Third Grade

Bird Watching at the Audubon

Mrs. Curran — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:22:26 +0000

Did you know that one of the distinguishing field marks of the snowy egret is its yellow feet? Third graders recently traveled to the Audubon Center for a bird identification program and learned this fact and many more. After a brief explanation on how to use binoculars, they practiced their skills by viewing a variety of birds at one of the Audubon’s many bird feeding stations. Tufted titmice, black-capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers and mourning doves were among the visitors. Students were then given bird identification charts and challenged to identify many species of birds perched in the trees in the Larsen Sanctuary. Some of these included a blue jay, northern mockingbird, white-breasted nuthatch and American goldfinch. The 3rd graders demonstrated impressive bird identification skills! In 4th grade, they will participate in a “mock” bird banding program and as 5th graders visit the Birdcraft Museum to observe licensed bird banders.

Assignments for 1/30-2/3

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:00:20 +0000

Monday

Spelling Unit 21 page 164-171 and page 303…due THURSDAY

Spelling test THURSDAY

Math: Finish workbook page 69

January Reading Log is due tomorrow!!!

Tuesday

Math: Multiplication Sheet

Wednesday

Math: Finish workbook page 72 front & back

Review for spelling test tomorrow

Thursday

Language Arts: Finish February acrostic poem (in color, on white lined paper)

Finish groundhog poster with 5 facts

***We are going to the Maritime Aquarium tomorrow****

CASUAL DAY, BRING SNACK & LUNCH, (Money for gift shop is optional)

Friday

Assignments for 1/23-1/27

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:00:51 +0000

Monday

Math: Finish 2 array sheets from class today

Spelling Unit 20 page 156-163, Champion Challenge p. 302

Tuesday

Weekend News is due tomorrow

Wear some RED (with your uniform) tomorrow for the Chinese New Year Assembly…socks, a sweater, scarf…

Math: “x5″ Sheet & Challenge Sheet (2nd sheet is optional)

Wednesday

Math: “x10″ Sheets

Thursday

Tomorrow we are going to the CT Audubon in Fairfield in the afternoon…it is a casual day (boots for outdoor walk). You do NOT need to bring money or food. We will leave after lunch and return at 2:30.

Friday

***CASUAL DAY****

Fairfield History Museum

Mrs. Gordon — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:47:11 +0000

Third grade traveled to the Fairfield History Museum recently to discover how communities change over time. Students were surprised to learn that Trumbull, Easton, Weston and Black Rock were actually once part of Fairfield. We learned that the first native American tribe in Fairfield was called the Unquowans! We even located The Unquowa School on a map of Fairfield from 1937. In the main gallery, students looked at artifacts and participated in hands-on activities from Connecticut’s theater history. In this exhibit, students were excited to try on costumes and create their own theater production on a stage. Before leaving, students completed a craft where they created people from a chosen time period in the the United Stares out of clothes pins and craft supplies. It was a fun and educational look at our area’s history.

Assignments for 1/16-1/20

Mrs. Gordon — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:00:40 +0000

Monday - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday

2 HOUR DELAYED OPENING

(No spelling workbook this week)

Math workbook page 60

Wednesday

Language Arts: There, Their, They’re Sheet

Math: finish multiplication story stared in class today. Illustrate your story in color

Math: By Monday, please bring in a piece of poster board (not FOAM board) any color, 12″ x 18″ and items to make a multiplication array. These items may be almost anything small…cotton balls, pennies, beans, pasta, small Lego pieces, beads, buttons…be creative! We will create this project in class on Monday.

***We are going to the Fairfield History Museum tomorrow***Please bring in your permission slip (uniform day, we will be back to eat lunch at school)

Thursday

Friday

***Permission slips for CT Audubon trip on Jan. 27 are in today’s “Sign & Return Folders”

¿Qué le duele a Mauricio?

Mrs. Brenna — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:31:56 +0000

Third grade students are learning about parts of the body in Spanish class. Recently, students encountered an interesting creature named Mauricio who came to visit class. Mauricio came to class because he was in need of some help. He had so many aches and pains! Third graders were able to help Mauricio identify which body parts were hurting him. Now, third graders are in the process of creating their own creatures, which they will soon describe and share with the class.

Landforms and Erosion

Mrs. Gordon — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:01:04 +0000

Does a mountain ever change? YES! Third graders have been learning about changes to landforms in science class. In this lab, students created a model of a mountain with sand and soil. Donning safety glasses for protection, students gently blew on the sand and discovered the effects of wind on landforms over time. Later, students experimented with slow and heavy “rainfall” on mountains, realizing that the material on top of the mountain often ended up at the base. Students discovered that mountains and other landforms do, in fact, change. Finally, students came up with some creative ideas for protecting landforms from erosion, including building fences and planting vegetation. Great job, third grade scientists!

January 2012

Mrs. Gordon — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:49:31 +0000

Happy New Year & Welcome Back!

Cold Weather Reminder: It is important for children to get outside, even in the winter. We will be having outdoor recess when it is about forty degrees or above. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. An extra hat/gloves in the backpack or locker comes in handy!

