Goodbye, Third Grade!Part of our classroom mission statement is, "We are a community of learners. We are self-directed and collaborative problem-solvers. We are creators, independent thinkers, and not afraid to take risks. We work hard every day to better ourselves and our world!" These kids have embraced that mission, and each day we learned so much together. Thank you all for being part of our classroom community. You have helped to give these kids a wonderfully unique learning experience. We could not have done all these awesome things without parents supporting us. Thank you. Love, Mrs. Karrin Burns Lincoln Native Garden ToursWe hope to see you on Wednesday, June 12 at 9:30AM for a student-led tour of the Lincoln Native Garden! Your child will guide you through the garden, showing you the plants and explaining to you the benefits of natives. The students led many tours this week for the students and adults in our shool this week and did an excellent job. I am so very proud of them! Our app is on the App Store!We are so excited to announce that the app our class created, Mood Monster's Wellness Workshop, is available on the App Store! Mood Monster’s Wellness Workshop is an exercise guide and tracker that encourages kids ages 6-11 to get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. The app shows different exercises, and works with HealthKit in iOS to track exercise minutes snd calories burned, as well as give users a personalized view of age, height, weight, etc. It is available for iPhone only. Download it today! Mood Monster's Wellness Workshop on the App Store The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade |
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | Community Native Garden Tour Parent Native Garden Tour 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, Field Day and Last Day of School First day of school, 2019-2020 |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
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Creating original fairy tales

As we wrap up our final writing unit, students are creating their own original fairy tales. This week, we worked together to create the foundation of an original fairy tale as a group; then each writing partnership added their own details and unique ending. The Tale of Magdalena and Atlas (her dog) grew into several unique stories. Each partnership then presented their work. Next week, students are creating their own fairy tale from scratch, using all we've learned in this unit.
Research groups final week

Our research unit is also finishing up! Students are working together to finalize their research and will present what they've learned in a project. The students have done an excellent job synthesizing information from various sources, as well as communicating their findings to their group members.
Math: subtraction strategies
The goals for the last Investigation in this unit are:
- Adding and subtracting fluently
- Describing, analyzing, and comparing strategies for adding and subtracting whole numbers
Native Garden Tours
for students, community, and parents!
The students have worked together to prepare several presentations about the Lincoln Native Garden's plants and their benefits to our environment. They are currently working in small groups and visiting each classroom to present to the students, then take them on a tour of the Native Garden. On June 11 at 12:45PM, we are inviting several community members (police and fire, President Adduci, D90 School Board members, RF Public Library, etc.) to come for a student-led tour.
On June 12 at 9:30AM, we would like you to come for a student-led tour! The students are excited to share how native plants benefit our ecosystem. Stay tuned for an invitation.
On June 12 at 9:30AM, we would like you to come for a student-led tour! The students are excited to share how native plants benefit our ecosystem. Stay tuned for an invitation.
Spelling/word work is complete for the year
On Tuesday, students will take their final spelling test. All students will also take an end-of-the-year spelling assessment that will be handed over to the Fourth Grade teachers.
Upcoming events
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Community Native Garden Tour Parent Native Garden Tour 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
How do you build a great business?

The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade spoke with Marc Malnati, Chairman of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, and wanted to know how he and his family have built their business.
This new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade will be published Saturday, May 25! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
This new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade will be published Saturday, May 25! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
Math: Start with what you know
One of the things we talk a lot about in our class is 'starting with what you know' when solving for an unknown. For example, when confronted with 9 x 7, start with 10 x 7, and subtract 7; or if trying t find the product for 8 x 7, start with 8 x 5 and add 8 x 2). This way of thinking applies to our work this week: addition with three-digit numbers. We are thinking of 'starter problems' to make solving easier. This was our focus:
- Solving addition problems by changing the numbers to create an equivalent problem that is easier to solve
- Using story contexts and representations to support explanations about equivalent addition expressions (for example, 88 + 105 wuld become 90 + 103)
I've been testing students indvidually this week on math facts: addition and subtraction within 20, and multiplication facts (all products of two one-digit numbers). By the end of 3rd Grade, students should be fluent in these facts. These are the foundation of later math work, and it is very important that students know these basics. How do we define fluency?
