I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. I am at the beach myself and though still doing schoolwork, I am relaxing. I hope the third grade pool party was fun and that your weekend plans are continuing the fun. I wanted to share with you that I did post an email for parents. Please make sure that you check your emails at some point. I will be at school on Tuesday and Wednesday. And though I will be in meetings for some of the time, you can find me in the classroom cleaning out the room and trying to get organized for next year. Feel free to contact me if you need me for any reason.
The three books that I recommended the children read are as follow:
Ole Yeller
Trumpet of the Swan
How to Eat Fried Worms
If the children find and read a book that they think I need to have in the classrom, please have them email me or send me a note telling me about the book.
Happy Summer!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Final Blog on the Final Day!
I am sitting here in the classroom looking out at the empty desks and already missing your bright smiles! I know you are at this minute, heading to your third grade pool party to spend some much deserved time with your friends. You have worked very hard this year and you should be proud of yourself. You have learned a lot and were good sports even when it got hard. You "took the licks" and kept working. I love watching you grow and become better readers and writers. I was always in awe of your creativity and artwork both in class and in the art room with Mrs. Rowe. I loved being able to treat you to a movie as a reward for your behavior. But don't forget, the book is always better than the movie! I do hope each of you will read at least three good books this summer. And don't forget the Florida Sunshine State books that you may not have had an opportunity to read in between all the projects I assigned this year. You have become responsible students and I hope that you will show your fourth grade teacher just how capable you are. But also remember, as we have talked about many times, it's your attitude, your kindness with respect, and your sincere interest in others, that are important in life. I will miss your sense of humor and your enthusiasm. You made me want to come to work every day and think of ways to help you learn and create fun topics. I know that not every day was a thrill for you, but you did your part to contribute for the good of all. I do hope you have a wonderful summer. Many of you will be heading off to camps, going on vacations, and hanging out with your friends in your neighborhood. Whatever you do, try to take time to send me a little postcard or letter and let me know how you are. I am going to keep your email addresses, so be on the lookout for a message from me. You ALL are very special and I will miss you! Read lots!
With hugs and smiles,
Mrs. Hensler
With hugs and smiles,
Mrs. Hensler
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wonderful Wednesday!
The children are coming home today with a full envelope of work. We discussed that perhaps they would want to hang on to the Science Journal to use in some capacity next year. You will also find the Reading Theme Assessment Booklet that I explained in my blog yesterday. Somewhere in the stack of loose papers, you will find the list of sight words for the fourth grade reading book that I shared with you at our first parent/teacher conference. I explained to the children that they will want to review at least twice over the summer and then really work on the words that are checked. Those were the words that they had the most trouble pronouncing. This will help them with their sight reading in fourth grade.
Love the projects! You will get to see all of them on display tomorrow either in the hallway or in the Children's Studio across from the clinic. I hope that you will be able to come. If not, your child will come home on Friday with most of the writing for you to read. I will be keeping a few pieces that will go in to the writing folder that will be passed on to the fourth grade teachers.
Love the projects! You will get to see all of them on display tomorrow either in the hallway or in the Children's Studio across from the clinic. I hope that you will be able to come. If not, your child will come home on Friday with most of the writing for you to read. I will be keeping a few pieces that will go in to the writing folder that will be passed on to the fourth grade teachers.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tip Our Hats to Tuesday.. Part 2
I wanted to mention that I am sending the Theme 2 Reading Assessment that goes along with our Voices Reading Program. The children did not complete the entire booklet and that was by my design. I was more interested in the Comprehension, Vocabulary and Word Study, and the Proofreading portions. Please do worry if your child did not get a perfect score. I do feel that I have to factor in that it is the end of the year and after ERB's, they were over bubbling in answers. But I am sending this home to give you an example of questions and activities that you can use with your child when reading at home. I like the section on Vocabulary and Word Study because it makes the children assess how to break down a word for meaning. It also has a writing idea in the back. The children do not have to read the book in order to complete a How-To story. In fact they don't have to build a snowman, they can do a How-To on any subject that they would like. But they can use the web and the pages to write down their ideas and compose a story. In conjunction with this reading assessment, I will be sending home the Wordly Wise book which leaves two stories at the end that we did not have time to complete. These can be used as well to review and practice not only oral reading but comprehension by answering the questions that connect to the story.
