Third Grade
Mrs. Willms
lwillms@trinityhudson.org
My Favorite Bible Verse
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they will see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16
My Greatest Joy in working in a Christian School
Being able to share my love for Christ through my passion of teaching.
I Love Trinity Academy because
It has the feel of a “small town” environment and allows me to personally get to know each of the families at Trinity Academy
About Me
My husband and I are originally from a small town in Iowa. I attended the University of Northern Iowa, and earned my B.A. degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Literacy. The joy of helping others sparked my desire to become a teacher at a very young age.
Meet Mrs. Willms
Welcome to Third Grade! My name is Laura Willms and I am so excited to be your child's teacher this year! Let me take some time to introduce myself.
My husband and I live in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. We are both originally from a small town in Iowa and moved to the twin cities area in 2007. I attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned my bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Literacy. This is my third year teaching 3rd grade at Trinity Academy.
When we have free time we like to be active outdoors playing tennis, rollerblading, and throwing around the softball. You can also find us at movies, concerts, and several Minnesota sporting events. We both enjoy spending time with our friends and look forward to the visits from our families back in Iowa.
I am excited God has lead me to Trinity Academy and look forward to see where he takes us throughout this school year. Feel free to contact me at school by e-mail at lwillms@trinityhudson.org or phone at 386-9349 ext 30.
God Bless,
Mrs. Willms
Homework Assignments
Reading:
♦ 20 minutes each night - don't forget to record the mintues on your Home Run Reading November Calendar.
♦ The Home Run Reading January Calendar will be due back to me on Feb. 4, 2010.
Spelling/Math Sheet: (Thursday Sheet) due weekly on Thursdays.
Spelling:
♦ Check out this cool website: spellingcity.com to help you practice your spelling words by playing fun computer games.
December Memory Verse : Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
►Memory Verse test will be on Friday, February 26th. Make sure to practice the memory verse at home.
March Calendar
- 3/1 - Math on the Menu @ 3:30-4:30
- 3/3 - Public Library
- 3/4 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00
- 3/4 - February Home Run Reading Calendars due
- 3/5 - Non-Uniform Day if purchased a Non-Uniform Day License
- 3/8 - Math on the Menu @ 3:30-4:30
- 3/8 - 3/12 - Lutheran Schools Week (Check schedule for Dress Days)
- 3/11 - Pop and Popcorn Day
- 3/12 - Trinity All School Talent Show at 12:15 in the Chapel
- 3/12 - Early Release
- 3/15 - 3/19 - No School Spring Break
- 3/16 - Wendy's Night (5th Grade Hosts)
- 3/22 - Math on the Menu @ 3:30-4:30
- 3/29 - Math on the Menu @ 3:30-4:30
- 3/31 - Small Group Chapel
►The Chapel money for March is going towards Grace Place.
Mrs. Willms Weekly Update
March 1 - 5
March 1 - 5
News and Announcements:
• The prayer families for this week are Williams and Zumwalde families. Let me know of any specific prayer requests you may have. God Bless your week!
• Monday, March 1st– Math on the Menu at 3:30.
• Lutheran Schools Week is March 8th - 12th. Be on the look our for a schedule for the dress days for Lutheran Schools Week.
• All School Talent Show is Friday, March 12th at 12:15. Sign up sheets for the talent show are due back to be my Thursday, March 4th.
♦ Student Sharing Schedule:
Monday 3/1 - Samuel
Tuesday 3/2 – Alex
Wednesday 3/3 – Jonah B.
Thursday 3/4 – Mackenzie
Friday 3/5 - Jonah D.
Language Arts:
Unit 4 - In our G.U.M. books we will be studying more adjectives and comparing with adjectives, commas, and proper nouns.
We will start our large group reading story, Pecos Bill. In this play, students will join cowgirls and boys as they listen to or act out the tale of Pecos Bill, a lost boy who survives in the wild, finally finding his family, and even a wife.
We have and we will continue to focus on main idea and supporting details. When we identify the main idea and supporting details, we are able to understand what we read more clearly. This skill can also be used when writing, especially for when write our ocean research reports soon.
