Third Grade
Building a community of life long learners
Welcome Third Graders
The third grade teachers have an exciting year planned for all of you. We will be working on many activities, projects and learning new concepts this year. Third grade is a year of many firsts. It’s our introduction to multiplication and division with multi-step story problems, learning various technology uses, exploring new genres, writing in cursive and of course learning to be more independent.
We will be focused on building a community of learners. As a community, we will share all of our school supplies, practice communicating clearly, problem solve together, learn to disagree respectfully, and have fun making new friends! Our number one job, at school, will be LEARNING and to succeed we need everyone doing their part. Preparing students for life’s next step means giving all students opportunities to learn how to have empathy for others, be flexible, resilient, persistent and optimistic! This is going to be an amazing year!
We will be focused on building a community of learners. As a community, we will share all of our school supplies, practice communicating clearly, problem solve together, learn to disagree respectfully, and have fun making new friends! Our number one job, at school, will be LEARNING and to succeed we need everyone doing their part. Preparing students for life’s next step means giving all students opportunities to learn how to have empathy for others, be flexible, resilient, persistent and optimistic! This is going to be an amazing year!
Team
Mrs. Wilcox
Teacher
email - jwilcox@nvps.net
Mrs. Potgeter
Teacher
email - jpotgeter@nvps.net
Ms. Carpenter
Teacher
email - scarpenter@nvps.net
Parent/Guardian Links
Friday Folder Information
Click here to get information regarding papers in the weekly Friday folder.
Learn MoreHomework & the Third Grade Reading Law
Click here to learn more about the Third Grade Reading Law Third graders should be reading every night for 20 or more minutes. This includes reading out loud to an adult, listening to an adult read, or reading to a younger sibling or cousin. I strongly encourage families to spend a lot of time the first part of the year having your child READ OUT LOUD for their homework. This is a wonderful way to help improve reading fluency. When reading out loud students can work on their rate and expression.
Learn MoreUpdates
Sunday May 31, 2020:
Dear Families,
Here are a few important reminders about upcoming school events:
On Monday June 1 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm families may sport their wildcat gear and wave BYE to the 19/20 school year with us. Staff will line the service road behind North Oakview and we are inviting families to "drive bye" and wave. Enter off Hunsberger. Please note, that this is much like a parade and PARADES DO NOT STOP - so we will keep you moving! Exchange of items will not be permitted.
Per the Wildcat Weekly email, here are the directions for picking up students personal belongings:
1. Pick up date is Wednesday, June 3.
2. Time: 9-11 and 12-2.
3. Enter service drive off of Hunsberger by high school.
4. Enter the football field parking lot and proceed down to exit by tennis courts.
5. Turn the car to exit towards Hunsberger and park along drive by North Oakview gym.
6. Stay in your car.
7. Staff will be available to assist with student items.
8. Tell staff the name of your child and teacher for item pick up.
9. Staff will retrieve items and return to your car.
10. Exit service drive.
Parent/Guardians:
************************************************************
3/16/20:
Dear Families,
We know many of you are wondering about how to best support your children at home over the next few weeks. First and foremost, care for them and love them. We have put together some activities, a list of educational links and ideas for families to use at home. These activities are NOT required and will not be used as part of your child’s grade. However, we encourage families to use these resources. Learning at home activities will be emailed to each family.
If your family needs a hard copy of the activities or other support, copies will be available Friday March 20 at the high school from 5:30 - 6:30 (same time as meal pick up).
Recommended daily schedule to help families maintain a consistent routine:
8:00 am: wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed
9:00 - 10:00 am: morning exercise (bike ride, walk, yoga inside)
10:00 - 11:00 am: reading and writing (split 30/30)
11:00 - 12:00 pm: Art, music or creative play
12:00 - 12:30 pm: lunch
12:30 - 1:00 pm: chores (help around the house, clean your room)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: quiet time (puzzles, nap, reading, journal, word search)
2:00 - 3:30 pm: academic/computer time (use our learning at home activities)
3:30 - 5:00 pm: Outdoor play (science walks looking for birds)
5:00 - 6:30 pm: Dinner (have your child help measure, prepare and cook dinner)
6:30 - 7:30 pm: Free choice (watch a show, read a book, etc...)
