Get your box tops ready and bring them to class! Make sure your name and my name are on each one. If we work together, we might be the top class and win something amazing. Plus, you might win a spot on the float in the homecoming parade! So, get to cutting!!
The first progress report came home with your student yesterday.
Please look over it, sign at the bottom, and return with your student on Monday.
Here is a link to the slide show from 3rd Grade Parent Orientation. Mrs. Neely made reference to these slides during her talk. There is great information in this slide show about third grade and the expectations for the students.
Slide Show Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PNZ9uP6_r42vIErEYkx8KKC2GIyinvQWH7tmgiVwUg0/edit
If you missed parent orientation, be sure to check out the video on the White Oak Intermediate blog.
Dear Parents,
Spelling City is now up and running on Mrs. Johnson’s class blog. All your child needs to do is click on the Spelling City image on the right sidebar and he or she will be able to practice the weekly spelling and vocabulary words in a variety of engaging ways.
Additionally, Ms. Black has kindly volunteered to add informative posts to this blog during Mrs. Johnson’s absence. Thank you, Ms. Black.
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.
The following list is from our reading selection for this week titled, Destiny’s Gift. The reading comprehension test for this story and related vocabulary test from this list is on Friday, September 21.
1) block – a part of a street marked off by the two nearest cross
streets
2) spreading – to open out wide or wider
3) afford – to be able to pay for or spare
4) customers – a person who regularly buys goods or services
5) contacted – to get in touch with
6) raise – to gather together; collect
7) earn – to gain by working or by supplying service
8) figure – to work out by thinking
The following spelling words are a list of high-frequency words that are tested in context. Students need to know how to spell these words and use them correctly in a sentence.
The spelling test is on Friday, September 21.
Students, please study these words and how to use them in a sentence as part of your homework routine Monday – Thursday. If you practice on paper you do not have to turn it in to me. Just ask your parents to sign your planner after you have studied your words and read at least 20 minutes. Then I will know you have practiced.
1) below
2) saw
3) something
4) thought
5) both
6) between
7) there
Let’s go there.
There are three boys here.
8) help
9) from
10) their
Their house is humongous!
11) back
12) said
13) right
You’re right again.
Turn right on that street.
14) first
15) could
16) never
Wednesday, September 19, is an early release day for teacher in-service. Intermediate students will be released at 12:30 P.M. Lunch times will be adjusted on this day to accommodate the early release. School administration has requested that parents not plan to eat with their children on this day due to the shortened schedule. Thank you all for your understanding.
There has been a change in the day graded papers will be sent home in all third grade classrooms. Instead of graded papers being sent home on Thursdays, they will now be sent home on Mondays. A revised document with the new dates and place for parents to initial will be glued on top of the old document in the homework folders. This change will begin this Monday, September 17. These papers are for you to keep. Please help your child keep the homework folder cleaned out each week because it is easy to have old papers, notices, and spelling lists accumulate causing an organization issue for your child. Thank you for your help with this important part of your child’s learning – organization.