December 11 - 15

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
Weather Tools and Conditions Study Guide
DUE THURSDAY
i-Ready 45 MIN 
DUE FRIDAY
Tuesday: 
Study for Xs Test!
Wednesday:
Study for Weather Tools and Conditions Test!
Thursday:

Happy Holidays!!

Weekly Assessments: 

Monday:
NWEA Maps Math Assessment
Tuesday:
NWEA Maps Reading Assessment
Wednesday:

X's Test 

Thursday:
Weather Tools and Conditions Test

December 4 - 8

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
i-Ready 45 MIN 
DUE FRIDAY
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 10 "Homework"
Tuesday: 
Area Practice
Wednesday:
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 12 "Homework"
Thursday:
Read to Someone Weekly Studies (Test Tomorrow)

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Xs Tests

Spelling Quiz

Singular Possessive Noun Quiz

Weekly Studies Test

November 27 - December 1

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
i-Ready 45 MIN 
DUE FRIDAY!
Studies Weekly Week 7: Read to Someone or Read to Self
DUE FRIDAY!
Tuesday: 
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 7 "Homework"
Wednesday:
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 8 "Homework"
Thursday:
Singular Possessive Nouns Practice 

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Xs Tests
Spelling Test

Engage NY Module 4 Mid-Module Assessment

November 13 - 17

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
iReady 45 Minutes
DUE FRIDAY
STUDY Solar System Study Guide :-) 
Tuesday: 
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 3 "Homework"

Wednesday:
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 4 "Homework"
Thursday:
Expeditionary Learning Module 1 Lesson 1 (Reading)

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 13 
Far Out Matter Assessment

November 6 - 9

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
iReady 45 Minutes
DUE THURSDAY
Solar System Study Guide
DUE THURSDAY
Tuesday: 
Eureka Math Module 4 Lesson 2 "Homework"
Wednesday:
Figurative Language
Author's Purpose

Weekly Assessments: 

Thursday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 12 
Author's Purpose Test
Figurative Language Test
Solar System Test

October 30 - November 3

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
iReady 45 Minutes
DUE FRIDAY
Studies Weekly Week 6
Read to Someone or Read to Self
DUE FRIDAY
Eureka Math Module 2 Lesson 18 "Homework"
Tuesday: 
Happy Halloween!!
Wednesday:
Eureka Math Module 2 Lesson 19 "Homework"
Thursday:
Eureka Math Module 2 Lesson 21 "Homework"

Weekly Assessments: 

Monday:

Abstract Noun Quiz

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 11 (See "Spelling Lists" Tab)
Fly Eagle Fly "Open Book" Test 
Studies Weekly Week 6 "Open Book" Quiz

End of Module 2 Test

October 23 - 27

This week, students will be analyzing plot and theme through the use of the African folktale, Fly Eagle Fly. When reading with your child at home, you can help him or her to identify fundamental story elements such as character, setting, and plot, in order to increase and strengthen comprehension. Simply put, the plot is what happens in a story, or all the events that the author arranges to tell a story. In almost every story, the main character or characters face a conflict, or problem, and try to find a solution, or an answer.

Review with your child that a character is anyone in a story. The main characters are the most important characters in the story. The setting is the time and place of a story. Settings can change throughout a story. All the events that happen in a story make up the plot. Choose a book or story together, and identify the characters and setting. Then discuss what happens in the plot.

A conflict is the overarching problem the characters face in a story. In some stories, characters struggle against nature. For example, in one story, a protagonist might try to climb the highest mountain or cross the hottest desert. Characters can also struggle against machines. For example, they might battle a malfunctioning computer or try to fix a car. Some characters struggle against other characters, as in classic comic books where heroes and anti-heroes battle. Other conflicts might arise between a character and society, such as when a character battles poverty or racism. Some conflicts, however, are fought within the characters on an emotional level. Internal conflicts can include a character who tries to overcome a fear or cope with a loss of a pet or family member. Conflicts can involve emotions, loyalties, desires, or the conscience. Encourage your child to think about stories, characters, and the conflicts they encounter. You may also want to discuss conflicts your child has struggled with, or overcome in his or her own life.

