Ms. Larkin's Web Page
Third Grade 2011-2012
Room 12
Email: plarkin@lgusd.k12.ca.us
Phone: 335-2226
Link to set up on-line lunch card loading: EZSchoolPay.com
May/June Character Trait: GOOD JUDGEMENT
MATH LINK: IXL MATH
Week of 5/14/12
This week is the District Art Show at Fisher. We will not be attending as a class (due to the trip on Friday) but I encourage you to make a visit as a family this week.
On Friday we head to Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch in South San Jose. Students should wear some sort of sneakers, bring a lunch, and wear a light jacket. We will be having a snack when we arrive, go through the docent led tour, taking a short hike, and then having lunch before we return to school. This trip supports the social studies curriculum, learning about local history.
Wednesday is a spirit day; Jersey Day! Wear your favorite personal jersey or a profesional one to show your school spirit!
Friday is the annual Daves Avenue Carnival, from 4-7PM. Check out the Wednesday Wave Newsletter for details on pre-sale tickets.
Thanks for all your support during STAR testing weeks. We finished last Wednesday and celebrated with popsicles.
CURRICULUM UPDATES
Reading
Students are reading a biography of an American who made a difference in our country. While one book is probably enough for most kids, they are welcome to check out more from the local library and read them at hom and at school. Some kids may need more sources, or ones that are at their reading level. Let me know if you have questions regarding books. Students will read, find main ideas and detials about their person's life and turn the research into paragraphs. The project will culminate in an art activity. We will be working on this only in class.
Word Work/Skills
We will begin one more word work rotation, but it will go over two weeks' time. Homework will be done this week (starting on Tuesday) and be due next week. Students will write the due date on their word work homework sheet. We will continue to work on various language skills in class.
Math
We are in the third investigation of this unit, How Many Hundreds? How Many Miles? We continue to work on facts at all levels, depending on your child's specific needs. I am noticing some students are using the standard strategy we all learned to use for doing computation in addition and subtraction (vertical problems where we "carry" and "borrow"). Please know that while I am not saying students cannot use this method, it is not one we are using in class. In addition, it is just one way of solving the types of problems the third graders are doing right now. The types of strategies used in class mirror what is developmentally appropriate as well as reinforcing the understanding of place value. The letter I sent home at the beginning of the unit had possible strategies for your child to use. When it comes to subtraction specifically, you may find your child changing the problem into an addition problem, with a missing part. While this may seem confusing to you, it is actually a very sophisticated strategy! It shows that your child understands the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. It is also helping them to practice algebraic thinking. They may then use a number line and "add up." This is fine! They are learning how the number line can also be used to subtract back in the same way they added up. If you have any questions, or feel you cannot help your child with their math homework, please let me know. I am happy to help!
Writing/Writing conventions
We are having so much fun writing our free Verse poetry! All the students are writing many poems, working with each other as writing partners, and enjoying the process. I hope to have some sort of anthology by the end of the year!
Science
This week we are looking more at adaptation of organisims in various environments.
Social Studies
Government, Citizenship, and Important Americans: focusing on landmarks and the three branches of government.
Art
Seasonal
HOMEWORK
| Monday | Read for 20 minutes. Paragraph topic: Describe an important landmark or symbol; include why you think it is important. (NOTE: Students will take notes in class on this on Monday. Students are welcome to do additional research, but it is not necessary.) DUE FRIDAY |
| Tuesday | Read for 20 minutes; word work cut and sort words |
| Wednesday | Read for 20 minutes; Math practice page TBD; word work; write words and tell what you have noticed or learned |
| Thursday | Read for 20 minutes; Word Work one activity, your choice (SAVE for next week); Paragraph: Due on FRIDAY. |
DATES
May 16th, 2012: Spirit Day; Jersey Day
May 18th, 2012: Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch Study Trip
May 18th, 2012: Daves Avenue Carnival; 4-7PM
May 21st, 2012: Project Cornerstone Book
May 28, 2012: Memorial Day
May 29, 2012: Long Marine Lab Study Trip
June 4, 2012: Third Grade End-of-Year Party (field)