Welcome to Quarter 4 Week 7!

We’re in the final stretch of the school year, and it’s been so special to watch how much our scholars have grown academically, socially, and in their confidence. They’ve worked hard, taken on challenges, and continued to show what they’re capable of each day. We’re incredibly proud of them and all they’ve accomplished so far. As we head into these last few weeks, we’re encouraging them to stay focused, keep up the strong effort, and finish the year just as strong as they started.

Last Poem: Due Friday, May 15th 

Adventures Of Isabel

Isabel met an enormous bear,

Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;

The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,

The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.

The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,

How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.

She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up,

Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up.

Once in a night as black as pitch

Isabel met a wicked old witch.

the witch's face was cross and wrinkled,

The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.

Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed,

I'll turn you into an ugly toad!

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,

Isabel didn't scream or scurry,

She showed no rage and she showed no rancor,

But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.

Isabel met a troublesome doctor,

He punched and he poked till he really shocked her.

The doctor's talk was of coughs and chills

And the doctor's satchel bulged with pills.

The doctor said unto Isabel,

Swallow this, it will make you well.

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.

She took those pills from the pill concocter,

And Isabel calmly cured the doctor. 

Academic Updates

Math: We will begin a two week review of Multiplication and Division 

Science: We will begin our unit on  Space!

Literature: We will continue The Trumpet of the Swan. Please see the blog page ‘Classics to Keep’ with the correct ISBN and a link to purchase.

Writing: We learn how to use conjunctions 

Looking Ahead

Friday, May 1: Spring Concert

Thursday, May 7: Trumpet of the Swan Celebration

Welcome to Quarter 4 Week 4!

 We have a lot of big events coming up in the third grade, the most exciting is our scholar’s first STAAR Test of the year! 

Reading STAAR: Thursday, April 9th
They will be expected to answer approximately 40 multiple choice questions, write two short paragraphs, and one essay. That’s a tall order for a small person so we’ll need to set them up for success! 

To help our students perform their best on the STAAR tests, we will not have homework the day before the test. You can also support your child by ensuring they get plenty of sleep and providing a filling breakfast on the morning of the test.

 Another important way to support your student is to encourage them to do their best while also helping calm their fears and reminding them that the test is just one way to show what they know. Lowering the stakes and keeping the morning positive can make a big difference. We know there’s a lot more to them than one test can tell us! 

Trumpet of the Swan Celebration Signup 

Our celebration will take place on Thursday, May 7th! This is a special event for our students, and we’re so grateful for your help! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040445A4A829A4F85-63273823-trumpet

Parent Volunteer Lottery Guidelines:
To give all families a chance to participate, please note that unless you are the room parent, each family may be selected for only two school events per year. This includes: Field Day, Field Trip, Narnia Celebration, Viking Celebration and our Trumpet of the Swan Celebration) This policy ensures that every parent has the opportunity to be involved in classroom activities.

Our Poem This Week: Wednesday April 8th
Knoxville, Tennessee by Nikki Giovanni

I always like summer
best
you can eat fresh corn
from daddy's garden
and okra
and greens
and cabbage
and lots of
barbecue
and buttermilk
and homemade ice-cream
at the church picnic

and listen to
gospel music
outside
at the church
homecoming
and you go to the mountains with
your grandmother
and go barefooted
and be warm
all the time
not only when you go to bed
and sleep

Academic Updates

Math: We will begin a short unit on Shapes 

Science: We will begin our unit on The Thirteen Colonies 

Literature: We will continue The Trumpet of the Swan when we return from Spring Break! Please see the blog page ‘Classics to Keep’ with the correct ISBN and a link to purchase.

Writing: We will work on single paragraph and essay length responses to non-fiction text 

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, April 21: 3rd Grade STAAR Math

Friday, May 1: Spring Concert

Thursday, May 7: Trumpet of the Swan Celebration

Welcome to Quarter 4 Week 3!

Thank you so much to our parent volunteers for helping make our field trip such a success! We are incredibly grateful for your time, tons of energy, and support! Our class had so much fun exploring new ideas and having the freedom to direct that exploration with incredibly watchful, kind and joyful supervision made their day. We can't thank you enough!

We have two short weeks ahead. There will be no school this Friday in observance of Good Friday, and no school the following Monday for Easter.

Looking Ahead:
Thursday, April 9: 3rd Grade STAAR Reading
Tuesday, April 21: 3rd Grade STAAR Math
Friday, May 1: Spring Concert

Thursday, May 7: Trumpet of the Swan Celebration (more details regarding this celebration coming next week!) 

