What's Your Perspective?

We have been focusing on the perspective of others.  We all see things differently, and that is why we don’t always agree.  Imagining the way someone else sees a situation can help us to have empathy and understanding for someone else’s situation.  We've considered the perspectives of different book characters such as Anton, vs the perspective of the rat he was forced to confront.  We also made observations during morning meeting as we imagined the visual perspectives of others in the circle.  As we accepted a gift of dictionaries to our third grade students from a local Rotary Club, we took a moment to think about what it is like to give a gift vs. receiving a gift.  Be sure to ask your child about drawing "perspectives" in art class, too!
 

This week we begin our Explorers unit and will continue to imagine the different perspectives of people long ago. We started our study with a wonderful story, ENCOUNTER by Jane Yolen.  We discussed the possible differences of perspective when European explorers first met the natives living in the Americas.  Enjoy this one!

The Forts are Ready for Reading!

CHILLY WEATHER!

Dear Families,

As you know, the weather if turning chilly outside!  Because third grade has recess outdoors at 10:15am each day, we thought it would be best to clarify our county weather guidelines.  At 10:15am, teachers check the current temperature.  When the temperature is 40 degrees or colder, students must be covered for protection (jacket, coat, sweater.)  Students who are not covered will remain inside for recess with a teacher.  Also, students will be given the option to remain inside when the temperature is below 40 degrees (approx.)

I have discussed this with the students and it is ultimately their responsibility to be prepared. The best lessons are learned when children aren't prepared on the first few cold days at recess.  (And have you noticed the wind in Crozet?)  Keep in mind that layered clothing is best.  Often when the temperatures outside or cold, the heat is blowing inside and our room can become quite toasty.  On the other hand, when the weather is warmer, the air conditioner blows colder air into the classroom.  We just never know how it's going to feel!

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  As always, we appreciate your support in helping us strive to stay healthy and practice appropriate attire for winter weather.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Robinson

Brownsville Food Drive

Please consider donating food items. The Third Grade Hive is collecting…cans of Baked Beans, cans of soup & cans of spaghetti sauce. (Please, no glass containers.) The students may leave the donations in the sorting boxes near the office, labeled 3rd grade (or appropriate grade per student.)

THANK YOU!

Veteran's Day- Monday, November 11

Today is a day to honor all the people that have served our country in the United States military.

Second Quarter Begins!

Tuesday, October 29th will be the first day of the second quarter of the school year!  The students told me the other day that, "Time really flies when we're having fun!"  It's just so true.

School time during November, December, and January can be quite a challenge when trying to keep the students engaged.  There will be many short weeks and "breaks" in our continuity, as well as holidays, family gatherings and travel for some of you.  Please remind your child to bring the same level of interest and focus to school after a long weekend or break from school.  Thank you for your continued educational support at home!

In the second quarter of school, we will be focusing on new units of study!  Language Arts instruction will be based on a new genre, historical fiction, paired with the comprehension strategy of "visualization."  After completing our non-fiction books, students will begin studying how to create a setting in their next piece of writing. We will also take a closer look at the mechanics of writing and using editing skills. Computation- both addition and subtraction- will be the biggest focus during math.  Students will use what they have learned about place value and comparing numbers, as well as several new strategies to develop the concepts needed to understand computation of large numbers.  The scientific process will be the next step in science, as well as another look at our worm environments. (Yes, indoor composting with worms is stinky business!  We're learning to reduce the amount of food needed and also reduce the number of fruit flies!)  Economics will follow as our next social studies unit.  A study of world explorers and how civilizations are established will be one of our favorite topics this year!

Meet Lisa Martin!

We were thrilled to host local author, Lisa Martin, to 3rd grade today!  She shared many experiences with us about creating characters, researching information, writing and publishing a book.  What a pleasure to have an author read to us from her own published story!  We'll begin reading Anton and Cecil, Cats at Sea on Monday!

 Lisa worked on this book with her Aunt!  What a special way to write a book.  They shared ideas by email and skype, since Lisa's Aunt actually lives in New York.

 Lisa's characters, Anton and Cecil, are based on her own cats, TJ and Albert.  We can all get ideas for writing from special things in our lives.

Stories aren't very interesting unless there is a problem!  Lisa talked to us about how to develop a problem in a story.

Lisa Martin will be at 

Over The Moon Bookstore in Crozet 

on Sunday, Oct. 20, 3:30-4:40.