“December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come.”
We had a very special morning as administration treated the entire third grade to the movie "Snow Buddies." This was just the beginning of many fun activities planned for this week. We will have our class auction and our holiday party as well.
No spelling this week! We will start fresh when we return to school in January.
We will have limited math assignments as well. Please expect math homework on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Our lessons this week relate to measurement, polygons, perimeter and area.
Have a wonderful week and a fantastic holiday! See you in January! :)
Monday, December 18, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
December 11-15
“I heard a bird sing in the dark of December. A magical thing. And sweet to remember. We are nearer to Spring than we were in September. I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.”
― Oliver Herford
We were so lucky to begin our week with the 5th grade band and chorus concert! They all did an incredible job! Then the PEA Reading Buddies came for their weekly visit. Students read The Magic School Bus Space Explorers with their buddies. A great time was had by all!
Ms. Karen led the class in a Cosmic Kids yoga activity. The whole class enjoyed the Stars Wars activity. They were all engaged while stretching and strengthening their bodies.
Our math lessons this week include measuring to the nearest half inch and centimeter, generating measurement data and representing the data on a line plot. We will also measure distances around objects to the nearest half inch and compare masses. Finally we will review characteristics of polygons. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule involves Unexpected Consonant Spellings. Students will have four spelling assignments due before the test on Friday, the 15th.
Have a fantastic week! :)
― Oliver Herford
We were so lucky to begin our week with the 5th grade band and chorus concert! They all did an incredible job! Then the PEA Reading Buddies came for their weekly visit. Students read The Magic School Bus Space Explorers with their buddies. A great time was had by all!
Ms. Karen led the class in a Cosmic Kids yoga activity. The whole class enjoyed the Stars Wars activity. They were all engaged while stretching and strengthening their bodies.
Our math lessons this week include measuring to the nearest half inch and centimeter, generating measurement data and representing the data on a line plot. We will also measure distances around objects to the nearest half inch and compare masses. Finally we will review characteristics of polygons. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule involves Unexpected Consonant Spellings. Students will have four spelling assignments due before the test on Friday, the 15th.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, December 4, 2017
December 4-8
"December's wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer's memory...” John Geddes
We had a lovely Monday morning together. Students were introduced to a new (in class) reading project that focuses on Nonfiction Text Features. We also finished comprehension answers for our What Do Illustrators Do? story. Students will take the Vocabulary and Comprehension test for this story tomorrow.
Students enjoyed Brain Gym with Ms. Karen as well. They worked on Starfish stretches, Sun Salutations, Finger Tapping and Planks. They also organized their brains by making pictures using the clover leaf pattern.
Students took the Spelling Test this morning. They'll take the next Pretest on Wednesday, our Early Release day. Our next rule features Unexpected Consonant Spellings. Students will have homework on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. They'll have two more assignments due before next Wednesday's test (the 13th).
Our math lessons this week ask students to represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division, develop the subtracting-a-group strategy, and use all four operations to generate equivalent names for numbers. We will finish Unit 3 on Wednesday so we will review for the test the next day. The Unit 3 assessment will be given on Friday.
The last Scholastic book order for the year will go home today. Please consider buying books for holiday gifts for your child. I can hold the books in the classroom for parents to pick up at their convenience if that works best for a surprise gift. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a fantastic week! :)
We had a lovely Monday morning together. Students were introduced to a new (in class) reading project that focuses on Nonfiction Text Features. We also finished comprehension answers for our What Do Illustrators Do? story. Students will take the Vocabulary and Comprehension test for this story tomorrow.
Students enjoyed Brain Gym with Ms. Karen as well. They worked on Starfish stretches, Sun Salutations, Finger Tapping and Planks. They also organized their brains by making pictures using the clover leaf pattern.
Students took the Spelling Test this morning. They'll take the next Pretest on Wednesday, our Early Release day. Our next rule features Unexpected Consonant Spellings. Students will have homework on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. They'll have two more assignments due before next Wednesday's test (the 13th).
Our math lessons this week ask students to represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division, develop the subtracting-a-group strategy, and use all four operations to generate equivalent names for numbers. We will finish Unit 3 on Wednesday so we will review for the test the next day. The Unit 3 assessment will be given on Friday.
The last Scholastic book order for the year will go home today. Please consider buying books for holiday gifts for your child. I can hold the books in the classroom for parents to pick up at their convenience if that works best for a surprise gift. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, November 27, 2017
November 27-December 1
"I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer, and it is tinged with a little sorrow. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and its content." - Lin Yutang
We began our week with new vocabulary, spelling words, phonics and Anchor Text. Our new story is an informational text titled What Do Illustrators Do? Students made predictions after taking a picture walk through the story. We all enjoyed Brain Gym this morning as well.
Our math lessons this week will explore different ways to measure area, partition rectangles and represent data on a scaled bar graph. Ms. Devyn, our intern from SST, will teach tomorrow's lesson on creating scaled picture graphs. Other lessons this week include identifying square numbers and understanding the turn-around rule for multiplication. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week features Three-Letter Clusters. Students will have a spelling menu choice each night for homework. Our spelling test will take place on Friday afternoon.
We are so excited to see "Wonder" on Friday morning. Thank you to the parents who offered to be chaperones. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, we are only allowed two parents per classroom. I will contact you today if you volunteered to chaperone.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, November 20, 2017
November 20th and 21st
T hanks for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn's frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles' croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that about.