7:30 - 8:30 pm: Family time (board games, showers, etc…)
8:30 pm: Get ready for bed
Key areas to focus on:
Reading - Mysteries, read every day for 30 minutes or more. Keep in mind students are used to reading across content areas throughout the day. Be sure to read for 30 minutes and take a break, then read again. Be sure to mix up reading: have your child read out loud to you, you read out loud to them and then take turns reading out loud. A fun activity is to face-time a family member and have your child read to them!
If you haven’t already, please “like/follow” the Northview Elementary Libraries Facebook page. Mrs. Davies and Mr. Stroh will be posting things everyday to help keep your child connected with literacy.
Writing - We were beginning our research writing on birds. However, a lot of their research and work is at school. So, for the time being have them continue reading about their bird. We also included three writing prompts that families can use at home to help your child maintain their writing stamina. A daily journal for at home use is a great way to include “quick writes” at home.
Math - We just started unit 6 which is all about Fractions. Freckle has a whole section on fractions. Instructions to get there are included in our learning at home activity link.
Science - Continue watching and learning about birds using the Cornell website and the Audubon site.
Social Studies - Read and learn about Michigan. Use Epic to find books about Michigan.
Technology - Have students continue working on the typing lessons on typing.com. There are also 1, 3, and 5 minute typing quizzes and games.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher if you need additional resources for your child, or if you have any questions. We are here for you and we are Northview!
Sincerely,
Your Third Grade Team
1/31/20:
We have been busy throughout the months of December and January. Here are the concepts/skills we've been working on and information regarding what’s coming up next.
Math Workshop:
Unit 4 - Area, Perimeter, and Polygons is the Geometry and Measurement strand in our curriculum. This unit focuses on developing students ideas about the attributes of 2D and 3D shapes and how these attributes determine their classification. These ideas are developed through activities that focus on understanding and finding perimeter and area using standard units of measurement. Review packets for this unit will come home on Friday, January 31. Third graders will take this math the week of February 3.
Unit 5 - The next math unit is all about Cube Patterns, Arrays, and Multiples of 10. This unit will develop students ideas about counting and quantity, place value, and the structure of the base-10 number system, the meaning of operations with whole numbers, fact fluency, and generalizations about numbers and operations. Students will spend a lot of time working with multiplication and division. It’s strongly suggested that students continue practicing the basic multiplication facts, frequently, at home to help them prepare for the end of year expectations. Third graders are expected to have mastered all multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and division facts 0 - 5.
Writer’s Workshop:
Writer’s have been creating their non fiction books. They have chosen topics they are experts on and have been writing up a storm. Once they have gone through the whole writing process, we will post their books in the hallway (just outside each classroom).
The next informational book they write will include research. In reader’s workshop, we’ve discussed the importance of using more than one credible source and now as writers they will get to do research (using more than one source) to write about a topic of their choice.
We are looking forward to learning about biographies starting next week.
Social Studies:
Unit 3 focuses on primary and secondary sources of information to explore the early history of Michigan. Students examine the work of historians and the types of questions they ask. Then, apply historical thinking skills to a study of American Indians in Michigan, exploration and early settlement.
We will begin unit 4 around the beginning of February. In this unit students combine what they have previously learned about geography, economics, and the early history of Michigan to explore the growth of Michigan after statehood. The emphasis is on large-scale developments like the growth of manufacturing and population growth as opposed to specific historical eras and events. Students explore how natural resources such as fertile soil, trees, and minerals influenced certain businesses to take root in Michigan.
