What We've Been Learning...

Math
We have completed Unit 3! Students took their Unit 3 assessment today (Thursday). The graded assessments will be coming home with the students tomorrow (Friday). Students have been asked to correct any mistakes and return the tests to me by Wednesday, October 23rd.

Our next math unit is an introduction to multiplication. In this unit students will:

• ​solve multiplication story problems
• represent problems involving multiplication using skip counting, number lines, arrays, and ratio tables
• develop efficient strategies for multiplication facts through 10x10

Reading
We finished our first unit of study - fiction. Our next unit is a study of nonfiction texts. This week students participated in a nonfiction text features scavenger hunt where they explored different types of nonfiction texts and studied the different text features (glossary, index, types of print, headings, subheadings, photographs, etc.)  to figure out how each feature helps them to better understand the text. We will continue our work with nonfiction when we return from break.

Writing
Students have been working hard these past two weeks on two different writing projects:
- Should Kids Have Homework?
-Should Kids Have School the Day After Halloween?

For each of these pieces, students read an article and then used ideas in the article to form their own opinions. Students worked hard to plan out their writing pieces, making sure to include strong reasons and details that support their opinions. They worked hard to write an organized paragraph that persuades their readers.

When we return from Fall Break, we will begin working on a fun, descriptive writing piece. I have created a make-believe real-estate company and each student will write a listing to sell either a spooky, haunted house, or a beautiful mansion (their choice). We already began collaborating with the art teacher, Ms. Thompson, on this project. She guided the students through a drawing project where they were able to make the house they will write about come alive! These projects will be hanging up in our classroom during conference week, so be sure to take a look!

Science
We began our first science unit - Matter and Energy. For the past two weeks students have been participating in hands-on science investigations where they explored the concept of energy - what is energy, where does energy come from, how is energy stored, and how does energy get transferred? When we return from break we will begin to explore the different states of matter.

We also had our Denver field trip this week! The students really enjoyed this. We participated in a guided tour around lower downtown Denver. Students got to see important buildings that we learned about, as well as hear about the history of our awesome city. The weather was perfect!

Dates to Remember...​​​

• Tuesday, September 17th - Denver Field Trip
• Wednesday, September 18th - Student Leadership Speeches and Election
• Friday, October 4th - Cottonwood Carnival
• Monday, October 14th - Friday, October 18th - FALL BREAK!

A Few Reminders:

• Typing Homework- the typing program (typing.com) only tracks the minutes that students are actually hitting the keys on the keyboard, so if the minutes that the website shows does not match how long your child has sat in front of the computer, that is why. :)
• Student Leadership Council - if your child is interested in running for one of these positions, they should be prepared to present a short speech to the class next Wednesday. The class will vote for our representatives that day.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN LEARNING...

Math
Students took their first math test this week. The graded assessments went home already. In an effort to continue to foster a strong growth mindset in your children, students have been asked to correct their errors, and return the test to me by next Friday.

We began our next unit in math - 3 Digit Addition and Subtraction. In this unit students will:

• ​continue to practice addition and subtraction strategies
• round multi-digit numbers and estimate their sums and differences
• add and subtract two and three-digit numbers using the standard algorithm as well as other methods

​Reading Workshop
We are wrapping up our first reading unit. This week we focused on using context clues to figure out hard words, as well as understanding figurative language, including idioms, hyperboles, and metaphors. The kids have been so excited each time they come across one of these phrases in their own books. We are compiling a list of all the figurative language that we find. Some students even came to school today excited to share some phrases they found in their books while they were reading last night. This excitement for reading is exactly what I want to continue fostering in each one of your children! :)

Writing Workshop
Students worked hard writing their second well-organized paragraph. We discussed the difference between revising and editing, and students worked with other classmates to peer edit their work. It was great to listen to their conversations and hear the compliments and suggestions that students gave one another. This collaboration with classmates is key!

Word Work

• Spelling Homework (due next Wednesday) - Lesson 4 (homophones for long e)
• Wordly Wise - the Lesson 3 test will be next Friday. Students will bring their Wordly Wise books home next week to help them study.

Science/SS
We wrapped up our Denver History unit by learning about 7 different buildings that are important to the history of our great city - Union Station, the Capitol Building, the Denver City and County building, the Oxford Hotel, the Brown Palace, and the Pioneer Monument. The kids are excited to see some of these buildings in person during our field trip on Tuesday!

