This Week in Room 5

As part of our unit on the Puritans we have been learning about the Salem Witch Trials.  The following is a fantastic link to the Salem Witch Museum:

http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/worldbook.php


We are also learning dictionary skills in class.  We separated our classroom dictionaries in to 4 sections to make it easier for us to look up words.  Your student can explain how we used paper clips to separate the sections.  Once you see what a great system it is you may want to do the same with your dictionaries at home!

MULTIPLICATION'S HERE!
In Math we are spending our time learning multiplication.  The students are exploring multiplication through stories of equal groups and arrays as well as playing multiplication games in class. We are beginning to learn tricks to memorizing our facts through songs.  The first song we learned was to the tune of "Jingle Bells" for our 3 tables:

3, 6, 9

12, 15

18, 21.

24, 27

30, now we're done. Hey!

 

As we learn the concept behind multiplication the children should be practicing their facts so that they become automatic with them.  Multiplication Fact Triangles were sent home to help.  You may also want to get flash cards and/or search on line and the App Store for multiplication practice games (there are numerous fun and free sites and apps).  You can find links to multiplication websites right on the Kennedy Website under "Curriculum Links". Also, some of the games we play in class will be sent home for you to enjoy once they are presented in class.

 

 

Reminder: Thursday and Friday are 1/2 days due to Conferences.  I'm looking forward to meeting with all of you to talk about their progress so far this year.

Another Great Site for Grade Level Reading Lists

http://www.sspl.org/children/booklists/grade3/

Suggested Reading List for 3rd Graders

Here's a list of some fantastic 3rd grade reading books.  At the top of the webpage there is a link to 2nd grade and 4th grade books.

http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/birchwood/recrdng3.html

December News

November really flew by! We wrapped up our unit on the Pilgrims and Wampanoags with our Harvest Celebration.  Thank you to all who donated treats and paper goods.  In Social Studies we have moved on to learn about the Puritans who arrived in Salem 10 years after the Pilgrims.  We've had some wonderful discussions about the fairness of laws including the fact that only boys were allowed to attend formal schools and colleges.

In Math we have been learning how to find the perimeter of a shape and have been constructing line plots.  We are also beginning multiplication. Please continue to encourage your child to practice their math facts every night.  Automaticity is so very important.

We have been reading and learning about nonfiction text, which then extends in to our Writer's Worshop where we are writing our "All About" Informational pieces.  The children are doing a great job writing about what they are "experts" in.

Next Thursday and Friday are Parent/Teacher Conferences. I am looking forward to meeting with all of you to discuss your child's progress.
You can go to Signup Genius if you need to look up the time of your conference:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084EACA92FA31-conferences