly connects to the content on the quizzes and the final assessment.

Science:  We'll begin the week reviewing the effects of physical and chemical weathering.  Then, students will work on an activity focused on erosion and weathering and watch a brief movie.  On Friday, students will take the first science assessment.

Reading Response #7 is due on Thursday.  Please make sure you read over your child's response before it is submitted, as they cannot be made up or redone.

Thank you FOSN for our new indoor recess STEM building set! 

Soils, Rocks, and Landforms

Today in science we studied soils from 4 different land areas.  Students learned that soil is made of humus, pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, and clay.   Ask your child how humus is made!  Tomorrow we discover the effects of weathering.  Students will learn the difference between physical and chemical weathering. 

 

This Week in Our Classroom...

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart

This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week at Skinner North.  Although everyday is a great day to be kind, this week we will celebrate kindness and all of the joy it brings.

During the literacy block, students will finish up their guided reading texts and take a final comprehension assessment later in the week.  As we wrap up the books, we'll discuss the theme and character change in more depth during small group meetings. 

In writing, we'll begin a new non-fiction writing unit.  Students will begin to write about history using  some of the events we've studied in social studies.  They will learn to research in more depth and expand current knowledge to create a non-fiction text.  

Science will also begin this week!  Students will study 4 types of soils to discover which ingredients make up soil.  They'll also study different types of weathering and explore the effects of weathering.  

Our math unit will explore adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers.  Students will decompose fractions into sums of fractions with the same denominator.  They will also add mixed numbers this week.  Home Links will be assigned nightly.