Spelling:
Test Friday, March 5, 2010
Spelling: List 22 r-Controlled Vowel: /ar/
Regular List: bear, air, fare, pear, care, their, hair, bare, fair, there, pair, wear, chair, where, hare
High Frequency: another, confusion, through, threw, vacation
Challenge: acceptable, dependable, companion, accidentally, dumbbell
Dictation: To be fair the pair of bears split the pear in half.
Math:
* Chapter 11 Math test on Wednesday, March 3rd.
Chapter 11 – Multiplication Facts and Strategies
In this chapter, students will learn to find square numbers, multiply by 6, 7, and 8, and find missing factors.
Chapter 12 – Multiplication Patterns
In this chapter students will multiply by 9 and 10, explore patterns in a multiplication table, and multiply 3 numbers.
*We will continue to focus on strategies and concepts to help with committing these multiplication facts to memory. During any free time try to practice the multiplication facts of 2, 3, 4, and 5 with your child.
►Zero Property of Multiplication: When zero is multiplied by a number, the product is zero.
►Commutative Property of Multiplication: When multiplying, the order of factors does not change the product.
Ex: 2 x 3 = 3 x 2
Science:
Chapter 2 – Types of Plants. The “big idea” we will study in this chapter is how plants have parts that help them meet their needs. Some vocabulary words we will study are root, nutrients, stem, leaf, deciduous, and evergreen.
Religion:
March Memory Verse: Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, 'Love you neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
►February Home Run Reading Calendars are due on Thursday, March. 4th.
• The prayer families for this week are Williams and Zumwalde families. Let me know of any specific prayer requests you may have. God Bless your week!
• Monday, March 1st– Math on the Menu at 3:30.
• Lutheran Schools Week is March 8th - 12th. Be on the look our for a schedule for the dress days for Lutheran Schools Week.
• All School Talent Show is Friday, March 12th at 12:15. Sign up sheets for the talent show are due back to be my Thursday, March 4th.
♦ Student Sharing Schedule:
Monday 3/1 - Samuel
Tuesday 3/2 – Alex
Wednesday 3/3 – Jonah B.
Thursday 3/4 – Mackenzie
Friday 3/5 - Jonah D.
Language Arts:
Unit 4 - In our G.U.M. books we will be studying more adjectives and comparing with adjectives, commas, and proper nouns.
We will start our large group reading story, Pecos Bill. In this play, students will join cowgirls and boys as they listen to or act out the tale of Pecos Bill, a lost boy who survives in the wild, finally finding his family, and even a wife.
We have and we will continue to focus on main idea and supporting details. When we identify the main idea and supporting details, we are able to understand what we read more clearly. This skill can also be used when writing, especially for when write our ocean research reports soon.
Spelling:
Test Friday, March 5, 2010
Spelling: List 22 r-Controlled Vowel: /ar/
Regular List: bear, air, fare, pear, care, their, hair, bare, fair, there, pair, wear, chair, where, hare
High Frequency: another, confusion, through, threw, vacation
Challenge: acceptable, dependable, companion, accidentally, dumbbell
Dictation: To be fair the pair of bears split the pear in half.
Math:
* Chapter 11 Math test on Wednesday, March 3rd.
Chapter 11 – Multiplication Facts and Strategies
In this chapter, students will learn to find square numbers, multiply by 6, 7, and 8, and find missing factors.
Chapter 12 – Multiplication Patterns
In this chapter students will multiply by 9 and 10, explore patterns in a multiplication table, and multiply 3 numbers.
*We will continue to focus on strategies and concepts to help with committing these multiplication facts to memory. During any free time try to practice the multiplication facts of 2, 3, 4, and 5 with your child.
►Zero Property of Multiplication: When zero is multiplied by a number, the product is zero.
►Commutative Property of Multiplication: When multiplying, the order of factors does not change the product.
Ex: 2 x 3 = 3 x 2
Science:
Chapter 2 – Types of Plants. The “big idea” we will study in this chapter is how plants have parts that help them meet their needs. Some vocabulary words we will study are root, nutrients, stem, leaf, deciduous, and evergreen.
Religion:
March Memory Verse: Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, 'Love you neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
►February Home Run Reading Calendars are due on Thursday, March. 4th.
