Oct. 1st, 2017
NEWSLETTER
October has arrived! It has been a whirlwind. September was a month of colds, tired students and teachers. 3A has started to build a good classroom learning environment. Routines are coming together and expectations reinforced. We continue to work on listening skills and during transition times – being hands free and respectful of each other. We have our agenda out every morning to deliver notes and check off reading logs. This is also the time for exchanging books (as well as library exchanges on each child’s given day).
READING
We are building stamina for reading to ourselves (quietly or with a reading phone tube) with understanding and with a “Just right” level book. If the book has more than 5 difficult words per page it is too challenging! I have listened to all the students read and talked with them about their strengths and areas to work on. I will continue to formally assess each child during our quiet reading time this month. Before Goal setting meetings (Nov. 1,2 and 3) the entire school has an Response to Intervention meeting time by grade level where we discuss student needs and how we, as a school, can help those students with reading needs specifically.
Keep up the great reading practice at home. Children are encouraged to recognize “Just right” level books for themselves in grade three but we still have a few that are reading either too hard or too easy books for them. We have had many talks about the fact that if we are not reading a just right book our reading will not improve. Please let me know if the books coming home are not appropriate. If you have books at home that are a good level that is fine also. BUT please have them read them aloud to you before determining this. Another option is to have them go on our RAZ-KIDS reading program – A note is coming home Monday with more details.
WRITING AND SCIENCE
We are writing every day in our journals and also during science. We are learning how to take notes and learning new vocabulary words through our rocks and minerals unit. We will conclude this unit mid month with a unit test and performance task (review notes will be sent home to you before hand). Our spelling lists/word work words will continue each week with quizzes on Fridays.
MATH
In math, we are finishing up our unit on increasing and decreasing number patterns mid month. We will be moving on to numbers to 1000.
HEALTH – Kimochi Program
Here is an interesting quote from our program:
“Social-Emotional Development in Third Graders How Children Grow
Below are some general developmental milestones that can help you to understand the social and emotional progress a third grader will make over the school year.
Keep in mind that every child is different and may not fit perfectly into this framework.
Where they are: The average third grader is explosive, excitable, dramatic, and inquisitive. They may: • Possess a “know-it-all” attitude
- Are able to assume some responsibility for her actions
- Actively seeks praise
- May undertake more than she can handle successfully
- Are self-critical
- Recognize the needs of others
Where they are going: Third graders are continuing to learn about themselves and others. Encourage third graders to: • Explore the relationship of feelings, goals, and behaviors
- Learn about choices and consequences
- Begin setting goals
- Become more responsible
- Learn how to work with others”
HALLOWEEN
Halloween day is a Tuesday this year. We will not be changing into our costumes until the afternoon that day. No violent costumes, swords, etc… are permitted. We will be having our traditional Halloween parade in the Gym and then going back to class to play board games together. Please sign up to bring a fruit or veggie tray and one special treat tray (cupcakes or something else peanut and tree nut free). Please do not send treats with them for lunch the rest of the week!
November 1st, 2nd and 3rd of November are Goal Setting Meeting days. We will be using a Doodle (computer based scheduling program) to set up these meeting times.
Important Dates to remember: (These are also on Our Class Google Calendar)
Oct. 2nd – Lefarge Class presentation 10:30-11:00 in the Learning Commons
Oct. 3rd – Lyon Lynns – Anxiety presentation 9:15-10:00 in the Gym
Oct. 4th – Individual Picture Day
Oct. 6th – Half Day for Students – Favourite Graphic T-shirt or Jersey Day!
Oct. 9th – No School – Thanksgiving
Oct. 13th – Morning Field Trip to Lafarge – Favourite Book day!
Oct. 20th – Half Day for Students – Backwards Day!
Oct. 24th – Kananaskis in the Classroom 9am
Oct. 27th – P.J. Day! Again 🙂 We like this one.
Oct. 31st – Halloween – Afternoon Parade and Board Game Party.
Nov. 1st – Picture Retakes
– Goal Setting Meetings Evening
Nov. 2nd – Goal setting Meetings Evening
Nov. 3rd – No Classes for students – Goal Setting Meetings in the Morning
Terri Williamson
Third Grade Teacher
Elizabeth Rummel School