April 2008

 

Dear Third Grade Families,

 

As a part of studying “Communities” in Social Studies this year, we will be adding a unit on Portland.  We are very excited to learn more about this beautiful city, so full of rich history.  The unit will also allow your child to practice the report writing process, including:

  • Finding resources (books, periodicals, and internet sources)
  • Taking notes from the resources onto note cards
  • Summarizing the notes into paragraphs with topic and concluding sentences
  • Writing a rough draft from notes
  • Proof-reading and editing a rough draft
  • A final handwritten copy of the report
  • Collecting information for a bibliography

 

The Portland Report will include at least 3-5 handwritten pages, with information for each of the following:  Introduction, Portland History/Facts, a Portland landmark, a bridge over the Willamette River, and a Conclusion.  Students will take notes, write a rough draft, and edit the rough drafts.  The final copy will be handwritten in cursive at school.

 

We will begin the research process during the second week of April.  Please have your child bring the following information to class no later than Monday April 14th:

  • A book about Portland/Portland History
  • Internet information about Portland/Portland History
  • A book or internet information about a Willamette River Bridge
  • A book or internet information about a Portland Landmark

 

In addition to the report, your child will also be asked to create a desk-sized visual display (e.g. a poster, travel brochure, or model) of a bridge or landmark they have studied.  Attached is a flyer with more information. 

In addition to our study of Portland in class, we will take a field trip to downtown Portland in May for a walking tour to see this lively city up close.  Your child will have the opportunity to see many of the landmarks and bridges he or she has studied and have a chance to capture the essence of this enriching community we area part of. 

I’m looking forward to this fun project and appreciate your support.  Please let me know if you have any questions along the way.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Miss Santa