That spells THANKS for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
- Aileen Fisher, All in a Word
Have a fantastic holiday with family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving! :)
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn's frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles' croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that about.
That spells THANKS for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
- Aileen Fisher, All in a Word
Have a fantastic holiday with family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving! :)
Monday, November 13, 2017
November 13-17
"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
We began our week with a new essential question, vocabulary and spelling pretest. Our Anchor Text for the week is a narrative non fiction titled Bat Loves the Night. Students are very excited about it. We also enjoyed Brain Gym this morning and using the racquet balls to practice a balance/auditory/visual exercise.
Our math lessons this week include using partial sums addition to add 2- and 3-digit numbers, understanding column addition, reviewing the counting up method of subtraction and trying expand and trade subtraction. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule involves both short and long vowels this week. Students will have a spelling menu activity each night.
We will begin our Solar System Unit this week. I look forward to studying the moon's phases, planets and Earth's rotation with the class.
Have a wonderful week! :)
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
We began our week with a new essential question, vocabulary and spelling pretest. Our Anchor Text for the week is a narrative non fiction titled Bat Loves the Night. Students are very excited about it. We also enjoyed Brain Gym this morning and using the racquet balls to practice a balance/auditory/visual exercise.
Our math lessons this week include using partial sums addition to add 2- and 3-digit numbers, understanding column addition, reviewing the counting up method of subtraction and trying expand and trade subtraction. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule involves both short and long vowels this week. Students will have a spelling menu activity each night.
We will begin our Solar System Unit this week. I look forward to studying the moon's phases, planets and Earth's rotation with the class.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
October 31-November 3rd
"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." Nathaniel Hawthorne
We had a fabulous Halloween/Autumn celebration this afternoon. Thank you very much to the parents who planned and organized this special event. I'm grateful for all of your help.
The math test has been postponed until Thursday due to the storm day and our Halloween party. We will continue to review for the test tomorrow. Both review packets will go home tomorrow afternoon so students can study them. We will begin Unit 3 on Monday. No homework tonight due to Trick or Treat!
Students will continue to study the Long i pattern this week. Our spelling test will take place on Friday. Students have a spelling assignment due each day.
Scholastic book orders are due on November 14th. Our classroom code for ordering online is HB244.
Have a safe and fun Halloween! :)
We had a fabulous Halloween/Autumn celebration this afternoon. Thank you very much to the parents who planned and organized this special event. I'm grateful for all of your help.
The math test has been postponed until Thursday due to the storm day and our Halloween party. We will continue to review for the test tomorrow. Both review packets will go home tomorrow afternoon so students can study them. We will begin Unit 3 on Monday. No homework tonight due to Trick or Treat!
Students will continue to study the Long i pattern this week. Our spelling test will take place on Friday. Students have a spelling assignment due each day.
Scholastic book orders are due on November 14th. Our classroom code for ordering online is HB244.
Have a safe and fun Halloween! :)
Monday, October 23, 2017
October 23-28
October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins.... Merry October! Rainbow Rowell
We had a very busy Monday morning! We worked on writing, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Our Reading Buddies came from PEA and students enjoyed reading The Web at Dragonfly Pond together. Ms. Karen came for Brain Gym and helped to activate our whole body learning.
We will have our spelling test tomorrow. But we will not start our new spelling unit until Thursday. Students will have four assignments due before the next test date of November 3rd. Our new rule involves the Long /i/ pattern including i, igh and ie words.
We will finish Unit 2 in math this week. Our lessons will ask students to create mathematical representations for solving division problems, practice division number stories and learn about remainders. We will also use arrays to solve number stories and solve problems using all four operations. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework. We will review for the test on Monday and the assessment will be given the following day. Please look for the Unit 3 Family Letter in your child's folder early next week.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, October 16, 2017
October 16-20
"October was always the least dependable of months ... full of ghosts and shadows." :) ~Joy Fields
We began our week with a Word Sort activity related to our spelling pattern and anchor text. We also worked with our Leveled Readers and watched a Grammar Snap video on compound sentences. Students loved activating their brains and bodies with a visit from Ms. Karen, our physical therapist.
We were grateful to have a special guest in our class today. Her name is Annabelle and she's a student at the SST. She's in the Careers in Education program and hopes to be a teacher one day. The kids enjoyed working with her.
The spelling pretest will be given tomorrow. Students will have four spelling assignments due before the test date. The test will be given on Tuesday, October 24th. Our new rule involves the Long O pattern.
We began our week with a Word Sort activity related to our spelling pattern and anchor text. We also worked with our Leveled Readers and watched a Grammar Snap video on compound sentences. Students loved activating their brains and bodies with a visit from Ms. Karen, our physical therapist.
We were grateful to have a special guest in our class today. Her name is Annabelle and she's a student at the SST. She's in the Careers in Education program and hopes to be a teacher one day. The kids enjoyed working with her.
The spelling pretest will be given tomorrow. Students will have four spelling assignments due before the test date. The test will be given on Tuesday, October 24th. Our new rule involves the Long O pattern.
Our Learning Objective in math today relates to solving two-step number stories and is a continuation from last week's lesson. Students will also solve problems involving multiples of equal groups and make sense of multiplying by 0 and 1. We will solve array problems and play Array Bingo. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
We are very excited for our Walking Field Trip to downtown Exeter on Wednesday morning. Thank you to parents who offered to volunteer. Please sign and return your child's permission form as soon as possible, if you haven't done so yet. This experience will be a wonderful addition to our PBL unit.
