Monday, January 4, 2016

Newsletter--Week of 1/4

News from 3P
Week of: January 4, 2016

Reading and Language Arts: This week we will continue our focus on the main idea and key details of literature texts. We will be reading the story, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears and working with that text. **Students should be reading at least 20 minutes for homework every night!

Grammar: We will start working on possessive nouns this week.

Writing: This week in writing, we will focus on our New Year’s goals. Students will be writing How-To papers explaining how to accomplish some of their goals. If you are in and around the third grade hall, please stop in to see the goals your child has set for themselves.   

Science: This week we are ‘rocketing’ into the theme of space! We will talk about the following vocabulary: star, axis and rotation vs. revolution.

Math: This week we will be starting fractions. Groups will be focusing on how to write a fraction and what a fraction is. We will also introduce numerator and denominator.

Jamboree Donations: Our classroom theme basket this year is Ice Cream Shop. If you are able to donate any sort of ice cream related items (scoop, cones, sprinkles, toppings, bowls, giftcards, etc…) that would be great!! J

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! J

Monday, December 14, 2015

Newsletter--Week of 12/14

News from 3P
Week of: December 14, 2015

Reading and Language Arts: This week we are wrapping up our study of non-fiction text features, although we will continue to reference them throughout the year. Students are working on creating a page about a branch of government, to be compiled into multiple government books created by 3P!   **Students should be reading at least 25 minutes for homework every night!

Grammar: We are reviewing 3rd grade writing conventions like capitals, punctuation, and complete sentences.

Writing: This week our writing is tied into Reading. Students will write what they know about a branch of government in a creative, non-fiction text way.  

Social Studies: This week we are finishing up the study of our government. We will be doing a study guide and testing on Wednesday.

Math: This week we will be finishing up our study of 6, 7, and 8. We will be testing on those facts and also on story problems. When we return from break, we will be jumping into fractions!

Dates to Remember:
Mon. Dec 14- Secret Pal starts today J
Tues. Dec. 15- Get Smart with Art
Wed. Dec. 16- Kindergarten Buddies
Thurs. Dec. 17- Holiday Brunch 11am-12pm J
Thurs. Dec. 17- Holiday Concert @ Wheaton North HS


Have a FANTASTIC Winter Break! See you in the New Year!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Newsletter--Week of 12/7

News from 3P
Week of: December 7, 2014

Reading and Language Arts: This week we will continue to focus on nonfiction text. We will still be incorporating our Social Studies text book into Reading time, and looking for nonfiction text features within that text. **Students should be reading at least 20 minutes for homework every night!

Grammar: We will finish up working with suffixes.  

Writing: This week we will be writing about our government.  Students will continue to work on linking words and conventions (grammar, capitalization, and punctuation).

Social Studies: We will continue to learn about the three branches of government. Students are really enjoying this unit of social studies, so make sure to ask them about it! J

Math: This week our focus will be on 8’s and 7’s multiplication. We will be incorporating story problems with these as well. Students must not only solve the problem, but show HOW they got their answers.  

Dates to Remember:
Thurs. Dec. 10- Cook’s Night Out @ Potbellys! J
**Secret Pal Information will be coming home sometime this week. Please look for this note and information. J




Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Fun Times in Google Expeditions

3P had a blast traveling around the world with Google Expeditions today! Keep reading to see what students enjoyed the most!

Grace: The thing I loved most about Google Expeditions was that we got to look at things they did in the past and what they do today.

Ella: I especially liked when we went to outer space and saw all the different planets. I felt like you were actually there, and could reach out and touch things.

Ethan: I liked when we got to see all the stars in the Milky Way in outer space. At the end I felt like I was sick and going to throw up. I would still do it again though!

Sabina: I really liked that I got to see the ocean. I really liked being in outer space and liked seeing the Earth. I felt like I wasn't on the Earth anymore and it was really cool!

Claire: Google Expeditions was really fun! I liked seeing all the animals. It was really cool, especially when I saw all the sharks!

Mackenzie: My favorite part was when we went to London "rode" on the Ferris Wheel. I got to see the city where my aunt lives! I also liked seeing all the animals like the sharks and the gorilla.

Patrick: I really liked how we went under the water and saw sharks. I didn't like how at the end I felt kind of dizzy!

Carter: I think that the ocean was good, but the Moon was better! Also, the outer space was the BEST! The goggles made a circle around my nose!

Seth: I really liked when we got to see the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. I liked seeing Abe Lincoln. I really liked when we got to see the soccer fields and the sea. And I liked when we got to go to space and the Moon.

Abigail: I liked when we got to see what Native American girl and boy clothes looked like. The girls' clothes were really colorful!

