Another great week...

Our week was short, but great!

No pictures this week...just a few facts:

Math - I've been using small group instruction to ensure that all numeration and base ten third grade common core skills have been mastered...meanwhile, others have been using their skills to work with large numbers independently.  Next week we will be working on solving two step word problems using all four operations...many of your kids are well versed in using the algorithms, however, when the math is hidden away in a bunch of words...it's a whole different story!  We will be using the Mathematical Practices to help us make sense of problems and persevere when solving them!

Writing - Writer's Workshop is in full swing!  This week I introduced the first "pit stop" on our "race of writing"...it's not about winning the race...it's about finishing strong!  I introduced "peer conferencing" and modeled it for the kids.  Many kids are still drafting, however some dove right into the peer conference.  The next two pit stops that will be introduced are "editing" and "revising"...all of these "stops" force the kids to continue to read and reread their pieces looking at them through different lenses.

Language Arts - This week we worked with the comprehension strategy "asking questions"...this kids met in groups and listened to a story and generated questions while they listened, and then were asked to use this strategy when reading their independent reading book, too.  All of the comprehension stratgegies we are focusing on will help each student improve their comprehension as we move forward.  We also read and analyzed a poem from the Scholastic Storyworks magazine...it was so wonderful listening to the different sensory imagery that was activated by the words of the poem.  You have such great kids!

Social Studies - Ask your child if there is a continent that is found in all four hemispheres...and then ask them to explain.  They will probably say something like, "Well if I had the map that is in my Social Studies folder, I could show you easier!"  And this would be true.  We made interactive maps this week to help us discuss and make sense of the hemispheres, the prime meridian and the equator.  This map will eventually be a tool for studying for a test, so they will keep it in their folders until it is time to take it home to study.

Checklists - I know many of you were looking forward to seeing if your child had improved their "scores" on the checklist this week.  Being here three days and not even all in a row makes filling out those checklists very difficult.  I saw some wonderful improvement...and I saw a few kids that are probably glad no checklist came home yet!  I told the kids this same thing, and I told them that I would remind them at the beginning of the week next week to keep their goals in mind.

Parent Volunteer Training  - Like I shared with you at Back to School Night, if you would like to volunteer in our building or anticipate possibly chaperoning a field trip this year, you will be required to either attend the orientation training on September 10 at 6:30 or complete the training on line. EVERYONE must complete the training this year, even if you have in the past. Teacher needs for volunteers will not be determined until mid-September, so that all parents who are interested have time to get the training. If you would like to complete the training on line, you can do so starting September 10th.  Go to http://education.fcps.org/ues/ and click on volunteer training on the left hand side.

Thanks! - Thank you to Susie Filburn (Samantha's Mom), Maura Fisher (Drew's Mom) and Lane Fields (Justice's Mom) for offering to be our Room Parents this year!  Also thanks to Judith Apshago (Alivea's Mom) for typing our Class Directory this weekend!  And...last but not least...thanks to the numerous parents who jumped at the opportunity to help...I promise I will ask again and very much appreciate your willingness.

Have a great weekend!