Hello Families,

I hope you enjoyed our long weekend!  Please read this entire email carefully, as it has a lot of important information.

In reading we are starting a new unit of study which focuses on character development in fiction stories.  As you are reading with your child at home, you may ask them to discuss characters in their stories and see if they can name any character traits. Don't forget to log your child's Eager Reader minutes online!  

In writing, students are working hard to finish their final drafts of their information books. We will move on to a new writing project next week.

In math, your students recently took the mid-module assessment.  They will soon learn how to use the distributive and the associative properties to determine area.  Please have your children continue to practice their math facts at home.

Lastly, in science, your third graders are recording various mineral properties to help them identify some minerals.  The mineral properties that they are examining this week are smell, texture, color, and streak.

I wanted to let you know that our students recently earned a reward for positive behavior! On Friday, January 24^th, students may bring a screen-free board game from home.  They will also be enjoying vegan and nut-free popsicles.   Please let me know if you have any questions.

On another note, our class Valentine’s Day celebration is Friday, February 14^th.  A few of our wonderful parent volunteers are currently in the process of planning this event.  For this party, students are welcome to bring in valentine’s to exchange with their classmates.  If they choose to bring in valentines, please be sure that there are enough for everyone in the classroom.  If their valentines have candy, please be sure that the candy is nut-free.  

Upcoming Events:
-Eager Reader (Jan. 10^th-Feb. 8^th)
-Board Game/Popsicle Party (Jan. 24^th)
-Teacher Work Day (Jan. 27th)
-Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14^th)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Eve Winter

Dear Families,

We are having a very fun week!  Students are staying busy finishing some units of study as we head into break.

Your third graders had a blast sharing their culture projects on Wednesday.  It was great to see many of you there!  After break, we will be starting a science unit about rocks and minerals.

In reading, students are examining the different purposes of text features in informational books.  Please have your children continue to read just-right books each night eat home.  As they practice reading information texts, you may ask them to summarize.

In writing, your children are finishing their drafts of their information writing.  They are adding texts features and making various edits and revisions to their books.  They are doing a great job!  When we return from break, they will begin to publish their writing.  Over break, students are welcome to write me a letter about what they did during time off school.

In math, students recently took the end-of-the-module assessment to module 3.  Module 4 focuses primarily on measuring area of squares and rectangles.  Please see the Parent Tip Sheet for more information about this module.  Students will be taking this home sheet tomorrow.  During winter break, it would be extremely helpful if students could continue to practice their math facts.

On another note, your children recently earned a school-wide reward for positive behavior!  Tomorrow (Friday), students may wear their pajamas to school.  J

Upcoming Events:
-Pajama day (Dec. 20^th)
-First Winter Break (Dec. 23^rd-Jan. 3^rd)
-Family Literacy Night (Jan. 8^th)

Have a wonderful Winter Break!

Eve Winter

Dear Families,

We are having a great week!

This week in reading, students are learning how to draw their own conclusions and opinions about information texts.  They are also practicing explaining their ideas using text evidence.

In writing, your children are continuing to elaborate their chapters and are working on writing introductions and conclusions for their information books.

In math, your third graders are continuing to study various arithmetic patterns to help them learn their multiplication and division facts. They are also continuing to practice solving two-step story problems.

Lastly, in social studies, students are working hard on their culture projects!  For our culture museum walk next week, students are welcome to bring in food that represents the culture that they are studying. Please be advised, if your student brings food, it must contain no nuts, there must be an ingredient list posted, and the food must be already divided into bite-size pieces. They may also bring in small artifacts/clothing to display.  This is all optional.  J  If you wish to attend this event, please be sure to first submit your parent volunteer form.

Upcoming Events:
-Culture Museum Walk (Dec. 18^th, 10:15-11:15)
-First Winter Break (Dec. 23^rd-Jan. 3^rd)
-Family Literacy Night (Jan. 8^th)

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

It was so nice to meet with many of you this week during conferences.  Even with our short week, your students are staying busy!

In reading, students are continuing to practice synthesizing information about a subtopic from more than one text.

