* Our creative writing piece from last week entitled, "Oh, Oh, I wish it would snow " may have magically brought on the winter weather. Be careful what we wish for is a good lesson I think. A reminder please to pack a second pair of mittens for your child as often the mittens don't have time to dry before the second playtime. I'd also appreciate any plastic grocery bags you can spare for wet belongings to be kept separate from school books in backpacks.
* Students have been busy in 3A presenting their Healthy Habits Projects. I am so please to see the children enthusiastic to share what they learned and I'm proud of the positive comments and compliments they are freely giving to one another.
* Our Letters to the Troops are enroute now. I hope you heard about this lesson in bringing joy to others.
* Today we named our five teams in our new seating plan and already there are house praise points for students getting along well, being good listeners, being organized and on task, etc. I hope this activity will help us keep focus in the days leading up to Christmas. Ask your child what team he/she is on and keep encouraging.
* We started discussing Handwriting today and the importance of posture, position of the page,a sharp pencil and proper grip. Handwriting requires a lot of practice and patience as one letter is introduced at a time.
*** Christmas Shared Reading: I'd like to invite all parents (or maybe even a grandparent) who is available to come visit and read a Christmas favourite to our class. Aside from Dec. 16 and 17 (Concert), I can work you in anytime so please jot me a note about what day and time is best for you and I'll happily get right back to you. The children are very excited about this idea.
*Thanks to all who came, and waited (sorry),during Parent/Teacher interviews last week. It is very important that we work together to encourage your child to be the best he/she can be!
Thanks again, Ms. H
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Week 11: Nov. 23 - 27
* P.J. Day on Tues. in support of the Home and School Christmas Sponsor a Family Project.
* Report Cards go home Thurs. Your interview time will be enclosed. Please RSVP if you cannot attend or request rescheduling. I'm looking forward to meeting you next week.
* Show-and-tell on Fri. Nov. 27 after our Unit 10 Spelling test.
* A friendly request that your child wear a hat,mittens,warm coat and appropriate footwear as it can be cool/cold at outdoor recess. Everyone goes out at recess for fresh air and a body break. Please label your child's belongings to make it easier should something get lost.
* I hope the health projects are going well. They are due Dec.1.
If there's anything you are wondering about, drop me a note. I'll do my best to get an answer for you.
* Report Cards go home Thurs. Your interview time will be enclosed. Please RSVP if you cannot attend or request rescheduling. I'm looking forward to meeting you next week.
* Show-and-tell on Fri. Nov. 27 after our Unit 10 Spelling test.
* A friendly request that your child wear a hat,mittens,warm coat and appropriate footwear as it can be cool/cold at outdoor recess. Everyone goes out at recess for fresh air and a body break. Please label your child's belongings to make it easier should something get lost.
* I hope the health projects are going well. They are due Dec.1.
If there's anything you are wondering about, drop me a note. I'll do my best to get an answer for you.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Week 10: Nov. 16 - 20
*Today was Day 5 (gym day) at Greenfield. Students were excited to sign-up for a volleyball intramural activity at recess.
*We are working on Unit 9 for spellings this week. We are also continuing with class activities that will help the students make words by discovering patterns used for decoding and spelling words. It is my hope that students will transfer this into their writing and take some risks to spell unknown words.
* Students are excited to use their new "The Writer's Guides" (mini dictionary) as tools when writing.
*We have been reading and discussing "Wellness" in Health. Your child will have all the information on our first project on Wed.
I'm looking forward to their presentations.
*We're off to enjoy "Beatlemania" tomorrow. Thank you for the food donations.
* Thank you to those who made donations to our Breakfast Program.
Enjoy the week.
*We are working on Unit 9 for spellings this week. We are also continuing with class activities that will help the students make words by discovering patterns used for decoding and spelling words. It is my hope that students will transfer this into their writing and take some risks to spell unknown words.
* Students are excited to use their new "The Writer's Guides" (mini dictionary) as tools when writing.
*We have been reading and discussing "Wellness" in Health. Your child will have all the information on our first project on Wed.
I'm looking forward to their presentations.
*We're off to enjoy "Beatlemania" tomorrow. Thank you for the food donations.
* Thank you to those who made donations to our Breakfast Program.
Enjoy the week.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Week 9 : Nov. 9 - 13
It is wonderful to have most of our classmates back at school. It was very quiet in 3A last week. We will do our best to get everyone back on track with their school work but some extras may have to be sent home. We are completing our theme study of Frogs this week. As well, we are doing a unit on Data management in math. We are also doing some character education activities that I hope will help the children learn to make the right choices.
