2/11/16

Hello!

It seems as if every time we've been due for an update, we have a bunch of snow days! Hopefully we are not in for many more this year. Below are the updates for our classroom and some important upcoming dates. 

Math: We have begun unit 7, which deals with more in-depth multiplication and solving problems with parentheses. We will be finishing this unit by the end of the month (barring any more winter weather). Please help your child be as successful as possible by having them practice basic (single digit) multiplication facts at home.

Reading: In reading, we are now working to determine the author's point of view, which can sometimes be tricky. Students are practicing looking for "clues" in the text that tip them off to the author's feeling about the subject on which they have written.

Writing: We just finished up our information writing unit, which was tough, but I am so happy with the students' work once again! This unit, we published on the laptops using Google Docs and even learned how to add text features like diagrams, charts, and pictures. We will be printing these books out shortly. Have your child share theirs with you when it comes home--they are very neat! All writing and research on the topic was completed by the students, so they are very proud.

Science: We are still working through our energy unit, and have just finished learning about simple machines. Students are now experts on this and should be able to identify simple machines around your home. Feel free to ask them to do this! We are now moving on to discuss light and heat energy.

Social Studies: We will soon be moving into our next nonfiction reading unit, which has an accompanying social studies unit. Students will be learning about Geography and American Culture in this unit.


Upcoming Dates:

• School is now in session Monday, February 15th as a snow makeup day
• Third grade music performance is now Tuesday, February 16th at 6:30 pm
• Spring picture day is February 17
• The last day to order memory books will be February 25--order forms went home today

Please feel free to contact me with questions, as usual.

Mrs. Slessinger

1/8/16

Hello Families,

We are getting back into the swing of things here at NHW since returning from winter break. Here are a few updates from our classroom:

Reading: We just finished learning about the structure of poetry and drama, and are now focusing on the text structure of fiction. We studied many poems and took part in many readers' theater plays during our studies. Students have really enjoyed this unit and are coming to recognize common features found in the different types of text.

**In reading groups this week, we will be starting some word study. Your child will receive a packet of word activities that they have a week to complete, using the word list they receive in our group. You will be receiving more information on this on Monday.


Writing: we will be wrapping up our information writing unit this month, and by the end of it, students will have published their own information book on a topic of their choice! The students have been working hard to research, fact check, and write these books, and they are very excited to be publishing them on Google Docs. They are even including text features for each chapter of their book, in order to help their reader get even more information from the text. Ask your child what he/she has been writing about!


Math: We are working through Unit 6, which focuses on Geometry. Students have learned about rays, line segments, lines, angles and how to name and construct triangles, and will be learning about measuring in degrees and how to name and construct different shapes. 


Science: We have moved on to our science unit on Energy, which has been very interesting for students. They have learned about different types and forms of energy, and are now being introduced to simple machines. Ask your child what forms of energy they included on their energy robot!


Social Studies: Our next Social Studies unit will focus on Geography and American Culture.


Important Upcoming Dates:

• School Store Monday,1/11
• Bowling slips due Wednesday,1/13 (bowling begins Friday 1/15)
• No school for students Monday and Tuesday 1/18 & 1/19
• Marking Period 2 ends Wednesday, 1/20

-Mrs. Slessinger