Looking ahead to the week of September 8

Hello, families!  I hope you all enjoyed your three-day weekend!  

Social Studies study guide:  Just a reminder that your child's social studies study guide is due next Monday, September 8.  The children will take the unit test is two parts - they will have a vocabulary test September 9 (on the vocabulary words in their fact file, which will start going home Thursday) and they will have a unit test September 11.  In order to be successful on this unit assessment, students will need to review the study guide, chapter 2 in their book, as well as all items in their fact file.   They will need to know how to label a South Carolina map with the regions, river systems (see MAP 3), fall line, and bordering states and ocean (see MAP 1). They will not need to memorize the major cities' exact locations, but should be comfortable with where they are in our state. Please know as the year goes on, that the students will be asked to be responsible for knowing what to study, but since it is their first BIG third grade test, I wanted to give you a bit of guidance.  Also, please note:  Students must return their textbook and fact file each day.  Please make sure your child does not leave these resources at home!

Looking ahead:  In math, students will continue to study multiplication and division strategies.  They will receive their first math study guide Monday, September 8.  It is due Monday, September 15.  Attached to this study guide, you will find problem sets the kids completed in class.  This will help children study, since there is no textbook for our Engage New York math program.  As historians, students will be assessed on their first social studies unit.  They will also kick off an animal unit toward the end of the week!  As writers, students will continue practicing note-taking skills, in preparation for an animal research project.  In reading, they will discuss elements of a story (characters, setting and plot), as well as, practicing Daily 5 reading routines.

Communication Folders:  Students will be receiving their first set of graded papers in their communication folders.  Please sign and return the stapled, graded work.  You may keep the top portion of your child's spelling pre-assessment, so you are aware of the words he/she needs to practice for the post-assessment, which is at the end of the month.  Also, if you were unable to attend Open House Tuesday, you will find our Open House booklet in your child's folder... please take a moment to read through it!

A few notes from our administration, regarding our new math program (Engage New York/Eureka Math):

•Eureka Math is a comprehensive math curriculum focused on a deep understanding of concept development and fluency.

•Our priority at Bookman Elementary is to provide high quality instruction. Therefore, various resources will be utilized for teaching and learning.

•Eureka Math is one primary resource that we will use this year to teach Mathematics.

•One resource that you will see throughout the year is a newsletter called, Math News.  This resource was created by a Louisiana school district for the use of this math program. 

•Math News correlates with Eureka Math and is valuable in explaining unfamiliar vocabulary and strategies unique to Eureka Math.   Some teachers may also use a newsletter called Eureka Math Tips for Parents.  This is another valuable resource that can be found at http://commoncore.org/parents

*You can find links to these web sites, throughout the year, toward the bottom of our blog, under the links' section.  If you have any questions regarding our new math program, please contact Mrs. O'Connor.  Also, please understand that we may use other math resources throughout the school year.

Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm and encouragement!  I have truly enjoyed getting to know your child... it is going to be a great year!