Weekly Update: Aug. 22 - 26

A Week in Review:

We spent the first two days of school getting to know one another, learning the routine and schedule, unpacking our belongings, and doing some cooperative group/STEM activities.  We also read a story called The Kingdom with No Laws, No Rules, and No King.  We discussed the importance of having rules and laws, and then we created the Leader Laws for our classroom.  We then each decorated a hand that we will hang next to the Leader Laws because we each have a "hand" in creating and following the laws.  

A Glance Ahead:

Writing:  We will be reading a book called Amelia's Notebook, and gathering ideas to help build our Writer's Notebooks.  We will also be building our writing stamina.

Reading:  We will begin building our reading stamina, as well as building our reading community.  For our first read aloud, I will be reading the book Mr. Popper's Penguins.  

Math:  We will discuss what our math stations should look like, sound like, feel like, and what to do if you have questions during stations.  We will practice rotating between stations.  During this week, we will also be taking the ALEKS pre-assessment so that students can begin using ALEKS during stations and at home.  After the initial assessment, a letter explaining ALEKS and your child's login, will come home.

Words Their Way (aka Spelling):  The students will take the spelling inventory this week.  Based on the inventory, I will put the students into spelling groups.  We will also practice the different activities that we utilize during Words Their Way time.

Science:  Ch. 1 and Ch. 3 will be taught together, and tested together.  Ch. 1 is about what a scientist is, the scientific method, and tools that scientists use.  Ch. 3 is about Living Things.  A study guide will come home at least 3 days before the test so that you can study at home.

A Few Notes:

• Reading Logs will be sent home on Monday.  A letter explaining reading logs was sent home in the "Welcome Folder" that you all received at Meet the Teacher.  Just to recap - students need to read and record at least 5 nights a week for 20 minutes.  The logs are due the following Monday.
• Behavior Charts start Monday as well.  They will come home on Friday.  They need to be signed and returned Monday.
• Planners will be filled out daily.  They will come home every day.  PLEASE check the planner and initial at the bottom.  Planners are new to third graders, so they will need help remembering to share them with you.  The planners will contain homework, test dates, and any other important notes.
• Take Home Folders - these will come home daily, and need to be returned every day.  Please look through and empty the "Please Remove" side.  The "Please Return" side needs to be checked and returned.

Thanks for you help!  Here's to a GREAT Week!