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February 2016
Third Grade Newsletter
Curriculum News
What are we learning this month?
Math
This month’s primary focus is fractions.
We will work with fractions on number
lines and fractions with values greater
than one whole. We will also place
fraction data on line plots and learn how
to interpret and construct this type of
graph. Students will continue to develop
their mastery of multiplication and
division facts and will be assessed on fact
fluency. Proficiency is 30 to 39 correct in 3
minutes, and most students should be at
or very close to this goal by the end of the
year. Good sites for practice:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/game/ma1
3tabl-game-tables-grid-find
http://www.hoodamath.com/mobile/games/mult
iplicationbubblepop.html
Reading
We have already begun to study the
characteristics of and read historical
fiction in whole group lessons and small
literature study groups. Students are
describing things they notice and wonder
and identifying and defining new or “vivid’
words. Students will continue reading
and analyzing informational text on a
regular basis with Time for Kids or our
new National Geographic Explorers. We
also continue to work with spelling and
vocabulary through Words Their Way
(WTW). Please continue to encourage
your child to complete his or her reading
for homework and sign his or her agenda
at least once each week.
Writing
Students are drafting and publishing
opinion essays on whether or not the US
should stop production of the penny.
They are basing their opinions on the
information they got from reading various
articles. For our main writing project,
students have already been working
hard with Ms. Jeffcott to study various
elements of realistic fiction text so that
they understand what needs to be
included in their own storybooks. They
are learning about authors, reading
their books, and examining the
characters in these books. Students will
go through the entire writing process
including publishing and illustrating the
realistic fiction storybooks.
Social Studies
Students will learn the parts of a
map as well as the types of maps
that exist and why. They will also
discover different elements of
culture while reading about the
Aztecs, the people of Tenochtitlan,
and modern Mexico City.
The Grade 3 Team:
Barbara Berlin
Barbara_A_Berlin@mcpsmd.org
Maggie Sisti
MaryAgnes_S_Sisti@mcpsmd.org
Jenna Smith
Jenna_R_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Regina Sakaria
Regina_Sakaria@mcpsmd.org
Welcome a New
Student!
Clementine McKenna--Smith
Liz Higday--Smith
Arkie Daniel Reid--Berlin
Important Dates
2/12-Valentine’s Day Parties
in Classrooms 2:15-3:15
2/15– Presidents’ Day Holiday
2/26–Early Release Day
(12:30) Professional ½ Day for
Teachers
Science
In science, students will be focusing
on how change in temperature is
based on the amount of heat
energy that is produced and
transferred. Students will also be
learning how technology can be
used to meet human wants or
needs, and how human wants or
needs can influence technology.
Marking Period 3 Thinking &
Academic Success Skills (TASS)
Originality –
Creating ideas and solutions that
are novel or unique to the
individual, group, or situation.
Intellectual Risk Taking –
Accepting uncertainty or
challenging the norm to reach a
goal.