Valentine’s Parties:
Third grade Valentine’s parties will be on Friday February 14, 2020. Parties will from 8:45 - 9:30 am. We will enjoy a pancake breakfast with our friends in class. Each classroom will need 2 volunteers that have a pancake griddle and/or would be willing to come in and help cook pancakes. Teachers will be sharing an email with more information soon.
All third graders will be making a valentine’s holder at school with their classmates. We do ask that if your child plans to bring in Valentine’s Cards that they bring in one for each student in class. Each teacher will share that soon via email or paper copy in Friday folders.
11/15/19:
We have started Unit 3 in math. This unit will develop students' ideas about counting, place value, the structure of the base-10 number system, the meaning of operations with whole numbers, and fluency. The unit focus is on understanding and extending knowledge of place value and the number system to 1,000, and adding and subtracting accurately and efficiently.
To support your mathematician at home be sure to use their Xtramath account. This program focuses on fact fluency with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Play games like Close to 100, Addition Top It, or Multiplication Top It to help work on these skills in a "fun" way.
In Reader's workshop, we have been studying character traits. Character traits are words used to describe a person through observed actions or responses during certain situations. This process is commonly used by authors in books to describe characters, and to make their stories more real and relatable to the reader. This week we focused on the character traits of the five golden ticket winners in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ask your rapid reader about each of the lucky winners and how would they describe each character!
Social Studies Unit 2 cover The Economy of Michigan. This unit explores the principles and concepts of economics through the lens of Michigan today. Students use what they have learned in the previous unit about Michigan’s natural resources to explore how natural, human and capital resources combine to influence the types of businesses in our state today. Students then focus on the economic principles of scarcity, choice, and opportunity costs. Finally, students explore the role of government with respect to goods, services, and incentives. Students will be working on another in class project to demonstrate their understanding of natural, human and capital resources involved in producing products goods.
Science Unit 2 is all about Toys. Students will use what they learn about forces exerted by other objects, magnets, and electricity as criteria and constraints in designing how their toy/s move. Students will incorporate all that they have figured out about forces that cause their toy to move in a description of the toy design problem and solution. We will begin this unit after Thanksgiving break.
********************************************************
9/13/19 Academic Updates:
Technology - We began using technology by reviewing how to log on to the chrome book and using our new usernames & passwords. Students have a small index card with their username and password to help them with this process. We are getting faster everyday!
Gardening - This Monday we were able to visit our gardens out front. The Will family was there to help us learn about the different plants and how to clean the vegetables. On Tuesday, students were able to taste test the potatoes and peppers! Delicious - food straight from our garden...what a treat!
Science - We have scientists that are super excited to be learning about how squirrels survive. We have started some amazing discussions and asked thoughtful questions about these animals and their abilities to survive in the wild.
Math - We are well into Unit 1 and working hard to master the basic multiplication facts.
Reading - We have been discussing different reading strategies each day. This week we focused on check for understanding and backup and reread. Ask your rapid reader how to use each of these strategies at home. We also introduced an online library for students to use both at school and at home (requires Internet) titled Epic.
Have a fantastic weekend!
********************************************************
8/29/19 Academic Updates:
We are excited to be back at school with our students. This week we all worked hard to get back into a “school routine.” To help your student/s do their best it is helpful to have a consistent bedtime routine, eat a healthy breakfast and check in with your child everyday about how things are going at school. To help start a conversation try asking, “What book did your teacher read today? Who sat with you at lunch? What’s in your backpack that we should look at tonight?”
In your child’s backpack is their weekly “Friday Folder.” This is an important folder that will help home and school stay connected. Each week your child will bring this folder home and inside will be examples of their class work and important papers from the office. Be sure to go through this folder with your child and return the folder each week on Monday morning.
Reading - We are digging into our first class chapter book tiled Fenway & Hattie by Victoria J. Coe. Fenway is an excitable and energetic Jack Russell terrier. He lives in the city with Food Lady, Fetch Man, and—of course—his beloved short human and best-friend-in-the-world, Hattie.
