• March 2 - Early Release
• March 3 - No School (Teacher workday)
• March 28 - Spring Portraits and Class Photos
• March 31 - Spring Concert

*Dates are subject to changes

• Please remember to have your child read daily and complete their weekly homework and return it every Friday. 
• Please have your child wear appropriate clothes for cold weather. If you are in need of a coat, please reach out to your child's teacher.
• Please have your child wear appropriate shoes on days they have PE. If you don't know which days your child has PE, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In this biography and autobiography unit, students have the opportunity to read and learn about a variety of individuals who have contributed to our world. This unit focuses on individuals who have struggled in the face of adversity and succeeded in making a positive change in our world. Students will go beyond by not only focusing on facts told in biographies and autobiographies but how others inspire us all to strive toward goals, persevere, and use our talents and gifts to change the world around us. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Incorporate more time for students to read independently at home. 
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library. Check out books such as biographies and autobiographies.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our addition and subtraction unit, students build on their knowledge of three-digit numbers and explore how it extends to six-digit numbers. Students continue to build meaning for addition and subtraction through problem solving.
• In this unit, students expand their knowledge of measuring length in customary and metric units. They estimate and measure lengths and develop understandings of perimeter and area. Students will also estimate and measure liquid volume using customary and metric units.
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HOME PRACTICES

• Have students identify place and value in three and four digit numbers
• Have students practice addition and subtraction strategies
• Have students practice using and exploring a variety of measurement throughout the house (inch, foot, yard, centimeter, meters, cups, pints, quarts, gallons, and liters)

• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In this unit, students apply the fraction understandings they gained in their previous fractions unit to adding and subtracting with fractions. Students also use their knowledge of common multiples and factors to simplify fractions and find equivalent fractions.
• In our geometry unit, students will expand on  identifying, describing, comparing, and contrasting plane and geometric figures. They also learn specific components such as points, line segments, rays, and lines in plane figures. They learn to identify and describe congruent and noncongruent plane figures In addition, students explore patterns involving geometric shapes as well as create and extend patterns.

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students practice identifying and describing geometric figures. 
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• The Soils unit engages students in investigations and observations that will provide them with a basic understanding of the importance of soil to life on Earth. Students learn about the need to conserve soils and methods of soil conservation.
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HOME PRACTICES

• Discussion questions
  • How is soil important in ecosystems?
  • How can we describe soil quality?
• Take walks in your neighborhood and identify how soil is being used in our environment. 
• Visit your local library and check out books on soil and our environment.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our content area research unit, students learn how to develop questions they’d like to research, seek out a variety of sources of information, gather their research through note-taking, and create a final product that teaches others. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Incorporate more time for students to read independently at home. 
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library. Check out books on the country they are researching.

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our critical literacy book club unit, students explore the various types of traditional tales and go on journeys with the characters and learn lessons alongside them. Students develop a critical lens by digging beneath the surface and asking questions without a known answer.
• In our story innovations writing unit, students will write their own stories drawing on their experiences with a range of traditional text and literature.
• In our content area research unit, students learn how to develop questions they’d like to research, seek out a variety of sources of information, gather their research through note-taking, and create a final product that teaches others. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Ask your child discussion questions such as: Why do you think the author wrote this story? What does the author want you to believe or do? What do you believe about this topic? Who has the power in the story? What are some interesting facts on the country you are researching?
• Watch movie versions of The Ice Queen (Frozen), Rapunzel (Tangled), Moana,  and more modern tales. Afterwards, ask your child how the story might change if it were told from a different point of view, if the setting changed, or the problem changed.
• Incorporate more time for students to read independently at home. 
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library. Check out fractured fairy tales (a classic fairy tale with a modern twist), the same fairy tales by different authors, or books on the country they are researching.

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our critical literacy book club unit, students explore the various types of traditional tales and go on journeys with the characters and learn lessons alongside them. Students develop a critical lens by digging beneath the surface and asking questions without a known answer.
• In our story innovations writing unit, students will write their own stories drawing on their experiences with a range of traditional text and literature.

HOME PRACTICES

• Ask your child discussion questions such as: Why do you think the author wrote this story? What does the author want you to believe or do? What do you believe about this topic?
• Watch movie versions of The Ice Queen (Frozen), Rapunzel (Tangled), Moana,  and more modern tales. Afterwards, ask your child how the story might change if it were told from a different point of view, if the setting changed, or the problem changed.
• Incorporate more time for students to read independently at home. 
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library. Check out fractured fairy tales (a classic fairy tale with a modern twist) or the same fairy tales by different authors.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In part two of our multiplication and division unit, students will continue to develop an understanding of multiplication and division. Students will continue to explore the ideas of multiplication and division by solving real world problems that involve composing and decomposing units into groups. 