Have a fabulous week! :)
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
October 10-13
"October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. It is the picture-month." Henry Ward Beecher
What a beautiful day! We began our week by writing about our long weekend. Students are becoming more proficient writers by the day. We also learned the new vocabulary for our anchor text called Destiny's Gift. We read the story and filled out a graphic organizer related to the main character's feelings, traits and motivations.
Students worked in partners on Interview Questions. Students will practice listening, speaking and note taking skills as they learn to properly interview a friend. Then we'll be interviewing school members about their positive impact on our learning community.
We will have Computer Lab this afternoon. Students are learning about Google Slides and will create a slideshow using their new skills.
Our math lessons this week include using diagrams or pictures to solve number stories. We'll also solve number stories using two operations. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Students have a one-sided spelling assignment due tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. Their test will be given on Friday.
Have a wonderful week! :)
What a beautiful day! We began our week by writing about our long weekend. Students are becoming more proficient writers by the day. We also learned the new vocabulary for our anchor text called Destiny's Gift. We read the story and filled out a graphic organizer related to the main character's feelings, traits and motivations.
Students worked in partners on Interview Questions. Students will practice listening, speaking and note taking skills as they learn to properly interview a friend. Then we'll be interviewing school members about their positive impact on our learning community.
We will have Computer Lab this afternoon. Students are learning about Google Slides and will create a slideshow using their new skills.
Our math lessons this week include using diagrams or pictures to solve number stories. We'll also solve number stories using two operations. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Students have a one-sided spelling assignment due tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. Their test will be given on Friday.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Monday, October 2, 2017
October 2-6
"In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October." Alexander Smith
We had a fantastic Monday morning with our first visit from the PEA Reading Buddies. The students will be joining us on Monday morning for 30 minutes each week. Today we read outside in the Reading Garden in small groups. Everyone enjoyed reading The Great Kapok Tree. We also participated in Brain Gym to activate whole body learning. Students really seem to appreciate this movement break.
We will finish our first unit in EDM today. On Tuesday, students will review for the test. The review will go home for practicing and study purposes. The assessment will be given on Wednesday. We will begin Unit 2 on Thursday. Please remember to refer to your child's homework for Learning Objectives. Home Links will be given on Monday and Thursday afternoons for homework.
Our new spelling rule focuses on the VCE pattern. Students will have spelling homework on Monday and Tuesday evenings. They can choose from the Spelling Menu choices. The test will be given on Wednesday. We will begin our new spelling unit on Thursday.
We will continue with our Maps and Globes unit this week as well as our PBL activities.
Have a wonderful week! :)
We had a fantastic Monday morning with our first visit from the PEA Reading Buddies. The students will be joining us on Monday morning for 30 minutes each week. Today we read outside in the Reading Garden in small groups. Everyone enjoyed reading The Great Kapok Tree. We also participated in Brain Gym to activate whole body learning. Students really seem to appreciate this movement break.
We will finish our first unit in EDM today. On Tuesday, students will review for the test. The review will go home for practicing and study purposes. The assessment will be given on Wednesday. We will begin Unit 2 on Thursday. Please remember to refer to your child's homework for Learning Objectives. Home Links will be given on Monday and Thursday afternoons for homework.
Our new spelling rule focuses on the VCE pattern. Students will have spelling homework on Monday and Tuesday evenings. They can choose from the Spelling Menu choices. The test will be given on Wednesday. We will begin our new spelling unit on Thursday.
We will continue with our Maps and Globes unit this week as well as our PBL activities.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Monday, September 25, 2017
September 25-29
"The goldenrod is yellow
The corn is turning brown
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down."
We had a fabulous start to our week! What a beautiful day! Students practiced bus evacuation procedures outside this morning. We answered our Essential Question related to A Fine, Fine School in our reading comp books. We also enjoyed doing Brain Gym with Ms. Karen before lunch.
I have decided to push back our spelling test by one day due to many little, concerned faces this morning. :) It's hard to have a spelling test on a Monday morning. Thank you to those families that studied over the weekend. I appreciate your understanding and flexibility with the new schedule. We will have our new spelling pretest on Wednesday. The next spelling test date will be Wednesday, October 4th. Students will have a spelling menu choice each night for homework.
Students were introduced to division and solved division number stories in math today. We will also be working on developing strategies for our 2s, 5s, and 10s facts this week. Other lessons include calculating elapsed time, comparing masses and dividing wholes and sets into equal shares. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Reminder *** Early Release on Wednesday!
We will continue to work on our Community activities in relation to our Project Based Learning curriculum.
Have a great week! :)
The corn is turning brown
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down."
We had a fabulous start to our week! What a beautiful day! Students practiced bus evacuation procedures outside this morning. We answered our Essential Question related to A Fine, Fine School in our reading comp books. We also enjoyed doing Brain Gym with Ms. Karen before lunch.
I have decided to push back our spelling test by one day due to many little, concerned faces this morning. :) It's hard to have a spelling test on a Monday morning. Thank you to those families that studied over the weekend. I appreciate your understanding and flexibility with the new schedule. We will have our new spelling pretest on Wednesday. The next spelling test date will be Wednesday, October 4th. Students will have a spelling menu choice each night for homework.
Students were introduced to division and solved division number stories in math today. We will also be working on developing strategies for our 2s, 5s, and 10s facts this week. Other lessons include calculating elapsed time, comparing masses and dividing wholes and sets into equal shares. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Reminder *** Early Release on Wednesday!
