March Already?

Well, I think I have adjusted and gotten back into the daily routine after my vacation to Jamaica. Glad the sunshine is more apparent and a little warmer than when I left. Maybe some of the sunshine followed me back to Iowa and the weather is going to start appearing more like spring?! Let's hope so.

With warming weather comes messy conditions outside. Please keep sending snowpants and boots with your child to school so that he or she doesn't get their clothes all wet at recess. You may also want to send extra socks as many students are complaining their socks are getting wet outside (maybe if they stayed out of the puddles that would change but they can't resist the puddles :)) Although it may appear much warmer outside, these extra clothes continue to keep us dry. Thanks!

I want to commend the students on their student led conferences! I think they did a fabulous job and should be very proud of themselves. I feel that the parents got a lot more from their child about his/her learning than if it would have been just me sitting there sharing information. I am also impressed with how this type of activity builds verbal and communication skills as well. Anyway, great job 3B students. I know I have a few more students to do their conferences, and I hope to get those done this week!

The students represented Crestwood Elementary very well last Friday at our trip to a show at UNI. From reading their blogs and discussions with them afterwards, I think they enjoyed the science show as well. I am very proud of you 3B! You acted like young adults while also having a great time learning! Bravo!

If you did not do so today, please return your child's reading calendar for the month of February if he/she is participating in the extra reading incentive. We will continue the reading incentive through the month of March, with a celebration in February for those who have read every month and reached their goal. Students who have met their goal every month and returned their calendar will have a pizza party supplied by me as a little extra reward for continuing to read at home. As I mentioned, this will be sometime in April. So. . . .keep reading!

Something else to keep working on are the multiplication facts. While I was gone, we got a little off but now I hope to return to checking those when students are ready. Remember it is their responsibility to let me know if they are ready to be assessed on any particular family. Currently, our math unit is about reading and writing large numbers - up to the millions - but we will continue to work on multiplicatoin facts as well.

We have been working very hard on various concepts and skills in literacy, both reading and writing. The students seem to have a great understanding of fact vs. opinion! We are also working through exposure and understanding of different types of fiction. Thus far we have read and been exposed to the elements of realistic fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy. We are moving into science fiction and mystery this week. Along with this, the students are writing different types of pieces as well. They have build a great collection of writing pieces throughout the past month and will have lots to share at the end of the year! Along with this, we will be moving into recognizing types of figurative language, such as similes, during the next few weeks. All of this along with our Daily 5 activities, guided reading, and individual reading conferences makes for a busy but wonderful literacy period!!!

Thank you to those parents who volunteered to be Mystery Readers. I am currently working on the schedule and will be sending that out to those parents by the end of the week! The students are very excited! If you haven't volunteered and would still like to, please let me know as soon as possible!

Well, enjoy the sunshine thise week! We deserve it!

Fun Time at Mega Party 2010!

Here are some pictures of the students enjoying the "Big Blast-Mega Party" last week. As you can tell, everyone had a great time!

Student Led Conferences, Valentines Day, and Book Reviews

Well, I think the students are ready to share their thoughts and reflections of their learning in 3rd grade. Yes, they are a little nervous, but I am sure it will go fine. We have practiced many times so they know the routine. Please remember that when you arrive for your conference, do not stand outside the room and wait for the person in the room to get done or we will get very behind in schedule. Just come in and get started as your 3B child will be leading the conference without me. I will initially start off to the side and then casually join the discussion as your child works his/her way through their information. So come on in and get started. I am excited to hear what your child has to share with you and will see you soon!

This Wednesday we have a special activity planned. Our Podcast Pals from Luther will be coming over to Crestwood Elementary at 2:30 to officially meet us and do some fun activities! They are just starting their semester so this will be a kick off to start back up on our podcast readings. 3B students will be showing their podcast pal around the room, telling them about how our day goes, and reading with their partner. Hopefully the weather will hold out as the students are eager to meet their Luther pals. Me too!!!

I recently sent a note home about Valentines. Because I will be gone next week on vacation, I would like to celebrate Valentines day, along with our "Caring Celebration" this Thursday afternoon, February 11th. As stated in the note sent home last week, students are not required to bring Valentines. It is totally their choice. But if they do, they must bring one for everyone in the class. A classlist was sent home, but if you need another please let me know. Those parents who volunteered to send snacks for our second "Character Counts" celebration should send their snacks to school on Thursday. (I sent a note to those parents today or called them.) Parents do not need to attend this celebration as we will be doing an activity showing how we care about one another. Remember that the snack sent can not contain peanuts. I will supply the paper products and beverage. Thanks so much!

