Third Grade News
Please check here for information regarding your third grade student.
Dear Parents,
It has been another busy and exciting month at Ocee! During the month of March we saw a wide variety of talents showcased at the annual Talent Show, sponsored by Student Council. The money they raised was donated to charities and used to fund projects here at Ocee.
This month we have participated in Exceptional Children’s Week. Students learned about many different types of gifts and how they all are special and unique in their own way. In addition, Students attended our final Science Zone, which focused on heat and insulation. We want to thank all the parents who made this possible.
We hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break. We look forward to your safe return.
Sincerely,
The Third Grade Team
The C.R.C.T...Coming to a Classroom Near You
Beginning the week of April 9th, third through fifth graders will be taking the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). This test is designed to assess the students’ knowledge of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Here at Ocee, we have helped students prepare for this test all year by preparing lesson plans that focus on the GPS. Team Time has provided more specific instruction for test taking strategies, and the counselor has met with each class to provide information about how to deal with test anxiety. Students in third grade are required to pass the Reading portion of the test to be promoted to the fourth grade. We are confident that the students are going to do well!
We will need your help to make sure that our students are prepared on the days of testing. First, it is extremely important that your student attends school on test days! Please do not plan for doctors appointments on these days and be sure to be on time. Secondly, it is important that each child gets a good night’s sleep before the test. Third, every student should eat a healthy breakfast the morning before the test. Please be aware that during testing, parents will not be allowed in the building. You can find more information in the Ocee Newsletter. Thank you in advance for all your efforts to make this a successful testing experience!
We will need your help to make sure that our students are prepared on the days of testing. First, it is extremely important that your student attends school on test days! Please do not plan for doctors appointments on these days and be sure to be on time. Secondly, it is important that each child gets a good night’s sleep before the test. Third, every student should eat a healthy breakfast the morning before the test. Please be aware that during testing, parents will not be allowed in the building. You can find more information in the Ocee Newsletter. Thank you in advance for all your efforts to make this a successful testing experience!
What are we studying?Reading and Language Arts:
The students will be reviewing skills that have been taught throughout the year. These include prefixes and suffixes, summarizing, inferencing, and reference materials. Students will practice using dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias. In grammar, we are expanding our understanding of adjectives and adverbs. After that, we will spend several weeks doing a comprehensive review of the lessons that have been taught this year. Students will participate in a variety of activities to practice these skills and apply their knowledge. We have completed our four main types of writing, which included informational, persuasive, narrative, and response to literature. Now, we will spend some time exploring poetry. The students will review figurative language as they learn how to express their ideas and emotions through different types of poems, such as a haiku, five w, acrostics, and diamonte. 4th Grade Readers We will be taking the CRCT and working on Young Authors' books during the month of April. In addition, we will explore the similarities and differences between folk tales, legends, myths, and tall tales. Also, we will review the author’s purpose for writing, author’s point of view, and inference skills. We will review grammar skills and the writing process this month. Math: We just completed our study of algebra and patterns. This unit developed ideas about patterns, symbols, and formulas. It waspart of an early algebra foundation. Students identified and applied rules to extend numeric and geometric patterns. They used symbols to represent an unknown within an equation and found the value of the unknown using what they knew about addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students also examined the quantitative relationship a formula represents. After this unit, we will review and extend all of the math concepts that have been taught throughout the year and explore some that are in the 4th grade standards. Science: We are just wrapping up a brief unit of study on heat. The students have been learning about the flow of thermal energy and how heat moves. They have learned which types of materials make good insulators and which make good conductors. Social Studies: For the last Social Studies units we will continue our biographical studies. The students will be learning about Thurgood Marshall, Cesar Chavez, and Lyndon B. Johnson. The students will continue to apply concepts from previous units and identify the positive character traits for each individual. News and Reminders OAS
Are you looking for ways to help your child prepare for the CRCT? Students now have access to OAS, the Online Assessment System. OAS has practice CRCT questions for all subject areas. Students may log on using their personal usernames and passwords which can be found on the inside cover of their agendas. Please be on the lookout for more information from your child’s teacher. Test and Study Guides*Many of the 3rd grade teachers have created their own websites. You can find more information from these pages that are specific to your child's class.*
Homework Tips*Find a quiet, well-lit place to do your homework.
*Set a specific time to complete homework each day. Don’t leave it until just before bedtime. *Parents should provide guidance, not answers. As students work on their homework, you can find a related activity to show students the importance of what they are learning. For example, as your student works on math, you can balance your checkbook. *Watch for signs of frustration, and communicate with the teacher if you think there is a problem.
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Important Dates CRCT: TESTING DATES Wednesday, April 11th– Reading
Thursday, April 12th– Language Monday, April 16th– Math Tuesday, April 17th– Science Wednesday, April 18th– Social Studies Helpful LinksPacing Guide-
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