Dearest Third Grade Families,

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. This week, please take a moment to check your e-mail as detailed instructions have been sent for preparing your child’s “mailbox.” We will be decorating them in class on the 14th, but we’ll need your help cutting and prepping a cereal box in the days before.

Math: We will begin Unit 6: Geometry with a review of lines, line segments and rays. We will also go over parallel and intersecting lines, angles and turns. Take some time this week to discuss the difference between clockwise and counter-clockwise turns with your child. Likewise, begin talking about the difference between whole, half and quarter turns. This will be a big part of Unit 6.

This week’s IXL Homework:

CC.5 Lines, Segments & Rays

CC.7 Parallel, Intersecting and Perpendicular shapes

Reading: Now that we’ve become “experts” on a non-fiction text, we will be teaching others! The students will learn that in order to teach well, they must: know the main ideas and supporting details, use an explaining voice & use a teaching finger to point out charts, illustrations, and diagrams to help explain.

Word Work: This week’s words can be found in your child’s planner. Unless told otherwise (as sometimes specific groups require additional practice time) our spelling tests are scheduled for this Friday.

Grammar: Students will continue to learn all about nouns, this week focusing on Singular and Plural Nouns: Lesson 12. Click here to go online to the Grammar Workshop website in order to access more practice and study opportunities.

Writing: Information Writing continues with more elaboration strategies for pumping up chapters (“sub-topics”). In addition to adding anecdotes and different punctuation, students will learn to add descriptions, labels, lists and vocabulary words. Later this week, we will learn to make connections within and across chapters with a focus on using transition words like also, another, because, then, which and in addition.

Science: We continue to learn all about the solar system! This week’s focus is on: the changing position of the sun & changes in the length of days and nights with the seasons.

Religion: We will complete Chapter 13 ~ Jesus came to give life. This chapter is filled with stories of Jesus’s miraculous healings! As a reminder, don’t forget to turn in your Virtus permission forms.

Best,

Ms. Espinosa