In writing, your third graders are elaborating their chapters in their information books with more supporting details (examples, anecdotes, descriptions, definitions, etc.)

In math, our class is continuing to practice multiplication strategies.  Right now, we are examining different arithmetic patterns, which will help students check their work.  Please have your child continue to practice their math facts at home.

Lastly, in social studies, students are researching in preparation for their culture projects!  During conferences, I mentioned our upcoming museum walk, which will be held on Dec. 18^th from 10:15-11:15.  Parents who are approved to volunteer are welcome to attend this event!  Students will begin to create these projects in class next week.

Upcoming Events:
-Culture Museum Walk (Dec. 18^th, 10:15-11:15)
-First Winter Break (Dec. 23^rd-Jan. 3^rd)
-Family Literacy Night (Jan. 8^th)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

It’s almost Thanksgiving Break!  We are having a great week.  Students are having a lot of fun learning.  Some highlights this week are using Google Expeditions to learn about cultures in social studies and making our class Stone Soup in reading!

In anticipation of report cards and conferences, I’ve attached a resource for you to best understand this process.

Here are a few things I want to note:

- Report cards will be available on Family Access on Monday, December 2^nd. Report cards provide a snapshot on your child’s progress this year.  You may expect me to elaborate fully during our December conferences.

- Fours on a report card are rare, as that would mean a student is consistently demonstrating skills above a third grade level. A three in any subject area is great and means a student is meeting third grade standards! Comments and our discussion at conferences will give you a more specific idea of what these numbers represent, your child’s strengths, and what they are still working on. 

-Many students may receive a 2 in “Mathematical Practices.”  Part of this standard represents if your child is showing his/her thinking fully when problem solving.  Please do not be alarmed or concerned if your child receives a 2 in this area.  This is an “end-of-the-year standard” and because it’s only November, many students are still practicing how to show their thinking consistently in math.  I look forward to continuing to watch your students improve throughout the year!

- I am looking forward to seeing you all at parent-teacher conferences! In our conference, I will share some of your child’s work and talk about their strengths and what they’re working on. If I have any academic concerns, I will have already contacted you.  I am excited to have a conversation with you about your child, so please feel free to share any questions you have or let me know if there are areas you’d like to talk more about.

I am very Thankful to work with you and your students each day.  I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.  

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

In reading, students are learning how to use the main idea and supporting details to summarize a nonfiction text  In addition, during snack time, students are enjoying comparing and contrasting the different versions of Stone Soup.  Please have your children wait to bring in their vegetables on Tuesday, 26^th.  If they bring the vegetables in early, I have no way to keep them fresh until next week.  Thank you!

In writing, students are continuing to work on their information books.  They have created a table of contents and are beginning to write some of their chapters.  Students are thinking about topic sentences that could introduce their ideas.

In math, your third graders are using number bonds to help them decompose as they multiply and divide.  Students are also learning about the function of parenthesis in equations and how to apply this skill when problem solving. 

Lastly, in social studies, your children are really enjoying learning about each other’s cultures.  We are comparing and contrasting cultures and having a lot of fun!

I would also like to note that report cards will be available on Family Access on Monday, December 2^nd.  Report cards provide a snapshot on your child’s progress this year.  You may expect me to elaborate fully during our December conferences.  I also want you to be aware that many students may receive a 2 in “mathematical practices.”  This section represents if your child is showing his/her thinking fully when problem solving.  Please do not be alarmed or concerned if your child receives a 2 in this area.  This is an “end-of-the-year standard” and because it’s only November, many students are still practicing how to show their thinking consistently in math.  I look forward to continuing to watch your students improve throughout the year!

Upcoming Events:
Bring Vegetable For Stone Soup (Nov. 26^th)
Thanksgiving Holiday—No School (Nov.28^th-29^th)
Report Cards Available on Family Access (Dec. 2^nd)
Parent-Teacher Conferences (Dec. 4^th and 5^th)—Sign up online!

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  I am very thankful to work with such amazing students and families.

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

I hope you enjoyed our long weekend!

In reading, students are learning how to identify the main idea and supporting details in a nonfiction text.  You may encourage your child to try reading some informational texts at home.

