October is flying by! Here are some learning updates for our class:
📘 Math - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/math.html
We are continuing to explore place value and different ways of representing numbers. We have been writing 2 and 3 digit numbers in standard form, expanded form, picture form/base ten blocks, and number word/written form. We are ensuring that we record our numbers carefully to help us recognize how the placement represents the value of each digit. This skill sets the foundation for success with 2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction. Ask your child to show you an example! 😊
Example:
Standard Form: 364
Expanded Form: 300 + 60 + 4 = 364
Written Form: three hundred sixty-four
Base Ten Blocks
🚀 Math Blasters Basic Facts Program - Please see attached for digital copies of the notes that have previously been sent home explaining the program and outlining the schedule. A digital copy of all flashcards has also been attached to this email. We have been incorporating daily practice time into our math block to help increase our math fact fluency! Last week we completed our 0 facts, this week we are working on our 1 facts, and next week we will review our 2 facts.
📙 Language Arts - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/language-arts.html
We have been continuing to build our literacy skills with daily language and grammar review, word sort practice, a variety of writing tasks, and reading time.
Here are some helpful hints to assist with your child's word sort practice at home. I have attached a word study parent guide to this email that provides further information as well.
- Short vowels can represented by a curved symbol above the vowel: ă, ĕ, ĭ, ŏ, ŭ.
- Long vowels can be represented by a horizontal line above the vowel: ā, ē, ī, ō, ū.
- Vowel (represented by V) – one of 6 letters causing the mouth to open when vocalized (a, e, i, o, u, and usually y). A single vowel sound is heard in every syllable of a word.
- Consonants (represented by C) – all letters other than the vowels. Consonant sounds are blocked by the lips, tongue, or teeth during articulation.
- Oddballs – words that cannot be grouped into any of the identified categories of a sort. Students should be taught that there are always words that “break the rules” and do not follow the general pattern.
📗 Science - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/science.html
We have been learning how geologists sort rocks into the 3 main categories - igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. We have also been learning how to describe rocks and minerals using property words, such as shape, size, colour, texture, luster, hardness, and so on. Ask your child to find and describe some rocks for you!
We have been building an awesome rock lapbook (interactive file folder) to highlight key topics and vocabulary. Check out the rocks and minerals science links on our class website! I have also uploaded some photos of us exploring our rock kits under the "Pictures" section on our website.
📕 Social - Once we wrap up our Science unit, we will be switching back to Social Studies for the month of November. In Grade 3 Social Studies, we have the exciting opportunity to learn about 4 unique and interesting countries - Peru, India, Ukraine, and Tunisia! Learning about other countries is extremely beneficial for young students. They gain an understanding and acceptance of other cultures and traditions and develop their global citizenship skills! We will be learning all about Peru first. If you, or anyone you know, is from Peru or has traveled to Peru, please let me know! It would be exciting to share authentic photos and stories with the class. Thank you in advance!
📷 See updated class photos here: https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/pictures.html
📚 Today we had a special presentation from storyteller, Kathy Jessup! Ask your child about the amazing stories she told us. More photos are on our class website!
📅 Important Upcoming Dates
https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/class-info.html
Thursday Oct 18 - October Scholastic Book Orders Due
Friday Oct 19 - PLC Friday - No School for Students
Monday Oct 22 - Munchalunch - McDonald's
Tuesday Oct 23 - Hat Day
-School Photo Orders Due
Thursday Oct 25 - Halloween Family Dance @ 6:00-8:00 pm
Monday Oct 29 - October Home Reading Goal Agenda Check
Goal: 300 nights as a class to earn an extra special Halloween party!
*Please total your child's monthly minutes/nights and write them in their agenda on the monthly calendar page (page 29 for October) so I can quickly check and add up all of the minutes/nights for the whole class. This is extremely helpful to speed up the process of calculating minutes/nights! Thank you!
Wednesday Oct 31 - Happy Halloween! - More details coming soon! 🎃
Thank you & take care! 😊