The best way to build fluency is through math games. Factor Pairs and Missing Factor are two excellent games for kids to practice over the summer.
- Flexibility with numbers
- Ability to explain thinking
- Efficiently and accurately arrive at your answer
- Using a variety of strategies
- Automaticity - ability to recall or construct math facts
The best way to build fluency is through math games. Factor Pairs and Missing Factor are two excellent games for kids to practice over the summer.
Last day of school schedule
Weather Around the World
The students are finishing up their presentations about the climate and its implications for their cities around the world. One thing I've noticed that they need more practice to understand the ideas of potential weather hazrds and ways humans can reduce the impact of these hazards. However, the kids really enjoyed learning about different cities and how they differed from our temprate climate.
Research groups: sharing what we learned
Our first research groups are finished, and each group held a question and answer session for the class about their animal. Next week, we will form our second research groups. The focus of these groups id to understand how establish a plan for research, seek out information from several sources, and synthesize the information. We had some excellent discussions about our topics!
Fairy Tales
Students are finishing up their fairy tale adaptations, and will begin creating their own original fairy tales next week. Our learning points this week were the ideas highlighted in red below.
Theatre Club presents
Demeter and Persephone and Julius Caesar
I loved watching Charlie, Dylan, Kate, Sara, and Sophia perform this week! All did a super job, and I hope they continue acting.
More published authors!
Three more of our students have published a book on Apple Books! Congratulations to Quinn, Steven, and Walter on their very hard work to educate others about bullying. Click here to download Stop Bullying! by Quinn, Steven, and Walter on Apple Books.
Upcoming events
Monday, May 27, 2019
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 |
NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
3rd Grade Recorder Concert, Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Math: measuring volume, mass, and subtraction with tens and hundreds
This group is one of the most enthusiastic classes with regards to mathematics that I've ever had. Their stamina, persistance, and enthusiam for learning is exciting! This week, we worked on measuring liquids and mass, as well as lots of subtraction in the hundreds. I also began testing each student individually on fact fluency. Take a look at the resources below to continue the learning at home.
Our first globally-published author: Charles
We are so proud of our class's first author featured on Apple Books! Check it out here. Congratulations to Charles, and we hope this book is the first of many.
Weather Around the World
Our climate researchers have come to the end of their weather data collection, and next week will begin to work to answer the following questions about their cities:
- What type of weather is expected during a particular season?
- What is the climate in a particular region?
- What are some potential weather hazards in the region, and what can humans do to reduce the impact of these weather hazards?
Fairy tales: developing the character
This week brought more revision and planning for our fairy tale adaptations. The students planned and learned about filling in the foundation of their story with life-like details. Specifically, we discussed giving the main character and villian strong character traits so the reader gets to know the characters well. Listen to Ella's plan for her adaptation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Research groups
Our reading research groups are working together to learn as much as possible about their group's animal. Students learned how to talk like an expert this week by using expert lingo. In addition to collecting and synthesizing information, each group created a word bank of vocabulary from their selections.
App dev: some last minute adjustments
After we received some advice from professional app developers, we decided to focus our app solely on exercise rather than exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness. We spent the week researching good exercises, writing how-tos and benefits, and taking and editing new photos. If all goes as planned, Mood Monster's Wellness Workshop should be ready for submission just after Memorial Day.
Schedule for the last day of school
Upcoming events
Friday, May 24, 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 |
Insitute Day- 1/2 day of school
NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Research groups:
learning how to gather and study information together
The students have moved from literary book clubs to research clubs, where they are studying animals. This week, the students learned how to identify common subtopics across a range of texts and made a group plan for sharing information. We are learning to synthesize information in order to make sense of a topic over a broad range of texts. The groups are studying frogs, whales, elephants, wolves, penguins, and sharks.
