August 12 Third Grade News

Hello, Third Grader!

We hope you’re as excited as we are about the start of the school year. We are going to have a great year together! There are two Third Grade Teachers this year. Mrs. Simpson will be teaching math and Ms. Cota will be teaching literacy (reading and writing). Ms. Cota and Mrs. Simpson will be teaching science and social studies together.

A Note From Mrs. Simpson
I have enjoyed the sunny days this summer with my family. I have two boys, Braden and Liam. Braden is going into 7th grade, and Liam will be in preschool. We also have a bunny named Thumper. The boys love to play outside, swim, and ride bikes. We have had fun family gatherings and roasted marshmallows by the campfire. We are looking forward to ending our summer break with a trip to Maine to spend time by the ocean and go to the zoo.

A Note From Ms. Cota
 I can’t believe how quickly this summer flew by! It was a blast but I’m ready to meet and get to know all of you! This summer I spent a lot of time enjoying Lake Champlain. Did you have time to visit the lake? I went paddle boarding, swimming, and I also read interesting books by the water. My favorite memory from this summer was visiting my mother’s camp in Montgomery, Vermont. I saw geese, deer, a beaver, and even woke up to a mouse running in the walls. I didn’t go to sleep after that. Some of my other interests include: snowboarding, playing tennis, hanging out with my friends, and traveling. I can’t wait to meet you and find out more about your interests.

 We hope that you have had a terrific summer vacation! We can’t wait to hear about it! We look forward to seeing you at Open House on August 26, from 1:30-3:00 pm. Please remember to bring a snack and a water bottle to school each day. Enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Sincerely,
 Ashley Cota & Keelin Simpson
 acota@sbschools.net
kmgrath@sbschools.net

WELCOME TO THIRD GRADE!!!

Welcome back to school!  We are looking forward to a great year of fun and learning with you!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Simpson
Ms. Cota

Thank You

Dear Third Grade Families,

It is hard to believe that the end of the year has arrived!  It has been my pleasure to work with such a great group of bright, kind, enthusiastic learners!  I will surely miss them all next year!

 I have enclosed a review packet of multiplication, division, fraction, and geometry activities in your child's summer envelope, and Mrs. Buley has placed a summer reading packet in the envelope, too.  Keep practicing the multiplication facts and read each day throughout the summer.  Do the worksheets on rainy days, if you have a chance.

Third graders had a grand time at Field Day this week.  Enjoy the photos below!

  

   

 
       

       

     

What a great group!!!

Have a wonderful summer!!!

Sincerely,
Keelin M. Simpson

Classroom News

                                         

Dear Third Grade Families,

We are finishing up our science units about inherited traits, life cycles, and plant and animal adaptations this month.  Third graders have conducted research about a Vermont bird to learn about habitats, life cycles, adaptations, and inherited traits.  Students chose a way to present their research.  Third graders chose to create slideshows, skits, cartoons, posters, and games to present their research. 

We learned about the life cycle of chickens and were visited by chicks and chickens from Shelburne Farms this spring.

         

                                              

Third graders also completed the assignment of inventing a bird.  Students chose one of Earth’s biomes and invented a bird that would have the behavioral and inherited adaptations to survive in that biome.  After each student sketched their invented bird, he/she worked with Ms. Terracino to create a 3-D model of their invented bird out of paper mache, paint, and other supplies. 

                        

In social studies, students were involved earlier this year in producing "green screen" videos of the explorers upon which they did research reports. 

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The children would love to share their work on these projects with you. Please stop by your child's Home Room classroom whenever it is convenient for you between 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 14^th.  

Remember that we will also be having a Pizza Party to celebrate our year in third grade on June 14th.  Children will not need to bring a lunch that day. Children are invited to bring a card or board game from home to school to play with their classmates during the party.  Please click on the link below if you are able to sign up to contribute an item for the party.  Thank you!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0B4CA9AB22AAF94-celebration   

Sincerely,

Keelin Simpson

Bird Museum of Vermont

Dear Third Grade Families,

We had a great trip to the Bird Museum of Vermont this week.  The weather was perfect for a hike and a picnic, and we learned some great information about birds to add to our bird research in the classroom.  Thanks to parents who were able to chaperone this field trip! 

Our next steps are to complete our bird research projects.  Each student is also inventing a bird and writing about its physical and behavioral adaptations that allow it to survive in a specific biome on Earth.  Students have started creating papier mache models of their invented birds, too!  Students are excited to share their work with you soon!  have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Keelin M. Simpson