Quarter 1 Project

On Friday, the Quarter 1 Project description and grading rubric was passed out.  Be sure to look for it in your child's homework folder if you have not seen it yet!  

This year in Social Studies we will be studying all things Chicago.  Each quarter will have a primary area of focus:

            1.) The early history of Chicago

            2.) Its development from a town of 350 people to its growth as a major city

            3.) The connection between Chicago’s history and the Chicago of today

            4.) Comparing Chicago and other global cities

The purpose of this project is to give students the opportunity to learn about a famous Chicagoan (either past or present) and discover his/her impact on the city.  The project will have 2 parts, a research report and a performance in the “wax museum”.  Listed below are important due dates for this project:

• Wednesday, October 3rd: Submit top 3 choices (for teacher's approval)
• Friday, October 5th: Approval notices will go home
• Friday, October 26th: Final copies of the Quarter Project are due
• Thursday, November 1st: Wax Museum (parents and family members welcome!)

Throughout the week we will discuss this project and any questions the kids might have.  Please feel free to e-mail me and questions you may have!  

Math Test

Students are constructing circles using compasses.  

Students have worked very hard during math workshop, and will be completing the first unit of study shortly.  In class on Monday students will be completing a study guide and playing a review game.  The review game will be posted on the third grade classroom website under the math section - this is a great study tool for your child to use at home!  The math test will be on Tuesday, October 2nd.   

Specials Schedule

Room 203's Special schedule is as follows for Quarter 1:

• Spanish - Monday, Tuesday, Friday
• Physical Education - Monday, Tuesday, Friday
• Music - Wednesday, Thursday
• Art - Wednesday, Thursday

Wish List - Scissors!

Looking at the suggested supply list that was sent home before school began, I noticed one important supply I forgot to put on there - SCISSORS!  

Students have worked very well sharing the few scissors we have in the room, but we will be putting this supply on our "wish list".  Scissors are needed almost daily in our classroom, and it would be very helpful if each student had their own pair.  If possible, please have your child bring in a pair of scissors within the next week - thanks!

Family Spanish Night

Family Spanish Night

K-5: Come Join the Fiesta

Thursday, October 18, 2012

3:30-5:30

Today, Family Spanish Night flyers will be coming home with your child.  If you are interested in attending, please RSVP electronically with the required information (all information is in the handout!)

Homework Folder

       Now that we have begun our first full week of school, your child will start receiving nightly and weekly homework.  Their green homework folder will be going back and forth between home and school each night.  There will be a Homework Chart sent home each and every Monday.  This chart will need to stay in students’ green homework folders throughout the week.   

        Third grade is a very important year to help support students into becoming more responsible individuals.  They will be transitioning from receiving weekly homework in second grade, to nightly homework in fourth grade.  Students will receive math homework on a daily basis.  Each day during school, students will write their math homework on their weekly Homework Chart.  The homework will be due the following day.  Students will also be asked to independently read 30 minutes each night of the school week.  This week in reading workshop, we are focusing student learning on writing written responses and reactions to the text.  Next week, there will be a written response component to your child’s homework that will also be completed nightly, and turned in the following school day.  Occasionally, there will be homework outside of reading and math.  This will be added to the Homework Chart as needed. Students’ first quarterly project description will be sent out sometime this week – be sure to look for the project description in students’ homework folders!

        On the third grade classroom website, there is a homework section that will be updated daily.  Also, be sure to continually check the classroom News Blog to be updated on classroom and school happenings. 

 Third Grade Website: http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/EReardon/index.cfm

            As always, please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions!  Thank you so much for your support at home, I truly appreciate it! 

From the Office

Here are a few notes form the office: 

• Please turn in student lunch forms if you have not yet
• There will be an FOSN Meeting on Monday, October 1st from 5:00-6:00
• Back to School Night will be on Monday, October 1st from 6:00-7:00

And we're back ... and communicating!!!

I am so happy to be back and working with your children!  We all had a great first day back, and picked right back up where we left off.  Over the next couple days, we'll be finalizing rules and expectations in the classroom and school, practicing daily routines, and continuing to work on team-building skills. 

Last time students were in the classroom, they learned different communication skills and strategies that help teams succeed.  After groups acted out different skills, students then discussed why these strategies are good to use when working in teams.  Today, they put these skills and strategies to work!

To begin the activity, each pair of students put a folder between them, blocking the view of their desks and work.  The first partner created a design using different blocks.  Then, they needed to communicate their design to the second partner using effective verbal communication skills.  The second partner then had to try and set up the blocks so they made the same design.  Ultimately, students learned how important communication is!  Be sure to ask your son or daughter about this activity - I know they would love to share!

Save Fred!

Today, students worked with a partner demonstrating teamwork skills and attitudes we have been focusing on in the classroom this week.  After competing the problem-solving activity, they reflected on ways they successfully worked as a team.  Many of their thoughts were rooted in the read-aloud we've been reading and discussing in class this week, Inch and Miles: The Journey to Success written by Coach John Wooden. 

Pairs worked together to save Fred (gummy worm) whose "boat" (cup) flipped while sailing at sea.  Students had to figure out how to save him, and access his "life preserver" (life-saver candy) using only the tools they were given.  Be sure to ask your child how they saved Fred! :)  

     

Parent Homework & Thank-You

Let me tell you, on the first day of school Room 203 students were very excited to find out  that I was giving homework for the parents :).  Just a friendly reminder that the "Getting to Know Your Child" form will be due Monday.  

Also, a BIG thank-you to all of you for all of the classroom supplies!  Both students' individual supplies, as well as their community supplies, will be a huge help in the classroom.  Thanks again for your support at home, we appreciate it!

Teamwork & Puzzles

After taking a behavior quiz to find out what "team member" best reflects their personality - star player, coach, manager, or team supporter - students worked together in small groups completing puzzles.  Teamwork skills allowed each group to be successful and complete their puzzle!

Welcome Bags to "Kick-Off" the School Year

To help the students understand what is expected of them in my classroom, I put together a few items in a welcome bag that signified different classroom expectations.  This really helped students "kick-off" the new year, as they were very excited to see what was in each bag!

Each bag contained a note, with the following descriptions for students:

- Eraser: To show you that it’s okay to make mistakes in our classroom.

- Pencil: Know that you are just “write” for our class!

- Sharpener: You will sharpen your skills throughout the year. 

- Fun-Dough: We will have a lot of fun together this year.  You will also have many opportunities to use your imagination and be creative!

- Heart Sticker: Our classroom will be a caring environment.

- Sports Attitude Band:  To signify that we will always work together as a team!