Weekly Newsletter

Week of May 6th

Hi Families!

We had another great week -- with more testing! And one-on-one end-of-year mClass reading assessments begin this week!

Important Information

If you volunteered this year (including for class parties or field trips), you are invited to Codington's Volunteer Breakfast on May 17th at 8:00 am! Please use this link to RSVP!

OUR EOG TEST DAYS are WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH for reading and THURSDAY, MAY 30TH for math! Also see the letter that went home earlier this week.

Menu Changes for the Week

Monday: BBQ "McRib" Sandwich or Filet o' Fish Sandwich or PB&J

Tuesday: Doritos Nachos or Chicken Quesadilla or Nacho Bean Burger

Wednesday: Pepperoni Pizza or Cheesy Bites or Meatball Sub

Thursday: Chicken Tenders or Pork BBQ -- both served with Biscuit and Mac & Cheese

Friday: Buffalo Chicken Pizza or French Bread Cheese Pizza or PB&J

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice telling time and calculating elapsed time from one time to another

- point out any charts or graphs in your daily setting (water or electricity bill, newspaper, etc) and facilitate a discussion with questions about it

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on division

- encourage your child to keep a home writing journal or diary about daily thoughts and learning, with entries that include fiction stories, new nonfiction information, and original poems, as well as mini-illustrations and doodling; periodically share and offer writing praise and feedback

- share information and read books about systems of the body - skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems

- encourage your child to check out and read books of poetry

- take your child to the Cameron Art Museum or a musical or dance performance -- or explore online museums and performances -- and provide creative opportunities for art engagement at home, including visual arts, performing arts, and creative writing

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- poems from our unit book, A River of Words -- and the features of poetry

- our fun group poetry posters, presentations, and performance

- how to form contractions

- how to create and respond to questions about scaled picture graphs and scaled bar graphs

- more about the skeletal system -- and poster projects with more information about bones

Class Needs:

THANK YOU to whoever sent a mail delivery of an entire case of baby wipes! I appreciate it so much!

Thanks so much!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of April 29th

Hi Families!

We had another great week -- with a lot of testing! A Check-In Score Report will come home later this week.

Important Information

This week, we will take our end-of-year Aimsweb Math assessment on Friday.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice telling time and calculating elapsed time from one time to another

- point out any charts or graphs in your daily setting (water or electricity bill, newspaper, etc) and facilitate a discussion with questions about it

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on division

- encourage your child to keep a home writing journal or diary about daily thoughts and learning, with entries that include fiction stories, new nonfiction information, and original poems, as well as mini-illustrations and doodling -- periodically share and offer writing praise and feedback

- share information and read books about systems of the body - skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems

- encourage your child to check out and read books of poetry

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our new unit book, A River of Words, and the sequence of events in the life of poet William Carlos Williams

- how to write connected letters to form words in cursive

- how to solve perimeter problems with regular and irregular polygons

- how to organize information into picture graphs

- all about Earth Day and ways to help our environment

- more about bones -- and details of how bones support the functions of the body

Class Needs:

We are in ongoing need of baby wipes until our stock is completely replenished -- thanks for the ones that have been sent!

Thanks so much!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of April 22nd

Hi Families!

We had a wonderful week -- and a great Field Day on Friday! Thanks to all who volunteered or came to cheer us on!

Important Information

This week, we will take our third set of NC Check-Ins -- Reading on Tuesday and Math on Thursday. Please see the attached letter for more information.

Picture Day is Wednesday, April 24th! This is also the day for our class picture, which is sold by pre-order only. To purchase one, please complete and return the picture order envelope sent home last week.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice telling time and calculating elapsed time from one time to another -- buy your child an analog watch to allow him/her to practice telling time consistently and associate his/her daily routine with times, including am and pm, as well as quarter past, half past, and quarter 'til terminology

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on accuracy and fluency

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas (or use online maps) to locate and discuss the seven continents and four main oceans -- find common countries to associate with each continent

- share information and read books about systems of the body - skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our new unit book, Alvin Ailey, and how to identify the text structure and main idea of nonfiction texts

- how to write capital letters in cursive

- how to identify and classify polygons, and specifically quadrilaterals

- the seven continents and four main oceans, as well as main countries on each continent

- all about bones -- and names of major bones in the body

Class Needs:

We are in need of baby wipes, again, if anyone would like to help. Thanks, too, for the ones we've already received -- we use a lot every week because we are one of the few classrooms with no sink.

Thanks so much, as always!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of April 15th

Hi Families!

We had a great first week back!

