May
I can't believe it is the last month of school. It has truly been a pleasure to work with your child this year. I have seen a tremendous amount of growth in each of them. We have finished up with the OAA. Thank you very much for the encouragement and support you gave your child. Results should be back sometime in June and will be mailed to you at that time. Our schedule for this month is as follows: Track and Field on May 14; Zoo Trip on May 18th; Terra Nova testing on May 15, 16, and 17th; Talent show tryouts, May 16 (after school); Talent Show on May 24th; Celebration Day on May 25th; Awards May 29 at 2 pm; Last Day May 30th. I will let you know about plans for the last day as we haven't decided anything yet. We are in first place with the Box Tops race. If you have any at home please send them in. OUr class really wants to win the pizza party. Thank you again for allowing me to be your child's teacher this year. Have a great summer. Keep reading and practicing adding, subtracting, and multiplying.
April
Spring break is here! I know the boys and girls are really looking forward to their time off. Don't tell them but so am I. When we come back there are several things coming up. Third grade teachers will be giving a practice OAA reading test on Tuesday, April 3rd and a practice OAA math test on Thursday, April 5th. Also on Thursday will be our Math Camp. We have about 105 children signed up to participate that night. A big thanks to the parents and fellow teachers who have volunteered to help. We will begin around 5 and end by 8:45. I believe that everyone will have a great time. For our last few weeks before the OAA tests, we will be spending time reviewing and practicing those skills needed for the tests. We will take our State OAA Reading test on Monday, April 23rd and our Math OAA test on Thursday, April 26th. Please do not schedule any appointments during that time. It is difficult for the children to make up the test if they are absent. A good night's sleep, a great breakfast, and an extra hug and word of encouragement will help your child do their best. Thanks for all of your support during this time. Keep in mind that there is no school on April, 6th. Information about our upcoming zoo trip will be coming home soon. I will need a couple of parents to act as chaperones. The date for the trip is May, 18th. Have a restful spring break, see you on April 2.
March
March has arrived like a lamb the first day but maybe a lion before the end of the second day. Inventions are due on Monday, March 5. If your child is late I will deduct points. If the invention is not here by 11 am Wednesday morning, your child will have 6 zero's added to their grades. The invention will count as 2 grades in each Writing, Science, and Social Studies. Don't forget you may come Wednesday evening to view all of the inventions from 3rd grade and be able to take your child's invention home. I will be selecting 1 invention to be presented at the April Board of Education meeting on April 9 at
7 pm. We will be reading biographies this month for reading and then writing reports about the person we choose. Math will be many different skills as we prepare for the OAA at the end of April. Math Camp will be held Thursday, April 5 from 5 pm-9pm. The boys and girls always enjoy this time spend doing FUN math activities. I will need several parents to help so be looking for information around March 5 or 6.
February
Here we are in February and still no snow in sight. I can't remember the last time we didn't have snow in January. We are giving practice tests for the OAA Reading and Math. I will share the results with you at conferences. Conferences will be held Thursday, Feb. 16 and Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 4:00--7:30 pm. I have sent the forms home with your child so please sign up right away. If you would like to do a phone conference please give a number, day, and time to reach you. I will try my best to contact you at that time. Pictures will be taken on Wednesday, Feb. 8 which is also an early release day. The children will leave here at 1:20. Information about our next big project went home on Feb. 1. Each child is to fill out an Intent to Invent and return it by Wed. Feb. 8. The invention itself is due on March 5. We will hold an evening Invention Convention so you can come and see all of the wonderful inventions from third graders. All of the inventions will be set up in the gym and cafeteria from 6-6:45. Please come join us. We will have a Valentine Day party on Feb. 14. The boys and girls may bring cards to share with their classmates. We will make bags here but would like to have goodies sent from home for us to enjoy. There will be information coming home very soon. We are learning about inventors this month. We will also be reading biographies and making reports in class. Please work on multiplication facts for 10 minutes each night. The boys and girls are earning a part of an ice cream sundae with each timed test they pass. Don't forget there is no school on Friday, Feb. 17 and Monday, Feb. 20. See you at conferences.
January
Happy New Year and welcome back. I hope everyone had a good break and are ready to go back to work. We will be reading about a hotel made of ice for the first 2 weeks of January. I will be asking each child to bring in a bag of marshmallows or $0.50 so we can build our own hotels. The second part of January will be spent learning about Ben Franklin. This will help the class be prepared for the Invention Convention coming in February. In Math we are beginning multiplication. Please spend at least 10 minutes each night helping your child practice his facts. We will have a contest in class each day to see how many multiplication facts your child can write in 5 minutes. Each time a student passes a test he/she will earn another part of an ice cream sundae. Government will be our focus in Social Studies. Force and motion are our topics in Science. We will also be working on learning vocabulary for the OAA coming up in April. There will be a parent meeting on Jan. 12 to discuss the upcoming tests. Report cards come home on Jan. 20. Remember if you have any questions, send me an email, put a note in the agenda, or call school and leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can.
