The Owl Post
The newsletter for Third Year Hogwarts Students
December 2011
Parent Teacher Conferences
Thank you for coming to speak with us at
parent-teacher conferences! Please let your
homeroom teacher know if you have any follow
up questions after the conference. Your
continued communication is an important
element in your child’s success, so we appreciate
your time during conferences as well as
throughout the year.
Reading
We are finishing up
realistic fiction with a
closer look at setting,
problem and solution, and
retelling. At the end of
November, we turned more
intensively to non-fiction books. Over the next
few weeks, we’ll be applying our knowledge of
text features (headings, bold print, captions,
photographs, etc.), to identify the main idea of a
non-fiction text, as well as summarizing a nonfiction text. We will also use our non-fiction
strategies to begin research.
At the end of December, students will
learn to evaluate directions and determine what
elements make directions reader-friendly.
We continue to build these reading skills in
the context of guided reading groups that match
students with texts that are appropriate for their
reading level.
Writing
In keeping with our study of non-fiction
during reading, the students will
write a research paper. We’re
learning how to take good notes
and write a report from our
notes. We’ll incorporate
technology into this project by
using the online encyclopedias for some of our
research, as well as typing the final product.
Upcoming Events
December 13 Japanese Embassy Field Trip
(Soriton, Thomas, Lee, Goon)
December 14 Japanese Embassy Field Trip
(McGregor, Snyder, Nadel, Webb)
December 26 – January 2 Winter Break
Math
We have begun
Unit 2. In third grade
unit 2 will focus on
various aspects of
measurement. This unit moves quickly; we’ll
wrap it up before the December break. In fourth
grade unit 2 we will be focusing on algebra,
patterns, and computation. See the separate math
newsletters for more details.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary homework will continue
every other week. Students should be able to
understand and use all meanings for multiple
meaning words. In class, students are using
context clues to determine meaning when
encountering new words.
Spelling
Spelling strategy instruction this month will
focus on compound words and contractions.
Spelling homework alternates with vocabulary
homework. Students will take a spelling pre-test
to determine their personal word lists and take a
test on these words every other Friday. Watch
for a spelling homework packet on alternate
Mondays.
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Science / Social Studies
In Science, we will be learning and
applying the elements of a well-designed
investigation. These include: hypothesis (a
prediction); experimental variables (things that
change during the investigation); controlled
variables (what doesn’t change); data collection
(recorded in a table or chart); multiple/repeated
trials (repeating the experiment at least three
times); and conclusion (a statement about the
results of the investigation). We will continue
our crime lab investigations by studying
chromatography and how it helps forensic
scientist to solve crimes.
In Social Studies, we will continue to
learn about economic production and choices
producers make in the production process. On
our visits to the Baltimore Museum of Industry
where the students learned more about
interdependent workers at an oyster cannery and
a 1914 automotive factory! We will also begin to
look at aspects of culture of different regions.
Our trip to the Japanese Embassy will introduce
students to the culture of Japan.
Data Update
Part of being a good mathematician is having a quick recall of
basic facts. Each week we test our ability to complete a timed
basic fact test. Each student is given 3 minutes to complete
either 30 or 50 basic facts. Our progress is then charted in
our data notebook. Please continue to practice these facts at
home.
Total Number of Students Who’ve Passed
3rd Grade Basic Facts Progress
Science and Social Studies Vocabulary
SCIENCE
Hypothesis: A prediction. What do you think will happen
when you change the independent variable? Why do you
think this will happen?
Independent (experimental) Variable: The one “thing” the
investigator selects to change or vary the outcome of the
investigation.
Dependent Variable: What is measured, counted, or
observed in the investigation.
Controls: The “things” or “constants” that remain the same
during an investigation.
Testable Question: A question that can only be answered
through an investigation.
How will changing (the independent variable) affect
the (dependent variable)?
Chromatography: a process used to separate parts of a
mixture.
Chromatogram: A color pattern that is a result of a
chromatography experiment
Medium: A material used in an experiment that the solvent
travels through (ex. filter paper)
Solvent: A liquid that is used to separate a mixture (ex.
water)
Pigment: Another word for color. What pigments do you
see on the chromatogram?
SOCIAL STUDIES
Geographic characteristics: Any physical or human
characteristics that describe a place or region.
Physical features: Landforms and bodies of water.
Human-made features: Changes people have made to the
land – for example, buildings, bridges and roads.
Scarcity: The condition that results when people’s wants
exceed the available resources.
Region: An area that has one or more geographic
characteristics in common.
Basic Facts Level
Level 1: Addition facts to 5
Level 2: Addition facts to 10
Level 3: Subtraction facts to 5
Level 4: Subtraction facts to 10
Level 5: Addition facts to 18
Level 6: Subtraction facts to 18
Level 7: Multiplication facts to 5
Level 8: Division facts to 5
Level 9: Multiplication facts to 9
Level 10: Division facts to 9
Level 11: Multiplication facts to 12
Level 12: Division facts to 12
(Levels 1-4 and 6 are 30
problems; Levels 5-12 are
50 problems)
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