Memorizing Multiplication Facts Starting With the Times 3 Facts

Dear Third Grade Families,

          An important part of the third grade math program involves memorizing the multiplication facts. Students have learned the x 0, x 1, and x 2 facts, and now it is our goal to memorize the x 3 facts.  We can do it!   

          We call the x 3 facts "Doubles Plus One More Set Facts" because students have learned that they can use a Double (x 2 fact) to solve a x 3 fact.  For example,  if I know that 2 x 8 equals 16, then I know that 3 x 8 is just one more set of 8, and 16 + 8 = 24. 

2 x 8 = 16, so

3 x 8 = 16 + 8 = 24.

          Please let me know if you have any questions about this multiplication strategy. It is a different way of learning multiplication facts than the way that many of us learned growing up, but the strategies make sense.  The goal is to use known facts to solve unknown facts.  

          Please help your child to practice the x 3 facts this week.  Review the     x 0, x 1, and x 2 facts, too!

                                                                   

Sincerely,

Keelin M. Simpson

Field Trip to the Flynn Theater

Dear Third Grade Families,

          We will be going on a field trip to the Flynn Theater on January 27^th, 2017.  Our class will be viewing the performance of Brazil’s Bale Folclorico.  The Flynn writes, “Balé Folclórico brings to life the rich culture of Bahia, a region of northern Brazil influenced by enslaved Africans as well as Portuguese, Spanish, and indigenous Native American cultures. From Samba to Capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines martial arts and dance), this troupe of over 30 exuberant performers fills the theater with thrilling folkloric choreography, joyous song, explosive percussion, and feisty, irrepressible energy!”

We will be leaving school at approximately 8:45AM.  We should be back at school around 10:45 AM. 

There are a few tickets available for family members to chaperone this field trip.  If you would like to chaperone, please email me as soon as possible.

                  

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Keelin M. Simpson

                                                            kmcgrath@sbschools.net

Winter Celebration

Third graders had a blast at our winter celebration today!  Students were cozy in their pajamas and had fun playing games and sharing their stuffed animals with their classmates.

Thank you to our Room Parent, Kayana Pearson, for organizing food and fun crafts for the party!

Thank you to Jenna Hardy for running a face painting station at our celebration, and thank you to all families who contributed snacks, Grinch fruit kabobs, cheese and crackers, and lots of fresh fruit!

Have a wonderful winter break, and happy holidays to all!

Sincerely,

Keelin Simpson

Bird Museum of Vermont Field Trip

 

We had a great time at the Bird Museum of Vermont in Huntington!  Every student was able to see a life size model of the bird he/she has researched!

  

We took a hike in the woods to look for birds in their natural habitat.

   It was fun to eat lunch at the museum.

We built miniature bird houses together.

We had a great day of fun and learning!   Thank you to Mrs. Flickinger and Mr. Melen for enjoying this field trip with us!

Bird Museum of Vermont Field Trip On Friday!!!

Dear Third Grade Families,

          Third graders will be going on a field trip on Friday, December 2^rd, 2016.  We will be going to the Bird Museum of Vermont in Huntington.  This trip is planned as part of our science unit on animal adaptations.  The children have also been doing research projects on different birds in preparation for the field trip. 

We will be leaving at 9:30 AM, and we will return to school at approximately 2:00 PM. 

          We will be out in the woods for a portion of the field trip, so please make sure that your child is dressed warmly on Friday.  Students should bring a hat, gloves, boots, a warm coat, etc… 

          Students will need a bag lunch on Friday with a beverage.  Please don’t send any glass bottles.  Students should pack a snack to eat while on the field trip, too.  If your child would like to order a bag lunch from school, please place the order by Wednesday, November 30th.   

          Please email me with any questions.  We are looking forward to a fun, educational experience!

Sincerely,

Keelin Simpson

kmcgrath@sbschools.net

November News From Room 15

Hello, Third Grade Families!

Third graders have completed another busy week!  We have finished our reading unit on “Building a Reading Life”, which has focused upon developing good reading habits and strategies, and developing our skills in identifying the elements of fictional text.  Next week, we will conduct our pre-assessment before starting our second reading unit of study. In this unit, students will explore the text structures of informational text.  Please encourage your child to make this shift in their at-home reading as well. They may certainly continue to read those wonderful stories and fantasies, but we appreciate it if you will help your child to delve a little deeper into the joys of nonfiction!

