We are off to a great year!  It has been a joy getting to know your child.  I love that the class is familiar with each other.  I already see encouraging words and bonds that usually takes a month or two to develop at the start of the year.

I will send updates a couple of times a month.  If something else needs to be communicated, I will also share it in a separate post.  As always, if you have any questions or need clarification on anything please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email.

Writing

We will continue to share true stories about our lives.  Students will learn the difference between a summary and a story, set writing goals, and edit as they work.  Editing is a very hard process for 3rd graders.  I am going to teach them how they can edit as they go so editing doesn’t become so overwhelming when their story is “finished.”

Reading

I am continuing to read with students and get an idea of where they are as a reader.  I look at three things as they read to me:  accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.  Accuracy tells me how they decode and understand words, fluency tells how smooth/fluent they are as a reader, and comprehension tells how well they understand what they read.

Math

We will continue learning multiplication facts.  Last week we learned 5s and 2s.  This week we will learn 10s, 9s, 0s, 1s.  We will also learn the connection of multiplication and division.

Growth Mindset

Learning how to cope when things get tough is a skill that needs to be taught and learned.  We all get down on ourselves.  We get frustrated when things don’t go our way.  We get anxious when we don’t understand.  Through the growth mindset curriculum, students learn how to cope and not get “fixed” and stuck in a negative mindset.  They learn words and phrases and other skills to push through when things get tough.

Walk-a-thon

The Georgetown Parent Club will be holding our annual Walkathon Thursday, September 24. Unfortunately we cannot have parent volunteers this year. 

This year’s theme is Spirit Week. Our school goal is to raise $25,000.

Theme days will be:

Monday (21st)-PJ Day

Tuesday (22nd) -Silly Socks

Wednesday(23rd) -Crazy Hair

Thursday(24th) -Hat Day

Friday(25th) -Maize & Blue

We are using a new company to collect funds, Get Movin’ Fund Hub.  You will be able to sign your child up online and collect donations through that website.  More information to come.  All of the money raised helps to buy books and supplies for teachers’ classrooms, new technology and technology updates, and other requested needs.

New prizes this year:

Class with the Highest Donations receives a Pizza & Ice cream Party

Top 2 Earners of each grade get a Pizza Party with Mr. Waldie

Grade with the Highest Donation receives Popsicle Recess

Class with the Highest % Participation receives Donuts and a $50 gift card for the teacher

Prize winners will be announced in mid-late October. Everyone who donates $30 will receive an eagle t-shirt in late October. Anyone who donates will be put in a raffle drawing for prices, such as electric scooter, Target gift cards, Barnes and Noble, etc……..

We are looking forward to a successful walk-a-thon this year.

FRIDAY

This Friday is an early release day.  Students will be dismissed at noon.  Teachers will work their teams to plan and share.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! 🙂