November/December
I apologize to everyone. I totally forgot to put in the activities for November so I am going to combine the two months. We are almost ready for Thanksgiving break. School is not in session on the 23, 24, and 25. I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving. Don't eat too much or shop too long. The boys and girls have been working very hard to learn about the Pilgrims and Native Americans. I hope they are sharing some of their new knowledge with you at home.
When we comeback on Nov. 28, we will begin reading "Charlotte's Web". We will take the month of December to not only read and discuss the book but we will also be doing many different activities using the story. We will have a Christmas party on Dec. 20 from 2-3. Each boy is to bring a gift for a boy and each girl is to bring a gift for a girl. They will not know who gets the gift until that afternoon. The gifts are not to cost more than $5. and should be gift wrapped. The children may bring in their gifts on the 19th. I will be sending a note home later to ask parents to sign up to help with the party.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.
October
It amazes me that it is already October. September simply flew by as the boys and girls and I got to know each other and learn what 3rd grade is all about. Tuesday, October 4 is our BIG day. We will be giving the OAA in reading that day beginning as soon as the children get here. Please make sure your child eats a good breakfast and gets an extra hug from you that morning. Thursday, October 6 is the writing diagnostic test. I do grade this one but it is still very important that each child do their best. Friday, October 7 is our Goshen Field Trip. Thanks for getting the $2.00 in to help cover the cost. We will be leaving school around 8:45 and not returning until after 1:00. Each child needs to bring a lunch and drink in something that can be throw away when we finish. October 12 is early release which means the children will leave at 1:20. I look forward to seeing many of you on October 18 for Muffins with Mom starting around 7:30 am. We will be working on learning about our town this month. The Goshen Project directions will come home on Oct. 5 and will be due on Nov. 2. This will count as 2 Social Studies and 2 writing grades. We will continue to work on adding and subtracting in math. Science will be finishing our unit about rocks. Thanks in advance for helping out with our dirt project by sending in the items needed. Please remember if you have any questions let me know by email, agenda note, or phone call.
September
My apologizes for not updating sooner. I will try to have this new each month. Practice test for the Reading OAA is on the 14th which is also early release. Thanks to all of you who have returned the conference form. I am sending it back with your time circled in red. I need to hear from the few who have not yet responded. Conferences will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 4:00-7:30. I am looking forward to seeing each of you at that time. I would like for your child to come with you and participate in the conference. We are working on comprehension and compare/contrast in Reading. Math begins our adding and subtracting review. Social Studies will be a study of maps while Science is the study of rocks. Thanks for the wonderful job of making sure your child has completed his/her homework each night. Again please send me an email or put a note in the agenda if you have any questions.
August
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I am looking forward to meeting each of you either at Open House on Thursday, August 18 from 6:30-7:30 or on the first day of school Friday, August 19. Your child will coming home with homework most nights that should only take 30-45 minutes. There may be an occasional evening with a bit more but that doesn't happen very often. I will be sending home papers marked with a red star that must be filled out and returned as soon as possible. Much of this is information we would need in an emergency or for our records. I am also sending home a homework assignment that will be due on Monday, August 22. This is an information piece so I can get to know your child. Please help your son or daughter to fill it out carefully. This will be the first item that will hang in the hall outside of our classroom. I want to let you know that lunch will be from 12:04-12:44. This includes a short recess time. Children go outside unless it is extremely hot or cold so please make sure your child is ready for the weather. A full schedule will come home in their folder on Friday. There will be a Parent Meeting on Thursday, September 1 from 6:30-7:30 in our classroom. I hold this so you can get a better idea of all that will be expected of your child this year. Please try to arrange your schedule so you can attend. I will send more information home next week. Please feel free to call 722-2225 ext 5022, email clarkb@goshenlocalschools.org, or send a note in the agenda with any questions or concerns that you may have. I am sure we will be able to work together to make this a great year for your child.
April
April is here and we are going full force getting ready for the OAA Tests. Our schedule is very different as I'm sure you have noticed. We are spending time reviewing skills learned this year as well as in previous years. The OAA is a test of ALL that your child has learned in the time he/she has been in school. The OAA Reading Test will be given on Monday, April 25 from 9 am to 11:30 am. The Math OAA Test will be given on Thursday, April 28 from 9 am to 11:30 am. It is VERY important for your child to be in school on time on those days. Homework will not be given every night. I am working on many different skills during the day so I won't always give homework. Please spend time talking with your child about what we are covering in class. The day of the tests each child needs a good night's sleep the night before, a good breakfast, and an extra big hug from you. Your child will also have the opportunity to attend Math Camp Night on Thursday, April 21 from 5 pm to 9 pm. This is an evening of fun and math games for only third graders. Parents need only drop their child off at 5 and pick them up at 9. We will even feed them dinner that night! More information will be coming home soon. As always, if you have any questions, contact me at school.
