Parent Letter

Dear Parents,

Hello to all!  It definitely feels like Fall this weekend!  Wow!  It was chilly!

We are adding a new component to “The Daily Five.”  It is called “Word Works/Study." Word Study is your child’s spelling “program” for the year, and it is also a component of “The Daily Five.”  There will be some changes to the word works/study program this year.  Every week your child will work on a word study skill in school but will NOT take a spelling test on Friday.  He/she will create a list of words from the skill that we are learning, practice the words during the week, but will NOT take a test over the words.  The emphasis on your child's word list, will be choosing words that your child feels will be useful in his/her writing.  This week we will be practicing the routine of word works by using words related to fall.  Again, your child will practice these words during the week with NO testing on Fridays.  If you have any questions on word study, please let me know.  

  

This week, we will be finishing up our first assessment in math.  We are finishing Unit 1 in math as we have reviewed various math skills from second grade.  I will send home the graded math test later this week.  Also, any time that we have a math test that is sent home, I am asking that you look over the test with your child, and sign and return the test to me the following day.  Also, because we are finishing Unit 1 in math, you will be getting a letter home regarding Unit 2 in math on adding and subtracting whole numbers.  Please take time to read the note so you can help your child with this unit at home.  This test will be sent home tomorrow.  Thanks!

Hopefully your child has taken the opportunity to go onto his/her blog page at home.  If you have yet to go to your child's blog page, please do so!  if you would like to read his/her post,  you can check out their blogs at: http://kidblog.org/MrsMcCarvillesClass/  You can also click on the “Student Blog Page” on my classroom blog page.  When you go to your child’s blog page, simply click on the post you would like to read and have fun!  Students would love to read your comments!  You do not have to “log on” to make a comment.  I would prefer you do NOT have your child log on and post your comment through them.   You can simply type your comment in the “comment area” and put in your name to keep it simple for now.  If you have your 3C child log in and you make a post, it is posted as being made by them, the student, and I would rather it be from you, the parent.

  

Please continue to remind your child about reading nightly.  I remind the class that reading should be considered homework and that they should be reading every night.  Your child may have books from home that he/she would like to read or have a book checked out from our classroom library.  Please encourage reading at home and “checking their understanding” for what your child is reading.  Your support is appreciated! 

Please check your child's folder tonight as there will be a parent letter about the "Global Cardboard Challenge."  The class is VERY excited about their homework assignment and cannot wait to get started.  Check and make sure that you have some cardboard to help your child complete this assignment or you can come tomorrow after school to pick some cardboard up.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  Thanks!

Also, starting NEXT week (and continuing the following week), your child will be taking the MISIC tests.  These tests are on the computer and are similar to the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), and that is why it is very important that your child takes his/her time on these tests and does his/her best.  Please see that next week and the following week your child receives a good night’s rest.  It is important that the students are well rested and prepared for testing.  Thanks!

Lastly, there will be a three-hour early dismissal on Wednesday, September 26th, due to a teacher in service.  Please make arrangements for that afternoon.  Thanks!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  I am available anytime.  Thanks for everything, and have a fantastic week!  

Mrs. McCarville