Mrs. Willms’ Third Grade Schedule
Monday
8:30-8:50 Morning Work
8:50-9:05 Morning Meeting
9:05-10:50 Language Arts/Snack
10:25-11:08 Phy. Ed
11:08-11:35 Spelling
11:35-11:53 Recess
11:53-12:23 Lunch
12:25-12:50 D.E.A.R.
12:50-1:40 Math
1:40-2:00 Health
2:00-2:20 Recess
2:20-2:40 Handwriting
2:40-3:15 Science/S.S.
3:15-3:25 Closing
Tuesday
8:30-8:50 Morning Work
8:50-9:05 Morning Meeting
9:05-10:50 Language Arts/Snack
10:50-11:35 Science/S.S.
11:35-11:53 Recess
11:53-12:23 Lunch
12:25-1:10 Math
1:10-1:53 Phy. Ed
1:55-2:38 Spanish
2:38-2:58 Recess
2:58-3:15 Religion
3:15-3:25 Closing
Wednesday
8:30-8:50 Morning Work
8:50-8:55 Morning Meeting
8:55-9:30 Chapel
9:30-10:50 Language Arts/Snack
10:50-11:35 Grammar
11:35-11:53 Recess
11:53-12:23 Lunch
12:25-12:50 D.E.A.R.
12:50-1:40 Math
1:40-2:00 Recess
2:00-2:40 Science/S.S.
2:40-3:00 Pastor Tim
3:00-3:15 Journal Writing
3:15-3:25 Closing
Thursday
8:30-8:50 Morning Work
8:50-8:55 Morning Meeting
8:55-10:50 LanguageArts/Snack
10:45-11:35 Science/S.S.
11:35-11:53 Recess
11:53-12:23 Lunch
12:25-1:08 Art
1:08-2:00 Math
2:00-2:20 Recess
2:20-2:40 Handwriting
2:40-3:15 Technology/Journal Writing
3:15-3:25 Closing
Friday
8:30-8:50 Morning Work
8:50-9:05 Morning Meeting
9:05-10:25 Language Arts/Snack
10:25-11:08 Music
11:08-11:35 Spelling
11:35-11:53 Recess
11:53-12:23 Lunch
12:25-1:50 D.E.A.R.
12:50-1:40 Math
1:40-2:00 Journal Writing
2:00-2:20 Recess
2:20-3:00 Science/S.S.
3:00-3:15 Religion
Faith Formation
At Trinity Academy, we incorporate the Christian life-style into all areas of the curriculum. To help students further their understanding about our Father as well as how we should live our lives, students participate in a Religion curriculum called “Voyages,” developed by Concordia Publishing House (CPH). Lessons are designed to help children learn key concepts of faith such as Law and Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace. The lessons are based on selected chronological Bible stories from Creation to Pentecost. Memory work consists of learning the names of the Biblical books, the Ten Commandments, and selected Bible passages.
Reading
Students in third grade are introduced into a variety of reading strategies taught through Guided Reading and large group reading. Strategies developed in third grade are reading comprehension, main idea, character analysis, context clues, and supporting details. Students also analyze a story in four parts: setting, main characters, problem, and resolution or conclusion. To foster a more independent learning environment, students also use the resources in the classroom such as dictionaries, glossaries, word wall, and encyclopedias.
It is also important for children to be given time to read for pleasure and building of skills. Independent reading is encouraged on a daily basis through assigned reading. The children will be exposed to many different reading materials such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies.
It is also important for children to be given time to read for pleasure and building of skills. Independent reading is encouraged on a daily basis through assigned reading. The children will be exposed to many different reading materials such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies.
Spelling
Third grade students will be assigned a list of words each week. These words follow a specific pattern or rule of spelling. Every spelling unit connects spelling to phonics, vocabulary, reading, and writing. Differentiated spelling lists are given to students. Extra challenge words are compiled from vocabulary in other subject areas for the week. Practicing spelling words can make a child a more fluent reader. Students will use a variety of spelling strategies to practice their spelling words both in the classroom and at home.