March
Our Invention Convention will be held on Wednesday, March 9 from 1-3 and again from 6-7. Please have inventions here at school by Monday, March 7. I need time to grade them and have each person present their invention to the rest of the class. Remember this counts as 6 grades. We will continue to study and learn about inventors for the next couple of weeks and then each child will be researching and writing about a famous person. We are working on multiplication facts with our ice cream party to be held on March 25th. Please help your child learn their facts so they can earn all of the parts of their ice cream sundae. We are also doing a lot of test prep so each child will be completely ready for the OAA tests coming up in April. Instead of doing spelling tests for the next several weeks we will be working on vocabulary. Your child needs to learn the definition of the words not how to spell them. Don't forget that Spring Break is the last week of March this year instead of at Easter.
February
It doesn't seem as if the snow will ever stop and it will warm up. We will have to remind each other of this when the temperature hits 80 and we are sweating. Right now we have added 2 days onto the end of the school year. Please plan accordingly for vacation. We are working on learning about Ben Franklin this month as well as other inventors. The packet for the Invention Convention has been sent home. Please return the Intent to Invent ASAP. I need to approve your child"s idea and give them time to get the project finished on time. Inventions are due on Monday, March 7. The Invention Convention will be held on Wednesday, March 9 both in the afternoon and again at 6 in the evening. I look forward to seeing all of the inventions. Our Valentine Days party will be Monday, Feb. 14 from 2-3 pm. If you would like to help by coming in or sending something in. we would greatly appreciate it. Your child has brought home a paper for you to fill out and send back in to me. Conferences will be Thursday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 4 pm -7:30. Please let me know if you would like a conference. There will be no school on Feb. 17 and 21. Thanks for all of your help on the Score Sheets for the OAA practice. The students are building points toward Excellent Effort Day.
January
Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a very blessed new year. It's hard to believe that we are almost half way through our school year. There are so many things left that we will need to learn and work on, it bogles the mind. We will be doing a second round of Pro Ohio testing on Jan. 18 and 19. We use these results to help focus teaching skills the children are still having difficulty with as well as enhancing those skills they already know. Reading for the last 2 weeks of January will be learning about Ben Franklin. Each student will then pick a famous person, learn more about him or her and then write a report. This will lead us into our Invention unit. Each child will be inventing something, writing about it, and then bringing it to class to share with others. There will be more information coming soon. We have been working hard on learning multiplication facts. I am giving timed tests to encourage learning these facts as quickly as possible. As the children pass each test they will earn a part of an ice cream sundae. We will have a party in March to celebrate their success and serve the sundaes. Social Studies will be learning about inventors and how they have helped us in our everyday lives. Science is the study of force and motion. Be looking for "SCORE SHEETS" to begin coming home on Friday, Jan.14. The boys and girls will have a week to do this work and turn them in. The points earned will help your child earn Excellent Effort Day in May. Please work with your child as these provide practice for the OAA tests coming in April.
December
It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. We are reading and acting out the play "Pecos Bill" The class has been learning about Tall Tales and comparing them to other types of stories. Mrs. Vaught has been teaching this unit for December. Measurement is the topic in Math for this month. Please practice measuring at home using both US standard measurements and Metric measurement. We will be making "Mini Me's" next week to practice our measuring skills. In Science, we are finishing up Chapter 2 learning about different types of soil and recycling. The test will be on Tuesday, Dec. 14. In Social Studies, we are reading about different communities and comparing them to Goshen. We are going to try to have an open book test on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Our Christmas party will be on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 2-3 pm. If you are going to help, please be here around 1:30. Each boy is to bring a boy's gift and each girl is to bring a girl's gift. The gift should cost about $5.00. If a child does not bring a gift, he/she will not get a gift. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas holiday. We will be back in school on January 3, 2011. MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR
November
I am going to cover the entire month this time as we are going to begin a month long activity. We will be learning about the Pilgrims and the Native Americans they met when they arrived in this country. I am putting the class into groups of 3-4. Each day we will be learning about the first Thanksgiving by reading and doing various projects. If any of you have an extra shoe box at home we could use it for one of the projects. I want the class to understand the reason the Pilgrims came to this country and left family and friends behind. Hopefully they will have a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by our ancestors. In Math we are continuing to work on addition and subtraction with regrouping. Please practice at home every night. We may also begin the next unit on measurement before November ends. Science class will be about the different types of soil. Goshen Projects are due on Thursday, November 4th. We will continue to study and learn about the history of Goshen in class. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
October 18-29
We have finished with the first round of testing. I'm sure the boys and girls are as thrilled as I am. The results for the OAA Reading should be back sometime around Thanksgiving we hope. The results from the Pro-Ohio tests will be back much sooner. I will be using this data to formulate lesson plans that will give each child the help he/she needs. We are finishing "The Patchwork Quilt" this week. Next week we will begin reading about the Pilgrims. We are also going to be learning more about Goshen. Each child will get a folder with information about Goshen's history. The folder may come home but must be here during the day for discussions. Keep in mind that the Goshen Project is due on Nov. 4. Feel free to bring it in earlier if you finish. The school is open around 7 am if you need to bring it in for your child. We are continuing to work on addition and subtraction in math. Please spend time practicing the basic facts with your child. Dirt and different types of soil are our next Science chapter. Thanks for helping your child study for the Chapter 1 test we took last Friday. We will also be finishing or map unit this week so look for homework using these map skills. This is the last week for the book drive. If you have any new or gently used books you would like to donate please send them in by Friday.
