Math
Grade 3 students have been working on solving more complex word problems, understanding and computing Area and Perimeter as part of their learning. Grade 3 students and their teachers worked with our Instructional coach, Mrs. Marcet to practice the 3 Reads Strategy earlier in the school year. The classes are now incorporating this technique for on-going practice with solving math problems that include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Our students also spent time learning about area and perimeter. Some students completed an area and perimeter project where they had to design a zoo. This required the students to choose the size of animal enclosures based on area and perimeter. The students did a great job with this and we even had 6 students who presented their work at the “Night to Discover” which was held at Attleboro High School on March 14th. The grade 3 students have become experts on area and perimeter. The grade 2 classes even came to see these finished projects and grade 3 students were able to tell the second graders how they designed their zoos. As the year finishes out we will be learning more about fractions and multiplication and division.
Writing
Third graders have been hard at work in writing this year! Earlier in the year we learned to use the RACE strategy, which teaches the process of restating and answering a question, then citing text evidence and explaining your answer.This is a formula that helps children answer questions about any text they read, and can be used from 3rd grade all the way through college!
Narrative writing is also an important focus for grade 3 and our students have been working hard at that as well. We are currently focused on writing the Main Event in a narrative story. The Main Event is the longest part of a story, and has the most action.
In addition, we have been working on getting prepared for MCAS! Something that we have noticed through the years is that children sometimes have difficulty deciphering what the writing prompts in the test are asking them to do. This year, we have taught them how to analyze these prompts by modifying the 3 reads strategy that we also use in math. Basically, they read the question three times. The first read is to decide what (or who) the question is about. The second read is to decide what they have to do to answer it, for example, write a story or an essay. In the third read, the students decide if they need to cite text evidence in their answer (RACE) OR use the characters, setting, and story to write a response (Narrative). Finally, they use their answers to decide on a game plan! They decide whether to use the structure of the Narrative Writing Diamond or the RACE strategy. The children have done an incredible job practicing over the past couple months and it has given them more confidence about what to do when faced with a writing prompt.
Reading
In reading, Grade 3 students have been working on reading closely. This involves analyzing the text for itinerary elements such as: text and graphic features, author’s purpose, figurative language, and point of view. The students are becoming experts at analyzing their reading.
Grade 3 is currently wrapping up Module 7 of our Into Reading program. This module focused on answering the Essential Question “How can one person make a meaningful difference in their local or global community?” Students read stories about characters and real people who worked to change their community and the world!
Grade 3 students also worked closely with their teachers and Mrs. Marcet to learn how to analyze open ended questions. This involved using the 3 Reads Strategy that students learned at the beginning of the year to work through math problems. In reading, students use this strategy to determine what a question is asking as well as what tools they can use to answer the question.
Exciting News
In other news, Grade 3 students are looking forward to participating in a field trip to Plimoth Pawtuxet Museum in June. This is an exciting learning experience that connects to our social studies curriculum. It is a big hit with teachers, chaperones and students!
