Pilgrims! Pilgrims! Pilgrims!

This week, Third Grade scholars were able to shine a new light on their knowledge about the history of the first Thanksgiving. Readers navigated both “Magic Tree House” historical fiction and nonfiction companion texts to discover even more about the history of the first Thanksgiving! Scholars learned to frame their thinking in different ways according to the genre of the book they read. Third Grade readers know to ask themselves either “What is happening in this story?” when reading historical fiction texts, or “What is this book trying to teach me?” when reading nonfiction books. These guiding questions help to deepen students’ understanding while navigating these two very different genres. Third Graders learned how to record new information in organized ways in order to help them compare and contrast the texts.

Multiplying, Dividing and Finding Equal Shares in Math

This week Third Graders made mathematical discoveries to unveil the common uses of multiplication and division. Students examined problems involving multiples of equal groups, equal sharing, and equal grouping. Scholars learned how the relationship of multiplication and division parallels that of addition and subtraction. Students practiced solving multiplication and division number stories using mental math, acting out situations using counters, drawing sketches and creating arrays. Third Graders further examined the inverse relationship of multiplication and division through the use of a diagram used to organize information when solving multiplication and division number stories. Students solved and compared problems to explore the links between multiplication and division.

So Many Reasons to be Grateful!

This week, thoughtful scholars joined together for a Whole School Morning Meeting to discuss gratitude. Students responded to a point of interest table to record something that they have in their rooms. They then took an eye-opening glimpse into the spaces of children all over the world and the places they sleep, through a collection of stories told through portraits and pictures of their bedrooms. “Where Children Sleep” helped students quickly realize that they truly have so much to be thankful for! This Whole School Morning Meeting was a huge spark for writers as we composed our Gratitude books during Writing Workshop this week. Grateful Third Graders also collaborated to construct a lengthy Gratitude Chain expressing the multiple things they are thankful for and why.

Important Dates:

• Tue, Nov 24^th – ½ Day – Harvest Feast and Concert
• Wed, Nov 25 – 27 – Thanksgiving Break
• Mon, Nov 30^th – School resumes
• Thur, Dec 10^th – Asia Presentation