October 4-15
We will be taking our first OAA Reading Test this week. Tuesday, we will begin the test at 9:00 am and last until at least 11:30. On Monday, we will be doing some last minute review. Wednesday is the day we take the Writing Test. Wednesday afternoon we will be doing a practice Pro-Ohio test. Thursday is the Reading Pro-Ohio. Friday is our Goshen field trip. Make sure you ask what your child learned on this trip. Because of the testing this week please try to make sure your child has a good night's sleep and a good breakfast each day. An extra hug or special note in the agenda will do wonders to boost your child's self confidence. On Monday, Oct. 11 we will be taking the Math Pro-Ohio test. Conferences will be held again on Oct.12. I so have a couple of times if you did not already schedule a conference. Your child will also be getting his or her first major project. This is known as the Goshen Project. He/she will have a month to complete this project. It will count as 2 Social Study grades and 2 Writing grades. Please be on the look out for this information.
September 27-October 1
This is our week before the first OAA Reading test. We will spend time this week reviewing a practice test we took. Please make sure your child has a good night's sleep and a good breakfast before the test on Tuesday, Oct.5. In addition to the OAA we will also be taking a writing screening test and Pro Ohio Reading and Math. Attendance is of GREAT importance. Please try not to schedule Dr. or dentist appointments next week. For our regular reading class this week, we are reading "Phoebe and the Spelling Bee. Please read this with your child and discuss it as you read. Spelling test will be on Thursday with nightly homework. We will be starting Unit 2 in math. This unit deals with addition and subtraction fact families. Look for homelinks homework every night. Map skills are still being covered in Social Studies. Most of the class did very well on their first test over the continents and oceans. There will be occasional homework. Science is the study of rocks and soil. We will be making our very own rock this week. We will also be writing about our "pet rock" which they are to bring from home. Thanks for all of your help with homework and supporting your child.
September 20-24
We will be taking a practice OAA reading test on Tuesday. I will give the boys and girls 2 and 1/2 hours for the test. We will have the same conditions and restrictions that will be in place for the real OAA test on October 5. Please encourage your child to take their time and do their best. This week we will also be finishing our story, "The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain". Spelling test will be given on Thursday. The new words will be given out on Friday. In Math we will be finishing up Unit 1 with a test on Thursday and Friday. Make sure that your child has a rock here by Wednesday for Science. On Friday I will give a quiz over the continents and oceans. Your child must know where each one is located on a nap as well as where the equator is located. We will also be working on directions. The boxtop contest is still going on so please send in any that you have at home. Conference forms will be sent home on Tuesday. Please mark the 3 best times for you to come in to see me and return the paper ASAP. Thanks for your help.
September 6-10
I hope everyone had a great weekend. This week we will be finishing "Grandfather's Journey". There will be questions on Thursday and Friday to finish. Spelling is going to be a bit different. Starting this week I will send the words home on Thursday with the test being given the following Wednesday. There will be homework each night except Friday. Please try to spend 10-15 minutes each night reviewing the words so your child is ready for the test. Money will be the focus for Math a couple of days this week with patterns and elapsed time the other two days. Look for Home Links Tuesday thru Thursday night. Science will be reading about rocks and minerals. The boys and girls are to read pages 28-37 before Thursday. We will continue to work on map skills this week. Don't forget our Parent Meeting is next Tuesday at 6:30. Your child may come with you if you like. Our fund raiser begins today. If you do not want your child selling just return the packet to school. Pictures will be taken next Tuesday around 11:15 or so. Money must be sent in with the picture form if you wish to order any. Have a wonderful week. :)
August 30-Sept.3
We will be reading "Grandfather's Journey" this week. The boys and girls are to bring their book home each night and practice reading the story. We will be working on various skills in class. Questions will be completed on Friday in class. Spelling is being taught by Mrs. Vaught. Words will usually come home on Monday with different homework assignments each night leading to a test on Friday. You can help your child by practicing the words every night. In Math we are doing different skills each day with a Home Link coming home for homework each night. Learning the continents and oceans will be our Social Studies lessons for the next couple of weeks while rocks will be our focus in Science. Thanks to all of you for returning the forms for the Tuesday night Parent Meeting. I have had a great response and look forward to talking to each of you about third grade. The meeting will be in our classroom at 6:30 on September 14. It is not too late to sign up for that meeting.
