Spring News from Mrs. Nagle’s Class

Although it may feel like summer, we are not quite there yet! The children are keeping very busy with their bat research in Discovery Lab with Dr. Sullivan and in the library with Ms. Frick. In Science they have learned about life cycles, and are now investigating the three forms of matter.

After learning about matter, we will complete our last Social Studies unit about Explorers. Then we will begin to review for the SOLS.

In math we have just finished up our measurement unit and will begin our geometry unit. Please be sure to continue to practice the times tables (1-12) with your child. Children are expected to have the times tables mastered by the end of this quarter.   

In reading we have been working on the skill of sequencing, and will now be concentrating on the reasons for reading different forms of text.

In writing we have been finishing up our autobiographies to display at the Arts and Writers Fair. We hope to see you there on Thursday, April 18^th!

There is a lot coming up this month so please check these important dates:

April 16- Discovery Lab- lesson on bat research

April 17- Early Release (12:56)

April 18- Library – Research on Bats

April 18- Arts and Writers Fair

April 20- Barrett 5K

April 23- Earth Day- Lunch on the Lawn

April 24- Honor Roll Assembly

April 25- Discovery Lab Lesson

April 29- Outdoor Lab (9:15-2:50)

April 30- Planetarium (10:30-12:00)

SOLs- the tentative schedule for third grade SOLS is:

Science- May 22-23

Reading- June 1-2

Social Studies- June 4-5

Math- June 6-7

You will be getting more information soon. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

January Update

Social Studies

We are finishing our unit on Mali, Greece, and Rome.  Students have been learning about thephysical characteristics, architecture, human occupations, and government ofeach and how they have influenced our country. Students will have a quiz on Rome on Tuesday and a test on Mali, Greece,and Rome on Thursday.  The next unit wewill begin is a study of our government, including the three branches and theresponsibilities of each one. Immediately following that we will begin learning about famousAmericans, which will include figures new to third grade, and a review of thoselearned in earlier grades. 

Math

We are continuing our unit on multiplication anddivision.  Last week we investigated therelationship between multiplication and division.  Students have taken their Fact Fluencyassessment on their 0, 1, 5, and 10 times tables.  They are currently working on the 2, 4, and 8times tables.  Please continue topractice these at home as they will be tested on them next week.  From here we will begin working on the 3, 6,and nine times tables.  The 6, 7 ,8,  9, and 12 times tables often cause the mostdifficulty for students, so please be prepared to practice often at home.  We will continue to work on this unit for thenext several weeks, and expect that children will become fluent in their facts.We’ve recently starting using an online computer program called Moby Math.  This program identifies common core standardswhich students have difficulty with, and provides direct instruction andpractice.  There is also a fact fluencycomponent built into the program.  Thestudents can access Moby Math at home as well. To use it from home, log on to www.runmoby.com/va102.  Students should know there login and passwordfrom using the program at school.

Writing

The students are working on using the “hamburger” graphicorganizer to plan and organize their writing. They are learning to write a paragraph using a strong topic sentence,details to support their topic sentence, and ending their paragraph with aclear concluding sentence.  They haveincorporated these components into their writing about the Mars orbiter thatthey learned about in the Discovery Lab with Dr. Sullivan.  They will use this same procedure to writeabout our upcoming lessons on the Lander, and Rover.  Students are learning to record importantinformation from their reading, and writing a summary from their notes.  Be sure to check out the book that studentswrote about our trip to Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. The books are available forfree download on the iPad with iBooks or on the computer with iTunes.  Be sure to search for “Field Trip toPatuxent”.

Reading

In reading we are concentrating on comprehension strategiesduring large and small group instruction. Students are continuing to identifythe author’s purpose when they read.  Inaddition, they are learning to identify and record important ideas in theirreading, and learning to write summaries from their notes.  They have also been learning about how to usea dictionary, and the importance of guide words.  Children should be reading at home for 20minutes each night and completing their reading logs.  Reading logs are due each Monday.

