Third Grade Newsletter                                                                                                                                    October 1, 2007

 

Good day, Families

 

We welcomed our newest third grader, Deandra Erysthee, whose mom is a ’95 GHS graduate this week. We are so excited to have her with us!

 

As we near the end of the first quarter, our third graders did very well on their first unit math test which means they have learned to compare numbers into the hundred thousands, use the <, >, and = signs correctly, and most importantly, when to estimate and how to round to various places. They are learning to regularly study each week’s spelling lists and, more importantly, beginning to recognize when they have to check the spelling of words in their own writing.

 

This week begins the third grade study of money and time in math. These are topics that interest the students because they are so practical! To help the children study the value of various coins and to practice making change, we are requesting that each child bring in the following array of coins for practicing throughout the unit and to actually spend at the class stores that we’ll have at the conclusion of this unit.

20 pennies, 10 nickels, 11 dimes, 8 quarters in a small, secure coin holder. The coin holder should zip or close securely. Please be sure your child’s name is on the coin holder.  (We’ve found that ziplock bags do not last long enough to be used for this purpose.) Please send in the coins by Wednesday, October 3rd.

 

In reading, we are using predicting and inferring to study cause and effect in a lovely realistic fiction about an adventurous family vacation set in North America. Being able to identify cause and effect is challenging for third graders, so try to help them identify cause and effect situations in real life. For example, a plate falling from the table caused that loud crash, the effect. The phone call caused us to eat a half an hour later. The late supper was the effect. Help them to discover that causes always happen first and effects happen later. Additionally in reading, we are continuing our use of the dictionary to recognize multiple meanings for words. We are learning to use context to identify which definition is used in our story. (Words like bank, run, loom, train, steep, and draft all have multiple meanings).

 

Spelling this week includes ed and ing endings on words. Children will be learning when to double the consonant before adding the suffix. We are concluding personal narratives the children are writing in journals or from prompts.  

 

We are also concluding a very popular science unit on living things and life cycles. What a fascinating field trip we took to the Creque Dam Organic Farm. Don’t be surprised if your child asks to start composting at home! We will be studying a little more botany this week as we take walks about campus to identify flower parts, seed formation, pollination processes, and life cycles in plants.

 

We are preparing our Asian unit for social studies even as we prepare a special activity to learn more about Columbus Day and Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands Friendship Day for next week. In the meantime, the third graders are continuing to practice being kindly honest and functioning as the kind, cooperative group they are known for around GHS.  

 

Thanks for your continued communication with us, your total support of the many learning activities third graders are enjoying so far, and your promptness at getting your child to school. Hope you have a terrific week.

 

Mrs. Layton and Dr. Kimble