Newsletter 12/10 - 12/21

This will be the last newsletter of the year!  It's really hard to believe that time is moving so fast!
Along with the regular academics listed from last week, we will be having some fun holiday activities that the students should really enjoy.

Sing-Around-the-Tree:

Monday, December 17th @ 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, December 18th @ 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19th @ 1:00 p.m.

Special Holiday Performances:

Thursday, December 20th @ 11:00- CHS Madrigals
Friday, December 21st @ 10:00- South Orchestra & Choir

Class Party- Friday, December 21st @ 2:30

Christmas Party Sign-ups-

One dozen cookies- Becky DeMille
One dozen cookies- Rachel Hunt
One dozen cookies- Denise Purvis
One dozen cookies- Trisha Anderson
Boxed Drinks- Heidi Webster
Boxed Drinks- Carrie Horton
Boxed Drinks- Merritt Harrison
Napkins- Jodi Corser
Holiday Candies- Michelle Nielson
Holiday Candies- Carrie Horton

If you able to donate to the class party, let me know.  Also, if you have signed up and are unable to bring your item, send me a message.  Thank you all for your generosity!

Newsletter 12/3- 12/7

Hello!
Only three more weeks until Christmas vacation!  We have a lot of work to accomplish before then!
Here is the plan:

Math-  Working on Chapters 7 & 8 (Division)  I would like to finish these chapters up in the next 2 weeks.  Before the break, I would like to give a solid introduction to Chapter 9, which deals with patterns and relationships.

Times Tables-  We will finish passing off our 3's on Wednesday and start on 4's for next week.

Spelling & Vocabulary-  We will continue with both lists clear through until the break.

Daily 5- Regular Read-to-Self, Word Work, Read-to-Someone & Listening  *We have started a new Daily 5 Narrative writing piece.

Interventions- Regular schedule: Mondays- Guided Reading, Tuesdays- Mountain Language,  Wednesdays- Dictionary,  Thursdays- Dictation & Phonics, Fridays- Mountain Math

Unit Study- Traditions from around the World.

*Looking ahead:  When we get back from the holidays, we will be working on Keyboarding in the computer lab.  During this period of time, there will be an added half-page of typing for homework.

Have a wonderful week!

Newsletter 11/12- 11/16

We're back for another week!  Last week was our first week for reading volunteers.  It was great to have the extra help!  If you didn't make it, no problem.  I actually didn't send out the newsletter last week to remind you.

Here is a list of items we are currently working on:

Times tables- We're just finishing up 9's and moving on to 3's.  Please keep up the great work at home. Jaci's mom has volunteered to help with pass-offs on Wednesday mornings.  Any times tables missed can be caught up at this time.

Math-  We're finishing up Chapters 5 & 6 which deal with multiplication.  The students are now experts on the Associative Property, along with multi-step story problems.  The next chapter will deal with beginning division skills.

Vocabulary-  The students did a great job on their first vocabulary tests.  As the weeks move on, the tests will become more difficult, as 4 more words are added each week.

Daily 5-  Read-To-Self along with Read-To-Someone, Listening, Word Work and Writing

*Spelling Packets-  Spelling Packets are handed out and instructions given every Monday.  The students have time throughout the week to complete them.  Around Thursday, I'm coaching them through the last page which deals with some sort of phonics lesson.   Some students are deciding to do other things, therefore they are getting zeros on their progress reports.  I issue reminders all throughout the week and have told the students they are responsible to get these turned in.  Please ask your child about their progress on their spelling packets.  If needs be, the students ARE allowed to take them home to finish them.

Unit Study- Finishing up Living/Non-Living and starting our unit on Health.

Interventions- Guided Reading, Phonics, Mountain Language, Mountain Math, & Dictation.

Thanksgiving Party- Can you believe it's already here?!?  We will be having our party on Tuesday, November 20th @ 2:30.  Below is a list of people that signed up:

Apple Slices-
Chips-  Jodi Corser
Cheetos-  Tara Whitelaw
3 cans of Olives-Kris Slack
Cheese Cubes-  Michelle Nielson
One Jar of Pickles- Gina Cutler
One Jar of Pickles- Denise Purvis
One Jar of Pickles- Tiffany Mackert
Boxed Apple Juice-  Jamie Hunt
Boxed Apple Juice-  Rachel Hunt
Boxed Apple Juice-  Laurie Anderson
Napkins and Plates-  Carrie Horton

Thank you for your generous donations!