ImportantDates

Feb.6- Early Release

Feb.7- Field Trip to Green Springs Gardens

Feb.11- Class Photo Day/ Honor Roll Assembly- afternoon

Feb.13- Club Photo Day

Feb.24- Class Valentine’s Party – 2:00-3:00

Feb.18- Holiday- President’s Day

Feb.28- STEM and Science Discovery Night

March7-8- Parent/Teacher Conferences

Mrs. Nagle’s Class Blog

Wow!  How is it that we are in the month of October already?!  The children have been very busy these past weeks!  Here is a highlight of some of the things they have been doing and some of the things coming up this month.

Science

Students have been learning about aquatic and terrestrial biomes and the plants and animals that live there.   They are currently researching the tide pool and forest biomes and completing projects to share with their peers. We have also been working with Dr. Sullivan in the Discovery Lab to learn more about animals and their adaptations.  Last week we learned about what we would be seeing at the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, and next week we will have a follow up lesson.  Our unit test on biomes will be this Thursday, October 11^th.  Please check the homework folder for the test review packet.  Students also can use their Science notebook to review work covered in class.  We will be reviewing in class, but it is important that you also study at home with your child.

Math

Students have been working on math facts and learning to subtract two and three digit numbers with regrouping.  They have learned to use proof drawings to prove their answers.  Last week we began our unit on geometry.  Students have been learning about lines, line segments, and rays.  They will be learning how to measure perimeter and to identify angles, and how to identify symmetric and congruent figures.  We will continue to review subtraction with regrouping in class, and ask that you practice basic math facts at home as well.

Reading

We have been learning about making connections in our reading. Students have been identifying text to text, text to self, and text to world connections.  We are now working on asking questions about our reading.  Students have learned to identify and write green questions.  These are questions that are “right there” questions.  The answers can be found in the text.   In the coming weeks they will be learning to identify and write red and yellow questions as well.  We are working on these strategies both in our whole group read aloud, as well as in our small reading groups.

Word Study

We have been working on learning the routines of word study.  Each day students meet with the teacher in their small word study group to work on the lesson for that week.  They then have an assignment to complete in class related to the words they are studying. 

Writing

The children spent several weeks writing their “I Am” poems and they are now displayed in the third grade hallway outside of Ms. Flores’ room.  If you do not have a chance to look at them in the next week, be sure to check them out when you come for Parent/Teacher conferences. We have also started our cursive writing program and have worked on four letters and learning to connect them to make words.

Field Trip

Our trip to the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, October 5^th was wonderful! We could not have asked for better weather and the children we able to see some of the biomes, animals and plants we have been learning about. They participated in a scavenger hunt, hike, and tram ride through the refuge. We will be completing some follow up activities related to the trip so be sure to ask your children about what they have learned.

Thank You!

Thank you to all of my students and parents for making my birthday so special!  I truly appreciate all of your wishes and gifts.  The students and I enjoyed the cupcakes and brownies, and my colleagues and I have enjoyed the chocolate treats.

Book Fair

The book fair was a treat for the students and they were very excited about the books that they/you donated to the classroom.  Thank you for your generosity!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

I look forward to seeing all of you at Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 18^th and 19^th.  Be sure to check the date and time on the reminder form and send back the bottom portion with your child.   It is important conferences start and end on time since the schedule is full.

Halloween

Halloween is quickly approaching and I would like to have a small class party after the parade.  If you are interested in helping to coordinate this or donate “goodies” for the event, please let me know.

Important Dates:

October 9^th- PTA Meeting/Gifted Information Night

October 16^th- Family Library Night

October 18^th, 19^th- Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 22^nd- October 26^th- Heritage Week Celebration

October 22^nd- Picture Day

October 23^rd- Family Library Night

October 24^th- Early Release

October 26^th- U.N. Assembly

October 30^th- Dogfish Head Alehouse, Barrett Restaurant Night Fund Raiser

October 31^st- Halloween Parade and Party

As you can see, there are a lot of events in October for the children to look forward to!  I look forward to seeing you at some of them, and meeting with you at the conferences.

Thank you for all of your support at home.