All new episode!
The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade talks with former NHL player Joe Corvo

How does playing sports change people in positive ways? The team spoke to Oak Park native Joe Corvo to find out. Joe played 11 seasons in the NHL (Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins), and is a current CrossFit competitor.
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published almost every week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other)
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published almost every week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other)
Math
To wrap up our final investigation of fractions, the kids practiced:
- understanding the meaning of fractions as equal parts of a whole
- understanding the meaning of fractions as numbers
- comparing fractions and reasoning about fraction equivalencies with representations
- modeling with fraction notation

Our next unit, How Many Miles?, focuses on Addition and subtraction with 3-digit numbers.
- Students will add multiples of 10 and 100 to, and subtract them from, 3-digit numbers.
- They will use multiples of 100 as a landmark as they solve addition and subtraction problems, including problems that involve liquid volume and mass.
- Students will solve addition problems with 3-digit numbers as they share, discuss, and compare different strategies for addition.
- Students will develop fluency in subtraction as they solve subtraction problems in a variety of contexts and describe and compare their strategies.
Writer's workshop: adapting our first fairy tale
After reading several versions of several popular fairy tales, the kids chose one to begin to adapt. Please see the slideshow below to understand this writing process and see what the students will do during this unit.
Art appreciation: Looking at Pointillism
We were so lucky to have another visit with Mrs. Roginski, who discussed Suerat and Pointillism with the students. She brought mini-canvases. paper, and watercolors and let the kids (and me!) practice the technique. It was so much fun, and we are very gratefule to Mrs. Roginski and the whole team of Art Appreciation volunteers who have spent so much time introducing us to art techniques and art history!
Spring MAP testing May 14-15
Please make sure your child has headphones at school for MAP testing next week! During IAR testing there were a few students who did not have them. Please make sure your child has headphones so they can hear the test directions.
Schedule for last day of school
Upcoming events
Tuesday, May 14 - Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 |
3rd Grade MAP testing
NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Inquiry and exploration update
The App Dev team has completed all the components of their app, Mood Monster's Wellness Workshop. Next week, they will begin planning their marketing strategy!
The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is busy planning for next week's podcast.
Our book authors are doing really great work, and they are very proud! One multi-touch book, Stop Bullying by Quinn, Walter, and Steven might even be ready to publish on Apple Books next week!
The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is busy planning for next week's podcast.
Our book authors are doing really great work, and they are very proud! One multi-touch book, Stop Bullying by Quinn, Walter, and Steven might even be ready to publish on Apple Books next week!
an encore performance (2017) of
The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade:
an interview with Chicago Cubs owner,
Todd Ricketts

The 2016-2017 team from The Chat had a great time talking with Todd Ricketts, who owns the Chicago Cubs with his family. It was an excellent interview, and Mr. Ricketts was a lot of fun.
Interview with Todd Ricketts
Part 1
Part 2
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published almost every week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other)
Interview with Todd Ricketts
Part 1
Part 2
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published almost every week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other)
Finishing up our book clubs
The students finished up their final book club with a great discussion today. In addition to discussing the content of the book and proving ideas with text evidence, students also practiced the art of converstation: they worked on attentive listening, making and keeping eye contact while speaking/listening, and disagreeing appropriately.
A cool musical composition by Lucia.
Fractions on a number line
Our work this week was with unit fractions, looking at parts that make up a single whole as well as sets of objects that are a fraction of a group. Students represented fractions on a number line and also begin to use fractions with numerators greater than one.
Students placed eighths, sixths, fourths, thirds, halves, and whole numbers on the number line. Please take a look at the following Math Words and Ideas activities to learn more about how your child is learning these concepts. The game Fraction Cookies (intermediate and advanced) are great practice for your child at home.
