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5/21/08
Please check the announcements and Class News sections for new information.
Thanks!
5/14/1:40
The yearbooks will be given out this afternoon at dismissal. If you want your child to have it
signed they can bring it back to school on Autograph day.
If you did not purchase one then there will be one more opportunity to purchase one this Friday
in the PTSA room, first come first serve until the additional copies are gone. The cost is $27.
Remember tomorrow is goofy game day, bring a game to play with friends. No game boy type games.
Market Day Friday and Relax and Read Day on Monday, Tuesday Frey 3rd grade Awards Day, Ice Cream
Celebration for multiplication, and Autograph Day, Wednesday is Beach Day, Thursday is Silly
Game Day and Friday is our brunch, classroom awards and final day together.
5/14/08 11AM
If your child is receiving an award at the open school assembly next Tuesday at 8am you received
notification about this. Not all students will be recognized in this assembly but all will be
recognized in class for what they achieved on Friday in our room following the brunch.
5/14/08
There has been some confusion about the size of the envelopes to send in for mailing report
cards. What you need is a standard legal sized envelope. I measured one this morning, and it is
9 1/2 X 4 inches. If the envelope is too large, it will require extra postage. Thanks!
5/8/08
I just realized that I listed our lunch time for tomorrow as 10:50. That is WRONG!!!!
We will eat at 11:00, and finish at 11:30. I have fixed it below, and sincerely apologize for
any confusion. I hope to see you tomorrow.
Also, please check your child's GO Binder for information about looping. I have included a
detailed explanation, and I will also post it in the news section of the web page.
Thanks!
Don't forget to send in money or come and visit and shop at our book fair with your student! It
is on all week from 7:30 until after school. The books are truly wonderful and so many kinds to
choose from.
Don't forget the Tug of War and eating lunch on the grounds this Friday. Tug of War at 12:15 -
1:00 and our lunch time is 11:00, NOT 11:23 as usual. If you want to eat with your child then
you need to send in the money ahead of time. It can be put on their account and you can charge
off of that but no cash will be taken the day of the meal as they will be set up outside for the
cookout.
Refer to your May calendar all month for the special events and days that are coming up. Our end
of the year classroom brunch is the last Friday of school on May 23rd. Our hard working room
moms and volunteers are working on this for us. They have done such a great job all year co-
ordinating our special celebrations! I cannot say how much I appreciate their hard work and
dedication! Hats off to you, each and everyone! If you can help please contact me via email.
We will also be handing out our in class awards and certificates on that day, May 23rd. If you
can join us we would love that. You and your child have worked hard all year and deserve these
recognitions of their hard work. If your child is not going to be here on that day please let me
know ahead of time so I can make sure they receive their awards. They worked so hard all year
that I would hate for them to miss out on that.
Finally, please help your child find all of their library books and get them returned no later
than this Friday. If they have read them already they can be returned ahead of time.
Remember that all lost books must be found or paid for before the end of the year so that your
report cards will not be held back. Also make sure all ASP accounts and lunch accounts are paid
before the last report card goes home. So many last minute things to keep in mind!
5/6/08
5/1/08
We are having another hat day on Friday, May 2nd.
Those students and faculty members, who would like to show their spirit, can wear their hat for
a small donation of $1.00. All donations will go towards our Relay for Life Team, which in turn
is donated to the American Cancer Society. Please include in your newsletters and newsflashes.
Regulations:
Hats can be a sports-related ball cap or visor.
Hats must be worn appropriately, which means no hats can be worn with the bill in the back or on
the sides.
Hats cannot be a distraction inside the classroom.
Tomorrow is also our "Testing is Over" Picnic in the park. Don't forget to bring a towel to sit
on, sunglasses, and a snack!
4-30-08
Please be sure to check your child's binder today. Your weekly information sheet is coming home
as well as an important extra credit opportunity. There is a blue paper that further explains
the extra credit project. PLease read, fill it out as you see fit, sign, and return it to school
tomorrow. It is very important that I know you recieved all of the information, because we do
not have much time left in the grading period. Due to the time of year and the nature of the
project, I will not accept any late projects. Children have been given specific instructions on
returning their blue papers, so please help them to return them on time. If your child elects
to do the project, he will receive a paper doll template from me upon returning the blue paper.
