Weekly Happenings 3.27-3.31

Hello! I hope everyone had a great Spring Break! We had an amazing first day back!

Here is what's happenings this week:

Writing: We are continuing to work on poetry! The students will work on creating poems using their senses. They will also use imagery and description to bring their poems to life!

Reading: With MAP test approaching, we will spend some time working on test taking strategies. The students will practice the strategies using different short texts. We will also work on various reading strategies during our small group work.

Word Study: We will spend another week learning grammar rules. We will work on prepositions and comma rules this week.

Science: The students will finish the rocks and minerals Web Quest this week. We will take a small quiz next week over rocks and minerals!

Math: This week, we will review how to find area and perimeter. They will take a small quiz on Friday.

Important Dates:

2.28 - Concord Expo
4.5 - Early Release/Flyer Family Meeting

Web Quest

The students worked together to learn more about rocks and minerals! 

A few third grade students completed a service project in which they donated knitted items to animal shelters. The girls shared their talents with our class and taught us how to knit! 

Metric Conversions

Here is a sheet the students can use when converting!

Weekly Happenings 3.12-3.16

Hello! I hope everyone had a great weekend! This is our last week before spring break! We also have a half day on Friday!

Here is what's happenings this week:

Writing: I am beyond amazed with the students' informational books and posters! They truly became experts on their topics! Our next unit will be a poetry unit! They will learn about the different types of poems and the elements of poetry. They will be writing many poems throughout the unit!

Reading: We are wrapping up our book clubs this week! They students have grown so much this unit! They are taking better notes and having stronger conversations. Please continue to make sure your child is reading nightly! It would be beneficial to ask them some questions about their reading. This will help ensure they are reading carefully.

Word Study: This week, we will focus on using homophones correctly in their writing! They will get new spelling words after spring break.

Science: The students will be working on a rocks and minerals Web Quest. They will be using different online videos and websites to learn more about rocks and minerals. They will work in a group to answer questions that go with the video and websites.

Math: This week, the students will learn the different metric measurements. They will also learn how to convert the measurements. They will take a short quiz over the unit on Friday. 

Important Dates:

3.16 - Spring Conferences 
3.17 - Half Day/Beginning of Spring Break
4.5 - Early Release/Flyer Family Meeting

Expert Fair

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to the Expert Fair! The students did a wonderful job sharing their expertise on their topic! 

Math Review Game

Weekly Happenings 3.6-3.10

Hello! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I can't wait for another great week!

Here is what's happenings this week:

Writing: This week, the students are creating posters to highlight the important information from their books. They will also make short speeches to present at the Expert Fair! Parents and relatives are invited to our Expert Fair. The Expert Fair will be March 9, from 9:00-9:00. You can come anytime between 9:00-9:30 and stay for as long as you want!

Reading: The students are still part of book clubs! Many have began new books recently! We will  continue to focus on how to record notes that can spark a discussion! They are encouraged to stop and jot as they read. The goal is to use their notes to keep their book club conversations alive! Please encourage your child to read their book club book at home. It is their responsibility to keep up with their reading! 

Word Study: We will be working on different grammar concepts for the next few weeks!

Science: We will begin another science unit this week! This unit will cover rocks and minerals! They will learn the properties of minerals. They will also learn about the different types of rocks.

Math: The students will take a test over the Customary Measurements this Thursday. They will get their study guide today and review tomorrow! It is really important they study for their test. They will be expected to know the different conversions! 

Important Dates:

3.7 - Father-Daughter Dance 
3.9 - Expert Fair
3.10 - End of 3rd quarter -1/2 Day
3.16 - Spring Conferences 
3.17 - Half Day/Beginning of Spring Break

Preparing for the Expert Fair!

Chapter 5 Study Guide

Chapter 5 Study Guide

Why did the Native Americans support the British in the War of 1812?

• The Native Americans were mad their land was being taken by the American settlers.  The British gave the Native Americans weapons to attack the settlers.

Where was Missouri’s constitution written?

• St. Louis

What caused St. Louis to grow quickly between 1830 and 1850?

• In St. Louis travelers stopped and could buy whatever they needed for the trip west

• People opened up shops in St. Louis for travelers heading west to buy supplies

What event caused a large westward movement in 1849?

• Gold was discovered in California (The California Gold Rush)

Difference between the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail.

• Oregon Trail led northwest from the Missouri River all the way to California/Oregon
• Santa Fe Trail ran further south from Independence, Missouri to New Mexico.

Make sure you can read a timeline as well!

Word	Definition
Pioneer	People who settle on land that is new to them
Missouri Compromise	Missouri would become a slave state and Maine would be a free state. Everything below Missouri (besides Missouri) would be slave and everything above would be free
Constitution	Plan of government
Debt	Money that is owed to other people
Loan	Money that is borrowed that should be payed back
Frontier	The edge of settled areas
Mountain Men	Men who hunted and searched for fur in the Rocky Mountains. They get their name because they hunt in the Rocky Mountains
Gold Rush	People flooded, or rushed, to California to find gold Began in 1849
Oregon Trail	Oregon trail led Northwest from the Missouri River
Santa Fe Trail	It started in Independence, Missouri and led to New Mexico