August 23-27
This is our first full week of school. I am looking forward to working with you and your child to make this a very successful year. We are doing many different activities this week so I can learn what your child knows already and what he/she need to review. Look for Spelling homework each night. There may also be Math homework. I do not usually assign homework on Friday. I feel the students need a break. However, if there is a project due you may need to spend sometime on the weekend working on it so it is ready on time. We will begin our study of rocks and soil this week in Science. Map skills will be our first area of focus in Social Studies. If you have not filled out and returned the forms please do so right away. Several of these are needed in case of an emergency. Please remember there are 3 pages in the agenda that also need to be filled out. Pages 20, 21, & 22 must be completed. If you have any questions use the agenda or email me at clarkb@goshenlocalschools.org and I will respond as soon as I can.
May 17-June 3
Our Zoo trip is today. Hopefully it will stop raining while the class is there. Thanks to the parents who were able to go with the class. We have a very busy schedule during these last days of school. Track and Field is Tuesday, May 18 but be aware that it may change to Wednesday, May 19 because of rain. Parents are welcome to attend the events at the track from 10:30-12:00. Meet us at the track! May 27 is the reward movie for the quarter for those who did not get a demerit 4th quarter. These students may bring a snack and drink to enjoy in the afternoon while watching a movie. Friday, May 28 is Reward of Excellent Effort Day!!! I will tell the boys and girls that day who gets all day, half day, or doesn't get any of the special plans. The students earned points for this day by doing the OAA homework, attendance on testing days, effort on the tests, and behavior. June 1 is the Talent Show at Spaulding. It should begin around 2:00. Wednesday, June 2 is Awards at 2:00. Thursday, JUne 3 is the students' lat day. We will have a picnic that day. I will send more details home later. Pleasse keep in mind we will also be working on academic activities during this time. Our last Spelling test will be on Wednesday, May 26. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with your child this year. We have accomplished a great deal this year. Have a great summer. Be sure to practice math facts and reading. See you in the fall!
April 26-30
Our testing is over!!! Thank you so much for making sure your child was here on our testing days. The boys and girls worked very hard and hopefully their scores will reflect that effort. This week we will be reading the story "The Cactus Hotel". Spelling will begin again on Wednesday with homework o Wednesday and Thursday nights. The test will be next Wednesday. We are going to be working on various skills in Math but will continue taking the timed Multiplication tests. Please practice with your child at home. To prepare for our Zoo trip on May 17th, we are beginning our study of animals in Science. Talking about our government and how it was formed and why will be the focus of Social Studies. Look for homework each night. Thanks again for all of your support during testing.
April 5-16
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. We have 9 school days before OAA testing begins. We will be spending this time reviewing and sharpening skills that have already been learned. Please talk to your child in a positive manner. Ask him or her what is the area he/she feels is the strongest and what is the weakest. Give lots of encouragement and positive comments. The boys and girls have worked very hard all year learning the skills needed. I want to see their self-confidence high as we do our final preparations. There will be some homework each night. When your child is working a math problem ask them to explain how they got the answer using words, pictures, and numbers. I'm sure each child will do their best especially when he/she knows we believe in them. Don't forget Math Camp Night on April 16th. The boys and girls should be here around 4:45. You may drop them off and then pick them up around 8:45 or so. If you would like to stay, you are very welcome to do so. Please though, no others children either younger or older. This night is for our 3rd graders. We are going to have lots of fun!
March 15-26
As we begin our last 2 weeks before Spring Break, I know the boys and girls will enjoy their time off. We have been working very hard to be ready for the OAA Test that takes place on April 19, reading, and April 22, math. I am so proud of the effort the children have been making. As we get closer to the actual test we will work even harder. In preparation for the tests, the entire third grade will be taking a practice Reading and Math Test next week. The reading will be given on Tuesday, March 16 with the math being given on Thursday, March 18. Attendance is VERY, VERY, VERY, important in these last few weeks before testing. PLease try to schedule dental or doctor visits after school if possible. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement at home.
We will have a visit from the Cincinnati Zoo on Monday, March 22. The presenters will visit each class to help our students prepare for the next animal unit in Science. The inventions were fantastic!!! It was nice to see so many parents come out on Thursday night to view all of the inventions. What an awesome group of students I have :)
We are ordering T-shirts for each child to wear on the days we test, the Zoo trip in May, Track and Field Day, and Reward of Excellent Effort Day. The cost is $6. Please send in the money as soon as you can. They will be given out right before testing.
I hope all of you have a great Spring Break.
March 1-12
The 3rd grade Musical was wonderful. Thanks to all of the parents and other family members who came out and supported our children. We are going to be reading different biographies this week. Friday and all of next week we will be making a scrapbook of one of their choosing. We are also doing preparation for testing which is coming up right after Spring Break. Spelling is going to be changed to vocabulary lists for the next several weeks. The boys and girls are to learn what each word means. The test will be on Wednesday of each week with the new list coming home on Thursday.
