3rd Grade MP3 Campus
Monthly Progress
Math
Topics: area, multiplication and division, skill review, algebraic reasoning
Activities: We kicked off the month by starting to really cement what area is and how it is related to multiplication. We looked at the area of letters and numbers on a traffic or train sign and challenged ourselves to create letters with very small areas and very large areas and found the area of our names using this style of letter. We then practiced finding all of the possible rectangles that we can make with a given area and also discussed why some rectangle side lengths aren't possible (for example I can't make a rectangle with a side length of 5 if I have 24 tiles). We also did some third grade skill review as we practiced skip counting by 3s, 4s, 6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s on our Valentine page and solved some Valentine riddles with our multiplication skills.
Teacher Tip: As we start to talk about both area and perimeter many students often struggle to remember the difference between perimeter and area. Challenge your student to come up with a way to remember the difference. One idea is to focus on the "rim" inside of perimeter and think of the edge of the cup/canyon/etc.
Teacher Info: Mrs. Kurashige, skurashige@meridian.wednet.edu
Writing
Topics: information writing, essay format/organization (ex, introduction paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion paragraph), linking words and phrases (ex., for example, for instance, because, in addition to), facts, writing process
Activities: In this review period, our big focus continued to be information writing. Students are crafting their individual essays with the support of our class essay as a model. Each student is using their web to draft an essay with a topic and 3 subtopics. We are committed to each body paragraph having a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a wrap-up sentence. Students are keeping track of their progress on our Writing Process poster (i.e., plan, draft, revise, edit, publish, share).
We also took time this month to celebrate Valentine's Day. We had so much fun decorating bags, passing out our valentines, and enjoying the wonderful valentines and treats!
Teacher Tips: 1.) Ask your student to share their information writing with you. Students have been working hard and have a lot to be proud of! 2.) I am encouraging everyone to participate in our Silverwood Theme Park’s reading program, Read 2 Ride! During the month of March, students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to read for 10 hours (600 minutes) to earn a free ticket to Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Waterpark. Please return the completed logs to any campus teacher by March 29th! Look for all the details (and the reading logs) in your MP3 Weekly Updates! Note: even if you do not need a ticket to Silverwood, keeping a reading log can be a fun and motivating celebration of reading.
Teacher Info: Mrs. Giesen, jgiesen@meridian.wednet.edu
Science
Topics: This month’s topics were to observe the movement of the body in the act of jumping, locate some of the major bones in the body, determine how many bones are in the human body, learn what bone is.
Activities: Students partnered up to observe the movement of each other’s bodies while jumping rope. We determined that bones don’t bend but joints do! Students were able to observe a real bone. They observed the hard and spongy bone, the marrow cavity and were even able to see the periosteum. Students attempted to count the bones in their body by feel. They then used a poster to more accurately count the bones in the body. They learned there are 206 bones in an adult human body. Students put together a skeleton puzzle. They then used an information sheet to find any problems or mistakes. Students have learned the difference between the spinal column (part of the skeletal system) and the spinal cord (part of the nervous system).
Teacher Info: Mrs. DeWaard, hdewaard@meridian.wednet.edu
Literacy
Topics: Reader's Theater, folktales, fables, phonic skills, alphabetical order, comprehension
Activities: On the first day of class, students eagerly asked when we would be performing for our parents and special friends. They were aware of how third graders in past years have shared their presentations. We discussed that it takes time to practice and prepare for a performance, and our plan is to hold a presentation near the end of the school year. We began our literacy studies by exploring a reader’s theater version of The Day the Crayons Quit. This script was chosen to help students build confidence in reading aloud and presenting to an audience. They were encouraged to add plenty of sass—and they did a fabulous job! To celebrate Valentine’s Day, students worked in groups of four to perform a reader’s theater version of The Night Before Valentine’s Day, a playful adaptation of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. This activity provided a great opportunity to discuss couplet poetry and rhyming words. Afterward, we began exploring different types of folktales, starting with the reader’s theater script of The Hat. This included placing the story characters and words from the story in ABC order. Then, third graders dove deeper into fables. After reading several fables, students brainstormed ideas about what makes a story a fable. Students are now starting to meet in small groups to practice their assigned fables, which included The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Lion and the Mouse, The Dog and His Bone, The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Fox and the Crow. Students will focus on expression, volume, and refining their presentation skills. In addition to the reader’s theater scripts, third graders are completing five reading comprehension papers about different fables. Each paper includes an opportunity to create a directed drawing of one of the characters. We are also starting each class by focusing on a particular reading or phonics skill. For example, we have discussed compound words related to “folktale” and practiced words with endings - le endings related to "fable".
Teacher Tip: Continue to set aside time for listening to your child read aloud. 20 minutes a day is a great target. This can be done in one sitting or divided into two ten-minute sessions. Encourage them to enunciate words clearly and use expression. Remind them to take on the character’s role and adjust their expression to match the character’s mood.
Teacher Info: Mrs. Elgersma- gelgersma@meridian.wednet.edu
Art
Topics: Elements of Art: Color, Value, Shape, & Line; Principles of Design: Pattern, Balance, & Contrast; Techniques: Printmaking, painted papers, art critique; Featured Artists: Alma Thomas, Romero Britto, Ashley Bryan, & Marquetta Johnson
Activities: Welcome to a new semester of art! We began by learning about Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have artwork included in the White House’s permanent collection. Students explored several of her vibrant paintings and worked collaboratively to create a mural that now brightens our classroom. Each week, we start with an art critique called “Masterpiece Monday.” Our next project was inspired by the Brazilian artist Romero Britto. Students critiqued his heart-themed artwork and noted his use of color, bold black lines, and patterns. With his “heartwork” as inspiration, students created their own pop-art style hearts filled with bold colors, lines, and patterns. Next, we read the book Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan and discussed how our differences are what make us unique and beautiful. Students traced a bird from the book and painted it all one color with “a touch of black.” These markings gave each bird contrast and their own unique character! Our final art critique of the month is by textile artist Marquetta Johnson. Students looked at her quilt titled Hope Blossoms and discussed her use of color, shape, pattern, and texture. This project is a work in progress, but students are incorporating printmaking, painted paper, and collage into their final piece. It has been a vibrant and joyful celebration of Black History Month in the art room!
Teacher Tip: Please mark your calendars! April 27th from 6:00-7:30 is the Meridian School District Art Show, and YOUR STUDENT’S WORK will be on display! I hope you can save the date!
Teacher Info: Mrs. Warnock, swarnock@meridian.wednet.edu
