
Reading
Students work independently at their reading level on self-selected texts and computer based assignments on Raz-Kids. They can also explore fiction and nonfiction on EPIC.
TIME FOR KIDS is offering free online access to their magazine. Click on the following link to access this terrific reading resource for kids.
https://time.com/tfk-free/ . My students may also access our Scholastic News magazine online at https://sn3.scholastic.com/home-page-logged-in.html . Our class password is roadcat 975.
March 2, 2019 - April 17, 2020
Units 4A Exploring Informational Text
Students will know:
K1 Reading a variety of text independently for increasingly longer periods of time helps to build stamina and comprehension.
K2 Discussing and sharing thoughts on text with others will help with understanding.
K3 A reader’s notebook is a tool to help support comprehension of text.
K4 Using the content and structure of sentences, paragraphs, and reading selections helps readers to determine the meaning of unfamiliar or unknown words.
K5 Asking questions before, during, and after reading helps to clarify understanding and increase comprehension.
K6 Identifying and evaluating information while reading helps to determine what is important in the text.
K7 The primary purpose of informational text is to inform the reader.
K8 Summarizing the main idea of a paragraph or text with supporting details helps to develop better understanding of the paragraph (text).
K9 Identifying word parts (e.g. affixes: Apply knowledge of affixes, e.g., prefixes such as ex-, dis-, un-, re-, mis-, non-, pre-; suffixes such as -ly, -ful, -less, -able, -tion, -ness, and –ment to decode words and roots) as well as synonyms and antonyms helps to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
K10 Different word reference resources are used in different contexts to support the meaning of unknown words.
K11 Text features help the reader to predict and categorize information when reading.
Key vocabulary: Text features, table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, maps, indices, charts, draw conclusions, summarize, nonfiction, main idea, supporting details, authors purpose, affixes- prefix, suffix, synonyms, and antonyms.

Writing
Encourage your child to keep a daily journal or diary for their writing. We just finished a Unit on Poetry. Remind them that they can also write and illustrate poems. They may access the WIXIE writing program through CLEVER and use the photo library and tools to create their work.
Mar. 2, 2019 – April 17, 2020; 6 weeks
Unit 4B Research Writing
3.8 The student will write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository.
- Use a variety of pre-writing strategies (identify the intended audience, use ideas from class brainstorming, using lists, talking to others, using graphic organizers) (3.8abc).
- Use mentor texts as an example of writing (3.9b).
- Develop writing by focusing on one topic (3.9a,d).
- Begin to learn organizational strategies to structure writing according to Research type:
- Introduce a topic and organize information in paragraphs (3.8d,i).
- Use facts, definitions, quotations, details or other examples and information to develop the topic (3.8d,f,i).
- Use specific vocabulary to inform and explain the topic (3.8d).
- Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea (3.8e).
- Add specific details to further elaboration (3.8f).
- Incorporate transitional words and phrases (e.g., including but not limited to first, next, last, also, another, more, in order to, because of this, for example) (3.8g).
- Write a well -developed paragraph focusing on the main idea (3.8i).
- Clarify writing when revising by including specific vocabulary and information (3.8j).
3.9 The student will edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English.
- Use correct spelling of irregular plurals (3.9j).
- Indicate paragraphing by indenting or skipping a line (3.k).
- Include specific vocabulary and information (3.9g).
3.10 The student will demonstrate comprehension of information resources to research a topic and complete a research product.
- Develop a list of questions pertaining to a specific topic (3.10a).
- Make decisions about which resource is best for locating a given type of information (3.10b). Focus on a central topic (3.10b,c).
- Use appropriate resources to gather information (3.10c,f).
- Organize and present information orally and/or in writing (3.10c).
- Review writing to check that the language and/or thoughts of another author are given proper credit (3.10e,f).

