Hello Parents,

Language Arts:  Our big focus this week is Compound Sentences and learning how to add conjunctions into a simple sentence to make it more detailed and complex.  We are also studying about persuasion in text and in our own writing.  Students will get a chance to read stories that show persuasion and then write their own story trying to persuade their teacher on a chosen prompt. 

Social Studies: We are still learning about our government.  This week we are focused on our Local and State government.  Students will learn how officials are elected and how they work together to make our city, state, and country great.

Math: Our big focus for Math this week is Multiplying by 10’s and multiplying 2 digit numbers with a 1 digit number.  Students are also continuing to practice multiple step story problems.  You can practice with your child at home by giving them a simple story problem to solve and have them tell you their strategy and how they would solve the problem.  For example…My mom is making cupcakes for my birthday party.  She made 36 chocolate cupcakes, 24 vanilla cupcakes, and 30 strawberry cupcakes.  She puts them on 9 plates.  Each plate will have the same number of cupcakes.  How many cupcakes will be on each plate?

Science: Our big focus this week is how soil is formed by weather and decomposition.  Students will observe different types of soil and be able to identify and classify the soil samples. 

 

Mrs. Stigers and the Third Grade Team 

December HealthyZone Newseltter

The holiday season is quickly upon us and for some this time of year can be extremely stressful.  The link below has some great tips to help you manage your stress this holiday season while reflecting on what's really important.  Also in this month's edition is some tips for healthier classroom celebrations along with healthy snack options that tie perfectly into the seasonal food options.  Check it out!  

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101553122788&ca=7605a78b-2fab-4c49-b7a9-2da82060ef0a

Hello Parents and followers! Welcome back. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break.  It is great seeing all our wonderful students again.
We are quickly back to work learning as much as we can. 

In Language Arts our big focus this week is Author’s Purpose.  We are reading stories and trying to figure out why an Author would write that story.  Ask your child about P.I.E. 

Persuade, Inform, or Entertain are three reasons an author would write a particular text.  We are also going over Prepositional Phrases.   

In Social Studies we are learning about the Three Branches of Government.  The students have been learning what the three branches are and what their main job is.  See if your child knows the hand motions that goes along with the 3 branches. 

In Math this week, we are reviewing the previous taught skills from the beginning of the school year.  We are going over place value, story problems, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.  Our third graders are taking the Math MAP test this week.  Please check over your child’s homework to make sure they are understanding everything we are learning during math. 

For Science we are starting a new unit on Landforms.  Students are learning this week about the different landforms and how our earth is constantly changing.  The earth has rapid changes and slow changes over time.  Ask your child if they can tell you a few examples of the differences between these two. 

Third Grade Team 

Happy Halloween!

Hello Parents and Followers, 

Language Arts- 
Our big focus this week is summarizing. We will begin our study by reviewing sequencing in a story. We use fantasy literature to help us practicing our summarizing, as well as the helpful chant, "somebody wanted, but so then". Our grammar routine will revolve around pronouns and prefixes. 


Math-
Our multiplication adventure is far from over! This week will finish up learning helpful tricks for factors 1-10. Our next step is to memorize these facts, and to be able to apply them to real life situations. Please continue quizzing your child on their 1-10 multiplication facts at home.

Science-
We have transitioned from energy into force. We will be playing a variety of games and engaging in different activities to show us how much force impacts our every day life. This will be very helpful as we begin wrapping up our physical science unit and prepare to begin building our arcade games.
*Please continue sending in any cardboard you may have at home. This will be very helpful as we begin planning and building our arcade games for engineering expo!

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 6-10- Book Fair

November 8- Chili's Night

November 9- PTA Bingo Nig

November 17th- Engineering Expo

A message from our PACE teacher, Mrs. Jones:
The P.A.C.E. deadline is quickly approaching. The deadline for elementary referrals is December 6, 2017 - Elementary Referral   Elementary Referral - Spanish. If you prefer a hard copy of the referral, please contact Kaya Jones at kaya.jones@pisd.edu.

This Week is a 10! (and Week 10)

Hello Parents! 

Language Arts-
This week we are diving into the beautiful world of poetry. Our exploration will include the types of poetry, the structures of poetry, and the vivid imagery poetry can provide. Ask your students about some of their favorite poems this week. Perhaps it will be one they wrote themselves! 

 

Math- 
It is that TIME. We are learning tricks and strategies to help us start memorizing our multiplication facts. Be sure to quiz your students on the multiplication facts they are studying this week (factors up to 10)! 