Addy: I loved when we went underwater and saw all the different animals. I felt like I was really there!

Aiden: I was so amazed by how good they made it look! I loved the underwater and space! I was also really dizzy after we were done. I liked seeing the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument because it felt like we were actually in Washington DC. It was fun going to outer space because it felt like you could reach out and touch everything!

David: My favorite part was when I went to the Moon and outer space. I also liked looking down because it felt like I was falling!

Max: I liked the soccer field in Brazil. I also liked the sharks and the cave. It really felt like I was underwater. At the end I felt really dizzy and I really liked when we saw the outer space because it looked like you could touch the Earth and see the Milky Way. At the end I felt really dizzy and I also liked seeing the sea animals. They were so cool and it felt like you were there!

Jaden: I liked going to outer space and going underwater. It really felt like I was actually there under the water. I liked seeing close up pictures of gorillas coming after you. I liked that it felt so realistic like you were actually there and could put your hand out to touch them.

Molly: I enjoyed being on the Ferris Wheel because when I tipped over a little it actually felt like I was falling into the river. I also liked being in the cave because when I looked down I saw a little crack and it felt like it was sucking me in. I also liked being underwater and seeing the sharks and the scuba divers. I liked being in the jungle and seeing the gorillas and it was kind of like I was on a real safari. It was cool seeing the people because it was like seeing everything in real life. You could also get a little scared because it was so realistic and it felt like we weren't even at Lowell School anymore!

Aimee: I felt like it looked real and I was there. I also liked when we saw the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. I also liked being in outer space. The Earth looked bigger than the Sun. I liked seeing the Little Dipper. At the end I felt dizzy and there was a circle around my nose. I also liked the sharks and the soccer field. When I was in London on the Ferris wheel I felt a little scared because it felt like we were so high in the air. All the Indian clothes looked cool because it looked like they made it themselves with their own hands.













Monday, November 16, 2015

Newsletter--Week of 11/16

News from 3P
Week of: November 16, 2015

Reading and Language Arts: This week we will be finishing up our chocolate novels. We will then briefly preview non-fiction text features before break. **Students should be reading at least 20 minutes for homework every night!

Grammar: We will finish up with prefixes.

Writing: This week in writing, students will be focused on their journaling during Daily 5. There will be a variety of prompts and students will work on linking words and conventions (grammar, capitalization, and punctuation).

Social Studies: We will continue with our Native American study this week. Students will be finishing up their tribe study in library. We will take our test on Thursday.  Watch for the study guide to come home today. Please make sure to use the guide to study!

Math: We will be testing over 4’s and 9’s this week. Up next….multiplication of 6’s, 7’s, and 8’s.

Dates to Remember:
Tues. Nov. 17-Google Expeditions (see Lowell Memo for more info)
Wed. Nov. 18-Kindergarten Buddies
Thurs. Nov. 19-PE Circus at 9:40am (Parents are invited! J)
Thurs. Nov. 19-Native American Test
Thurs. Nov. 19-9’s and 4’s Math Test
Thurs. Nov. 19-Cook’s Night Out at Chick-Fil-A
Fri. Nov. 20-Report Cards Home
Nov. 23-27-NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break


Have a nice Thanksgiving Break!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Projects

The students in Mrs. Thurston's reading class have been busy reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the past few weeks. After reading, they put together some Adobe Voice projects, describing the actions of some of the characters. They are excited to share their final projects! If your student read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, make sure to check out these projects. If your student read a different chocolate book, make sure to ask what their final project was!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Final Adobe Voice Projects


















Monday, November 9, 2015

Newsletter--Week of 11/9

News from 3P
Week of: November 10, 2014

Reading and Language Arts: We are almost done with chocolate novels. We will continue discussing the chapters: character traits, comparing/contrasting characters, themes of chapters and novels and inferencing and citing evidence.  Please encourage your child to share what happened within their novels each day. **Students should be reading at least 20 minutes for homework every night!

Grammar: We will begin working with prefixes, suffixes and root words. We will be taking words apart to decide how prefixes and suffixes change the meaning of words.   

Writing: This week in Writing, students will be working on writing legends. They are coming up with some great ideas! Make sure to ask your child what he/she is writing about!  

Social Studies: We will continue with our Native American study this week. We will focus on the Illini tribes and will start to work on the following vocabulary: starve, alliance and legend.

Math: This week we will be working on learning our multiples of 4 and 9. We will also review the other facts we have studied: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10.

Dates to Remember:
Tues. Nov. 10- PJ Day to celebrate being 1/3 of the way through 3rd grade!
Wed. Nov.  11- Veteran’s Day- Meet at the flagpole @ 9:00am.

Fri. Nov. 14- No School for Kids