Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Well Done!
Thank you to those of you who were able to come to our performance today! The students did a fantastic job, and I am so proud of all of their hard work. It was a great way to share their talents.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
So Strange
Reminder that tomorrow is our performance of "Strange Creatures". The students are so excited, and have been working really hard! Please let me know by tomorrow morning if you can be there. :)
Friday, May 22, 2009
S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G
Today was our big end of the year, review spelling, test. For the most part, the students did pretty well. This was a true test of their spelling skills, and it shows how well they retain what they have studied during the year. It also helps me to see if the spelling words learned has transferred into their daily writing. I decided to grade these in a different way....in my grade book I have the total points as 15. This means that anything your child may have gotten that was over 15, is considered extra points.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Weekly Newsletter
Hello families!
I hope that you are all doing well! We are down to just about 8 days of school left, and the students are getting eager for summer. In the few days that we do have left, there is a lot going on.
*No School Monday: Memorial Day
*School Mass is at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, instead of 9:00 a.m
*Friday: Track and Field Day
*Thursday morning: Last buddy activity
Please make sure that you are checking your child's take-home folder daily for any information that may come home. I know that each day will be filled with many fun activities.
Math: In math next week we will be finishing up chapter 8. On Monday we will spend some time learning about volume, and on Wednesday we will be reviewing the chapter before our test. We will have our chapter 8 test on Thursday, May 28th.
Reading: I hope that you all received an invitation this week to come see our class' readers theatre play that we will perform next Wednesday morning. We will use time Tuesday morning as a mini dress rehearsal. Please remember to RSVP to me by next Tuesday so that I know about how many chairs to have ready for people. The students have all been working really hard, and are excited to show you what they have done.
**Book groups will finish up next week, and the three groups will begin to put together a group presentation about the book they read.**
Social Studies: The students will continue to work on their opinion papers. We have been doing some research in class, and the students have been working on creating reasons to support their opinions. Like I have told the students, this paper does not need to be completed at home. I will give them plenty of time to write it in class. It will probably end up being just a paragraph or two depending on how much time we have. There is a note going home today that lists some helpful websites, if the students choose to do a little research at home.
Science: We currently have some baby chicks staying in our classroom. Mrs. Miller has been kind enough to share five baby chicks with us. They will go back home with her either tonight or tomorrow after school. The students have enjoyed having them in our room, and have already named each of them.
Handwriting: Your child should have their handwriting book completely finished by the middle of next week. We have been working on the review when we have had time.
Religion: In religion next week we will continue to work in our Fully Alive books. The themes we will cover next week are: Beginning life, Our first home, Welcoming the new baby, and Growing in commitment.
Art: In art next Thursday the students will each begin to create a little memory book from the year. They will have to write about at least three or four memories that they have from the school year, and draw a picture to go with each. I am hoping to have them create a cover that we can laminate. (We will see how much time there is!)
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
I hope that you are all doing well! We are down to just about 8 days of school left, and the students are getting eager for summer. In the few days that we do have left, there is a lot going on.
*No School Monday: Memorial Day
*School Mass is at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, instead of 9:00 a.m
*Friday: Track and Field Day
*Thursday morning: Last buddy activity
Please make sure that you are checking your child's take-home folder daily for any information that may come home. I know that each day will be filled with many fun activities.
Math: In math next week we will be finishing up chapter 8. On Monday we will spend some time learning about volume, and on Wednesday we will be reviewing the chapter before our test. We will have our chapter 8 test on Thursday, May 28th.
Reading: I hope that you all received an invitation this week to come see our class' readers theatre play that we will perform next Wednesday morning. We will use time Tuesday morning as a mini dress rehearsal. Please remember to RSVP to me by next Tuesday so that I know about how many chairs to have ready for people. The students have all been working really hard, and are excited to show you what they have done.