Language Arts
Language arts focuses on the grammar and mechanics of a sentence. Students work on sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, verbs, pronouns, and adjectives. By knowing what makes a complete sentence, a child can become a more effective writer. Students will write for a specific purpose and style by publishing reports, writing a persuasive and descriptive paragraph, creating poems, writing a friendly letter, and developing a personal narrative. Along with writing, the class will develop a writing piece using the five-step writing process: pre-draft a list of possible topics, write a rough draft on paper, edit and revise ideas and sentence structure, and end with a published piece. Students also journal a variety of times a week in class.
Science
The third grade students will investigate science questions and problems. Students investigate rocks, minerals, and physics of sound through “hands on” learning of Foss kits. Students build and understand the concepts of moment by studying simple machines. As they develop scientific concepts, students use critical thinking and decision making skills. They are able to see science as a part of society and their personal experiences. The third grade curriculum also includes an Ocean unit. The children study ocean water versus freshwater, the ocean floor, life cycles, tides, and currents. This unit concludes with a hands-on ocean project.
Math
The third grade math program starts by reintroducing the basic addition and subtraction facts. Students study the properties of addition and subtraction and continue to work on regrouping three and four-digit numbers. Multiplication and division facts are introduced in third grade, using one, two, and three-digit numbers. Students will use their higher thinking process skills to solve multiple step-by-step story problems. They will also work with place value, estimating, rounding, making change, and interpreting data from a variety of graphs to show how math is used in the world around them.
Third grade is the first year students will be working out of a math text book. Hands on activities are used to help introduced and develop math concepts.
Third grade is the first year students will be working out of a math text book. Hands on activities are used to help introduced and develop math concepts.
Social Studies
Students will review and continue to reinforce map skills learned in previous grades. Third graders will continue to use these skills in studying communities and the world around them. The community unit analyzes the individual resources that allow a community to function and meets the needs of its citizens. We look at the different types and sizes of communities in the United States and foreign countries. Later, we study a unit on Government that focuses on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The class studies the fifty states and their capitals. Students create a display board and research paper representing one of the fifty states.
Art
Students will expand upon their vocabulary and will be exposed to artists including Miro, Matisse and Rosseau and how they relate to line, shape, color, texture and space. The principals of design are introduced including variety, repetition, movement and balance.
Click here to learn more about Art.
Click here to learn more about Art.
Music & Band
In the upper level grades, students explore advance tonal and rhythm exploration, improvisation, two-part singing, rounds, and music theory. They play simple instruments while singing and play along to various types of music. Correct posture, breathing, and vocalizing techniques are taught throughout the year. These students complete a year long comprehensive study of comprehension study of composers from various time periods on a historical time line. Fourth and fifth grade students have the opportunity to play band or orchestra instruments and also to participate in private piano lessons that are available during the school day. Cooperation with a local private school allows the band and orchestra students to play in an ensemble band and orchestra. Students are required to participate in the annual Christmas Musical and spring choral concert.
Click here to learn more about Music.
Click here to learn more about Music.
Technology
Third graders utilize keyboard tutorials to learn proper touch keyboarding techniques, saving a document on a disk or network server, identifying different types of computer software, and developing and editing documents using a word processing system. Students also use the internet and other on-line resources. By the end of the year, students demonstrate the ability to log on and view information from a pre-selected internet site and use a “creativity software” program to create card, banners, and signs.
Click here to learn more about Technology.
Click here to learn more about Technology.
Physical Education
Third graders continue developing and strengthening skills while having less guidance during games. Learning begins to shift from skills to game strategy as units are introduced and built upon. Students have short written quizzes and assessments at the end of traditional game units such as football, soccer, floor hockey, basketball, softball, speedball, and volleyball. Fitness levels are assessed throughout the year.
Click here to learn more about Physical Education.
Click here to learn more about Physical Education.
Spanish
Third grade students will be able to speak in short sentences to one another. They will expand on the vocabulary learned by adding several nouns and will be able to write in short paragraph form. Students will count to 100 and will be able to correctly identify all letter sounds of the alphabet. Students will also use a Grade 3 Spanish dictionary.
Click here to learn more about Spanish.
Click here to learn more about Spanish.