MATH:

MULTIPLICATION HAS BEGUN! Third graders are learning many new strategies to conquer the multiplication tables through twelves. Students will work with arrays and writing multiplication stories. Please encourage the use of strategies at home to practice facts. In the classroom, students will have fun with various games including; Iguana Factor, Mum Ball and Around the World. Have a deck of cards at home? Ask your child to teach you Good Times or Salute!

LANGUAGE ARTS

This month, we have moved out of our reading anthology and are currently reading the Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Clearly. Students will complete several activities related to this book including learning new vocabulary and creating a “dream motorcycle”.

About the Author: After reading about several authors’ backgrounds, including Beverly Cleary, students will write their own “About the Author” pieces. Students will practice writing in the third person in this assignment, which can be tricky.

SCIENCE:

This month started with a study of landforms. Third graders are learning about plateaus, mountains, valleys and canyons, to name a few. We will discover the quick changes to these landforms such as volcanoes and earthquakes and also how these landforms can change slowly over time with glaciers and erosion, as well. Later in the month, students will learn about soils, including how they are formed and the many variations of soils. Finally we will discover the importance of soil to our existence and ways to conserve this important natural resource.

In Environmental Science, students will begin a field guide of various heirloom vegetables. We will discover the history of these fragrant and tasty plants!

Chinese New Year…

We will be helping Chef Peter make dumplings as part of our celebration of Chinese New Year. Third graders will also be performing with the Lower School at a special Chinese New Year Assembly on January 25. Please ask your child to share the song they are learning in Mandarin to help them prepare for this assembly.

Field Experiences this month:

Fairfield History Museum: January 19 (uniform day)

Audubon in Fairfield: January 27 (casual day)

Assignments for 1/9-1/13

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:00:52 +0000

Monday

Spelling: Unit 19 pages 148-155 and Champion Challenge on page 301

Math: Finish Bar Graph

Please return permission slip for Fairfield History Museum

Tuesday

Science: Finish erosion lab from class today

Science: Finish land form poster

Weekend News is due tomorrow

Wednesday

Spelling test tomorrow

Thursday

***FYI…your child will need a 12×18″ posterboard for a multiplication array project next week (any color…but NO foam-board, please)

Friday

NO SCHOOL

Assignment for 1/3-1/6

Mrs. Gordon — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:00:36 +0000

Monday NO SCHOOL

Tuesday

Spelling: Unit 17 pages134-141 and Champion Challenge on page 300

***December Reading log is due today***

Math: Finish page 50 in workbook from class and the front only of page 54

Wednesday

Math: Ordered Pairs Sheet

Thursday

Math: Finish page 53 in workbook

Review for tomorrow’s spelling test

(the writing section of spelling will be finished in class tomorrow)

Friday

Assignments for 12/12-12/16

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:40 +0000

Monday

Spelling: Unit 15 pages118-125 and Champion Challenge on p. 298 due Thursday

Tuesday

Wear your black turtleneck and black pants to school tomorrow

Wednesday

Review for tomorrow’s spelling test (20 words)

Thursday

WINTERFEST TONIGHT: Students should report to the classroom between 6:30 and 6:40pm tonight dressed in a black shirt & black pants. Both boys & girls are asked to have blush & lipstick on (brown tones for boys, red tones for girls). Parents, please remember to come to the classroom right after the show to pick up your student

***December Reading Log is due the first day back from break (Tues. Jan. 3)***

Friday

Assignments for 12/5-12/9

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:00:02 +0000

Monday

Spelling: Unit 14 due Friday…pages 110-117 & Champion Challenge on page 296 (we wrote the letter in class)

Social Studies - finish your worksheets from class on human adaptations

Tuesday

Weekend News is due tomorrow

Math: Finish workbook page 46 front & back

Wednesday

Math: Calendar Sheet

Finishing letter (persuading someone)…this is the writing portion for spelling this week

Finish December poem

Thursday

Math: Workbook page 48 front & back

Spelling test tomorrow (20 words)

Friday

Assignments for 11/28-12/2

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:00:04 +0000

Monday

Social Studies : complete Our Country’s Regions worksheet

Spelling: Unit 13 pages 102-109 and Champion Challenge on page 296

Acrostic Poem of your favorite activity, due Thursday (this is the writing assignment for spelling this week)…We started the rough draft in class on Monday. Final copy is to be on white lined paper with first letter of each line should be colored (be creative).

Math: Workbook page 42, back only

Weekend News is due Wednesday

Tuesday

Social Studies - think about some renewable and non-renewable resources for your book we will make tomorrow in school

Math: math workbook page 44 front & back

****November Reading Log is due tomorrow. Remember to have Mom or Dad sign it*****

Wednesday

Review for Spelling test tomorrow…20 words!!