Tip Our Hats to Tuesday!
It's hard to believe that your child's third grade year is coming to a close. We had a great day today and got several activities completed.
Tonight's responsibilities are as follows:
Math-workbook page 207
Remember Explorer Project
Review division sheet
Spirit Day
I am looking forward to seeing the finished products about the many explorers in history to present day. We will display them in the third grade hallway for all to see. The children will also have a chance to present the project to the class. So tonight they may want to practice what they are going to say. They just can't stand up and read the 10 facts on the sheet. But they will need to share the various elements of the project. We will have these projects on display through Thursday so you can enjoy them as well if you plan to attend our Writer's Celebration.
We will celebrate our writing experiences on Thursday from 2:15 to 2:45. Plan on coming to the classroom at 2:15. The children will be in control of sharing their writing pieces with you. You will see a combination of formal writings (ie. personal narratives and realistic fiction). But you will also get to review their journals where they have responded to literature that we have read throughout the year. The children will also share various "fun" writings and essays that we wrote during the year about various topics that weren't part of the writing portfolio that will be passed on to the fourth grade teachers. We will have an historical acrostic poem to share and show you individaul poem books where they have a collection of several poems that they thought were cute, funny, sad, etc. I will ask that the children don't take anything home that afternoon as I need for a few of the pieces to stay with me. But you can count on the work coming home on Friday for you to keep.
The children will bring home a few things such as notebooks or papers on Thursday and a few on Friday so they aren't so overloaded on Friday. Please take a look in their homework folder before it gets put away for the summer or thrown away. I am sending home a stapled packet of math pages for review over the summer. I also going to send home an extra DLR to use on a rainy day to clean out those cobwebs right before it is time for school to begin.
You may want to hang onto the journal notebook to use over the summer for the children to write summaries. Their reading notebook has a huge list of homophones and other words that they may find helpful when they write. I am also sending home the Writing Binder which we affectionately call "Big B". I have explained to the children that they may want to safely put that away and use next year, at least at home, to keep track of good writing practices when they have assignments at home.
I look forward to another productive day on Wednesday!!!
Tonight's responsibilities are as follows:
Math-workbook page 207
Remember Explorer Project
Review division sheet
Spirit Day
I am looking forward to seeing the finished products about the many explorers in history to present day. We will display them in the third grade hallway for all to see. The children will also have a chance to present the project to the class. So tonight they may want to practice what they are going to say. They just can't stand up and read the 10 facts on the sheet. But they will need to share the various elements of the project. We will have these projects on display through Thursday so you can enjoy them as well if you plan to attend our Writer's Celebration.
We will celebrate our writing experiences on Thursday from 2:15 to 2:45. Plan on coming to the classroom at 2:15. The children will be in control of sharing their writing pieces with you. You will see a combination of formal writings (ie. personal narratives and realistic fiction). But you will also get to review their journals where they have responded to literature that we have read throughout the year. The children will also share various "fun" writings and essays that we wrote during the year about various topics that weren't part of the writing portfolio that will be passed on to the fourth grade teachers. We will have an historical acrostic poem to share and show you individaul poem books where they have a collection of several poems that they thought were cute, funny, sad, etc. I will ask that the children don't take anything home that afternoon as I need for a few of the pieces to stay with me. But you can count on the work coming home on Friday for you to keep.
The children will bring home a few things such as notebooks or papers on Thursday and a few on Friday so they aren't so overloaded on Friday. Please take a look in their homework folder before it gets put away for the summer or thrown away. I am sending home a stapled packet of math pages for review over the summer. I also going to send home an extra DLR to use on a rainy day to clean out those cobwebs right before it is time for school to begin.
You may want to hang onto the journal notebook to use over the summer for the children to write summaries. Their reading notebook has a huge list of homophones and other words that they may find helpful when they write. I am also sending home the Writing Binder which we affectionately call "Big B". I have explained to the children that they may want to safely put that away and use next year, at least at home, to keep track of good writing practices when they have assignments at home.