But when his family moves to the suburbs, Fenway faces a world of changes. He's pretty pleased with the huge Dog Park behind his new home, but he's not so happy about the Evil Squirrels that taunt him from the trees, the super-slippery Wicked Floor in the Eating Room, and the changes that have come over Hattie lately. Rather than playing with Fenway, she seems more interested in her new short human friend and learning to play baseball. His friends in the Dog Park next door say Hattie is outgrowing him, but that can't be right. And he's going to prove it!
Get a dog's-eye view of the world in this heartwarming, enthusiastic "tail" about two best friends.
Math - Unit 1 is titled Understanding Equal Groups. This unit will focus on understanding the meaning of multiplication, modeling multiplication using arrays, and understanding the inverse relationship between multiplication and division.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the time with your family & friends.
Dear Families,
Here are a few important reminders about upcoming school events:
On Monday June 1 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm families may sport their wildcat gear and wave BYE to the 19/20 school year with us. Staff will line the service road behind North Oakview and we are inviting families to "drive bye" and wave. Enter off Hunsberger. Please note, that this is much like a parade and PARADES DO NOT STOP - so we will keep you moving! Exchange of items will not be permitted.
Per the Wildcat Weekly email, here are the directions for picking up students personal belongings:
1. Pick up date is Wednesday, June 3.
2. Time: 9-11 and 12-2.
3. Enter service drive off of Hunsberger by high school.
4. Enter the football field parking lot and proceed down to exit by tennis courts.
5. Turn the car to exit towards Hunsberger and park along drive by North Oakview gym.
6. Stay in your car.
7. Staff will be available to assist with student items.
8. Tell staff the name of your child and teacher for item pick up.
9. Staff will retrieve items and return to your car.
10. Exit service drive.
Parent/Guardians:
- Report cards will be mailed home.
- Information about what school will look like in the fall will be communicated once state and local district decisions have been decided on. That information will also be communicated by administration. Stay tuned!
- The district WILL NOT be collecting district issued chromebooks/charging cords at this time. We want families to continue to have computer access for summer learning at their discretion. Stay tuned for more information on that collection process.
************************************************************
3/16/20:
Dear Families,
We know many of you are wondering about how to best support your children at home over the next few weeks. First and foremost, care for them and love them. We have put together some activities, a list of educational links and ideas for families to use at home. These activities are NOT required and will not be used as part of your child’s grade. However, we encourage families to use these resources. Learning at home activities will be emailed to each family.
If your family needs a hard copy of the activities or other support, copies will be available Friday March 20 at the high school from 5:30 - 6:30 (same time as meal pick up).
Recommended daily schedule to help families maintain a consistent routine:
8:00 am: wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed
9:00 - 10:00 am: morning exercise (bike ride, walk, yoga inside)
10:00 - 11:00 am: reading and writing (split 30/30)
11:00 - 12:00 pm: Art, music or creative play
12:00 - 12:30 pm: lunch
12:30 - 1:00 pm: chores (help around the house, clean your room)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: quiet time (puzzles, nap, reading, journal, word search)
2:00 - 3:30 pm: academic/computer time (use our learning at home activities)
3:30 - 5:00 pm: Outdoor play (science walks looking for birds)
5:00 - 6:30 pm: Dinner (have your child help measure, prepare and cook dinner)
6:30 - 7:30 pm: Free choice (watch a show, read a book, etc...)
7:30 - 8:30 pm: Family time (board games, showers, etc…)
8:30 pm: Get ready for bed
Key areas to focus on:
Reading - Mysteries, read every day for 30 minutes or more. Keep in mind students are used to reading across content areas throughout the day. Be sure to read for 30 minutes and take a break, then read again. Be sure to mix up reading: have your child read out loud to you, you read out loud to them and then take turns reading out loud. A fun activity is to face-time a family member and have your child read to them!