**Book groups will finish up next week, and the three groups will begin to put together a group presentation about the book they read.**
Social Studies: The students will continue to work on their opinion papers. We have been doing some research in class, and the students have been working on creating reasons to support their opinions. Like I have told the students, this paper does not need to be completed at home. I will give them plenty of time to write it in class. It will probably end up being just a paragraph or two depending on how much time we have. There is a note going home today that lists some helpful websites, if the students choose to do a little research at home.
Science: We currently have some baby chicks staying in our classroom. Mrs. Miller has been kind enough to share five baby chicks with us. They will go back home with her either tonight or tomorrow after school. The students have enjoyed having them in our room, and have already named each of them.
Handwriting: Your child should have their handwriting book completely finished by the middle of next week. We have been working on the review when we have had time.
Religion: In religion next week we will continue to work in our Fully Alive books. The themes we will cover next week are: Beginning life, Our first home, Welcoming the new baby, and Growing in commitment.
Art: In art next Thursday the students will each begin to create a little memory book from the year. They will have to write about at least three or four memories that they have from the school year, and draw a picture to go with each. I am hoping to have them create a cover that we can laminate. (We will see how much time there is!)
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
Fuzzy Visitors
Today we will have some fuzzy visitors in our classroom. Mrs. Miller has been kind enough to let us adopt a few of her baby chicks for the day so that the students can get a taste of the experience.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Weekly Newsletter
Hello families! We are down to just 13.5 days of school remaining. I cannot believe how fast this school year has gone. So much has happened, and so many memories have been created. It has been a wonderful first year of teaching for me, and I hope that your child has enjoyed 3rd grade!
Extras: Next Thursday, May 21st, is our school's spring program. I am sure that you have seen the letters that have been coming home about it. In preparation for this, we will have at least one rehearsal each day next week. I also know that the students have been hard at work in music class for many weeks.
We will still have library next Thursday, but the students will not be able to check out books anymore. Today is the last day to check out.
**Monday: Spanish open class! Come see what your child is doing in Spanish!**
Math: In math next week we will begin by learning about congruent figures and their motion (slide, translate, flip, and rotate). We will then move on into symmetry, perimeter, and area. One thing we are going to look at with symmetry is how common it is to see symmetry in nature. As you are driving around, or spending time outside, look with your child to see how many different examples you can find.
Please continue to practice math facts with your child, because practice only makes them more confident!
Reading: As you noticed in the newsletter that was posted last week, we read the last story in our books this week. The students have done a wonderful job all year, and I hope that they were exposed to many different story genres that they enjoyed. Along with no more stories, there will also be no more spelling practice pages. I have decided to have a yearly review spelling test next Friday. I will choose 2o random words from our lists that we had this year. There will only be two or three challenge words. If your child does wish to study, they may use their spelling book that has all of the lists in it.
We have started to practice a readers theatre play, and will be spending a lot more time with it next week. There will be a performance date that you will be invited in for, but I will send a note home that will give more information. The students have already been working so hard, and have had some creative ideas.
**Book groups will continue through the end of the month. The students are doing a wonderful job, and really seem to be enjoying it. We have book group time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.**
Social Studies: The students did a great job with their planning a community activity that we did this week. It was sent home already, so I hope you were able to take a look at it. Next week we will be starting opinion essays. This activity will take a few days, and there will be some research and deep thought involved.
Science: As of today we do not have any baby chicks yet. Like I have explained to the students, they do not always hatch every time. I am still hoping that we will have at least one chick, but if not, Mrs. Miller said she could bring in some baby chicks for us to look at one day next week. This activity has definitely made the students more curious about animal life. Even if it does not end up like I had planned, I hope that it has been a memorable journey for the students.
In science next week we will be doing a robotic arm activity. The students will be assembling a claw type thing (made from tag board), and trying to complete a challenge. The students will be paired with a partner, and they will take turns closing their eyes, and relying on their partner to direct them towards the objects they will need to pick up with their "robotic" arm. It should be interesting!
Handwriting:Over the next couple of weeks we will be spending time reviewing all upper and lower case letters. Please continue to stress neat writing with your child. Ask them to write you a little sample some time.
