Happy February! Here are some quick updates about what we have been up to lately in 3F! 😊
➕ Math ➖
In Math, we are currently practicing the break it down (expanded form) strategy to solve 2 and 3 digit addition equations. This strategy helps students to clearly see the place value of each number during the addition process. Providing an organized and visual structure while students are first learning multi-digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping is essential in deepening their understanding of numbers. In Grade 3, multiple strategies are taught such as using a hundreds chart, drawing visual base ten models, and breaking numbers down into expanded form so students can strengthen their number sense and find a strategy that works consistently for them. We do practice using the traditional algorithm method once students have learned the other strategies so they have a stronger understanding of what is happening to the numbers as they are regrouped. Please ask your kiddo to show you an example and explain their process.
📷 More photos here: https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/pictures.html
📝 Language Arts 📚
We are continuing our daily balanced literacy routine of word sort spelling tasks, cursive handwriting practice, writing skills, and reading skills. We will be beginning to write full narrative stories very soon! We will start the process by filling in a point form story planner to sequence our key ideas and details. Complete stories require an entertaining beginning and elaborative details about the main character, setting, and important objects. Once those components are established, suspense and a problem will be introduced, followed by the main event where the main character tries to solve their problem in multiple ways. We will wrap up our stories with an ending that solves the problem and nicely concludes our story line. I look forward to working on more detailed story writing with our creative class of flourishing writers! As much as we emphasize the importance of daily home reading, there is also immense value in home writing practice as well!
📖 Here is a fun and interactive story starter generator to inspire your child at home:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/
✈️ Social 🌏
We have now completed our study of India! We learned all about the land, climate, fashion, food, music, dance, festivals, celebrations, and transportation. We summarized our learning by creating travel brochures and postcards from India! Please ask your child what they find most interesting about India.
🗺 We also had an exciting opportunity this week to explore a giant floor map with our Indigenous Liaison, Mrs. Umble (also known as Auntie Krista).
📷 More photos here: https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/pictures.html
🔨 Science 🧰
We are going to be starting our Building & Testing Designs unit next week. This will be a very exciting and hands on unit where the kiddos will have the opportunity to build various structures and put them to the test! There are educational links related to this topic of study on our class website here:
https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/science.html
💗 Valentine's Day - Friday, February 14th 💌
We are looking forward to Valentine's Day next week on Friday! This is always a fun day where we have the opportunity to celebrate friendship and kindness. A class name list for cards was sent home at the beginning of the month. I have also attached it to this email. Students are encouraged to wear red and/or pink on this day. We will also be having a class party potluck to celebrate. As always, snacks and treats are welcomed and appreciated, however contributions are unassigned and optional! Thank you in advance for your support in making this a memorable day for our class!
🏆 February Home Reading Olympics Goal - Go For The GOLD! 🏅
This month is our Home Reading Olympics Challenge! Each student will be working towards earning a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award. For this Olympics goal, recognition will be determined by the amount of reading each student does at home individually. Please continue to record all home reading in the home reading calendar book in the front pocket of your child’s agenda.
Recognition will be given as follows:
🥇 Gold = 25 - 28 Nights
🥈 Silver = 16 - 24 Nights
🥉 Bronze = 10 - 15 Nights
Our February home reading check will be on Monday, March 2nd.
Keep up the great reading, Grade 3!
📙 🏆 GO FOR THE GOLD! 🏆 📙
💗 Important Dates - February 💗
Monday 10th - Munchalunch - Hot Dogs 🌭
*Order Link: munchalunch.com/schools/riverstone
Thursday 13th - February Scholastic Book Orders Due 📚
Friday 14th - Valentine’s Day 💌
-Class Potluck & Card Exchange
Monday 17th - Family Day - No School 📅
Monday 24th - Munchalunch - Boston Pizza 🍕🍝
*Order Link: munchalunch.com/schools/riverstone
Wednesday 26th - Pink Shirt Day 💕👕
Thursday 27th - Family Movie Night - Evening 🎥
Friday 28th - PL Friday - No School for Students 📅
Family Movie Night Sign Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f44a4af2fa3fa7-family
Thank you & take care! 😊