We are going to be working on fractions, decimals, and measurement for these 2 weeks. Please continue to work on multiplication facts. There will be homework each night.
The Inventions are due on Monday, March 8. On Wednesday, March 10 parents have the opportunity to come see the inventions either in the afternoon or evening. Hope to see you there.
Social Studies will be reading and discussing Chapter 8 which deals with inventors. There will be a test on Thursday, March 11.
Feb. 15-19
Not much has changed because of the snow days. We are going to finish our story about Ben Franklin and do assessment at the end of the week.
Math: we are continuing to work on review and practice for the upcoming OAA. Please continue to practice the multiplication facts as we are doing time tests. The boys and girls are earning the parts to an ice cream sundae by passing the tests.
Science: The Intent to Invent is pass due. I need to know what your child is thinking about doing for the Invention Convention. This will count as 2 Science, 2 Social Studies, and 2 Writing grades.
Social Studies: We are learning about inventors and the many inventions they have made. Look for homework to come home on Wednesday. It will be due on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Thanks to all of you for helping your child do the Olympic Trial Homework packets. These will be a great help preparing your child for the OAA.
Feb. 1-12
We are beginning our study about Ben Franklin this week. For the next 2 weeks our class will be learning about the many inventions Franklin made. We will also be learning about his life and many contributions to our country. We will also be finishing our writing from last week about real and make believe. Spelling test will be on Wednesday with the new words going home on Thursday.
Multiplication will still be a major part of our work but we will also be learning about place value. Look for homework each night.
COSI will be here on Tuesday, Feb. 2 This is a great experience for the boys and girls. They will be learning about habitats and keeping a field journal as they do the activities.
Social Studies will be learning about inventors and their inventions. This is to prepare them for coming up with their own invention. More about this will be coming home.
Pictures will be taken on Tuesday, Feb. 9. I will also be sending a conference form home this week. Conferences will be held on Feb. 18 and 23. Please mark the time you wish to come in and return ASAP.
Jan. 25-29
Donuts with Dad will be held on Wednesday morning from 7:40-8:20. Come and enjoy having a donut with your child.
Language Arts: We will be finishing "Pecos Bill" this week. We are discussing story elements of character, plot, and setting as well as words with more than one meaning and making inferences. We will also be writing a 1-3-1 paragraph comparing and contrasting the 2 stories. Spelling test will be on Wednesday with a new list given out on Thursday. Look for homework each night.
Math: We are starting our timed multiplication tests this week. With each test passed your child will earn another part of a banana split. We will be working on this until near the end of May. Please practice with your child every night. We are also working on multiplication in class. Look for homework each night.
Social Studies" We will be working o "Time for Kids" a weekly newspaper designed just for our children. Ask them what they have read about this week.
Science: There will be a test on Tuesday over Chapter 6 with 7 questions being sent home on Monday night. Remember the study sheet returned signed by a parent will earn an extra 5 points! On Friday, we will be taking a Unit Test for this chapter. A study sheet will be sent home on Tuesday.
If you have seen your child's report card please return the form signed so I know it did make it home. I will be sending information home about the upcoming Invention Convention in the next couple of days.
Jan. 18-30
"Pecos Bill" is our story this week and next. We will be reading the story and play. Skills for this story are story elements, inferring, and words with more than one meaning. there will be homework a couple of nights. Spelling test will be Wednesday with new words given out on Thursday. Words for this week were sent home on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Math continues to be about multiplication and division. Please practice the facts at home with your child. Look for homework each night.
Social Studies will be spent catching up with our Time for Kids magazines.
Science is the study of Force and Motion. Worksheets will be sent home on Wednesday, to be completed and returned by Tuesday, Jan. 26. There will be a test over this chapter on Friday, Jan. 29.
Report cards come home on Friday, Jan. 22 to those who have paid at least $20 of the Supply Fee.
Jan.4-8
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Please work with your child to be here every day. We are going to be covering a great deal of material for the next couple of months. Attendance is critical. There will be a Parent Night on Jan. 14 at 6:30. If you come your child will earn 50 points to put on there report card. We will be discussing the upcoming Achievement test, special homework, and Reward of Excellent Effort Day.
Our story this week is "A Cool Place to Visit". We will be doing various activities with the assessment next Tuesday, Jan. 12. We will be building ice hotels in class. If you can send in a bag of regular size marshmallows to help I would really appreciate it. Please send them in by Wednesday.
Spelling words will be given out on Thursday, Jan. 7 with the test on Wednesday, Jan. 13. The words are: share, cart, beware, march, rare, army, charge, stare, market, compare, mark, alarm, parent, chart, spare, smart, charm, scare, apart, spark. Look for homework each night.
Math will be multiplication for the month of January. Please practice each night by going over the facts with your child. I will be sending home flash cards to help yo study with your child. Look for homework each night.
Social Studies: We will be reading about different explorers and inventors and inventions. This will lead into our Invention Convention coming up in February.
Science: We will begin our study about force and motion.