Thanks!
4-22-08
Please remember that tomorrow is our very important reading portion of the CRCT. Please be sure
your child is at school on time, well rested, and well fed. It would also be a good idea for
them to have a light jacket or sweater that is easily put on and removed (no hoodies) just in
case they are chilly during the test. If you want your child to purchase a chicken biscuit,
come early to avoid the long lines and sell-outs.
Thanks!
4-14-08
Please remember that we are going to New Echota tomorrow!
All the information you need for this week is in your weekly information page. I was unable to
load it onto my site today, but everyone has a hard copy on the front of this week's homework. I
will try again to get it online tomorrow. Please be sure to read your hard copy tonight for
homework and field trip reminders.
Thanks,
Mrs. Wilson
3-31-08
I am sending home some CRCT prep work that we did in class today. Please look over it with your
child, and help them to understand their mistakes. I also did this in class, but it is helpful
when it comes from home and school. We will be doing a lot of these type reviews, so when they
come home please be aware that this is evidence of our hard work and preparation.
Don't forget...
Open notes Science test tomorrow
Field trip Thurs. Performing Arts
CRCT rotation day Friday
3/28/08
Don't forget to look over the math review packet with your child over the weekend! We completed
and graded these in class. Although the grades don't count, it is a good indicator of how much
your child needs to study. Our heat and energy test is Tuesday, and it will be OPEN NOTES!
Children are bringing home a study guide to let you know what is on the test. I highly suggest
having them glue or staple it into their Science journal as part of their notes. Please sign so
I will know you saw it. I will have students bring home their science and math journals today.
Homework packets are a little different this week. The whole packet will be due FRIDAY!
No spelling due to our field trip next week and CRCT rotation day. Please have your child wear
their red class shirt Thursday. Then, Friday, third grade students will be rotating to each
third grade teacher for basic skills reinforcement.
Have a great weekend!
3/25/08
Updates have been posted to the announcements section.
3/21/08
Please take a look at the math (dot division)from class today. We have been working on this for
2 weeks. Please be sure that your child completes this, and has ALL Answers corrected. We
worked on this extensively in class, and I have been working with many students 1 on 1 as well.
Answers that were incorrect once are circled. If it was wrong a 2nd time it has an X beside
the original circle. Answers that were corrected are marked with a C, this way you can see how
many times your child worked on a specific problem. Again, please be sure your child brings
their work back correct and signed on Monday. Thank you.
I have posted next week's information page in the class news section. We have upcoming tests in
Math and Science as are labeled on the sheet. Practice packets in Math, and study guides for
Science will be sent home next week.
Your child is bringing home a packet to help prepare for the upcoming CRCT. Please take the
time to go through a little bit of it each night.
As opposed to my usual system, I will be taking more grades at the beginning of this 4th quarter
due to the fact we are working mostly on review skills to get ready for testing. Also, we have
a shortened period of time to record grades this quarter, and I want to ensure that students
have adequate opportunities to show what they know. Going over homework nightly, and doing
activites from the website will help reinforce skills we are working on in class.
Thanks for your continued support! Have a wonderful weekend!
3/13/08
Announcements section has updates, pease look.
3/7/08
Please look at the announcements section of the web page. I have made updates!
3/2/08
I hope everyone has had a relaxing weekend. It's time to get ready for another great week in
3rd grade! We will begin some new areas of study this week, but will continue to work on them
the following week as well. These are all outlined for you in your weekly information sheet,
which will be sent home Monday. Since I sent math home to be corrected over the weekend, I felt
that the addition of the homework packet would be overwhelming for some students. I almost never
require students to finish anything on the weekend, and have it complete Monday morning.
However, I felt that in this case the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks. As the directions
say on the fix-it sheet, students can earn back partial credit on problems they missed Friday!
This is beneficial to learning, because students are required to understand and explain their
original mistakes, and then correct them.
Please remember that Tuesday is early release. Students will be dismissed 2 hours early, and
tutoring is cancelled.
2/21/08
Please be sure to get your child's Guided Reading Notebook in ASAP. They each need a 3 ring 1.5
inch binder with 5 subject dividers. If you can send a new one, that is best, as they will be
used A LOT and will need to be able to withstand the wear and tear. We still need about 6
more. If you would like to send an extra, a child in need would appreciate it. If your child
does not bring a notebook, he or she may have to go without, which will make things more
difficult for him or her than necessary. Notebooks can be purchased at any office supply store,
Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, or Publix. We will be assembling binders MONDAY!
