Third Words
October 4, 2004
Colleen Del Monte cdelmont@psd.k12.co.us School 226-6370 Home 221-1713

South America Update

We have been reading about the land and people of South America. Our studies have taken us from the Brazilian Highlands to the Amazon River basin. We will spend the remainder of our time in South America learning about the animals and plants of the Amazon rain forest. A big thank you goes to Mrs. Blas who came to speak to us about her family’s experiences living in Chile. She brought us a unique, yummy dessert that the entire class enjoyed. We read a book entitled Up the Amazon. Ask your third grader about what they saw during their boat ride down the Amazon. We will also be hearing another guest speaker next week. She will show us some artifacts and pictures from her travels to Central and South America. The children will have a chance to taste some other foods from that part of the world.

Mystery Book Talks

Students will be choosing mysteries to read for their fall book talks. On Thursday this past week I presented a book talk to the children. I showed them a sample of the required project. I also showed them several age appropriate mysteries, in hopes of helping them to start thinking about this month long project. The book talk packet was sent home Monday with a correction that was sent home on Wednesday. Students should have their mystery book title to me by Friday, October 8th.

Writer’s Workshop

The children are doing a great job using their new skills of writing great short answers. We are also finishing a biographical writing piece. Our focus for the next writing skill will be writing a good hook, a story beginning that will catch the reader’s interest. We are also focusing on the trait of ideas for writing. We’ll be reading some books as we learn about this trait. One of those books is Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox.

Accelerated Reader

On Monday students will be receiving Accelerated Reader goals for the month of October. These goals are based on the amount of reading your child did in class during the month of September. Goals are also based on the STAR reading assessment students completed at the beginning of the school year.

Kids Voting

Third and fourth grade classes have the opportunity to participate in the Kids Voting project during this election year. More information and ways in which you can become involved in this project will be coming home soon.

Wish List Items

Third grade teachers are in need of rolls of clear contact paper, and a few more cans of flat black spray paint for upcoming classroom projects.

Our Classroom Website

We are in the process of updating our classroom website. Check it out @ http://staffweb.psdschools.org/cdelmont/ ^{hh://staffweb.psdschools.org/cdelmont/}

Reminders