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: