Csnned Food Drive: February 14-22.

Let’s show a little extra LOVE this Valentine’s Day by participating in the FCE Canned Food Drive.

The donations will given to the Round Rock Serving Center to assist with their Backpack Initiative Program.  

Your child can bring cans to school any day February 14-22.  

Thank you in advance for your participation!

February Learning

Math-  Students are continuing to explore multiplication and dig in to division, which is quite a struggle if you aren't solid with your times tables.  Students should be working towards memorizing all multiplication facts through 12 X 12. Five minutes a day of XtraMath and/or flashcards will help your student develop their fluency.  Problem solving continues to be a focus and applying all of the strategies we've learned so far.  Students must be able to visualize a real world math problem to determine whether it is a multi-step problem.  They must also be able to understand what computation should be used and circle key numbers, box key terms, and show their work. In the coming weeks, we’ll be learning about fraction equivalence and comparing fractions using <,> and = symbols. 

     

Language Arts- Our literary nonfiction: Learning from the lives of others unit concludes tomorrow with our Living Museum from 10:45-11:30. We will be exploring and writing Fairy Tales next! 

Science-  We will be beginning our unit on Space.  Students will examine the relationship of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon, identify the planets in Earth’s Solar System and their position in relation to the Sun. Students will also describe and illustrate the Sun as a star made up of gases that provides heat and light energy.

Social Studies- Economics/personal finance unit is next. More information to come in next weeks Thursday folder. 

February Reminders

Tuesday, February 12 & Wedsday, February 13 are the STAAR Ready math & reading tests for all 3rd graders.  STAAR Ready is just what it sounds like ... an assessment prior to the STAAR that helps students, parents & teacher gauge student readiness with regards to the curriculum to be tested in May.  It is a good practice for the students, and it is simply one tool to help guide instruction for the remainder of the school year.  It is very important that your child is at school on these days.  I treat the testing environment like that of May, so students can know what to expect.  Remind your child to relax & be confident.  We have worked hard in class & you have worked hard at home too. This is simply a time for your child to show off what they know so far in 3rd grade. 

Thursday, February 14, from 2:05 - 2:45 PM is our classroom Valentine's Day party.  Thank you to those that have already signed up to provide treats for our party.  If your child would like to bring cards for their classmates, please be sure they bring enough for each member of our class.  We have 20 students.  A list of first names went home in last week's and this weeks HW cover page. 

There will be no school for students on February 18 & 19 due to RRISD-wide, staff development days. 

I will be going on maternity leave in the next few weeks. A Meet/Greet with our Long Term Sub Cindy Delong will be happening soon. Please be patient as we’re looking at possible dates and a time to do this. 

Thank you
-Mrs.Torres

Happy New Year & Third Nine Weeks updates

Parents:

The Third 9-week period of 3rd grade is a very busy one.  I want to give you an advance look at what is upcoming and hopefully ease your mind about what parent involvement might be.

Science Fair:  (This is optional for 3rd grade) If your child is a creative thinker or interested in the sciences, I highly recommend that you encourage them to do the science fair.  For third grade, this project is done entirely at home.  Whether they enter a project or not, come enjoy Math and Science Night to view projects, play grade level math games and participate in science activities.  

Reading Comprehension Passages:  In order to have students demonstrate their reading stamina and use all their reading comprehension skills they will be taking one or two reading passages weekly.  Our class will typically do this on Thursday or Friday.  While this has proven over the years to be invaluable practice which makes kids more confident going into STAAR testing, sometimes Reading grades will slip.  We are also scheduled to take a STAAR-Ready reading and math tests in February -- think of it as a practice!  Students will be given the full 4 hours to complete.

Living Museum:  As part of our Language Arts unit on learning about the lives of others, students will be choosing an inventor/scientist/entrepreneur or innovator to research.  All research will be done in class using nonfiction books, biographies and websites.  The students will then write a short piece about the subject of their research ...this too will be done during class-time.  As a culminating event, the grade level invites parents to our Living Museum.  Students dress up and have props for their presentation.  These materials are created at home.  It can be as simple as a poster costume, a bottle figure or full costume.   Specific information will go home in a letter to parents this week. Our living Museum is scheduled to be on Friday, Feb 8th 10:45-11:30am. 

Economic's Fair: (later on in the semester)  Students learn some very sophisticated things about our free enterprise system.  To make that learning more concrete and accessible, 3rd graders have an economics fair and are both producers and consumers.  The goods that they choose to sell do not have to be either complex or expensive.  Students will have an inventory of less than 20 items.  Some examples are items from the Dollar Store to resell, home-made slime, decorated pencils or coupons for a service.  Again there will be a detailed letter going home in advance of the project with more examples.  The point is while it does have to be done at home, it should not be overwhelming for either the child or parent!

As always, you can always contact me with any questions. 

Week 17: What are we learning?