Important Information

Tomorrow is PURPLE UP day at Codington! Children can wear purple in support of other children with parents who serve us in the United States Armed Forces!

Codington's Field Day is this Friday! All who would like to attend are welcome! The children will have a variety of fun game stations to participate in outside, from 11:45 am to 1:45 pm. I will have a sign-out sheet on the field if you decide to check your child out after the fun is done. Please come to cheer us on!

From the Cafeteria

Menu changes for this week are the following:

- Monday: BBQ Rib Sandwich, Corn Puppies or PB & J Meal

- Tuesday: Doritos Nachos, Chicken Taco Salad, or Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup

- Wednesday: Pepperoni Pizza, Cheesy Bites, or Yogurt Meal (with Cheese Stick and Cookies)

- Thursday: Popcorn Chicken with Mac-n-Cheese and Biscuit or Pulled Pork Sandwich

- Friday: FIELD DAY BAGGED LUNCHES -- Turkey Sub or PB & J

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on accuracy and fluency

- share information and read books about systems of the body - skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our new ELA unit on how artists create art -- and the specific definition of an artist

- how to write capital letters in cursive

- how to tell time and use an open number line to calculate elapsed time from one point in time to another

- the seven continents, Equator and Prime Meridian, North and South poles, and four main hemispheres

- all about bones -- the three purposes of bones, four different types of bones, and names of major bones in the body

Class Needs

We are in need of baby wipes, if anyone would like to help.

Thanks so much, as always!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of April 8th

Hi Families!

I am so excited to welcome your children back to school tomorrow! I hope you enjoyed some quality time with your children over our break. I can't wait to see them!

Class Information

Tomorrow is the solar eclipse! It is expected to begin in our area around 2:00 pm and peak around 3:15 pm. I have purchased solar glasses for the children that should meet the American Astronomical Society guidelines according to their webpage and are produced by one of their approved vendors, Medical King. We will, however, not utilize these at school but will send them home for you to check into and approve of before using with your children if you choose to. Please view the guidelines for viewing the eclipse safely to determine the best way to use your child's glasses, if you choose to use them. Your child will be directed to avoid looking at the sun during dismissal according to current school guidelines. We will be learning about the eclipse at school tomorrow!

Our Wit and Wisdom language arts unit for this quarter focuses on the work of artists, while our Eureka Math unit is on time, geometry, measurement, and data. In Science, we will be focusing on the skeletal system, and in Social Studies, we will continue focusing on the contributions of important Americans. This quarter will also bring a consistent focus on review and test preparation in reading and math.

Homework will follow the current format established in the last four weeks of the last quarter -- be sure to read and reread the EOG practice passage with your child each evening, as well as engage in the discussion topic for the evening.

Class Needs:

We are in need of baby wipes and boxes of tissues, if anyone would like to help.

Thanks so much, as always!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of March 11th

Hi Families!

We had another great week!

Important Information

Tuesday is our field trip to the Ingram Planetarium! If you signed up to pack your child's lunch, please be sure it is contained in all disposable items for easy carry and clean up, as we will not be taking lunch boxes. We will load the bus at 9:00 am to arrive there by 10:15 am. Parent chaperones should plan to meet us there and pay their $10 to be admitted before our arrival time. Chaperones may also choose to check their children out after the program through a sign out sheet with me at the planetarium.

We will have our end-of-quarter celebration on Wednesday at 12:30 pm! All who would like to attend are welcome! Our theme will be cultural holidays again -- our Spring holidays are Ramadan, Chinese New year, Holi, and Easter! If you would like to help with needed items, please email Bailey McPhatter, our room mom, at baileysmcphatter@gmail.com.

Reading and Math Check-In score reports will come home later this week.

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on accuracy and fluency

- help your child practice identifying fractional amounts that are equal to whole numbers

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to represent whole numbers as fractions using number lines and picture models

- our end-of-unit assessments in reading and math

- our NC Math Check-In

- our study of Spring cultural holidays -- Ramadan and Chinese New Year

- our guest presenter for Ramadan, Ms. Leila -- Adam's mom!

- our ice cream sundae reward treat!

Thanks so much!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of March 4th

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week! Thanks so much to so many of you who came out to see our Fun Run -- truly a wonderful time!

Important Information

We will have an end-of-quarter celebration on Wednesday, March 13th, at 12:30 pm. All who would like to attend are welcome! More information will be forthcoming.

A few reminders...

- There is no school for students on Tuesday this week.

- Your child will take a Mid-Year Math Check-In on Wednesday.