Students placed eighths, sixths, fourths, thirds, halves, and whole numbers on the number line. Please take a look at the following Math Words and Ideas activities to learn more about how your child is learning these concepts. The game Fraction Cookies (intermediate and advanced) are great practice for your child at home.
Writer's workshop:
classic fairy tales and adapted fairy tales
We are exploring classic fairy tales and some of their adaptations. We read and compared several verisons of The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood. Students learned that a fairy tale has a recognizable structure: they usually start with 'Once upon a time..." and end with "...happily ever after.". Also, fairy tales usually follow this pattern: background, first scene, introduction of trouble or problem, and ending. Next week, the kids will start working on their own adaptation of a classic tale.
Some great student work...
Weather around the World
We are nearing the middle of of 30 days of studying the weather and climate of cities around the world. Check out our collected data so far!
Upcoming events
Tuesday, May 14 - Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 |
3rd Grade MAP testing
NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
App dev team update:
Mood Monster's Wellness Workshop
Our app is nearing its final stages, and the team is busy putting together the final photos and details. We are hoping to submit MMWW to the App Store by the end of May. Olivia (below) demonstrates a pose to help relieve stress; and a food pyramid created by Markus, Sophia, and Lucia tells kids about the food categories that make up a healthy diet.
An encore performance of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade:
How does someone start a business? (2018)
With very special guest, Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871 Chicago

This interview is a classic from last year's team. Betsy was an extraordinary guest, and one of our most awesome interviews to date.
Check it out!
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published each week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
Check it out!
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published each week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
Math: Hello, fractions!
This week we delved into fractions. The kids made fraction sets that consist of one whole, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, and 1/8. We also used shapes to determine what makes a whole hexagon and wrote equations to see what fractions added together make a whole. For example, 1/2 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 = 1.
For practice at home, please takea look at the resources below, and play Fraction Cookies with your child.
For practice at home, please takea look at the resources below, and play Fraction Cookies with your child.
Next week:
Research clubs (Reading) and
Fairy Tales (Writing)
Students finished up our Character Studies unit this week by comparing and contrasting characters in the texts Because of Winn-Dixie and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Next week, we begin our final unit in reading. The focus of the Research Clubs unit is to understand how to research and comprehend informational texts as a student-led group. Groups will be researching animals, learning more about understanding topic and subtopic, and getting more practice thinking and talking about texts.
We will also begin our final writing unit next week called Once Upon a Time: Adapting and writing Fairy Tales. This unit is always a favorite because the kids get to choose a fairy tale and adapt it to make it their own.
Students finished our mini-literary essay unit by writing essays on the book, Salt in His Shoes. I am so impressed with the students' work on this! Truly, I can't imagine being able to write this well when I was in 3rd Grade. Congratulations to all of these hard-working writers! Be sure to look for your child's work on Seesaw.
We will also begin our final writing unit next week called Once Upon a Time: Adapting and writing Fairy Tales. This unit is always a favorite because the kids get to choose a fairy tale and adapt it to make it their own.
Students finished our mini-literary essay unit by writing essays on the book, Salt in His Shoes. I am so impressed with the students' work on this! Truly, I can't imagine being able to write this well when I was in 3rd Grade. Congratulations to all of these hard-working writers! Be sure to look for your child's work on Seesaw.
Exploring the Lincoln Native Garden
We've spent a few days this week photographing and sketching the plants in the Native Garden. It is great to see the kids begin to recognize the plants and take care of them! Right now, the Virginia Bluebells are in bloom, and the are beautiful! Here is one of the gorgeous sketches, made by Lura.
Weather Around the World
Be sure to check in on the weather in different parts of the world! The students are keeping track of weather information in order to make determinations about climate. Check out our Weather Around the World website, then click the weather data sheet to access the information.
Upcoming events
Monday, May 13 - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | MAP testing NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade:
How can humans do more to help animals?

The Chat team spoke with Michelle Borland, co-owner and Barn Manager at Bar SZ Ranch in Paicines, California.
