Newsletter 9/8

We've almost completed a month of 3rd grade. The time sure flies when you're having fun! Mrs. Everett and I are truly enjoying this class.

Here is an outline of our schedule for the next couple of weeks:

Math- Our GoMath lessons are moving right along. Your support at home is much appreciated, especially as this curriculum explores many different methods in completing problems. If you find that your child is struggling with an alternate method taught by the GoMath program, please just have them complete it in the way that makes the most sense to them. The reason all of these methods are explored is to teach to a variety of thinkers, which more actively addresses our need to differentiate in the classroom. Truth be told, this first chapter seems to be the most challenging. Just hang in there!

Times Tables- We are working on passing off our 5's. I will be sending a progress report in the next day or two to let you know where your child is at with pass-offs.

Language Arts/Reading- We have started our Daily 5 Read-to-Self. The students have built their stamina up to 18 minutes (reading silently with no distractions). We are also working on Reading-with-Someone.  Each Monday, the students are paired up by level. They complete 1 minute timings and conclude with comprehension questions. Our first Writing lesson was taught last week. Right now we are working on the brainstorming process and beginning our "Step Up To Writing" program.  Our Word Work section is addressed by our spelling practice each week. Last, the Listening portion of Daily 5 is mainly accomplished by our teacher read-aloud, although listening skills are constantly worked on throughout the day.  

Framing Your Thoughts- The students have been learning and reviewing correct principles of sentence structure. Ask your child about a "bare bones" sentence and what they can do to improve it. They know all about predicate enhancers and predicate mobility.

Cursive- We continue to work on our lower case letter writing. Soon we will tackle upper case letters.

Unit Study- Mrs. Everett is in charge of our unit study for the next couple of weeks. She will be focusing on Social Studies Standards 1, 2 & 3. Standard 1 states: Students will understand how geography influences community location and development.  Standard 2: Describe how various communities have adapted to existing environments and how other communities have modified the environment. Standard 3: Analyze ways cultures use, maintain, and preserve the physical environment.  The 3 standards fit nicely in our Iron County unit and the field trip to Parowan next week. 

Following Mrs. Everett's unit, I will be teaching a unit on Force and Motion.

Music, P.E. & Art classes have started. Our new art teacher is Mrs. Davis. The students seem to love her!

Character Education- Our class has attended some presentations concerning people and their differences. The class has learned that every person in our class has strengths and weaknesses. Some people may need extra help in one area when others do not. Maintaining a supportive and kind nature is crucial to the development of each student. I am so pleased that our students seem to be internalizing this information and making an effort to make each student in our class feel comfortable and appreciated.