• In our addition and subtraction unit, students build on their knowledge of three-digit numbers and explore how it extends to six-digit numbers. Students continue to build meaning for addition and subtraction through problem solving.

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students identify place and value in three and four digit numbers
• Have students practice addition and subtraction strategies

• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our geometry unit, students will  identify, describe, compare, and contrast plane and geometric figures. They also learn specific components such as points, line segments, rays, and lines in plane figures. In addition, students explore patterns involving geometric shapes as well as create and extend patterns.

• In part two of our multiplication and division unit, students will continue to develop an understanding of multiplication and division. Students will continue to explore the ideas of multiplication and division by solving real world problems that involve composing and decomposing units into groups. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students practice identifying and describing geometric figures. 
• Have students practice multiplication and division strategies at home (skip counting, repeated addition, equal sharing)
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math.

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our fraction unit, students deepen their understanding of fraction concepts. These concepts include modeling fractions, naming and writing fractions, and comparing fractions.

• In our geometry unit, students will  identify, describe, compare, and contrast plane and geometric figures. They also learn specific components such as points, line segments, rays, and lines in plane figures. In addition, students explore patterns involving geometric shapes as well as create and extend patterns.

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students practice naming and writing fractions and mixed numbers represented by models or symbols.
• Have students practice identifying and describing geometric figures. 

• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In part two of our multiplication and division unit, students will continue to develop an understanding of multiplication and division. Students will continue to explore the ideas of multiplication and division by solving real world problems that involve composing and decomposing units into groups. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students practice multiplication and division strategies at home (skip counting, repeated addition, equal sharing)
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math.

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our decimals unit, students extend their understanding of fractions and place value to begin developing an understanding of decimal numbers. Students use models to compare and order decimals and apply their understandings of whole number addition and subtraction to adding and subtracting decimal numbers. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Expose students to different everyday uses of decimals such as: money, length, weight, or more. 
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math.

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our addition and subtraction unit, students extend their knowledge of place value to numbers in the millions. Students apply these understandings and skills to increase their computational fluency and accuracy with addition and subtraction.

• In our decimals unit, students extend their understanding of fractions and place value to begin developing an understanding of decimal numbers. Students use models to compare and order decimals and apply their understandings of whole number addition and subtraction to adding and subtracting decimal numbers. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students read, write, and identify the place and value of each digit in a nine-digit whole number.
• Have students practice addition and subtraction problems of whole numbers each 999,999 or less.
• Expose students to different everyday uses of decimals such as: money, length, weight, or more.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our social studies unit, students will learn how civilizations have geographically changed over time in ancient China. Students will also learn how the contributions of ancient China continue to influence our world today. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Ask your discussion questions such as: 
  • In what ways do the contributions and accomplishments of Ancient China continue to influence the world today?
  • In what ways do people use natural, human, and capital resources to get what they need (basic needs), or want?

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our science unit, students will identify how our choices and behaviors can impact our local water as a part of the larger water cycle.
• In our social studies unit, students will learn how civilizations have geographically changed over time in ancient egypt. Students will also learn how the contributions of ancient Egypt continue to influence our world today. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Review bodies of water with your students (oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc)
• Ask your discussion questions such as: 
  • How does the water cycle impact the environment?
  • How do our actions impact water sources? 
  • Why do we need to conserve water?
  • In what ways do the contributions and accomplishments of Ancient Egypt continue to influence the world today?
  • In what ways do people use natural, human, and capital resources to get what they need (basic needs), or want?

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our science unit, students will identify how our choices and behaviors can impact our local water as a part of the larger water cycle.

HOME PRACTICES

• Review bodies of water with your students (oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc)
• Ask your discussion questions such as: 
  • How does the water cycle impact the environment?
  • How do our actions impact water sources? 
  • Why do we need to conserve water?

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our nonfiction unit, students are learning how to navigate and use various nonfiction text features and organizational patterns to comprehend information in their nonfiction texts and the world around them.
• In our functional texts unit, students are learning to explore a variety of types of functional texts to understand the author’s purpose and to locate and interpret information
• In our nonfiction writing unit, students select their own topics based on interest and background knowledge to write complex and comprehensive All About books that involve sophisticated organizational and text structures.

HOME PRACTICES

• Expose students to various functional texts (receipts, menus, articles, etc).
• Encourage students to read more nonfiction texts on various topics. Ask students to share their new learning after reading.
• Incorporate more time for students to read independently at home. 
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our characters unit, we are learning to engage with the characters in our books by linking our own background and experiences to the events in the story. Students will react and connect to the character’s actions, words, and choices. In this unit, students are making more meaningful connections to deepen their understanding of the character and the text as a whole.
• In our personal narrative unit, students share the stories of their lives by writing personal narratives. They gather writing ideas by reflecting on their own daily personal experiences.

