NOTES
Welcome Back!
The Sally Foster fundraiser has gotten off to an exciting start! Please encourage your child to sell as much as he/she can. Every dollar helps us keep tuition down. Let's try our best to get 100 percent participation!
The first Scholastic book order forms have been distributed to the students. If you would like to buy books/educational items for your child, please return the completed form and a check made out to Scholastic by Monday, September 8th. The more money our class spends, the more free books we can pick out.
If you are looking for ways to help your child succeed in the 3rd grade, there are several things you can do to help. Students should read for 20 minutes every night. Parents can ask comprehension questions that go beyond basic recall. The goal is not only to develop reading fluency but to use higher level thinking skills.
Writing is also extremely important. Students should practice all types of writing: diary-style, paragraphs (multiple paragraphs), short stories, poetry (does not need to rhyme), essays. Students should use proper grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc.
Multiplication is one of the major math standards that 3rd graders need to master. Parents can assist by quizzing their children with flash cards. Students should work for 10-15 minutes. They should write out every fact they get wrong three times. Guessing is NOT allowed. The goal is to learn the basic math facts through repetition. When children guess, they are not really learning. Therefore, every time a child guesses there should be some type of consequence.
3rd grade will be an exciting and challenging year for the students. It will be a pivotal time in their lives. There will be numerous academic and technological challenges. The children will become well-acquainted with the Internet, keyboarding, and various programs. Good behavior and self-discipline will be essential tools in ensuring a successful school year.
Lastly, I am very open to parent/teacher communications. Please feel free to contact me with all of your questions and concerns. Email is best because I have easy access to it. I will certainly call you if there is something that needs to be verbally addressed. Should you wish to set up a face-to-face meeting, just drop me an email and we can schedule an appointment. Please remember, we are a team. Together, we can make sure that the children have the most successful and challenging year possible. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at the upcoming back-to-school night on Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30pm.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICE PROJECTS
September--School Supplies for Mexico--Student Council
October--Farm Animals--8-104 and 8-106
November--Thanksgiving--7-A and 7-G
December--The Giving Tree--6-101 and 6-103
January--Warm Clothes Drive--4th grade
February--Toiletries--2nd and 3rd grades
March--Operation Rice Bowl--Kindergarten and 1st grade
April--Pennies for Peace--5th grade
May--TBD
Pre-K Trike-a-Thon (Check Wednesday envelopes for information)
REMINDER: ALL CLASSROOM AND FIELD TRIP VOLUNTEERS MUST BE FINGERPRINTED.
Homework for the week of September 1st, 2008
Monday
Tuesday
- Math--Excel 11 or WB p.35-36 & 10-15 minutes of flashcards
- Read--30 minutes
- Writing--Word Splash (5 vocabulary words & their definitions) & "Using Words That Describe" worksheet.
Wednesday
- Math--Excel 12 or 16 & correct test questions (Practice flash cards occasionally to memorize basic facts.)
- Read--20 minutes
- Writing--Weekly reading log--due Friday (Students should jot down a sentence or two every night summarizing what they read.)
- Extra Credit--word splash on weekly reading (Optional--Many students have asked me for extra credit so I am granting their wish.)
- THE HOMEWORK WAS TAKING STUDENTS TOO LONG TO COMPLETE SO I DECIDED TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD. I AM MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN QUALITY THAN QUANTITY. DUE TO STUDENT DEMAND, I AM ALSO ALLOWING EXTRA CREDIT FROM TIME TO TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THE HOMEWORK IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD NEEDS EXTRA PRACTICE OR IT IS NOT CHALLENGING ENOUGH. I WILL LEAVE THAT DECISION UP TO THE PARENTS' DISCRETION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME YOUR FEEDBACK IF YOU HAVE ANY.
Thursday
- Math--15 minutes flashcards (addition & subtraction) or Excel 18 & WB p.77 (depending on group)
- Read--20 minutes
- Writing--Reading log (summary of book student has been reading) due tomorrow
Field Trip Form
|