- Third graders are performing at our PTA meeting on Thursday evening at 6:00 pm.

- Next week, on Tuesday, March 12th, is our field trip!

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on accuracy and fluency

- help your child compare fractions with either the same numerator or the same denominator to identify the larger and smaller amounts

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to compare fractions using number lines to identify fractional amounts that are equivalent to whole numbers

- our ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our vocabulary flashcards of important unit words

- our study of important leaders in history with Scholastic and Epic biography reading and discussion -- and our focus on the life and contributions of Harriet Tubman

- our NC Check-In Tutorial and Reading Check-In

- our Fun Run -- and our fun Leap Day too!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of February 25th

Hi Families!

We had another wonderful week!

Important Information

Our BOOSTERTHON Fun Run is on Tuesday! Please plan to join us at 11:00 am! Also please be sure your child wears athletic clothing and sneakers for the event, as well as brings a filled water bottle. Please also apply any needed sunscreen before sending your child to school. I will have a sign-out sheet on the field if you intend to take your child home after the event.

In your child's homework folder is the form to complete to include a Luck Line for your child in the Codington yearbook. Please complete the form and send in payment if you would like to do this for your child.

Your child will take a Mid-Year Reading Check-In on Wednesday. Please see the attached letter for more information.

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting or story strategies to solve each fact. Move to working on division if your child is confident and fluent with multiplication.

- help your child compare fractions with either the same numerator or the same denominator to identify the larger and smaller amounts

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell multi-syllable words with vowel team syllables with long a sounds: ai, ay, a-e, eigh, ei, and ea

- how to compare fractions using number lines to identify fractional amounts that are equivalent to whole numbers

- our ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our focus book, The Keeping Quilt

- our Scholastic News reading and activities on the American Revolution

- our study of important leaders in history with Scholastic and Epic biography reading and discussion

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of February 19th

Hi Families!

We had another great week! Thanks so much for all of the wonderful birthday and Valentine treats!

Important Information

Our BOOSTERTHON program is underway! Look for daily email updates and challenges for your child to participate in. Please plan to attend to cheer us on during our Fun Run this Friday, February 23rd at 11:00 am! I will have a sign-out sheet on the field if you intend to take your child home after the event. Register your child at MYBOOSTER.COM.

The Book Fair is also this week at Codington! See the flyer in your child's homework folder for more information.

Our new homework routine continues with the new reading activity! Be sure to carefully review the homework page to help your child begin to prepare for the demands of the reading EOG test by having a daily reading and discussion with you.

I am still missing some field trip forms and payments. Please let me know if you need a new form.

Ways To Help Your Child

- help your child notice and name fractional parts around your home -- when cooking, sharing items, splitting up sets, etc.

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell multi-syllable words with r-controlled syllable types

- how to compare fractions using the same number line to identify fractional amounts that are equivalent

- our ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our narrative story and letter writing activities

- our Scholastic News reading and activities on the Egyptian pyramids

- our fun Valentine's Day fraction m&m math activity -- and our Valentine snack and exchange!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of February 12th

Hi Families!

We had another wonderful week!

Important Information

Our homework routine is adjusting this week! Be sure to carefully read the homework page to begin helping your child prepare for the demands of the reading EOG test. Your child's 100 word assessment is also coming home -- please continue practicing words that are not yet mastered.

Wednesday is Valentine's Day! If you would like to help us by sending in a treat, please let me know. Children may bring their Valentines starting tomorrow! Here are our class names again if you need them: AdaLee, Adam, Amisha, Andersen, Ariana, Barrett, Brayden, Destin, Emily, Grayson, Hailey, Hazel, Jane, Joseph, Mattie, Nico, Nina, Phelan, and Saja (19 students total).

Please return your child's field trip form, as well as submit the $6 cost for him/her to attend, if you have not already. Also be sure you have completed the NHCS Volunteer Training with background check if you will be one of our chaperones. The corrected cost for chaperones is actually $10, payable at the door.

Codington's Fun Run kickoff is Thursday! Please plan to attend to cheer us on during our Fun Run on February 23rd! Register your child to participate at MYBOOSTER.COM.

Ways To Help Your Child

- help your child notice and name fractional parts around your home -- when cooking, sharing items, splitting up sets, etc.

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell multi-syllable words with r-controlled syllable types

- how to compare fractions to identify fractional amounts that are greater than or less than others

- our ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our focus book, Coming to America, including identifying the main idea and new reflections on the immigrant experience

- our fun Scholastic News reading and activities on the Tuskegee Airmen!

