Dear Parents,

After much waiting I have received confirmation that I have been scheduled for surgery next week. Minnette Langley will sub for me beginning Wednesday, September 19, so that I may complete my final doctor appointments prior to surgery. My recovery period is estimated to be between 4-6 weeks. As I stated before, Mrs. Langley is an experienced long-term sub, and has come to me with high recommendations. Moreover, she is loved by the students, which is obvious and heartwarming when I have observed them interact with her. Mrs. Parker, our principal, has also observed Mrs. Langley in my classroom and has reported to me that the class was run smoothly and effectively. It is the combination of Mrs. Langley’s classroom management skills and relationship with the students that make her such a good fit in my absence.

The best way to communicate with Mrs. Langley about your child is to either write a note in his or her planner or call the classroom telephone at (903) 291 – 2129. Mrs. Langley knows how to access my voice mail and will return your calls. Additionally, Mrs. Langley will be sure to send home the weekly spelling and vocabulary words. She will also have the students write them in their planners. I will not be able to keep my blog updated during my convalescence. However, you may access and subscribe to the other third grade teachers’ blogs through my blog to stay updated on third grade happenings.

Thank you all for your understanding, support, prayers, and best wishes during this time. Sometimes it takes a trial to know how blessed we truly are. This is very true for me. I will be thinking of you all, especially my students, and looking forward to a speedy recovery so that I can get back to doing what I love to do ~ teach children.

Today students received their weekly math homework, Skill Practice p. 10, which is due Thursday, September 20. This is a place value assignment. Place value charts will be sent home tomorrow if your child needs it for support in answering the questions.

In addition, students received a short reading passage with questions titled “Learning About Chimpanzees,” which is also due on Thursday, September 20. Students need to take their time reading the passage and the questions carefully before deciding on the best answer choice.

Graded papers have gone home today in the homework folder. There is a new place to initial on the inside pocket of the homework folder with Monday dates replacing Thursday dates. Please help your child keep the graded papers separate from the weekly homework and notices. Graded papers do not need to be returned.

Lastly, 20 minutes of nightly reading is also required Monday through Thursday to build fluency. A general rule to follow to know if your child has an appropriate level book is the 5-finger rule. The students have been taught to read one page and put up one finger for each word they do not know on that page. If less than five fingers are up, the book is not too hard. If five or more fingers are up, the book is too hard. In order to build fluency, students must have books that they can read with a natural flow.

Students have access to my classroom library and the school library on a daily basis. Books are encouraged to be taken home. If your child is consistently not bringing home a book please write a note in the planner.

If your child has time after all I have mentioned above, it is also very important to drill those basic addition and subtraction facts with either computer or web-based games as well as old fashioned flashcards and matching games.

Thank you for all of your support.