Dec.07-18
We will be finishing Charlotte's Web before Christmas break. The boys and girls seem to have enjoyed reading and discussing the different characters and events. Ask your child which character he/she liked the best, least and why. We will be watching the movie as an ending event and compare it to the book. Our spelling test is Wednesday. The new set of words will be given out on Thursday with the test on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The new words are: change, fence, space, age, center, large, since, price, page, ice, dance, pencil, slice, place, city.
Math will be finishing our unit on measurement by making a reduced size neighborhood and a "mini me" to go with it. I am looking forward to putting these on the wall outside our room before break. Please practice measuring as much as possible both with regular and metric measurements.
Science will be a test over Chapter 2 on Thursday, Dec. 10 and a test over Unit 1 on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Study sheets were sent home last week for the Chapter test and a new sheet will be sent home on Thursday for the Unit test.
We will have a Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 1:30-2:30. Girls are to bring a gift for a girl and boys bring a gift for a boy. The gift should not cost more than $5.00. If you can not afford to supply a gift let me know right away.
Thank you and have a Merry Christmas. I will see you next year!
Nov.30-Dec.4
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We will continue to read and discuss Charlotte's Web this week. The class is writing a pig book about the chapters as we read them. Spelling words are: shape, church, watch, father, wrap, check, finish, sharp, mother, write, catch, chase, shall, thick, wrote. the boys and girls will get the words on Wednesday with the test being the following Wednesday. Math: measurement using the metric system will be worked on this week. Social Studies: we will be finishing up our unit about Goshen by making a time line book. Science: We will be reading and discussing Chapter 2 this week. On Wednesday, we will "mine" a chocolate chip cookie. The boys and girls will be bringing home worksheets over Chapter 2 on Wednesday. these are due on the following Monday.
Nov. 23-27
We will not be doing a lot of regular work these 2 days. We will continue to work on measuring in math however. The rest of the 2 days are going to be spent learning about the first Thanksgiving. Each child needs to bring an apple on Monday to make a turkey. I will supply the rest of the ingredients. Don't forget to send in the items for our feast on Tuesday. We will begin a new spelling list on Wednesday, Dec. 2 with the test being held on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Nov. 16-20
We are going to be reading Chapters 7-12 this week in Charlotte's Web. Most of the class seems to enjoying the story.
Spelling will be the words given out last Thursday. We will put them in ABC order, do Word Jumbles, Secret Trails, and Word Links. the test will be on Wednesday. There will be no new words until after Thanksgiving. Measurement is our current math lesson. We will be practicing measuring to the nearest inch, half inch, and quarter inch as well as working with the metric units. Look for homework each night. We are still learning about Goshen history and types of soils as well as taking care of our resources. Don't forget to send in your paper about the Thanksgiving feast next Tuesday. I already have parents signed up to bring in paper plates and napkins. We do need food to put on those plates. Thanks for your help.
Nov. 9-13
Charlotte's Web continues too be our reading lesson each day. We are trying to cover 3 chapters every other day. As we read the children are learning many new words to add to their vocabulary. At the end of the story, we will watch the movie and compare the book with the movie.
Spelling words: liter convene spine courage amuse insane radiant scene runt brilliant went loft vanish recycle phone discover laughing recycling trough praise. These words will be given out on Thursday with the final test on the following Wednesday. Look for homework each night except Friday.
Math: we are continuing to work on measurement. Homelinks will b sent home each night as homework.
Social Studies: The Goshen projects are in and look wonderful. Please be patient as it will take me several days to get them all graded. We are going to continue to learn about Goshen's history for the next several weeks.
Science: We ill continue to learn about soils and conservation. Ask your child on Friday how they enjoyed mining!
Nov. 2-6
We are going to be reading Charlotte's Web for the next month or so. Ask your child when they come home starting o Thursday what they read that day and what they thought about the story so far. we will be doing different activities that will expand the understanding of the story.
Spelling: terrific; wonderful; humble; genuine; spider; deflate; quite; remote; delete; compute; amount; sopping; carton; moment; grunted; Word Wall--let's; beautiful; first; journal; when.
Math: We are beginning the unit on measurement this week.
Science: We are beginning Chapter 2 which deals with types of soil and recycling.
Social Studies: Don't forget the Goshen Project is due Thursday.
Oct. 19-30
We are finishing our stories about spiders this week. Instead of beginning a new story we will be reading different books each day, discussing them, and writing short book reports about them. Author Chris Rumble will be here on Thursday, Oct.29 to talk to the school about being a writer. Families are welcome to come Thursday night for an evening listening to Mr. Rumble. It should prove to be quite entertaining. Our Book Fair is also being held the week of Oct. 26-30. Grandparents are invited to come eat with their grandchild on Monday, Oct. 26 for our class. We eat lunch at 12:20. Hope to see there.
Math is going to be reviewing addition and subtraction with a test on Oct. 30.
Science will be finishing Chapter 1 with a test on Oct. 30.
