Weekly Wrap Up

What a super job your children have done settling into third grade! As I'm sure (hope!) you've heard, we've spent time practicing routines and procedures so that once we’re into our regular learning schedule next week things run smoothly. We’re also trying out alternative types of seating like yoga balls and hokki stools (for those who want to try them) to see what best helps us focus. We’ve tried out and rated different reading spots in the classroom, book shopped for reading books, learned how to use a hardcover math book and to put the answers in a spiral notebook. We also took math, reading and writing pre-tests, as well as timed addition and subtraction tests. The math fact test scores will go home next week after I get them corrected. On Thursday we even learned how to log into our Google accounts, and find and bookmark our class website and the Just for Kids page on it. I also introduced them to a fun keyboarding program that will help them begin to become familiar with keyboarding. We’ll be putting some time into keyboarding this year. Once all of our various computer programs and logins are set up, I’ll put together an access sheet for you with all of your child’s login information, so they can access from home if you want, and so you can always see what they’re doing.

Although I had originally planned to start reading logs and math fact logs next week, I want to hold off one more week, and give the children in-class practice time filling out their reading logs, so they’re able to independently fill it out at home. I also want to be able to send home their addition and subtraction math fact score reports so you can know how they did and what they need to practice at home. I’m still asking them to continue reading for at least 20 minutes a night, but they don’t have to log it. If they’ve got flash cards or games/apps at home, they might want to start practicing facts with those, too.

Remember to follow our class on Twitter and get up to the minute pictures and news! We are @MrsCarnevale3rd. Also, follow our district at @PlvComSchools. On Twitter you can also follow the district hashtag, #plainvilleschools as well as #plainvillerocks and #toffolontigers

Please send in a water bottle for your child to keep in class. They get pretty hot and thirsty with two wellness breaks and recess! Water bottles that close in a way that help prevent spills are greatly appreciated!

Parents of girls with longer hair…. you might want to toss a few hair ties in your daughter’s backpack. With recess and wellness breaks, they can get pretty hot, and might want to put their hair up before or after being outside.

Here's what we're learning about next week:

• Reader’s Workshop: Building reading stamina
• Writer’s Workshop: Finding ideas for true stories
• Math: Place Value to 999,999 - including word, standard and expanded forms

Please remember that my door is always open if you have any questions or concerns. I also check email frequently. Together we are partners in your child’s education!

Weekly Wrap Up

On Wednesday we begin learning about multiplication! It’s first introduced through the concept of repeated addition, such as 4x2=8 is the same as 4 groups of 2, or 2+2+2+2=8. We will also learn about it through arrays. An example of an array is shown on the attached family math letter. Another way that we’ll learn about multiplication is through skip counting. If your child can count by 3’s six times, then they’ll know that 3x6=18. Next week a skip counting chart and a multiplication chart will be sent home. Your child will likely need to refer to those while doing his/her homework.

Along with studying addition and subtraction facts, your child can begin studying multiplication facts. The website multiplication.com (http://www.multiplication.com) has some great games that kids tend to love. The “Just for Kids” page on our class website has many resources listed by topic, as well as basic fact sites. One thing I find is that in their excitement to learn something new and “grown up” kids often fall back in their subtraction progress as they focus on multiplication. So, they’ll need to keep circling back to study subtraction facts (and addition too).

Today your child is bringing home a sheet with of all of their logins and passwords for the various sites we use in school. This is so they can login from home if they want, and so you always have access to what we’re doing in school. If you ever have questions about these sites or want help with them, don’t hesitate to ask!

I realized that I never sent home the math test scores from Topic 2 last week. I’m so sorry! The kids took the test on the Chromebooks, and they can’t print from them. I meant to print them, and then it slipped my mind. They’re coming home today.

Friday we are making slime in class! It’s a VERY messy activity. Your child is very likely to get it on their clothes. Please don’t send them to school in good clothes that day.

Here's what we're learning about next week:

• Reader’s Workshop: Strategies to read and understand meanings of tricky words and phrases (including figurative language, synonyms, and antonyms)
• Writer’s Workshop: Typing small moment stories
• Math: Test topic 3 and start Topic 4- meanings of multiplication
• Science: Physical and chemical changes of matter

Please remember that my door is always open if you have any questions or concerns. I also check email frequently. Together we are partners in your child’s education!