Feb. 18 - 22

Ice Skating

We want to thank our PTO for funding our trip to Howard Ice Arena. What a fun time our 3rd graders had on the ice. It was a very special trip for all of us. We would also like to thank all of our parents that came and helped lace up skates. It went very smoothly and our 3rd graders had plenty of time to skate because of the help lacing up.

Report Cards

The end of our 2nd trimester is here. Reports cards will go home next week. Grades are due at 4:00 p.m. on Monday so look for report cards on Tuesday. If report cards don't go out, you will be notified from the office. Please remember that report card envelopes need to be signed and returned. We use these each marking period. 

Multiplication in 7 Days

On Monday, we will begin a program called multiplication in 7 days. This program is designed to help your child memorize all multiplication facts in 7 days. If it is followed each day, it works! Please take time each night--for just 7 nights--to help your child memorize these facts. Third graders are expected to memorize all facts within 100 by the end of the year. If your child struggles with this, concepts and skill work in 4th grade will be much more difficult. Mondays facts will be doubles (2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4, etc.) if you would like to get a head start!

February 25: Girls on the Run Begins

February 27: 1-Hour Late Start

February 28: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

March 1: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

Next Week's Schedule:

Monday: D Day
Tuesday: E Day
Wednesday: F Day
Thursday: A Day
Friday: B Day

What we've been up to:

Reading: We are nearing the end of our persuasive essay study. We will continue to read and evaluate these during our reading groups. Our students will continue to work on distinguishing between fact and opinion in order to form their own ideas about text. Additionally, they are working on determining the purpose of the persuasive essays, the call for action, and their own opinion on the topic.

Word Study:  Our unit will focus on -ch and -tch words. Test will be Wednesday on F day.

Math: Currently we are focusing on multiplication strategies in order to improve our ability to solve problems that we haven't memorized. Please work on Multiplication in 7 days daily!

Science: Our current unit is teaching us about force. We are learning about friction and gravity.

Social Studies: We are currently learning about early explorers to this area.

Writing: We have started our informational writing. Children have completed their introductions and are working on chapter writing for their books. Be sure to ask your child what his/her topic is.

February 11th-15th

February 11th - 15th

💕💕 Valentine's Day Parties 💕💕

Thank you for another successful holiday party! We understand the amount of planning and organizing that these parties take, and we truly appreciate all that you do to make them a success. Hard to believe that is our last official classroom party for the year! 

Ice Skating

We will be heading to the Howard Ice Arena on Tuesday or Wednesday with our Kindergarten buddies! If you are able to come and help lace up skates that will give us more time on the ice. Please let your child's teacher know if you are able to come. Thank you!

*Please see the schedule below

Conferences

We are nearing the end of our 2nd trimester. Reports cards will go home the week of the 25th. Teachers will be contacting parents for a 2nd round of conferences if there are concerns for children. If your child has no academic concerns, then we will not be conferencing unless requested by you. Please remember, however, that teachers are ALWAYS here to answer your questions either in person or email. 

Lexia

Each week our students spend time working on phonics and reading skills through a program called Lexia. This is valuable time spent that will increase skills based individually on what your child needs. Your child has just learned that not only does he/she have a minute goal per week, but also a unit goal. This unit goal ensures that students are making the most of their time and thinking about why they get problems right or wrong. You may want to ask your child if he/she has met the unit goal for the week.

Also, our Lexia program requires ear buds/headphones. Students are hard on these so please take a minute to ask your child if his/her earbuds are in good condition. They can't do the program without them and sharing is not always the best idea.

February 18: Ice-Skating Day

February 19: Ice-Skating Day
February 19: Science and Culture Symposium 6-8:30

February 20: 1-Hour Late Start

February 21: PTO at Noon in Media Center

February 22: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

February 25: Girls on the Run Begins

February 27: 1-Hour Late Start

February 28: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

March 1: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

Next Week's Schedule:

Monday:  E Day

Tuesday: F Day

Wednesday:  A Day  

Thursday: B Day

Friday: C Day 

What we've been up to:

Reading: We are finding facts and opinions in various texts. We have also begun to discuss the features of persuasive writing. 

Word Study: We will be finishing up ng,-nk,-nt,-pt,-sk, and -st. Test will be early next week. Our next unit will focus on -ch and -tch words. 

Math: We have started our unit on fractions. Students will be able to find parts of a whole and identify equivalent fractions. We will also be learning about the different strategies we can use for multiplying larger facts. If your child does not know their basic multiplication facts, please continue to practice at home! 

Science: Our current unit is teaching us about force.

Social Studies: We are currently learning about early explorers to this area.

Writing: We have started our informational writing. Each child has chosen a topic, decided on a minimum of 3 chapters to include, and has brainstormed facts to include in those 3 chapters. We are currently writing our introductory paragraph and will continue to work over the next couple weeks. 

February 4 - 8

💕💕 Kindness Week 💕💕

It was such a wonderful week to focus on acts of kindness. Thank you to all the children that took extra time to complete kindness challenge and to fill out their kindness forms. A random drawing will take place for all that turned in sheets. Selected students will eat lunch with Mrs. Allen! 

The week may be over, but we will continue to focus on acts of kindness throughout our days. 

Ice Skating

Unfortunately, because of our snow week, our ice-skating was cancelled. Attempts are being made to reschedule it. We will let you know as soon as we have alternate dates.

Conferences

We are nearing the end of our 2nd trimester. Reports cards will go home the week of the 25th. Teachers will be contacting parents for a 2nd round of conferences if there are concerns for children. If your child has no academic concerns, then we will not be conferencing unless requested by you. Please remember, however, that teachers are ALWAYS here to answer your questions either in person or email. 

Lexia

Each week our students spend time working on phonics and reading skills through a program called Lexia. This is valuable time spent that will increase skills based individually on what your child needs. Your child has just learned that not only does he/she have a minute goal per week, but also a unit goal. This unit goal ensures that students are making the most of their time and thinking about why they get problems right or wrong. You may want to ask your child if he/she has met the unit goal for the week.

Also, our Lexia program requires ear buds/headphones. Students are hard on these so please take a minute to ask your child if his/her earbuds are in good condition. They can't do the program without them and sharing is not always the best idea.

February 13: 1-Hour Late start 

                         Student Count Day

February 14: Valentine's Day Parties (2:30 - 3:30)

February 18: Possible Ice-Skating Day

February 19: Possible Ice-Skating Day

February 20: 1-Hour Late Start

February 21: PTO at Noon in Media Center

February 22: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

February 25: Girls on the Run Begins

February 27: 1-Hour Late Start

February 28: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

March 1: 1/2 Day (12:05 Dismissal)

Next Week's Schedule:

Monday:  F Day

Tuesday: A Day

Wednesday:  B Day  

Thursday: C Day

Friday: D Day 

What we've been up to:

Reading: We have finished up Trickster Tales and are concentrating on fact and opinion as well as monitoring our understanding while reading and fixing up what we don't understand.

Word Study: We are finishing up -ck, -ct, -ft, -ld, -mp, and -nd words. New words will come home Tuesday.
Math: We have just started unit 5 and are currently focusing on fractions. 
Science: Our current unit is teaching us about force
Social Studies:  We have finished up our Econ & Me unit and have returned to our Michigan History. We are currently learning about early explorers to this area

Writing: We have started our informational writing. Each child has chosen a topic, decided on a minimum of 3 chapters to include, and has brainstormed facts to include in those 3 chapters.