Religion: In religion next week we will continue to work in our Fully Alive books. I hope that you all took the time to look through the book when it was sent home with your child this week. The themes we will cover next week are: Family love is open, family changes, brothers and sisters, and friendship/being part of a group.
Art: In art next Thursday each student will be creating a self-portrait. They will all become artists!
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
Extras: Next Thursday, May 21st, is our school's spring program. I am sure that you have seen the letters that have been coming home about it. In preparation for this, we will have at least one rehearsal each day next week. I also know that the students have been hard at work in music class for many weeks.
We will still have library next Thursday, but the students will not be able to check out books anymore. Today is the last day to check out.
**Monday: Spanish open class! Come see what your child is doing in Spanish!**
Math: In math next week we will begin by learning about congruent figures and their motion (slide, translate, flip, and rotate). We will then move on into symmetry, perimeter, and area. One thing we are going to look at with symmetry is how common it is to see symmetry in nature. As you are driving around, or spending time outside, look with your child to see how many different examples you can find.
Please continue to practice math facts with your child, because practice only makes them more confident!
Reading: As you noticed in the newsletter that was posted last week, we read the last story in our books this week. The students have done a wonderful job all year, and I hope that they were exposed to many different story genres that they enjoyed. Along with no more stories, there will also be no more spelling practice pages. I have decided to have a yearly review spelling test next Friday. I will choose 2o random words from our lists that we had this year. There will only be two or three challenge words. If your child does wish to study, they may use their spelling book that has all of the lists in it.
We have started to practice a readers theatre play, and will be spending a lot more time with it next week. There will be a performance date that you will be invited in for, but I will send a note home that will give more information. The students have already been working so hard, and have had some creative ideas.
**Book groups will continue through the end of the month. The students are doing a wonderful job, and really seem to be enjoying it. We have book group time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.**
Social Studies: The students did a great job with their planning a community activity that we did this week. It was sent home already, so I hope you were able to take a look at it. Next week we will be starting opinion essays. This activity will take a few days, and there will be some research and deep thought involved.
Science: As of today we do not have any baby chicks yet. Like I have explained to the students, they do not always hatch every time. I am still hoping that we will have at least one chick, but if not, Mrs. Miller said she could bring in some baby chicks for us to look at one day next week. This activity has definitely made the students more curious about animal life. Even if it does not end up like I had planned, I hope that it has been a memorable journey for the students.
In science next week we will be doing a robotic arm activity. The students will be assembling a claw type thing (made from tag board), and trying to complete a challenge. The students will be paired with a partner, and they will take turns closing their eyes, and relying on their partner to direct them towards the objects they will need to pick up with their "robotic" arm. It should be interesting!
Handwriting:Over the next couple of weeks we will be spending time reviewing all upper and lower case letters. Please continue to stress neat writing with your child. Ask them to write you a little sample some time.
Religion: In religion next week we will continue to work in our Fully Alive books. I hope that you all took the time to look through the book when it was sent home with your child this week. The themes we will cover next week are: Family love is open, family changes, brothers and sisters, and friendship/being part of a group.
Art: In art next Thursday each student will be creating a self-portrait. They will all become artists!
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Weekly Newsletter
Hello families! I hope that this newsletter finds you all well. I realize it is only Wednesday, and you might be wondering why the letter is being posted so early, but like I said last week.....I will be gone this Friday. As a result of that I am doing everything I can to get ready for it. Please understand that things may change since it is being posted early, but more than likely, this will be our plan for next week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Extras: Mass on Wednesday will be at the Church for May Crowning. Please make sure that your child has returned their permission slip. On Monday in computers, the students will start their Learnia reading and math testing.
Our agenda for next week:
Math: Our week next week will begin with polygons. We will learn about what a polygon is, and use geoboards as a way to create our own. On Wednesday we will talk about tessellations, and use pattern blocks to create examples. Later in the week we will learn about the different types of triangles (equilateral, isosceles, and scalene), and then we will spend some time reviewing angles, polygons, and other shapes.
