December Update

Dear Families,

The grade 3's have been working very hard researching their chosen pioneer village feature. We had a very exciting field trip at pioneer village and made some wonderful memories there. Thank you to all the parents who came out to support this excursion.  Below is a picture from inside the Blacksmith shop.

In Math, we are starting Chapter 4 which is addition and subtraction of 2-digit numbers. The students will relate subtraction to addition, solve word problems, estimate sums and differences and add and subtract. Some examples are: 33+18, 59-37. The new vocabulary words for this unit are: fact family, sum, difference and regrouping.

 In Language, the students are pre writing, drafting, editing and publishing their pioneer paragraph for their projects. The writing component of the project will be completed at school. The success criteria for a strong paragraph includes: an indent, a topic sentence, 3-5 supporting details, a closing sentence and correct spelling and punctuation. We will also be writing some vibrant Christmas poems.

 In Religion, we will discuss the meaning of Advent as we anticipate the birth of Christ.  We light a candle each week of Advent to remember Jesus' unconditional love for us.

Important Reminders:

1. Our class visit to Pape Library will be on Thursday December 11th at 10:00 am. Students please bring your Toronto Library card if you wish to take out a book.
2. Pioneer projects (Diorama) due on December 16th
3. As the weather is getting colder and students bring more items to school, please ensure all clothing items are labelled.
4. Please take a look at the December calendar for the pizza lunch schedule.
5. Family Advent Mass: December 18th at 7:00 pm Have a great two weeks everyone!
6. Students should be practicing their lines for the play each night.

November 17th-December 1st Update

Dear Families,
The students in Room 310 have been busy this month! Thank you for subscribing to this blog to keep up to date on all of our activities.  
We have been fortunate to have a student teacher from OISE in our class. Ms. Amor has been observing and assisting with teaching students. She will be in our class until December 4^th. 

In Math, our new math unit is Measurement (Chapter 5). Students will learn how to estimate and measure in centimetres and metres. They will also explain how long a kilometre is and choose the best unit to measure various items in. We will also calculate perimeter, tell time and estimate and read temperature. 

In Language, the students are learning how to generate questions, brainstorm and organize their ideas for paragraph writing. The success criteria for a strong paragraph includes: an indent, a topic sentence, 3-5 supporting details, a closing sentence and correct spelling and punctuation. In spelling, our focus is lesson 11 this week and next week it will be lesson 12. We will also be determining important ideas when reading nonfiction texts. 

In Social studies, the students will learn about Pioneers (Early settlers in Upper Canada). We will discuss their customs and traditions and read about the features of a pioneer village. The students will be assigned a pioneer project next week-a project outline will be sent home.

Have a great two weeks everyone!

 Important Reminders
-School Mass this Friday at 9:00 am at Holy Name Church (our class is helping to prepare for the mass)
 -As the weather is getting colder and students bring more items to school, please ensure all clothing items are labelled.
-Please take a look at the November calendar for the pizza lunch schedule
 -Santa Picture order form (green sheet) is due November 24^th
 -Parents please sign agendas every evening to help ensure homework is complete such as the reading log and spelling pages
 -Our class trip to Pioneer Village will be on Monday December 8th!
-There will be a math assessment Wednesday December 3rd.
-Pape Library visit for project research on Thursday December 11th.
-Pioneer projects are due on December 16th-I can't wait to see all the marvelous dioramas!

October 27th- November 10th Update

 Dear Families,

In Math, the grade 3's will be learning about various types of graphs such as pictographs, bar graphs and circle graphs (Data Management). The focus of this unit is on creating and analyzing the various data displayed on graphs. In grade 3, students will learn about the vertical and horizontal axes. They will also learn how to use and justify various scales (2, 5, and 10).  There will be a math test on Monday November 10^th.

In Language, we will focus our writing on the topic of Halloween. Currently, the students are learning about the use of adjectives and verbs to help make writing more descriptive. They will spend this week developing a Halloween poem.  We are also continuing our unit on letter writing. In November, the students will be writing a sensory Peace poem as the virtue of the month will be Peacemaking.  