Week 17

Another week of exciting learning in our classroom

Math: multi-step multiplication & division problem-solving; spiral review of graphing, reading common fractions & fractions on a number line; ]unit test over fractions & division this week; continued multiplication fact fluency

Reading & Writing: biographies ... identifying positive & negative character traits in nonfiction literature; outward, visual traits vs inward, unseen character traits; spiral review of text features; comprehension passage to identify summary; new spelling list: suffixes -ful & -less; continued cursive practice

Science: Land forms Test this week. Weathering, erosion & deposition poster creation

Social Studies: Identifying famous artists and heroes past and present; reading timelines

A few quick reminders ...

Our class holiday party is on Wednesday, December 19 from 9-10 AM.  Please be on the lookout for details via Signupgenius on what you can provide to help make this a special celebration for the children.

End of the 2nd Quarter marking period Wednesday, Dec 19th. All assignments and redo work is due.

Class Spelling Bee (optional) on Wednesday, Dec 19th.

Winter holiday break is coming up ... December 20 - January 7.

As always, please email me with any questions or concerns. 

Week 10 (Beginning Oct 22nd)

In Language Arts, we are working on a nonfiction unit.  We are exploring the different text structures that nonfiction has as well as fact vs. opinion, and cause and effect relationships.  We will write an expository essay.  We will discuss that expository essays answer a question.  Students are picking topics this week by choosing a question they would like to answer. 

In Math, we will continue our unit on multiplication. We are learning strategies to multiply such as making arrays, equal groups, using repeated addition, and strip diagrams  In the coming months we will be reviewing time and money.  Telling time and counting money are skills that today’s children do not have a lot of practice with because of digital clocks and debit cards.  Please have them work on these skills at home in practical situations.  For example… Maybe your child could count the change in your wallet or tell you the time on an analog clock.   Maybe you could ask them to calculate how much time it is until their favorite television program is on?

In Science, we are studying Force, Motion, Gravity, and Magnetism.  This week we will delve into the concept of friction. 

In Social Studies, we are continuing our unit on heroes.  Culture is shaped by the way people live and interact with others. We will be discussing how communities celebrate their heroes?

Reminders/Announcements:
1. November 9th – Field trip to CRHS to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Suggestion of Books for 3rd Graders

Suggestion of Books for 3rd Graders

The Bunnicula Series- By James Howe

Bunnicula Strikes Again

Celery Stalk at Midnight

Howliday Inn

Any books by Judy Blume such as:

Tales of the 4th Grade Nothing

Superfudge

Fudge-A-Mania

Any books by Beverly Cleary such as:

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Ralph S. Mouse

Runaway Ralph

Otis Spofford

Socks

Any books by Laura Ingalls Wilder such as:

Little House in the Big Woods

Winter Days in the Big Woods

The First Four Years

Little House on the Prairie

Any books by Betty Ren Wright such as:

Ghost Witch

Christina's Ghost

Dollhouse Murders

Ghost in the House

Ghost on Popcorn Hill

Any books by Andrew Clements such as:

The Jacket

The School Story

The Report Card

Frindle

The Landry News

Any Books by Roald Dahl such as:

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

James and the Giant Peach

Witches

The Twits

Any books by Willo Davis Roberts such as:

Megan’s Island

The Girl with the Silver Eyes

The Pet-Sitting Peril

The Minden Curse

Babysitting is a Dangerous Job

Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman

Honus & Me

Mickey & Me

Babe & Me

Jackie & Me

Jim & Me

Shoeless Joe & Me

Any books by Louis Sachar such as:

There’s a Boy in The Girls’ Bathroom

Marvin Redpost series

Wayside School series

Any Series by Rich Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Kane Chronicles

Heroes of Olympus

Gregor the Overlander Series by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander

Prophecy of Bane

Curse of the Warmbloods

Mark of the Secrets

Code of the Claw

Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden

Among the Imposters

Among the Betrayed

Among the Baron

Among the Brave

Among the Enemy

Among the Free

The Boys Start The War Series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Any books by her- she’s awesome!!!)

The Boys Start the War

The Girls Get Even

Boys Against the Girls

The Girls’ Revenge

A Traitor Among the Boys

A Spy Among the Girls

The Boys Return

The Girls Take Over

Boys in Control

Girls Rule

Boys Rock

Who Won The War?

39 Clues Series

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

One False Note by Gordon Korman

The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis

Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson

The Black Circle by Patrick Carman

In Too Deep by Jude Watson

The Viper’s Nest by Peter Lerangis

The Emperor’s Code by Gordon Korman

Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park

Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Vespers Rising by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson

The Medusa Plot by Gordon Korman

Any books by Gordon Korman such as:

Swindle Series- 3 books

Everest Series- 3 books

Dive Series -3 books

Island Series- 3 books

On the Run Series- 6 books

The Kidnapped Series  - 3 books

Titanic series- 3 books

Any books by Mary Downing Hahn such as:

The Old Willis Place

Wait Till Helen Comes

Deep and Dark andDangerous

Closed for the Season

All the Lovely Bad Ones

Other Great Books:

Hot and Cold Summer by Johanna Hurwitz

Encyclopedia Brown by Donald Sobol

Chocolate Fever by Robert Smith

Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling Stealing

Home by Mary Stolz

Skinnybones by Barbara Park

Castle in the Attic and Battle for the Castle by Elizabeth Winthrop

War with Grandpa by Robert Smith