Spelling tests this week will be Unit 8.
The group of five will have a 50 word test on Friday, Nov. 13.
Have a great week.
Spelling tests this week will be Unit 8.
The group of five will have a 50 word test on Friday, Nov. 13.
Have a great week.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Week 7: Oct. 26 - 30
Happy Halloween!
There is a buzz of excitement and energy in the air this week.It must be about our special "Camp Wannaread". 3A read collectively 2875 minutes for Million Minute Reading day on Monday. Bravo! It is a joy to see children excited to read. There will be some photos to see at interviews.
* Fri. will be our 50 word spelling test (Units 1-5)so please review nightly. It has been difficult to score the tests when students print letters reversed, print in all capital letters, have no descending letters (like g,y),etc. (There are reversals in numbers as well). Please point out the proper printed letter formations and have them practise on paper.
*Tests are only one way a child is assessed. When a test goes home for a signature it is valuable that together you and your child take a look at his/her success and also at the mistakes. This week,many students learned to recheck the math test before passing it in as rushing may lead to mistakes. Also please don't focus on the test mark itself. With spellings for example, I hope that learning the list words "sing" and "king" will transfer to your child's ability to spell "unlearned" words like "ring, thing and bring". The list words should not be learned in isolation either so try having your child make up sentences using the word to show that he/she knows the meaning of the word.
*Anyone interested in carving a jack-o-lantern at home for our in school display are welcomed to bring it in on Thurs. and to take it home on Fri.
* Please jot me a note if you are able to provide a snack or treats for Fri. morning. Students should bring their own snack from home as usual.
* Some reminders for Halloween on Friday: No masks, Makeup on at home,no swords,etc. Students will have a regular morning and then fun stations in the afternoon.
* Interview times are going home on Wed. Please let me know if you need to make changes or cannot attend so I can accommodate other requests.
*Please return early closure/dismissal forms.
*We are awaiting info./forms to send home about the vaccinations next week. We will need to get this back quickly.
* Some students are consistently coming to school without their guided reading books, homework, agendas,etc. This makes it difficult the next day. I am telling the students that they need to keep everything in their backpack at home except when they are doing their h.w. As they get older, we should be able to expect more responsibility. I know at school I often feel like "The old woman who lived in a shoe, had so many children she didn't know what to do....". I am trying to encourage the responsibility to take care of one's own belongings so perhaps it may help at home too.
* Finally please limit the Halloween treats that are packed for your child's snack and lunch in the days and weeks to come. One treat per snack and one per lunch is the limit please.(No pop.)Thanks in advance.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
There is a buzz of excitement and energy in the air this week.It must be about our special "Camp Wannaread". 3A read collectively 2875 minutes for Million Minute Reading day on Monday. Bravo! It is a joy to see children excited to read. There will be some photos to see at interviews.
* Fri. will be our 50 word spelling test (Units 1-5)so please review nightly. It has been difficult to score the tests when students print letters reversed, print in all capital letters, have no descending letters (like g,y),etc. (There are reversals in numbers as well). Please point out the proper printed letter formations and have them practise on paper.
*Tests are only one way a child is assessed. When a test goes home for a signature it is valuable that together you and your child take a look at his/her success and also at the mistakes. This week,many students learned to recheck the math test before passing it in as rushing may lead to mistakes. Also please don't focus on the test mark itself. With spellings for example, I hope that learning the list words "sing" and "king" will transfer to your child's ability to spell "unlearned" words like "ring, thing and bring". The list words should not be learned in isolation either so try having your child make up sentences using the word to show that he/she knows the meaning of the word.
*Anyone interested in carving a jack-o-lantern at home for our in school display are welcomed to bring it in on Thurs. and to take it home on Fri.
* Please jot me a note if you are able to provide a snack or treats for Fri. morning. Students should bring their own snack from home as usual.
* Some reminders for Halloween on Friday: No masks, Makeup on at home,no swords,etc. Students will have a regular morning and then fun stations in the afternoon.
* Interview times are going home on Wed. Please let me know if you need to make changes or cannot attend so I can accommodate other requests.
*Please return early closure/dismissal forms.
*We are awaiting info./forms to send home about the vaccinations next week. We will need to get this back quickly.
* Some students are consistently coming to school without their guided reading books, homework, agendas,etc. This makes it difficult the next day. I am telling the students that they need to keep everything in their backpack at home except when they are doing their h.w. As they get older, we should be able to expect more responsibility. I know at school I often feel like "The old woman who lived in a shoe, had so many children she didn't know what to do....". I am trying to encourage the responsibility to take care of one's own belongings so perhaps it may help at home too.