Reading: Our story next week is “Elena's Serenade”, and this will be our last story in our books. As always, we will be doing activities all week that relate to and involve the story. We will have a spelling test next week, so please make sure that your child is studying their words. There will also be pages from the spelling book that need to be completed by Friday.
**Book groups will continue through the end of the month. The students are doing a wonderful job, and really seem to be enjoying it. We have book group time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.**
Social Studies: Next week the students will be working on an activity called "Plan a Community". They will be given a grid, and directions on where to place each building on the grid. It involves a lot of planning, and knowing how to use space. It may take them a few tries to get everything to fit. It should be exciting!
Science: Things continue to go well the the chicken eggs. One week from today is officially 21 days, which is about how long it takes, so the anticipation is growing. We have also been growing bean plants, and some of them are really taking off!
In science next week we will be finishing up our life cycles unit. We will read about how the way we grow, and the needs we have, are similar to plants in some ways. On Wednesday we will do a little reviewing, and on Friday we will have a quiz on the life cycle of plants. We will also spend some time in our nutrition books on Friday too.
Handwriting:Please continue to encourage your child to slow down, and do their best handwriting on their homework. I remind them daily to do their best in class, and I am also pushing them to write as much in cursive as they are comfortable with. I have seen a great deal of improvement in their cursive. Ask them to write you a little sample some time.
Religion: In religion next week we will start a series called "Fully Alive". This book is divided into themes. The first theme we will focus on is how we are "Created and Loved by God". As a class we will explore how God knows our names, and our gifts and talents. Later in the week we will start the theme that discusses "Living in Relationship". With this theme we will start to explore what makes up our families.
Art: I have declared Thursday as a messy art day. I have not decided for sure what our project will be, but it will be a little more messy than normal.
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
Extras: Mass on Wednesday will be at the Church for May Crowning. Please make sure that your child has returned their permission slip. On Monday in computers, the students will start their Learnia reading and math testing.
Our agenda for next week:
Math: Our week next week will begin with polygons. We will learn about what a polygon is, and use geoboards as a way to create our own. On Wednesday we will talk about tessellations, and use pattern blocks to create examples. Later in the week we will learn about the different types of triangles (equilateral, isosceles, and scalene), and then we will spend some time reviewing angles, polygons, and other shapes.
Reading: Our story next week is “Elena's Serenade”, and this will be our last story in our books. As always, we will be doing activities all week that relate to and involve the story. We will have a spelling test next week, so please make sure that your child is studying their words. There will also be pages from the spelling book that need to be completed by Friday.
**Book groups will continue through the end of the month. The students are doing a wonderful job, and really seem to be enjoying it. We have book group time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.**
Social Studies: Next week the students will be working on an activity called "Plan a Community". They will be given a grid, and directions on where to place each building on the grid. It involves a lot of planning, and knowing how to use space. It may take them a few tries to get everything to fit. It should be exciting!
Science: Things continue to go well the the chicken eggs. One week from today is officially 21 days, which is about how long it takes, so the anticipation is growing. We have also been growing bean plants, and some of them are really taking off!
In science next week we will be finishing up our life cycles unit. We will read about how the way we grow, and the needs we have, are similar to plants in some ways. On Wednesday we will do a little reviewing, and on Friday we will have a quiz on the life cycle of plants. We will also spend some time in our nutrition books on Friday too.
Handwriting:Please continue to encourage your child to slow down, and do their best handwriting on their homework. I remind them daily to do their best in class, and I am also pushing them to write as much in cursive as they are comfortable with. I have seen a great deal of improvement in their cursive. Ask them to write you a little sample some time.
Religion: In religion next week we will start a series called "Fully Alive". This book is divided into themes. The first theme we will focus on is how we are "Created and Loved by God". As a class we will explore how God knows our names, and our gifts and talents. Later in the week we will start the theme that discusses "Living in Relationship". With this theme we will start to explore what makes up our families.
Art: I have declared Thursday as a messy art day. I have not decided for sure what our project will be, but it will be a little more messy than normal.
