Conferences Coming, Cool iPads, and Character Counts Week Ahead!

Wow!  Where does the time go?  October is almost half over already.....time is just flying by.  The students are so busy during the day that they don't even realize when it is lunch time or time to go home.  That's a good thing!  It always amazes me though how quickly time goes by.

With that being said, parent-teacher conferences are approaching.   A note will be sent home next Monday sharing a time and date that have been designated as your conference for your 3B student.  This is a similar format to the past and hopefully works for everyone.  Please take a moment to look if the date and time set work for you to attend your child's conference. If it is fine, please sign and return the sheet stating so.  If we need to reschedule to a different date and/or time, please sign and return the sheet stating so but also give me some times and/or dates that work better.  I will then respond with other options until we get it all finalized.  Parent-teacher conferences are the last full week of October on Monday, October 24th, and Thursday, October 27th.  There is no school on Friday, October 28th.

Last week I commented that I would be sending the math tests that were done last week home with the students.  I have decided to hold onto them until parent teacher conferences to discuss them and cover some information.  I will also be holding on to the students' science tests until conferences as well.  Just wanted to let everyone know that.

We have been lucky to have some iPads in our classroom this past week.  I am working on a grant to get some to permanently stay in our 3B classroom, but for now, we will share the ones the district has.  I have my personal one that I also let the students use at various times.  Needless to say, they are loving using them!  We have done a few apps in math titled "Rocket Math" and "Mad Minute" as well as some apps that go with our Everyday Math series.  I also used one to show pictures of some "gross" stuff we have been reading about (hopefully your child shared what we read about mites..yuck!) through an app titled "Mini-Monsters".  They LOVED looking at these microscopic creatures and being grossed out!  I have posted a few pictures of some of the students working on the iPads this week.  Great learning!

Next week is Character Counts Week!  I am sending home a note today that covers each day and what the students can wear to celebrate.  It is a great week of being reminded of the importance of having good character.  Can't wait to see all the great hats, crazy socks, and school colors!  Take a look at the note from Mrs. McCabe to explain what the focus color is and activities for next week!

Thanks again to all the parents, relatives, and friends who are commenting on the student blogs!  It is amazing how their faces light up when they check their blog to read all the comments!  Thank you and keep it up.  Soon, students will be able to blog from home as well or before school.  More on that later...

Remember to keep reading for Book-It.  We don't have lots of homework in 3B, just a few things here and there, so it is important for the students to continue building their reading skills and strategies by reading at home.  If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call me.  Remember that even books they are reading for Title 1 or from Mrs. Watt count towards Book-It.  Students can also take books from our classroom library home to read as well....So, keep reading!

Have a super week and enjoy the sunshine!

Busy Next Two Weeks!

Wow!  What a difference in the temperature from two weeks ago.  I guess that is how the weather goes.  I know I am not ready for winter!! I wanted to remind everyone to have their 3B student dress warm every day.  Many stand outside in the morning before school and it is still very chilly!  Hats and mittens should be a must now as it is getting colder.  I was just glad to see the sunshine this morning!

Everyone in 3B is working hard and getting through our ITBS testing.  We have two test to take tomorrow and will finish up on Wednesday with the last one.  I am pleased how hard the students are trying and using their "test taking tips" along the way!  They have been troopers!  Thank you to everyone as well in making sure that there are not a lot of students gone during this time.  I understanding if your child is ill that they should be home...we can't help that and want them to rest and get better.  But thank you for not scheduling many appointments during this time!  It helps a lot with the students' comfort levels and routine of the day to be here as much as possible!  I have to agree with the students that I will also be glad when the testing is over and we can get back to a routine!

Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures for our "Oh! The Places You Have Been!" bulletin board for social studies!!!  It will be fun to look at all the pictures and the travels of 3B.  If you have not sent your child's pictures and would like to, feel free to send them in tomorrow.  I would like to get all the pictures up by tomorrow night so we can use them to build our understanding of communities.

Due to testing, we did not get our math assessment in last week for unit 3 on measurement.  I hope to finish that unit up this week and have the assessment by Thursday or Friday.  We just did a bunch of activities on perimeter (as you know from your child singing "The Perimeter Song" to you ) and now we will be moving into area.  Look for "The Area Song" to come home soon as well!  :)  I have found that the students have a great understanding of measuring to the nearest inch and half inch but struggle when it comes to nearest quarter of an inch.  If you are not busy at home some night, have your child get a rule and practice measuring the the nearest quarter of an inch.  While this is not a "secure" goal for math, it is something that you could work on at home.  There are also a few measurement links on my webpage that students can work on at home as well.  Always something to do.....

I will be sending home an invitation for our first Character Counts celebration that will be held next Wednesday afternoon.  Please note that parents are invited to this celebration and will be working on an activity with your 3B child.  It is all explained on the invitation.  If you are unable to attend due to conflicts, please have your 3B student let me know so that I can find other adults to work with him/her.   If you volunteered to supply snacks for this celebration, a reminder note will be sent to you by the end of the week.  Fun times ahead!

Just a reminder that fundraiser pick up is tonight at the elementary school.  Please remember that if your child sold items for the fundraiser that he/she is responsible for picking them up and getting them delivered.

There is also a 3 hour early out this Wednesday for teacher inservice.

Have a great week and stay warm!

Almost December! Wow!

I can't believe it is almost December! Wow! Where does the time go? Hopefully you had an enjoyable break for Thanksgiving! I did! It was nice to have a little break after ITBS, but I did miss the students as well. We have a lot to do before the semester ends and the new calendar year begins. As always. . .we are busy . . . .having fun as well.

The students were excited to see that Mrs. Hartberg had returned from her maternity leave! We are all glad that she is back! She will be co-teaching some literacy and writing time with me so the students will be seeing her in the room more and more as the year goes along.

I will be posting pictures from our Character Counts celebration that was held last Tuesday. The new Character Counts mascots are already displayed in the hallway and look great! It was nice to see parents and students working together on something that is stressed in our school, good character. I hope that each of you had an enjoyable time also. Thanks to our parents who brought in snacks! Yumm! Our tummies thank you also! Be looking for the pictures either tomorrow or Wednesday (I can't find my camera cord to download them to the computer. :))

If your child did not return his/her reading calendar for the month of November, he/she may do so tomorrow. I will be sending home reading calendars for the month of December as well as pizza coupons for those that met their goal in November. I was very impressed with how many students read in October so I am hoping I will be amazed with the November calendars also! Keep it up 3B!

Today students in 3B turned in their effort coupons from ITBS towards something in my prize box. They have been waiting for this day. . . . so excited! This was just a little extra for students trying so hard on ITBS. Everyone needs a little pat on the back once and a while right? So, look for your child to bring his/her prize home today.

This week we will be moving into more measurement activities in math, more discussion on the types of communities with a tour of these communities through Goggle Earth, getting more students on Edmodo (which is a way of communicating about reading without opening mouth- also known on online chatting), reviewing nouns and noun types in writing, and working on more fluency and accuracy strategies in reading. We just wrapped up some great discussion and review of the comprehension strategy of "retelling" using shapes as our guide. Maybe ask your 3B student about what shapes we use to remind us how to retell something we have read.

Have a great week! It is suppose to be chilly by the end of the week so encourage your 3B student to dress warm for recess!