Looking ahead to the week of January 6

Fossil Frank visited our class Tuesday.  He shared some fossils he found in South Carolina.  Students had the opportunity to take a closer look at these artifacts.  They also did a little "fossil hunting" of their own!

           

Happy last school week of 2013, families!

Looking ahead:  The children will begin a unit on division in math (lesson 7-1 through 7-4).  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day, as this will help him/her with division!  Students will quiz on their 8s multiplication facts the Tuesday they return from break.  As scientists, students will learn about the different types of rocks through various hands-on experiences.  In reading, students will be introduced to their second semester reading logs.  Mrs. West will model how to respond to the new log's questions, and the children will practice.  Students will be responsible for completing these logs each week and turn them in on Fridays (beginning the following week).  Please see an extended note regarding logs below.  Students will also be checking in on their reading goals for this nine week, and doing differentiated small group work with Mrs. West.  As writers, the children will revisit the parts of speech and begin studying expository writing.  They will also continue learning cursive handwriting.

Winter Celebration:  Thank you for all of your donations for our Winter Celebration this Friday.  Your support made our party possible!  A special thanks to Ms. Hart for organizing the party for the children!  Pictures of our celebration will appear in the first blog post of 2014!

Read-in!  Students are welcome to bring a blanket and/or pillow Friday for our morning Read-in, along with their favorite books from home!  We'll cozy up around the room and read our favorite stories.  The kids will also enjoy some fun winter read alouds, before our party in the afternoon.

Reading log reminder:  Students are to read at home every night (Monday - Thursday) and write down what they read in their reading logs.  I do spot checks of these logs throughout the week.  Many students are having a bit of trouble with this routine.  Starting in the new year, the format of the reading log will change and the amount of work will increase each night, in order to prepare students for the even higher expectations of the fourth grade curriculum.  Parents will also be required to sign logs each day. Each log will be graded, once it is turned in on Fridays.  While this is 100% the students' responsibility, if you could give your child a gentle reminder to make sure he/she is reading at home each night and documenting the pages read in a log, I would greatly appreciate it!

I hope you all have a wonderful winter break.  Enjoy these next two weeks with your sweet kids!  I look forward to seeing their smiling faces Monday, January 6, 2014!  Thank you again for all that you do!

Students learned how to code computer programs this week in the Computer Lab, as a part of a worldwide campaign to encourage people to code ("The Hour of Code!")!  They taught Mrs. West what they learned and continued to practice in class.  The kids challenge you to learn how to code, too!  

Kylie taught us all about rocks and minerals, when she completed a PowerPoint for the "Immerse Yourself" portion of her homework!  Thanks for sharing, Kylie!

Looking ahead to the week of December 16

Please be sure to contact Ms. Hart, our assistant homeroom mom, to find out how you can help with our winter celebration!  Thank you to the families, who have already donated!  Your donations make our celebration possible!

Hello, families!  I hope you all found time to rest and curl up with a good book over the weekend!

Looking ahead:  The children will wrap up their most recent unit on multiplication and practice persevering through multi-step problems (lesson 6-9).  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will quiz on their 7s multiplication facts next week.  Their math study guide, which went home Monday, December 9, is due Monday, December 16.  Students will test next Tuesday.  As scientists, students will review land changes, soil, fossils, and natural resources (a study guide went home Monday, December 9).  They will test next Wednesday.  The children will also enjoy a visit from Fossil Frank.  He will lead them in a hands-on investigation of fossils. In reading, students will practice finding key details to support main ideas in stories, while working on a CLOSE reading in small groups.  As writers, the children will finish researching and drafting their opinion pieces and continue learning cursive handwriting.

Impact Aid Forms:  Thank you so much for returning all of the forms!  Our class met our goal!  The students will receive a special treat from Mrs. Bailey, when they return from winter break.

Holiday Shoppe:  The Holiday Shoppe is here!  The kids are excited about supporting our PTO (and picking up a little something for family and friends) by purchasing fun gifts at our annual Holiday Shoppe!  Students will preview the Holiday Shoppe Tuesday.  They will have the opportunity to purchase items from the Shoppe Wednesday, December 11.  The children have been reminded that they are responsible for any money they bring to school.  Remember:  No parents are allowed in the Holiday Shoppe (it would ruin the great surprises your Beacon brings home to you)!  