HOME PRACTICES

• When reading independently, ask your child to describe the character, what connections they might make, or how the character has changed throughout the story.
• Encourage your child to share stories about experiences daily.
• Incorporated more time to have students read independently at home. 
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Building a community of readers and writers. 
• Practicing routines and procedures around reading and writing workshops.
• Developing their own reading identities by discovering their needs, interests, and habits
• Engaging with others in thoughtful discussions develops ideas and perspective. 
• Understanding that writing is a challenging process in which writers make decisions about topic, form, craft, and process.

HOME PRACTICES

• Incorporated more time to have students read independently at home. 
• Read with your child and have them practice jotting notes about interesting parts of the book.
• Give children a writing prompt (i.e. How was your first few weeks at school? If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?)
• Log on to Schoology to access resources such as Lexia and MyOn
• Visit your local library

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In this unit, students develop an understanding of multiplication and division. Students will develop and apply strategies for basic multiplication facts and the related division facts. 

• In this unit, students deepen their understanding of fraction concepts. These concepts include modeling fractions, naming and writing fractions, and comparing fractions

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students practice multiplication and division strategies at home (skip counting, repeated addition, equal sharing)
• Have students practice naming and writing fractions and mixed numbers represented by  models or symbols.
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Students build on their knowledge of two- and three-digit numbers and explore how it extends to four-digit numbers. Students continue to build meaning for addition and subtraction through problem solving.
• In this unit, students develop an understanding of multiplication and division. Students will develop and apply strategies for basic multiplication facts and the related division facts. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students identify place and value in three and four digit numbers
• Have students practice addition and subtraction strategies
• Have students practice multiplication and division strategies at home (skip counting, repeated addition, equal sharing)
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Students will be learning time, temperature, and data.
•  Students are learning to tell time to the nearest minute and read temperature in both degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius
• Students are learning to read and analyze bar graphs and pictographs

HOME PRACTICES

• Have children practice telling time with an analog and digital clock. 

Analog Clock            Digital Clock

• Have children practice reading temperature on a thermometer.
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In this unit, students extend their knowledge of place value to numbers in the millions. Students apply these understandings and skills to increase their computational fluency and accuracy with addition and subtraction.

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students read, write, and identify the place and value of each digit in a nine-digit whole number.
• Have students practice addition and subtraction problems of whole numbers each 999,999 or less

• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Students are developing  an understanding of multiplication and division. Students will develop and apply strategies for basic multiplication facts and the related division facts. 
• In this unit, students deepen their understanding of fraction concepts. These concepts include modeling fractions, naming and writing fractions, comparing fractions, and finding equivalent fractions

HOME PRACTICES

• Have students identify place and value in three and four digit numbers
• Have students practice addition and subtraction strategies
• Have students practice multiplication and division strategies at home (skip counting, repeated addition, equal sharing)
• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Students are learning to build on their knowledge of two- and three-digit numbers and explore how those understandings extend to four-digit numbers.
• Students continue to build on their addition and subtraction strategies through problem solving and exploration.

HOME PRACTICES

• Log on to Pine Spring Student Web to access resources such as ST Math

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• In our social studies unit, the students learn how geographic features may impact daily life for people around the world.
• In our science unit, students will identify how our choices and behaviors can impact our local water as a part of the larger water cycle.

HOME PRACTICES

• Review continents, oceans, landforms, and map skills with students at home.
• Review bodies of water with your students (oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc)
• Ask your discussion questions such as: 
  • How does the water cycle impact the environment?
  • How do our actions impact water sources? 
  • Why do we need to conserve water?

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• The Ladybugs unit engages students in investigations and observations that will provide them with a basic understanding of the systems, order, and organization of the natural world.
• Students also learn about the relationships among organisms in food chains. Students will discover how ecosystems support many plants and animals.

HOME PRACTICES

• Going on walks and having students share observations they notice in their environment
• Brainstorm animals that change overtime
• Identify living and nonliving things and their home and habitat

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Understanding diverse perspectives and cultures when considering local, national, and world issues.

• Learning to demonstrate empathy, compassion, and respect for others
• Identifying learning goals for the new school year.

HOME PRACTICES

• Discussion questions to ask: 
  • What is the same and different about rules in our homes, our classroom, our school, online, and in our community?
  • What makes a rule a “good rule”?
  • How do our choices affect others?
  • What are your hopes and dreams for third grade? What do you hope to learn or get better at?