- our science learning on soil layers -- and our fun soil layer dessert activity!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of February 5th

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week!

Important Information

Attached below and in your child's folder is an invitation to Grayson's birthday party! Please RSVP -- the entire class is invited!

Below are the first names of all students in class in preparation for Valentine's Day! Children may bring Valentines for the entire class. If you would like to help us by sending in a treat, please let me know.

Class names: Please see email

Please return your child's field trip form, as well as submit the $6 cost for him/her to attend, if you have not already. Please let me know if this cost is difficult. Also be sure you have completed the NHCS Volunteer Training with background check if you will be one of our chaperones.

Codington's Fun Run is approaching! You can register on MYBOOSTER.COM. We will have a fun learning activity each day following our kickoff on February 15th. Please plan to attend to cheer us on during our Fun Run on February 23rd! More information will be forthcoming.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division -- for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year -- a check on all 100 review words is this week!

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell multi-syllable words with alternate or and ar endings

- how to partition objects into equal parts and how to name the fractional units created and a unit fraction for each part in unit form and fraction form

- our ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our new focus book, Coming to America, including identifying the text features and text structure of a book

- our essays on the challenges of the immigrant experience

- our fun Scholastic News reading and activities on Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of January 29th

Hi Families!

We had another great week!

Important Information

Tomorrow is pajama day for the children as part of an earned classroom reward! We will also be watching a science video during lunch, as well as enjoying a "dirt cup" treat with "worms".

The 3rd grade PTA performance has been moved to March 7th. More information will be forthcoming.

Our second field trip will be to the Ingram Planetarium, in Sunset Beach, on Tuesday, March 12th! We will leave at 9:00 am and return by 1:30 pm. Permission slips will come home this week to allow the cafeteria to plan lunches well in advance. Please complete the form and send it back this week. The cost for each child is $6. If this contribution is difficult, please let me know. Volunteers who have participated in the advanced volunteer training with completed criminal background check are welcome to chaperone! The cost for each chaperone is $9, payable at the planetarium when we arrive.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division -- for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year -- a check on all 100 review words is upcoming next week!

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child -- purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with tion and sion parts

- how to use multiplication to determine the area of a rectangle, and how to determine the length of an unknown side when the area and one side are given

- multiplication stories for 6 x 6, 7 x 7, 8 x 8, 6 x 7, 6 x 8, and 7 x 8

- our ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and how to compare and contrast the fiction features in two books

- the purpose, composition, and types of soil -- and our fun soil observation lab activity!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of January 22nd

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week!

Class Information

In addition to new content, we have been working diligently on pacing and work quality! Our expectations for work products are increasing incrementally as the children become more mature and independent with expectations.

I will be contacting some of you for Tier 2 meetings or parent-teacher conferences again in the upcoming weeks.

Class Needs:

Thanks so much for the supplies that have been sent! We are all set for now!

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year -- a check on all 100 review words is upcoming in two weeks!

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child - purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with consonant + le syllables, and how to add suffixes to them

- how to use multiplication to determine the area of a rectangle, and how to determine the length of an unknown side when the area and one side are given

- our new ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our second focus book, Tea with Milk, and how to identify fiction features, examine characters, and identify points of view

- the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of January 16th

Hi Families!

We had an excellent first week back, even with the crazy weather schedule!

Your child's report card went home on Friday, so be sure to check his/her homework folder to find it. Middle-of-year benchmark scores in the mClass reading, Aimsweb math, and School Net assessment programs also went home before break and may also still be in some homework folders, as well.

Please complete and return your child's green sheet to hold his/her place at Codington for next year, if you haven't already done so.

Class Information

The 100th day of school is this Friday! Your child is welcome to celebrate with a shirt or hat depicting the number one hundred through a math problem -- or with one hundred items!

Class Needs:

We are in need of boxes of pre-sharpened pencils, if anyone would like to help. Thanks so much for the supplies that have been sent this week!

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year

- use advanced vocabulary in context and have your child use the context to determine the meaning of a new word

- explore your family's cultures of origin and share family history stories with your child

- practice map skills with your child - purchase a globe or children's atlas and locate and discuss different states and countries

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with consonant + le syllables (examples: pickle, maple, & bubble)

- how to use multiplication to determine the area of a rectangle

- our new ELA unit on the immigrant experience -- and our first focus book, Grandfather's Journey, and how to identify fiction features, examine characters, and identify points of view

- the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of January 8th

Hi Families!

