Mrs. Busler's Third Grade Learning Community

Mrs. Busler's Third Grade Learning Community

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Once again I would like to thank everyone for the lovely gifts I received for Christmas. I would also like to take time to thank everyone for a helping out with our "Christmas Angel" project. We were able to collect 28 gifts for our "Christmas Angel" child.

Here is an overview of what we will be studying in each subject this month.

Math
Multiplication is well under way. We have lots of fun games and memory tricks for many of the times tables. Study tip: I can't stress enough the importance of practicing basic math facts to ready your student for multiplication. Flash cards are a great way to do this.

Reading
Our current unit of study is "Be Creative" in which we learn that being creative can solve many problems. Study tip: reread the story of the week with your student every Thursday to prepare for the test on Friday. We have also begun our classroom literature circles by reading and discussing chapter books. We have already read "Flat Stanley", "Molly's Pilgrim", "King Max", and "The Word Eater". This is a good way to reinforce the comprehension skills learned in our stories of the week and makes the reading much more enjoyable. We are beginning a new chapter book "Stone Fox" this month. Ask your student about it. Asking simple questions about these stories is a good way to build comprehension skills and you will see how much fun your student is having with these chapter books.

Grammar
Identifying all types of verbs and being able to use them is our focus this month. Study tip: grammar test every Friday. Although these are all skills that are used every day in class, you can prepare your student for test by asking questions and giving simple examples to quiz them.

Spelling
Long and short vowel sounds are the focus and how letter combinations make these sounds. We are also concentrating on consonant blends. Study tip: A spelling list is sent home every Monday as a study guide for a 20 word test every Friday.

Writing:
Creating good paragraphs is our focus. We are using the 4 square method as the prewriting step in the process of writing. We are also working with a method called "SLAMS" to create great answers to open ended questions.Additionally, our journal writing is a great way to express our creativity. I hope you have already heard about our 6th grade writing buddies from your students. The 6th graders are enjoying this as much as the 3rd graders. Writing portfolios will come home at the end of each marking period with many samples for you to view.

Handwriting:
We have reviewed and "polished up" our manuscript writing and have moved on to cursive. The students are very excited about cursive. Please review all strokes on the papers that come home with your child and have them practice.

Health:
Self Concept will be discussed this month along with studying ways to stay healthy. Responsibility will be our character trait focus of the month.

Social Studies:

Science;

Our daily schedule:
math
reading
spelling
grammar
lunch
writing
enrichment
recess
health/handwriting
social studies/ science
special

Day 1 - spanish/library
Day 2 - music
Day 3 - art
Day 4 - gym
Day 5 - computers

Other Places to go:

fun math games
just plug in your spelling words
AWESOME math site

Email: Mrs. Busler

	HAPPY NEW YEAR! Once again I would like to thank everyone for the lovely gifts I received for Christmas. I would also like to take time to thank everyone for a helping out with our "Christmas Angel" project. We were able to collect 28 gifts for our "Christmas Angel" child.
	Here is an overview of what we will be studying in each subject this month.
	Math Multiplication is well under way. We have lots of fun games and memory tricks for many of the times tables. Study tip: I can't stress enough the importance of practicing basic math facts to ready your student for multiplication. Flash cards are a great way to do this.
	Reading Our current unit of study is "Be Creative" in which we learn that being creative can solve many problems. Study tip: reread the story of the week with your student every Thursday to prepare for the test on Friday. We have also begun our classroom literature circles by reading and discussing chapter books. We have already read "Flat Stanley", "Molly's Pilgrim", "King Max", and "The Word Eater". This is a good way to reinforce the comprehension skills learned in our stories of the week and makes the reading much more enjoyable. We are beginning a new chapter book "Stone Fox" this month. Ask your student about it. Asking simple questions about these stories is a good way to build comprehension skills and you will see how much fun your student is having with these chapter books.
	Grammar Identifying all types of verbs and being able to use them is our focus this month. Study tip: grammar test every Friday. Although these are all skills that are used every day in class, you can prepare your student for test by asking questions and giving simple examples to quiz them.
	Spelling Long and short vowel sounds are the focus and how letter combinations make these sounds. We are also concentrating on consonant blends. Study tip: A spelling list is sent home every Monday as a study guide for a 20 word test every Friday.
	Writing: Creating good paragraphs is our focus. We are using the 4 square method as the prewriting step in the process of writing. We are also working with a method called "SLAMS" to create great answers to open ended questions.Additionally, our journal writing is a great way to express our creativity. I hope you have already heard about our 6th grade writing buddies from your students. The 6th graders are enjoying this as much as the 3rd graders. Writing portfolios will come home at the end of each marking period with many samples for you to view.
	Handwriting: We have reviewed and "polished up" our manuscript writing and have moved on to cursive. The students are very excited about cursive. Please review all strokes on the papers that come home with your child and have them practice.
	Health: Self Concept will be discussed this month along with studying ways to stay healthy. Responsibility will be our character trait focus of the month.
	Social Studies:
	Science;
	Our daily schedule: math reading spelling grammar lunch writing enrichment recess health/handwriting social studies/ science special
	Day 1 - spanish/library Day 2 - music Day 3 - art Day 4 - gym Day 5 - computers