This was a great week in so many ways.  Two of my big take-aways were that partnerships in reading and writing are growing so much.  They are communicating better and helping one another.  Also, we took some time to do a craft today. They made adorable Valentine Gnomes.  And speaking of that, earlier this week I put out some random paper and the kids LOVED it.  They were making signs, hats, and other things.  I love when they just use their own creativity.

Reading Logs

January reading logs are due next week.  A new one will be sent home on Monday.

PE Apparel

Kids Heart Challenge

Valentine’s Day

We have library on Monday and it seems that less and less kids are checking out books because they already have books checked out.  I always tell the kids, don’t return them for the sake of returning them because if you are reading them, that is great.  But if they are just sitting at home, bring them back to school to get something you will want to read.

Beginning Monday, we are starting a unit on studying characters.  I would like the students to be able to get at least 1-2 books in their reading level that they can read and discuss in class. Then they can check out one more to being home for the week.

Please send back any library books by Monday that are not being read!

Winter came back!  With this comes all sorts of new things to do at recess.  Please make sure you send your child fully dressed for the winter weather.  It’s a long 20 minutes out there when you are cold, also if students wear their boots, they are not allowed to play on the field.  They must stay on the blacktop.

Report Cards

Report cards will be sent home on Friday in a sealed envelope with your child.

Homework

We are at that mid-point in the year where routines start to become more relaxed and school work isn’t at it’s finest.  Each week your child is responsible for a homework packet, practicing math facts, spelling words, and reading 30 minutes each night.  I’ve noticed that students are not passing their math facts as fast as they used to be and are “stuck” on a fact.  Also, the spelling dictation sentences haven’t been as strong.  Please set up good study habits for your child, even if you have to make a check list of things for them to complete each day after school.  This will help with their own independence.

Reading

Next week we are starting a new unit called Literary Essays.  Students will be put into book clubs to read the same book and have group discussions about the characters and lessons that the character is learning.  This is a fun unit and students always grow from learning from the peers during these book club discussions.

Writing

Our writing unit aligns with our reading unit of Literary Essays.  Students will practice writing about a character and describing their traits by using examples from the text.  We write several of these together before students are required to write one on their own.  This can be more difficult by using the examples, transition words, and paragraphing.

Math

We will be finishing our rounding and three digit addition and subtraction unit next week with a test mid-week.  A review sheet will come home and you will have a chance to go over problems with your child for better understanding.

Winter break is February 5-8.  Students have an early release on Friday, Feb. 5 and then Monday, Feb. 8 with no school.

Happy New Year!!!  I hope all of you have had a great start to 2021!  For me personally it has been a rough go, but I am happy to be back in the classroom and with these students every day.  They are a great distraction and bring a happy smile to my face.  They may have come home and shared with you some of my “updates” as they call them, from the week.  The last week of my break was very eventful.  I took a spill skiing and hurt my knee.  I think it’s just a sprain but I will find out for sure next week Friday at my orthopedic appointment.  After that I rode, because I couldn’t drive, with my daughter as she moved to Florida (OUCH!).  It was fresh after my fall and my knee was feeling quite painful but as a mom, that’s what I needed to do.  We finally found her and her friend an apartment.  Then as her friend’s parents drove down two days behind us in a moving van, it was stolen from the hotel parking lot.  I found out it was stolen as I was boarding the plane to come home.  Talk about feeling helpless.  So they have spent the week with the police trying to find the truck.  It was found, but many of their belongings were gone or damaged.  So it just has just been a rollercoaster week.

However, in school, we have been rock steady.  The students have transitioned very well back into our routine and learning.  I am so proud of their attitudes and effort.

Writing

We are finishing up our informational writing books.  I can’t wait to read about something they are passionate and know a lot about.

Reading

Our reading unit ties in with our writing in that we are reading informational texts.  Currently we are studying the main idea and supporting details.  The students are also learning that you must read informational writing a lot slower than fiction.  After each section they are doing a quick stop and asking themselves who are we talking about and what is the topic.

Math

This week we have focused on adding three digit numbers.  Students have done this with equations, word problems, and from charts.  The wording on the charts can be tricky so we are working slowly through these talking about math action words.

Their math tests went home this week.  Overall, they did very well.  This wasn’t an easy test and it was disrupted with virtual learning so I am very proud of how they did.

Keep practicing math facts.  We have students all over the place on the fact family they are learning.  Once they pass 1-10, they can practice 11s and 12s for extra learning.  Only 1-10 needs to be mastered for 3rd grade.  After everyone has passed we will take tests on mixed facts to keep their fluency high.

Homework

A homework packet was sent home on Monday and a new January reading log went home on Wednesday.

Early Release

Next week Friday is an early release day for teachers to have building meetings and work on report cards.

Snacks and Lysol Wipes

If you happen to find a good deal on some snacks or Lysol wipes, we could use some in the classroom.  We have sanitizer in the room that we use, but the Lysol wipes work for a quick cleaning and pick up.  Some good snack ideas are goldfish crackers, graham crackers, cheese-its, and other crackers like that.

That’s about it.  If I forgot anything, send me an email and ask away.  🙂 Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the sunshine!