Hello!  Hope you're all doing well.  Just want to let you know about a couple of things coming up.

*Parent Volunteers-  We will have our parent helpers start next week.  Reading helpers are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:50- 9:00 a.m.  In the right margin I will include a list of the parents that signed up.  It is HIGHLY possible that I may have a few names wrong.  If I have put you on the wrong day or have left you out, PLEASE let me know.  When you come into class, I will have a folder with your name on it and instructions for the reading time.   Thank you in advance for your help!

*Vocabulary-  We will begin vocabulary next week also.  There will be four cards in your child's folder next Monday.  The cards will be placed in alphabetic order on a binder ring.  Every week your child will bring home four new cards.  Have them place their new cards in alphabetic order with the old ones on the ring.   They can use these cards to study for the tests which will be on Fridays.

*Halloween Party-  We will be having our party on Wednesday @ 12:30.  The hour will be spent eating and playing.  No costumes for this party please.  Below is the sign-up list for the Halloween party.  If you are unable to bring your item, just let me know.  Thank you very much!

Halloween Party Sign-ups:
One dozen glazed donuts- Jodi Corser
One dozen glazed donuts- Gina Cutler
One dozen glazed donuts- Tara Whitelaw
1/2 gallon sherbet- Amanda Giles
1/2 gallon sherbet- Rachel Hunt
1/2 gallon sherbet- Juli Westwood
One 2-liter Sprite- Jamie Hunt
One 2-liter Sprite- Dawn Spencer
One 2-liter Sprite- Calvin Slack
One 2-liter Sprite- Traci Shakespeare
Cups, Spoons and Napkins- Sydney Nakken

Newsletter

Welcome back for our short week!  This newsletter will contain the information you will need for this week and next week.

Math-  We have started our chapter on "Multiplication".  Even though we have already covered the basics of multiplication, there are some additional skills that the students will need to have.  Today and last Friday we have discussed "Arrays".  Next, we will learn how to use multiplication to compare numbers.

Times Tables-  We are hoping to finish up 12's before we leave on Wednesday for the break.  If your child has not passed these off, please practice a little extra with them in the evenings.  Also, 9's have been introduced.  I will send home the flashcards in the next day or two so the students can study them over the fall break.  We will start 9 pass-offs next Wednesday, Oct. 24th.  Thank you for your help!  The students are doing great!

Daily 5-  We are just finishing up our "Four Square" writing assignments.  In the last stage of the writing, the students are required to read their papers five times in order to improve fluency.  They then have the choice to present their paper to Mr. Oldroyd.  If the paper is read fluently, he sends them back to class with a little treat!
We have cut down a bit on "Read-to-Self", since our writing has been taking up quite a bit of time.  *We are not having a spelling list this week.  We will start up again next week after the break.  In two weeks, we will start sending our vocabulary cards home.

Unit Study-  After the break, we will start our unit on "Living & Non-Living"

Art-  Today we started string art.  The students are picking up this skill quickly and seem to be having a good time!

Have a wonderful break!

Newsletter 10/8 - 10/12

Thank you for meeting with me last week.  I enjoyed it very much!  Here is the update for this week:

Math- We are working on 2 and 3 digit subtraction throughout the week.  Many of the students are struggling a bit with the borrowing across zeros.  I have sent home a worksheet for homework.  The students will receive 2 extra "sticks" for the store if they complete it correctly, and with a parent signature.

Times Tables-  We are still working on our 12's.  We will finish pass-off's up this week.  Next will be the 9's.

Cursive- Complete lower case "n" today.  Will continue on "m" this week also.

Unit Study- We are finishing up our Iron County unit this week with a writing assignment.  After Fall Break we will start "Heat & Light"

Daily 5-  Yay!  We started our first "Four Square Writing" this week.  The students are writing a persuasive paper on the why Iron County is the best place to live.  The work they have already done is awesome and so exciting to see!  We will also continue working with words, read/self, & listening.

Interventions-  Our first week of interventions were successful.  Each student is placed in a group that will help with his/her strengths and weaknesses.  The students that are in my group are working on guided reading, word work, Mountain Language, phonics and the parts of speech.

