This Week's ELA: Back to School

Back To School Spelling

Students can practice their spelling words online at http://www.spellingcity.com.  (Spellingcity.com should be ready on Wednesday of this week.)  Each week, students are expected to know what the words mean, be able to use them, and be able to spell them for their test on Friday.

Each day in class, we will check agendas following the assignment schedule below.

Monday: Which 5 words are the hardest for you to spell?  Write them correctly in your agenda in the box on the bottom right.  Practice and study these words. 

Tuesday: Write five more spelling words correctly in your agenda.  Study all 10 words.  (You can write the final 5 words in your agenda if you would like.)

Wednesday: Write the final five spelling words correctly in your agenda if you haven’t already.  Study all 15 words.

Thursday: Study all 15 words!  If possible, take a practice spelling test (either on paper or at www.spellingcity.com.) 

1.     math

2.     science

3.     reading

4.     English

5.     spelling

6.     music

7.     writing

8.     library

9.     sign

10. Union County

11. elementary

12. school

13. panthers

14. teacher

15. student

Challenge words: Portuguese, French, cafeteria, physical education, principal

Vocabulary: Ancient Greece and the Olympics

            Students are expected not only to know the definition of each vocabulary word but to be able to use them in context (in sentences).

Monday-Wednesday: Use each word in a Super Sentence!  A Super Sentence starts with a capital letter and includes a subject and verb, plus interesting details like who, what, when, where, why, and/or how.  End with punctuation!  Underline the vocabulary word.  Be ready to turn in on Thursday. 

Thursday: Study for Friday’s test.

1.     ancient: long, long ago

2.     architecture: the design of buildings

3.     characteristics: different traits

4.     contribution: the act of giving or doing something

5.     government: a group of people who make rules and laws, carry out rules and laws, and decide if rules and laws have been broken

6.     laws: rules people live by

Olympic Medal Tracker

Click HERE to see how your favorite teams are performing in the 2016 Summer Olympics!

Our Schedule

Here's our daily schedule. 

8:00 morning message; language arts (reading, grammar, writing)

9:00 Portuguese or French

9:45 snack time

9:55 specials*

10:40 social studies

11:20 lunch

12:00 recess

12:40 Switch classes and go to Mrs. Cook for math and science

2:35 Switch back for end-of-day routine (check agendas, pack up, review, etc.)

*Specials:
Purple Week: Mon. Art; Tu. Music; Wed. Writing; Th. PE; Fri. Writing
Gold Week: Mon. Art; Tu. Music; Wed. STEM; Th. PE; Fri. STEM

8/5: First Day of School!

We had such a great start to third grade!  I am so proud of our boys and girls!  They tried very hard to listen and follow directions.  They are very respectful and kind to each other (and me).  Thank you, moms and dads!  We still have a lot to learn about our school, but we are off to a great start.  (I hope your kids said the same thing!)

One important thing we did today was organize our binders.  Click HERE for a post about that specifically to check your child's things.

Normally posts won't be this long, but I wanted to give you some important information.

Starting in 3rd grade, students have an agenda (calendar book) that they use to write down their homework and other important info.  We started using it today.  Parents have the job of checking the agenda, looking over student work, and signing the agenda each night.  Your children have been instructed to train you to do this!  Please sign Friday, Aug. 5 this weekend.

The kids were pretty excited about their weekend homework.  Hopefully they explained it to you correctly, but here is clarification.

Agenda p. 1 & Dojo means to look at p. 1 of the agenda for the blog info and my email address.  Dojo is a reminder to check to see if parents have signed up for Class Dojo.  You certainly do not have to sign up, but I think we will all find it beneficial.

Olympics means that I have encouraged them to watch some of the Olympics.  We will begin studying ancient Greece and the Olympics this month, so what a wonderful opportunity!  (Of course there is no penalty if they do not watch any of it.)

Read means just that!  Please read over the weekend!  I had hoped to loan them books from my class library, but we ran out of time.  Again, there is no penalty for not reading, but we all know the importance!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Thank you for entrusting your child to my care.  I look forward to getting to know you all better and take them on exciting learning adventures.

P.S. If you've managed to read this far, please write a note in the agenda (on Friday) saying "I read the blog!"  Students will earn an extra Dojo point for teamwork, because it takes us all working together.  You are a part of our team too!

Binder Organization

Today we set up our binders to help us stay organized this school year.  I took pictures to be able to show you what Mrs. Cook and I expect.  If you need any help getting supplies, please let us know!

A pencil pouch clipped in the front is a great tool to carry a few supplies to and from Mrs. Dyer and Mrs. Cook's classes and between school and home.

The agenda comes next.  (Parents, please sign every night, even on Fridays as sometimes we need to communicate then.)

Next come the subject tabs with notebook paper behind each tab.  The tabs are Sp/Voc (spelling & vocabulary), ELA (English/language arts/reading), SS (social studies), math, and science.

We will expect students to file their work behind the appropriate tab.

Thanks for helping your child get and stay organized!

For Parents: Building Family Routines

Occasionally when I come across something on the web that I think would be especially beneficial for parents/caregivers, I will post them here for you.  The Sylvan Learning "A Guide for Building the Best Family Routines" might make back-to-school (and the rest of the year) a little less stressful for you and yours.

Supply List

Here is our class supply list:
wide-rule notebook paper (I like to stock up while it's on sale.)
#2 pencils (at least 2 packs)
2" binder with 5 tabs
colored pencils
2 pocket folders with prongs (plastic lasts longer)
2 marble composition books
2 glue sticks
scissors