Looking ahead to the week of March 4 (2nd PE)

After completing their American Revolution biographies, we had a few more students present them to the class. 

Thank you for all of your pledges of support for our upcoming Fun Run!  Keep them coming! 

Hi, families! 

Change in SAIL rotations:  Students will no longer be going to a STEM class every other week.  Instead, they will return to the computer lab, every other week.

Looking ahead to next week:  As scientists, students will wrap up their study about heat and matter.  They will kick off their next social studies unit, which will focus on the Antebellum Period in South Carolina.  As mathematicians, they'll study ways to combine shapes to make new shapes, as well as, 3-D shapes and nets.  We will be using the Envisions curriculum, so please see the family letter below.  As readers, students learn about using context clues through a Treasures story.   As writers, they will publish their opinion pieces and take the district writing assessment.

Thank you again for all of your support!  

Looking ahead to the week of February 25 (STEM)

After completing their American Revolution biographies, students created presentations and presented them to the class. 

Hi, families! 

Ms. Heard's last day:  Our student teacher, Ms. Heard, will leave us February 27 to join a new school for her second student teaching placement.  I'm hoping to send her off in a big way, with books that she can use in the future!  If you would like to donate gently-used or new books to her for her future classroom's library, that would be wonderful!  If so, please have your child bring in books by February 27! 

A heartfelt thank you:  Thank you so much for all of the sweet Valentine's Day surcees!  You all sure did warm my heart!  I appreciate all that you do!

Multiplication fluency quizzes:  As you know, students are being timed on their mixed multiplication quizzes.  We learned at our district's math meeting this week that students should be expected to answer 20 multiplication questions within one minute.  They will alternate taking the quizzes online and on paper and times will be adjusted accordingly.  We will continue to work on fluency in class, but please continue to work on multiplication fluency with your child daily, too!     

A message from fourth grade:

Looking ahead to next week:  As scientists, students will continue learning about properties of matter, heat, and how heat affects matter.  As mathematicians, they'll kick off their geometry unit.  We will be using the Envisions curriculum, so please see the family letter below.  As readers, students will learn how illustrations affect a story's theme.   As writers, they will continue to learn about opinion writing and review prepositions through a mentor sentence.

Thank you again for all of your support!  

Looking ahead to the week of February 18 (2nd PE)

Students enjoyed learning how our state's government works, while visiting the State House!

Hi, families! 

Ms. Heard's last day:  Our student teacher, Ms. Heard, will leave us February 27 to join a new school for her second student teaching placement.  I'm hoping to send her off in a big way, with books that she can use in the future!  If you would like to donate gently-used or new books to her for her future classroom's library, that would be wonderful!  If so, please have your child bring in books by February 27! 

Half day:  Students will have a half day February, 15.  They will be dismissed at 11:30 and lunch will be served.  Please be sure to send a note, if your child's transportation changes. 

Multiplication fluency quizzes:  As you know, students are being timed on their mixed multiplication quizzes.  We learned at our district's math meeting this week that students should be expected to answer 20 multiplication questions within one minute.  They will alternate taking the quizzes online and on paper and times will be adjusted accordingly.  We will continue to work on fluency in class, but please continue to work on multiplication fluency with your child daily, too!     

Report card sleeves:  Please be sure to sign and return your child's report card sleeve.  You may keep the contents of it!   

Valentines Day:  Several students have asked about Valentines Day at school.  They're welcome to bring in Valentines Day cards, but please keep in mind our healthy snack policy.  As students fill out Valentines, please do not have them fill out the "To" section.  This will allow us time to pass them out in a more efficient manner.  We have 19 students.

A message from fourth grade:

Looking ahead to next week:  As historians, students will wrap up their study of the three branches of government.  As scientists, they'll kick off their new unit, "What's the Matter with Matter?" (a unit all about the states of matter and sources of heat).  As mathematicians, they'll implement what they've learned about fractions when measuring to the nearest whole, half, and quarter inch.  We will not be using Envision or Engage New York for this unit, so there is no family letter for measurement.  Please consider challenging your child to measure objects around the house to the nearest whole, half, and quarter inch with ruler.  Also, it's a very short unit, so students will not have a unit test.  Instead, they will have a quiz.   As readers, students will learn how to identify the theme in a text and support that with evidence.   As writers, they will continue to learn about opinion writing and review how to use apostrophes.

Thank you again for all of your support!  

Looking ahead to the week of February 11 (STEM)

We have a lot of memories to celebrate within our first 100 days of third grade!

Hi, families! 

"Kindness Week" challenge:  Your child will be receiving a "Kindness Week" checklist in his/her communication folder tomorrow.  I challenge everyone to check off as many acts of kindness as they possibly can, have a family member sign the list, and return it to me Friday, February 15.  These are great opportunities for you to have conversations at home of ways we can all inspire others to show kindness.  💓

Donations needed for a volunteer project (from Mrs. Spangler):  Our student ambassadors will be working on a volunteer project during our “Kindness Week” in February.  We will be making animal sized fleece blankets for a local animal shelter.  These blankets serve as a source of physical and emotional support, for homeless dogs and cats, until they find a forever home.

These no-sew animal blankets are a fun and relatively simple DIY project that students can make and feel a great sense of accomplishment and purpose.  What a great way for our students to put empathy into action and show kindness and compassion!!

You can help us by (1) making a donation of one yard of fleece material (any color) or (2) you can contribute money to go towards the purchase of fleece material. Every bit helps out so any donation amount is sincerely appreciated. 

All donations are needed no later than Monday, February 11, 2019 and are due to the school counselor, Mrs. Spangler.

Half day:  Students will have a half day February, 15.  They will be dismissed at 11:30 and lunch will be served.  Please be sure to send a note, if your child's transportation changes. 

State House permission form:  Please be sure your child arrives to school on time Monday, February 11.  Be sure to send a lunch (with a drink), if that's the option you chose on his/her permission form.  We will be doing a lot of walking, so students may want to wear tennis shoes (and dress appropriately for the weather, of course!).

Report card sleeves:  Please be sure to sign and return your child's report card sleeve.  You may keep the contents of it!   

Valentines Day:  Several students have asked about Valentines Day at school.  They're welcome to bring in Valentines Day cards, but please keep in mind our healthy snack policy.  As students fill out Valentines, please do not have them fill out the "To" section.  This will allow us time to pass them out in a more efficient manner.  We have 19 students.

A message from fourth grade:

Looking ahead to next week:  As historians, students will kick off their student on the branches of government and even enjoy a "Being There Experience" to the State House.  As mathematicians, they will wrap up their study on fractions.  We will be using the Engage New York curriculum for this unit, so please see the family letter below.   As readers, the children finish their American Revolutionary biographies.   As writers, they will continue to learn about opinion writing.

Blog check!  Have you read our blog?  If so, what's your favorite third grade memory so far this school year?  Please send your response to Mrs. West in an email and we will enjoy sharing them in class!

Thank you again for all of your support!