I look forward to another productive day on Wednesday!!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Last Full Friday of Third Grade!
We had a great day today! Hang in there.. only 4 more full days. We are still working!
The children are coming home with their Art Portfolios. What a treasure! I also sent them home today with two Science experiments that I told them to save for a very hot or rainy day during the summer. Earlier this year, we had attempted to make what we called Oobleck. But the experiment for Phlubber is the same and I think a better recipe. You can add some food coloring along the way if you want to change its color. I also gave them an experiment to make sediment and rocks. Enjoy!
We are working on our final writing piece for realistic fiction. We have brainstormed possible ideas and will put these ideas to sentences on Monday. I may need your help one more time to help proofread the spelling and I will take care of the rest here at school. We are also making some choices about our poems and which will remain in the writing portfolios. We hope to see you on Thursday, May 27 for our Writer's Celebration from 2:15 to 2:45.
Reminders for next week:
Monday- an additional math test on fractions
Tuesday-a review quiz on past tense verbs that they are still not using incorrectly in their writing. I am not giving up hope nor do I want them to go to fourth grade thinking that the past tense of bring is brung. They have a practice sheet in their homework folder.
Wednesday- Explorer tri-fold project is due These will be on display on Thursday when you come for the Writer's Celebration.
Thursday-Class End of the Year party which will coincide with lunch from 12 to 1:00.
Friday-Dismissal at noon.. and yes, I will have things for them to do that will really help me in getting things organized for them for fourth grade.
I told the children that they could bring both their class picture and the yearbook back on Monday for signing. I am going to do it at one time and give them 15 minutes in class, recess and lunch to get to their friends for signing. If you ordered a yearbook or class picture and your child did not come home with one, please call the office. I turned in everything that your child gave me and after that, I lost control.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. The Tampa Museum of History has some new exhibits and some fun activities going on in June that you may enjoy with your children. One is Celebrate Father's Day with the Rays. Check it out!
The children are coming home with their Art Portfolios. What a treasure! I also sent them home today with two Science experiments that I told them to save for a very hot or rainy day during the summer. Earlier this year, we had attempted to make what we called Oobleck. But the experiment for Phlubber is the same and I think a better recipe. You can add some food coloring along the way if you want to change its color. I also gave them an experiment to make sediment and rocks. Enjoy!
We are working on our final writing piece for realistic fiction. We have brainstormed possible ideas and will put these ideas to sentences on Monday. I may need your help one more time to help proofread the spelling and I will take care of the rest here at school. We are also making some choices about our poems and which will remain in the writing portfolios. We hope to see you on Thursday, May 27 for our Writer's Celebration from 2:15 to 2:45.
Reminders for next week:
Monday- an additional math test on fractions
Tuesday-a review quiz on past tense verbs that they are still not using incorrectly in their writing. I am not giving up hope nor do I want them to go to fourth grade thinking that the past tense of bring is brung. They have a practice sheet in their homework folder.
Wednesday- Explorer tri-fold project is due These will be on display on Thursday when you come for the Writer's Celebration.
Thursday-Class End of the Year party which will coincide with lunch from 12 to 1:00.
Friday-Dismissal at noon.. and yes, I will have things for them to do that will really help me in getting things organized for them for fourth grade.
I told the children that they could bring both their class picture and the yearbook back on Monday for signing. I am going to do it at one time and give them 15 minutes in class, recess and lunch to get to their friends for signing. If you ordered a yearbook or class picture and your child did not come home with one, please call the office. I turned in everything that your child gave me and after that, I lost control.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. The Tampa Museum of History has some new exhibits and some fun activities going on in June that you may enjoy with your children. One is Celebrate Father's Day with the Rays. Check it out!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Working Wednesday!
Another productive day! We need 6 more of these! We are currently completing our Theme 2 Reading Assessment and then I will do some "spot" testing using the Fountas and Pinnella books to assess oral reading and comprehension.
Tomorrow is our Unit 8 math test. The children are to review the practice test that we did together today in class . The children were to ask questions along the way if they were confused and not quite sure of how to solve the problem. So you may see several markings on the paper when they went to make their corrections or notes of how to help them study.
