Ritchie Park Elementary
Third Grade Press
Volume 9 Issue 2 – November 2013
Welcome to the Third Grade Press! This newsletter
is sent home at the beginning of each quarter to
inform third grade families about curriculum and
upcoming events. It is accompanied by the MCPS
newsletter on Curriculum 2.0 for math, reading and
writing.
Social Studies Quarter 2: Students will expand their
understanding of geography by comparing places and regions
around the world. Students begin the marking period by
learning about natural/physical and human-made features,
as well as local population distribution in Montgomery
County, Maryland, the United States, North America, and
the world. Throughout their study of geography, students
will use the academic success skill of metacognition to
monitor, adjust, and explain their thinking.
Science Quarter 2: Students will explore the properties of
matter. The enduring understanding for this marking period is
that materials react to changes in temperature and other
physical processes. Engineering and technology are woven into
this marking period as students explore and discuss the scope of
technology, how technology influences humans, and how humans
influence technology.
Important Dates:
November 7 – Trolley Museum Field Trip
November 11 and 12 –Early release for
Parent Teacher Conferences
November 27 – Early release for Thanksgiving
break
December 23 through January 1 – Winter
Break
Important Announcement
Assignment Books: Please check
your child’s assignment book
each night. The assignment
book includes both homework
assignments and notes from
your child’s teacher. Any notes
your teacher writes should be
initialed.
Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 11 and
12. A notice was be sent home the first week of November to
remind you of your time. Let your teachers know if you cannot
make the scheduled time. If you do not have a time yet please
contact your child’s teacher.
Supplies Request:
The third grade is in need of
wipes and pencils!
Academic Skills: In the second quarter, students work on the skills of
evaluation and metacognition. When students evaluate they question facts
and claims, including their own, demand evidence and check the reliability of
information. Metacognition refers to the student’s ability to monitor and
evaluate one’s own thinking by explaining their thinking process, self-monitoring and assess progress and apply
new thinking and to seek clarification and adapt strategies to help in their learning.
Check out the Ritchie Park Web Site for
important information on curriculum!