I Week Until Christmas.....Ahhhhhhh!

I guess the title of my blog seems a bit scary.  Can you believe that it is one week until Christmas?  That is crazy!  We have A LOT to get done this week before Christmas, so tell your child he/she better be ready to work like CrAZy!

On Friday, your child brought home a note explaining our classroom "Care and Share" celebration.  This celebration ties into our six pillars of character that we learn about in guidance as well as our PBIS program.  Your child will be creating an ornament for a fellow classmate.  We will be supplying the starting piece, a circle from tin, which your child will use to create an artistic ornament.  If time allows, he/she will be able to create a second ornament.  It would be helpful for your child to start planning out what he/she would like to make so that he/she is prepared for Thursday.  If you would like to use specific craft materials for your ornament, please bring them from home by Wednesday.  Examples would be ribbon, glitter, buttons, sequins, googly eyes, cotton balls, pompons, scrapbook paper, stickers, pipe cleaners, puffy paints, toothpicks, macaroni, yarn, seeds….whatever.  Minimal craft items will be supplied, but if possible, bring needed supplies from home.  To help with the creativity, we would appreciate any extra craft supplies that you may have available for the rest of the class to use. If you have some craft supplies willing to donate, please send them to school by Wednesday too.  Each ornament created will be exchanged through a care and share on Friday.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Today, I will be sending your child's Unit 3 assessment in math.  Please look over the test with your child and discuss the test with him/her.  Look over the questions that were missed and ask your child to solve the missed questions.  Please sign the sheet attached to the test to indicate that you have looked over the test and discussed the missed problems.  Finally, please have your child return the sheet to me.  Some of the students may also receive a note attached to a review packet.  If your child receives a review packet, he/she needs to review skills in the unit.  Your child is expected to complete the packet at home with help from you.  Your child does NOT need to return the packet, but your child DOES need to complete it.  If you would like for your child to turn it into me, I would be more than willing to check it over and let your child know how he/she did.  If you have any questions when the tests go home today, please contact me.  Thank you!

Lastly, have a wonderful holiday season with your family.  I am blessed to work with each one of your children and hope that you have an enjoyable break.  Please contact me with any questions or concerns.  Happy Holidays!

Mrs. McCarville

Similes

Today in literacy we discussed figurative language.  Fancy words, huh?  Figurative language is when writers describe something in the text by comparing it to something else. Today, we discussed a particular type of figurative language called similes.  A simile is figurative language that compares two unlike things by using the words like or as. The students seemed to enjoy the two videos I shared today so I thought I would post them on the blog.  One link is a song that you can click on and the other link is the book My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks.   Have your child share different similes with you!  Enjoy!

Simile Song

My Dog is as Smelly as Stinky Socks

Two Weeks Until Christmas...

That post title alone makes me giddy with excitement AND nervous!  Yes, my shopping is ALMOST done, but I keep thinking about all of the work we need to get done in the next two weeks.  Ahhhhh!  We have A LOT to squeeze in before then end of the 2nd quarter.  Your child might mention all the work we need to do because the class will hear it from me!

Last week, all of the 3rd graders started participating in an intervention time called "Cadet Time."  As stated from last week, during "Cadet Time," students are broken into different groups and work with any teacher or associate that currently works with any of the 3rd grade students. Students in 3C will be mixed with students from 3A and 3B to work on specific reading skills and strategies.  Students are grouped based off of our Lead 21 assessment results where we determine what skills or strategies that they need to review or practice.  Students will work in the same group and the same strategy for two weeks.  Then they will be reassessed to see if they have made progress or improvement in that specific area.  After that intervention is complete (after two weeks), students will be intermixed in new groups and working on new skills/strategies again.  If your child mentions working with a different teacher every day, he/she is referring to this "Cadet Time."  Ask your child what he/she is working on during that time.  The class seems to enjoying the change in the schedule and like working in their groups for "Cadet Time."  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding "Cadet 
Time."  

Lastly, there will be a 3-hour early out on Wednesday, December 11th, due to teacher in service.  Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM, so please plan accordingly. 

Please contact me with any questions.  Have a warm week!
Mrs. McCarville

Here We Go, December.....

Welcome to December!  Hopefully you had a plentiful Thanksgiving and enjoyed the time with your family.  I know I will have to work hard at the Fitness Center to work off the large meals I ate over the holiday weekend!

Starting this week, all of the 3rd graders will be starting to participate in an intervention time called "Cadet Time." During "Cadet Time," students will be broken into different groups and work with any teacher or associate that currently works with any of the 3rd grader students. Students in 3C will be mixed with students from 3A and 3B to work on specific reading skills and strategies.  Students are grouped based off of our Lead 21 assessment results where we determine what skills or strategies that they need to review or practice.  Students will work in the same group and the same strategy for two weeks.  Then they will be reassessed to see if they have made progress or improvement in that specific area.  After that intervention is complete (after two weeks), students will be intermixed in new groups and working on new skills/strategies again.  If your child mentions working with a different teacher every day, he/she is referring to this "Cadet Time."  Ask your child what he/she is working on during that time.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding "Cadet Time."  Thank you!
Your child's November reading calendar is due AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  The December calendar will be sent home on Monday, so please see that your child brings back the November calendar soon.  I would like to send home some Pizza Hut "Book It" coupons, so please have your child turn it in.  Thank you!

A note is being sent home on Monday regarding “Cadets for a Clause.”  Throughout the months of November and December, Howard-Winneshiek students have been working on the Character Counts pillar  “Caring”.  One way of becoming compassionate, caring citizens, is to help others.  During the week of December 2-6, we will be collecting monetary donations to help families within our school district who are experiencing hardships.  No donation could ever be too small (this even includes pocket change!).  Please send your donation in an envelope or bag marked “Cadets for a Clause”.  The money will be used to buy gifts and food so that families may have a wonderful holiday season.  Thank you for your continued support!

Have a great week!  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thanks!

Mrs. McCarville