We will continue to work on our Community activities in relation to our Project Based Learning curriculum.
Have a great week! :)
Monday, September 18, 2017
September 18-22
"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
We had a wonderful start to our school week! Students were introduced to our new Journey's Reading program. We started with an essential question: How is learning at school different from learning at home? We worked on vocabulary, phonics and comprehension. Please ask your child about the book we read called A Fine, Fine Day.
Students were given their first spelling pretest. They will have spelling homework this week. A spelling homework page will go home this afternoon with different activities for students to choose. Our spelling test will take place next Monday so students must have four assignments completed by Friday. They will study for their test over the weekend.
Our math lessons this week involve telling time to the nearest minute and calculating elapsed time. We will also represent and interpret data on scaled bar graphs, use drawings and number models to represent and solve multiplication stories. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework. Please look for the Learning Objective sticker on each assignment.
We will continue working on our Community PBL activities this week. We will focus on what being a part of a community means and how our actions can affect our community.
Have a fantastic week! :)
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
We had a wonderful start to our school week! Students were introduced to our new Journey's Reading program. We started with an essential question: How is learning at school different from learning at home? We worked on vocabulary, phonics and comprehension. Please ask your child about the book we read called A Fine, Fine Day.
Students were given their first spelling pretest. They will have spelling homework this week. A spelling homework page will go home this afternoon with different activities for students to choose. Our spelling test will take place next Monday so students must have four assignments completed by Friday. They will study for their test over the weekend.
Our math lessons this week involve telling time to the nearest minute and calculating elapsed time. We will also represent and interpret data on scaled bar graphs, use drawings and number models to represent and solve multiplication stories. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework. Please look for the Learning Objective sticker on each assignment.
We will continue working on our Community PBL activities this week. We will focus on what being a part of a community means and how our actions can affect our community.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, September 11, 2017
September 5-8
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
Welcome to my weekly blog! Please refer here for homework questions and upcoming classroom events and activities. :)
We had a wonderful beginning to our week. Students worked cooperatively on a STEM project this morning. They had 20 minutes to build the highest tower possible using only two pieces of newspaper and 12 inches of tape. It was a difficult task, but students worked well together. We reflected on our strengths and challenges after the project in our PBL notebook (more about that later). :) We also watched an inspiring video from the Kid President.
Our math lessons this week include exploring the Student Reference Book, playing Number Grid Difference, reviewing and using a variety of tools, and using an open number line to round numbers. Students will have a one sided math assignment each night for homework with the exception of Thursday night. I will not give any homework on Open House night. Please take a moment to notice the Learning Objective or I Can statement located on a sticky label on your child's math homework. I have children add the objective to their homework each day so that parents are aware of what we are learning.
We will work on our map and globe skills this week. Students will learn to make a map legend. They will use that knowledge to create a classroom map for parents to use on Thursday night at Open House.
Students will practice writing Friendly Letters this week. They will write their first Learning Wheel entry this week for parents to find at Open House.
Have a fantastic week! :)
We had a wonderful beginning to our week. Students worked cooperatively on a STEM project this morning. They had 20 minutes to build the highest tower possible using only two pieces of newspaper and 12 inches of tape. It was a difficult task, but students worked well together. We reflected on our strengths and challenges after the project in our PBL notebook (more about that later). :) We also watched an inspiring video from the Kid President.
Our math lessons this week include exploring the Student Reference Book, playing Number Grid Difference, reviewing and using a variety of tools, and using an open number line to round numbers. Students will have a one sided math assignment each night for homework with the exception of Thursday night. I will not give any homework on Open House night. Please take a moment to notice the Learning Objective or I Can statement located on a sticky label on your child's math homework. I have children add the objective to their homework each day so that parents are aware of what we are learning.
We will work on our map and globe skills this week. Students will learn to make a map legend. They will use that knowledge to create a classroom map for parents to use on Thursday night at Open House.
Students will practice writing Friendly Letters this week. They will write their first Learning Wheel entry this week for parents to find at Open House.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, June 12, 2017
June 12-16
"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June."
- L. M. Montgomery
I can't believe it's our last full week of school. We've had such a wonderful year together as a class. It's truly bittersweet to be so close to the end.
We have Field Day tomorrow. Please help your child find a white shirt to wear since it'll be so hot. I have encouraged students to bring a large water bottle and sunscreen as well. We are going to have a fun day!
We won the Box Top Challenge so we were offered a movie and popcorn party by the PTO. The class is very excited to watch the "The Peanuts Movie" together. We are grateful to the PTO for this celebration.
Our Dress Rehearsal for the play will take place on Thursday afternoon. Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothing for this last practice. A list of costume choices went home last Friday. Teachers will provide the props. Our performance will take place on Friday morning at 9am. We hope to see all parents there.
Have a fantastic week! :)
- L. M. Montgomery
I can't believe it's our last full week of school. We've had such a wonderful year together as a class. It's truly bittersweet to be so close to the end.
We have Field Day tomorrow. Please help your child find a white shirt to wear since it'll be so hot. I have encouraged students to bring a large water bottle and sunscreen as well. We are going to have a fun day!
We won the Box Top Challenge so we were offered a movie and popcorn party by the PTO. The class is very excited to watch the "The Peanuts Movie" together. We are grateful to the PTO for this celebration.