"Being There Experience" payment:  If you chose option two (to split up your field trip payments), the next payment of $20 was due Friday, December 6.

I know the children a truly excited about their upcoming extended break.  Please continue to remind your child that every day and moment counts!  Thank you for encouraging your child to do his/her personal best, both academically and behaviorally, during these last few days of 2013 at BRES!  

I hope you all have a wonderful week!  Thank you again for all of your support and enthusiasm!

Taylor shared her "Immerse Yourself" homework with us.  She reviewed land and water features by creating a PowerPoint.

Students took a look outside our hallway doors for examples of weathering, erosion, and deposition.  Challenge your child to find examples of each at home, too!

Looking ahead to the week of December 9

Students took part in our school's annual LAPATHON to promote physical education awareness!  Each student received a playground ball and jump rope to use to exercise at home!

Happy December, families!  I hope you all enjoyed your break with your sweet families!  I know the children had fun!

Looking ahead:  The children will continue learning about multiplication fact patterns (lessons 6-5 through 6-8).  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will quiz on their 6s multiplication facts next week.  As scientists, students will learn about land changes (both rapid and slow).  They will also take a look at natural resources and fossils.   In reading, students will continue practicing summarizing and recounting stories, while working on CLOSE reading in small groups.  They will revisit sequencing, as they summarize.  As writers, the children will take a look at the features of opinion writing and continue learning cursive handwriting.

Our next half-day:  Thursday, December 5, will be a half-day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:30.  Lunch will be served.  If your child's transportation changes, please send a note!  Interims will be issued in communication folders on December 5.  Please take a moment to reflect on your child's interim with him/her.

"Being There Experience" payment:  If you chose option two (to split up your field trip payments), the next payment of $20 is due Friday, December 6.

Please be sure to check out the letter regarding our winter celebration!  It was sent to you in an email Tuesday morning.  You will also find a hard copy in your child's communication folder this Thursday!  A big thanks to Ms. Hart for organizing the party!

Thank you for all of your support during our LAPATHON!  Third grade walked/ran the most laps, in support of physical education awareness!  We appreciate the families, who were able to walk with us!  A big thanks to Mr. Schirmer and Ms. Sarratt for the playground balls and jump ropes the kids get to keep at home, to use when they exercise!

One last note:  Thank you so much for your kind words and tokens of appreciation, during American Education Week.  They meant more to me than you will ever know!  

I hope you all have a wonderful week!  Thank you again for all of your support and enthusiasm!

The Rotary Club stopped by to donate dictionaries to everyone in our class!  They were a big hit with the kids!

Maxi visited the Hanover House during his Fall Break and shared some neat photos during morning meeting!  Students will note the Hanover House was built by a Huguenot.  You can visit it at Clemson University!  Check out some of Maxi's photos:

Looking ahead to the weeks of November 25 and December 2

Hello, families!  I hope you all are having a fantastic start to your week!  Please note:  This will be the last post for November!

If you have not signed and returned your child's report card cover, please do so, as soon as possible!

Looking ahead:  The children will kick off their next unit of multiplication (lessons 6-1 through 6-4).  They will look at the Distributive Property, and the numbers 3, 4, 6, and 7, as factors.  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will quiz on their 5s multiplication facts, when they return from fall break.  As scientists, students will classify soils, and illustrate land and water features.   In reading, students will learn about summarizing and recounting stories, while working on CLOSE reading in small groups.  As writers, the children will kick off a unit on opinion writing.

Our next half-day:  Thursday, December 5, will be a half-day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:30.  Lunch will be served.  If your child's transportation changes, please send a note!  Interims will be issued in communication folders on December 5.  Please take a moment to reflect on your child's interim with him/her.

"Being There Experience" payment:  If you chose option two (to split up your field trip payments), the next payment of $20 is due Friday, December 6.

LAPATHON:  Please continue collecting contributions for our LAPATHON!  Your donations will go toward our Physical Education program.  Your child's LAPATHON envelope is due November 22.  Our goal is to collect $5,000, as a school!  Your child will receive a playground ball and a jump rope from Ms. Sarratt and Mr. Schirmer, to encourage physical activity at home.  Our actual LAPATHON will be held Monday, November 25.  Please have your child wear tennis shoes for our LAPATHON.  Students will be walking/jogging around the bus loop at 10:30 (to 11:00).  You are welcome to join us at that time!  We have a friendly competition each year among the grade levels to see which grade level can walk/jog the most laps... third grade has won three years in a row! 