Thursday

Friday - NO SCHOOL (conference day)

Mother Earth Field Experience

Mrs. Gordon — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:02:26 +0000

The third grade class traveled to Brookfield, CT to visit the Mother Earth Mine. Upon our arrival, we were shown many different minerals and learned a bit about each one. Did you know that “bloodstone” was used on the battlefield to treat injuries because of its ability to remain cold? Or that amethyst laid next to your bed is said to catch all of your bad dreams? We learned these things and much more! After a short video on the real-world hard work of mining for gemstones, students donned head lamps and headed into the mine. Although the mine was dimly lit, we managed to uncover many minerals to carry out. Our trip concluded with a trip to the unique gift shop where many students bought treasures to take home. Mother Nature and Mother Earth are amazing!

Assignments for 11/21-11/22

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:00:48 +0000

Monday

***No spelling this week***

Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow…wear you regular uniform to school. Your pilgrim costume is at school

Tuesday

Enjoy the Thnaksgiving Holiday Break

***November Reading Log is due Wednesday November 30***

Wednesday - NO SCHOOL

Thursday - NO SCHOOL

Friday -NO SCHOOL

Assignments for 11/14-11/18

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:00:09 +0000

Monday

Spelling: Unit 11 pages 88-95 due Friday

Writing section of spelling: “Write directions”. We started this in class on Monday. Final copy of at least 8 steps due Friday.

Reading: Finish questions from Nights of the Pufflings

Math: back only of workbook page 33

Tuesday

Math: Turkey subtraction sheet

Wednesday

Social Studies - complete worksheet -Our Country’s Geography

Finish subtraction sheet started in class today (3 digits with regrouping)

Thursday

Math: Subtracting Across Zeros Sheet

***Tomorrow is a casual day****

Review for spelling test tomorrow

Friday

Assignments for 11/7-11/11

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:17 +0000

Monday

Spelling: Unit 10 pages 80-87

Math: Addition Sheet

Tuesday

Math: Finish page 31 in workbook, back only

Wednesday

Writing: Finish final copy “Thankful” paragraph

We are going to Mother Earth tomorrow…casual dress, bring snack, lunch & a drink

Thursday

Social Studies - For homework tonight, design your own compass rose. Remember the examples we looked at in school today. Use a plain sheet of copier paper if you need more than the one I gave you.

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Review for spelling test tomorrow

Friday

November 2011

Mrs. Gordon — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:17:37 +0000

What Are You Thankful For?…

Third graders will be discussing this question in preparation for a writing assignment this month. Students will practice paragraph writing skills with this topic and more. We will focus on identifying the topic sentence, detailed sentences and a proper closing. Students will learn techniques to add interest to their written work. Later this month we will join the entire student body to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast! Third graders will create place cards the week before and attend the feast dressed as pilgrims. (All costumes are already at school.)

As we approach the holiday season, reading selections this month will focus on family traditions from around the world. We will also read a story about the journey of the Mayflower from a pilgrim child’s viewpoint. We will work on previewing and evaluating text before reading and making judgments as to the author’s point of view.

In math, this month, students will continue to work with identifying patterns to enrich problem solving skills. Students will practice many strategies for addition and subtraction of one, two, three and even four digit numbers. Please continue to encourage your child to show all work when completing assignments at home, as this helps us to identify your child’s thought process. Students will strengthen regrouping skills with addition and subtraction, especially across zeros and with money.

Science:Third graders have been busy researching an endangered species of their choice and writing a report. When the reports are complete, each student will create a PowerPoint presentation to share with the class. Students have been amazed at the many interesting facts they have uncovered on the harp seal, polar bear, lynx, loggerhead sea turtle and many more…all of which are unfortunately on the current endangered species list. Within our study of animals, students this month will also learn about ecosystems, including various forests, desert, grassland, and water ecosystems.

On November 10th we will be traveling to Mother Earth in Brookfield, CT to begin a study of rocks and minerals. Students will participate in a fabulous program where they will identify various rocks and minerals and afterward, go into a mine to dig for their own to take home. This will be a casual day and students are asked to bring both a snack and bagged lunch, including drinks. If you prefer, Chef Peter will be happy to provide snack/lunch for your child; just let Mrs. Gordon know 24 hours in advance.

Mi clase

Mrs. Brenna — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:20:47 +0000

Third grade is on a mission to make over their classroom - Spanish-style! In order to get ready to do so, students had to study the Spanish classroom and the words for common, classroom objects. They were charged with doing an in-room scavenger hunt to figure out the definitions of twenty classroom items. Once all twenty labels were discovered, we were able to practice the pronunciation and location of the objects altogether with a fun, interactive activity. Next stop, a makeover for Mrs. Gordon’s room!

Assignments for 10/31-11/4

Mrs. Gordon — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:31 +0000

Monday

*******NO SCHOOL DUE TO STORM DAMAGE********

Today is a casual day!!

Spelling: unit 9 pages 72-79 due Friday

Tuesday

November reading logs were given out today. Due Wed. Nov. 30

Please hand in your October reading log

Math: no homework tonight due to continued power outages in many homes

Wednesday

Math: Workbook page 25, back only. Use the “Counting On” strategy that we learned in class…

Thursday

Review for tomorrow’s spelling test…15 words!!

Friday

Final Copy endangered species report due Monday