​Run4Funds RUN DAY was a fabulous way to end our busy week! The kids were so excited for their run! To prepare for our fun day, we created a poster to hang during our run to showcase our spirit and enthusiasm!

Dates to Remember...​​

• September 13 - Run4Funds Pledges Due
• September 17 - Denver Walking Tour Field Trip
• September 20 - Run4Funds Prize Day

Field Trip - Denver Walking Tour
We are very excited for our first field trip of third grade! We will be heading downtown for a three hour long walking tour. Our tour guide will lead us on an informative and fun tour of lower downtown. The tour guide will reinforce the students' understanding of how Denver got its start, and the students will also get to see firsthand many of the important buildings that we learned about in class, including the D&F Tower, Union Station, and the Oxford Hotel. 

Please sign and return your child's permission slip along with $6 cash, to cover the cost of the tour. As soon as I have all the forms back, I will choose chaperones for our class. In order to be fair when choosing parent chaperones, if you offered to volunteer, I will put your name in a hat. If your name gets drawn, I will email you to confirm your availability. Please know that not every parent who volunteered will be able to chaperone this trip. If you aren't picked to go on this field trip, we will have another one later this year! :)

What We've Been Learning...

Math
We are almost finished with our first math unit of the year. Students will have their UNIT 1 math test next Tuesday. We will have a review day on Monday before the test.

Reading Workshop
This week we focused on making higher-level predictions about the books we are reading. As third graders, our predictions should include what might happen next and why, factoring in the main character's influences (including other characters, external factors or resources, and also internal traits). We also worked on strategies for figuring out tricky words.

Writing Workshop
Students wrote their very first paragraph on their own. Our topic was "What Makes Cottonwood So Great?" Students brainstormed their ideas, planned out their writing, wrote their first drafts, peer edited, and wrote their final copy. The kids were very proud of their work and are looking forward to sharing it with you!

Word Work

• Spelling Homework (due next Wednesday) - Lesson 3 (long e)
• Spelling Test on Thursday
• We took our second Wordly Wise test today. We will spend 2 weeks on each unit, so tests will be every other Friday.

Science/SS
This week students worked in small groups to research a person who is important to Denver History. Students created a poster and presented their project to the class. We discussed how to be good presenters, including making eye contact with your audience, using a strong voice, and being prepared. Students practiced their presentations beforehand.

I have to say, I am loving your children!! Now that we are finished with our third week of school, the students have really embraced the expectations, routines, and responsibilities of third graders! We have had so many great conversations already and we are learning and growing our brains everyday! I am really proud of each and every one of your children!
​
Dates to Remember...​

• Wednesday, September 4th - Picture Day
• Friday, September 6th - Run4Funds Run Day
• Tuesday, September 17th - Field Trip - Denver Walking Tour (permission slips are coming home on Tuesday)

STORY PARENT INFORMATION
We have Story Parent every other Friday. Please click on the link below to sign up to come read to the class. Please only sign up for ONE SLOT right now. I want to make sure that every family has the chance to participate if they'd like. :)
​https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e49ada72da6f85-20192013


WHAT WE'VE BEEN LEARNING...
Math
In addition to continuing our work with solving multi-step word problems, students also learned how to balance addition and subtraction equations. We will continue this work this week.

*Students have been doing a great job completing their math homework and bringing it back to school the next day! :)


Reading Workshop
Last week we learned that readers should not be just passively reading a book. A lot of high level thinking should be happening as we read! We learned that expert fiction readers do many things while reading, including:

• giving themselves a comprehension check
• looking for signals in the text for when to create a movie in their mind about what is happening, or for when they should be collecting/remembering information
• making higher-level predictions
• retelling the story to themselves

Writing Workshop
Last week we learned how to write a hook for our informational/opinion paragraphs, as well as how to write a strong conclusion sentence. Our work this week allowed me to gather information about who your children are as writers, and now we will begin to break down the important parts of a paragraph and learn how to make our writing even better.


Word Work
We finished Lesson 1 of our spelling program, and began Lesson 2 (homophones with the long a patterns). The Lesson 2 lists went home on Friday. Students should be practicing their spelling words each night to prepare for their weekly spelling tests on Thursdays.

We are also into our second lesson of our vocabulary program - Wordly Wise. We will spend two weeks on each lesson. Each lesson consists of 10 vocabulary words. Students will learn the meaning(s) of the words and complete multiple exercises for each lesson. Most of the word for this program is completed in class, but students are still expected to take their Wordly Wise books home to study for the tests.