As always, thank you again for your support and enthusiasm!  I hope you all enjoy the fall break.  If you travel... do so safely!  I look forward to the students returning December 2.

Check out some of our snapshots from our last "Being HERE Experience" with Diamond Del!  The children enjoyed mining for rocks and minerals!

Nidhi created a scene from Colonial life for the "Immerse Yourself" portion of her homework!  Thank you, Nidhi, for letting us keep it in the immersion are for the Colonial unit!

Looking ahead to the week of November 18

We learned about Veterans Day in many ways this past week!  Ms. Sease shared a read aloud about veterans.  The Army Band performed at our school.  On Monday, the chorus celebrated with a heartfelt performance.  Students also shared their Veterans Day letters to visitors at the military breakfast.  To our veterans and current military service members... we thank you!

Hello, families!  I hope you all are curling up with a good book this week... it's the perfect thing to do during a cold snap!

If you have not signed and returned your child's report card cover and/or Diamond Del permission brochure, please do so, as soon as possible!

Looking ahead:  Students will learn about solving two-question problems (covering lesson 5-7).  They will also review and test on Unit Five next Wednesday.  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  As historians, students finish their colonial picture books.  Students will review and test on their Colonial Unit next week.  This test will be open book/fact file.  In reading, students will learn about sequencing through various activities.  They will also continue working on their cursive handwriting.

A new SAIL schedule:  Please look for a special email coming soon to your inbox, regarding a new SAIL schedule.  As you may know, we have a new science lab teacher, Mrs. Gomez!  Science will become a part of the SAIL rotation next week! 

Diamond Del:  Students will enjoy their next "Being Here Experience"  this Friday!  Diamond Del will be visiting our school.  Students will have the opportunity to mine for rocks and minerals, which is a great way to kick off our next science unit, "Don't Take it for Granite!"  If your child would like to purchase an extra item or two from Diamond Del (pictured in the brochure you signed), he/she is welcome to bring in money.  Your child will be responsible for holding on to his/her money.  Also, please dress your child warmly on Friday... we will be mining outside!

LAPATHON:  Please continue collecting contributions for our LAPATHON!  Your donations will go toward our Physical Education program.  Your child's LAPATHON envelope is due November 22.

A special note about responsibility:  I do my personal best to encourage children to hone their LIFESKILL of responsibility in third grade, in hopes that it will better prepare them for the rest of their time in Richland Two, all the while, teaching them a skill that will be necessary for them to implement, as an adult.  Unfortunately, we've recently had several responsibility issues arise.  Just as a friendly reminder:  Please encourage your child to be responsible for turning in homework on time, reading and filling out his/her log each night, practicing basic math facts every day, as well as, completing study guides by their due dates.  Together, I know we can help your child exceed the expectations!

As always, thank you again for your support and enthusiasm!  I appreciate it more than you know!

Check out some more special moments from this past week:

Landon wrote an informational piece about Native American nations for the "Immerse Yourself" portion of his homework and shared it with our class.  

Ms. Sease worked with third grade students on the new FINDS Research Model.  We look forward to implementing this model in the future.

Looking ahead to the week of November 11

Check out what one of our third graders created, as a part of his homework ("Immerse Yourself")!  He decided to create a diorama for our Native American immersion area.

Hello, families!  I hope you enjoyed your extra hour of rest the past weekend!  

If you have not signed and returned your child's report card cover and/or Diamond Del permission brochure, please do so, as soon as possible!

Looking ahead:  Students will continue learning about different fact patterns in multiplication (covering lessons 5-3 through 5-6).  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Also, please remember, your child is welcome to take home his/her math textbook any day, as a resource for extra practice.  Just make sure your child returns the textbook the following school day.  As historians, students will begin studying the first colonial settlements in South Carolina.  In reading, students will continue studying main idea and practice analyzing primary documents.  As writers, the children will make colonial life books (based on our social studies unit).  They will also begin cursive handwriting!