Social Studies will be learning about Goshen. Hope all is going well with the projects. Remember they are due on Nov. 5.
Spelling Words: check; thick; story; coconut; wreck; reset; today; split; lack; shut; quick; forgot; spill; monkey; state; snack; key; quit; knot; unlock Remember the test will be on Wed. Oct. 28.
Oct. 5-16
This is the big week. On Tuesday we will be taking the first Reading Ohio Achievement Assessment. Testing will be done from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Please make sure your child is here on time, had a good breakfast, and a big hug from you. Our stories for the next two weeks are "Spiders at Work" and Web Wonders" . We will be reading and discussing the stories for the next 2 weeks.
Spelling words for 10-04 are: snack, lack, thumbtack, speck, check, wreck, thick, limerick, quick, stock, aftershock, unlock, awestruck, pluck, stuck Word Wall: pretty, prettier, prettiest, was, city Bonus: gimmick, peacock, thickest, attack, woodchuck
Spelling words for Oct. 12-16 are: words that add s to make plural-monkey, turkey, tray, alley, key words that change y to i and add es- spy, story, worry, reply, cry, enemy, candy, supply, library, country Word Wall: they're, there, their, exciting, countries Bonus: dictionary, companies, biographies, multiply, mysteries
Math: We will be covering adding and subtraction with regrouping as well as finishing up Unit 2 with a test on Friday, Ot. 9. We will continue to work on adding and subtracting next week.
Social Studies: we will finish map skills this week with a test next Monday. On Friday, Oct. 9 we will be going on a tour of Goshen with a stop at the Anchorage. I will also be assigning the Goshen Project on Friday. This will be due on Nov. 5. Next week we will e learning more about Goshen.
Science: We will be making a rock in class this week as well as reading and talking about Lesson 3. There may be a test next week.
On Friday, Oct. 16 we will be taking a trip to Children's Theatre to see Beauty and the Beast. Each child is to bring their lunch so they can eat in the room before we leave.
Thanks again for all of your help getting ready for the OAA this Tuesday. Each child will also be taking a Writing Diagnostic Test on Thursday.
Sept. 28-Oct.2
We are continuing to work on getting ready for the Ohio Achievement Assessment. The third graders will be taking this test on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 9:00 am-11:30 am. Please do our best to have your child here that day. Thanks to all of you who came to the Parent Meeting last Tuesday. It was an awesome turnout. We will be going over the practice test taken last week as well as doing more practice reading questions.
Our Spelling words this week are:upset, reset, alphabet, regret,quit, split, permit, knot, plot, robot, forgot, shut, strut, coconut, chestnut Word Wall: to, too, two, community, schools Bonus: submit, clarinet, duet, apricot, transmit.
Math: we will continue to work on adding and subtracting with regrouping. Look for Homelinks for homework.
Science: our stuy of rocks continues.
Social Studies: Map skills work continues.
Look for the form for Children's theatre. Each child will need to pay $10. to go on October 16. Also don't forget conferences will be held this Thursday, Oct.1 and Tuesday, Oct. 6. Check your child's agenda for a reminder of the time.
There will normally be homework Monday-Thursday nights. I very rarely assign homework over the weekends. However, when there is a special project extra time will be given to complete it. I would suggest working a little each night to complete it on time. Please check the agenda every night. Homework, special events, and behavior notes will be written each day. We give a reward recess on Friday to students who have their agenda signed each day, have turned in all homework, and have stayed on green all week. If you have questions or comments or concerns please put a note in the agenda as I check it every day. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Warrior Club is held every month for those students who has followed all of rules, shown great behavior, had their agenda signed and at school every day, and turned in all homework on time. A homework alert will be given when a child does not turn in their homework on time and finished. 6 homework alerts get a demerit which means your child has lost Warrior Club as well as our end of the quarter reward movie.
Our story for the week of Aug.31-Sept.4 is "The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain" We will be reading and discussing it all week covering skills such as Drawing Conclusions, Comparing and Contrasting, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. There will also be a Spelling test every Friday.
In Math we are doing some basic review to get the year started.
We are working on map skills in Social Studies and learning about rocks in Science.
Remember to check the agenda each day for the homework assignments.
Sept. 21-25
Hoe everyone had a great weekend. We will not be doing a story this week. We will instead be using the next 2 weeks preparing the boys and girls for the Ohio Reading Achievement Assessment. There will be a practice test given on Tuesday. I will grade it and then next week we will go over answers. Our State Reading Achievement Assessment will be given on Tuesday, Oct. 6. It is extremely important that your child be here for that test.
Spelling word this week are a review of the Word Wall Words. Your child will have the list on Monday both a paper copy and written in the agenda.
Math: We will begin Unit 2 this week. There will be homework most nights. I am also sending a parent letter home Monday which outlines the material that will be covered in this unit.
Science will be learning about rocks. Social Studies will be covering map skills.
Don't forget our Parent Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22. It will begin at 6:30 and last about an hour.