Third Grade Gazette- September 2014

Welcome back! My name is Mr. McKenna and I will be your child's teacher this year. I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Details about the third grade curriculum and our classroom will be shared with you at “Back to School Night” on September 10th, 2014. We look forward to seeing you then.

Third grade is a wonderful year!

Hello and welcome to third grade. This year is going to be a year full of change, excitement, wonderful activities and student maturation. It will be a year different from the rest. In third grade, students will begin to develop study skills, refine their reading skills, continue to learn more advanced mathematics, and acquire organizational skills necessary to manage core academic areas. Throughout the year, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail or write a note. Take care and we will see you at “Back to School Night”.

Our Specials

We will follow a 6 day rotation for our specials schedule. The children will have the rotation day written in their homework planner.

Day 1 – Guidance/ Health Day 5 - Library B5 Health

Day 3 - Music Day 6 – Computer Lab

Day 4 – Art

**Please make sure that your child wears sneakers on gym days**

**Our lunch will be from 12:25-12:55**

**Recess will be from 12:55-1:25 **

Please make sure you pack a healthy snack with your child each day. They will need this due to the long morning.

Curriculum Highlights

Reading

We are continuing to work in Literacy by Design Reading series. Students will be using various materials such as reading source books, trade books and books of their choice to enhance their reading skills and challenge their minds. According to the standards, students must read a minimum of 25 books this year. Children are expected to read at home as well as in school. Reading is a life long adventure!

Mathematics

Third grade level Math is awesome. We continue to use our Everyday Math series. This school year the students will take on the role as detectives as they use critical thinking skills to solve problems. We will also develop our computational skills, double-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Science Summary

Third grade Science is fantastic, especially with all of the hands-on activities. We will continue using the Science Foss program this year! The Science kits contain a wide assortment of hands-on materials for the children to use. We will focus on the “Water”, and “Structures of Life” this year. Science will be taught during the first two marking periods.

Social Studies Synopsis

We are very excited this year to be getting a new Social Studies book. Throughout the year, we will be covering various topics. Units will focus on Geography, Culture, Economics, and Government, as well as Map Skills, Pennsylvania, South America and some of the local history found right here in Warminster and Southampton. We will also visit Churchville Nature Center, and Craven Hall later in the school year. Social Studies will be taught during marking periods 3 and 4.

Dates to Remember

September 5th ……………………….Puma Pride: Wear blue or yellow

September 10th………….Back to School Night (Grade 3-5 ~ 7:30-8:15)

September 19th ………………………Puma Pride: Wear blue or yellow

September 25th ……………………………………………….No School

September 26th………………………..….Family Picnic – 5:30-7:30 pm

September 29th……………………………………………….Picture Day

Contact Information: Mr. McKenna