In writing, we have spent a few days examining various informational mentor texts to help prepare for writing our own informational books!  So far, your students have selected a writing topic and have begun to brainstorm potential subtopics for their books.  Feel free to ask your child about their topics at home!

In math, your third graders are learning how to use number bonds to help them decompose as they multiply and divide.  Please have your children continue to practice their math facts at home, as this will help them greatly in class.  Your children will soon take home their end-of-the module assessments from module 2.  Please praise your children for their awesome progress!

Lastly, in social studies, our class is continuing to learn about different cultural universals.

The conference scheduler is currently live to parents!  Please sign up online.

Upcoming Events:
Vision and Hearing Screening (Nov. 21^st)
Thanksgiving Holiday—No School (Nov.28^th-29^th)
Parent-Teacher Conferences (Dec. 4^th and 5^th)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

Your students are continuing to work hard!

In reading, your third graders are reviewing how to write different types of reading responses using evidence from the text.  They are doing a great job!

In writing, we have now finished our personal narrative unit.  I am so impressed with your students’ work!  Next week we will begin a new unit about informational writing.  Over the weekend, if you would like to start brainstorming informational writing topics with your child, that would be extremely helpful.  Topics should be something your child already knows a lot about.  For example, an animal, a sport, a country, a holiday, a hobby, etc.

In math, your students recently took their end-of-the-module assessment.  Next week we will begin Module 3, which focuses more on multiplication and division.  For the first few lessons, the students will revisit the commutative and distributive properties.  They will also learn how to represent the unknown in a story problem with a letter.

Lastly, we have now begun a Social Studies unit that is all about cultures in North America!  Students are currently learning about different cultural universals (food, clothing, transportation, etc.). 

If you are curious in viewing your children’s salmon PowerPoints from our previous science unit, you are welcome to view these on Seesaw!  In addition, your child recently posted their narratives on this site.  Students always get super excited when they see that their parents have viewed and complimented their work.  J

Upcoming Events:
Veteran’s Day—No School (Nov. 11^th)
Conference Scheduler Live to Parents (Nov. 12^th)
Multi-Cultural Night (Nov. 13^th)

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

We had a fabulous Harvest Party yesterday!  Thank you SO much to the parents who volunteered their time and resources to make this party happen.  The students had a blast!

In reading, students are learning how to infer character traits and emotions in a story.  In addition, they are practicing finding evidence in a text to support their thinking.  As your child reads at home, you may encourage them to identify traits and emotions of their characters and explain their reasoning.

In writing, students are working hard to finish typing their personal narratives.  Yesterday we took a break from writing narratives to write spooky stories!

In math, your third graders are learning how to use to the vertical number line to help them round to the nearest ten and hundred.  Additionally, they are learning how to use the standard algorithm to add and subtract.  They will then use these two skills to help them estimate sums and differences in story problems.

Lastly, in science, students are putting their finishing touches on their salmon PowerPoints.  We will soon have our salmon assessment and then begin our first social studies unit, which is all about cultures in North America!

Next week is Spirit Week!  Please see below for the schedule.  J

Upcoming Events:
Pajama Day (Monday, Nov. 4^th)
Ohana Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5^th)
Green for 3^rd Grade (Wednesday, Nov. 6^th)
Wacky Tacky Day (Thursday, Nov. 7^th)
Discovery Pride (Friday, Nov. 8^th)
Veteran’s Day—No School (Nov. 11^th)
Conference Scheduler Live to Parents (Nov. 12^th)
Multi-Cultural Night (Nov. 13^th)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Eve

Dear Families,

I am having another great week with your third graders.

In writing, you students are continuing to type their personal narratives.  They are using checklists to help them make final edits and revisions.  They are also learning some new spelling patterns.  I am enjoying reading their stories!

Next, in reading, students are learning how to infer a character’s emotions.  Please have them continue to read just-right books each night.

In math, your third graders recently took our mid-module assessment.  They are now learning about measuring liquid volumes and rounding measurements to the nearest ten.  Please have your child continue to practice his/her multiplication facts at home.  It will also benefit your students if they could practice reading an analog clock.

