Mrs. Fox's Third Grade: February 2021

Thursday, February 25, 2021

February 25, 2021

Announcements

Thank you to everyone who attended our Parent Teacher Conference this week. This was our last scheduled conference, but please let me know if you would like to meet again before the end of the year.

Summer School enrollment opens March 1st! This year, summer school will go from June 14-July 23. Enrollment will be online, but please let me know if you need a paper copy to fill out.

In the Classroom

In reading this week, we finished our Technology magazine by learning about hearing aids and cameras. The students and I had some amazing conversations about innovations and advancements in technology! We started our opinion writing project this weeks. Students were asked to identify what they believe is the most important invention: light bulb, camera, hearing aid, and telephone. This week, we began researching to find support for our opinion. Students used videos, websites, articles, and their magazine to take notes. Next week, we will begin outlining our opinion pieces.

In math this week, students have been busy learning all about fractions. We used fraction circle pieces to discuss numerators and denominators. We also used fraction cards to learn about equivalent fractions.

In science, we finished our Weather unit this week. On Tuesday, we had the opportunity for a virtual visit from meteorologist Kenton Gewecke! Kenton helped us learn about precipitation, hazardous weather, and climate change.

Upcoming Events

No School-February 26

Spring Break-March 29-April 2

Friday, February 12, 2021

February 12, 2021

Announcements

What a crazy week! On Thursday, we had an opportunity to participate in a program called Authors in Schools with Lauren Tarshis. She is the author of the I Survived historical fiction series that many of our 3rd graders read. This was just for CPS schools, and it was amazing! Lauren answered questions submitted by Evelyn, Olivia, and Chaioka from our class. (Our class was so excited when Lauren mentioned our school and classmates!) Lauren talked to us about how she researches for her books, what is was like for her as an elementary student, and what her newest book is about.

We had an awesome Friday with Valentine's day activities! Thank you to everyone who donated supplies to make this a fun day.

We made paper 3D hearts in the morning that involved tracing hearts on our hallway window. (Complete with a beautiful snowy background.)

Then we played a Minute to Win it obstacle course with some Valentine candy! It was a challenge, but the students had a blast.

In the Classroom

We started Unit 5 in reading and writing. This unit is all about Technological Advancements, and the students are so interested! We have read biographies about Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison. We have also explored how phones have changed throughout time. During guided reading, students are studying other advancements and inventions in our history. For writing, students have been composing opinion pieces. Next week, we will begin a research project where they will write about what they think has been the most important invention.

We completed Unit 4 this week that focused on measurement and geometry. We learned lots of vocabulary throughout this unit and took a break from computation for the most part. Our next unit will go back to multiplication strategies.

In our science unit, students have been learning all about weather. We finished the section about natural hazards and have moved on to the water cycle. Next week, we will begin learning about weather tools. We will also have a virtual visit from a real meteorologist!