Science- 
We are focusing our energy on just that...energy! Specifically, we will be investigating mechanical, light, sound, and heat energy. Don't be afraid to ask your student the essential question this week..."How do we know energy is all around us?" 

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

This week- Red Ribbon Week! 

Tuesday 24th: “A Minion reason to be drug free”: Dress like a Minion or wear blue & yellow 

Wednesday 25th: “The KEY is to use your head to make good choices”:  Wear a crazy/normal hat

Thursday 26th: “You are the KEY to your future”: Wear what you want to be in the future

 Friday 27th: “Being a drug free-hero is the KEY”: Dress up as favorite superhero  

Friday 27th- Report Cards go home! 

A message from Coach O'Brian...

Dear Christie Cubs-
Want to help PE/Fitness raise money to purchase new equipment while having FUN at the same time?!?!  From now until Friday, December 1st, Coach O'Brian will be selling Speed Stack sets in the Fitness room from 7:35am-8:00am.  There will be NO sells Wednesday, October 25-Friday, October 27th as Coach O'Brian will be at 5th grade camp.  Speed Stacking is an exciting sport where students stack and unstack 12-specially designed cups while activating both sides of the body and brain.  One of our goals, as PE/Fitness teachers, is to promote activity at home through positive alternatives to computer, television and video game screen time.  Sport Stacking is a unique, fun and simple activity that motivates kids to get up and move.  If you would like to purchase a set for your child for an upcoming holiday, please contact Coach O'Brian at 469-752-0880 or by email at angela.obrian@pisd.edu.  Thanks and keep moving!

Set of 12 cups - $20
Bag with mat and timer - $20 (cups are not included as they are a separate purchase)
(Cash or Check ONLY)

Week 9, an Exciting Time!

*Parents, keep an eye out! I sent home this week a bright yellow paper full of online resources that your student can use to practice skills from school.

Week 9, an Exciting Time!

Hello Parents! 

As you already know, this week holds a lot of excitement for us! For starters...

Language Arts:
We will be looking closely at cause and effect relationships. We will also be examining homophones and homographs. Our communities unit is still in full swing, and we will be learning how to use adjectives to describe different nouns in our community.

Math: 
Our multiplication unit has only just begun! We will be looking at various story problems, and two-step word problems involving multiplication. We will also take a closer look at our 0s, 1s, 2s, and 5s facts. 

Science:
Now that we are experts on matter, we will be investigating what happens when you apply and remove heat from different states of matter.

*Parents, keep an eye out! Coming home this week will be a paper full of online resources that your student can use to practice skills from school. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 20th- Report Cards go home! 

October 20th- Fall Assembly 

October 20th- Field Trip to the Outdoor Learning Center

October 23rd-27th- Red Ribbon Week

Short Week!

Hello Parents!

It was wonderful getting to meet with so many of you. I am looking forward to seeing your kiddos again tomorrow! This week in third grade...

Language Arts- 
We will be exposed to some big things. Specifically, we will be working with timelines as we learn about how the needs of communities have changed over time. Daniel Boone will better help us understand communities of the past as we read some a few biographies on him. 

Math- 
Get ready parents and third graders! This week we introduce...MULTIPLICATION! We are  beginning to multiply by using repeated addition, arrays, and number lines.

Science-
Mixtures will be the focus of science this week. Be sure to ask your student to identify the mixtures around them. Perhaps you can quiz them on the ingredients that make up some of their favorite mixtures like cheeseburgers and my favorite..PIZZA ! 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 12th- PTA picnic cancelled 

October 20th- Fall Assembly 

October 20th- Field Trip to the Outdoor Learning Center 

*If you attended a parent/teacher conference, you signed the permission slip while you were here. If you were unable to attend a conference, look for a permission slip that will be sent home this week! 

Parent Conferences and Short Week Ahead!

Hello Parents!

Sorry for the late posting.  I hope to see you all at our Parent Teacher Conference. 

As always, this 7th week of school is jam packed with lots of learning!

Language Arts-
We will be writing and identifying complete subjects and predicates. We will practice using our context clues to help us understand challenging words we encounter as we read. Our fun will continue as we travel back in time to compare communities of the past with our communities today! 

Math- 
Our focus this week will be on subtracting 3-digit numbers. Please continue to work with your students on addition and subtraction problems at home to help improve their fluency. 

Science-
We have launched our Physical Science unit! This week is all about states of matter. That's right, we are learning how to measure and identify solids, liquids, and gasses. 
*We are encouraging students to bring in any old cardboard boxes you may have at home to help us prepare for our upcoming cardboard arcade project for the Engineering Expo! 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 9th- No School 

October 10th- Parent/Teacher Conference Day

Hi Parents,

Week 7 is going to be another wonderful week here in Christie Cub Land! Here is the lowdown.