Parent Volunteers-  I would like to begin having our volunteers come the first week of November.  I will send a reminder to those who signed up.  I will also be posting a list of the parents who signed up to bring treats for the Halloween party.  Your help is appreciated.  Thank you so much!

Next Monday is picture retake & make-up day.  For those students who want to have retakes, they should bring their original pictures to school with them on Monday.   Also, this Wednesday is thelast day to order T-Shirts.  

Have a wonderful week!

Newsletter 9/24 - 9/28

SEP's are quickly approaching. Please watch for your child's appointment which will be scheduled for one of the days next week.  Please look the date and time over and send back the bottom half of the sheet letting me know whether or not you can make it.  I really look forward to meeting with you and your child!

Leveled Library- The leveled library has been sending books home for a couple of weeks now.  Some of you may be concerned that your child is not receiving a take home book.  If your child is reading above an independent level "S", it has been thought that the content of the books are a bit mature for the third grade developmental level.  If you are needing access to books and would still like to have your child participate, let us know and we can send home a book with the take home library.  The book selected will probably be on a level lower than what your child is reading on, but it will still benefit them on their higher reading level.  Also, you have the option to come into the reading center and choose higher level books that you approve of.  We can discuss this further at SEP's.

Field Trip-  Our field trip is still scheduled for Thursday, Sep. 27th.  We will be leaving the school by 9:00 and returning in time for students that ride buses.  Please accept our apologies to those who wanted to join us as volunteers.  Since we will only be taking one bus, space is very limited.  Thank you though for your willingness to help us out!

Math Groups-  The differentiated math groups have seemed to cause anxiety for some folks.  As of today, we will no longer switch the students into math groups.  Our new chapter this week is on subtraction.  Today we spent our math time making up subtraction stories and compiling a class book.   During this week, we will discuss subtracting on a hundreds chart.  I will also make sure each child has mastered the "borrowing" concept.  Any extra practice at home is much appreciated!

Times Tables-  We will be passing 11's off this week.  Next will be 12's.  Thanks for all of your work at home.  The students are progressing quicker than ever!

Daily 5- Business as usual.  We have talked about how to pick a "good fit" book.  The students should be choosing more appropriate books when attending the library.

Have a great week!!

Newsletter 8/17 - 8/21

Hello!

This week will be pretty calm in regard to extra activities.  The Back-to-School bash was a big hit and I really appreciate the effort the PTA offers in behalf of the students and teachers!  Thank you to everyone who came to support this event.

This week:

Times Tables- Hopefully you received a note indicating what times tables your child has passed off so far.  If your child is missing some, they can just let me know when they're ready to pass them off.  This week, we will be passing off 10's.  Please run through these with your child a couple of times a night.
Thank You!

Math Groups- We will be ending chapter 2 on Wednesday, and starting new groups on Friday after the pre-test.  The new chapter is on subtracting.

Unit Study- We will continue talking about Iron County up until the Field trip on the 27th.  Please watch for a permission slip that will be coming home.  It is necessary to have a signed slip from each student.  After the field trip, we will be working on our first "Four Square Writing" assignment.

Daily 5- Read-to-Self, Writing, Word Work and Listening- we will also be working on Mountain language and fluency binders along with Daily 5.  (By the way, nice job on practicing the spelling words last week.  Every child got either 28/30 or 30/30!!  Thank You!!)

Cursive- Cont. lower case

Have a great week!

Newsletter 9/10 - 9/14

I'm so glad to be back with my awesome students!  Thank you for being so patient and kind while I was away.  Mrs. Boggess said she had a great time and that the class was well-behaved.

Here is an update of things to come this week:

Math Groups- New math groups were formed while I was gone.  The new chapter is "Adding Whole Numbers"

Times Tables- We are almost finished with passing off 2's and will be moving onto 5's this week.

Reading/Language Arts- Daily 5 will continue.  The students will learn about picking "Good Fit" books.  They will also continue read-to-self and word work.  The students will soon be starting their Four Square persuasive writing on Iron County.  We also will be working on Mountain Language and studying a different part of speech each week.