The solution is an answer to a problem or how the conflict is solved. Throughout a story, characters might find different solutions to a problem, successfully or unsuccessfully. Suspense happens when the reader is not sure what will happen next. It is important for your child to understand that stories may not end happily, and that not all problems can be solved. Sometimes at the conclusion of stories, new problems arise. You may wish to identify stories and books that end this way as well. A book in a series such as Harry Potter, for instance, might end with a problem that will then lead into the next book.

Stories and plot lines may differ, but the classic parts of a story include the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The introduction presents the characters and the setting, and the rising action brings in the conflict, which then escalates into the climax, or the point in the story where the conflict appears to be at the highest point. The falling action involves the characters getting closer to solving the conflict and managing the effects from the climax, and the resolution is when the conflict is solved. While students are not responsible for knowing all of these story elements in the 3rd grade, they should understand that throughout a story, characters can struggle with conflicts, and as a result, grow and change or stay the same. Often, characters learn something new about themselves, or about others.

Stories can sometimes be confusing, especially when there are many characters, plot lines, and conflicts. Remember, good readers think, take notes, and ask questions while they read. Every child can find his or her own way of reading and understanding, so encourage your child to find his or her own strategies of analyzing story elements when reading.

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
iReady 45 Minutes
DUE FRIDAY
Eureka Math Module 2 Lesson 14 "Homework"
Tuesday: 
Eureka Math Module 2 Lesson 15 "Homework"
Wednesday:
Eureka Math Module 2 Lesson 16 "Homework"
Thursday:
Abstract Nouns

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 10 
Plot and Theme Test
Abstract Nouns Test

September 25 - 29

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
iReady 45 Minutes
DUE FRIDAY
Metric Units of Mass
Tuesday: 
Engage NY Lesson 8
Wednesday:
Studies Weekly Week 5 
(Read to Someone or Read to Self) 
Thursday:
Plural Nouns

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 8
Singular and Plural Nouns Test
Weekly Studies - Week 5

September 18 - 22

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
iReady 45 Minutes
DUE FRIDAY
Elapsed Time Greater Than One Hour "Practice Side"
Tuesday: 
Time Review

Rocks and Minerals Study Guide Coming Home - DUE FRIDAY
Wednesday:
Capacity Practice
Thursday:
Singular and Plural Nouns

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 7 
Rocks and Minerals Test
Singular and Plural Nouns Test

September 11 - 15

What We're Reading In Class This Week!

"Some people collect stamps. Other people collect coins. Carol Otis Hurst's father collected rocks. Nobody ever thought his obsession would amount to anything. They said, 'You've got rocks in your head' and 'There's no money in rocks.' But year after year he kept on collecting, trading, displaying, and labeling his rocks. The Depression forced the family to sell their gas station and their house, but his interest in rocks never wavered. And in the end the science museum he had visited so often realized that a person with rocks in his head was just what was needed.

Anyone who has ever felt a little out of step with the world will identify with this true story of a man who followed his heart and his passion."

Weekly Assignments:

Monday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 2 Lesson 3 "Homework"
Tuesday: 
Telling Time Practice
Wednesday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 2 Lesson 4 "Problem Set"#1-5
Thursday:
Elapsed Time Review

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 6 
Common and Proper Nouns
Weekly Reader Lesson 4 Quiz
Rocks In His Head Test

September 5 - 8

Weekly Homefun : 

Monday: 

NO SCHOOL!