Thank you!
Smile & Say Cheese! Picture Day is tomorrow!
3rd Grade has been scheduled for our Cobb County Performing Arts field trip for Thursday, April
3rd at 10:00 am to see a theater adoption of "Duck Soup" at the Cobb Co. Civic Center. The group
performing is called Theater Works USA, and they are based in New York.
I already have all permission slips needed for this trip. :)
Homework packets went home Friday, along with Spelling lists and a weekly information page.
Please make sure you read information that is sent home carefully. I had 6 children who had to
miss recess today for not having homework! :( We will have our spelling test tomorrow (Friday)
because of the shortened week, and the cursive spelling activity is due tomorrow too. We will
be back to our normal Thursday test day next week.
Thanks for everything you do to help your children and our clas! Third grade is a lot of
material to complete, and a lot of work. However, whith everyone working as a team, we can get
the job done. Only 7 weeks an 2 days of shool time left before CRCT! We will beging daily
practice the 1st week in March. By the time testing is upon us, I want the kids to feel so
prepared, they say, "BRING IT ON!!!!" :)
2/15/08
Updates have been made to the Announcements, Homework, and Class News sections of our website.
Please take a look. Have a wonderful long weekend!
2/11/08
Dear Parents and students,
When Ruthie got home today she delivered all of your wonderful letters. They all made me smile,
but I am so sad too that I have had to miss a whole week with you! I wish I could have been at
your PTSA performance and Market Day. I know you are all getting smarter every day, and Mrs.
Martin is teaching you all sorts of wonderful things. I can't wait to get back and have a class
meeting so you can show me how big your brains got while I was sick! I am going back to the
doctor first thing in the morning, so we will see what she has to say. I am so anxious to get
back to school, because I miss you all so much! You are the best class of third graders I've
ever had! ;o) Thank you for all of your sweet thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mrs. Wilson
2/1/08
Homework update has been posted. :)
2/1/08
Good morning all! As you know, I was out sick yesterday. Your children did wonderfully!
However, I am in a bit of a pickle now. I noticed that my substitute was trying to be helpful,
and she sent home the kids' timed tests upon recieveing them back from my volunteer grader.
Since I never saw the grades, I have no way to give the children who passed credit for their
work.
If you could please send them back to me so I can mark down the passing scores I would
appreciate it. Some children said theirs were thrown out. If that is the case, I will give
credit if a parent sends me a signed note with which test it was and the grade.
Thanks for your help and understanding,
Mrs. Wilson
1/29/08
Please see the announcement section, as well as the homework section.
1/25/08
Our Spelling test on the Sitton core words was a little disappointing. I will offer a retest on
Fri. February 1. Our normal test will be on Thursday, with the pretest Monday.
I will accept Market day Proposals until Monday.
Our new nesletter has been posted online. Please take a look!
1/18/08
Please have your child study the Sitton spelling core words list for the spelling test next
week. The list is kept in the words to learn section of the GO binder. The spelling test for
the following week will also be words used in writing, but the kids will have a specific list.
I thought using the core words list would be a little easier for a short & early release week.
ALSO... In the hustle of the Friday afternoon dismissal, I think I may have sent home next
week's list, but I'm not sure. If you got list 15, titled words used in writing, please note
the test date at the bottom. I know that makes for some confusion, and it can all be sorted out
when we get back to school on Tuesday. I apologize for the unclarity.
I had a discussion with the kids about the Drops in the Bucket homework worksheet that says due
Tues. I try not to require them to do homework on the weekend. Since I typically have that
page 1st in the homework packet, I decided to keep with the routine, and still call it due on
Tuesday. I told them I would reward them if they brought it in on time. However, if they chose
not to do it over the weekend, I would allow them to do it at school (with no reward.) We
decided as a class that it was the fair thing to do. Please refer to the weekly information
page I sent home Friday afternoon. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Enjoy your long weekend. Maybe we will see some more snow!
1/14/08
Please have a look at the announcements link. I have made updates over the weekend and this
afternoon. Thank you.
