Here’s the Scoop from Rm. 17!
December 21, 2009
This newsletter is just to let you know what we’ve been working on in Rm.
17. Also, please remember to check our classroom website as often as
possible to assist your family in helping your child to succeed in 3rd grade!
READING/ELA
This week we will be reading the book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van
Allsburg. This is a classic book that the children are sure to love. We
will be taking a "ride" on the Polar Express as we read the book. Hot cocoa
and peppermint sticks will be served. Only those with tickets will be
allowed on! :)
After we read the story we will discuss the plot, characters, setting and
author's purpose. We will also be talking about sequencing and Chris Van
Allsburg's use of figurative language throughout the book. Be sure to ask
your children what they thought of their ride on the Polar Express.
We will continue daily with our DLP or Daily Language Practice, where we
identify various parts of speech in a sentence or short paragraph. Of course
the paragraphs will come from "The Polar Express."
MATH
In Math, we will solve word problems about "The Polar Express" and then
create our own learning center games using trains as pawns.
Multiplication will also be worked on this week. We will continue to
introduce tables and will create really cool multiplication hand games that
the children can use to give them helpful hints for learning their tables.
Up to this point, I have introduced the tables of 2, 10, 5, 3 and 11. This
week we will continue on these tables and will add the 4's. All of my
friends in Rm. 17 are on different tables, though some really need to
continue to study as they haven't made it past the 2's. As I've said before,
learning your tables is crucial to learning other topics as the year
progresses.
Please, please, please make sure that your child is studying his/her tables
every night!!!
SCIENCE
We have been working on the water cycle in Science. Have your children shown
you their "Water Cycle Bracelets" or sang you the Water Cycle Boogie that
we've learned. We will continue this unit after Christmas Break.
CORRECTED PAPERS PACKET
This week the 4th Corrected Papers Packet will be sent home. Please make
sure to look through your child’s papers, then sign and return the bottom
portion of the front page with your child. It is crucial that I get each of
these back. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated!
HOMEWORK
Lately, we have had some difficulty with children both completing and
returning homework on time.
*Please remember that homework is NOT busy work. Homework is a reinforcement
of the lesson your child learned that day and a means for me to judge whether
or not there is a need to reteach the lesson at hand. Please make sure your
child has a quiet place to complete his/her homework each night. Kindly,
make sure that your child completes his/her homework and places it directly
into the Weekly Organizer so that it doesn’t get misplaced. Also, don’t
forget the classroom web-site if your child has forgotten spelling words,
vocabulary words or that night’s assignment.
Your child can only be successful if you and I work together! With that in
mind, PLEASE check and sign your child’s Weekly Organizer EVERY day so that
you know exactly what he/she
is responsible for. I thank you greatly!
CHILLY WEATHER
As the winter is fast approaching the cold weather is too! Please encourage
your child to wear a warm coat, mittens or gloves and a hat or hood to school
every day. Although they aren't outside for long, it is still extremely
chilly out!
QUESTIONS….CONCERNS?
Please be sure to ask your child what he/she is doing in school on a daily
basis. I realize that our children don’t always give us a great or detailed
report about what went on in their day, but it’s still worthwhile to ask.
They just might share something that they found very interesting that day.
Also, be sure to check our website often for new and updated information.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact
me at any time by either e-mailing me at mpete@chicopee.k12.ma.us or calling
the school any time from 8:00 – 3:00 at
594-3545. Due to our busy days, I may not always be able to return your
phone call or e-mail that day, but will get back to you as soon as I can.
*If it is urgent, please call the school and
they will contact me so that I can take the call at that time.
Have a wonderful holiday and I will see you all in 2010!
Michelle Pete