September 9 September 13, 2013

Lifeskill or Life-long Guideline of the week: Cooperation

Math rd 3 - We are starting off our math unit with mathematical thinking. Students are working with math manipulatives to explain and record their observations and problem solving using pictures, numbers, and words. Tomorrow, we will move on to place value. In third grade, students are expected to use place value compare numbers as well as to read, write, and describe the value of whole numbers through 999,999. *Test your childs knowledge of place value by asking them to recite the order of place value starting with the ones place. 4 - Students are beginning the year with a fun game to build our mental math skills called Close to 100. Students will build two, two digit numbers that are as close to 100 as possible. Students will also be reviewing and learning the place value of number to the hundred millions place. Students will be expected to write the number in standard, expanded, and word form. *At the end of the week, test your students knowledge of numbers by asking them to read and write any number up to nine digits. Shredderman: Secret Identity! Students are participating in a whole class book club of Shredderman: Secret Identity. As the teacher reads aloud the story, students are following along in personal copies of the books. Students are conversing around the story with each other and the teacher. At the end of each chapter (or some days two) students are writing a written reflection of their thinking while reading in their Readers Notebook. *Ask your child to share with you what they have included in their Readers Notebook so far. We Are Texas Beginning to talk about Texas, we will look at the regions that make up our great state. The theme of our first quarter is Identity, and what better way to learn about who we are by looking closely at where we live. Students will read about our state and discuss the characteristics of each region. We will be investigating major cities, landforms and bodies of water, vegetation, wildlife, natural resources and precipitation amounts for each region. This week we will be reading about the regions Big Bend Country, Prairies and Lakes and the South Texas Plains. *Ask your child what new information they have learned about Texas.
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Writers Workshop Students are continuing to write, write write this week insides of their writers notebooks this week. This week we are dsicussing what to do when you dont know what to write! Our minilessons focus around storytelling, using the environment, memories, and even accepting what comes to your mind if you are unsure. Each week a teacher will have a one on one conference with each student in our class. During these meetings we discuss your childs writing. We talk about what they are doing as authors and talk through any questions that they have. Students are learning to problem solve independently during our conference time when teachers are unavailable. *Ask your child about what they are writing about in their Writers Notebook and what they talked to the teacher about in their conference. Important Notes and Events!
*Back to school night is next Thursday, September 12th. We will be in the caf at 6:30, then there will be two sessions: 6:45-7:05 and 7:10-7:30. The sessions will be the same information. We will begin each session promptly. We will talk about how our classroom works and answer questions that pertain to the group. Kids are always welcome, but please make sure someone will be able to monitor them so that everyone can listen. We cant wait to see you all! th *GT NOMINATIONS: Due September 20 If you are interested in nominating your child for the Gifted and Talented Program, let us know and well send you the nomination form via email. *All students need to bring a white t-shirt for our class tie-dye shirt. The shirt may have a graphic, but needs to be 100% cotton as this tiedyes best. Parents, if you would also like a shirt tie-dyed for when you join us on trips, please send one in with your childs name written on the collar. *HOTDOG HOEDOWN: The Back to School Event this year is called the Hotdog Hoe Down. Tuesday, September 24th will be Pre-K through 1st grade from 6:30-7:30. Thursday, September 26th will be 2nd through 5th from 6:30 - 7:30. If you have children in multiple grade levels, you can pick one day to come. It will be the same event both days. *Parent-Teacher conferences are on October 14 . We will be sending home a sheet in the next couple of weeks so you can sign up for a time to meet with us about your child. Please be on the lookout for that flier. *Please visit our wiki page for information about our class: http://mahlstadtsvrcek2-3class.wikispaces.com/ * Please check the calendar online every week as dates do occasionally change this month is on the back of the printed newsletter too! http://mahlstadtsvrcek2-3class.wikispaces.com/Calendar
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