Tuesday: 
Read to Self and Read to Someone: Rocks In His Head

Wednesday: 
Read to Self and Read to Someone: Weekly Studies - Timelines

Thursday:
Module 2 Lesson 2 Homework


Weekly Assessments :

Tuesday: 
NWEA Maps ELA Testing

Wednesday: 
NWEA Maps Math Testing

Friday: 
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 5 (See "Spelling Lists" tab)

August 28 - September 1

Weekly Assignments:

Monday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 20 "Homework"
Tuesday: 
Types of Sentences
Wednesday:
Read to Someone: Around the World in 3rd Grade Chapter 1
Thursday:
Read to Someone: Around the World in 3rd Grade Chapter 2

Weekly Assessments: 

Wednesday/Thursday:
Characterization Project
Wednesday:
Eureka Math End-of-Module 1 Test
Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests 
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 4 (See "Spelling Lists" Tab)
Types of Sentences Test
Continents Quiz
Landforms Test - "Open Notes"
Weekly Studies Lesson 3 Quiz -"Open Book"

August 21 - 25

Weekly Assignments:

Monday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 16 "Homework"(Review of Friday's concepts)
Tuesday: 
Weekly Studies Week 2 - 1. Read to Self    2. Read to Someone 3. Think and Review #7 (Be a Text Talker)
Wednesday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 17 "Homework"
Thursday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 18 "Homework"

Weekly Assessments: 

Monday:
Eureka Math Mid-Module Test
Tuesday:
Weekly Studies Lesson 2 Quiz -"Open Book"
Friday:
Multiplication Timed Tests (1s or 10s)
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 3 

August 14 - 18

Homefun/Assessments:

Weekly Assignments:

Monday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 10 "Homework"
Tuesday: 

Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 11 "Homework"
Wednesday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 12 "Homework"
Thursday:

Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 13 "Homework"

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Test (0s or 1s)
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 2 (See "Spelling Lists" Attachment to the Weekly Email)
Subjects and Predicates Test

Curriculum Update:

look around and you will see community, a family...

The purpose of the 3rd grade's social studies unit for the next few weeks is to explore different facets of geography. Geography is defined as the study of people and places on Earth. The study of geography helps students to develop a mental map of their community so that they can understand the "where" of places and events. But, what exactly is community? What needs do communities have? And how can children contribute to their community? When exploring the concept of community, it starts with what the children know first, and then expands outward - family, Mrs. Smith's 3rd grade classroom, the entire 3rd grade community, Campus School, The University of Memphis, neighborhood communities, the city of Memphis, the state of Tennessee, the United States, and finally, the global community. My hope is that through their participation in this unit of study, students will gain a true understanding of what it means to be a part of a community, and relate it back to their world in an authentic and meaningful way. Even something as simple as sharing recess with all the other 3rd grade classes, can be a lesson in building community... 

August 7 - 11

Curriculum Update:

Meet Jake Drake, Know-It-All! 

Jake Drake is excited about Despres Elementary School's first science fair. He wants to win the grand prize: a brand-new Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system. And he really wants to beat the third-grade know-it-alls, Marsha McCall and Kevin Young. The trouble is, to beat the know-it-alls, Jake has to become a know-it-all himself. And he may just lose more than he wins...

Weekly Homefun and Assessments:

Weekly Assignments:

Monday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 7 "Homework"

*Study Spelling Words All WeekTuesday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 8 "Homework" 
Wednesday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 9 "Homework"
Thursday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 6 "Homework" (Review of Friday's concepts)

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Multiplication Timed Quiz (0s)
Spelling Quiz - Lesson 1 (See "Spelling List" Below)
Sentences and Fragments Quiz

