A Gorgeous and Busy Week

I hope this sunshine stays around for a while. It is beautiful outside. Of course the students think they don't need coats or sweatshirts. Not exactly that warm outside if you consider the time they are out before recess. Please remember that before sending your child to school without a coat or sweatshirt. The mornings are still chilly and many students spend a good amount of time outside before school starts. It's best to dress in layers so that they are not too cold but can take off a coat if needed. I also chatted with the students about paying attention to the weather this week. The weather man this morning said that it is to cool back down by the weekend with a chance of snow so don't put those boots away yet.

I am sending some information home about an upcoming activity revolving around reading a biography and then making a video playing the role of that person from the past sharing about his/her life. The students are very, very excited about it so I hope you take some time to read the information that was sent home. Students have until April 2nd to complete the book. During this time, they should also be thinking about a potential costume they could wear for the video cast. We would like to see each student assume the role of the character they are reading about and speak as if they are that person. In the past, we have called this the "Hall of Fame". Look for the information sent home today and further information to be coming.

I feel I also need to make a comment about responsibility. Many students in 3B have been having difficulty finishing the homework that is sent home. I can truthfully say that there is not a lot of homework sent home with 3B students as they know I want them reading every night. The homework that does come home each week should be easy to accomplish and complete. Last week I called many parents to discuss the problem students are having. I also brought in the 4th grade teachers to talk about responsiblity in 4th grade and preparing the students for more homework next year. Today there were students who did not have their homework done again. Please take some time to discuss with your student if they are having this problem and ways to help them be more responsible. It is disappointing when students don't take the time to finish activities sent home; but it is not all students. Many students do an excellent job completing activities when they are sent home. The problem is continuing for some so I thought it best I commented about it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Because of all the snow days, early outs, and late starts, we did not get all of our science unit done before the end of the quarter. Therefore, I am sending home a study sheet today and we will be having a short science quiz this Thursday. The study guide should be used to help the students review what we have covered thus far in science. Please return the book with your 3B student on Thursday.

Congratulations to Shane and Alison for conquering all of their multiplication facts!!!! Super job!

Enjoy the sunshine and have a great week!

3B's Respect and Responsibility I Chart

I forgot to put this in last week as I mentioned I would. Here is the "I Chart" that we came up with as a class as far as our expectations for our behavior and responsibilities. Hopefully you can see it. Sorry I forgot to post it earlier last week.

Progress in All Areas! Fantastic Friday!

I am writing this post on Monday, Labor Day, but it is a reflection of last week. (Just pretend I am writing it last Friday.) After our morning meeting today, we had a discussion on respect and responsibility. The students and I created an "I Chart" if what a respectful classroom looks like. Students did a wonderful job coming up with phrases to finish the statement "I show I am respectful/responsibility by. . ". They also thought about what the teacher does to show respect. I will take a picture of our chart to include in my next post. Everyone signed it in agreement that that is what our classroom will look like. (A teacher can never "assume" students know what to do all the time and review is constantly needed.) We hung it in the classroom so that we can always be reminded about our "job" as student and teacher. Great visual to have! On a different note, I was so excited with the progress the students made in our Read to Self and Read to Someone stamina!!! They increased their Read to Self stamina to 23 MINUTES!!!! Incredible!!!! They also increased their Read to Someone to 13 MINUTES! The students were so excited when I told them how long they made it! Way to go! In the afternoon we started some math stations in which students work in small groups applying math skills we learned in the previous lessons (telling time, measuring, calculator use, reviewing addition and subtraction). The students were sad when it was time to stop and have recess. . .some wanted to stay in from recess! Wow! It was too nice to stay in. During science, the hunt was on looking for living organisms outside by the butterfly garden. The sun was shining so it was wonderful to be outside. But no matter how much we rushed, we couldn't get our Friday podcast done. . .so stay tuned for it next week. The students love to do podcast!!!!