If you haven’t already, please “like/follow” the Northview Elementary Libraries Facebook page. Mrs. Davies and Mr. Stroh will be posting things everyday to help keep your child connected with literacy.
Writing - We were beginning our research writing on birds. However, a lot of their research and work is at school. So, for the time being have them continue reading about their bird. We also included three writing prompts that families can use at home to help your child maintain their writing stamina. A daily journal for at home use is a great way to include “quick writes” at home.
Math - We just started unit 6 which is all about Fractions. Freckle has a whole section on fractions. Instructions to get there are included in our learning at home activity link.
Science - Continue watching and learning about birds using the Cornell website and the Audubon site.
Social Studies - Read and learn about Michigan. Use Epic to find books about Michigan.
Technology - Have students continue working on the typing lessons on typing.com. There are also 1, 3, and 5 minute typing quizzes and games.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher if you need additional resources for your child, or if you have any questions. We are here for you and we are Northview!
Sincerely,
Your Third Grade Team
1/31/20:
We have been busy throughout the months of December and January. Here are the concepts/skills we've been working on and information regarding what’s coming up next.
Math Workshop:
Unit 4 - Area, Perimeter, and Polygons is the Geometry and Measurement strand in our curriculum. This unit focuses on developing students ideas about the attributes of 2D and 3D shapes and how these attributes determine their classification. These ideas are developed through activities that focus on understanding and finding perimeter and area using standard units of measurement. Review packets for this unit will come home on Friday, January 31. Third graders will take this math the week of February 3.
Unit 5 - The next math unit is all about Cube Patterns, Arrays, and Multiples of 10. This unit will develop students ideas about counting and quantity, place value, and the structure of the base-10 number system, the meaning of operations with whole numbers, fact fluency, and generalizations about numbers and operations. Students will spend a lot of time working with multiplication and division. It’s strongly suggested that students continue practicing the basic multiplication facts, frequently, at home to help them prepare for the end of year expectations. Third graders are expected to have mastered all multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and division facts 0 - 5.
Writer’s Workshop:
Writer’s have been creating their non fiction books. They have chosen topics they are experts on and have been writing up a storm. Once they have gone through the whole writing process, we will post their books in the hallway (just outside each classroom).
The next informational book they write will include research. In reader’s workshop, we’ve discussed the importance of using more than one credible source and now as writers they will get to do research (using more than one source) to write about a topic of their choice.
We are looking forward to learning about biographies starting next week.
Social Studies:
Unit 3 focuses on primary and secondary sources of information to explore the early history of Michigan. Students examine the work of historians and the types of questions they ask. Then, apply historical thinking skills to a study of American Indians in Michigan, exploration and early settlement.
We will begin unit 4 around the beginning of February. In this unit students combine what they have previously learned about geography, economics, and the early history of Michigan to explore the growth of Michigan after statehood. The emphasis is on large-scale developments like the growth of manufacturing and population growth as opposed to specific historical eras and events. Students explore how natural resources such as fertile soil, trees, and minerals influenced certain businesses to take root in Michigan.
Valentine’s Parties:
Third grade Valentine’s parties will be on Friday February 14, 2020. Parties will from 8:45 - 9:30 am. We will enjoy a pancake breakfast with our friends in class. Each classroom will need 2 volunteers that have a pancake griddle and/or would be willing to come in and help cook pancakes. Teachers will be sharing an email with more information soon.
All third graders will be making a valentine’s holder at school with their classmates. We do ask that if your child plans to bring in Valentine’s Cards that they bring in one for each student in class. Each teacher will share that soon via email or paper copy in Friday folders.
11/15/19:
We have started Unit 3 in math. This unit will develop students' ideas about counting, place value, the structure of the base-10 number system, the meaning of operations with whole numbers, and fluency. The unit focus is on understanding and extending knowledge of place value and the number system to 1,000, and adding and subtracting accurately and efficiently.