Teresa Nagle

Welcome to third grade!  I hope everyone has had a great summer and is looking forward to coming back to school! Teachers have been working hard all week to prepare for the students' arrival on September 4th! Please remember to send your student with their school supplies on the first day of school so they are prepared for the upcoming year. The list is on the school website if you have not yet purchased those items. Also, remember to wear appropriate shoes for the playground at recess time. On the first day of school we will have Music and continue to have Music every Tuesday this year. We will have PE on Monday and Wednesday, and Art on Friday. This year we will continue with our Enrichment program and have Spanish and Science twice a week. We will visit Mrs. Sullivan this year in the Discovery Lab every other week.
Your first homework assignment will be your "All About Me" bag. On the first day of school, I will share mine with you so you will get to know more about me! You will be assigned a day to bring in your own bag, so PLEASE CHECK YOUR PAPER FOR YOUR DAY TO SHARE. The assignment will be sent home on the first day of school along with a bag for your items. You may start thinking about your objects using the guidelines below.

You need to bring in 5 objects that represent.
1. Something special about you.
2. Something you like to do
3. Something important to you
4. Something that represents your family
5. Something that represents somewhere special you've visited

Start looking for items you would like to share with me and the rest of the class. But please, do not bring in your items on the first day. Your day will be on the bottom of the page you will get on the first day of school.

Please remember to bring back your summer reading and math packets the first week of school as well.

This year our lunch begins at 12:45, therefore we are asking that each student bring a healthy finger food snack to have mid-morning. Examples of healthy snacks could include fruit, vegetables, pretzels, granola bars, etc.

I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you this year. I am excited to have an excellent year in 3rd grade. See you all on September 4th!

May Update

It is hard to believe that we are entering the final weeks of the school year. 

SOLS:Last week the children completed the Science and Math SOL tests.  This week they completed the Reading and Social Studies tests. Thursday, May 24^th will be the last day of testing for third grade unless a child was absent and has to make up one of the tests.  

Final Testing:  We still have some end of the year tests to give after the SOLS, such as the Reading DRP, DSA (word study), reading fluency and math fact fluency.  As hard as it might be, we need to keep the children focused just a bit longer!

Final Research Project:  The children will be working on a research project over the next few weeks in class.  They can choose to work with a partner or independently and may pick the topic they would like to learn more about.  All research and work will be done in the classroom and children will receive a grade on their project.

Math Facts: We will continue to practice multiplication and division facts for the children who need to work on fact fluency.

Handwriting and Keyboarding:  We will finish up handwriting instruction and practice keyboarding skills.

Family Life:  We will be sending home a letter in the next week about teaching family life.

SOL Party May 25th:  I would like to have a little celebration for the children to mark the end of SOL testing and all the hard work the children did to get ready for these tests. I am going to keep this low key, so if you would like to send in some “goodies” for our ice cream celebration, please send them in by Friday, May 25^th.  You can send in toppings for the ice cream, or any other treat you would like.

Important Dates:

May 28- No School

June 4- Field Trip- Bowling

June 6- Volunteer Tea

June 13- Early Release

June 14- Orchestra/Band Concert

June 15- Reading Fun Day

June 19- Field /Water Day/ Class Picnic

June 20- Early Release/ End of Year Party

June 12- Assembly-afternoon (1:30)

June 22- Assembly- morning (9:30)

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Teresa.nagle@apsva.us, or 703-228-6288.

Thank you for all of your support.

Teresa Nagle

March Update

Math- Students have been working on mastering their times tables by practicing with partners in class.  It is important that children are practicing their tables each evening at home.   At this point they should have mastered the 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, and 10 times tables.  Next we will be concentrating on the 3, 6, 9, 11, and 12s.  We are also working on solving multiplication and division word problems, as well as multi-step problems.

Reading- In the last month we have learned about the characteristics of folktales, fairy-tales, fables, and myths.  Students have learned to identify characters, events, settings, and plots in the stories.  We have also read and discussed several historical fiction passages.