Regarding STAAR, you may have received an invitation for summer school. This invitation is simply to reserve a spot in the event that your child does not pass the STAAR assessment. It does not mean your child is required to attend, and attendance is not mandatory regardless of their results.

The STAAR Interim assessment was administered in January and included a wide range of topics such as fractions, geometry, measurement, and data, many of which had not yet been taught at that point in the school year. Because of this, some students who are currently performing very well in class may have been identified as students who could be at risk of not passing.

A more accurate reflection of your child’s current progress and readiness can be seen in their ongoing classwork, as well as their weekly quizzes and tests. These assessments are aligned with the material we have taught and continue to build on throughout the year.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about your child’s progress. I am always happy to provide additional insight and support.

What We’re Learning:
Math: We will begin our unit on collecting data and representing it through charts, graphs, and tables.
Science: We will begin our unit on light and sound.
Literature: We are excited to continue reading The Trumpet of the Swan. If you would like to purchase a copy, please visit our blog page “Classics to Keep” for the correct ISBN and a direct purchase link.
Writing: Students will continue working on persuasive essays, focusing on strong arguments, supporting details, and clear organization.

We’re looking forward to another week full of learning and growth!

Welcome to Quarter 4 Week 2!

 We are so excited for our upcoming third grade field trip to the Witte Museum this Wednesday, March 25th! It promises to be a fun and memorable day of learning.

Field Trip Lunch Reminder:
If your child will be bringing a lunch, please pack it in a disposable paper lunch sack with their full name clearly written on it. This helps keep everything organized and makes lunchtime run smoothly for all students. If you are unable to provide a paper sack, please let me know and I will be happy to provide one.

Thank you for your support in helping us prepare for a successful trip—we can’t wait to enjoy this experience together!

Important Dates:

• Thursday, April 9: 3rd Grade STAAR Reading
• Tuesday, April 21: 3rd Grade STAAR Math
• Friday, May 1: Spring Concert

Academic Updates:

Math: We will begin our unit on measurement, with a quiz on Friday.

History: Our exploration continues with North American explorers. Students will learn about their journeys, discoveries, and impact.

Literature: We are excited to begin reading The Trumpet of the Swan. Families who would like to purchase a copy can find the correct ISBN and a direct purchase link on our blog page “Classics to Keep.”

Writing: Students will be working on a persuasive essay, focusing on developing strong arguments, supporting details, and clear structure.

We’re looking forward to a week full of learning, growth, and fun experiences!

 Classroom Campout

Our third graders will get to enjoy a Classroom Campout this Friday to celebrate that they practiced IXL math outside of school more than any other grade level! Thank you for your partnership in encouraging your child to find fun ways to practice and strengthen their math skills at home. Their hard work truly paid off, and we are excited to celebrate their effort together.

If you would like to help, please consider checking the signup genius for the Classroom Campout

Witte Museum Field Trip - Wednesday, March 25th 

To Sign Your Scholar Up 

The field trip fee will cover the cost of student tickets and transportation. We are asking that parents pay $25 per student enrolled in K-6, with a family maximum of $60. Please click here to complete your students’ field trip payment, permission slip and lunch reservation form if requesting a lunch to be provided by the school. 

The provided lunch includes: a turkey and cheese sandwich with baby carrots, ranch, juice or fresh fruit and bottled water. We do have scholarships available. If paying the fee is a hardship for you, please submit the Field Trip Scholarship Request Form to rebecca.danet@greatheartstxschools.org.

Please see the Signup Genius and consider donating/lending supplies. We still need some water bottles, coolers and wagons!

Poem Due Thursday March 12th

Jimmy Jet And His TV Set

I'll tell you the story of Jimmy Jet--

And you know what I tell you is true.

He loved to watch his TV set

Almost as much as you.

He watched all day, he watched all night

Till he grew pale and lean,

From "The Early Show" to "The Late Show"

And all the shows in between.

He watched till his eyes were frozen wide,

And his bottom grew into his chair.

And his chin turned into a tuning dial,

And antennae grew out of his hair.

And his brains turned into TV tubes,

And his face to a TV screen.

And two knobs saying "vert." and "horiz."

Grew where his ears had been.

And he grew a plug that looked like a tail

So we plugged in little Jim.

And now instead of him watching TV

We all sit around and watch him.