Wordly Wise tests will be EVERY OTHER FRIDAY - so our second test will be this Friday.

(Our first Wordly Wise test was used as a practice test and students completed it with a partner. This allowed the students to see how the tests are formatted and helped prepare them for the second assessment that they will complete on their own.)

Science/SS
Last week we began learning about people who are important figures in Denver History. As a class, we learned about Molly Brown. This week, students will work in collaborative groups to learn about and research another famous person, and then "teach the class" about that person's contributions to Denver history.

• Monday, September 2nd - No School
• Wednesday, September 4th - Picture Day
• Friday, September 6th - Run4Funds Run Day
• Tuesday, September 17th - Field Trip - Denver Walking Tour (more info to come)

WHAT WE'VE BEEN LEARNING...

Math
Students spent this week reviewing addition and subtraction strategies, including the standard algorithms for both operations. As third graders, students are expected to be proficient at using the standard algorithm for addition and subtraction equations. The kids participated in an interactive scavenger hunt where they had to find and solve addition/subtraction equation cards hidden around the room.

We also had our first day of math homework this week. Next week we will have math homework 2 nights.

Reading Workshop
We spent this week learning about and practicing the expectations and behaviors of good readers. Some of our minilessons this week included:

• what is reading stamina 
• how to build a powerful reading life
• how to set goals as readers and track our progress
• how to choose "just right" books

Writing Workshop
Students have been working hard as writers this week! We reviewed how to plan and write an organized paragraph. We wrote a paragraph as a class, then students planned and began writing their own paragraphs about their favorite sport or pet. Next week students will learn strategies to hook their readers, as well as how to revise/edit their writing.

Word Work
We began our spelling program this week. Students received their Lesson 1 spelling list and homework today.

• Spelling homework is due on WEDNESDAY
• Spelling test is on THURSDAY

The spelling program is rigorous and the word lists can be tough. We have spent a lot of time in class discussing strategies for studying our words. Also, we write our spelling homework in our planner each day. Students should have their planners out on the table when they are doing their homework each night. That way they can keep track of what homework they have each night and check-off the work they complete. If students are not using their planners during homework time, please encourage them to do so. Homework planners help foster important life skills like organization and responsibility.

Science/SS
In third grade we will switch back and forth between social studies and science units. Our first unit is Denver History. This week students began learning about why people started coming to the Denver area back in 1858. Students also worked in collaborative groups to design a picture timeline for how Denver got its start.

We had a great first week of school! Third graders have done a wonderful job getting back in the swing of things. We've started to establish classroom routines and we've spent a lot of time getting to know one another and establishing a strong classroom community. Students participated in multiple classmate scavenger hunts and team-building activities this week. 

We also worked on establishing routines, like filling out planners, bringing red folders to and from home, and getting used to our daily schedule. Students also learned about our classroom jobs. Assigning students classroom jobs help build a sense of excitement, community, and interdependence. Classroom jobs give students the opportunity to practice responsibility in a meaningful way. Students are assigned new jobs every Monday. Pencil sharpening, chair stacking, answering the phone, and organizing supplies are just a few of the jobs available. Ask your child what job they had this week!

REMINDER - TYPING HOMEWORK - 30 minutes a week
As we discussed at Back to School Night, third graders will be using Typing.com, an online typing tutor, to teach proper typing techniques and improve keyboarding skills. Learning to type helps students be more productive and better prepares them for success in school and beyond.

On Typing.com, your child can practice and master the keyboard one lesson at a time. It allows them to pick up where they left off in the course and displays a keyboard and hand diagram as they type to reinforce proper finger placement.

I have set your child up with his/her own individual account. S/he can access Typing.com from any computer. Login information for all websites/programs can be found stapled in your child's RED HOMEWORK FOLDER.

​Also, from my teacher account, I can monitor and review your child's progress and track important statistics like typing speed, accuracy, and time spent typing. I will pull a typing report EVERY FRIDAY to ensure that each student practiced for at least 30 minutes.

HOW TO LOGIN TO TYPING.COM
1. On your computer, go to www.typing.com

2. Click "Student Login"

3. Type in your username and password (look in red folder for this)

4. Click "Continue" and begin!

Be sure to check back weekly for more updates and information! :)