* Finally please limit the Halloween treats that are packed for your child's snack and lunch in the days and weeks to come. One treat per snack and one per lunch is the limit please.(No pop.)Thanks in advance.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Week Seven: Oct. 19 - 23
Fall is a wonderful time to celebrate the colors and tastes of nature. I hope you will find time to go on a nature walk,jump in a leaf pile, take a scenic drive and eat an apple everyday. Students enjoyed "spiral" apples today...one of my favourite snacks. We shared the stories of our "apple" homework today. Thanks for the great response and your involvement. Some children were eager to share that instead of giving up, they consulted the internet to get a complete Fruit ABC, some checked a cookbook for apple recipes to get a list of products, and one even tried the grilled apple and cheese sandwich recipe. Bravo!
We will have a math facts (addition/subtraction) quiz on Thurs. and our regular spelling test on Friday. Show and Tell will be Friday. Class photos will be taken this Friday as well. There should be 4 nights of reading this week so please help your child keep up his/her nightly reading.
Next Monday, Oct. 26 is Million Minute Challenge. Students can bring a pillow,teddy and lots of reading material for that day. All PEI schools will compete to see who reads the most that day. The TOSH Pumpkin Patrol will visit to review our safety rules for Trick-or-treating on Monday too.
On Friday, Oct. 30 students are invited to wear a Halloween costume to school. No masks are allowed and make-up must be put on at home. The morning will be classroom activities and the afternoon will be stations with Grades 3-6. If anyone wishes to send in healthy snacks for first recess please let me know. It's a hotdog day at lunch. If your child wishes to send in treats, there are 22 children in 3A.
I think that's all for this week. Thank-you!
We will have a math facts (addition/subtraction) quiz on Thurs. and our regular spelling test on Friday. Show and Tell will be Friday. Class photos will be taken this Friday as well. There should be 4 nights of reading this week so please help your child keep up his/her nightly reading.
Next Monday, Oct. 26 is Million Minute Challenge. Students can bring a pillow,teddy and lots of reading material for that day. All PEI schools will compete to see who reads the most that day. The TOSH Pumpkin Patrol will visit to review our safety rules for Trick-or-treating on Monday too.
On Friday, Oct. 30 students are invited to wear a Halloween costume to school. No masks are allowed and make-up must be put on at home. The morning will be classroom activities and the afternoon will be stations with Grades 3-6. If anyone wishes to send in healthy snacks for first recess please let me know. It's a hotdog day at lunch. If your child wishes to send in treats, there are 22 children in 3A.
I think that's all for this week. Thank-you!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Week Six: Oct. 13-14
It's a short school week so there will not be a new spelling list. Please go back and review the units to date as there will be a 50 word test with the review unit the last week of October.
Tonight's homework is a parent and child assignment. In keeping with our "Learn not to Burn" program and Fire Prevention Week, students are asked to draw their home escape plan.
Here are some helpful fire prevention tips from the children:
1. An escape plan should have 2 exits from each room.
2. Choose a meeting place away from the home.
3. Plans should be known by all members of the family and should be practised.
4. Know your address and phone number.
5. Stop,drop and roll when your clothes are on fire.
6. Never hide in a burning building.
7. Keep cloth away from anything warm.
8. Do not go back inside when there is a fire.
9. Always put rocks around your fire pit.
10. Do not take an elevator when there's a fire.
11. Never play with lighters.
12. Keep children away from hot stoves.
13. Never wear a cape around fire.
14. Do not smoke in bed.
15. Never leave a bonfire unwatched.
Well done 3A!
There is a project for the upcoming 4 days off school. Students will be provided with an "apple" theme take home project. All work should be returned completed on Mon. Oct. 19. Have fun!
Tonight's homework is a parent and child assignment. In keeping with our "Learn not to Burn" program and Fire Prevention Week, students are asked to draw their home escape plan.
Here are some helpful fire prevention tips from the children:
1. An escape plan should have 2 exits from each room.
2. Choose a meeting place away from the home.
3. Plans should be known by all members of the family and should be practised.
4. Know your address and phone number.
5. Stop,drop and roll when your clothes are on fire.
6. Never hide in a burning building.
7. Keep cloth away from anything warm.
8. Do not go back inside when there is a fire.
9. Always put rocks around your fire pit.
10. Do not take an elevator when there's a fire.
11. Never play with lighters.
12. Keep children away from hot stoves.
13. Never wear a cape around fire.
14. Do not smoke in bed.
15. Never leave a bonfire unwatched.
Well done 3A!