I have collected the Third Grade Reflection writing pieces that they were to proofread last night. I will make some final comments if needed and then they will rewrite their written reflections. These written reflections will be a part of their both their writing portfolio and the portfolio that Mrs. Baralt is keeping for the children to use at the end of fourth grade.
I didn't remind the children again before they left today, but tomorrow is the Talent Show in music class. You will want to discuss with your child if you need or want to come or not. It is totally up to you. But please remind your child of this tonight as they may need to practice one more time prior to music at 12:40. Participation in this event was not mandatory. So don't worry if your child is not doing a presentation.
On Friday, the boys and girls will venture down to fourth grade from 9 to 9:30. They will meet the fourth grade teachers and have a chance to ask any questions that they may have in hopes to lessen the level of anxiety for next year. They will be the "seniors" of the Lower School. Hard to believe I know.... time does have wings!
Tomorrow is our Unit 8 math test. The children are to review the practice test that we did together today in class . The children were to ask questions along the way if they were confused and not quite sure of how to solve the problem. So you may see several markings on the paper when they went to make their corrections or notes of how to help them study.
I have collected the Third Grade Reflection writing pieces that they were to proofread last night. I will make some final comments if needed and then they will rewrite their written reflections. These written reflections will be a part of their both their writing portfolio and the portfolio that Mrs. Baralt is keeping for the children to use at the end of fourth grade.
I didn't remind the children again before they left today, but tomorrow is the Talent Show in music class. You will want to discuss with your child if you need or want to come or not. It is totally up to you. But please remind your child of this tonight as they may need to practice one more time prior to music at 12:40. Participation in this event was not mandatory. So don't worry if your child is not doing a presentation.
On Friday, the boys and girls will venture down to fourth grade from 9 to 9:30. They will meet the fourth grade teachers and have a chance to ask any questions that they may have in hopes to lessen the level of anxiety for next year. They will be the "seniors" of the Lower School. Hard to believe I know.... time does have wings!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Terrific Tuesday!
Thank you very much to those of you that came to our clay animation project show today. The children were so excited and thrilled to show off their talents. The children will come home with their own CD of their work. So those of you that were unable to come, will have a front row seat at home. You will be amazed!
Tonight's responsibilities include:
Math- Workbook page 203 unless they finished the work in class
Spelling-study spelling words.. dictation to come tomorrow
Reading-read the introduction pages in the Poetry book and write down 5 detailed facts about that poet.. practice reading the facts aloud at home as they will have to read these facts to the class tomorrow
Writing-proofread the third grade reflections piece that we worked on in class today...we will rewrite these in class tomorrow... if you think that they got unfocused and off topic, please steer them back to the question
We are wrapping up Chapter 8 in math. We will work on the review test tomorrow and then the test will be on Thursday. We have been working on a class ABC book for math. It has been fun finding words that begin with U, V, X,Y, Z. In fact, I had a special group of children being math detectives today. However, if you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to have your child write the word in their agenda and bring to school to share. Remember, it must relate to math and numbers.
I reviewed the Social Studies "tri-fold" project again with the children on Friday. If there are any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via email. The entire third grade will "show off" their talents on that day by putting the projects in the hallway for everyone to see.
The children will have the Idita-read celebration tomorrow. They deserve a great deal of credit for all their hard work and dedication to reading. Though the entire third grade class is receiving a treat, I just wanted you to know that our class read the most of all the classes. As much as I don't encourage competition, it was great to see them "go for it" and show that they wanted to be the best.
After the children share the facts of their poet, we will begin a short unit on poetry and take the time to compare and contrast different styles of poetry. We have done this off and on throughout the year so this activity should be somewhat easy for them. I am going to ask the chilren to compose a poem of their own after they have had a chance to really see what other poets write about. I will keep this product for their writing folder, but will send home a copy for you.
