Third Grade News
Spring Issue 2016
Wow!!! Spring has sprung and this year
is flying by! March was such a packed month
and April promises the same. The students are
doing so much at this point in the year,
showcasing their reading, math, and writing
skills. Students should be excited about a fun
spring ahead both in terms of curriculum and
projects! Each day they become more like
fourth graders and less like third graders.
As always, I welcome your feedback at any time. Please don’t
hesitite to contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns.
Mark Your Calendars
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4/5: PTG Meeting, 7:00 PM
4/7: Art Show, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
4/10: April Bobcat Breakfast, 8:15
4/12 - 4/15: English/Language PSSA Testing
4/19 - 4/21: Mathematics PSSA Testing
4/28: April Bobcat Pride Breakfast, 8:15
Curriculum Corner
In Reading Workshop, we have been learning how to read closely. Close
reading is a careful and purposeful rereading of a text. Students answer
questions; text dependent questions that require them go back into the text and
search for answers. These aren’t simply recall questions, just the facts of the
text, but rather questions that allow students to think about the text, and the
author’s purpose, the structure, and the flow of the text. In addition, we have
been working on practicing specific skills related to the PSSA tests, as well as
preparing for the actual taking of the test. The UNRAAVEL and WAGER
strategies that we have been practicing have been successful ones and will be very
helpful when it comes to test time.
In Writing Workshop, we completed our Baby Literary essays where
students wrote an essay on how a character displayed certain character traits in a
story based on evidence from the text. Following this, students began reviewing
the writing units of study from this year beginning with personal narratives and
now informational writing in order to independently master and compare and
contrast these writing styles. This extra practice is also beneficial to students
because they will know what to expect for the PSSA writing prompt.
Direct instruction of Grammar began recently in order to help students
improve their writing skills and prepare for the grammar related questions on the
PSSAs. Topics such as subject-verb agreement; how to use commas; proper usage
of various parts of speech; and types of sentences have all been covered recently.
In Science, we finished up our unit on Land and Water. During this unit, we
demonstrated erosion and deposition by using a stream table and we learned the
water cycle song and process. The students are very excited about our upcoming
embryology unit next month.
In Math, we continue to focus on fractions. Early on, students learned about
fractions as parts, extending parts to create wholes, and fractions on a number
line related to zero. Most recently, we have been finding equivalent fractions and
using models such as fraction strips, number lines, and benchmark numbers to
compare fractions.
PSSA Testing Begins Soon!!!
PSSA testing begins on Tuesday, April 12th. As you know, the kids have
been working hard to prepare for them by practicing many “careful thinking”
strategies, as well as best test practices here at school. Although there will be
no written homework during the weeks of testing, I do encourage your child to
continue their 30 minutes of nightly reading, as well as practice their oral math
facts each night. This is a new test for third graders so it can be overwhelming.
Please let me know if your child is showing any unusual anxiety over this.
The PTG has generously purchased snacks for us during PSSA
testing…pretzels and goldfish. After the testing session each day, your child
may eat an additional snack from home or save it for the afternoon. We ask
that your child bring a water bottle to school each day. I will have a few extras
for those who forget. Gum and mints will be provided, however, if your child
would prefer to bring his or her own gum it should be sugar-free and mint.
CAREFUL + CONFIDENT = SUCCESS!!!
Your children know that this is their TIME TO SHINE and are excited to
SHOW WHAT THEY KNOW!!! In addition to being careful and confident, here
are a few important tips for your child to follow to help him/her be successful
during the week of the test.
 Get plenty of rest each night!
 Eat a good breakfast each day!
 Have a positive “I CAN DO THIS” attitude!
 Relax…Don't worry!
 Take your time…Don't rush!
 Try hard…Do your best!
 Use your “always and forever” strategies!
 Listen carefully and follow directions during the test!
 Read all directions and questions carefully!
 Check over your work when finished!