Writing- The children are working on their Treasure Books.  They are copying and illustrating their stories to be bound in their individual books.  Be sure to sign and return the order form that you received at conferences by the end of this week.  The form must be returned even if you are not ordering any more books.

Science- We are finishing up our Matter unit, and the children will have a test on Tuesday.  They should be using their study guide and Science notebook to review for the test. Students have been exploring the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases.  They have formulated hypothesis and conducted several experiments related to matter. The Science Fair was a great event this year, and many students completed projects.

Social Studies- We will begin our unit on Explorers this week.  We will be learning about four explorers: Christopher Columbus, Ponce deLeon, Christopher Newport, and Jacques Cartier.

Reminder: Students will be swimming this week.  Children will need their swim suit and a towel each day.

Important Dates:

March 5^th-9^th- Swimming

March 6^th- Matter Test

March 7^th- Early Release

March 29^th- Spring Concert

April 2^nd-6^th- Spring Break

January News

I hope the New Year has started off well for everyone!  The children have been working hard since they returned from Winter Break!

Social Studies- We began our Ancient Civilizations unit the first week back and children brought in their artifacts for the Artifact Museum.  We were able to visit all of the third grade classes and the children truly enjoyed seeing the many unique items that were displayed.  We began our unit learning about Mali and were lucky enough to have a Barrett parent who spent some time in Mali. She gave a presentation with some wonderful pictures to help the students get a better understanding of what life would be like in Mali.  Mrs. Cohen helped us conduct research on Mali and the children wrote articles that will be published in a class newspaper.  This week we will be learning about Greece, and then we will move on to Rome.  Children will be learning about the location, occupations, architecture, and government for each.

Science- Ms. Greene introduced the children to the energy unit, by giving them magic beads.  Be sure to ask your child to tell you about them!  We will continue to work with her on this unit in the Discovery Lab in the coming weeks.

Math- We have been working on multiplication for several weeks now, and we are now looking at the relationship between multiplication and division.  Several practice packets have been sent home, and children should be practicing their multiplication facts every night for 10 minutes.  We have worked on the 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 10 times tables in school. Please continue to practice them at home, as it is important that children have rapid recall of these facts.  We will continue to work on multiplication and division in the coming weeks.  The 6, 7, 8, and 9 times tables will be coming up and they often are the most difficult, so practicing them at home will be very important.

Reading- We have been reading numerous stories and learning about identifying character traits.  Some of the children’s favorite stories have been; Julius, the Baby of the World,  Mr. Lincoln’s Way, and Mean Jean the Playground Queen.     Children are learning how authors create characters, and how they can use these same strategies in their own writing.

Writing- Children have been editing and revising pieces that they have written over the last several weeks.  They are choosing the ones they want to include in their treasures books, and are copying them in their books as they are ready.  They are very proud of the work that is going into their books and they are excited about seeing their final product.  Treasure Books will go out to the publisher in March and we will have them displayed for you to see at the Arts and Writer’s Fair on April 26^th!

Assessments- Children  will be taking mid-year assessments over the next week or so.  They do not need to study for these assessments, but please be sure they get to bed early on school nights so they can do their best work.

Thank You-  Thank you so much for your very generous holiday gifts!  They were truly appreciated and I enjoyed all the food, getting to purchase and read some books, wearing new jewelry, and keeping warm with the beautiful scarves and gloves.

 Important Dates:

Jan. 23- No School- Grade Prep Day

Jan. 26^th- Winter Concert

Feb. 7^th- Class Photo Day and Honor Roll/Reading Assembly

Feb. 10^th- RIF

Feb. 20^th- No School- President’s Day

Feb. 23^rd- Science Fair

If you have any questions or concerns please be sure to contact me either by e-mail or in person before or after school. 
Thank you for all of your support!