1/11/08
I have posted an update to the homework section of the website. Please take a look.
Also, just a reminder... no school Jan 21, 2008, and conference week (Jan 22-28) will be early
release! Report cards will be given out on the day of your scheduled conference.
Thank you to everyone who sent back their conference forms so quickly. You are GREAT!
1/8/08
I did update the news and announcements yesterday, but then did not send the newsflash to let
you know to take a look. Sorry! However, it is still there for your viewing pleasure. ;o)
Thanks to those of you who sent in your information update sheet so promptly. Communication is
key, and I like to be sure I have current phone numbers, email, and addresses for everyone.
Please remember that your child has homework to turn in every day. If they do not turn it in, I
will have them do it during recess.
Also, please make sure to send in your conference form ASAP. We have 13 siblings in our class,
and each family has been strategically scheduled so that parents with 2+ children can have back
to back conferences. If you should need to change your scheduled time, please let me know
ASAP. However, please try to only request different times in emergency situations, due to the
fact that your child's time is linked to several others, and can affect other families and
teachers as well.
Thanks!
12/18/07
Don't forget our math test tomorrow! Study those quizzes! If your child has lost the original
quizzes, please refer to the blanks that I sent home. The notes can be found in the math
journal, which is located in the math section of the GO binder.
Thank you.
12/15/07
Please have a look at the Announcements, Homework, and Supply List sections. I have just posted
updates.
Thanks!
12/14/07 10:28 PM
Wow!!! It is possible for me to break my own arm while patting myself on the back! I have
figured out how to use not one, not two, but THREE new programs on my computer tonight. (Yes,
this is what we nerdy teachers do for fun on a Friday night.) Please have a look at the
newsletter I created and posted to the new section of our class webpage. Thanks!
Mrs. W.
12/8/07
We will have our Government test Tuesday. Please use the red study guide to prepare. It has
everything you need to do well.
Thanks,
Mrs. Wilson
11/29/07
We will have a quiz on multiplication and division tomorrow, and the test will be Monday. As
usual, you should ust the quiz to study for the test. Anyone receiving an N or U may correct
the wrong answers for partial credit. In the past I have offered to take the higher of the 2
grades (test or quiz), but I feel that making corrections better prepares the children for 4th
grade, as this is what some of the fourth grade teachers do.
Don't forget we have a spelling test tomorrow, and our Friday math facts assessment.
Thanks,
Mrs. Wilson
11/26/07
I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful break. Welcome back!
Homework is different this week, so please check the homework section of our website.
Thanks!
11/16/07
Pajama day has been a hit. We all enjoyed getting to snuggle in with a good book today. Next
week we will be continuing our focus on informational literature and writing. We will try to
finish our shared writing project on the government as well. We will continue learning about
multiplication and division in math.
Please remind you child as the holidays draw near the importance of staying on task in the
classroom. We have a fabulous group, but we all get a little antsy as a long break draws near!
Thank you to all of the parents who have been helping out in various ways! You all are wonderful!
Have a great weekend,
Natalie Wilson
Same day, 4:00
Please check announcements again for an important update.
Thanks!
10/30/07
Please check the announcements section of our web page for important updates and reminders.
Thanks,
Mrs. Wilson
Report Card Helps
For the purpose of identifying your child’s reading level for the first nine weeks we use a test
called a QRI. This test is given between two to three times a year and we only administer up to
a Level 4 in the third grade.
At the beginning of the year, for the first grading period, I administer a Level 3 or lower to
each student to identify their level as simply On or Below grade level. This is for the report
card.
Later this year I will administer this test again to determine Below, On, or Above levels in
reading. The level 4 tests will be given to students who are ready for it later this school
year. Only the QRI is used to determine reading levels on the report cards, therefore, you will
see only On or Below levels in reading marked this grading period on my report cards.
I use the QRI, the STAR Test, AR, and other independent assessments to collectively to give me
an overall picture of your child’s reading abilities. This collective data gives me a broader
picture of your child’s abilities and needs. They help me to form my small reading groups for
Guided Reading. However, only the QRI is used for report card purposes, and for this first
report card I only report the two levels mentioned above.
