Dear Parents,

As you may have heard from your child, I have been on campus to visit the students and observe Mrs. Langley in the classroom in recent days.  I officially take charge of the classroom on January 7, immediately following Christmas vacation.  The extension of my anticipated absence was due to complications from my first surgery which required two additional surgeries.   The recovery process was more difficult than I anticipated, but I received many good reports from school on how well my class was doing.  Knowing that the students were in such good hands helped me focus on getting better.   Also I appreciate the team effort of all of the third grade teachers who helped in many ways while I was gone.

I am very proud of my students for doing so well while I was away, and I am very thankful to Mrs. Langley who created such a positive learning environment.  Thank you also for all of the support you have given me through the school community fundraisers and the classroom gift cards, as well as the cards and letters from the children.  Most especially thank you all for your prayers.  I must confess that there were times when I wanted to feel sorry for myself, but all of the love and support I was receiving just would not allow it.  I know God was touching my life through you.  I cannot thank you enough.  I feel well again and soon I will be reunited with my students.

I  do plan on attending the class Christmas party on Friday, December 21.  I am eager to say hello to you all and thank you in person.  If you are planning on giving a “teacher” gift, I think it most appropriate that Mrs. Langley be the recipient. She has put her heart into teaching my class and I have already received blessings too numerous to count.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

December 13th ~ cookie dough delivery

December 14th ~ Inflatable Party for top cookie dough sellers

December 17th ~ 3rd six weeks math test (afternoon)

December 18th ~ Caroling at the White Oak State Bank (morning)

December 18th ~ 3rd six weeks reading/writing test (afternoon)

December 19th ~ math strategy party/puzzle exchange

December 20th ~ reading strategy party/Early Release 11:30

December 21st ~ Christmas Party 9:00 – 10:00/ Early release 11:30

Spelling Test will be Friday, December 14th

Click on Spelling City on the side to practice games with our spelling words.

1.  once ~ Once upon a time, there was a pretty princess that lived in a castle.

2.  there ~ There are so many choices to pick from!

3.  country ~ They lived in a small country cabin.

4.  mother ~ The little boy’s mother was worried when she couldn’t find her son.

5.  father ~ My father took us to the party.

6.  their ~ Do you think they will like their new toys we bought?

7.  too ~ There is way too much water in the pot!

8.  light ~ When we leave the room, we must always turn off the light.

9.  together ~ The class will read the story together with the teacher.

10.  let ~ Will your mother let us walk home from the store?

11.  food ~ During the holidays, we eat way too much food.

12.  know ~ I know the children will be excited about the party.

13.  next ~ We will read a funny story next week.

14.  while ~ Close your eyes while I hide the gifts.

15.  there ~ There are a lot of packages to be brought in from the car.

16.  something ~ We were scared because we heard something banging on the window.

17.  write ~ We will write a story about the new puppy.

18.  place ~ Could you tell me what took place out on the playground?

**Yes, the word “there” is on the list twice.

VOCABULARY (WORDS FROM “The Science Fair”)

TEST ON FRIDAY, December 14th

1.    creative– inventive and imaginative

EXAMPLE: My teacher loves it when I share my creative ideas.

2.    report –  to tell or write about something

We had to report how tall our cabbage plants had grown.

3.    charts–  information sheets with tables or graphs

We carefully filled out the charts about the type of artwork we’d completed.

4. educational –  providing knowledge

My parents were thrilled that the movie contained facts about animals and was
educational.

5. presentation – a report or display

Our school will host a presentation of certificates to the winners of the contest.

6.    certificate – document recognizing an accomplishment

All the winners received a certificate that honored their accomplishments.

7.    impressive – generating wonder or amazement

It was impressive that my friend could recite all fifty states and capitals.

8.    erupt – to burst out

My dad’s face made him look like he was going to erupt because we bent his golf club.

Unit 11 Spelling Words

Test will be Friday, December 7th

1.  thought ~ I thought we would go to the show this weekend.

2.  something ~ We should do something before I have to return home.

3.  school ~ We will not have school during the Christmas holiday.

4.  there ~ Please place the books over there on the table.

5. need ~ There are plenty of people who need new clothes.

6.  could ~ During the thunderstorm, we could see some tornadoes.

7.  hand ~ Would you give me a hand with this heavy box.

8.  important ~ It is very important that you follow your teacher’s directions.

9.  don’t ~ The boys don’t want to go to the mall and shop.

10.  far ~ If you wonder off too far, you might lose your way.

11. your ~ Hang your coat in the closet.

12.  high ~ We can use the yardstick to measure how high off the floor you are.

13.  again ~ The class will take the test again next week.

14.  once ~ The group calmed down once they saw who was behind the curtain.

15. they ~ If they want to go to the program, they will need to finish the assignment.

16.  year ~ Can you believe that half the school year is almost over!

17. than ~ Sally has more gumballs than Peter does.

18. enough ~ Will we have enough money to purchase the new shoes?

VOCABULARY (WORDS FROM “Young Thomas Edison”)

TEST ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

1.     genius – an unusually talented or smart person

EXAMPLE: Albert Einstein was a genius in physics.

2.    signal – a sound, motion, or other sign that sends a message

My teacher held up her hand as a signal for us to listen.

3.     electric – produced by, producing, transmitting, or powered by electricity

The electric guitar was my favorite gift that I received for Christmas.

4. laboratory –  a place where scientists work and do experiments

Thomas Edison loved to tinker with numerous gadgets in his laboratory.

5.  gadget – a small, useful machine or device

The scientist didn’t need a gadget with knobs and levers for his invention.

6.    experiment –  a test to learn about how the forces of nature work

First, an inventor must perform an experiment to test an idea.

7.    invention –  something new

In the mid 1970’s, a new little invention called Post-It Notes was invented by Arthur Fry.

8.    occasional –  happening from time to time

Surely an occasional piece of chocolate won’t hurt, right?