Cursive Writing- continuing lower case

Unit Study-  Tomorrow will be our last rotation for Iron County.  We are planning our Parowan fieldtrip for Sep. 27th.  More info. to follow in the newsletter next week.
*On September 27, we will be taking the students on a field trip to Parowan.  We will be visiting the Old Rock Church, the Cemetery, Heritage Park, the Jesse N. Smith Home and the Priddy Meeks home.  Space is very limited on the bus, therefore there will not be room for extra volunteers. Sorry! :(
The plan is to have all students eat a school sack lunch that day.  If this is a problem, please let me know.


Thank You!

Newsletter 8/27 - 8/31

Hello! Here is the information for this week:

Homework:  Thank you for encouraging your children to complete their homework.  I have asked the students to have their homework checked by a parent or older sibling before they bring it back to school.  The students earn extra incentives when they have a parent initial their homework and turn it in at the first of class.  Occasionally there will be a problem on the homework that has not yet been covered in class.  If this is the case, help your child the best you can and I will go over it in class the next day.

Daily 5:  We have started our listening, word work and read-to-self.  It is all going along nicely!  Each child has their own bag of books on their reading level to enjoy during read-to-self time.

Math Groups:  We will be finishing up our chapter on numeration this week.  Next week we will begin our chapter on adding numbers.

Times Tables:  We are currently working on our 2 times tables.  We will try to get them passed off by the end of this week.

Cursive:  Our students are continuing to show great improvements with the cursive writing.  Encourage your child to write a little in cursive at home to reinforce this skill.

Unit Study: We have started our unit on Heat & Light.  The students will have a chance to move as a class to the other teachers for a lesson and experiment.  Next, we will be studying the history of Iron County.

Grades:  Please check your child's grades periodically on Powerschool.  On Thursdays I meet with your child to check their eligibility to shop at the class store on Fridays.  The students must maintain an 80% or above to qualify.

*I want to inform you of a personal situation that I will be attending to throughout next week.  I will be absent on Friday (8/31) through Friday (9/7).  On Friday I will be at the wedding of my niece in Salt Lake.  I will then be traveling to Gilbert, AZ to stay with my 5 nieces and nephews whose mother is undergoing surgery for a brain tumor.  Fortunately, I was able to get Jeanne Boggess to be the substitute during that time.  She has worked in my class a lot in the past and knows our classroom procedures very well. I appreciate your understanding at this time.  I know it is not ideal to leave my students this early in the year, but life situations arise that are out of our control.  Your children are doing so well, and I have no doubt that they will carry on just fine with Mrs. Boggess.
Thank you again!

Back in the swing of things!

We had a fabulous first couple of days of schools!  Thank you for sending your students ready to learn.
We have started right into the meat of the third grade curriculum.  The students have been a little bit tired, but kept great attitudes.  Here are some specifics that will help you out as we get started:

Folders:  Please make sure your child turns in a folder every morning.  That is the only way I can assure that your child is taking everything home.

Spelling: Will be sent home today in the folders.  We will work on spelling packets in class.  They will only be sent home if they aren't finished up during school time.  If your child happens to miss a spelling test on Friday, you are able to give the test to them at home.  Please send in a copy of the test so I can record the score.

Vocabulary: We will not start vocabulary for a couple of weeks.

Math:  We have now formed our math groups.  Each child is placed in a group that best fits their skill level.  The students will have a chance to have all three third grade teachers at some time throughout the year.  Math is held each day from 1:00- 2:15. (Wed. 12:30- 1:20)  Our first chapter is on Place Value/Numeration.

Reading/Language Arts- We will be starting Daily 5 this week.  During Daily 5 the students will be participating in Read-to-Self, Read-to-Someone, Writing, Word Work and Listening.

Cursive:  The students completed two cursive letters last week.  We plan to learn at least 3 more this week.

Times Tables:  We will have pass-offs for 0's & 1's this week.  Please review these each night with your child.  You hopefully received flashcards that will help with this.

Parent Volunteers:  We usually like to establish our routine before we start having our helpers come.  We will plan to start in October.  I will post more info. as we get closer.

Please feel free to contact me.  My school hours are 8:20 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.  The school number is 586-2850.  Or feel free to message me on my phone- 435-817-3732.  Text messages work really well for me along with emails.  My email address is  marie.holmes@ironmail.org

Thank you!