In science, we are getting close to finishing our salmon unit!  Your students are in the process of creating PowerPoints about salmon threats. 

I also want to remind you that on Thursday, October 31^st, our class will be having a harvest party!  Our wonderful parent volunteers are currently planning this event.  For this party, students may wear a costume.  Children must still arrive at school in their school-clothes and then plan to change into their costumes in the afternoon.  The costumes must be able to go on over their clothes, without requiring the students going to the restroom.  Also, please note that face paint, masks, and weapons are not allowed at school.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Upcoming Events:
Fall Fundraiser—HAPPENING NOW
Picture Retakes—October 29^th
Harvest Party—October 31^st

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Eve Winter

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we are already in the middle of October.  The beginning of this year is going by fast!  Our class has been keeping busy.

In reading, students are learning how authors use figurative language.  They are also making observations about how authors choose intentional craft moves as they write.

In writing, your third graders are continuing to work on their personal narratives.  This week we have been focusing on punctuating dialogue and learning how to type their stories.  Feel free to give your child some computer/typing time at home to help them practice this skill.  They are doing a great job!

In math, students are now learning about how to measure weight and solve weight-related story problems.  Earlier this week, your child took home their graded end-of-the-module assessments from the last module.  Just like before, please know that it is okay for some learning targets to be “a work in progress.”  They are working hard and I am proud of them!

Lastly, in science, students are learning how humans can help protect salmon and their habitats.

I also want to remind you that on Thursday, October 31^st, our class will be having our harvest party!  Our wonderful parent volunteers are currently planning this event.  For this party, students may wear a costume.  Children must still arrive at school in their school-clothes and then plan to change into their costumes in the afternoon.  The costumes must be able to go on over their clothes, without requiring the students going to the restroom.  Also, please note that face paint, masks, and weapons are not allowed at school.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 


Upcoming Events:
Fall Fundraiser—HAPPENING NOW
Spooky Spaghetti-- October 25^th
Harvest Party—October 31^st

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Eve Winter

Hello Families,

We are having a busy week!

In reading, your third graders are learning how to summarize fictional stories.  Please have your child continue to read just-right books at home.

In writing, your students are continuing to work on their personal narratives.  They are focusing on using a story-telling voice in their writing.  Ways to do this includes using dialogue, showing how their characters talk, and using descriptive details.  I am impressed with their work!

In math, your third graders are continuing to practice using the tape diagrams and the distributive property to help them multiply and divide.  Students are also learning how to approach two-step story problems which involve multiplication and division.  Our class will complete the end-of-the-module assessment next week.  Please have your child continue to practice their multiplication facts at home.

Our class had so much fun at the Salmon Hatchery!  Thank you SO much to all of the chaperones who volunteered their time.  In science, students are continuing to study a salmon’s life cycle and will soon learn about the dangers salmon face during their life cycle.

Also, the volunteer link on my class site is now open!  If you would like to volunteer, please visit our class site and under "Helpful Links," click "Volunteer Sign-Up."  You may then view the calendar and sign up for the various slots I have posted.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Additionally, please email me and let me know if you would like to help plan our class Harvest Party.  This party will take place on October 31^st.  Also, I want to remind you that all volunteers must submit the volunteer application form and be approved before volunteering. Thank you in advance for your time!

PTSA is still looking for someone to chair Multicultural Night.  To sign up, please contact Jillian Born, President, Discovery PTSA: discoveryptsa.president@gmail.com or Ruoyun Zhen, VP of Volunteers: ruoynzhen@gmail.com.


Upcoming Events:
Teacher Work Day—No Students—October 14^th
Harvest Party—October 31^st (Let me know if you would like to help!)

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Eve

Eve Winter
3^rd Grade Teacher
Discovery Elementary

Hello Families,

Our class is having a great week!  I have quite a few important notes to share with you.  Please be sure to read this entire email carefully, as some of it pertains to the salmon hatchery field trip next week.

In reading, students are learning how to make meaningful predictions as they read.  Please have your child to continue to read at home each night.  You may ask them about their predictions.

In writing, students are continuing to write personal narratives.  This week, we are focusing mainly on how to show, rather than tell what is happening in our stories.  Additionally, students are learning how to use checklists to help them edit as they write.