Teresa Nagle

The month of November has been a busy month in third grade.  The children finished up our biome unit in Science by completing posters or brochures to share with the other third grade classes.  They learned more about habitats and the populations of animals and plants in each.  Be sure to check out the Third Grade bulletin board as you enter the school.  See if you can solve the riddles the third graders designed related to animals in the biomes they have studied about. This week we began our Social Studies unit on maps by locating the parts of maps using an atlas.  Students learned that maps have titles, a scale, a legend, and a compass rose.  They also compared and contrasted the features of maps and globes. This week we will focus on the continents and oceans, and students will make their own maps. 

In Writing the children are continuing to learn about adjectives, and ways to include them in their descriptive writing. They also learned about similes and how to use them when they write.  In Razzle Dazzle this week they will be writing another descriptive story.  Their assignment, rubric, and a list of descriptive words should be glued in their notebook.  Razzle Dazzle notebooks are due next Friday, November 18^th. In Reading, we are learning to ask questions about what we read.  Green questions are who, what, where, when, and how questions.  The answer to green questions can be found in the text.  Red questions require us to stop our reading and use what we know and what we have read to help us answer them. These are wonder questions such as, How could? Why would? What if? Why do you think?  Yellow questions help us compare and contrast ideas we are reading about. You can help your child at home by asking them the same kinds of questions.

In Math we have been working on geometry and students have been learning the difference between a line, line segment, and ray.  They also learned about perpendicular, parallel, and intersecting lines, and about congruent shapes and lines of symmetry.  They are currently learning about right, obtuse, and acute angles, and how to identify types of triangles.  We will begin our unit on rounding this week, and students will practice estimating and rounding two and three digit numbers. In addition, we continue to practice addition and subtraction facts, as well as the 0, 1, 5, and 10 times tables.  You can help by reviewing them at home also.  There are some fun games to play on the Barrett website located in the math section.

We had a wonderful Halloween parade and party, and our class would like to thank all the parents who sent in goodies and helped to make it a success!  Special thanks to Colin’s mom and Victoria’s mom for organizing the pizza delivery and the party. 

Important Dates to Remember

Nov. 21 - Honor Roll Assembly 2:00

Nov. 22 - Turkey Tournament 1:30

Nov. 23-25 - Thanksgiving Break No School

Dec. 3 - Barnes and Noble Day 

Dec. 9 - Field Trip Outdoor Lab

Dec. 20- Roving Readers

News from Mrs. Nagle’s Class

In Math students are learning how to regroup to borrow, using two and three digit problems.  They are using proof drawings to solve and check their work.  Please continue to practice basic subtraction facts at home, so students have rapid recall of these facts. In Science we have been learning about animal adaptations. The children have explored the concepts of hibernation, migration, camouflage, and mimicry.  They have investigated behaviors that are both learned and instinctive.  We are now beginning to explore the various biomes and the plants and animals that inhabit them. We will be reviewing many of these concepts on our trip to the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. In Reading we have been learning to preview and predict before, and during reading.  Students are now working on questioning skills. In grammar we are working on using capitals when using proper nouns, and using contractions correctly.  We are focusing on descriptive Writing at this time, and have been learning to use our senses to try to make our writing come alive for the reader!  The next assignments in the Razzle Dazzle notebooks will be focused on adding sensory details to our stories.

Reminders: 

*Please send in $3.00 for the field trip by Tuesday, Oct. 18^th

*Please send in money for picture orders (if you are ordering) by Oct. 25

*Students need to have their recorders for Music

Important Dates:

Oct. 19^th- Early Release Wednesday for Students- 12:50 dismissal

Oct. 20^th- Field Trip to the Wildlife Refuge

Oct. 25^th- Photo Day

Oct. 31^st- Halloween Parade (begins at 1:30) A small party will follow the parade

Nov. 4^th- RIF (Reading Is Fundamental)

Nov. 8^th- Holiday for students- Grade prep day for teachers

Nov. 11^th- Holiday – Veteran’s Day

Nov. 21^st- Honor Roll/Reading Assembly

Nov. 22^nd- Turkey Tournament

Nov. 23^rd- Nov. 27^th- No School

Thank you for all of the cards, flowers, and gifts for my birthday!  The children and I enjoyed eating the delicious cupcakes and celebrating together!