I would like to have our Writing Celebration on May 27 from 2:15 to 2:45. The social studies projects are due on May 26 so they will be on display as well. I will have the children's writing out on their desks. They will have time to show you their work and even read a story or two to you. Then you can just take them home with you from the room. It is the same day as the third grade party which is 12:00 to 1:00. That should give us time to regroup and settle and down and prepare for your visit at 2:15. If you are unable to attend, don't worry, there will be plenty of time for you to see your child's work. I will be sending most of it home. However, there will be a few pieces that will stay with me and go into their writing portfolios for next year. It would be great if you would let me know if you plan on attending that afternoon. Thanks!
Your children continue to work hard and show enthusiasm for what we are doing. I know we are ALL running out of steam, but let's try to keep the momentum going. I am so proud of each of my children.
Tonight's responsibilities include:
Math- Workbook page 203 unless they finished the work in class
Spelling-study spelling words.. dictation to come tomorrow
Reading-read the introduction pages in the Poetry book and write down 5 detailed facts about that poet.. practice reading the facts aloud at home as they will have to read these facts to the class tomorrow
Writing-proofread the third grade reflections piece that we worked on in class today...we will rewrite these in class tomorrow... if you think that they got unfocused and off topic, please steer them back to the question
We are wrapping up Chapter 8 in math. We will work on the review test tomorrow and then the test will be on Thursday. We have been working on a class ABC book for math. It has been fun finding words that begin with U, V, X,Y, Z. In fact, I had a special group of children being math detectives today. However, if you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to have your child write the word in their agenda and bring to school to share. Remember, it must relate to math and numbers.
I reviewed the Social Studies "tri-fold" project again with the children on Friday. If there are any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via email. The entire third grade will "show off" their talents on that day by putting the projects in the hallway for everyone to see.
The children will have the Idita-read celebration tomorrow. They deserve a great deal of credit for all their hard work and dedication to reading. Though the entire third grade class is receiving a treat, I just wanted you to know that our class read the most of all the classes. As much as I don't encourage competition, it was great to see them "go for it" and show that they wanted to be the best.
After the children share the facts of their poet, we will begin a short unit on poetry and take the time to compare and contrast different styles of poetry. We have done this off and on throughout the year so this activity should be somewhat easy for them. I am going to ask the chilren to compose a poem of their own after they have had a chance to really see what other poets write about. I will keep this product for their writing folder, but will send home a copy for you.
I would like to have our Writing Celebration on May 27 from 2:15 to 2:45. The social studies projects are due on May 26 so they will be on display as well. I will have the children's writing out on their desks. They will have time to show you their work and even read a story or two to you. Then you can just take them home with you from the room. It is the same day as the third grade party which is 12:00 to 1:00. That should give us time to regroup and settle and down and prepare for your visit at 2:15. If you are unable to attend, don't worry, there will be plenty of time for you to see your child's work. I will be sending most of it home. However, there will be a few pieces that will stay with me and go into their writing portfolios for next year. It would be great if you would let me know if you plan on attending that afternoon. Thanks!
Your children continue to work hard and show enthusiasm for what we are doing. I know we are ALL running out of steam, but let's try to keep the momentum going. I am so proud of each of my children.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Running Out of Thursdays!
Tonight responsibilites include:
Spelling Test.. they will write the words in cursive for the test
Reading... complete the activity focusing on flashback from the story that we read today entitled, My Mother's Chair
Splash Day...bring a bathing suit and a towel
We have been finishing up a few writing pieces in our Journal notebook. We have two more pieces to complete before the end of the year. One piece they will be writing is reflections piece about their third grade year. You can help at home by beginning to ask them what has been their most positive memorable moments either socially or academically, or one specific event that took place in third grade that they won't forget.
I would like to schedule a Writing Celebration for my class. My thought is that we would have the Celebration on the last day of school, May 28. It is a noon dismissal and my thought is that those of you that could would come around 11:15 and then you could take your child home at dismissal. I have been saving some items all year that you have not seen. The children always love reading their stories and sharing all that they have done.
We are also going to have a Clay Animation Project showing on May 18 at 8:30 am. We are finishing up this project this week in computer lab. We are thinking that we will have the show in the student studio. More news to come!
I hope that the children are working on their final explorer project. I will review the guideline again tomorrow and make sure that everyone understands.
