Week of April 2, 2018

Dear Parents,

Hopefully, you and your family had a relaxing and fun holiday. We are now set up for our final stretch of the school year. A time that promises lots of learning and growth, and it will go by quickly. We have several new units scheduled to begin this week! 

If you took a photo of your child reading this break please email it to me and Ms. Suji. 

The Terry Fox Run on March 23rd was quite successful for third graders. They learned more about cancer awareness, participated in an important community event at school, and were inspired to do their personal best for the fun run. 

We begin the week on Day 6. 

Reading

This week begins with a new nonfiction reading unit called Research Reading. Students will start off by looking over their resources and organizing them. They will then identify subtopics within the topic they are studying and begin to synthesise the information to become experts.  

Writing

Students are continuing the fiction writing unit from before the holiday. They will not only continue to write adapted fairytales but also branch out into other fantasy and creative writing choices. 

Math

Students will begin a new unit in math this week titled Representing and Comparing Fractions. They will begin by partitioning shapes into parts with equal areas. They will express the areas of each part as a unit fraction of the whole. For example, partitioning a shape into 4 parts with equal area, and describing the area of each part as 1/4 of the area of the shape. This is a very important unit with lots of new skills and concepts introduced.

Science

We start the week with a very exciting new science unit called Earth and Space. They will begin the unit by tuning in to prior knowledge and generating a list of wonderings. They will also take a look at technology and try to find out how technology can help us to learn about the solar system. If you have any connections to people who would be good resources for this unit, please let us know.

Fraction Unit

Dear Parents,

We will start our new Unit 6 in Math: Representing and comparing fractions, after Spring Break.

Memorization is NOT a goal in the case of vocabulary words and multiplication facts. We encourage you to discuss the ideas and concepts through hands-on activities and conversations (in the home language) about how we use math in our daily lives. 

We encourage to make connections and have conversations in your home language to help understand the concept.

In this unit students will: 

• Develop an understanding of fractions, beginning with unit fractions. 
• View fractions in general as being built out of unit fractions, and they use fractions along with visual fraction models to represent parts of a whole. 
• Understand that the size of a fractional part is relative to the size of the whole. For example, 1/2 of the paint in a small bucket could be less paint than 1/3 of the paint in a larger bucket, but 1/3 of a ribbon is longer than 1/5 of the same ribbon because when the ribbon is divided into 3 equal parts, the parts are longer than when the ribbon is divided into 5 equal parts. Students are able to use fractions to represent numbers equal to, less than, and greater than one. 
• Solve problems that involve comparing fractions by using visual fraction models and strategies based on noticing equal numerators or denominators. 
• Recognize that the numerator is the top number (term) of a fraction and that it represents the number of equal-sized parts of a set or whole; recognize that the denominator is the bottom number (term) of a fraction and that it represents the total number of equal-sized parts or the total number of objects of the set.
• Explain the concept that the larger the denominator, the smaller the size of the piece.
• Compare common fractions with like denominators and tell why one fraction is greater than, less than, or equal to the other.
• Represent halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eighths, tenths , and twelfths using various fraction models.

VOCABULARY:

Visual Mathematics Online Dictionary: This resource includes definitions, pictures, examples, and related words for mathematical vocabulary. 

Unit Key Vocabulary: click for more

• Denominator: the bottom number in a fraction. It tells how many equal parts the set or whole has been divided into
• Equivalent Fractions: two or more fractions that name the same amount
• Fraction: a number that names part of a whole or part of a group
• Greatest: the largest in a group
• Least: the smallest in a group
• Number Line: a line with equally spaced tick marks named by numbers
• Numerator: the top number in a fraction. It tells how many of the equal parts of the whole or group are being considered
• Order: arrangement according to size, amount, or value

ACTIVITIES AT HOME:

• Go on a fraction hunt! Look for household items that are divided into equal parts (fractions of a whole and fractions of a set). Record the fractions.
• Roll number cubes to make fractions. Draw pictures of the fractions you make. Place the fractions you've made in order on a number line.
• Identify fractions at meal times. For example, you ate 1/2 of an apple, 3/4 stalk of celery, 1 whole tuna sandwich, and 2/3 of a glass of milk.
• Practice making equivalent fractions.
• Plot fractions on a number line.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Matching Fractions: basic fractions

Equivalent Fractions: finding equivalent fractions

Equivalent Fractions: finding equivalent fractions using area models (you need to enable Adobe flash to work)

Khan Academy: 3rd Grade Math topics

Happy learning!

