Book Commercial- There was a buzz in the air on Thursday as the students arrived in the classroom holding tightly their newly selected chapter book. Unfortunately they were disappointed to find out I was not in school on Thursday and would have to wait until Friday to have their book approved. On Friday, most students showed me their selected chapter book for the first book project due at the end of October. I have a few "Book Dates" set up for Monday with students who would like me to help them choose the right fit book for this project. I STRONGLY recommend students choose a FICTIONAL book for the first project. A few students have chosen a biography and I want to remind families that all students will be reading and responsible for a biography project towards the end of the year. (To be completed in class) I also know that they were already required to read a biography in 2nd grade. This being said, I STRONGLY encourage all students to choose a FICTIONAL book to "sell" to the class.
Spelling- Our 1st week of the new spelling was a success! Most students articulated that the spelling words/pattern were a bit easy for them. The third grade team intentionally started with a list that was at their comfort level, each week the patterns will change and lists may get more challenging as the new patterns are introduced. At the end of the 1st term students will be retested and moved accordingly. Just a reminder, Spelling homework should be done twice a week in the spelling notebook and returned to school on Friday.
YES, We will still have spelling this week even though there is no school on Friday 10/5. Students Spelling notebooks should be returned by Thursday this week when they will also receive a spelling test on their new list/pattern.
Writing- Have you noticed how well your child's writing has developed in only 22 days? We have spent a great deal of time focusiing on and using our 5 senses to add more details to our writing. In addition, we are looking at developing detailed "seed" stories instead of boring Watermelon stories. An example of a watermelon story might be a trip to Disneyland. It's a very broad topic. Looking closer at the watermelon we see that there dozens of smaller seed stories that make up the huge watermelon topic Disneyland. Over the past few weeks we have written and revised our "summer vacation" stories. They are almost ready to edit and recopy into final print.
We're hooked! Yes that's right, we're hooked on the book Judy Moody is in a Mood. I have been reading this book aloud to the class and we're sadly nearing the end. While reading aloud, the students and I have been carefully listening and admiring how Meghan MacDonald, the author of Judy Moody series, uses a different HOOK at the beginning of each chapter. Similarly, Marc Brown, author of the month, also begins each of his books with a different HOOK. Reading through a writer's eye, we have found that there are many ways to begin a story, chapter, or paragraph. Here are a few of the HOOKS we have found and are trying to use in our writing:
Hook/Lead Example
One Word or an exclamation Help!
A Question Why do bad things always happen to me?
Quotation Marks/Dialogue "I can't believe I won!" exclaimed Judy.
Onamatopia Ding Dong, Ding Dong
Describe the setting It was a cold, raw, damp, night.
With a Character's name Judy knew without reading the
label what was inside the package.
Along with Hooks, the use of transition words have been introduced and practiced in out writing lessons. And then, and then, and then have been put to rest and will no longer be allowed. Students were introduced to and began using transition words such as: First, Next, Then, After, Also, and Finally or Last, but not least. I am quite pleased with how easily the students have adapted to using transition words in their daily writing.
Classified, for your eyes only, 313's Top Secret Notebook... Have you seen this red Composition notebook come home yet? Each week on Friday your child writes a letter in his 313 Top Secret Notebook. The letter includes some of the highlights from our week inside the oval office. Most parents have seen this notebook and are responding back to their child's letter.
PLEASE be on the look out for this notebook as it will come home every Friday and should be returned by the following Friday. We are using many of the writing strategies listed above in this weekly letter home. The students select their favorite memories from the week and record their thoughts in a well developed letter to a family member. Before sending it back to school I would ask that someone in the family take a moment to read and respond to your child's letter. Each week we will be building our writing stamina and practicing new writing techniques learned in class. Thank you for taking the time to write back to your child each week.
Maps, graphs, photos, headlines and captions are all part of NON Fiction Text Features. While reading this weeks Scholastic News students were introduced to and made aware of some of the features listed above. This year, we will look more closely at what makes up Non Fiction text. The Common Core standards are placing more emphasis on reading, writing, and comparing Non Fiction texts. As we dig deeper into this concept students will be analyzing and comparing different genres and elements that make up each.
C.A.F.E.- Under the Comprehension section of our C.A.F.E board we introduced a new reading strategy: Make a mental picture. We are practicing this strategy while reading as well as while writing. As students are reading throughout our Literacy block they are asked to make a mental picture. Many student do this naturally during our class read aloud, however some students need to be reminded to do this when reading independantly. We will continue to use this strategy as well as "Check for Understanding", "Ask Questions", and finally "Make Predictions and confirm using text"
zzz.zzzz.zzzzz...have I bored you to tears yet? That's about wraps up another week of Third Grade. As always, shoot me an email or a phone call if questions should come up regarding homework, spelling, math, book projects, or anything else.
And...Be on the look out for our FIELD TRIP Notice that will be coming home next week!
Save the date:
Plimoth Plantation-Wednesday, Oct 24th
Bus will Leave EARLY 8:15am and ARRIVE late...4:00
Enjoy the fall weather!