I am so excited to welcome your children back to school tomorrow! I hope you have enjoyed the holiday season and some quality time with your children over our winter break! I can't wait to see them -- and I know that some of you can't wait to send them! :) I truly had a relaxing holiday, and I appreciate the class gift card and many individual gifts so much! I tried to text you all individually before the break -- and hope I didn't miss anyone! <3

Class Information

Our upcoming topics of study this quarter are exciting! Our Wit and Wisdom language arts unit focuses on the immigrant experience in America, while our current Eureka Math unit is on area. Upcoming math units are also on perimeter and fractions. We are also continuing to focus on the history of holidays, as well as upcoming topics of study for African American and Women's history months this quarter in Social Studies. In Science, we will continue our study of plants, as well as move into a unit on the skeletal system. Our quarter will also bring an increasing focus on time management, work quality, and test preparation.

Homework will follow the current format for the first half of this quarter -- with more changes to come in the second half!

Class Needs:

We are in need of baby wipes, band-aids, and boxes of tissues, if anyone would like to help. Thank you for all that has already been sent!

Thanks so much, as always!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of December 11th

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week -- plus some extra fun with our class elf and lots of visiting elf guests!

This is our last week before our winter break -- and all days this week are full school days!

Class Information

We will have our end-of-quarter celebration of learning on Wednesday, December 13th, at 12:15 pm! All who would like to join us are welcome! Our theme is December holidays around the world!

Class Needs:

We are in need of boxes of tissues, band-aids, and baby wipes, if anyone would like to help.

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year

- research and discuss the history of holidays

- have your child write his/her activities and thoughts in a journal each day

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to use suffixes to form plurals and verb forms with all types of words

- how to solve two-step word problems with all four operations

- our end-of module four-paragraph writing task about space

- our fun seed dissection activity -- and parts of a seed

- the history and cultural traditions of Hanukkah

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of December 4th

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week!

Class Information

We will be working to finish middle-of-year assessments in mClass (reading) and Aimsweb (math) this week!

We will have our end-of-quarter celebration of learning on Wednesday, December 13th, at 12:15 pm! All who would like to join us are welcome, and more information will be forthcoming! Our theme will be December holidays around the world!

Class Needs:

We are in need of boxes of tissues, band-aids, and baby wipes, if anyone would like to help.

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year

- research and discuss the history of holidays

- have your child write his/her activities and thoughts in a journal each day - begin now by writing about holiday fun!

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to use suffixes to form plurals and verb forms with words ending in y

- how to multiply a one-digit number by 10's and multiples of 10

- how to solve two-step word problems with all four operations

- our language arts unit on space -- with our focus book, Zathura -- and how to identify fiction elements in a story

- our focus passage Pegasus, and characteristics of myths

- how to use the 2E strategies answer multiple-choice questions

- our fun pollination readers theater!

- the stages of growth for a plant

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of November 26th

Hi Families!

We had a wonderful tiny week -- and I hope you have enjoyed some quality time with your child as we kicked off the holiday season this week!

We will be working to complete middle-of-year assessments in mClass (reading) and Aimsweb (math) over the next two weeks.

Class Needs

We are in need of boxes of tissues, band-aids, and baby wipes, if anyone would like to help.

Ways To Help Your Child

- make or purchase multiplication and division flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice writing the trick words we have learned so far this year

- research and discuss the history of holidays

- have your child write his/her activities and thoughts in a journal each day - begin now by writing about holiday fun!

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- the history of Thanksgiving -- and our fun Thanksgiving video and history webquest!

- our Thanksgiving math wander-the-room problem-solving stations

- our nasaump (colonial porridge) creation and tasting - recipe from Plimoth Plantation!

- our read aloud with Gregory, the Terrible Eater

- our fruit tasting and describing activity with coconut, fig, kiwi, pomegranate, and cranberry samples

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of November 19th

Hi Families!

We had another great week!

Class Information

Tomorrow is pajama day -- an earned reward that the children suggested and voted for on Friday! They will also enjoy popcorn and lunch in the classroom to watch a learning video tomorrow!

We are also planning a fun fruit tasting activity on Tuesday, as well as making Nasaump -- a colonial recipe!

Codington Information

Students are out of school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice the trick words from the first quarter

- read and explore topics related to space

- research and discuss the history of holidays

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with open syllables and the schwa sound for open syllables with a

- how to complete patterns on a multiplication grid and input/output table

- our counting songs for 3's and 4's -- and our rhyming stories for 6 X 6, 7 X 7, 8 X 8, and 7 X 8

- our language arts unit on space -- with our focus book, One Giant Leap -- and how to determine the main idea, central message, and essential meaning of a text

- our conclusion writing with the TEE strategy

- the history of Thanksgiving -- and our fun Thanksgiving history webquest!

