Fall break is here, and third graders are off enjoying a well-deserved week off! This past week in third grade, students wrapped up their study of Unit 2 in Bridges in Mathematics, engaged in main idea vs. theme discussions, and created fall-themed poetry pumpkins. Main idea is a concept third graders studied in depth last week with both fiction and non-fiction text. This week, students were focused on differentiating between theme (the moral/lesson of a story) and main idea (what the story is mostly about). Third graders explored a variety of texts, including Neville, The Coal Thief, and "Kevin & Daisy" (a Storyworks Jr. article). We participated in a variety of theme-centered conversations both as a class and in small groups. Witnessing third graders voice their opinions when it comes to the moral and lesson is truly impressive. Students are able to determine complex, underlying meaning and discuss their thoughts on abstract topics. Way to go third graders! In writing, we continued our focus on theme by writing fall-themed poetry! Third graders wrote verses centered on the sights, smells, and overall feeling of the autumn season. Third graders then typed their verses in a Google Doc template, cut them out, and bound them together to make their own pumpkin poems! This week served as a great wrap up to a successful first trimester in third grade. When we return, report cards will be going home on Friday, November 3rd. Conferences will also begin. Until then, have a wonderful break! :) Business:
What a week in third grade! Students were hard at work in all subject areas (as they always are) and managed to get a lot accomplished! In math this week, third graders were focused on determining what multiplication strategies are best used for particular problems. We challenged ourselves during group work to use more than one strategy to solve a given problem. Some possibilities included: draw a picture, repeated addition, skip count, use what you know, and make a table. Most third graders realized that using what they already know about math facts to solve larger, more complex problems was most efficient. Check out the picture to see the strategies we developed for solving 6 x 7! We also began our science unit on Matter & Energy this week. So far, third graders have learned about the various forms of energy we get from the sun, as well as the types of energy we humans need to survive. We will continue with this learning next week, learning more about sustainable energy. This week in reader’s workshop, students were focused on reading fluency and determining main idea. To start the week, we talked about what reading fluency is and why it’s crucial to be a fluent reader. We addressed topics like rate, expression and accuracy. We also talked about why it’s important to notice and adhere to the rules of punctuation when reading aloud. Third graders then had a chance to practice their fluency with a partner. Students were given a rubric and read to each other for five minutes each. At the end of the five minutes, their partner went over the rubric with them, noting what they did well and goals for the future. We will continue practicing fluency during reader’s workshop stations, as it is a central aspect of being a successful reader! Reader’s workshop also focused on establishing a main idea when it comes to reading stories and passages. When asked why finding the main idea is important, many third graders shared that it’s how you can determine if you’re understanding what you’re reading. They’re right! In small groups, students categorized main ideas based on short articles about snow leopards. They also sorted main idea task cards. Next week, we will explore the difference between main idea and theme in fictional stories. This week in third grade, students jumped into a new writing project with a focus on descriptive and persuasive writing. The project asks third graders to take on the role of a real estate agent. Students must choose to either write a listing for an old, possibly haunted house or a new, top-of-the-line mansion. Listings must be descriptive enough to entice possible buyers! As a class, we talked about the power of adjectives, and the difference between mild vs. spicy descriptive words. Third graders were challenged to develop listings with descriptions that help potential buyers visualize the property and want to buy it. Check out the project explanation below. Thus far, third graders have really enjoyed the project! It's proven to be a great creative outlet and has led to more success with descriptions and explanations. Next week, students will edit and revise their listings, then type them and draw/create a visual representation of their house.
Math this week centered on multiplication strategies, specifically focusing on completing problems in the most efficient way possible. Third graders learned more about how to use arrays to help solve problems, and how to break a larger multiplication problem into more manageable pieces. Third graders' first checkpoints of the unit are coming home today, and we will continue with this work next week! We are also ramping up our practice of multiplication facts. A station during our math block gives third graders an opportunity to practice their fact fluency in a number of different formats. Activities focused on fact fluency will also be coming home on occasion. I highly encourage third graders to practice their facts at home whenever possible, as getting a handle on them now will be immensely helpful in the future! |
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Mrs. Minatta is a third grade teacher at Cottonwood Creek Elementary. See and read all about what third graders are up to throughout the school year! Archives
March 2021
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