Academic Updates
Math: We will complete our Fractions Unit with a test  Wednesday

Science: We will complete our Forces Unit with a test Friday

Literature: We will begin The Trumpet of the Swan when we return from Spring Break! Please see the blog page ‘Classics to Keep’ with the correct ISBN and a link to purchase.

Writing: We begin an Autobiography! 

Welcome to Quarter 3 Week 6!

 Dear Third Grade Families,

We have several exciting events and learning experiences coming up! Here are all the important dates and updates.

Viking Celebration – Thursday, February 19th
Our Viking Celebration will take place on Thursday, February 19th as we wrap up our history unit. Students are eager to showcase their learning! Parents who are interested in helping can sign up to contribute materials using the link below. We truly appreciate your support in making this a special experience for our scholars.

Witte Museum Field Trip - Wednesday, March 25th 

To Sign Your Scholar Up 

The field trip fee will cover the cost of student tickets and transportation. We are asking that parents pay $25 per student enrolled in K-6, with a family maximum of $60. Please click here to complete your students’ field trip payment, permission slip and lunch reservation form if requesting a lunch to be provided by the school. 

The provided lunch includes: a turkey and cheese sandwich with baby carrots, ranch, juice or fresh fruit and bottled water. We do have scholarships available. If paying the fee is a hardship for you, please submit the Field Trip Scholarship Request Form to rebecca.danet@greatheartstxschools.org.

To Volunteer 

For the security of your children, if you plan to volunteer/chaperone at ANY school event, you MUST go to the PSO website and do these 3 things at least three weeks before the event:

1. Submit a consent for a Background Check

2. Download and Print FERPA Acknowledgment Form and PSO Confidentiality   Agreement

3. Watch the training video covering these subjects

It takes time to process through our district office for clearance. We need one every school year, 

regardless of if you completed one last year. If you have not submitted one for this year, you will be asked to remove your name from the sign- up list for the field trip. Once completed, send the forms to school in your child’s folder. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Kim, Shanna Siller, or Rossanna Diaz-Knack. 

In addition to our room reps we will need five volunteers per class to help chaperone. Please see the Signup Genius and consider volunteering or donating/lending supplies. This is the link to the volunteer lottery.

The five parent volunteers selected in the lottery and the backup volunteers will be contacted on Monday February 23rd . 

Academic Updates
Math:We will begin our unit on fractions 

History: We will begin our unit on explorers 

Science: We will continue to learn about the 

Literature: We will begin the Jungle Book next week! Please see the blog page ‘Classics to Keep’ with the correct ISBN and a link to purchase. 

The Tide Rises the Tide Falls NOW DUE Friday February 20th

The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The tide rises, the tide falls,

The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;

Along the sea-sands damp and brown

The traveller hastens toward the town,

      And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Darkness settles on roofs and walls,

But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;

The little waves, with their soft, white hands,

Efface the footprints in the sands,

      And the tide rises, the tide falls.

The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls

Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;

The day returns, but nevermore

Returns the traveller to the shore,

      And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Thank you, for your partnership and support; we’re looking forward to a great week!

Welcome to Quarter 3 Week 5!

We’re so excited to welcome you to our Parent Open House this week! We love having families on campus and can’t wait to share what our students have been working on.

Viking Celebration -Thursday, February 19th
Our Viking Celebration will take place on Thursday, February 19th as we wrap up our history unit. Students are eager to showcase their learning! Parents who are interested in helping can sign up to contribute materials using the link below. We truly appreciate your support in making this a special experience for our scholars.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040445A4A829A4F85-61674205-viking

Looking Ahead to Friday Assessments:

• Math: Chapter 6 Area and Perimeter Test

• Science: Weather Test

• Literature: Pinocchio Quiz

To accommodate parent open house all quizzes and tests are on Friday this week. Since that would mean two tests a quiz and a poem (yikes!) we have extended the due date of the poem to Monday.

The Tide Rises the Tide Falls NOW DUE Friday February 20th

The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The tide rises, the tide falls,

The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;

Along the sea-sands damp and brown

The traveller hastens toward the town,

      And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Darkness settles on roofs and walls,

But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;

The little waves, with their soft, white hands,

Efface the footprints in the sands,

      And the tide rises, the tide falls.

The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls

Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;

The day returns, but nevermore

Returns the traveller to the shore,

      And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Thank you, for your partnership and support; we’re looking forward to a great week!