- our amazing Colonial Life Virtual Field Trip with Plimoth Plantation!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of November 13th

Hi Families!

We had a great week again!

Codington Information

Our PTA meeting and art show are on Wednesday, November 15th. Students will have art on display for parents to view before the meeting. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the PTA meeting begins at 6:00 PM. The new safety protocols from the district will be shared at this meeting.

On Friday, November 17th, sibling and holiday photos will be taken. Sign ups must be done in advance -- please see the flier for more information.

Friday, November 17th, is also our PTA Bingo Night at 5:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fun!

Class Needs

We are all set on items for now!

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice identifying the correct operation -- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division - for verbal word problems

- practice the trick words from the first quarter

- read and explore topics related to space

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with open syllables and the schwa sound for open syllables with a

- how to break apart larger numbers to solve multiplication expressions using the Distributive Property of Multiplication

- our counting songs for 3's and 4's -- and our rhyming stories for 6 X 6, 7X 7, and 8 X 8

- how to solve multiplication and division facts with 0 and 1

- our language arts unit on space -- with our focus book, One Giant Leap --and how to identify a person's point of view and use repetition to determine important sections of text

- our fun tableau activity!

- our space videos - GO! was the favorite!

- our essay introduction writing with the TEE strategy

- the history of Veterans Day!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of November 6th

Hi Families!

We had a fabulous week again -- and so much learning fun on Halloween!

Codington Information

There is no school this Friday due to the Veterans Day holiday.

Scores from the Cognitive Abilities Tests will be sent home within the next two weeks.

Class Needs

We are in need of packages of baby wipes for messy hands and snack clean up. Thanks for the ones that have already been sent! We still need more, as we go through them at a very fast pace!

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice the standard way of adding and subtracting three-digit numbers

- practice rounding three digit numbers to the nearest ten and nearest hundred

- practice the trick words from the first quarter

- read and explore topics related to space

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with open syllables

- how to use parentheses to solve expressions -- and how to use the Associative Property of Multiplication to create easier problems to solve

- our language arts unit on space -- with our next focus book, One Giant Leap --and how to sequence events, identify facts and opinions, and determine the most important events in a section of text

- our fun human timeline activity with One Giant Leap events!

- our essay introduction writing with the TEE strategy

- our Halloween learning activities -- our spooky math problem solving stations, our sentence spelling team challenge, our poetry reading rotations, and our special craft and snack!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of October 30th

Hi Families!

We had a wonderful week again -- and I enjoyed seeing so many of you at our Fall Festival!

Codington Information

Children will take the Cognitive Abilities assessment this week on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. This test is used as one possible indicator for gifted service eligibility, and it also shows strengths and areas to be developed for your child. Additional information went home in a letter in your child's homework folder last week. Please be sure your child is on time for school and has had plenty of sleep on these days.

See this link for information about Codington's Science and Engineering Fair.

Please make sure your child has a snack from home each day.

Class Needs

We are in need of packages of baby wipes for messy hands and snack clean up. Thanks in advance if you can help!

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice the standard way of adding and subtracting three-digit numbers

- practice rounding three digit numbers to the nearest ten and nearest hundred

- practice the trick words from the first quarter

- read and explore topics related to space

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with open syllables

- how to use multiple strategies to multiply and divide with units of 6, 7, and 8

- our language arts unit on space -- with our first focus book, Starry Messenger -- and how to identify the essential message of a text

- our fun cause and effect mini-posters on the contributions of Galileo

- our essay planning and writing about Galileo with the TEE strategy (topic sentence, evidence, & elaboration) -- and how to write a multi-paragraph essay

- our science unit on plants -- and our fun flower dissection activity!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of October 23rd

Hi Families!

We had a great week again!

Codington Information

Please see this link for information about Codington's Science and Engineering Fair this year!

Codington's Fall Festival is this Friday, October 27th, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm!

We have some new county guidelines on food that is provided to children at school -- and as a result, we will no longer maintain a class set of back-up snacks. Please make sure your child has a snack from home each day.

Class Needs

We are in need of packages of baby wipes for messy hands and snack clean up. As a classroom with no sink, we use these daily and have already run out of our supply. Thanks in advance if you can help!

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice the standard way of adding and subtracting three-digit numbers

- practice rounding three digit numbers to the nearest ten and nearest hundred

- practice the trick words from the first quarter

- read and explore topics related to space

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to read and spell words with the schwa sound

- how to use multiple strategies to add and subtract three-digit numbers and round to the nearest ten and hundred

- our language arts unit on space -- with our first focus book, Starry Messenger -- and how to sequence events in text

- our fun timeline project on the life of Galileo!