Also at the beginning of third grade we are doing many assessments and also review many academic
concepts from second grade. Often a child may have higher grades during the first grading
period, due to this review, but can sometimes see a fall in grades as our academic curriculum
becomes more intense. The beginning of the year prepares our foundation for the entire year, but
soon the skills will increase in levels of difficulty. A fall in grades is normal so if this
happens do not panic about it, just keep involved in reviewing daily work with your child. Check
homework daily, and have them rework any items they miss before they return it to class on
Friday. This is very important! This is how true learning takes place, by learning from our
mistakes!
The best thing to do is keep a close eye on graded papers as they come home, and keep working
with your student on concepts that are giving them trouble. Review, repetition, and practice are
needed all throughout this school year. Your consistent involvement and help truly makes a
difference in your child’s mastery of new concepts.
This is a critical year as far as passing the CRCT is concerned. This is a cause for concern but
not for worry. We are preparing for it all year long and everything we do is getting us ready
for that big moment. The best thing you can do is be involved and keep up on homework and
reviewing of graded papers. A child who prepares all year long generally does very well on the
test and even feels prepared and confident when it arrives. Don’t be fearful, that accomplishes
nothing of benefit, rather be prepared! We can all do this together!
Also, please check the announcements section for other new class information.
Thanks!
10/12/07
There are updates in the homework, announcements, wish list, and mastery club members sections.
Please be sure to check the homework section especially, because it has information about
tonight and the upcoming week's packet.
Thanks!
Dear Parents,
Hello again! I truly can't believe how fast this year is flying by. This Friday marks the end
of our first 9 week grading period. The end of a quarter is always a busy time as we get last
minute grades in before the deadline. This week we are focusing on addition and subtraction of
large numbers in math. In writing, we are working on organizing our writing with the use of
thinking maps. In addition, we are learning how effective prewriting helps make drafting
easier. In Reading, we are continuing to practice strategies such as using context clues,
drawing meaning from pictures, and UNRAAVEL. UNRAAVEL is a fabulous technique in which Frey
teachers have received school-wide training. It stresses the importance of key words, reading
questions ahead of time, and numbering paragraphs which gives students an efficient way of
finding information when they look back in the text. Finally, in Social Studies we will
continue learning about economics. Our quiz that was previously scheduled for today has been
postponed until tomorrow to ensure the readiness of the students. Time permitting, we will have
another quiz on Friday. In addition, Friday will continue to be our assessment day including
our weekly Spelling, Reading, and Language Arts grades, as well as our 8 minute math fact
tests. We have daily practice in these areas, and your child should be ready by the end of the
week. However, any added practice you can provide at home only works to your student’s
benefit. Finally, I would like to make you aware that I have made some minor changes to our
daily schedule. Math and Writing times have been switched in order to allow our day to flow a
little more smoothly. The change is working out quite well for now and I expect that our good
results will continue. Friday folders will be coming home again this week, however, I am also
trying to send home as much work as possible on the day it is completed in class. Please look
for further updates coming soon. Thank you for your involvement, and entrusting me with your
children.
Sincerely,
Natalie Wilson
Dear Parents,
Hello and happy Thursday! We are reaching the end of our 7 days of testing. You should be very
proud of your kids and their hard work. I know I am. In addition to testing, this week we are
learning about economics in Social Studies. The kids are working on vocabulary booklets in
class, which will be taken for a grade. In addition to their classwork grades, there will also
be a quiz Tuesday afternoon. I am trying to make this as easy as possible on the children,
which they know. However, due to the amount of time spent on Science this 9 weeks, we will not
have as much time for Social Studies before report cards go home. That means that economics
will be a major portion of your child's Social Studies report card grade. Please encourage your
child to continue to give 100% effort even at the end of a long day, because what we are doing
is important.
Next week will be a nice beginning for getting back into the groove of our regular schedule.
That means that I am taking this time to reflect on the first months of schoool and decide what
has worked well, not so well, or what might be a nice addition. Thank you for your patience as
I make modifications in order to best meet the needs of your children. I know it will be a good
feeling for the kids and me both to get back into the comfort of a normal routine. You will
also receive a new homework packet for the upcoming week, and I will have new behavior calendars
ready to go Monday. Any changes that may be made will be communicated to you via newsflash.
As always, please let me know of any questions or concerns. When we work together, everybody
wins! Thanks for all of your efforts.
Sincerely,
Mrs. WIlson
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