The Grade 3 Team

Week of March 19, 2018

Dear Parents,
It was great to see so many of you at school on Friday supporting the Track and Field Fun Day. This Friday you will have another opportunity to join in as Grade 3 participates in the Terry Fox Run at 8:45-9:30. Your child should come ready in their PE clothing with their uniform in a bag to change into afterwards.

We begin the week on Day 6 (due to a missed day earlier this year), but Tuesday will be Day 2 (followed by Days 3, 4, 5).

Several students have been busy this month doing the Slice of Life Classroom Challenge! A few have done it every day for the month of March so far. Others have done it periodically. If your child has not done it yet, it is not too late to have them begin. You can view them here. Feel free to leave a comment! It would be great to have more students participate- maybe over the break when there is more free time. Remind students to send me the link to their post so that I can link it to the SoL blog. 

Reading
We are finishing up our fiction character book club unit. As we compare and contrast characters (their traits, motivations, and other characteristics), we will also look at how they face the problems they encounter. Hopefully, there will be some time for mini debates where students can use text evidence to support their position.

Writing
Students are drafting another fairy tale adaptation and are making revisions early and often based on their goals so that their writing continues to improve. We are looking at creating stronger images, balancing narration with dialogue, and editing for sentence variety. After the break, we will continue with fantasy/fiction writing for a few weeks.

Math
This week we finish up our geometry unit solving perimeter problems with unknown sides and more. You will see the assessment for the unit come home after the break. Our next unit is all about fractions. It is important that students have a solid background with multiplication and division facts (to 10 x 10) and regular practice at home will be beneficial.

Social Studies
This week students will synthesize all that they have learned about ancient civilizations as they create a civilization of their own. Students will have a choice in how they share their learning. Our next science unit is about earth and space. It will include hands-on research as students design solutions to problems.

After this busy week, we wish you a relaxing break and look forward to seeing the students back afterwards on April 2 ( which will be a Day 6) for our fourth quarter.

Week of March 12, 2018

Week of March 12, 2018

Dear Parents,

A heartfelt thanks to you for attending your child's Student Led Conference and participating actively in your child's education. It was impressive to watch the students discuss their growth and goals and teach their parents more about their learning in this third quarter of the school year. Remember there are many resources on the ES Parent Learning Connection that you can use to help your child practice. Many students could use daily practice with basic math facts. A reminder to check your class photo tab to see recent pictures. If you find anything in your child's conference folder that belongs back at school please send it in. Please look for your child's fairy tale draft in particular to return. 

This week we begin on Day 3. 

Reading

Students will look at the lessons they can learn alongside the main characters in a book (beginning theme work), look back to notice author's craft and how various parts of the story connect, and compare and contrast main characters and how they react to problems. It is great to practice this same work when you read aloud to your child (in any language). 

Writing

Students will use self assessment to set goals for future writing projects and begin new pieces with more independence. The emphasis will be on revising early and often and balancing dialogue with actions and narration so that the story comes to life. 

Math

We continue to work on perimeter including solving for unknown sides. We also explore the relationship between perimeter and area (for example, if a rectangle has an area of 12 sq. cm, what are possible side lengths and then calculate the perimeter). 

Social Studies

We will look at beliefs, art and architecture, and technology in the coming days. We will focus on the legacy these civilizations left behind and the connections to our life today.