Important Reminders

-Please ensure all clothing items are labelled

-All spelling practice pages are due on Friday

- Scientist in the School visit on Monday November 3^rd (Forces causing Movement)

-Pioneer Village field trip will be on Monday December 8^th 

Just a note about Raz Kids: Students are encouraged to visit the site as part of our school’s literacy initiative. However, students do not need to be on the program for longer than 20 minutes/daily. Time spent on Raz Kids can be documented in your child’s weekly reading log. Thank you for helping reinforce the importance of reading and comprehension at home!

Have a great two weeks everyone!

Starry Night- A grade 3 perspective

Take a look at some of the Hero projects-Great job grade 3's!

October 6th-20th Update

Dear Families,

Here is an overview of the next two weeks inside room 310:

In Mathematics, the students are learning about Numeration (Chapter 2). In grade 3, students will learn how to: represent 3-digit numbers in a variety of ways, round, compare and order 3-digit numbers, use ordinal numbers and count money.   The symbol > means greater than (the symbol < means less than). Example: 5 > 3 or 555 > 333

In Language, we will be reading non-fiction texts about natural forces and write about everyday heroes around us. Students will also learn how to write a proper paragraph and the stages of the writing process. This week’s spelling focus is list 5. Next week’s spelling focus will be list 6. Just a reminder, the weekly spelling pages are due on Friday. As well, students should be reading every evening for at least 15 minutes and recording their read pages in the reading log. Keep those pages turning boys and girls!

In Science, the students will continue to learn about Forces causing Movement. The big ideas of the unit are: - There are several types of forces that cause movement - Forces cause objects to speed up, slow down or change direction - Forces in nature (wind, water) can have a large impact of humans and the environment. There will be a vocabulary quiz on Friday October 10th on some important terms for this unit of study.

In Religion, we will discuss the topic of charity and learn about the Rosary.

Thank you for your ongoing support and many Blessings this Thanksgiving season.

Sincerely,
Ms. Bertone

Important Reminders:
-Please initial your child’s agenda each evening to ensure homework completion
-Our class can use some tissue boxes
 -October 22nd is Picture Day
 -November 3rd: Scientist in the School visit for our class

Curriculum update

In Mathematics, we are continuing our unit on Patterns. In grade 3, the patterns become more complex, with more than 2 attributes changing (colour, shape, position). The students will be asked to identify/explain the attributes that change and extend patterns. They will also explore number patterns using a 100 chart and a T-Chart. There will be a math assessment this Wednesday on all the concepts taught thus far. This week, we started reviewing the Spelling List 3 words. Just a reminder that all spelling pages for the week are due on Friday. As well, students should be reading every evening for at least 15 minutes and recording their read pages in the reading log. In Science, the students will learn about Forces causing Movement. The big ideas of the unit are: - There are several types of forces that cause movement - Forces cause objects to speed up, slow down or change direction - Forces in nature (wind, water) can have a large impact of humans and the environment. Thank you for your ongoing support. Sincerely, Ms. Bertone

Welcome to a new school year!

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

I would like to welcome both you and your child to the new school year! I hope you experienced a wonderful and memorable summer. My name is Ms. Bertone and I will be your child’s teacher this year. I am looking forward to a successful school year with many new adventures. It is my sincere goal that your child’s year will be filled with personal growth as both a thinker and a learner.  

There is a lot of excitement ahead of us, including new books to read, new skills to master and new friends to meet. Every evening your child will have some homework to complete in order to review concepts taught in class or to finish incomplete work. As part of our commitment to learning, I will be signing all agendas at the end of the day and ask that you also initial your child’s agenda every evening if possible. If your child is unable to complete her/his tasks, please write a note in the agenda to follow up. More information about this school year will be provided on a weekly basis on this blog page. This blog will keep you connected to what your child is learning in the classroom.  I will share bi-weekly curriculum updates, upcoming events and projects and important reminders. You can subscribe to my blog to receive it each week by email.

Looking forward to a fabulous year of learning!

Sincerely,

Your partner in Education,

 Ms. Bertone