Week 29: NYS ELA test

Tuesday, April 2, and Wednesday, April 3 are the dates for the NYS English Language Arts tests. The tests will requires students to read passages and answer questions about what they have read. The questions are multiple choices on the first day and written responses on the second day. We aim to begin the test sessions at around 9:00am. Please make sure your child arrives to school on time.

In class we have been practicing a variety of strategies for navigating the test questions. One challenge students face is maintaining their focus over this task. To help your child, please make sure he or she eats a nutritious breakfast before the test. It would also be helpful to have your child go out and play in the morning to help them get some extra energy out. While we want our children to do their best, it is helpful to just remind them to try their best. Please avoid comments that suggest the children must get a four to be successful. After all, this is their first try at standardized testing and it doesn't impact promotion or class placements for next year.

Here's what is happening next week:

• We are continuing our work with fractions. While students are getting better at recognizing and naming fraction, they will continue to work on comparing fractions. Please encourage your child to refer to the fraction bars handout when necessary as many students benefit from looking at a model of the fraction. 
• Here are some links to support your child's fraction work: 

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/4739-recognize-equivalent-fractions-using-number-lines/ 

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/identify-equivalent-fractions-on-number-lines 

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/find-equivalent-fractions-using-area-models

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/select-fractions-equivalent-to-whole-numbers-using-area-models

Have an excellent weekend!

Week 28:Science Fair

Several children have returned the tear off to indicate that they are interested in participating in the science fair. If you are one of the families that are participating, please help your child complete at the proposal page inside the packet. This is due to Mr. Foreman as soon as possible in the next week.

Chapter 8 math test was returned today. We will continue to work on Fraction in Chapter 9. Many students are still getting used to naming fraction amounts. It is very important for your child to know that a numerator names the pieces that are being counted and that the denominator names the equal pieces in each whole. This can get tricky when we deal with Fractions greater than one or mixed numbers.  Here are some links to provide additional review.

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/FractionsNumberlineTutorial.htm
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/mathman_fractions_numberline.htm
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/match-mixed-numbers-to-models

Here's what to expect next week:

• We will take our trip to the College of Staten Island to see the Shanghai Acrobats on Monday. We should be back in time to eat lunch at school at the third lunch period. Please make sure your child has a good breakfast. We are expecting Ruthie's, Amay's and Angel's parents as chaperones. 

Have an excellent weekend!

Week 27

I really appreciate the feedback and kind support I received during Parent Teacher Conferences. It was great to hear how much the kids were enjoying their work in science and social studies, as well as the books we have been reading. The math activities we've been trying in Math Stations have also been enthusiastically received!

One frequently asked question was in regards to the ELA test. Since this is a new experience for all third graders, we have been practicing test taking strategies within our ELA review unit. Your child has practiced taking multiple choice questions on a test grid and used strategies like process of elimination, re-reading and highlighting to help them move through these tasks. We've also practiced writing short and extended response. An important thing to remember is that this test requires children to use reading and writing strategies taught throughout the year. The best way to help prepare your child is to encourage them to keep reading as they have been doing all year long.

This test will be administered on Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3.

Here's what's happening next week:

• We will finish up Chapter 8 and have our math test on Wednesday. Here are some links to provide additional support.

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/fractions-of-number-lines
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/unit-fractions-modeling-word-problems
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/match-fractions-to-models

• On Friday, there will be a one-time change in our lunch period. We will have lunch at 1:00, which means the children will need to bring a snack to have in class. It can be a part of the home lunch if you already provide that for your child. Otherwise, please make sure you have a snack that is easily eaten. Cheese sticks, granola, or fruit bars, etc. are a good choice as they are easy to clean up after. Please be aware that we have some children with nut allergies so snacks cannot be shared. 

Have an excellent weekend!

Week 26

Next week, report cards will be given on Wednesday. Many of you have returned the Parent Teacher Conference form and your child has received an appointment slip from me. If you have not seen it please check your child's homework folder.

Here's what else is happening next week:

• We are going to the Armory on Tuesday.
• We will have our second session of Sun Dojo Martial Arts on Wednesday. The kids have had a great time!
• The Community Assembly will take place on Friday. If your child has volunteered to perform, please remind them be prepared on Friday. 

Here are some links for extra Math practice: 

• https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/fractions-of-a-group-word-problems
• https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/fractions-of-number-lines-unit-fractions

Have a wonderful Daylight Savings weekend!

Week 25

Third Graders enjoyed a special workshop with K.K. Choey, who taught us about Chinese Calligraphy.  Our students worked carefully on writing Chinese characters with a brush. This requires focus and steadiness. Please check out some of the results on the wall near our classroom.

Here's what's happening next week:

• We have begun our unit on ELA Review. This unit gives students a chance to practice reading skills and reflect on how they are reading well. We have begun practicing some test taking strategies on how to navigate a multiple choice task and next week, we will also work on answering tasks that require explanations. 
• We are also reading Biographies to continue our learning in the Nonfiction genre. Students have been working on how a text's structure is chosen by the author to help communicate important information. We have been looking at Compare and Contrasting texts and Chronological texts after spending the last month on Main Ideas and Details.
• We have begun the challenging work of learning about Fractions and how they are used to show a specific value. Many students are getting used to the fact that the two numbers, numerator and denominator, work together to tell a story about the amount that is part of a whole. Here are some links to help support your child's learning: 

          http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/fracTut1.htm
          https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/match-unit-fractions-to-models

• We will begin a new enrichment on Wednesday. Sun Dojo is providing all third graders with a Mindfulness workshop. This will be taught through the practices of Martial Arts. Please make sure your child is dressed in clothes that are comfortable to move in. Students might also be asked to remove their shoes for safety reasons. 

Have a wonderful weekend!