January 27th Update

Happy crazy hair and hat day! We continued working hard, learning lots and doing our best. In addition to fun in the classroom, we saw an historical perspective assembly about Harriet Tubman. My final conference schedule was emailed to all families yesterday. I'm looking forward to talking with all of you next week.

Here's what you can ask your third grader about:

* Current event topics included "Copenhagen's Unusual Solution to Graffiti Covered Building" and other topics that the children had the opportunity to explore on the netbooks

* Reading "Messaging Mania" (our Treasures story of the week - an expository text) on the Smartboard

* Practicing the grammar skill of the week - past tense verbs and commas

* Reinforcing the reading comprehension skill of the week - cause and effect

* Writing a letter from space to a family member or friend

* Working in a homework packet with the spelling rule of the week - prefixes

* Using informational nonfiction leveled readers titled "Bright Ideas: Inventions That Changed History" for guided reading groups

* Working with place value (up to millions) and higher numbers in math

* Applying big numbers to the real world by looking at census data from 1995 and the current population of our country (ask your 3rd grader how often our population increases by 1)

* Practicing multiplication facts on iPod touches

* Reading "The Most Important Book" and doing an activity about what's most important about having a friend as part of our heros unit in social studies

* Preparing for the Contraption Convention - we began with our new science unit (force, motion & simple machines). This week, we learned about Newton's laws of motion. At the end of the unit, we will have a Contraption Convention as a culminating activity. We need your help to make it happen. Please send us any recyclable materials that can be used to make a contraption like toilet paper rolls, clean milk cartons, etc. Letters about the Contraption Convention were also sent home this week.

Important Dates and Events:

* Rajashekar Conferences - Wednesday, February 1st & Thursday, February 2nd

* Half-days of school (dismissal at 11am) - Thursday, February 2nd & Friday, February 3rd

* 3rd Grade Artist Reception at Oak Park Library (Main Branch) - Friday, February 3rd @ 4pm

* 3rd Grade Art Display at Oak Park Library (Main Branch) - February 2nd - 28th

* President's Day (no school) - Monday, February 20th

* 3rd grade field trip - Wednesday, February 29th (permission slips go home on Monday)

* Contraption Convention - Tuesday, March 20th

Please remember that the best way to contact me is via email (vrajashekar@op97.org). Thank you for your support and partnership. Have a great weekend!