Reading/LA

This week during reading we will focus on using context clues to help understand the meaning of unfamiliar words. Our grammar focus is complete subjects and predicates. In writing we will continue practicing writing expository paragraphs, focusing on introductions and conclusions. 

Social Studies 

Communities: "Then and Now" This can be a lot of fun as we look at how things were different in the past. If you're in the mood to visit the Heritage Farmstead Museum, you'll correlate perfectly with curriculum :-). Or if you just feel like driving your child around the area, and showing them new developments, that could be fun too! 

Math

This week is all about subtraction! This is another great skill to practice at home throughout the year, since practice makes perfect.

Science

What's the "Matter" (and its properties)

Hi wonderful Parents and Followers,

It's hard to believe it is already the sixth week of school! We are rolling along, and as usual, this week will be a busy one.

Reading/LA/SS

In addition to taking the CogAT tests, we will be reviewing reading and writing skills taught so far. Students will apply their writing skills to write an original paper with their ideas on how to prevent a real-life problem from happening again. 

Math

Estimation is the name of the game. Students will learn the importance of estimating to ensure reasonable calculations, and different strategies for doing so. We will continue to hone our addition skills and strategies.

Science

Students will design wearable technology to solve a real-world problem. Be sure to ask your child what he/she comes up with, it is bound to be interesting and creative :-). 

Have a wonderful week!

Just a few reminders...

1. Please keep bringing in pictures of your family to add to our Classroom Family Tree.  Your child is part of my family this year and we want to celebrate and acknowledge everyone in the classroom.  Every family is unique and so special to me.  I want to model and teach your child how special each one of them are and that our families don't all have to be the same.   You will get your pictures back at the end of the year.  You could also just email a picture and I will be happy to print it off for you.  It can be one picture or a couple pictures if your family is spread out.  

2.  Please bring snacks for your child! I have had a few parents donate snacks for our classroom. Thank you! Thank you! Your child is working so hard all day and their little brains really need good nutrition to sustain them throughout the day.  This is also for breakfast as well.  I know many of us are in a hurry in the mornings but we offer free breakfast here at school from 7:00-7:30.  You can also bring a water bottle to keep in the classroom.  No juice or gatorade. 

3.  The classroom is still a little chilly if your child is wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt.  I wish I was able to change our temperature in our classroom but the district has it set for us.  Many times when I am teaching, I see students with arms inside their shirts.  It is really hard to work when you can't write with your arms. :) Just a little sweater they can keep in the classroom or their locker.  We are still going outside for recess and I know it is very hot.  Shorts and t-shirts are still good to wear.  I just want the students to be comfortable while they are working.  

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me anytime. 

Thanks! :) 

Mrs. Stigers 

amanda.stigers@pisd.edu   

Cogat...What's That??

Parents, Next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (September 26th-28th), students will participate in the CogAT Test.This is a "Cognitive Abilities Test" and will be administered to every student. Check out the link below for further explanation...

http://www.pisd.edu/parents/assessment.accountability/cogat.shtml

The test will take place from 8:00-9:00 in the morning. This evaluation is segregated from the STAAR Test, and is just a different measure of each student's abilities. Students test in 3rd grade for the first time. We use this for a baseline of how they best learn and attain new information. 

No Pressure/No Stress... Students will just do their best!

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

CogAT 9/26, 9/27, 9/28

8:00-9:00

Language Arts
We are learning how to identify the main idea and details in non-fiction reading. We are also learning to write our own expository paragraphs with topic sentences to introduce the main idea, and supporting details that tell more about the topic.

Math
We are learning more about addition and subtraction, which will build into multi-step problem solving over the next couple of weeks.

Science
Science tools rule! We are learning about a variety of science tools and their uses.

Check out this fun vocabulary building station 😊

Mrs. Stigers 

Hi Parents and followers!

We hope that you had a wonderful time on your three day weekend. We in third grade are doing great! Students are still learning the routines and are working very hard. Please remember to sign their agendas EVERY night Monday- Thursday, as well as checking for letters from the school, or daily math homework.

I know that it is still pretty warm outside and the students will be going outside for recess each day.  However, it is very chilly in our classroom and I can not adjust the temperature. Your child is welcome to bring a light jacket, a hoody, or a sweater to keep in the classroom and their lockers to use each day.  Many of the students are not able to work due to the fact that their arms are inside their shirts for warmth.  