Our Dress Rehearsal for the play will take place on Thursday afternoon. Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothing for this last practice. A list of costume choices went home last Friday. Teachers will provide the props. Our performance will take place on Friday morning at 9am. We hope to see all parents there.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, June 5, 2017
June 5-9
"Kind hearts are the gardens;
kind thoughts are the roots;
kind words are the flowers;
kind deeds are the fruits."
- English Proverb
No spelling this week due to our Ellis Island simulation and multiple play practices. We will have math homework on Wednesday and Thursday evenings only.
We are so excited to immigrate tomorrow morning. Students will be arriving at "Ellis Island" around 9:15am. Paperwork will be going home with students this afternoon regarding appropriate costumes and parent volunteer information. I look forward to this awesome experience.
Have a fantastic week! :)
kind thoughts are the roots;
kind words are the flowers;
kind deeds are the fruits."
- English Proverb
No spelling this week due to our Ellis Island simulation and multiple play practices. We will have math homework on Wednesday and Thursday evenings only.
We are so excited to immigrate tomorrow morning. Students will be arriving at "Ellis Island" around 9:15am. Paperwork will be going home with students this afternoon regarding appropriate costumes and parent volunteer information. I look forward to this awesome experience.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, May 22, 2017
May 22-26
"Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun."
- Kahlil Gibran
We began our week with the 5th grade band and chorus concert. They both had incredible performances. There is so much talent in our school. I hope to see my wonderful students up on those risers and next to those music stands in the coming years.
Students used mental math steps to multiply problems involving larger factors. Later in the week we will work with elapsed time, explore polygon relationships, find the masses of objects and partition rectangles to solve multi-digit multiplication problems. Students will have a Home Link each night.
Our spelling rule involves a review of lessons 25-29. Students will have 25 words to study this week. Homework will be given on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please help your child study on Thursday evening for his or her test.
Our last Scholastic book order will be sent home this week. All orders will be due by June 7th. Our classroom code is HB244.
Information regarding our Ellis Island Simulation went home last week. Please contact me with any questions or concerns about this awesome experience. We are hoping to get $2.00 from each family to help with the cost of food and drinks. All money and volunteer forms are due back on June 2nd. Thank you in advance for your support!
- Kahlil Gibran
We began our week with the 5th grade band and chorus concert. They both had incredible performances. There is so much talent in our school. I hope to see my wonderful students up on those risers and next to those music stands in the coming years.
Students used mental math steps to multiply problems involving larger factors. Later in the week we will work with elapsed time, explore polygon relationships, find the masses of objects and partition rectangles to solve multi-digit multiplication problems. Students will have a Home Link each night.
Our spelling rule involves a review of lessons 25-29. Students will have 25 words to study this week. Homework will be given on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please help your child study on Thursday evening for his or her test.
Our last Scholastic book order will be sent home this week. All orders will be due by June 7th. Our classroom code is HB244.
Information regarding our Ellis Island Simulation went home last week. Please contact me with any questions or concerns about this awesome experience. We are hoping to get $2.00 from each family to help with the cost of food and drinks. All money and volunteer forms are due back on June 2nd. Thank you in advance for your support!
Monday, May 15, 2017
May 15-19
"Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night."
- Rainer Maria Rilke
We began Unit 9 in math this morning. Students practiced their multiplication facts by playing Product Pile-Up in groups of three. Other lessons this week include using mental math steps to multiply problems involving larger factors, solving number stories by multiplying and dividing with multiples of 10, working with elapsed time and exploring polygon relationships. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week focuses on contractions. Students will have a spelling assignment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Please help your child study for the test on Thursday night.
Students will write their first journal entry for immigration this week. They will work with their families to create authentic journal entries to describe their experiences leaving their homeland and traveling to America.
Have a lovely week! :)
- Rainer Maria Rilke
We began Unit 9 in math this morning. Students practiced their multiplication facts by playing Product Pile-Up in groups of three. Other lessons this week include using mental math steps to multiply problems involving larger factors, solving number stories by multiplying and dividing with multiples of 10, working with elapsed time and exploring polygon relationships. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week focuses on contractions. Students will have a spelling assignment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Please help your child study for the test on Thursday night.
Students will write their first journal entry for immigration this week. They will work with their families to create authentic journal entries to describe their experiences leaving their homeland and traveling to America.
Have a lovely week! :)
Monday, May 8, 2017
May 8-12
"You are as welcome as the flowers in May."
- Charles Macklin
We were so happy to see the sun this afternoon. Students were rewarded with an extra recess for their wonderful behavior in the lunchroom at recess last week. They are working hard to accumulate the most amount of laps for our Miles in May competition.
We finished Unit 8 in math this morning by exploring the shared attributes of prisms. We will review for the test tomorrow and the assessment will be given the following day. Students will have Home Link 8.8 for homework tonight. They will have a Review Packet for tomorrow night. Students will have a Challenge homework assignment on Wednesday. We may begin Unit 9 on Thursday, but I'd appreciate some flexibility regarding homework due to timing issues.
Our spelling rule this week involves words with the /oi/ sound. Students will have a spelling assignment each night for homework.
Students are so excited about our Immigration Unit. We have five families in our classroom currently who are immigrating from Ireland, Italy, Russia, Germany and Sweden. They will pick authentic names, occupations and background stories this week. Please ask your child about this awesome experience.