Reminders

On Friday from 8:15-11 Grade 3-5 will be participating in a Track and Field Day. The PE Department reminds you: Students need to come prepared with water, running shoes and a hat, and be wearing sunscreen.  Students should be wearing their school PE uniform.  The students will not have time to go to the canteen for a morning snack. Therefore, they must bring a healthy snack from home out to the field with them.  Snacks can be left up in the bleachers at the side of the field. They can munch on their snack in between events.  Students must also bring their school uniform to change into at the end of the track meet. Parents are welcome to come along to support.

Dear Parents,

The students are excited to welcome you to our classroom on Wednesday or Thursday. Please let me know if you need a reminder of your conference time. Your child has planned their agenda so that you get to see a variety of work and how things work in 3EV. This gives your child a chance to share successes and challenges and set goals for the remainder of the school year, 

While students will be leading the discussion, you the parent have an important job as well. You are tasked with asking them questions about their learning. These are open-ended questions and your child might not have the most reflective answer in the moment, but it is important that the conference is about the students thinking their strengths and areas for growth and evaluating that as best they can. While students have written down specific goals they have, I think through a lengthy discussion, they will continue to think deeper and reflect more on who they are as a learner and where they want to be by the end of grade three.  Here are the type of questions you could ask. I will print these out and have them available to you as well.

Also, the way you frame the questions can have an impact on how your child responds. For example, instead of "Why is your work incomplete?" a better question might be "I notice this is not finished, what are some things you can do in class to improve your time management?" 

Finally, your child is welcome to conduct the whole conference in whatever language is most comfortable for them and you. You are welcome to conduct all or part of your home language.

I look forward to seeing you either tomorrow or Thursday!

Week of March 5, 2018

Dear Parents,

We had lots of fun celebrating Book Week in third grade last week! Definitely lots of book love! It was great to see so many beloved book characters in our classrooms on Thursday. Next week during there will be a book sale, so be sure to stop by after your conference.

We begin the week with day 6 (a reminder that the conference days are not part of the "day schedule", so Tuesday will be day 1 and Friday will be day 2).

This week's update looks a bit different as on Monday and Tuesday we will be finishing up Student Led Conference (SLC) preparation. Student-led conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 8. Your child will be the most important part of this conference, so they are required to attend (we will need to reschedule the conference if they cannot attend). As your child leads the discussion by reflecting on his/her learning, sharing his/her goals, and celebrating his/her successes, please be ready to ask follow up questions. These are the type of questions to ask your child as they are leading the conference:

How did you make this?

Why did you choose this?

What does this work show about you?

What did you learn from this?

What was the easy or difficult part of this?

What do you like best about this?

What more do you want to improve in, or learn?

Tell me about this.

There will be other conferences in the classroom going on at the same time. Please note that this conference could take up to 45 minutes (but it won't overlap with any sibling conference time). After this time you will go with your child to any specialist teacher you choose to finish off the conference.

Below please find a digital version of a paper that went out last week:

Grade 3 Student Led Conferences

Student Led Conferences are a very important and special event. These conferences are a chance for your child to share his/her learning and personal goals with you.

The format for the conference will look different than before. There will be other families in the classroom conferencing at the same time and the conferences may run for up to 45 minutes. This format allows students to take ownership of their learning in a supportive environment.

Here are some suggestions and information to help make this a positive, successful conference for both you and your child.

What to expect

The child will:

Be responsible for leading the conference.

Show you selected pieces of work from all areas of his/her learning.

Read to you, explain to you and demonstrate for you.

Ask you what you think.

Invite you to participate.

Practice his/her communication and leadership skills.

Speak the language in which he/she feels the most comfortable.

The parents will:

Allow their child to be in charge as much as possible.

Provide encouragement and positive feedback.

Ask open questions that will help their child explain his/her thinking.

Talk with their child about some goals for the rest of the year.

Congratulate their child about their learning!

Speak the language in which they feel the most comfortable.

The teacher will:

Be there for children to check with, or to give support.

Add information if necessary.

Observe, take photos and be proud of the students.

Can be available at another agreed upon time, for parents to discuss particular concerns.

We look forward to sharing this day with you!

Regards,

The Grade 3 Team