January 14-18

The weather has been rather brisk and downright COLD lately.  I would like to remind you that if the temperature outside is above 20 degrees, the 3rd graders will be going out to recess.  The students will need to be wearing pants and have a WARM coat on in order for us to allow them outside.  If they come to school only wearing shorts and a sweatshirt when the temperatures are this low, then we will make those students stay inside for recess.

Here is a list of some important upcoming dates
Jan. 14-- Report Cards will be coming home in Monday Folders today.
Jan. 21-- No School-- MLK Jr. Day
Jan. 25--Crazy Hair Day
Jan. 26--Father Daughter Dance - RESCHEDULED to February 23rd
Feb. 7-- 3rd Grade International Festival (afternoon- 1-3:45)

Here is what we have planned for learning this week:
Reading- We will continue to practice synthesizing this week as we read a variety of picture books.  We are also continuing our author study on Patricia Polacco.

Reading Groups--The 3rd graders will be working on a novel study in their reading groups for the next 3 weeks.  The students will be divided into 4 groups and will get to practice reading strategies as they read a novel within these groups.  Each 3rd grade teacher will be teaching one group.  As a result, your child may get to experience reading with a different teacher for the next few weeks.

Spelling-  The pattern this week are words that contain these long vowel combinations: ow, oa, ie, igh.  The final test will be on Friday.

Math- We will finish learning about division this week with our Topic 8 test on Friday.  The students should continue to practice multiplication and division facts at home now that they have learned them all.

Social Studies and Writing-  This week our research focus will be to organize all the information that we have gathered into an outline and to write 2 paragraphs.  The first paragraph will be an introduction (using facts that were researched) and the second paragraph will be a persuasive paragraph (also using facts that were researched).  They will try to convince the reader to visit the country in which they are studying. 
PARENT EDIT-- Students will be bringing home their 2 paragraphs this weekend for parents to edit. This will be due on Tuesday Jan. 22.
               
Have a wonderful week!!