- how to organize a paragraph with the TEE strategy (topic sentence, evidence, & elaboration) -- and how to write a conclusion paragraph

- our science unit on plants -- and the parts of a flower!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of October 16th

Hi Families!

We had a great first week back together! And I am so proud of your children as we welcomed a new student into our class!

Class Information

We are back into our regular homework routine -- with one addition. This quarter will bring a focus on ensuring that your child is finishing work in a timely manner. I am making every effort to give sufficient work time and pacing guidelines, as well as build make-up time into our weekly schedule -- and if your child has not completed his/her weekly activities by Friday, the work may be sent home to finish over the weekend. I will text you if this occurs to let you know to look for the work in your child's homework folder.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- practice the standard way of adding and subtracting three-digit numbers

- practice the trick words from the first quarter

- plant some seeds at home -- or give your child a flowering plant to care for

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how read and spell words with the schwa sound

- how to use multiple strategies to add and subtract three-digit numbers

- our new language arts unit focus on space -- with our first focus book, Starry Messenger -- and how to find cause and effect relationships in text

- how to organize a paragraph with the TEE strategy (topic sentence, evidence, & elaboration) -- and how to write a topic sentence

- our new science unit on plants -- and how scientists classify them

- our fun activity classifying dried beans!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of September 10th

Hi Families!

We had another fabulous week together -- as well as an excellent field trip! It's hard to believe that this is our last week before our fall break!

Class Information

Our first quarter learning celebration, with our theme of The Sea, is on Wednesday, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm! All who would like to attend are welcome! Our Room Mom, Bailey McPhatter, is organizing our sign up for items we need. If you are not on her class contact list yet, please connect with her at baileysmcphatter@gmail.com to be part of the communication.

If you checked out your child after chaperoning our field trip, please send your child's t-shirt back to school so we will have it for our next event.

Ways To Help Your Child
- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's
- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact
- practice the standard way of adding and subtracting three-digit numbers
- practice the review and sound-alike trick words from this quarter

Ask Your Child to Share About...
- how to add suffix endings to vowel-consonant-e words
- how to use multiple strategies to add and subtract three-digit numbers
- our unit focus on the sea -- with our focus book, Shark Attack, and how to find the main idea
- our social studies unit on life in the US in the 1600's through 1900's -- and our activity stations with downtown Wilmington photographs
- our Tarheels Go Walking field trip!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of September 3rd

Hi Families!

We had another great week together!

Class Information

Our Tarheels Go Walking field trip is this Wednesday! Parents who are chaperoning the trip will need to meet us downtown at the Fire Department at 9:30 am (this is an adjusted time and not the same time listed on the field trip form). We will be walking all over the downtown area, so be sure your child has on comfortable shoes and clothing for the day, and is already wearing any needed sunscreen. If you signed your child up for a school lunch, it has already been ordered from the cafeteria. If you signed up to pack a lunch, please be sure to pack it all in disposable containers so we do not have anything to keep up with on the trip. The exception to this will be water -- please be sure your child has his/her large water bottle to carry around downtown during the trip.

We will have a first quarter learning celebration, with a theme of The Sea, on Wednesday, September 13th from 12:30 to 2:00 pm! All who would like to attend are welcome! Our Room Mom, Bailey McPhatter, is organizing a sign up for items we will need. If you are not on her class contact list yet, please connect with her at baileysmcphatter@gmail.com to be part of the communication.

Class Needs

Thanks for all you have sent! We are all set for now.

Ways To Help Your Child
- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's
- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact
- practice rounding a three-digit number to the nearest 10 or nearest 100

Ask Your Child to Share About...
- how to spell words with vowel-consonant-e syllable types
- how to use a vertical number line to round three-digit numbers to the nearest ten and nearest 100
- our unit focus on the sea -- with our focus book, The Fantastic Life of Jacques Cousteau,and how to sequence important story events
- our social studies unit on life in the US in the 1600's through 1900's -- and our preview of our Tarheels Go Walking historical sites and their importance

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of August 28th

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week together!

Class Information

I am in the process of holding first quarter conferences and am working on a time for a conference for each family before the end of the quarter. If I have not contacted you yet, I will be soon. Because of limited time during and after the school day, I am considering some Saturday conferences at a local coffee shop next weekend on September 2nd. Please text me if this option will work best for you, and I will begin to build a schedule.