Mathematics
Mar. 2, 2019 – April 17, 2020; 6 weeks
Unit 8: Geometry
Virginia Standards of Learning Students will use problem solving, mathematical communication, mathematical reasoning, connections, and representations to:
3.11 Identify and draw representations of points, line segments, rays, angles, and lines.
3.11 EKS Describe endpoints and vertices as they relate to lines, line segments, rays, and angles. 3.12a Define polygon.
3.12b Identify and name polygons with 10 or fewer sides.
3.12c Combine and subdivide polygons with three or four sides and name the resulting polygon(s).
3.13 Identify and describe congruent and non-congruent plane figures.
3.16 Identify, describe, create, and extend patterns found in objects, pictures, numbers, and tables.
Key Vocabulary: angle(s), congruent, decagon, endpoint, heptagon, hexagon, line, line segment, nonagon, non-congruent, octagon, pentagon, polygon, point, quadrilateral, ray, rectangle, sides, square, trapezoid, triangle, vertex/vertices
Unit 9: Place Value, Addition and Subtraction 2
Virginia Standards of Learning: Students will use problem solving, mathematical communication, mathematical reasoning, connections, and representations to:
3.1a Read, write and identify the place and value of each digit in a four-digit whole number, with and without models.
3.1b Round whole numbers, 9,999 or less, to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand.
3.1c Compare and order up to three whole numbers, each 9,999 or less.
3.3a Estimate and determine the sum or difference of two whole numbers. (sums to 9,999 and differences of numbers, each 9,999 or less)
3.3b Create and solve single-step and multistep practical problems involving sums to 9,999 or differences of two whole numbers, each 9,999 or less.
3.6a Determine the value of a collection of bills and coins whose total value is $5.00 or less. 3.6b Compare the value of two sets of coins or two sets of coins and bills whose total value is $5.00 or less. 3.6c Make change from $5.00 or less.
3.16 Identify, describe, create, and extend patterns found in objects, pictures, numbers, and tables.
3.17 Create equations to represent equivalent mathematical relationships.
Key Vocabulary: addend, bills, change, coins, core, create, difference, digit, dollar, equation, equivalent relationship, estimate, expanded notation, expression, extend, geometric pattern, growing pattern, hundred(s), hundred thousand(s), inequality, input table, minuend, number pattern, number sentence, ones, order, output table, pattern, place value, related facts, relationship, repeating pattern, round, subtrahend, sum, ten(s), ten thousand(s), thousand(s)


Inquiry Unit 5: How the World Works (Mar. 2, 2019 – April 17, 2020)
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
The Central Idea: Technology plays a role in the evolution of society.
Lines of Inquiry:
- Contributions of Ancient Civilizations (function)
- We still use simple machines today (connected)
- Simple machines used by Ancient Civilizations (form)
Profiles and Attitudes: Risk-Takers, Cooperation, Creativity
Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations
History Learning Outcomes
- 3.2 The student will explain how the contributions of ancient China and Egypt have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, inventions, the calendar, and written language.
- 3.3 The student will explain how the contributions of ancient Greece and Rome have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, government (direct and representative democracy), and sports.
- 3.4 The student will describe the oral tradition (storytelling), government (kings), and economic development (trade) of the early West African empire of Mali.
Geography Learning Outcomes
- 3.5 The student will develop map skills and an understanding of change over time by locating major ancient world cultures on world maps
- 3.7 The student will describe how people in ancient world cultures adapted to their environment.
Science: Force, Motion, and Energy (Includes Simple Machines)
SOL 3.2 The student will investigate and understand that the direction and size of force affects the motion of an object. Key ideas include
- oa) multiple forces may act on an object;
- ob) the net force on an object determines how an object moves;
- oc) simple machines increase or change the direction of a force; and
- od) simple and compound machines have many applications.

Visit the Great Wall of China
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
Visit the Collosseum in Rome, Italy
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.890072,12.4925342,3a,75y,301.45h,94.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s07gbqMWIg_HId5m7W94qHg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Visit the San Diego Zoo
https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/
Scholastic Book Club
If you would like to place an online order, the class code is GXW7T. THE CLASS EARNS FREE BOOKS FOR OUR CLASSROOM LIBRARY WITH EVERY ORDER!
https://www.scholastic.com/home/