To support your mathematician at home be sure to use their Xtramath account. This program focuses on fact fluency with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Play games like Close to 100, Addition Top It, or Multiplication Top It to help work on these skills in a "fun" way.
In Reader's workshop, we have been studying character traits. Character traits are words used to describe a person through observed actions or responses during certain situations. This process is commonly used by authors in books to describe characters, and to make their stories more real and relatable to the reader. This week we focused on the character traits of the five golden ticket winners in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ask your rapid reader about each of the lucky winners and how would they describe each character!
Social Studies Unit 2 cover The Economy of Michigan. This unit explores the principles and concepts of economics through the lens of Michigan today. Students use what they have learned in the previous unit about Michigan’s natural resources to explore how natural, human and capital resources combine to influence the types of businesses in our state today. Students then focus on the economic principles of scarcity, choice, and opportunity costs. Finally, students explore the role of government with respect to goods, services, and incentives. Students will be working on another in class project to demonstrate their understanding of natural, human and capital resources involved in producing products goods.
Science Unit 2 is all about Toys. Students will use what they learn about forces exerted by other objects, magnets, and electricity as criteria and constraints in designing how their toy/s move. Students will incorporate all that they have figured out about forces that cause their toy to move in a description of the toy design problem and solution. We will begin this unit after Thanksgiving break.
********************************************************
9/13/19 Academic Updates:
Technology - We began using technology by reviewing how to log on to the chrome book and using our new usernames & passwords. Students have a small index card with their username and password to help them with this process. We are getting faster everyday!
Gardening - This Monday we were able to visit our gardens out front. The Will family was there to help us learn about the different plants and how to clean the vegetables. On Tuesday, students were able to taste test the potatoes and peppers! Delicious - food straight from our garden...what a treat!
Science - We have scientists that are super excited to be learning about how squirrels survive. We have started some amazing discussions and asked thoughtful questions about these animals and their abilities to survive in the wild.
Math - We are well into Unit 1 and working hard to master the basic multiplication facts.
Reading - We have been discussing different reading strategies each day. This week we focused on check for understanding and backup and reread. Ask your rapid reader how to use each of these strategies at home. We also introduced an online library for students to use both at school and at home (requires Internet) titled Epic.
Have a fantastic weekend!
********************************************************
8/29/19 Academic Updates:
We are excited to be back at school with our students. This week we all worked hard to get back into a “school routine.” To help your student/s do their best it is helpful to have a consistent bedtime routine, eat a healthy breakfast and check in with your child everyday about how things are going at school. To help start a conversation try asking, “What book did your teacher read today? Who sat with you at lunch? What’s in your backpack that we should look at tonight?”
In your child’s backpack is their weekly “Friday Folder.” This is an important folder that will help home and school stay connected. Each week your child will bring this folder home and inside will be examples of their class work and important papers from the office. Be sure to go through this folder with your child and return the folder each week on Monday morning.
Reading - We are digging into our first class chapter book tiled Fenway & Hattie by Victoria J. Coe. Fenway is an excitable and energetic Jack Russell terrier. He lives in the city with Food Lady, Fetch Man, and—of course—his beloved short human and best-friend-in-the-world, Hattie.
But when his family moves to the suburbs, Fenway faces a world of changes. He's pretty pleased with the huge Dog Park behind his new home, but he's not so happy about the Evil Squirrels that taunt him from the trees, the super-slippery Wicked Floor in the Eating Room, and the changes that have come over Hattie lately. Rather than playing with Fenway, she seems more interested in her new short human friend and learning to play baseball. His friends in the Dog Park next door say Hattie is outgrowing him, but that can't be right. And he's going to prove it!
Get a dog's-eye view of the world in this heartwarming, enthusiastic "tail" about two best friends.
Math - Unit 1 is titled Understanding Equal Groups. This unit will focus on understanding the meaning of multiplication, modeling multiplication using arrays, and understanding the inverse relationship between multiplication and division.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the time with your family & friends.
