October Book Order

October Book-It

October 2015

Dear Parents,

We are starting our first month of the Book-It program.  Your child will be given two goals to complete for the month.  For the month of October, the goals with be:

200 minutes of reading 

Complete 2 Books to take AR tests on 

This means the students need to read 20 minutes, at least 10 days in October.  Please have your child color in the calendar on the days he/she reads 20 minutes.  Along with reading, the students also need to take 2 Accelerated Reader tests (if we get the program).  After a student finishes a book, he/she will take the comprehension test on the computer.  Students must receive an 80% or higher on two of the test.  Students who complete all requirements will receive a Book-It ticket to take to Pizza Hut to receive a free personal pan pizza.

Please feel free to check out the AR Website at https://hosted193.renlearn.com/370941/ .  Also, if you want to help your child check to see if there is a comprehension quiz for a book, you can go to www.arbookfind.com. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Thanks,

Mrs. Coulon

Good-bye 382, Shin Dang Dong vocabulary & pictures

While reading "Good-bye 382, Shin Dang Dong" this week, several Korean words came up in discussion.  As a way to help students understand the culture of the little girl, Jangmi, I showed the students pictures of some of these Korean words.  Here is the list of words that we came up with.

Hanbok - This is a kind of dress that they wear to an important event.

bap sang - a Korean mom's home cooking

chummy - a Korean fruit

ondal floors - the type of floors that Korean families have

rice paper doors - doors made from rice paper that Korean families have in their homes

XtraMath

Last week, I worked with the students to get them onto the XtraMath website. Parents should have received the parents letter already. This letter will help parents get their child set up at home. I will start out quizzing students on their addition facts. As students pass addition, I will open up the subtraction section, then multiplication etc. I am able to track the students' progress daily and enjoy sharing student successes with the class. Please let me know if you need any help setting up.

Successes for Addition Facts:

Bryn - 55%

Gavyn - 45%

Hannah & Jason - 42%

Bee Keeper

 Today, the third grade had Mr. Steve Cornish, a beekeeper, visit. He did an excellent job of describing the bees, pollinating and the honey process. The students really enjoyed the presentation. A huge thank you to Mr. Cornish.

Congratulations - First Popcorn Party

We earned our first popcorn party of the school year for being respectful, responsible, and safe in our specials. Congratulations on all your hard work!

Spelling homework

There has been some confusion with the spelling homework. There are several sections that need to be completed.  Students have been completing some sections but not ALL of them.  Here is a list of the sections that should be completed.

Front:

1. "Re-write Misspelled Words" - Please have your child rewrite any words that were misspelled during the pretest. Sometimes we do this in class and sometimes it will be part of homework.

2. "ABC Order" - Please have your child put the spelling words in ABC order.  Students can put the challenge words in too but do not have too.

Back:

3. "Spelling Sentences" - Please have your child write 5 spelling sentence. Encourage them to expand the sentences and use all punctuation marks.

4. "Practice Test" -  The practice test also needs to be completed. I recommend having your child do this section the night before the test.

5. "Parent & Student Signature" - Please sign the bottom of the back page and have your child sign too.

This spelling homework is due back on the test date, which is written on the top of the front page.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Damon & Pythias Summary

One of the reading strategies that students have been working on while reading Damon & Pythias is summarizing.  Today, the students helped me complete a summarizing paper about Damon & Pythias.  They did an excellent job.  Take a look below.

Seed Project

Today in Science, Ms Weldon assigned the students a seed project. Your child should have come home with a paper (see below) for you to sign and return. This just says that you know when the seed project is due. That paper ONLY is Due on the 28th of September. The completed seed project is due October 13th. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Guidance - Mrs. Jordan

On Tuesday, our class went to Guidance for the first time. Mrs. Jordan talked to the students about being Social Detectives. She went around the room demonstrating different behaviors. Then students had to tell her if the behaviors were expected or unexpected. We had a great time. Ask your child about some of the behaviors they saw on Tuesday.

PTA Fundraiser

On Friday, the PTA kicked off their PTA fundraiser. Please take a moment to look through the packet. If your child wants to do the fundraiser, you make keep the packet. If your child doesn't want to participate, then there are two options. One, you may just donate a flat amount. Two, just send back in the packet. Which ever choice you make, please return the packet by September 30th. 

Planting Wisconsin Fast Growing Plants

Today, Mrs. Veilleux came into the third grade classrooms to help plant. She took students step by step through the planting process. Please take a moment and ask you child about the process. Their plants now sit underneath the light or "sun" to start the first step in the plant cycle. Thank you to Mrs. Veilleux for all her help today!

World Map Quiz

Students should be studying for their World Map Quiz. My class will have their quiz on Wednesday, September 23rd. Ms Weldon's class will have their quiz on Tuesday, September 22nd. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Agenda books

Our agenda books are here! We have been using them for the last week. I am having students write their homework daily. Then parents need to initial each night near the PI "parent initial.  On Monday, or the first day of the week, I check for the parents initials. If all days have initials, your child can get a sticker or pencil. If the student doesn't have any signatures, then he/she would get a check on the checklist. Thank you for your cooperation.

Puzzlemania Slips

I sent home the Puzzlemania slips on Friday. Please check yes or no and sign the paper. If you check yes, please fill in the rest of the form. I would like all forms returned by Friday, September 18th.

Science - Bean Exploration

After yesterdays Science lesson, Ms. Weldon soaked the beans.  Today, students explored their wet bean. They were able to take the bean apart and see the three parts of the bean. Ask your child what they saw!

Math groups

Today, students continued to work on the 3 forms of writing a number: standard form, expanded form, word form. Students worked with partners and played games working on these 3 forms. Then they broke into groups and completed a worksheet. Despite the heat, students did a wonderful job!

Great First Week

We had a wonderful first week in 3C! The students did everything asked of them. They earned 21 stickers towards out first 100 Squares Party. They earned 4 stickers towards their first popcorn party for being respectful, responsible and safe in their specials. We have a great start on our Friendship Concept & Question board. Thank you to all the students for a great first week, even with all the heat. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Parent Blog Homework

If you are reading this note, then you have successfully found our classroom blog.  Thank you for taking the time to look.  I try to post 3 or 4 times a week and I love to post pictures of events in the classroom.  You will also find the homework for the week, as well as, what we are working on in each subject.  The weekly spelling words will be posted with the test date.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Also, remember to send in the slip signed saying that you have been on this blog.

Parent Blog Form - Here is a copy of the Parent Blog Form if you need another one.

Partner Reading

On Wednesday, students partner read with a peer. They spread out in the classroom and read stories such as "A Pal" and "Nat, Nan, and Sam".  It was a great way to end a very hot day!

Friendship Pictures

As we begin Unit 1 in Reading on Friendship, I am asking students to bring in pictures of their friends. These pictures can be of family members, friends, pets, etc. These pictures will be posted on our Concept and Question board in the classroom. As pictures come in, I will take pictures of the board and post them on this blog.