Magical Monday!

Today was a great start to a new week! We have begun each new subject and already are familiar with the format for spelling words and rules.

This week in Spelling, we have words that follow the open syllable rule. They have a list of words in their homework folder, but need either this blog or their notebook to study the words. This week the dictation is to write the three open syllable rules. They should practice saying and writing these rules every night this week. The rules are as follows:
1. An open syllable ends with a vowel
2.The vowel has a long sound
3. An open syllable can be just one letter if that is a vowel

The spelling words are listed on this blog and I have entered the words into the Spelling City program. I will be sending a letter home tomorrow giving you instructions on how to access this
program.

You will find a poem entitled, Keep A Poem in Your Pocket, in the homework folder. Every month I will have the children learn a poem. This is practice with public speaking as well as exercising the brain with memorization. This poem is due on September 8. The children are to practice this poem every night even if I don't remind them on the agenda.

We gave begun our study of Florida. We began by going on a scavenger hunt in the Florida book, helping us to learn first how the book is organized and where to find certain information. We will begin reading this book this week and answering questions. Today we went on a map scavenger hunt. The questions are designed to help the students learn how to read and interpret information from a map instead of from text in a book. They have designed their own Florida folder and will keep their information organized by using this folder in school.

In Math we worked on completing a bar graph by using the children's first names. We displayed the class information by using tally marks and then using that information to create a bar graph. Tonight the children should be asking you if you are a Tall Rectangle, a Short Rectangle, or just a Square. Get them to explain the reason for this activity. Now I regret not taking pictures of the children making these discoveries themselves today in class. Also, get your child to show you how to play the math game, More Than You. This is a excellent and fun way to review addition facts. This week we will continue our math adventure by exploring equivalent names for a number, the language of chance events, and finding differences.

Today we began our practice of restating questions by using the Wordly Wise questions to the story, Monsters of the Deep. We completed the first 5 in class and tonight all they have to do is answer the first 5 questions on page 8. We discussed in class that they are allowed to go back in to the passage for the answer. I do not want them guessing or putting down information incorrectly. I asked them also read at least the first half of the story orally to you.

We will begin our new class novel, Muggie Maggie. Maggie is a third grader that doesn't think writing in cursive is useful and refuse to learn. The children should find humor in the plan between her teacher and her parents. Hopefully you and I will not have to put this plan to the test.

This week we will begin a word processing program called Dance Mat. The children will practice typing on the computer and will hopefully get through Stage 5 by the end of the week. At some point, I will send this home for the children to do at least 10 minutes every night for homework. Knowing how to word process truly makes many activities that we do much easier and less painful for the kids.

Reminder for the week: Please help me at home to emphasize the importance of listening closely to directions. We are discovering that if we don't listen, we may have a little trouble with the activity. I think that many of us assume that we understand everything because we have seen something similar in second grade. But in third grade it is a little harder and the directions are a little different as well as the expectations.

Also, please make sure that everyone is dressing according the Dress Code. If your child's pants have belt loops, then there needs to be a belt. It is expected that the shirts are tucked in at all times except at PE, lunch and recess. Thank you for your help!

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Thank you for sending me such sweet children!!!!!