February Tracking-in

Welcome back track 3!

Important  Book Fair dates:
March 3,Book Fair begins
March 4, browsing day
March 6, buying day

Homework
As promised at the beginning of the school year I am still not sending home consistent nightly homework.  However, I am getting more strict on the students completing assignments in class to prepare them for the much more independent climate of fourth grade.  Any class work not completed during class will be sent home for homework and is expected to be returned the following school day.  Please check in with your child nightly to see that they are completing class assignments. 

Literary Classics
Reading a literary classics will continue to be a part of their ALL Block menus.  I have some in the classroom they are welcome to choose from.  However, I have found them to be more engaged if the parents give them an active role in choosing one from the bookstore or public library.

Math unit
We are starting a new unit in Math on area and perimeter.  The following are the basic standards we will be learning in 10 short lessons: 

Area is the amount of space inside a two-dimensional figure. (NC.3.MD.5, NC. 3.MD.7) Perimeter is the sum of all side lengths of two-dimensional figure. (NC.3.MD.8) Arrays, repeated addition, equal groups, and area are related concepts. ( NC. 3.MD.7) The total number of square units in a rectangle is its area. (NC.3.MD.5) Rectangles can be partitioned into two smaller rectangles with the areas of each rectangle being found then added together to find the total area of the large rectangle (distributive property). (NC.3.MD.7)  Perimeter can be used to find the unknown side lengths of a polygon. (NC.3.MD.8)

Timed Quizzes
Please remember to practice multiplication facts each night at home.  The fact that your child is practicing varies depending on which ones they have passed.  I grade the timed quizzes and send them home that day or the next so they should always know what they need to be practicing.  The order they should practice for mastery is 0/1, 10, 5, 2, 4, 8, 3, 6, 9, 7, 11, and 12.

iStation Log Ins
In December, you received a paper that has your child's iStation Log In information, which you access through their Wake ID.  Scores for this assessment will not be sent home.  If you would like to view your child's progress through the year then you need to use the log in to access it at home.  Please let me know if you need a copy of the log in information. 

Social Studies/Science
We are wrapping up our Social Studies unit on Economics this week and then we will finish the quarter with Science.  In Science, we will be learning about Force and Motion and then move into a unit on the 3 states of matter.

Force and Motion

Key Concept 1: Motion is when objects move from place to place.  3.P.1

Sub Concept 1: Motion is when objects move as a result of forces (pushes, pulls). (Review from 1st Grade)

Sub Concept 2: Gravity is a type of pull causing motion. 3.P.1.3

Key Concept 2: Objects can move in different directions. 3.P.1.1

Sub Concept 1: Forces (pushes, pulls) act on objects and cause them to move or change direction.

3.P.1.1

Sub Concept 2: Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact with each other, and results in the release of heat energy. 3.P.3.1

Key Concept 3: Objects can move at different speeds. 3.P.1.1

Sub Concept 1: Forces (pushes, pulls) act on objects and cause them to move at different speeds over the same distance. 3.P.1.2

Sub Concept 2: Forces (pushes, pulls) act on objects and cause them to move over the same distance in different amounts of time. 3.P.1.2

Key Concept 4: Gravity is a factor of motion. 3.P.1.3

Sub Concept 1: Gravity is a force that causes motion. 3.P.1.3

Sub Concept 2: The effects of gravity on Earth or near Earth are the same (without touching objects). 3.P.1.3

States of Matter

Key Concept 1: Matter has structure and properties which can be determined by observation.(3.P.2, 3.P.2.2)

Sub Concept: Solids have structures and properties. (3.P.2, 3.P.2.2)

Sub Concept: Liquids have structures and properties. (3.P.2, 3.P.2.2)

Sub Concept: Gases, like air, have structures and properties. (3.P.2, 3.P.2.1, 3.P.2.2) 

Key Concept 2: Matter can change states.(3.P.2,3.P.2.3) 

Sub Concept: Heat energy can be transferred and cause changes in states of matter.  (3.P.2.3, 3.P.3)

Sub Concept:  States of matter (solid, liquid, gas) can be changed by contact with one another. (3.P.3)

Sub Concept: States of matter (solid, liquid, gas) can be changed by giving off or receiving energy waves at a distance. (3.P.3.2)

STEM Extravaganza  
Please consider having your child participate in the STEM (formally the Math/Science) Extravaganza.  The information has been listed in the Brassfield Bulletin and you can sign up online.  The deadline is February 19th, but I am requesting an extension for track 3 students since were tracked out when the sign up started.

Registration for Brassfield’s 2020 STEM Extravaganza (formerly Math & Science Extravaganza) is now open! The registration deadline for ALL tracks is Wednesday, February 19th. The event will take place on Thursday, Feb 27th from 6-8PM, with pizza in the cafeteria at 5:30PM. This is such a fun, family event with many guest exhibitors on-site. It is NOT a judged event and is open to ALL grade levels.The class with the highest percentage of registered students displaying at the event will receive a FREE PIZZA PARTY, sponsored by the PTA! Click here for the registration form.   Please contact Kim Fryar at kimrfryar@gmail.com with questions.