Have a fantastic week! :)
- Charles Macklin
We were so happy to see the sun this afternoon. Students were rewarded with an extra recess for their wonderful behavior in the lunchroom at recess last week. They are working hard to accumulate the most amount of laps for our Miles in May competition.
We finished Unit 8 in math this morning by exploring the shared attributes of prisms. We will review for the test tomorrow and the assessment will be given the following day. Students will have Home Link 8.8 for homework tonight. They will have a Review Packet for tomorrow night. Students will have a Challenge homework assignment on Wednesday. We may begin Unit 9 on Thursday, but I'd appreciate some flexibility regarding homework due to timing issues.
Our spelling rule this week involves words with the /oi/ sound. Students will have a spelling assignment each night for homework.
Students are so excited about our Immigration Unit. We have five families in our classroom currently who are immigrating from Ireland, Italy, Russia, Germany and Sweden. They will pick authentic names, occupations and background stories this week. Please ask your child about this awesome experience.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, May 1, 2017
May 1-5
"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."
- Edwin Way Teale
I loved seeing my wonderful students this morning after being away from them for a whole week. We modeled equal sharing situations with $10 and $1 bills. Students enjoyed drawing pictures to solve these problems. We will finish Unit 8 in math this week, but will wait until next week for the assessment due to the state testing. Students will not have homework this week. We will be back to a regular schedule next Monday.
Miles in May began today. Students will have the opportunity to walk or run laps on the playground during recess time in an effort to address Fitness Month. We will compete with the other third grade classes to see who can acquire the most laps throughout the month. Please encourage your child to run or walk a few laps each day.
We will travel to Lego Land on Friday morning. I am so excited for our field trip. Please help your child to prepare for this experience with a good night's sleep, "brown bag" lunch (unless the cafeteria is making him or her one) and an on time arrival to school. We will be departing right after announcements.
Have a fabulous week! :)
All things seem possible in May."
- Edwin Way Teale
I loved seeing my wonderful students this morning after being away from them for a whole week. We modeled equal sharing situations with $10 and $1 bills. Students enjoyed drawing pictures to solve these problems. We will finish Unit 8 in math this week, but will wait until next week for the assessment due to the state testing. Students will not have homework this week. We will be back to a regular schedule next Monday.
Miles in May began today. Students will have the opportunity to walk or run laps on the playground during recess time in an effort to address Fitness Month. We will compete with the other third grade classes to see who can acquire the most laps throughout the month. Please encourage your child to run or walk a few laps each day.
We will travel to Lego Land on Friday morning. I am so excited for our field trip. Please help your child to prepare for this experience with a good night's sleep, "brown bag" lunch (unless the cafeteria is making him or her one) and an on time arrival to school. We will be departing right after announcements.
Have a fabulous week! :)
Monday, April 17, 2017
April 17-21
"A small green frog
On a big brown log;
A black and yellow bee
In a little green tree;
A red and yellow snake
By a blue-green lake,
All sat and listened
To red bird sing,
"Wake up, everybody,
It's spring! It's spring!"
We began our day with Smarter Balanced Testing. Students have been doing an excellent job on the assessment and I'm very proud of them. Testing will continue through this week and the week following vacation as well. We will not have any homework due to the testing schedule.
This week, students will pick their art work and begin the writing component for our upcoming Integrated Arts Night. Students will write poems, stories or reflections that relate to their chosen piece. Integrated Arts Night is a special event that occurs each spring. Families are invited to LSS on that night to participate in fun, community activities. More information will be forthcoming.
Scholastic book orders are due on Thursday. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a lovely week and a fantastic April vacation! :)
On a big brown log;
A black and yellow bee
In a little green tree;
A red and yellow snake
By a blue-green lake,
All sat and listened
To red bird sing,
"Wake up, everybody,
It's spring! It's spring!"
We began our day with Smarter Balanced Testing. Students have been doing an excellent job on the assessment and I'm very proud of them. Testing will continue through this week and the week following vacation as well. We will not have any homework due to the testing schedule.
This week, students will pick their art work and begin the writing component for our upcoming Integrated Arts Night. Students will write poems, stories or reflections that relate to their chosen piece. Integrated Arts Night is a special event that occurs each spring. Families are invited to LSS on that night to participate in fun, community activities. More information will be forthcoming.
Scholastic book orders are due on Thursday. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a lovely week and a fantastic April vacation! :)
Monday, April 3, 2017
April 3-7
"And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."
We finished Unit 7 in math this morning. Students did an excellent job of naming fractions of sets of objects. We even used our classmates as examples for this lesson. Students will have a Home Link for their last assignment in this unit tonight. Tomorrow we will study and review for the test. Students will have a Unit 7 Review packet for homework on Tuesday night. The test will be given on Wednesday. Homework for that night is a challenge activity. We will begin Unit 8 on Thursday. Home Link 8.1 will go home for homework. ***Family Letters for this new unit will go home this afternoon. Please review them for information on the strategies and algorithms I will be teaching to the class. Answers to homework can be found in there as well.
Our spelling rule this week involves words with the /รปr/ sound. Students will have a spelling assignment each night for homework.
We will continue to research and prepare for our upcoming Wax Museum. Students are very excited about this great project and look forward to sharing their historical figures with you.
Scholastic book orders will go home this week. Our classroom code is HB244. Paper order forms will be due back by April 20th.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."