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published each week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published each week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
App development team update
We hope to present our app, Mood Monster's Wellness Workshop, to the App Store in a few weeks. The students are still working on several pieces of the app, including the mindfulness activities, nutrition information, and exercise step-by-step photos. Here is what we have so far:
Writer's workshop: theme
Last week, we wrote a claim about a character and used text evidence to support our claim. This week, we worked on identifying theme, making a claim about it, and writing text evidence to support the claim. Students read three different books (The Journey; The Empty Pot; and Salt in His Shoes), and worked with a partner to write a claim and find evidence..
Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Thanks to the Lincoln PTO and Green4Good, Joey FineRhyme made a visit to Lincoln School to talk about waste. We learned about the amount of waste that is in our oceans and landfills across the Earth. Joey gave the kids several examples of how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle to save our Earth.
Erin's Law Presentation
On Friday, April 26 we will be partnering with Ms. Linda Conway from the River Forest Police Department to present to our annual Erin's Law discussion to third graders. “Erin’s Law” requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. Click for an overview of the third grade content. If for any reason you wish for your child not to participate, please let me know.
Safety content within this presentation is in accordance with Erin’s Law, the Illinois state mandate to teach child sexual abuse prevention to help children recognize sexual abuse, learn skills to reduce their vulnerability and encourage students to report abuse.
Safety content is based upon the Talking about Touching Safety Curriculum from the Committee for Children, Second Step, Child Protection Unit, If you have any questions about the materials, please contact Second Step (cfchildren.org) or the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org)
Safety content within this presentation is in accordance with Erin’s Law, the Illinois state mandate to teach child sexual abuse prevention to help children recognize sexual abuse, learn skills to reduce their vulnerability and encourage students to report abuse.
Safety content is based upon the Talking about Touching Safety Curriculum from the Committee for Children, Second Step, Child Protection Unit, If you have any questions about the materials, please contact Second Step (cfchildren.org) or the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org)
Upcoming events
Friday, April 19, 2019
Monday, April 22 - Friday, April 26, 2019 Monday, May 13 - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 |
NO SCHOOL- Good Friday
Earth Week MAP testing NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade:
Why are people addicted to sugar?

This week the team spoke with Dr. Stephen Soppet, an oral surgeon and dentist from right here in River Forest.
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published each week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
A new episode of The Chat with Mrs. Burns's Third Grade is published each week! Subscribe to The Chat in Apple Podcasts (iOS) or via Audioboom (Android or other).
Math
The Illinois Assessment of Readiness tests were mathematics this week, so it replaced most of our regular math instruction. However, we did get the chance to practice multiplying by 10s. Here's an example of what the students practiced:
Please continue to practice multiplication facts with your child by using the array cards and the multiplication cards I sent home; also by playing Missing Factor and Factor Pairs. Here are some additional resources to learn more about what we learned this week.
Art Appreciation: Andy Warhol
We were very happy to have a visit from Elizabeth Roginski, who taught us all about Andy Warhol. The kids then completed zebras in the style of the artist. They are so beautiful!
Native garden: spring observations
Since the weather Monday was so lovely, we spent some time outside in the Lincoln Native Garden. Many of the plants are starting to shoot up, and we even have one tiny group of flowering Virginia Bluebells. Can you identify these Illinois plants below? (*answers at the end of the newsletter)
Writer's workshop:
Publishing our first literary essays
Last week, the students and I read, Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. Together, we went through the process of making a claim about the main character and supporting it with text evidence. This week, the students did the work on their own using another Patricia Polacco text, The Keeping Quilt. After completing a rough draft, students shared with each other and with the class. After they received feedback, students went back to revise and edit, then published their work. The kids are really working hard on their writing. Please check Seesaw to read your child's completed literary essay.
There were many really good essays! Here is an an example of good Third Grade writing by Lucia A.
