February 17–20 Weekly Update

Dear parents, 

This week in Grade 3 was a busy week full of learning and celebration as we recognized Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Black History Month while celebrating the diversity in our classroom!

Here are a few highlights from our week:

Meeting a Real Author!
Students had the exciting opportunity to meet Ms. Melissa Allan, author of Brave Like a Buffalo, and ask thoughtful questions about the writing and publishing process. Through this experience, they gained valuable insight into the journey of becoming an author, including how writers develop ideas, revise their work, collaborate with illustrators, and bring their books to publication. Ask your child what message they learned from Brave Like a Buffalo and which part of the story stood out to them most!

Writing:
Students explored persuasive writing by reading various mentor texts and learning how to identify strong opinions supported by clear reasons, as well as recognize weaker arguments. They enjoyed brainstorming creative ideas to convince Mrs. Brinson to allow a class pet. Students began the writing process by drafting their ideas and practicing self-editing to improve clarity, organization, and strengthen their writing.

Literacy Centers:

Students rotated through literacy centers. Ask your child which literacy center they enjoyed the most and why.

Math:
Students are learning to multiply and divide by 0 and 1. They are also practicing the strategy of breaking numbers apart to make multiplication and division easier while building stronger number sense.

Science:
Students are learning to identify how human and animal activities impact the Earth’s surface. We discussed how actions such as construction, farming, and other changes can alter land and environments over time. Students are organizing their understanding using charts in their visual journals to record and reflect on their learning.

Lunar New Year:
Students read a legend of Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon and learned about Lunar New Year traditions. They participated in a school-wide activity where they walked around the school to read and solve riddles about the zodiac animals. Ask your child how the villagers scared away the Nian and what they learned about the traditions.

Visual Arts: 

Students had a wonderful time decorating colorful dragon scales, learning how to draw a dragon, and preparing for our Dragon Parade!

Ramadan:

Students read stories about Ramadan and shared what they learned about its traditions and significance. They talked about fasting, prayer, acts of kindness, gratitude, and the importance of family and community during this special month.

Health & Wellness:
Students began a new unit on “Our Roles in Various Places.” They are exploring their roles and responsibilities at home, at school, in the community, and learning how their choices and actions can positively impact others.

Reminders:

• February 24 – Report cards open for viewing
  

• February 25 – Spirit Day: Pink Shirt Day
  

• February 27 – Non-instructional day – No school