Celebrating our Veterans:  Third grade will be celebrating veterans during the month of November, in honor of Veterans Day.  We have chosen to adopt one of our very own Bookman parents, Mr. Kevin Dollar, who is currently overseas serving in Jordan. Mr. Dollar is the father of Alexa Dollar in third grade. We would like to shower Mr. Dollar with items to remind him of "home" in South Carolina while he is away from family and friends. We are asking that students send in non-perishable items such as Gatorade, candy, cookies, etc. Our first care package will be mailed on November 15. Please send your items to your child's teacher by November 14.  We will send other care packages throughout the year. We hope you will help us send "home" to Mr. Dollar!

***We have yet to receive any donations from our class for our third grade veteran, whom we are sponsoring.  If you are able to do so, please send in any items you may have at home!  Thank you for your participation!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week and we look forward to seeing you at our Veterans Day celebration on Monday!

Students collaborate in some form or fashion every day in our class.  Check out some snapshots of collaboration from our Daily 5 choice time (editing Veterans Day letters)!

Looking ahead to the week of November 4

Mr. Von Plinsky, a war veteran, visited our class last week to talk about the importance of Veterans Day.  He also answered many questions about the time he served in the military.  Students will use the experience to inspire them to write letters to veterans, which will be handed out at our military breakfast on November 11.

Hello, families!  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and stayed bundled up with a good book.  Be sure to set your clocks back by one hour this upcoming weekend...  Daylight Saving Time ends!

Picture Day is here!  Students will have their pictures taken Wednesday, October 30.  If you would like to purchase photos, please fill out and return the picture packet, which went home in last week's communication folder.

This week's communication folders:  

• Report cards will be issued this Thursday!  Please take a moment to review your child's report card with him/her.  Now is a good time to reflect on this nine weeks and set goals for the next quarter.  You will also find a self-reflection in your child's report card cover.  Please sign and return only the report card cover.  You may keep the contents of the report card cover.  
• You will also find a brochure for our next "Being HERE Experience!"  Diamond Del will be visiting BRES in two weeks.  You will need to sign and return this brochure.  It gives your child permission to partake in this activity.  If your child would like to bring money to purchase items you see in the brochure, please wait until November 15 (when Diamond Del is here)!

Thursday, October 31 is a half-day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:30.  Lunch will be served.  Please make sure your child wear tennis shoes this day, as they will be attending PE for SAIL.  Also, if your child's transportation changes, please send a note to school, so I may inform the office.

Looking ahead:  Students will test on unit four then will begin studying multiplication factors in math (covering lessons 5-1 through 5-2).  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  As historians, students will begin learning about specific explorers and the effects exploration had on Native American nations in South Carolina.  In reading, students will continue studying main idea and enjoy a Common Core research lesson with Ms. Sease in the Media Center.  As writers, they will finish drafting and editing their veterans' letters.

Special thanks to Mrs. Donaldson and Mr. Matt for chaperoning our Lexington County Museum "Being There Experience" last Friday!  Be sure to check out some great snapshots of our trip below!

A note from the Health Advisory Committee:  With Halloween fast approaching, we wanted to take this opportunity to review our policies and procedures regarding this day.  We will not be celebrating this holiday in school; this includes any "party" type of celebrations, costume attire, or treat bags.  Classroom snack choices, for those teachers who generally allow them during the day, will continue to follow our healthy snack guidelines which are found in your child's agenda book and on our website. Teachers are asked to ensure adherence to these guidelines during the day. We appreciate your understanding, acceptance and support of these policies.

Celebrating our Veterans:  Third grade will be celebrating veterans during the month of November, in honor of Veterans Day.  We have chosen to adopt one of our very own Bookman parents, Mr. Kevin Dollar, who is currently overseas serving in Jordan. Mr. Dollar is the father of Alexa Dollar in third grade. We would like to shower Mr. Dollar with items to remind him of "home" in South Carolina while he is away from family and friends. We are asking that students send in non-perishable items such as Gatorade, candy, cookies, etc. Our first care package will be mailed on November 15. Please send your items to your child's teacher by November 14.  We will send other care packages throughout the year. We hope you will help us send "home" to Mr. Dollar!

***We have yet to receive any donations from our class for our third grade veteran, whom we are sponsoring.  If you are able to do so, please send in any items you may have at home!  Thank you for your participation!

Thank you again for all of your support and enthusiasm!  It means the world to me!  Have a great week!

Enjoy some snapshots of our Lexington County Museum "Being There Experience!"  The Museum is open to the public for free on December 8, 2:00 - 5:00, for its annual Open House!  It sounds like it will be a good time and great learning experience for the children!