3rd Grade English Classroom News:
June 4th, 2010
MUCH THANKS to such a wonderful third and final Author
Share! We had many parents attend and the students shared all of
their hard work. They were just BEAMING after it was all said and
done! I’m sure they were proud of themselves too!
*IMPORTANT REMINDER: If your child has brought home a Houghton-Mifflin
green or orange book, please have them return it to school as soon as possible. We
need to account for all of the books the children have borrowed this year before we
pack up our room to move! Thank you!
Now that we are winding down to the final week of school, your child will be
participating in our Novel Study or Literature Circles (see the explanation below
AND the attached above). Next week you will also see your child bring home (if they
haven’t already) a “writing portfolio” of their writing in third grade. Included in this
portfolio (or separate if you have already seen this portfolio to come home) will be
your child’s Narrative (creative writing story that was done when our author in
residence was here) AND your child’s Research Paper and notes of a symbol or
monument of our nation. So look for those in your child’s backpack next week.
Also next week I will be sending home (via e-mail) the explanation for our Summer
Reading Program. This program and how to participate will also be available on the
English website (see the link below our signatures). It will be a wonderful
opportunity for your child to get excited about reading and to help minimize retention
loss over the summer. So get ready to READ, READ and READ some more!
Literature Circles
Now that we are done with our FABULOUS unit on Symbols of our
Nation, we will be starting another literature circle style of a book
club (just as we did after Winter Break). We will be reading books
in the Realistic Fiction genre as selected by the district language
arts committee as an addition to our language arts curriculum.
These books are books to be enjoyed in a social setting and add an
authentic literature experience to the 3rd Grade language arts
program. Each student will be reading different books based on the student’s
choice and the lexile level of the book. All reading and work will be completed in
class.
Ask your child which book he or she is reading (we will start reading on Monday June
7th , so your child should be able to tell you a little about the characters, the setting
and the main problem in the book by Monday evening).
Realistic Fiction Books (see a more detailed explanation of each attached above)
 Doing Time Online
 Because of Winn Dixie
 Million Dollar Shot
 Moose Tracks
 World According to Humphrey
 Time Warp Trio: Knights of the Kitchen Table
District level Criteria for genre selection:
1. Incorporate curriculum Focus On Genre whenever possible
2. Provide for good variety each year
3. Reduce repetition across three years (and into middle school)
4. Enough other appropriate titles at that level for students to continue reading
on their own
District level Criteria for book selection:
1. Cited for excellence by an independent source
2. Developmentally appropriate content and themes
3. Written at an appropriate reading level
4. Not required or assigned to any other grade level
5. Appealing to both boys and girls
6. Available in paperback
You can help by asking questions about the book (read below). All information is
stored in their reading folders at school. If you have questions, please do not hesitate
to ask.
Book Group Discussion Questions:
1.
What did you enjoy about this book?
2.
What have you read that is similar to this book?
3.
Who was your favorite character? What did you appreciate about him/her?
4.
Consider the main character: What does he or she believe in? What is he or
she willing to fight for?
5.
Have you ever experienced anything similar to the action of this novel?
6.
Did you find this book a quick read? Why or why not?
7.
How did you feel about the main character?
8.
What are the most important relationships in the book?
9.
What makes a minor character memorable?
10. What are the most revealing scenes?
11. Are any of the events in the book relevant to your own life?
12. What did you think of the style of the writer?
13. Was the story believable? The characters believable?
14. Did you find any flaws in the book?
Merci, merci, merci!! And finally, thank you to all of our wonderful weekly and
“sometimes” volunteers for all of your hard work and dedication this entire year. We
cannot do what we do without your help in the classroom so we THANK YOU SO
MUCH for your help! We will be passing on the names of some of our most regular
and well-trained volunteers to the 4th grade teachers since your child will be
continuing this program through 5th grade. Be on the lookout next year for more
volunteer opportunities in your child’s English classroom!
This year has been a wonderful year! We have thoroughly enjoyed teaching each and
every child in 3rd grade. We wish you all the best and hope you have a wonderful
summer together as a family! Keep on reading!
- Mesdames Jennifer Johnson and Laura Hanson
Third Grade English Language Arts
Normandale Elementary School
952-848-4148
jenljohnson@edina.k12.mn.us
lauhanson@edina.k12.mn.us
wiki: https://3rdgradeenglishnormandale.pbworks.com
website: http://www.quia.com/pages/jjohnson11/page6