Week of April 29th, 2017 -18

Reminders for the Week

Used Book Sale, May 8 to 10

We are getting ready for our annual used book sale, this year from May 8 to 10. We welcome donations of used books for all ages in saleable condition. This is a good time for departing families to dispose of books before packing. We will soon have a donation box at the front gate.

End of year dates for students from the library

May 8-10 Used book sale

May 15 Last day for check out

May 22 Last day for classes; All books are due

May 29 Summer check out starts

MAP Testing Schedule
Thursday, May 3rd - Math
Monday, May 7th - Reading
Wednesday, May 9th - Language

Talent Show 
Final rehearsal - Sunday, April 29, 3:15 - Theatre
Talent Show - Monday, April 30, 5:30 - Theatre


READING

As they finish a couple of books in the same series, third grade readers will begin to look for patterns not just in a single book, but across multiple books. They might ask themselves, ‘What’s new in this book? What’s the same about this character in both books? What’s changed in this book?’ They can also analyze how the situation or problem is similar or different in multiple books and might compare and contrast how the main character reacts to these different problems. In the end, they will learn that once a reader knows a character well and notices patterns across books, we can use this knowledge to make predictions and better understand what we read.

WRITING
This week in writing editorials, we start with a flash draft. This is where we write fast and furious, not worrying about anything but getting our ideas down on paper. This is often hard for us to do, but it is a great way to start the writing process, especially when we are passionate about the cause.
Later in the week we will look specifically at writing introductions. 

Ways Editorial writers Hook Their Readers-ask a question-explain why the topic matters-tell a surprising fact-give background
We also look at elaborating our reasons to be more compelling. When we provide reasons, we want to select words that are specific
-be specific with your words and examples (name the dog)

MATH

This week mathematicians will continue to determine the perimeter of objects and shapes using skills they’ve learned throughout the unit. Students will start the week applying the Read, Draw, Write method to word problems that require them to solve for perimeter. They will also solve problems involving perimeter with unknown measurements using a variety of the four operations to determine the unknown side lengths. For example, an irregular shape made up of two different rectangles can be broken up into those rectangles and the perimeter of the entire shape can be determined using the lengths provided to solve for the missing side lengths.

Towards the end of the week, students will demonstrate their understanding of the concepts of geometry and measurement taught thus far in their mid-module assessment. As always, we encourage our students to review the problem sets and homework from the module to be most prepared for the assessment and to approach each problem using the Read, Draw, Write method to thoroughly show their thinking.

SCIENCE

This week in Science the Habitat observations continue. Groups have collaboratively created a specific question that relates to our essential questions; How do plants and animals interact with and within their environment? An example of a question is; What type of flower in our ecosystem, do bees prefer?

Each group will be given an ecosystem to observe and record their data. The ecosystems contain a variety plant and animal life. They will design a way of recording their data and take the time this week to format their recording tables. Our intention is that each group will spend 15 minutes twice a day (Morning and afternoon) three times a week to observe. They will then be given time to reflect and discuss their findings each day. Looking at the reasonableness of their research method and research question, adapting one or both is also a process that they will look at.