3rd Gr March Newsletter.pdf
P.S. 38
MARCH 2017
Third Grade Newsletter Third Graders are Exploring China! Our investigation of China is in full swing. The students have learned about China's location, their holidays, traditions, flag, and even their cuisine. We will continue to explore this vast country in the month of March and look forward to lots more fun educational activities.
REMINDER:
REMINDER:
REMINDER:
The New York State ELA exams will take place on March 28, 29, & 30th.
Please bring in sharpened pencils, baby wipes, Lysol wipes, glue sticks, and post it notes.
Visit P.S. 38´s website to stay updated on school events at www.ps38si.org
1
Third Grade has launched the official start of their Writing and Reading Test Practice Units. Please note, we are not "teaching to the test". Rather, we are transferring the knowledge students have previously learned this year and applying it to how it may appear on the upcoming exams. That said, attendance, focus, and commitment to homework are extremely important right now. Thanks for your cooperation! We know that your children will be well prepared!
Reading In Reading, the children will be learning to navigate different genres of passages. We will begin with narrative texts (stories) then move on to non-fiction. Students should be actively reading these passages with a pencil in their hand. They are expected to jot down notes in the margin as they read, code certain elements of the text, and circle or underline important events. We will also be learning different strategies on how to answer multiple choice questions. Some of theses strategies include identifying key words, using the process of elimination, generating your own answer before reading the choices, and of course going back to the text to locate information. Every child has an ELA folder that contains passages and handouts. Please make sure this folder comes back and forth to school each day, as we will be using the texts for class work and homework. Also, please do not throw away any "old" passages, as we will sometimes be referring back to passages we have previously read.
MATH We are currently wrapping up Chapter 7 on division strategies. Next, we will begin chapter 8 which focuses on fractions. The children will learn simply that fractions are equal pieces of a whole. They will be able to name fractions based on a model and model fractions based on a numerator and denominator. Please note, Chapter 8 begins in Volume 2 in our Go Math series. We've noticed that many children's Volume 1 books were falling apart.These books are soft-covered and need to be treated carefully. We recommend using a clear contact paper to cover the book as soon as your child brings it home. This should keep the book intact for the remainder of the school year.
Writing In Writing, we will first be focusing on how test takers answer short response style questions. The children will be examining short response rubrics to understand what they have to do to obtain the most points possible. Such strands include, answering the question asked in a full sentence, using two details to support their answer, and making sure their response is legible to others. Next, we will be examining how test takers answer extended response questions. This includes, making a plan, writing an introduction, conclusion, using text evidence, elaborating, and writing in paragraph form. This is pretty sophisticated stuff! However, if your child practices in class and at home, they will be well prepared.
2
MARCH 2017
Third Grade Newsletter Third Graders are Exploring China! Our investigation of China is in full swing. The students have learned about China's location, their holidays, traditions, flag, and even their cuisine. We will continue to explore this vast country in the month of March and look forward to lots more fun educational activities.
REMINDER:
REMINDER:
REMINDER:
The New York State ELA exams will take place on March 28, 29, & 30th.
Please bring in sharpened pencils, baby wipes, Lysol wipes, glue sticks, and post it notes.
Visit P.S. 38´s website to stay updated on school events at www.ps38si.org
1
Third Grade has launched the official start of their Writing and Reading Test Practice Units. Please note, we are not "teaching to the test". Rather, we are transferring the knowledge students have previously learned this year and applying it to how it may appear on the upcoming exams. That said, attendance, focus, and commitment to homework are extremely important right now. Thanks for your cooperation! We know that your children will be well prepared!
Reading In Reading, the children will be learning to navigate different genres of passages. We will begin with narrative texts (stories) then move on to non-fiction. Students should be actively reading these passages with a pencil in their hand. They are expected to jot down notes in the margin as they read, code certain elements of the text, and circle or underline important events. We will also be learning different strategies on how to answer multiple choice questions. Some of theses strategies include identifying key words, using the process of elimination, generating your own answer before reading the choices, and of course going back to the text to locate information. Every child has an ELA folder that contains passages and handouts. Please make sure this folder comes back and forth to school each day, as we will be using the texts for class work and homework. Also, please do not throw away any "old" passages, as we will sometimes be referring back to passages we have previously read.
MATH We are currently wrapping up Chapter 7 on division strategies. Next, we will begin chapter 8 which focuses on fractions. The children will learn simply that fractions are equal pieces of a whole. They will be able to name fractions based on a model and model fractions based on a numerator and denominator. Please note, Chapter 8 begins in Volume 2 in our Go Math series. We've noticed that many children's Volume 1 books were falling apart.These books are soft-covered and need to be treated carefully. We recommend using a clear contact paper to cover the book as soon as your child brings it home. This should keep the book intact for the remainder of the school year.
Writing In Writing, we will first be focusing on how test takers answer short response style questions. The children will be examining short response rubrics to understand what they have to do to obtain the most points possible. Such strands include, answering the question asked in a full sentence, using two details to support their answer, and making sure their response is legible to others. Next, we will be examining how test takers answer extended response questions. This includes, making a plan, writing an introduction, conclusion, using text evidence, elaborating, and writing in paragraph form. This is pretty sophisticated stuff! However, if your child practices in class and at home, they will be well prepared.
2