We finished Unit 7 in math this morning. Students did an excellent job of naming fractions of sets of objects. We even used our classmates as examples for this lesson. Students will have a Home Link for their last assignment in this unit tonight. Tomorrow we will study and review for the test. Students will have a Unit 7 Review packet for homework on Tuesday night. The test will be given on Wednesday. Homework for that night is a challenge activity. We will begin Unit 8 on Thursday. Home Link 8.1 will go home for homework. ***Family Letters for this new unit will go home this afternoon. Please review them for information on the strategies and algorithms I will be teaching to the class. Answers to homework can be found in there as well.
Our spelling rule this week involves words with the /รปr/ sound. Students will have a spelling assignment each night for homework.
We will continue to research and prepare for our upcoming Wax Museum. Students are very excited about this great project and look forward to sharing their historical figures with you.
Scholastic book orders will go home this week. Our classroom code is HB244. Paper order forms will be due back by April 20th.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Monday, March 27, 2017
March 27-31
"A light exists in Spring
Not present in the year
at any other period
When March is scarcely here."
- Emily Dickinson
We began our week with a fraction lesson that involved writing a rule for ordering similar sets of fractions. Other lessons this week include partitioning distances to locate fractions on a number line, justifying fraction comparisons, and solving fraction number stories. Students will have a Home Link each night to complete.
Our spelling rule this week includes words with the /oo/ or /yoo/ sounds. Students will have a spelling assignment each night for homework.
We will continue with our Black American Unit this week. Students have been researching their historical figures and look forward to sharing their knowledge with parents at the Wax Museum.
Conference signups went home last week. Please respond using Signup Genius or through email/phone call/note. I look forward to speaking with parents soon.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Not present in the year
at any other period
When March is scarcely here."
- Emily Dickinson
We began our week with a fraction lesson that involved writing a rule for ordering similar sets of fractions. Other lessons this week include partitioning distances to locate fractions on a number line, justifying fraction comparisons, and solving fraction number stories. Students will have a Home Link each night to complete.
Our spelling rule this week includes words with the /oo/ or /yoo/ sounds. Students will have a spelling assignment each night for homework.
We will continue with our Black American Unit this week. Students have been researching their historical figures and look forward to sharing their knowledge with parents at the Wax Museum.
Conference signups went home last week. Please respond using Signup Genius or through email/phone call/note. I look forward to speaking with parents soon.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Monday, March 20, 2017
March 20-24
"Today is the day when bold kites fly,
When cumulus clouds roar across the sky.
When robins return, when children cheer,
When light rain beckons spring to appear.
Today is the day when daffodils bloom,
Which children pick to fill the room,
Today is the day when grasses green,
When leaves burst forth for spring to be seen."
- Robert McCracken, Spring
We had a fabulous math lesson today. Students enjoyed partitioning fractions strips to use for naming and comparing fractions. They made posters to bring home and share with their families. Other lessons this week include representing fractions on number lines, and identifying fractions greater than, less than and equal to ONE on a number line. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week involves a review of Unit 4 words. Students will have a one sided assignment Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for homework. Please help your child study for his or her test on Friday.
Have a fantastic week! :)
When cumulus clouds roar across the sky.
When robins return, when children cheer,
When light rain beckons spring to appear.
Today is the day when daffodils bloom,
Which children pick to fill the room,
Today is the day when grasses green,
When leaves burst forth for spring to be seen."
- Robert McCracken, Spring
We had a fabulous math lesson today. Students enjoyed partitioning fractions strips to use for naming and comparing fractions. They made posters to bring home and share with their families. Other lessons this week include representing fractions on number lines, and identifying fractions greater than, less than and equal to ONE on a number line. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week involves a review of Unit 4 words. Students will have a one sided assignment Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for homework. Please help your child study for his or her test on Friday.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, March 13, 2017
March 13-16
"All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair
The bees are stirring, birds are on the wing,
And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of spring."
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
We began Unit 7 in math today. Students enjoyed estimating and measuring liquid volumes. Students will identify equal shares and find equivalent fractions in class tomorrow. They will also solve number stories involving time, mass, and length later this week. On Thursday we will partition fraction strips and use them to name and compare fractions. Students will have a Home Link on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Thursday's homework will be done in class. :)
Our spelling rule this week involves suffix endings -ed and -ing. Students will have an assignment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The test will be given on Thursday as there will not be school for students on Friday.
We will begin our Black American Unit this week. I look forward to the wonderful literature and activities that are involved in this unit.
Scholastic book orders are due on the 16th. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a fantastic week! :)
The bees are stirring, birds are on the wing,
And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of spring."
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
We began Unit 7 in math today. Students enjoyed estimating and measuring liquid volumes. Students will identify equal shares and find equivalent fractions in class tomorrow. They will also solve number stories involving time, mass, and length later this week. On Thursday we will partition fraction strips and use them to name and compare fractions. Students will have a Home Link on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Thursday's homework will be done in class. :)
Our spelling rule this week involves suffix endings -ed and -ing. Students will have an assignment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The test will be given on Thursday as there will not be school for students on Friday.
We will begin our Black American Unit this week. I look forward to the wonderful literature and activities that are involved in this unit.
Scholastic book orders are due on the 16th. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, March 6, 2017
March 6-10
"The March wind roars
Like a lion in the sky,
And makes us shiver
As he passes by.
When winds are soft,
And the days are warm and clear,
Just like a gentle lamb,
Then spring is here."
- Author Unknown
Like a lion in the sky,
And makes us shiver
As he passes by.
When winds are soft,
And the days are warm and clear,
Just like a gentle lamb,
Then spring is here."