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
Monday, May 4, 2009
Spanish Opportunity
On May 18th Mrs. Gramstad will be having an open Spanish class from 9:00-9:30, which is our normal Spanish time on Mondays. This is a chance for you to come in and observe what your child does in Spanish. Please mark this on your calendar!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Weekly Newsletter: Happy May Day!
Hello families! It is official........the ducks have come and taken over our room. In case you have not heard from your child, I collect rubber duckies, and they made their appearance today. I decided that Spring would be a good time to bring them all out. The students are now calling it "duck season" in our room. It is a lot of fun, and the students have been looking forward to it as much as I have.
I also wanted to let you all know that I will be gone next Friday, May 8th. I will try to get the newsletter posted Thursday, but if I am a little late, please forgive me.
Here is what our class will be up to next week:
Math: Today in math we started learning about solid figures, and will continue to do so the first couple days of next week. On Wednesday we will be working in centers. The students will be tracing the faces of the solid figures, working on sample problems, and identifying the names of shapes. Later on in the week we will start learning about lines and line segments, and angles.
Reading: Our story next week is “Two Bad Ants”, and we will be doing activities all week that relate to and involve the story. We will have a spelling test next week, so please make sure that your child is studying their words. There will also be pages from the spelling book that need to be completed by Friday.
**Book groups will continue through the end of the month. The students are doing a wonderful job, and really seem to be enjoying it. We have book group time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.**
Social Studies: Next week the students will continue to work in their map packet.
Science: I am sure that you hear almost daily updates about our chicks, but things seem to be going well so far. The countdown is on as we wait for them to hatch. We are down to about 2 weeks, and the children pray for them daily!
In science next week we will be trying to classify pine cones. If you have any pine trees around your home, please send in a few with your child. We will also talk about the life cycle of a conifer tree.
Handwriting:Please continue to encourage your child to slow down, and do their best handwriting on their homework. I remind them daily to do their best in class, and I am also pushing them to write as much in cursive as they are comfortable with. I have seen a great deal of improvement in their cursive. Ask them to write you a little sample some time.
Religion: We have finished our required religion curriculum. Next week we will be reviewing chapter 21, and there will be a test on Thursday (May 7th).
Art: On Thursday the students will be working on a top secret project. Sorry I cannot give you more details than that. :)
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
I also wanted to let you all know that I will be gone next Friday, May 8th. I will try to get the newsletter posted Thursday, but if I am a little late, please forgive me.
Here is what our class will be up to next week:
Math: Today in math we started learning about solid figures, and will continue to do so the first couple days of next week. On Wednesday we will be working in centers. The students will be tracing the faces of the solid figures, working on sample problems, and identifying the names of shapes. Later on in the week we will start learning about lines and line segments, and angles.
Reading: Our story next week is “Two Bad Ants”, and we will be doing activities all week that relate to and involve the story. We will have a spelling test next week, so please make sure that your child is studying their words. There will also be pages from the spelling book that need to be completed by Friday.
**Book groups will continue through the end of the month. The students are doing a wonderful job, and really seem to be enjoying it. We have book group time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.**
Social Studies: Next week the students will continue to work in their map packet.
Science: I am sure that you hear almost daily updates about our chicks, but things seem to be going well so far. The countdown is on as we wait for them to hatch. We are down to about 2 weeks, and the children pray for them daily!
In science next week we will be trying to classify pine cones. If you have any pine trees around your home, please send in a few with your child. We will also talk about the life cycle of a conifer tree.
Handwriting:Please continue to encourage your child to slow down, and do their best handwriting on their homework. I remind them daily to do their best in class, and I am also pushing them to write as much in cursive as they are comfortable with. I have seen a great deal of improvement in their cursive. Ask them to write you a little sample some time.
Religion: We have finished our required religion curriculum. Next week we will be reviewing chapter 21, and there will be a test on Thursday (May 7th).
Art: On Thursday the students will be working on a top secret project. Sorry I cannot give you more details than that. :)
May Birthdays:
Sam~ May 10th
Jack~ May 11th
Triston~ May 25th
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