Spelling Test.. they will write the words in cursive for the test
Reading... complete the activity focusing on flashback from the story that we read today entitled, My Mother's Chair
Splash Day...bring a bathing suit and a towel
We have been finishing up a few writing pieces in our Journal notebook. We have two more pieces to complete before the end of the year. One piece they will be writing is reflections piece about their third grade year. You can help at home by beginning to ask them what has been their most positive memorable moments either socially or academically, or one specific event that took place in third grade that they won't forget.
I would like to schedule a Writing Celebration for my class. My thought is that we would have the Celebration on the last day of school, May 28. It is a noon dismissal and my thought is that those of you that could would come around 11:15 and then you could take your child home at dismissal. I have been saving some items all year that you have not seen. The children always love reading their stories and sharing all that they have done.
We are also going to have a Clay Animation Project showing on May 18 at 8:30 am. We are finishing up this project this week in computer lab. We are thinking that we will have the show in the student studio. More news to come!
I hope that the children are working on their final explorer project. I will review the guideline again tomorrow and make sure that everyone understands.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Marvelous Monday!
Today was a very productive day! We had a visitor, Benjamin, in our class today. The children are always so helpful and considerate when we have special friends come and experience third grade at Shorecrest.
1) Splash Day notices are due
2) Talent show during music class is May 20
Tonight's responsibilities are as follows:
Math- color the pants and socks sheet
Wordly Wise-page 104
Spelling- write each word once in cursive on the sheet
Turn in the name of the explorer for the end of the year project
You will want to ask why Star Boy wanted to become a rock in today's reading assignment. This particular book is filled with metaphors and figurative language that really emphasizes to the children how an author can get a point across in a detailed way without using simple and ordinary words. Love the book!
1) Splash Day notices are due
2) Talent show during music class is May 20
Tonight's responsibilities are as follows:
Math- color the pants and socks sheet
Wordly Wise-page 104
Spelling- write each word once in cursive on the sheet
Turn in the name of the explorer for the end of the year project
You will want to ask why Star Boy wanted to become a rock in today's reading assignment. This particular book is filled with metaphors and figurative language that really emphasizes to the children how an author can get a point across in a detailed way without using simple and ordinary words. Love the book!
Friday, May 7, 2010
It's Friday!
The boys and girls completed their clay animation projects this week. We hope to have them edited and ready for public viewing by the end of next week. I will let you know how you can assess them once they are ready for viewing.
I am sending home a Splash Day waiver form. These forms must be signed and returned or your child will not be allowed to participate in the Splash Day events on May 14.
I am planning on having an Author Celebration soon. I have kept several writing pieces that we would love to share with you. I will keep a few of your child's writing examples to share with the fourth grade teacher. That way the teacher in fourth grade will see the progress that has been made and now how to gauge the writing lessons in fourth grade for continued progress.
I will let you know as soon as I am able to carve out some time for our celebration. It may very well be the last week of school.
I also wanted you to know that when it does come time to send home the notebooks and writing binder, referred to as "Big B", you will find a Writing Rubric that the children have used for many of their writing pieces. I have told the children that they should save their writing binder and its contents to help them with writing next year in fourth grade. It would be an easy way for you to organize and help your child with the writing at home.
The children are coming home today with their last project of the year. They will be expected to work on most of it at home, but will be given time in class to do some of the research and the writing. I can also help in supplying some of the supplies such as construction paper. They are allowed to use the computer for any aspect of the project. This is intended to be an enrichment project that is optional. But in truth, I would like each child in my room to attempt this project. Although there are a few guidelines, the majority of the project is totally up to them, including the person they wish to spotlight. I have asked the children to let me know by Monday who their "spotlight" person will be.
You will want to ask about the new class novel, Morning Girl. As a comprehension activity, the children are designing a "scrapbook" of important descriptive words and phrases about the main characters as well as looking for special sentences and phrases that appeal to them, the reader. Today they worked on the main character's portraits. Such artists!
If you would like to conference again before the end of the year, please contact me next week. I would like to have all the conferences completed by the last week of school.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
I am sending home a Splash Day waiver form. These forms must be signed and returned or your child will not be allowed to participate in the Splash Day events on May 14.
