Week 5: Happy Rosh Hashanah!

September is in the books and the class is settling into routines. We now will begin more challenging work. Many of the children have shown good reading stamina and can read a text for 25 minutes. In class we have begun writing responses to the books we read. Third Graders are invited to do more than just retell stories. We have looked at characters and made inferences about them through our read aloud, Tooter Pepperday. We've also begun to look at themes (lessons or central messages) of some short texts like Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport and Those Shoes. This begins the most important work of our year as Third Graders create ideas from their reading and use text information to support their thoughts. 

Families can support this work at home when talking about stories, movies or events by saying "I think.... because (evidence from the book/ show)".  And even though they are "big kids" now, these kids LOVE being read to! Read aloud are a great way to expose your child to books that may be ahead of their independent reading level. 

Here's what to expect for the week of September 30- October 4: 

• We'll have a shortened week with schools closed on Monday and Tuesday for Rosh Hashanah. 
• Third Graders will have their first Friday Assembly. If your child has volunteered to present that day, please remind them to come prepared. 
• We are about two week away from the Module 1 Math test, which assesses children on the skills they have practiced in math so far. Many students have taken the initiative to practice their math facts on their own. It is very helpful when your child knows their 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 facts. Here are some links to support that: 

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/multiplication-tables-for-2-3-4-5-and-10
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/division-facts-for-2-3-4-5-and-10
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/multiply-by-4

Once again, I have to thank you all for your support in getting the children to settle into group routines and remembering to take the time to listen to teachers and other students.

Have a wonderful, restful, extended weekend!

Week 4: September 23rd-27th

PS 154 students made signs and rallied today in solidarity with the Climate Strike.

Here's what coming for next week:

• We are going to begin our Social Studies work by examining maps of the continents. We want children to see that they belong to a global community. Students will be asked  to name places where their ancestors have resided and will need to check in with their parents. 
• Our math work is progressing well. Here are some links to help support our children's learning about arrays and equal groups in multiplication/ division.

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/write-division-sentences-for-groups
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/write-multiplication-sentences-for-arrays

Have an excellent weekend!

Week 3: September 16th-20th

Today, we tried math games using our addition and subtraction skills! Students worked together as teams and had fun solving problems and checking each others calculations.

Here's what is happening next week:

• Students have been borrowing books from our class library. It is important for your child to bring the books to school in their book bags each day. They don't have to bring all of them back and forth but please remind your child to have at least one book traveling with them in the school bag.
• We will begin Reading level assessments next week. This is a quick reading task to see where your child is in terms of their reading skills, stamina and fluency. 
•  Curriculum Conferences will be held on Tuesday. Third Grade teachers will present a brief overview of the subjects we are studying this year at 5:00 pm in the MMR. Afterwards you are invited to visit the classroom. I hope to see you there!
• Please note that there was a change in our Cluster schedule. We will now have Gym on Mondays with Ms. Gamboi and Thursdays with Ms. Donato. Please make sure your child has sneakers on those days. Theater will take place on Fridays. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week of September 9th-13th

The first week of school is over and I've had the pleasure of getting to know the children. These kids are sweet and friendly, always ready to share their thoughts and jokes. Many of the kids arrived ready to listen and learn from Day 1. Great job everyone!

In two days, we've established routined for how to lineup, how to use the school facilities and how to listen and speak to each. This will be an ongoing effort and we will continue to practice strategies that are working for us. We have also been working on being mindful of how we travel from location to location. Children are trying to not bump into each other or block other's paths by walking with attention to safety and space. Many children have shown how caring they are by making the effort and it is greatly appreciated. Please encourage your child to continue trying!

Here are items to note for next week:

• Students received a blue Home to School Folder today. This folder will contain letters from the school and class assignments. There are three forms to be completed for class: a Dismissal form (thank you to those who have already turned them in); a photo release for and a neighborhood walk form.  Please fill out and return them with your child next week. 
• We will begin our math work with the first module in the EngageNY Math program. Properties of Multiplication and Division and Solving Problems with Units of 2-5 and 10 focuses on using  equal groups to learn multiplication and division concepts and facts. Here are some links to preview our work for next week: 

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/count-equal-groups

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/write-multiplication-sentences-for-arrays 

• We will continue to establish classroom routines by turning our attention to the class library. The kids are excited to start borrowing books from our classroom! Students will borrow books for independent reading and, in the next few weeks, we'll begin assessing letter levels to help match readers to just right books. 

Finally, I want to thank you for your help with supplies and helping your child be ready for school. I look forward to a fabulous year together! Have a beautiful weekend!

Welcome to the Third Grade!

Hello or "Nay Ho" in Cantonese!

If you reading this, you've received the class letter for 3-303. I hope you've had an amazing summer and are enjoying the last few days before we meet on Thursday. I had a leisurely summer exploring this city and spending time with my family and friends.

I am excited to start the new school year with you. Third grade will be an exciting year with lots of new things to do and learn. One subject we are going to have fun with is Social Studies. This year we'll study Cultures Around the World. If you haven't already done so, please watch the video above with your child.  When we meet, I would love to hear how they might say hello (in English or any language of their choice; a dance move is optional).

Have a lovely Labor Day! See you soon!