Grade 3 News
Dear Grade 3 families
Welcome to the end of Term 1!
In some ways it doesn’t feel like we should already be here, because it’s gone so fast. But when we look at how much learning has already happened, it’s hard to believe it’s only been a term!
Firstly, we would like to thank Mrs Alexander for her time with 3A. She is now the full time teacher of 4D. While we’re sad that she’s not part of the team anymore, we would like to welcome Miss Schaumann (Miss S) to the team, as she will be with 3A two days a week.
Below is a snapshot of the learning that has happened in each curriculum area, as well as some information, reminders and important dates.
English
In our English block, the students have been practicing their reading fluency each day. We have focused on reading smoothly, pausing at punctuation, and finding ways to add expression to our voice. While reading with your child at home, talking about this would be a great way to support them.
We have also learnt how to construct sentences by knowing that they have a subject and a verb. Recently, we have explored the four types of sentences – statement, question, command and exclamation. If you’re doing some writing at home, encouraging them to use different sentence types would be great.
Our writing focus for this term has been learning more about the structure of a narrative. Our first unit was called ‘The Little Turtle and the Sea’. During that unit, we focused on using real world facts, like our understanding of plastic in the ocean, to give our narratives a message or a theme.
Recently, we have started a new unit. We are using ‘The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore’ as our mentor text. By reading this book, we are learning how to tell a story with both words and pictures.
Mathematics
For most of this term, the students have been continuing to build their place value knowledge. They have learnt how to read, write, order and make numbers well into the tens of thousands and beyond. They have also learnt how to build number lines and then mark specific numbers.
In the last week, we have moved into an addition and subtraction unit. In the next few weeks, the students will be learning how to use different strategies to solve problems. This will include the jump strategy, split strategy and vertical with regrouping. Our final focus will then be analysing and solving worded problems.
Along the way, we have also been learning how to apply different problem solving strategies. The students have been presented with open ended problems to solve, that have no clear answer. Some students have drawn pictures to better understand the problem, while others have broken the problem down into smaller parts. The focus of these sessions is not on getting the correct answer, but how you got there.
Humanities
In Humanities, the students explore topics that build their understanding of the world. Our first unit was called ‘Habitats and Change’. In this unit, the students learnt about different types of habitats, what animals live there, how animals adapt to their environment, and how habitats are effected by both humans and nature.
We are now in our second unit titled ‘The First Australians’. Over the next few weeks, the students will learn about Aboriginal culture, history and traditions.
Information / Important Dates
- Every student has been given a diary to record their home reading. Each Tuesday and Friday are the days to change take home readers, as well as the classroom library books.
- If you still haven’t returned your child’s photo permission forms (the blue ones from conferences) please fill them in and return them to the school office.
Hats are still required to be worn at recess and lunch. Any students not wearing hats need to play in the shade. Please ensure your child is bringing their hat each day.
- Cross Country
- Our school cross country will be held on Monday March 30th between 11:30 and 1:30. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours. They should also wear runners, a hat and bring their drink bottle.
- Final day of Term 1
- Next Thursday April 2nd is the last day of Term 1. The school day ends at 1:30.
- First day of Term 2
- The first day of Term 2 is Monday April 20th.
Thank you so much for the amazing support that you have been giving to your children. We have had an amazing start to the year, and that doesn’t just happen at school.
We hope you have a wonderful end to the term and a well earned rest in the holidays.
Regards
Mr Francis, Miss S, Ms Cook and Ms Arya