I am planning on having an Author Celebration soon. I have kept several writing pieces that we would love to share with you. I will keep a few of your child's writing examples to share with the fourth grade teacher. That way the teacher in fourth grade will see the progress that has been made and now how to gauge the writing lessons in fourth grade for continued progress.
I will let you know as soon as I am able to carve out some time for our celebration. It may very well be the last week of school.
I also wanted you to know that when it does come time to send home the notebooks and writing binder, referred to as "Big B", you will find a Writing Rubric that the children have used for many of their writing pieces. I have told the children that they should save their writing binder and its contents to help them with writing next year in fourth grade. It would be an easy way for you to organize and help your child with the writing at home.
The children are coming home today with their last project of the year. They will be expected to work on most of it at home, but will be given time in class to do some of the research and the writing. I can also help in supplying some of the supplies such as construction paper. They are allowed to use the computer for any aspect of the project. This is intended to be an enrichment project that is optional. But in truth, I would like each child in my room to attempt this project. Although there are a few guidelines, the majority of the project is totally up to them, including the person they wish to spotlight. I have asked the children to let me know by Monday who their "spotlight" person will be.
You will want to ask about the new class novel, Morning Girl. As a comprehension activity, the children are designing a "scrapbook" of important descriptive words and phrases about the main characters as well as looking for special sentences and phrases that appeal to them, the reader. Today they worked on the main character's portraits. Such artists!
If you would like to conference again before the end of the year, please contact me next week. I would like to have all the conferences completed by the last week of school.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Terrific Tuesday!
Tomorrow is our last day of ERB testing. YEA! I think the children are over having our mornings interrupted with testing!
Tonight's responsibilities include:
Math... Home Link page 183.. They also have an assigned letter of the alphabet. They are to come up with as many words as possible that relate to math that begin with that letter. I told them to come with their list on Friday.
Wordly Wise... our words for Lesson 11 are as follows: diagram, frustrate, frustrating, graduate, prank, primary, risk, risky, stress, urge, vacant, vigorous. Tonight they are answer the first 5 questions on Meeting a Firefighter.
Study spelling words: ankle, battle, bottle, jumble, jungle, kettle, middle, mumble, pebble, sample, settle, simple, single, temple, wriggle
Reading...make a list of their top choices of chapter books that they have read in third grade... they cannot include class novels or picture books.
We are zipping across the oceans studying the many explorers from Europe. You will want to ask them about Magellan's voyage around the world. Ask them if he returned to Europe with his crew. There will be an independent project coming home at the end of the week that will include the details. Some of the project will be completed at home and some of it at school and the children will have input in the goals and design of this project.
I forgot to tell the children.. tomorrow is that famous May 5, Cinco De Mayo. The children are allowed to wear a sombrero or colorful poncho if they have it. We had chatted about this on Monday, but I don't think the children will remember.
Tonight's responsibilities include:
Math... Home Link page 183.. They also have an assigned letter of the alphabet. They are to come up with as many words as possible that relate to math that begin with that letter. I told them to come with their list on Friday.
Wordly Wise... our words for Lesson 11 are as follows: diagram, frustrate, frustrating, graduate, prank, primary, risk, risky, stress, urge, vacant, vigorous. Tonight they are answer the first 5 questions on Meeting a Firefighter.
Study spelling words: ankle, battle, bottle, jumble, jungle, kettle, middle, mumble, pebble, sample, settle, simple, single, temple, wriggle
Reading...make a list of their top choices of chapter books that they have read in third grade... they cannot include class novels or picture books.
We are zipping across the oceans studying the many explorers from Europe. You will want to ask them about Magellan's voyage around the world. Ask them if he returned to Europe with his crew. There will be an independent project coming home at the end of the week that will include the details. Some of the project will be completed at home and some of it at school and the children will have input in the goals and design of this project.
I forgot to tell the children.. tomorrow is that famous May 5, Cinco De Mayo. The children are allowed to wear a sombrero or colorful poncho if they have it. We had chatted about this on Monday, but I don't think the children will remember.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)