Academics (Summary of this past week's learning)

Math- Students have learned several strategies to build number sense with multiplication and division. They learned that any number multiplied by 2 is a double and any number multiplied by 4 is double-double, for example 7x4 you double the 7, which is 14, and then double the 14, which is 28. They learned that numbers divided by 2 is just "half" and divided by 4 is "half-half." Another strategy is multiply any number by 9 you can multiply by 10 and then subtract the other factor, for example 8x9 you do 8x10 = 80, then subtract 8 = 72. We are also using models of the distributive property to make smaller equations. All these strategies build number sense as to how numbers are related and how they can be broken down into smaller parts. 

Reading- Students learned about several types of folktales including fables, fairy tales, myths, legends, and tall tales. They learned how the author has their own perspective when writing to an audience. Also, stories are told from certain characters' perspective and some characters' perspectives are left out, which can affect the message and meaning of the story. Students explored these folktales on myON and we read some in class.

Word Study- We finished learning the uses of apostrophe: possessives and contractions. we are now working on spelling with "r-controlled" vowel patterns such as words like burn, shirt, there, and squirm.

Writing- Students are planning and drafting their own story in a plannign packet after they have read many different types of folktales. They are using the stories they read as models for their own storytelling. They are learning how to elaborate storytelling by using dialogue, describing the setting, telling what the characters are thinking, describing actions, and using specific vocabulary. 

History- Students are learning all about the history of ancient China. We first started wtih some backgorund and the many inventions and contributions that the ancient Chinese have given to use, such as gunpowder, silk, kites, porcelain, the Great Wall, writing with characters, and much more! We are discussing why and how they became a powerful civilization. 

The Purpose of Grades and Progress Reports

The purpose of grades is to  inform you how your child has or has not met third grade standards for this quarter. Grades are meant to show where there are areas of strength and areas of need. A variety of collected information goes into determining a grade. These areas include, classwork, tests and quizzes, quick checks, amount of support needed, and observations, to name a few. Fairfax County has crafted two webpages which I look at simultaneously as I fill out report cards. The first is Grading Guidelines and the second is Progress Report Information. 

Grades should be used as a means of constantly improving, which should be a focus of any educational program. Even students that receive a "4" in certain areas can improve in some sort of way. We must always keep in mind that grades are an imperfect measure, so I am open and welcome discussion about your thoughts on any of your child's grades. Please reach out with comments or questions if you'd like.