In math, your third graders are continuing to learn strategies to help them learn their multiplication and division facts.  Specifically, students are learning how to model the unknown factor in arrays and tape diagrams.  I also want you to know that your students recently took a mid-module assessment.  Please do not expect mastery of the standards at this point. Remember it is the beginning of the year and mistakes are good and help us learn. Please praise your child for a great effort.  They are doing a great job!

Next, in science, your students are studying a salmon’s life cycle.  Feel free to ask them about this at home.  

We are really looking forward to our field trip on Thursday, October 3^rd!  Our class will be eating lunch in the classroom before we leave.  Please have your child pack a lunch on this day.  Thank you!

Lastly, our class is still in need of a photographer.  Please use the link if you are interested. Thank you in advance!https://discovery.ourschoolpages.com/Packet/YearbookVolunteer/VolunteeringPacketPage/1

Upcoming Events:
Salmon Hatchery Field Trip—October 3^rd—Please pack a lunch!
Teacher Work Day—No Students—October 14th

I know that was a lot of information!  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Eve Winter

Dear Families,

Happy Friday! Our class is having another great week in third grade!

This week in reading we are focusing on strategies that will help us make “movies in our mind” as we read.  Please have your child continue to read every night at home.  

In writing, we are winding down our launching writer's workshop unit.  Next week, we will begin our personal narrative unit!  At home, you may start brainstorming with your child a short-moment story that has happened to them in the past. Common ideas include: the time I broke my arm, the time I went on my first roller coaster, the time I got a pet dog, etc.

In math we are learning about the commutative and distributive property of multiplication.  Additionally, our class is learning how to use arrays and skip counting to solve multiplication and division equations. Please have your child practice their math facts at home, particularly their twos and threes multiplication facts.

In science, students are learning about a salmon’s anatomy.  We are getting very excited for our upcoming field trip! Please be sure to return your permission slip as soon as possible, if you have not already.

Lastly, we have begun to use Seesaw!  The students are really enjoying it.  Please feel free to “like” or comment on your students’ work.  Some of you have already done this and the students are so proud to see that their parents are noticing their efforts in class.  If you need any help navigating Seesaw, please let me know.

I also want to give a friendly reminder to send your child to school with headphones in a labeled Ziploc bag.

Upcoming Events:
Salmon Hatchery Field Trip—October 3^rd
Teacher Work Day—No Students—October 14th

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Best,

Eve Winter

Dear Families,

It was so nice to see many of you at Curriculum Night last night!  If you were unable to attend, you can expect your child to take home some important papers from last night.  Please be sure to read this entire email, as it is filled with important information.

One of the papers you will see is a QR code inviting you to join our Seesaw class.  Our class will eventually use Seesaw to share work and pictures that we are doing in class.  Parents will only be able to view pictures posted of their own child.  Please use the QR code or the website to join our Seesaw class.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Another paper that was given yesterday was a permissions slip to our salmon hatchery field trip, which will be on October 3^rd.  Please let me know if you are interested in chaperoning.  Chaperones must first submit background checks. Permission slips may be returned to school no later than September 20^th. 

In reading, students are continuing to learn the routines of reader’s workshop.  They are also learning about selecting a “just-right book” (one that is not too challenging, but not too easy).  They are doing a great job practicing strategies for staying engaged with their books.

In writing, students are working hard to build their writing stamina.  For this week and next week, students will continue to learn about routines during writing time and how to use our various writing tools.

In math, we have begun our first module, which is all about multiplication!  Students are learning about different ways to represent multiplication and division problems.  This we will be something we will continue to work on throughout the year. 

Lastly, in science, your students are learning about salmon!  So far, your third graders are examining and recording the differences between male and female Coho salmon.  Later this week, they will learn about the salmon’s anatomy.

I also want to give a friendly reminder to please have your child bring in headphones in a labeled Ziploc bag.  They will need these for computer time, which will begin soon.

Upcoming Events:
Salmon Hatchery Field Trip—October 3^rd
Teacher Work Day—No Students—October 14th

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Eve Winter