We are starting a new activity this week that I am very excited about. In literacy, we have been discussing author's purpose and have now moved into book reviews used as a way to persuade others to read certain books. Last week we took some time to look at students written, podcast, or video book reviews from around the US. Now it is our turn! I have created new blog pages for each student on a class blog page (I will send the link so you can see them when we are ready) and students will be writing a book review this week to be posted on the web. In a few weeks, students will created a video book review that will be shared via the web/blog as well. I hope to utilize the blogs in various other ways as well as the year goes on in all curriculum areas, but we are just getting started. Yes, some students have been writing book blogs on my web page, but I have not been satisfied because no one can comment back on the program we have been using. Therefore, we are going to try this out which will allow you, as parents, and other students from around the world to respond/comment to post made by 3B. Look for a note to be sent home at the end of the week sharing the site to visit to read all of the book reviews by 3B! Fun times!

Remember that I will be gone all of next week as I am going on vacation with my husband - getting away from this winter weather! I need some serious sunshine and warm weather! I know the students will be in good hands and I have everything prepared for the sub. I would appreciate a few reminders from parents during that week to encourage their 3B child to be on their best behavior as sometimes students think they can goof off when the teacher is away. Not my 3B angels! I will check in with the students in the middle of the week to see how things are going. If you have a message for me that week or need to get ahold of the sub, please send a written note or call the school and chat with Linda. She will then get the information to the sub in my room.

Keep working on those multiplication facts at home. Even though we are wrapping up our unit on multiplication, I will continue to assess students on their facts working towards the "Walking Taco" party towards the end of March/beginning of April. I am very impressed with many students as I have done a lot of assessing already and am pleased at how the students are practicing on their own. Remember that there are many activities on my webpage that students can use to review their facts - a lot more fun to do it this way as well. :) We will be moving into our next unit of reaidng and writing large numbers up to the millions soon.

Have a great week! Remember that there is no school on Friday, February 12th, due to teacher compensation day for conferences. Also remember that Monday and Thursday of this week are 1 hour early outs as conferences are scheduled on those days. Have a great Valentine's Day weekend with your child!

See you at conferences!

Another Busy Week!

Well, the students are ready for their big night tonight - their music program. I hope all of you can make it as they are singing some pretty fun songs! Please remember to have your child to the high school by 6:45 as the program starts at 7:00 and we need to get them lined up in time to start at 7:00. A note was sent home last week from Mrs. Holten with the information about the program so hopefully none of this is a surprise to you. Remember that there is also a home basketball game so it will be a little crowded in the parking lot. Hope to see you tonight!

Your 3B child should have brought a slip home with a time scheduled next week for parent-teacher conferences. If the time written does not work for your schedule, please return the slip with a time that would work better. It is important your bring your 3B child along as they will be leading the conferences. We started getting ready today and I can tell they are a little nervous. When you arrive at your conference that night, please just come on in and get started even if there is someone else in the room. It is alright to have 2 conferences going on at the same time just so we don't get off schedule. Your 3B child will start the conferences sharing their learning and critiques, and I will join you in the middle of the conference. (I will be listening from the side though). Although it is a scary time for the 3rd graders, it is a very beneficial experiences for them as well. After all, they are what the conference is about.

February seems to have a lot of "interruptions" - if we can call them that. Remember that this Wednesday is an early out for inservice. There is no school next Friday, February 12th, due to teacher compensation for time spent at conferences. We originally were to have off the following Monday as well, February 15th which is President's Day, but that is now a make up day. Please pay close attention to calendars and notes sent home from school throughout the month as it can be a busy time.

The "Big Blast" from our fundraiser has been rescheduled for this Friday. Mrs. Sovereign would love it if students wore Cadet blue tshirts or something Crestwood realated, if you have something. Those students that earned the ride in the limo and lunch at Pizza Hug will also do that this Friday - I get to go too! Yumm! I know the students are very excited about the Big Blast as they ask every day when it will be! Good way to celebrate their hard work!

Just a reminder that I will be on vacation to Jamaica February 12-21 and will return to school the 22nd. I will have everything prepared for the sub and know things will go very smoothly. If you need to let the sub know anything that week, please send a note or call Linda in the office so she can inform my sub. I usually bring back gifts for the kids so they are already curious what that will be.

Enjoy the week!