Dear 3rd Grade Parents,
Please take a look at this week's highlights:
Spelling/Vocabulary: We started a new routine in Vocabulary and Spelling this week! From now on, we will use the PSIA Spelling words (I distributed a complete list to the students today) for our Vocabulary and Spelling. This week, we will use PSIA Words #1-20 to look up definitions in the dictionary. Definitions are due on Wednesday. In addition to the definitions, students will also copy weekly dictation sentences which include five of the new vocabulary words in class before the test. They must be able to use correct punctuation and capitalization to receive full credit for the quiz. Vocabulary, Spelling, and Dictation tests from now on are combined in one paper test using the crossword puzzle format every Friday (no more weekly Thursday tests).
Reading: Celebrating Chinese New Year traditions (Chinese New Year is on January 23rd this year) is an international cultural celebration. We will learn a little bit about Chinese culture and discuss the significance of the Year of the Dragon. We will read folktales, learn about Chinese cultural traditions, learn how to use chopsticks, and make paper lanterns. Using our Thinking Maps strategy, we will compare and contrast our New Year's traditions with the Chinese New Year traditions.
English: We continue to review verb tenses and subject verb agreements in class. Please encourage your child to complete English class work as much as possible because their work strongly reflects their biweekly chapter tests.
Math: During our morning work, we used our supplementary workbooks in Geometry and Spatial Reasoning to review what we have learned in our ALEKS MyPie and textbook lessons. We are introduced to lines of symmetry, congruent two dimensional figures, and comparing shapes and solids. Last week, we created art through geometry by using different types of triangles as collage to make a poster. Have your child attempt to master at least 4 topics (of his/her choice) in the ALEKS MyPie each night.
Religion: Using our school planner as a guide, we learned the different seasons of the Liturgical Year. We will observe the events in Ordinary Time.
Science: The combination of imagination and knowledge brings to life a powerful force of creativity in learning. Our Science "Invention Convention" project gave 3rd graders the opportunity to build a model of a technology-related invention using at least two different simple machines they learned in class. Students drew blueprints of what they intended to build, wrote product descriptions, and used persuasive speaking techniques (i.e., "sales pitching") to present and promote their inventions to "potential buyers" (their classmates). If you get a chance to check out our hallway display, have your child explain his/her invention to you. This week, we will begin a review of another Weather unit as part of an introduction to natural disasters and their cause and effect.
Social Studies: "We Dare to Dream" Inspired by the words of an eloquent speaker and fearless leader, 3rd graders borrowed the words and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. In our own words, we dare to share our dreams to make the world a better place. This week, we will learn about celebrations in different cultures. As a cross-curricular study to our Reading unit's Chinese New Year lessons, we will discuss how we celebrate New Year in different parts of the world.
Notes/Reminder:
1. Thanks to all parents who have already donated for the Casino basket! We still need more items, so please don't forget to include us in your shopping list.
Have a blessed week!
~Mrs. Pia Villanueva-Pulido
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