Hello Third Grade Families!

Teddy Bear Day is fast approaching! Be sure to pick up a new stuffed animal for children whose families are part of the LA Archdiocese Adopt-a-Family program. We are happy to store these in the classroom as a visual reminder to all of those who plan to participate, so feel free to start bringing them in.

Cookie pre-sales continue until Wednesday. Students who would like to purchase one or more should bring in $1 for each. Delivery is scheduled for Friday. Yum! All funds collected will go directly to the Adopt-a-Family program as well.

Finally, Wednesday is another free dress day. Participating students should bring $1 or more, again, for the Adopt-a-Family program.

This is the final week of Trimester 1. We are one-third the way through the school year. Time flies when you’re having fun!

This week in class…

Math: We’ve made it to Chapter 4: Multiplication and Division! This is the first of three chapters covering larger multiplication and division concepts. This week’s focus is mostly on multiplication. We will learn all about arrays and solve number stories (word problems) using counters and other manipulatives.

For IXL homework this week, please complete the following Third Grade Skills…

E.1 Count equal groups

E.4 Relate multiplication and addition for equal groups

Reading: 

This week, our emphasis moves from decoding to comprehension. We will learn how to use textual cues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. After that, we will spend some time on making sense of figurative language.

This week, updated reading levels will be going home in your child’s planner as well.

CURRICULAR SPOTLIGHTL – Science: This week we begin a new unit in science: Organisms of Long Ago! This is always a favorite among third graders because of it largely focuses on the dinosaurs. We will learn what causes a population of living things to decrease in size as we cover the difference between endangered and extinct species. After that, we will learn all about fossils what they tell us about life in the past. Finally, we’ll connect the past with the present by asking what organisms from the past resemble living things of today. It should be noted that this unit covers all living things including plants and animals. Likewise, we will discuss different types of fossils – bones, teeth, shells and imprints of organisms that were pressed into mud or sand.