Hard to believe, but true, we are more than half way through the year. Many of the things we do in third grade are marked by the seasons. Birdwatching is one of them. Kids are well into observing the bird feeders and creating their field guides, which means we are close to beginning our bird research reports, leading up to the Bird Fair in March. Kids will be choosing birds soon. The research and writing will be done in class. The accompanying project will be done at home. More information will come, but this is the heads up that it is beginning.
This is also the time of year when another fun science activity happens – we will design, build and fly hot air balloons. Over the years we have had some spectacular flights. Under the right conditions, balloons have disappeared from sight. Maybe they came down in Chesterfield. Our goal is more humble – flying over the school. Someone has always achieved it. I will let you know how it goes in the March news.
Consider this advance notice about a field trip on March 6. We will be going to Storrowton Village at the Big E. The trip supports our learning in Social Studies about the Puritans and Colonial life leading up the the Revolution. It is a fun “living history” presentation. Kids will dress up in period clothing and do colonial sorts of things. It’s a good trip.
Math and Reading roll along. In Math we are beginning work on rounding, estimating, and adding and subtracting three and four digit numbers. In Reading the focus is about kids demonstrating their understanding of text by using information from the text to respond to questions. You can help by reading with them at home and having conversations about the books. Ask them questions about the story and have them explain how they know. Also in the advance notice folder is MCAS. MCAS will take place in April and May. ELA comes first. The exact dates are yet to be determined.
The last thing is a party. We will have a Valentines/Friendship party on Wed. Feb. 14 at the end of the day. If your child wants to bring in valentines, please be sure they bring one for each student in the class. Of course, bringing valentines is not required.
Thanks so much. Hope to see you around school.
John Bye
Mr. Bye's Third Grade 