News from Room 307
Hello! We made it through week two! We are off to a fantastic start to third grade. It has been so fun getting to know your children over the last few weeks. This week we finally started diving into our curriculum and homework has started. I apologize ahead of time for the length of this newsletter, but I do appreciate you taking the time to read it fully.
The first week we worked a lot on getting to know our classmates. We completed several activities that made us communicate with one another in order to find out more about each other. Those activities helped us create a classroom community that I hope only grows stronger as the year progresses.
This week, was more about our classroom routines. We began discussing what readers look like in the classroom and worked on building our reading stamina. We investigated the difference between books this week and came to realize there are sub categories to Fiction and Non-Fiction genres. I challenged the students to always be mindful of what genre they are reading. We also talked about writer's workshop and how our writing block will look. The first writing unit will be writing personals narratives. We began switching for math classes too.
The first week we worked a lot on getting to know our classmates. We completed several activities that made us communicate with one another in order to find out more about each other. Those activities helped us create a classroom community that I hope only grows stronger as the year progresses.
This week, was more about our classroom routines. We began discussing what readers look like in the classroom and worked on building our reading stamina. We investigated the difference between books this week and came to realize there are sub categories to Fiction and Non-Fiction genres. I challenged the students to always be mindful of what genre they are reading. We also talked about writer's workshop and how our writing block will look. The first writing unit will be writing personals narratives. We began switching for math classes too.
Student Homework *Student homework assignments will ALWAYS be written in their assignment notebooks. Hopefully your child has been showing you their leadership log and assignment notebook each night. Please know that your child should be asking you to sign their assignment notebook each night. This is the first means of communication between you and I. All of their homework should be listed each day so that you know what they are responsible for day by day. If we all work together, 3rd grade will be a wonderful, successful experience for everyone. | How can I help as a parent?
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Change in Transportation:
If you have a transportation change during the day for your child after school, please call the PRE office. I do not always have time to check my email or voicemail at the end of the day to check for these. If it is a change you know of prior to the beginning of the school day please send a note to school with your child. I clip the notes to the door, so I can be sure to see them at the end of the day.
If you have a transportation change during the day for your child after school, please call the PRE office. I do not always have time to check my email or voicemail at the end of the day to check for these. If it is a change you know of prior to the beginning of the school day please send a note to school with your child. I clip the notes to the door, so I can be sure to see them at the end of the day.
Volunteers Thank you to all who signed up at the Ice Cream Social to volunteer in our classroom! If you did not sign up but are interested in volunteering, please email me. I will be emailing those interested in the next few weeks. | Writing Ideas Please send in pictures or notes throughout the year of of things your child/family has done. You can also email me to fill me in! I will use these to help your child come up with writing ideas during Writer's Workshop. I found this to be a very helpful resource for students last year. |
Leadership Binders
Students began using their "Leadership Binders" this week. In the past they may have been called "Data Binders." Every Monday students will write a goal for the week and their plan to reach that goal. Their goal can relate to academics, behavior, social skills, etc. Basically, anything they feel they need to improve. Students will keep track of all their assessment scores in their Leadership Binder and will set goals each time they log a new score. We talked about how goals are personal and that everyone’s goals will look very different. We create goals as a class as well so students can work together to reach them.
Students began using their "Leadership Binders" this week. In the past they may have been called "Data Binders." Every Monday students will write a goal for the week and their plan to reach that goal. Their goal can relate to academics, behavior, social skills, etc. Basically, anything they feel they need to improve. Students will keep track of all their assessment scores in their Leadership Binder and will set goals each time they log a new score. We talked about how goals are personal and that everyone’s goals will look very different. We create goals as a class as well so students can work together to reach them.
Next Week...
Reading- Answering a question in writing, Building a Powerful Reading Life, Reading as if Books are Gold, Choosing Books
Writing- Personal Narritives, Generating Ideas, Writing Up a Storm
PBL- 8 Habit Behavior Lessons/ Growth Mindset
Reading- Answering a question in writing, Building a Powerful Reading Life, Reading as if Books are Gold, Choosing Books
Writing- Personal Narritives, Generating Ideas, Writing Up a Storm
PBL- 8 Habit Behavior Lessons/ Growth Mindset
Table Talk
*Each newsletter will contain a section titled "Table Talk." In this section I will list questions or prompts that you can use to talk to your child about what we are learning in school. These conversations are great for the dinner table, car rides, or right before bedtime! Here are a few to get you started.
- What are some ways you can be a "bucket filler" in school?
- What are some freedoms that go with being a level 3 or 4?
- What does the reading strategy "tune into interesting words" mean? Why is it important?
- What does it mean to have a growth mindset?
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for a great start to the school year. Have a great weekend!