Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe that we are already into our third quarter of the school year. The weeks seem to be flying by as we stay busy with all the fun activities going on at our school. I am listing below some information regarding our curriculum and upcoming events for the week ahead. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
READING - Students are enjoying learning about the elements of mysteries and some of the specific vocabulary (suspects, alibi, red herring, etc.) specific to this genre. Last week, we read some one minute mysteries and used our inferring skills to solve these mysteries. I have encouraged your child to check a mystery out of the class library or school library so that they may practice the skills they are learning in their own book. This week, I will be sharing a couple of fun mystery read alouds entitled Grandpa's Teeth and Private I. Guana to help my students understand the elements of mysteries. The mid-year reading assessments are almost completed, and I will be sending a letter home soon to let you know your child's fluency and comprehension levels at this point in the year.
WRITING - Students are now writing the rough draft of their animal informational paper. They have researched the appearance, diet, habitat, care of the young, and interesting fun facts on the animal they chose. Now, they are learning how to write a main idea sentence for each paragraph supported with details. We will continue writing the rough draft this week, and I am hoping to have students "publish" (write final copies) these by the early part of next week.
SCIENCE - In science, students are building upon the study of solids, liquids, and gases from second grade by exploring the ways matter changes. We have been reviewing the properties of solids, liquids, and gases by doing some kinesthetic activities in class. This past Friday, students created a poster to distinguish the differences between the three states of matter using fruit loops to represent the molecules. This is a fun unit with some really cool experiments that students will enjoy.
MATH - We will continue our study of area and perimeter in math for the upcoming week. We have been using manipulatives such as tiles and Cheez-Its to understand area, as well as apply area in real life situations to make it more applicable to the students. On Monday, we will be creating rectangles using graph paper and colored pencils to explore rectilinear area. When talking with your child at home, please relate area and perimeter to items around the house to help students distinguish the difference between the two.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, February 1 - PTA Boosterthon begins
Friday, February 5 - Superbowl Spirit Day - Wear Carolina Panthers or Denver Broncos colors/team gear or wear your Douglas shirts.
Friday, February 12 - Music, Dance, and Science Informance
Friday, February 12 - Early Release Day
Sincerely,
Ms. Underwood
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Sunday, January 3, 2016
WEEK OF JANUARY 4, 2016 NEWS
Happy New Year Parents,
I hope you enjoyed the holiday season with your families and had time to relax. I am excited about a fresh start to a new year and teaching your children. I must say that I thought about them quite a bit during the break and am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. Listed below is an overview for the coming week.
READING - We will continue our study of informational text as we focus on the main idea and supporting details not only in written text, but in pictures as well. We will also incorporate poetry into Reader's Workshop this week to practice determining main idea in a different genre of text. In Work Work, students will be learning the spellings of the following words: knew, new, know, no, probably, and usually. They are enjoying participating in the interactive chants we have learned to help us remember our words.
WRITING - Students are also practicing determining main idea and supporting details in Writer's Workshop as they write on a topic in which they are an expert. We will finish writing these informational papers this week and begin writing a research-based paper on an animal of their choice towards the end of the week. Students seem to enjoy this writing that is based on factual information.
MATH - We will review strategies for multiplying and dividing, as well as estimating during the first part of the week in preparation for a test in the middle of the week (Wednesday or Thursday). Our next unit of study in math is graphing which will include reading and creating bar graphs and pictographs. I think students will enjoy the hands-on activities planned in this unit to help them create their graphs.
SOCIAL STUDIES - Students will be wrapping up the unit on Economics and Financial Literacy with Mr. Otto.
IMPORTANT DATES - January 6 - January 26 - mClass reading assessment window
January 11 - 15 - Third Grade Writer in Residence
January 20 - Reading Case 21 Testing for Third Grade
January 21 - Math Case 21 Testing for Third Grade
January 15 - Quarter 2 ends
I look forward to working with you as we begin the new year. I am very grateful for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Ms. Underwood
I hope you enjoyed the holiday season with your families and had time to relax. I am excited about a fresh start to a new year and teaching your children. I must say that I thought about them quite a bit during the break and am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. Listed below is an overview for the coming week.
READING - We will continue our study of informational text as we focus on the main idea and supporting details not only in written text, but in pictures as well. We will also incorporate poetry into Reader's Workshop this week to practice determining main idea in a different genre of text. In Work Work, students will be learning the spellings of the following words: knew, new, know, no, probably, and usually. They are enjoying participating in the interactive chants we have learned to help us remember our words.
WRITING - Students are also practicing determining main idea and supporting details in Writer's Workshop as they write on a topic in which they are an expert. We will finish writing these informational papers this week and begin writing a research-based paper on an animal of their choice towards the end of the week. Students seem to enjoy this writing that is based on factual information.
MATH - We will review strategies for multiplying and dividing, as well as estimating during the first part of the week in preparation for a test in the middle of the week (Wednesday or Thursday). Our next unit of study in math is graphing which will include reading and creating bar graphs and pictographs. I think students will enjoy the hands-on activities planned in this unit to help them create their graphs.
SOCIAL STUDIES - Students will be wrapping up the unit on Economics and Financial Literacy with Mr. Otto.
IMPORTANT DATES - January 6 - January 26 - mClass reading assessment window
January 11 - 15 - Third Grade Writer in Residence
January 20 - Reading Case 21 Testing for Third Grade
January 21 - Math Case 21 Testing for Third Grade
January 15 - Quarter 2 ends
I look forward to working with you as we begin the new year. I am very grateful for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Ms. Underwood
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