Blue Words = Review Words

Red Words = Challenge Words

Curriculum Update: July 31 - August 4

This past week we began learning all about our brilliant, beautiful brains! This week, we will continue learning about different aspects of the brain such as neurons, dendrites, multiple intelligences, and having a growth mindset. A growth mindset is one of positivity and perseverance. Dr. Carol Dweck, a Stanford University Psychologist, has discovered in more than 20 years of research, "...that our mindset is not a minor personality quirk: it creates our whole mental world. It explains how we become optimistic or pessimistic. It shapes our goals, our attitude toward work and relationships, and how we raise our kids, ultimately predicting whether or not we will fulfill our potential. If you have the fixed mindset, you believe that your talents and abilities are set in stone - either you have them or you don't. You must prove yourself over and over, trying to look smart and talented at all costs. This is the path of stagnation. If you have a growth mindset, however, you know that talents can be developed and that great abilities are built over time. This is the path of opportunity - and success." Our goal this week is to shift students' fixed mindsets to growth mindsets. In doing so, we hope to instill a love of learning, as well as the steadfast determination to accomplish all of the challenges our students may face this year in 3rd grade. 

Weekly Assignments:

Monday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 3
Tuesday: 
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 4
Wednesday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 5
Thursday:
Eureka/EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 6

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
Brain Writing

Weekly Studies/ Homefun/ Assessments

July 24 - 28

Weekly Assignments:

Monday: 
Bring a book!
Tuesday: 
Bring a book!
Wednesday:
Bring a book!

Thursday:
EngageNY Module 1 Lesson 1

 

Weekly Assessments: 

Friday:
NONE!

Welcome to 3rd Grade!

Welcome to our classroom blog!  This year is going to be one filled with learning, fun, and many memories!  Here are a few details you will need to know for this week...

• Students will need appropriate shoes for P.E. on Mondays and Wednesdays. 
• Our school day begins at 8:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Students need to be picked up by 3:15pm.
• Weather permitting, we will have outdoor recess daily.  We will not go outside when the heat index reaches 95 degrees.  Students may bring a water bottle to drink in class, and a hat to wear during recess.
• There will be a Parent Meeting on Thursday, August 3, at 6:00pm.  I will be presenting extremely important school and class information at the meeting, including procedures and expectations for the school year. There are some important changes happening in 3rd grade this year, so please make it a priority to attend! 😉
• If you are interested in being a part of our Room Parent Committee, or our Classroom Librarian, please email me at jhrris14@memphis.edu.
• Be sure to check the blog - as well as your child's planner - for nightly assignments. Ideally, students should complete math Homefun the day it is assigned, however, all Homefun will still be due on Fridays to allow for flexibility.
• The annual $25 supply fee is due as soon as possible. This covers your child's planner, blue communication folder, and testing materials. Checks may be made out to CSPN. Please remember, this is not the same as our support drive.

I hope I have given you all of the information that you need for the start of the new school year.  Please send me any questions you may still have, and I will send you a prompt reply...

TCAP Prep: April 10-14

Weekly Assignments: 

• i-READY IS OPTIONAL THIS WEEK!

Monday: 
TCAP Coach ELA: (#18-23)
TCAP Coach Math #14-28
Tuesday: 
TCAP Coach ELA: Foreign Lands (#24-30)
TCAP Coach Math #29-38
Wednesday:
TCAP Coach ELA: Helpful Insects/Know Your Harmful Bugs (#31-36) 
TCAP Coach Math: #39-48
Thursday:
NONE!

Weekly Assessments: 

Thursday:
Wild Matter (Animals) Test

TCAP Prep: April 3 - 7

TCAP Prep: April 3 - 7

Weekly Assignments: 

• i-READY IS OPTIONAL THIS WEEK!

Monday: 
TCAP Coach ELA: Amazing Alligators and Meet the Crocodile (#25-32)
TCAP Coach Math #33-41
Tuesday: 
TCAP Coach ELA: Giles's Surprise (#33-36) and Riding Bikes (#37-41)
TCAP Coach Math: #42-51
Wednesday:
TCAP Coach ELA: The Time Capsule (#1-5) and Johnny Appleseed(#6-10)
TCAP Coach Math: #52-60
Thursday:
TCAP Coach ELA: The Shirt (#11-17)
TCAP Coach Math: #1-13

Weekly Assessments: 

Monday:
Math MAPS Testing