There is a project for the upcoming 4 days off school. Students will be provided with an "apple" theme take home project. All work should be returned completed on Mon. Oct. 19. Have fun!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Week Five: Oct. 5 - 9
It's Litterless Lunch Week at Greenfield! Please try to start the habit of reusable containers for lunch items. This might be the start of something good as your child is capable of washing out the containers, and maybe a few extras after supper, in warm soapy water. We will be learning about Fire Safety as it is Fire Prevention Week. Students will have special homework on Tuesday to be completed and returned on Friday. Weather permitting we will be doing a bus evacuation practice too. Your child needs a clean glass bottle , labels removed, for a Thanksgiving Craft project on Thursday. Our Friday spelling tests are going well. It's Unit 4 this week. We have been doing a number of math fact reviews in class so regular practice of the math facts at home nightly is necessary. We will be starting a Unit on Data Management on Thursday. As each child brings more gear to school to be dressed warmly, please label your child's belongings: boots, hats, mitts, etc. I am really encouraging the children to be independent and responsible. There's a better chance of finding a missing item if it is labelled. Finally the photo orders are due on Thursday, Oct. 8 and Vessey Seeds Orders are due on Tuesday, Oct.13. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Week Four Sept. 28- Oct. 2
It's the end of September already! 3A is a busy place to be. We have a wide range of interests and learning styles in our room as well as a wide range of strengths. As part of our citizenship discussions, we often say that what is easy for one may be difficult for another. It has been a challenge to assess where each student is in areas of reading, writing, math and problem solving. I'm learning everyday. As a result, some supports are now in place for small groups to provide remediation as well as challenge. I am establishing routines with the students to allow small group and independent work to happen.
*What is "just right" reading materials? Just right reading materials are not so challenging that students are solely occupied with figuring out how to decode the words and not so easy that they are unlikely to learn anything new. It should allow the child to concentrate on comprehension. A strong foundation of sight words is key to reading as well as confidence and use of reading strategies. We have been working on word families so students can see spelling patterns. When we do our guided reading, your child will be bringing home a book that has been read at school but needs a second reading to practice the specific skill. Please make nightly reading a H.W. priority. If a school book does not come home for H.W. , your child may choose one of his/her own, a library book or maybe a chapter book you are reading together.
*We added 4 new math sheets in your child's H.W. duotang last week. These are tools for you to help your child with his/her math facts. You will see what addition and subtraction facts you child needs to know for Grade 3. Please practice nightly even if it is not on H.W. Students have a math game for H.W. this week to make this practice fun. Everyone has played it so you child should be able to teach you.
*Today we added a "rime sheet" to our H.W. duotang. Again it is a tool for you to help your child become a better reader and speller. ie: Pick one "rime" and challenge your child to "Who can make the most words?"
*Scholastic book orders for Sept. went home today and will be due Mon. Oct 5. Please make cheques payable to "Scholastic Book Club". Cash is fine but I cannot make change. Sorry. Oct. 5 will also be the final day to reply to the Highlights magazine order that went home last week.
*Food order forms for Oct. went home today. They are due Thurs. Oct 1.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
*What is "just right" reading materials? Just right reading materials are not so challenging that students are solely occupied with figuring out how to decode the words and not so easy that they are unlikely to learn anything new. It should allow the child to concentrate on comprehension. A strong foundation of sight words is key to reading as well as confidence and use of reading strategies. We have been working on word families so students can see spelling patterns. When we do our guided reading, your child will be bringing home a book that has been read at school but needs a second reading to practice the specific skill. Please make nightly reading a H.W. priority. If a school book does not come home for H.W. , your child may choose one of his/her own, a library book or maybe a chapter book you are reading together.
*We added 4 new math sheets in your child's H.W. duotang last week. These are tools for you to help your child with his/her math facts. You will see what addition and subtraction facts you child needs to know for Grade 3. Please practice nightly even if it is not on H.W. Students have a math game for H.W. this week to make this practice fun. Everyone has played it so you child should be able to teach you.
*Today we added a "rime sheet" to our H.W. duotang. Again it is a tool for you to help your child become a better reader and speller. ie: Pick one "rime" and challenge your child to "Who can make the most words?"
*Scholastic book orders for Sept. went home today and will be due Mon. Oct 5. Please make cheques payable to "Scholastic Book Club". Cash is fine but I cannot make change. Sorry. Oct. 5 will also be the final day to reply to the Highlights magazine order that went home last week.
