Weeks in Review October 28, 2018

Dear Families,
It's almost time for one of the most exciting days of the year in the life of an elementary student.....HALLOWEEN!!! I sent you a separate email with some information about the day.  Please see the commerce connection for more details from Ms. Carlin.  Commerce Connection

I am collection money to use for our class parties all year long.  Thank you to those who have already contributed.  I am asking for $15.oo to cover the year.

PTA is looking for some more members!  If you have not yet signed up to be a member of our awesome PTA, please use this link to join.  PTA

The classes that reach 70% membership earn a pizza party!  :)

Curriculum Update:

Making Area Models to show multiplication facts

Math:  We have been working through Unit 2 and learning more about solving number stories involving multiplication and division. 
Reading:  We have been analyzing characters to think more deeply about a story.  
Writing: Our personal narratives are in the finishing touches.  Drafts have been completed and the kids have added strong leads, precise words, the heart of the story (authors message), dialogue and more!

Austin found a skull in his owl pellet!

Science:  We finished our first unit on Life Structures.  The kids did great on the test! A highlight last week was dissecting owl pellets and testing out life without opposable thumbs!  
Social Studies:  We start our first unit on the geography of our regions that we live in on Monday.

Lots of teeth were found in this owl pellet

Testing out life without opposable thumbs!

This happy group assembled Mr./Mrs. Bones by working together 

Elana and Nixon are dissecting their owl pellet

*****Cold and Flu season has already hit Room 23.  Please remind your child to wash his/her hands frequently and stay home if they are sick!  Germs spread so quickly at school.  If you are able to donate hand sanitizer, I would appreciate it!  The refill bottles are great!  

Have a great week!

October 15: Weeks in Review

Hello Families,

Fall is finally here!  I hope you are all enjoying our beautiful MI weather!  Long's Farm has been making doughnuts non-stop, so hurry and get yours before they're gone!  😜

We have been busy as always in Room 23.  They Color Run was a huge success this year, raising a lot of money for our school and providing a ton of fun for our kiddos!  

Dylan is brave!

       

Elana isn't afraid!  

  Crayfish are ready to go to a loving    home!! I sent a separate email with information if you are interested in coming to get one to take home.  Please email me with any questions.  

Curriculum Update:

Math: The Unit 1 math test went great!  Your child took his/her home last week and we have started unit 2.  We have covered solving story problems and subtraction strategies in addition to the 2's, 5's, and 10's in multiplication facts.  

Serious Scientist!

Science: We learned about animal adaptations and  studied various animals in different environments.  This week we will cover bones and joints and their functions.  

Claire is working hard!

A beautiful day for snack outdoors!

Reading: We are learning about analyzing characters to better understand a story.  Also, reading groups have started for students to practice skills in a small group at their reading level. 

Book Buzz Update:  Keep encouraging the At Home Reading!  :-)  A Buzz should be filled out after your child finishes a good book.  One buzz every 2 weeks needs to be turned in UNLESS your child is reading a big, huge, book!  :-)  Most kids will need to finish a book this week and do a buzz.  

Writing: Our small moment writing continues to grow.  The students' chose one of their favorite drafts to take to publication. 


If your child doesn't have a box of crayons to have in class, please send one is at your earliest convenience.  :-)  

Have a wonderful week!  

Sincerely,
Kathy Knapp

Weeks in Review, September 30, 2018

Hello Families,

Thank you to those who have already turned in money collected for our Color Run!  Remember the run is this Friday!  We are are keeping our fingers and toes crossed for good weather!  It's always a highlight of the year for our school family.  :-)  

Book Buzz Update:  Several students have already brought in a Book Buzz that they wrote from a book read at home.  This is awesome!  Your child should be able to finish a book they enjoyed and turn in a Book Buzz at least once every two weeks.  Reading each night for 20 minutes is the only regularly scheduled homework.  Please help your child find time each day/night to enjoy some good books. :-)  

Supplies Needed:  Please send in a box of crayons for your child to have if they don't already have some.  Thank you!  

Unit 1 Math Test:  Our first math test covering Unit 1 will be this week on Thursday.  We will be completing a review in class, checking it, and your child will bring it home to study before the test.  I typically send home the review 2 days before the test.  I will also email my copy of the review as well as a blank copy for families that would like to print one out for extra practice. 

Curriculum Update:
Reading: We continued to build our reading life in third grade by learning about how to read with a mental movie in our minds and to read with a positive attitude! 
Writing: we continued to generate ideas and write short drafts of various memories in our lives
Math: We reviewed telling time to the nearest minute, rounding numbers, multiplication being equal groups, and the "easy" groups of 2 (times 2) being doubles. 
Science: Our crayfish have arrived!!! These fascinating (and sometimes creepy) creatures will allow us to learn more about structures and their functions as well as how they have adapted for survival in their environment. 

A list of logins and passwords will be in your child's planner this week.  To access our google classroom and your child google drive, he/she can use their school login in followed by @students.wlcsd.org

Have a wonderful week!