Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School
November
Dear Third Grade Parents and Families,
Third grade students have already gained many new skills and abilities in the first few
months of the school year. There are several important changes that 3rd grade children go
through at this age. Most noticeably at this point in the year is the ability to sustain attention
to tasks for longer periods of time. You may notice your child improving his/her ability to
read and work without taking many breaks. The time devoted to a task could be over an
hour if a child is particularly interested in the topic or activity.
Encourage this skill by having your child work on independent research projects on a topic
of their choice. They can generate their own questions on a topic, research in books or
online for answers, and create a published product such as a presentation, report, or booklet.
Increase the motivation for this project by telling your child that you will send their
published product to a family member or close friend, or have a special sharing time where
she/he can show it to everyone in the house. When children know there is a real purpose
and audience for their work they are even more motivated to learn and take pride in the
work.
Important Dates
Early Release Dayconferences
11/11
Early Release Dayconferences
11/12
College Week
11/1611/20
Early Release Day- 1:20pm
11/25
No School
11/2611/27
As your child works, assist with proofreading for common mistakes. Typical errors for this age group include run on sentences,
capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and skipping words. Gently correct your child by showing them how you would fix the mistake
and watch over as they try to correct the mistake in other places.
Please make sure you have arranged a time to meet with your child’s teacher for Marking Period 1 conferences. This is
an important event where teachers and parents will have time to discuss an individual child’s progress. If you have not
received confirmation of a time, please let your child’s teacher know. Please note that this is the first year that studentled conferences begin. Your child must attend the conference with you, please make the appropriate accommodations for
this event. Contact your child’s teacher if you need more information or to schedule a change.
November, 2015
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Learning Experiences by Subject: Grade 3
MT
In school, your child will . . .

Research a technology topic
Writing

Investigate heating and cooling

Science
technology



Studies



Social
At home, your child can . . .
Explore regions and cultures of the state,

country, and world.

November, 2015
Identify technology that has been around for many years. Look at how the
technology has changed and improved over time.
Discuss similarities and differences between various technologies that work
towards the same purpose (example – tv remote, game controller, internet
router; all these are communicating with separate objects).
Invent a technology that would solve a problem for your family. Draw and
explain how it would work.
Walk around the house or community looking for heating and cooling
technology.
Investigate what happens when materials are put in a freezer. See which
materials change significantly and discuss.
Discuss the ways humans rely on heating and cooling technology.
Choose a country of interest or significance to your family. Research the land,
climate, plants, animals, and lifestyles of this country. Compare the United States.
Have your child imagine they lived in another region. Research what life would
be like. Create a story or comic about life in this region.
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November, 2015
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