 

In math, we are continuing our study of multiplication concepts and skills. This week students were engaged in activities that challenged them to use arrays in order to solve problems. They discovered that there are many strategies that will lead to a correct answer, although some are more efficient than others. In Number Corner, we have learned about liquid measurement, computation, multiplication strategies, and geometric shapes.

 

Our writers continue to work on skills related to sentence and paragraph structure, and using appropriate grammar, usage, and mechanics.

In social studies, we have learned about being President of the United States.  We learned about the President’s responsibilities as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Executive, Head of State, and Director of Foreign Policy.  We read and had discussions about current candidates and former presidents.

 

Parent/Student/Teacher conferences will be held on November 20^th and 21^st. Please be sure to use the Pick-A-Time system to sign up for your conference.  I look forward to discussing your child’s progress! If you need help with using the system, please call Rose at 652-7400.

The Chamberlin Thanksgiving Food Drive is nearly finished.  Please send in donations of non-perishable food items (canned fruits and veggies, bread or muffin mixes, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, etc…) by Thursday, November 17^th. 

 

Remember that next week is Spirit Week. Here’s the schedule:

·         Monday is Color Day.  Third graders wear something purple.

·         Tuesday is Sports Day.  Wear any sports team clothing.

·         Wednesday is Mismatched Day.  Wear clothes that don’t match.

·         Thursday is Flannel Day.  Wear any type of flannel clothing.

·         Friday is Chamberlin School Spirit Day.  Wear South Burlington clothes or colors (blue and gray).

 

 We are in need of disinfecting wipes for our desks and boxes of soft tissues. Please send in a package if you have an extra to spare.  Thank you!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Keelin M. Simpson

Room 15 News

             

Dear Third Grade Families,

            We have had fun getting to know each other this school year. Students are getting used to our classroom routines, and they learning to work together.  Here’s some information about what your child is learning in third grade this month.

Third grade writers are publishing and illustrating a favorite personal narrative this month.  Personal narratives are true stories about our lives and experiences.  Third graders have worked on writing with a storyteller’s voice by describing actions, using dialogue, and describing images and feelings.  We have started to learn about writing in paragraph form, and students are learning to punctuate dialogue with commas and quotation marks.  Students are excited to read their work to you at the November Parent/Student/Teacher Conference. 

It’s time to sign up for the November Parent/Student/Teacher Conference.  The information about how to sign up through Pick-A-Time is attached to this notice.  If you are having difficulty with the Pick-A-Time site, please call Rose Dattilio at 652-7400, and she’ll be happy to help you to sign up for a conference time.  I’m looking forward to meeting with you to share about your child’s progress this year!

Third grade mathematicians are learning about multiplication.  They are learning to skip count, see equal groups within pictures, and solve story problems.  We have studied multiplication with ratio tables, arrays, and pictures. 

An important part of third grade math is mastering subtraction facts with numbers up to 20.  Please encourage your child to practice the subtraction facts at www.xtramath.org. Each practice session takes as little as five minutes.  Your child may also practice math facts by playing some of the math games listed on the homework log each week or by using a deck of subtraction flashcards.  Keep a deck of subtraction cards in the family room and practice during television commercials. Practice facts in the car on the way to do errands or while waiting in line at the grocery store.  Practicing facts for a few minutes each day will make math work easier for your child at school. 

Third grade scientists are learning about plant and animal life cycles.  Students are reading nonfiction texts and working on learning activities.  Next, we will be conducting investigations to learn about plant and animal adaptations.  Students will learn that plants and animals have physical and behavioral variations that allow them to adapt and survive in the habitat they live in.  Ask your child to tell you about some of the life cycles they’ve learned about. 

            We are in need of soft tissues for cold season, large and small zip lock bags, and cleaning wipes.  If you have a spare box at home, we would appreciate donations. 

            Please call or email me if you have any questions about the information in this news notice.  Have a great week!

                                                                                                Sincerely,

Keelin M. Simpson

kmcgrath@sbschools.net