- Author Unknown
Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a fabulous and restful vacation. We began our week with a Dress Rehearsal for tonight's Music in our Schools concert. The kids look and sound fabulous! I am looking forward to seeing all of your families tonight. :)
We will finish Unit 6 in math this week. The Review will be done in class on Wednesday and the test will be given the following day. Students will have a Home Link tonight and Tuesday with a Review packet on Wednesday to study for their test. The Unit 7 Family Letter will go home this week. Please remember to refer to it for help with concepts, homework and strategies.
Our spelling rule this week involves words with the /รตรต/ sound. Students will have a spelling assignment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Please help your child study for his or her test on Thursday.
Scholastic book orders are due on March 16th. Our classroom code is HB244.
Have a wonderful week! :)
Monday, February 20, 2017
February 20-24
"Freezing
cold winds,
biting chills, and
white snow fluffed hills
Valentines day, oh how gay!
presidents' day is coming our way.
February, sweet and small, greatest month of all."
- Eric Lies, 28 Word Poem for February
We began our week by creating multiplication/division diagrams to solve number stories using a letter to represent the unknown amount. Students felt very grown up and enjoyed this peek into pre-algebra. Other lessons this week include playing Multiplication Top-It and applying strategies to multiply larger factors. Children will use parentheses in number sentences and practice using PEMDAS for solving multi-step problems. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week involves More Words with Long o. Students will have a spelling assignment Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for homework. Please help your child study for his or her test on Thursday.
Scholastic book orders went home last week. They'll be due back on or before March 16th. Our classroom code is HB244 for online orders.
We will attend a Techsploration regarding Simple Machines this Thursday morning. Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this awesome experience!
Have a fantastic week and vacation! :)
cold winds,
biting chills, and
white snow fluffed hills
Valentines day, oh how gay!
presidents' day is coming our way.
February, sweet and small, greatest month of all."
- Eric Lies, 28 Word Poem for February
We began our week by creating multiplication/division diagrams to solve number stories using a letter to represent the unknown amount. Students felt very grown up and enjoyed this peek into pre-algebra. Other lessons this week include playing Multiplication Top-It and applying strategies to multiply larger factors. Children will use parentheses in number sentences and practice using PEMDAS for solving multi-step problems. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week involves More Words with Long o. Students will have a spelling assignment Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for homework. Please help your child study for his or her test on Thursday.
Scholastic book orders went home last week. They'll be due back on or before March 16th. Our classroom code is HB244 for online orders.
We will attend a Techsploration regarding Simple Machines this Thursday morning. Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this awesome experience!
Have a fantastic week and vacation! :)
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
February 14-17
"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius."
- Pietro Aretino
Happy Valentine's Day! We had a great start to our school week with time spent in Computer Lab. Students practiced signing in and working on the upcoming Smarter Balanced Test. Today they practiced the Math portion and next week we will take a lot at the Reading/LA section.
There will be no math homework tonight in honor of this special holiday. Students will only have a spelling assignment. Our rule this week involves words with long o. Students will have a spelling homework each night this week.
Our math lessons this week include learning the game Beat the Calculator to self assess automaticity with multiplication facts, constructing quadrilaterals and measuring and plotting distances to the nearest half inch. Students will have a Home Link on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful parents for your support throughout the year. I appreciate my volunteers, party planners, and donators of goods and supplies. I am grateful for your help, communication and kindness.
Have a fantastic week! :)
- Pietro Aretino
Happy Valentine's Day! We had a great start to our school week with time spent in Computer Lab. Students practiced signing in and working on the upcoming Smarter Balanced Test. Today they practiced the Math portion and next week we will take a lot at the Reading/LA section.
There will be no math homework tonight in honor of this special holiday. Students will only have a spelling assignment. Our rule this week involves words with long o. Students will have a spelling homework each night this week.
Our math lessons this week include learning the game Beat the Calculator to self assess automaticity with multiplication facts, constructing quadrilaterals and measuring and plotting distances to the nearest half inch. Students will have a Home Link on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful parents for your support throughout the year. I appreciate my volunteers, party planners, and donators of goods and supplies. I am grateful for your help, communication and kindness.
Have a fantastic week! :)
Monday, February 6, 2017
February 6-10
"The birds are gone, The ground is white,
The winds are wild, They chill and bite;
The ground is thick with slush and sleet,
And I barely feel my feet."
We began our week by playing Baseball Multiplication to build fact fluency. The kids enjoyed playing cooperatively in groups of four. Other lessons this week include using square products as helper facts to find products of near squares, playing Beat the Calculator to assess automaticity with multiplication facts, constructing quadrilaterals and measuring and plotting distances to the nearest half inch. Students will have a Home Link each night for homework.
Our spelling rule this week involves Words with Short o. Students will have a spelling assignment Monday through Wednesday evenings. Please help your child study for his/her test on Thursday night.
I will be sending home a class list this week to help students who choose to make valentines for the class. Please remind your child to make valentines for all students in the class if they choose to participate in this fun event. Students will exchange valentines next Tuesday on Valentine's Day.
Have a wonderful week!
The winds are wild, They chill and bite;
The ground is thick with slush and sleet,
And I barely feel my feet."
I will be sending home a class list this week to help students who choose to make valentines for the class. Please remind your child to make valentines for all students in the class if they choose to participate in this fun event. Students will exchange valentines next Tuesday on Valentine's Day.
Have a wonderful week!
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