Looking ahead to the week of August 29 (Week A)

Students enjoyed listening to My Map Book, which inspired them to create heart maps.  The ideas within these heart maps will serve as story starters throughout the year!

Hello, families!  We are having a wonderful first full week of school!

Important forms:  Please sign and return all of the forms that were sent home in this week's communication folder (if you have not done so already).  All of the information needs to be filed in the office or in my classroom.  Also, please send me an email with your child's name in the subject line, so that I may save your email address (if you have not received an email from me already).

Transportation:  If your child's transportation has changed (or is ever is different than usual throughout the school year), please send a note with your child to school. 

Communication folders:  Graded work will start going home in next week's communication folder.

Looking ahead to next week:  Students will continue studying human systems, industries, natural resources, and major cities of South Carolina.  Just a reminder:  they will receive their first social studies study guide Tuesday, August 30.  It is due Tuesday, September 6 (the day we will go over it in class).  As mathematicians, the children will practice wrap up their Topic 1.  They will receive a study guide Friday, August 26.  It is due Tuesday, August 30.  Students will have their first math test Wednesday, August 31. They will then kick off Topic 2 with addition and subtraction properties and meanings.  Be sure to check out our Topic 2 family letter below.  As writers, students will study nouns.  In reading, students will be continue building their reading stamina and discussing how to choose a "just right" book, as well as, studying story elements.  They will also practice reading in partnerships and take their reading inventory tests, which will determine their lexile levels.  The children will also have their first spelling pre-assessment.  It will contain all of the kindergarten high-frequency words.  These will be checked for accuracy and go home next week with a letter explaining how we do spelling in third grade.

Open House:  I hope you'll be able to join me at Open House, Thursday, September 1 (6:00 - 6:30).  I will be highlighting some important points from my Open House booklet.  If are unable to make it, no worries!  You'll receive a paper copy in your child's communication folder Thursday, September 8, if you are unable to attend Open House.

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

Looking ahead to the week of August 22 (Week B)

Hello, families!  I hope you and your child had a great start to the school year!  I know I've enjoyed getting to know all of the children.  It is going to be a wonderful year!

"The West Wire":  If you haven't visited our class blog yet, well, welcome!  This is how I will be communicating with families each week, in an effort to save paper!  You will find important dates, class happenings and even see pictures of things we do in class.  This newsletter will be updated every Thursday (at the latest)!  I'm asking that you bookmark this site and check it out every week, in order to stay informed about our class.  You can sign up for e-mail updates, toward the bottom of our blog.  Be sure to always view it using the desktop/web version!  If you do not have weekly, easy computer access, please let me know.

Important forms:  Please sign and return all of the forms that were sent home in this week's communication folder.  All of the information needs to be filed in the office or in my classroom.  Also, please send me an email with your child's name in the subject line, so that I may save your email address (if you have not received an email from me already).  I also encourage you to complete this short survey, from Welcome Back Night, if you haven't done so!  Welcome Back Night: Information Station

Homework:  Your child was issued his/her first homework packet Friday, August 19.  This packet will not be due until the following Friday (August 26).  We will discuss homework procedures at Open House a bit more, but I just wanted to make you aware that your child will have one week to complete this homework packet.  This allows students to learn time management and responsibility skills.  For instance, if your child plays a sport two nights a week, you can double-up on a night with no ball practice.  The homework will be simple at first, but evolve a bit more throughout the school year.  Please understand that students will not receive an extra homework packet it they lose their initial one (this is a third grade procedure).

Transportation:  If your child's transportation has changed (or is ever is different than usual throughout the school year), please send a note with your child to school.

SAIL (Related Arts):  Students have been curious about their SAIL schedule this year.  The children will have the following SAIL rotation this year (unless you are otherwise notified):

A Weeks:

• Mondays – PE (Wear tennis shoes!)
• Tuesdays - Art
• Wednesdays – PE (Wear tennis shoes!)
• Thursdays - Music
• Fridays - Computer

B Weeks:

• Mondays - Art
• Tuesdays - PE (Wear tennis shoes!)
• Wednesdays - Music
• Thursdays - Computer
• Fridays - Enrichment Day (It’s best to wear tennis shoes!)

Looking ahead:  As readers, students will begin to practice Daily 5 procedures and reading stamina.  In writing, children will begin setting up their Writer's Notebook and practice writing complete sentences.  As mathematicians, students will begin studying number concepts, using Envision Topic 1 (See the family letter below).  Just a reminder:  It's never to early to have your child begin memorizing his/her multiplication facts!  In social studies, students will kick off a unit about South Carolina.  They'll study regions, landforms, the climate, and river systems.

Open House:  I hope you'll be able to join me at Open House, Thursday, September 1 (6:00 - 6:30).  I will be highlighting some important points from my Open House booklet.  If are unable to make it, no worries!  You will receive an Open House booklet in your child's communication folder the following week.

Class Schedule:  Be sure to check out our class schedule:

Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm and support!  We're going to make a great team and work hard to ensure your child has a successful year in third grade!