*Food order forms for Oct. went home today. They are due Thurs. Oct 1.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Week Three: September 21 - 25
Fall officially arrives this week. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the changing seasons. It is much easier for your child to leave a hat, extra sweater and maybe even light mittens in the backpack than to be cold and have nothing to put on. Our Lost & Found becomes home to many unclaimed items so please label your child's belongings.
Our breakfast program starts on Wednesday morning so please remind or bring your child to the main entrance and directly into the building upon arrival each morning.
It was a pleasure to meet those who attended our "Meet The Teacher Night" last week. I'm looking forward to working together with all of you this year.
The children are settling into the routines in 3A and are presently working on "teambuilding" activities so that our classroom can be a safe learning environment for all. I am sending home 2 reading books Tuesday for the week. These books many be easy, just right or too hard. Please make a comment on your child's reading on each sticky note provided and return each day for in class work. Please remember that reading is getting meaning from print so ask your child questions about the book to check his/her understanding. A just right book is one that the child reads smoothly with expression, proper attention to punctuation and understands what he/she has just read. We will continue to review and learn new reading strategies to improve comprehension. In math, we will continue to review addition strategies for our basic facts. It is really important that your child knows the basic facts as they are building blocks for 2 and 3 digit addition and essential to understanding subtraction, multiplication and division. Please practice nightly at home.
Have a great week!
Our breakfast program starts on Wednesday morning so please remind or bring your child to the main entrance and directly into the building upon arrival each morning.
It was a pleasure to meet those who attended our "Meet The Teacher Night" last week. I'm looking forward to working together with all of you this year.
The children are settling into the routines in 3A and are presently working on "teambuilding" activities so that our classroom can be a safe learning environment for all. I am sending home 2 reading books Tuesday for the week. These books many be easy, just right or too hard. Please make a comment on your child's reading on each sticky note provided and return each day for in class work. Please remember that reading is getting meaning from print so ask your child questions about the book to check his/her understanding. A just right book is one that the child reads smoothly with expression, proper attention to punctuation and understands what he/she has just read. We will continue to review and learn new reading strategies to improve comprehension. In math, we will continue to review addition strategies for our basic facts. It is really important that your child knows the basic facts as they are building blocks for 2 and 3 digit addition and essential to understanding subtraction, multiplication and division. Please practice nightly at home.
Have a great week!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Week Two: September 14 - 18
"Meet the Teacher" is tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. I hope to meet you then. I'm looking forward to showing you some of the curriculum resources for Grade 3 and well as explaining our routines. Thank you to all who sent in milk, pizza, sub and agenda money in well labelled baggies. I was a bit overwhelmed this morning so please let me know if your child's order isn't right in the days ahead. We started using the agendas today. Homework this week consists of reading nightly (record in reading log and return each day) and studying the Unit 1 spelling list for a spelling test on Friday, Sept. 18. Students learned some strategies to learn their words today and were encouraged to work on these word each night. If you have internet, I recommend this spelling site as a tool for your child to learn his/her spelling each week: www.spellingcity.com . Learning can be fun!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Welcome to Grade Three!
Welcome Back to School!
I'm happy to be your child's Grade 3 English teacher for this school year and am looking forward to meeting all the children on Tuesday. Our "Meet the Teacher" night is Sept. 15 and at that time I'll highlight the curriculum and talk with you about our routines, expectations, etc. I'm new to Greenfield Elem. this year so I'll be learning along with the children. "Blogging", for example, is new to me but I'll do my best to share classroom/school news, homework info., important dates, etc. on a weekly basis. Please check it regularily. The student agenda is also key and should be checked and signed nightly. It is important that there is communication between home and school as we work together to support your child's learning.
Feel free to contact me by e-mail at sdharrington@edu.pe.ca.
Thank-you, Ms. Harrington
I'm happy to be your child's Grade 3 English teacher for this school year and am looking forward to meeting all the children on Tuesday. Our "Meet the Teacher" night is Sept. 15 and at that time I'll highlight the curriculum and talk with you about our routines, expectations, etc. I'm new to Greenfield Elem. this year so I'll be learning along with the children. "Blogging", for example, is new to me but I'll do my best to share classroom/school news, homework info., important dates, etc. on a weekly basis. Please check it regularily. The student agenda is also key and should be checked and signed nightly. It is important that there is communication between home and school as we work together to support your child's learning.
Feel free to contact me by e-mail at sdharrington@edu.pe.ca.
Thank-you, Ms. Harrington
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