Classroom Update: September 16, 2016

Our first full week of school was fantastic! We got started on many new units across the subject areas. 

We made maps of imaginary towns to practice geography skills in Social Studies....

We reviewed strategies for addition in Math...

We practiced summarization in Reading....

We brainstormed ideas for personal memoirs in Writing....

And, we started cursive practice...

We also introduced a new instructional block called W.I.N...

W.I.N. stands for "What I Need." It is a time in the day for everyone to get what they need to grow as learners. We use it for additional instructional time or support, and for extension assignments. 

I'm looking forward to another great week starting Monday!

Meet the Teacher: Ms. Stanizzi

Ms. Stanizzi is thrilled to be a student teacher in Ms. Hughes's third grade classroom this Fall! She is currently in her last semester at Lesley University, majoring in Elementary Education and Creative Writing. Prior to attending Lesley, Ms. Stanizzi attended a performing arts college in southern California for four years. During this time, she was able to travel to many countries around the world and teach children children of all ages the art of music and dance.  Ms. Stanizzi cannot wait to learn alongside all of the students in Ms. Hughes's third grade class!

Classroom Update: September 9, 2016

It was an exciting first week in third grade!

We discussed our summer activities...

We talked about our hopes and dreams for the year...

We did many "getting to know you" activities...

We opened up our classroom library...

And learned strategies for finding "just right" books....

It was so wonderful to meet each other and to start to build our classroom community this week. I am looking forward to many great weeks ahead!

Supply List

Dear Third Grade Families,

I hope you are all enjoying a relaxing summer vacation. As wonderful as the summer is, I can’t wait to meet you in September. I hope you are as excited as I am to start the new school year!

On the first day of school, I would like each student to please bring the following items:

• 4 glue sticks

• 1 set of markers

• 1 set of colored pencils

• 1 pair of scissors

• 1 pencil case/box to store the items above

• 1 two-pocket folder (to be used as a homework folder)

• 1 one-subject spiral notebook

• 1 one-inch binder

• 1 pack of pencils (to be shared with the class, Dixon Ticonderoga preferred)

• Clorox/cleaning wipes (to be shared with the class)

• Tissue Box (to be shared with the class)

Donations of any of the following additional items would be very much appreciated:

• Zip-lock baggies

• Glue Sticks

• Clorox Wipes

• Tissues

Finally, it would be helpful if you could enter your name and email address into the form below. I will be sending out group emails throughout the year to keep you apprised of various classroom events. Providing this information will ensure that I am able to keep you in the loop. (Note: You can submit more than one response to the form.)

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. I may be contacted via email at khughes@arlington.k12.ma.us.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. I look forward to getting to know you this fall!

Sincerely,

Ms. Kelly Hughes

Classroom Update: June 17th, 2016

In math, we've been practicing addition and subtraction, extending the strategies that we learned at the beginning of the year to larger numbers. We've been previewing adding and subtracting numbers larger than one thousand in preparation for next year. This week, we also discussed 3D solids in advance of our third grade 3D Day event! Students made some fantastic projects, including tetrahedral kites and other polyhedra constructions.

In science, students have been working on an engineering design project involving water filtration. Their task is to design a water filter that best purifies a sample of contaminated water. Some of the filters that we've been experimenting with include nylon screen, sand and gravel, and paper coffee filters.

In reading and writing, we continue to read, create, and discuss fairytale adaptions. Most recently, we reviewed the story Guji Guji, an adaptation of the ugly duckling tale.

In social studies, we're continuing to study the American Revolution. We are comparing and contrasting the perspectives of loyalists and patriots in the colonies.

Classroom Update: May 20, 2016

In reading, we have continued our poetry unit. This week, we discussed types of figurative language, including idioms, metaphors, similes, and personification.

In writing, students are drafting their own stories adapted from the fairytales Cinderella, Three Billy Goats Gruff, or Little Red Riding Hood. Students are choosing how to put their own spin on the story, including changing the characters, setting, or plot of the story.

In math, we finished up our data unit. We've spent the last few days reviewing the types of questions that will be on the PARCC exam, which we will be taking next week.

In social studies, we are learning more about the events leading up to the American Revolution. This week, we learned about the early relationship between the American colonies and England.

Classroom Update: May 13, 2016

Our visit to the Jason Russell House kicked off a new social studies unit on life in colonial times. Students are currently researching aspects of life in colonial times, such as food, clothing, schools, medicine, and more! In small groups, they are writing about how life in colonial Massachusetts was similar to and different from life today. Students are collaborating to form a class webpage about colonial life. 

In writing, we've begun a new unit about fairytales. Students will be creating their own adapted fairytales, in which they put their own spin on classic stories. To prepare students for this, we've been comparing the traditional tales to their modern adaptations. We've been enjoying the silly fairytales found in John Scieszka's The Stinky Cheese Man!

In math, we've continued a unit on measurement and data. We reviewed metric units, including meters, liters, and grams. We've also been working on measuring to the quarter-inch and representing measurements on line plots.

In reading, we're studying poetry. Students are learning about a variety of poetic devices, including onomatopoeia, assonance, and alliteration. Students have had fun writing and sharing their own poems using the devices we've discussed.☺