Please keep bringing in family photos you would like to add to our family tree in our classroom.  You will receive your pictures back at the end of the year.  But I want your child to know that we are all family this year and I care about them as well has all of you. You may bring in more than one photos and they do not have to professionally done.  Just something your child can share with the class and know that we are a community.     

Math: In Math we are still working on place value and the order of number. In third grade, we go up to the 100,000s place, so make sure to work with them at home on those larger numbers. This is a game I like to play with my class, and can easily be adapted for home. It's called Cows and Bulls.

Language Arts: This week, we are switching to Main Idea and Detail. As well as, capitalization and punctuation in a sentence. During their nightly reading, please have them write a sentence on describing the details of the story. Make sure to check for the beginning of the sentence capital letter and an end of the sentence punctuation mark.

Science: This will be our last week on Healthy bodies, so please help us drive it home. Germs, teeth, healthy eating, sleep, and exercise are all topics we are going over.

Upcoming events:

September 11th- Start of Science MAP testing 

September 13: Chipotle Night for PTA (15th and 75)

September 14th – WATCHDOG Dad’s Pizza dinner and General Meeting 5pm

Mrs. Stigers 

Hi Parents!

We are rocking and rolling this week. Please keep sending those family photos! We love our  Christie Families, and we want to make sure that everyone is represented.

PACE New Move-In Testing

If your child is new to Plano ISD this fall or was new to Plano ISD last winter or spring, he or she may be eligible to participate in New Move-In Testing for Plano ISD’s Gifted and Talented program, PACE.  PACE stands for Plano Academic Creative Education.  If you would like to have your child assessed for possible PACE services, please complete and return a referral packet by Friday, September 2, 2016.  Referral packets can be found at http://www.pisd.edu/parents/advanced.academics/gifted.pace/index.shtml .  Any questions?  

Please contact Kaya Jones at kaya.jones @pisd.edu.

Second Week of School

Hi parents!

We are having so much fun in 3rd grade! It's been a blast getting to know your child better. This past week we have been doing a lot of the reminding of what it's like to be in a classroom setting again. We are doing great. Thanks to all of those who came to parent night.

This week:

Math: We are going back to place value, which is the value of a digit depending of it's place in a number. We will be working with numbers up to 100,000. Check out this SheppardSoftware for some fun games on place value that students can work on at home.   http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm#placevalue

LA: In Language Arts, we will be focusing on the elements of a story. Character, setting, plot, as well as the basic sequence of a story. Think Beginning, Middle, and end.  Please note that sometime this week or Week 3, your child will be taking the MAP Language Arts test. This is a new test to third graders as they do not have to take it in K-2. This assessment tests their knowledge of the writing process, and their basic knowledge of grammar.

Science: IT'S TIME FOR HEALTH in Science!! What a perfect time of the year to discuss germs, and the importance of washing hands.

Homework: This week ALL classes will be sending home homework. A page of math homework, and reading 20 minutes per night. Please sign in their agendas and write the name of the book that they read on the same bottom line for that day.

Upcoming Events:

September 4th- Labor day- NO SCHOOL

September 14th – WATCHDOG Dad’s Pizza dinner and General Meeting 6pm (RSVP coming home soon)

September 29th- PTA Picnic- 5PM

October 9th:-Columbus Day- No School

October 10th Conference Day- No School

Hello Parents and followers!

We are having a great time in third grade this week. We are really getting to know each other, and are working on following directions and expectations in the classroom.

Coming home with the students will be a binder. Inside that binder is an agenda that we will need signed every night Monday-Thursday.  Please return the binders and agenda's everyday.  

Just a reminder, that Parent Info night for third grade is THIS Thursday from 6:00-7:00 in the cafeteria. We will be sharing all sorts of important information for this year. We hope to see you there.

Mrs. Stigers 

Great First Day of School! I really enjoyed meeting all my new students today.  We were busy, trying to learn our 3rd grade procedures, classroom rules, and daily schedule.  It was a little crazy at times but I hope the students had fun.
One activty we did was an engerineering project where the students had to collborate with their team to build the tallest structure they could in a certain amount of time.  The structure also had to be able to hold a small rubber duck.  The only thing they could use to build their structure was a stack of index cards.  The object of the lesson was to help teach them that it is okay to fail.  If it does not work, try again! Just do your best and don't give up.
I took a few pictures as they were working.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the final results.  I will try to get better at taking pictures and posting them on here for you all to see your child's learning.  I will edit the pictures and hopefully post them here soon.

Stay tuned for more fun 3rd grade activities...