Reader's workshop
We are reading a book by Roald Dahl called, The Witches. It is a great book, and the kids are really into it. The students will be finishing their first book in their book clubs next week, and will be able to choose a second. Each week, the clubs decide the reading assignment together, sign a reading contract, then discuss the text on Fridays. The students are tlearning to discuss story elements, theme, and character depictions with confidence. Check out these students discussing the book, Sable.
A visit from Village of River Forest President, Cathy Aducci
We were very lucky to have a visit from the Village of River Forest President, Cathy Aducci. She came to speak with the 3rd Grade students about the duties of local government. She was a wonderful speaker!
*Native plants: Shooting Star, Broad-leafed Purple Coneflower, Virginia Bluebells, Eastern Red Columbine, Tufted Hairgrass, Sky Blue Aster, Wild Ginger
Upcoming events
Tuesday, April 16 - 18, 2019
Friday, April 19, 2019 Monday, April 22 - Friday, April 26, 2019 Monday, May 13 - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 |
Grade 3 IAR Testing
NO SCHOOL- Good Friday Earth Week MAP testing NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Writer's workshop: literary essays
Students are working on writing short response-to-reading essays. The texts the kids are writing include an introduction with a claim (based upon a lesson learned, one of the character's traits, character's change over time, etc.), three peices of text evidence, and a strong conclusion. This week, we read two Patricia Pollaco books (The Keeping Quilt and Thank you, Mr. Falker) and students practiced responding with original thoughts supported by the text. After IAR testing, we will begin our last writing unit, Fairytales.
Reader's workshop: Book Clubs
This week marked the beginning of our student-led book clubs. Students chose from a selection of books and formed discussion groups of 3 or 4 students. In the book clubs, students decide how many pages they will read each week, then ask each other questions, compare/contrast ideas about the text, make predictions, discuss story elements and characters. At the end of each text, each club will do a written response to reading, answering a text-based question.
Multiplication and division strategies
(with a little bit of fraction work)
We are finishing up Unit 5, and will soon be moving in to fractions. The student continues to work on various multiplication and division strategies with a little taste of fractions and fractions on a number line thrown in.
Here are some excellent resources for you, and math games for you to play at home with your child.
Missing Factor
Factor Pairs
Relating Mutiplication and Division
Solving Division Problems
Solving Multiplication Problems
Doubling One Factor
Here are some excellent resources for you, and math games for you to play at home with your child.
Missing Factor
Factor Pairs
Relating Mutiplication and Division
Solving Division Problems
Solving Multiplication Problems
Doubling One Factor
Weather Around the World
We are collecting weather data from 30 cities around the world for a 30-day period. After data is collected, we will share the data in charts and graphs, and make some determinations about the climate in these areas of the world.
Each team of students is in charge of logging data for six cities. Students are using Weather Bug, Accuweather, and Google Earth to collect data and survey the climate, and logging average daily temperature, precipitation, and wind speed in a collaborative document. At the end of the collection period, students will decide the best manner (chart, graph) to display the data. Students can then make determinations about the climate of the region.
To see our essential questions, collected data, and standards we will address, see our Weather Around the World website.
Each team of students is in charge of logging data for six cities. Students are using Weather Bug, Accuweather, and Google Earth to collect data and survey the climate, and logging average daily temperature, precipitation, and wind speed in a collaborative document. At the end of the collection period, students will decide the best manner (chart, graph) to display the data. Students can then make determinations about the climate of the region.
To see our essential questions, collected data, and standards we will address, see our Weather Around the World website.
Upcoming events
Tuesday, April 9 - 17, 2019 Friday, April 19, 2019 Monday, April 22 - Friday, April 26, 2019 Monday, May 13 - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Monday, May 27, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Grade 3 IAR Testing NO SCHOOL- Good Friday Earth Week MAP testing NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day Field Day and Last Day of School |
Contact

Mrs. Karrin Burns
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
511 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
burnsk@district90.org
(708) 366 - 7340 x 8026
@MrsBurnsD90