Curriculum Update: February 29 - March 4

Learning about forces and motion will help students understand the world around them and how things work. This week, we will explore forces, or pushes and pulls, and how they can change the way something moves. We'll also learn about position, and how motion is a change of position. Students will go on a scavenger hunt to discover some things that they need to push or pull to move. They will also learn that more force is needed to move  objects with a greater mass. Finally, they will experiment with friction, a force that acts in the opposite direction of motion to slow down moving things. Ask your child to tell you why an icy road is slippery, and why it is harder to skate on grass than on concrete. Here's to a smooth week before TN Ready! :-) 

Weekly Homefun: 

Monday:
Insulators and Conductors: Fluency Read/Comprehension Questions
Tuesday: 
Forces: Fluency Read/Comprehension Questions
Wednesday: 
Magnets: Fluency Read/Comprehension Questions
Thursday:
Sound: Fluency Read/Comprehension Questions

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
X's Tests
Forces Test
Analyzing a Writing Prompt - Quiz

Curriculum Update: February 22 - 26

This week, the students will become scientists! The students will begin learning all about the physical properties of matter! What is matter? What are the states of matter? Additionally, the students will begin learning about mixtures and heat. 

Weekly Homefun: 

Monday:
Math - Elapsed Time Review
Tuesday: 
Math - Rounding Review
Wednesday: 
Math - Addition and Subtraction Two-Step Word Problems
Thursday:
Australia Excerpt - Read and Answer Comprehension Questions

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:

Matter Matters Test
X's Tests

Metic Capacity and Mass Quiz

February 16 - 19

Weekly Homefun: 

Monday:
President's Day - No School!
Tuesday: 
Math - Multiplying by 10
Wednesday: 
Math - Multiplication Review
Thursday:
Math - Division Review

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
The Story of the Statue of Liberty Test
X's Tests
Story Elements Quiz

Cause and Effect Practice Prompt

**TNReady Testing Schedule**

• Social Studies Part 1 - Wednesday, February 10
• ​ELA Part 1 - Wednesday, February 24
• ELA Part 1 - Thursday, February 25
• Math Part 1 - Wednesday, March 2
• Social Studies Part II - Wednesday, April 20
• Social Studies Part II - Thursday, April 21
• ELA Part 2 - Monday, May 2
• ELA Part 2 - Tuesday, May 3
• Science TCAP - Thursday, May 5
• Math Part II - Wednesday, May 11
• Math Part II - Thursday, May 12

Curriculum Update: February 8 - 11

Plot vs. Theme 
In every narrative there are various story elements to be considered. Among these elements, two are often regarded as the most important. These are the plot and the theme.

To put it simply, a plot is synonymous to the storyline, whereas the theme is more the moral or central message. The plot is what one would expect to happen in a story, or narrative. For example, the events that occur or what happens to the characters - what they will do, where they will go, and when they will make an appearance - are all part of the plot.

The theme is the life lesson or message that the author wants to impart to his or her audience. However, the theme does not just apply to the characters in the book - it is a universal idea that is bigger than the fictional world. The theme is not the same thing as a subject, such as love or courage. Instead, the theme is the idea that a writer expresses on a given subject, such as "Ordinary people are capable of showing great courage under great pressure." Themes express an opinion. Therefore, love would not truly be a theme - love stinks would be a theme. Furthermore, some authors have different styles in conveying the theme of the story. Many use different figures of speech to express their ideas more effectively, like similes, metaphors and personification, amongst others. Lastly, themes often unify the whole concept of the literary work.

Some students confuse the theme with the plot, and vice versa. The plot, as a whole, starts from the beginning of the story and ends when the story ends. It is the collection of events that justify the theme or subject. That’s why it is designed in several parts, which include: The exposition (beginning), conflict (where the problems are unveiled), rising action (leads to the climax), climax (the highest and often the most exciting part of the story), falling action (shows the outcome of the climax), and resolution (where the conclusion is reached).

Weekly Homefun: 

Monday: 
Typing Club
60 Minutes
DUE FRIDAY
Social Studies - Around the World in 3rd Grade
South America
Tuesday: 
Get a GOOD sleep and eat a HEALTHY breakfast! :)
Wednesday:
Math - Perimeter and Area Review
Thursday:
Have a wonderful 4 day weekend!

Weekly Assessments: 

Wednesday:
TN Ready Social Studies Part 1