Please return all Attractions books that have not been purchased. Information about a new PTA fundraiser will come home tomorrow!

Class Needs

Thanks for all you have sent! We are all set for now.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- point out English and metric measurement tools and containers that you use around the house -- length/distance in inches, feet, yards, and miles; and centimeters, meters and kilometers; capacity/volume in cups, pints, quarts, and gallons; and milliliters and liters; weight/mass in ounces, pounds, and tons; and grams and kilograms; and temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our morning meeting read aloud and its theme: Chicken Sunday

- how to add consonant and vowel suffixes to spell 1-1-1 words correctly, and how x at the end of a 1-1-1 word is an exception to the regular rules

- our benchmarks for volume and weight units

- how to use the RDW process to solve word problems and how to draw representations for volume, weight, and length operations using a tape diagram

- our unit focus on the sea -- with our focus book Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas and its central message

- how to answer questions and write organized paragraphs using TEE -- topic sentence, evidence, & elaboration

- our science unit on states of matter and their properties -- and our fun lesson activities measuring the mass of objects -- and how mass is different from weight

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of August 21st

Hi Families!

We had another great week! And just a reminder -- there is no school on Wednesday.

Class Information

We are beginning a math unit on measurement, including capacity. If you have any empty containers you can send - gallon milk jugs, quart cream containers, pint ice cream cartons, two liter soda bottles -- or any other disposable containers of any size, please send them in for us to use.

Progress reports went home on Thursday. Their format is very different from others we have been able to print previously. Feel free to text me if you have any questions.

I have started to set up first quarter conferences and will be working on a time for a conference for each family before the end of the quarter. I have already contacted many of you, and will be contacting you individually over the next three weeks.

Please return all Attractions books that have not been purchased.

Information about Fall pictures will come home tomorrow!

Class Needs

Thanks for all you have sent! We are in need of water bottles again, if anyone would like to help.

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards (the Dollar Store has them) and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time -- focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

- point out English and metric measurement tools and containers that you use around the house -- we will be learning about length measurement in inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters; capacity/volume measurement in cups, pints, quarts, gallons, milliliters and liters; and weight/mass measurement in ounces, pounds, grams, and kilograms

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our morning meeting read aloud and its theme: Rotten Ritche and the Ultimate Dare

- how to add consonant and vowel suffixes to spell 1-1-1 words correctly

- how to use the distributive (break apart) and associative (three factor) properties to break multiplication array problems into simpler problems to solve

- our unit focus on the sea -- with our focus book Amos and Boris and its central message

- how to answer questions and write organized paragraphs using TEE -- topic sentence, evidence, & elaboration

- our science unit on states of matter and their properties -- and our fun lesson activities making a mixture and solution, as well as observing properties of solids and liquids

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of August 14th

Hi Families!

We had another excellent week!

Class Information

If you have not yet emailed our Room Parent, Bailey McPhatter, please do so at baileysmcphatter@gmail.com to be part of our class contact list. She will be helping us with PTA participation and class events, and the contact list is also helpful for parents to connect with each other -- as well as set up playdates.

Our first field trip, Tarheels Go Walking, is set for Wednesday, September 6th! Forms went home last week. Please return your child's form if you have not already. Volunteers are welcome, so also plan to come with us if you can!

Class Needs

Thanks for all you have sent! We are all set for right now!

Ways To Help Your Child

- practice counting sequences for 2's, 3's, and 4's -- riding in the car is a great time to practice!

- make or purchase multiplication flashcards (the Dollar Store has them) and practice regularly for 10 minutes at a time - focus on using counting strategies to solve each fact

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to spell plural nouns and verb forms using irregular forms and suffixes: s, es, ed, & ing

- how to use tape diagrams to represent division problems and how to divide arrays into equal groups to represent problems with three factors

- our unit focus on the sea -- with our focus book Amos and Boris and elements of fiction: setting, characters, events, conflict, and resolution

- how to write a fiction summary with this format: Someone... wanted... but... so... then...

- our science unit on states of matter and their properties

- our read aloud and its theme: The Day You Begin

- how to synergize to solve conflicts using I statements

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of August 7th

Hi Families!

Your children had another great week -- mostly without me! I am so proud of them for being wonderful and helpful with a substitute this week.

Codington Information

Tomorrow a document will come home with the contact information the office has for you -- please check it over carefully, update it with any new information, and send it back to me.

Class Information

Our Room Parent is Bailey McPhatter, mom of Andersen! She will be working on a class contact list -- please email her at baileysmcphatter@gmail.com to be part of this list for upcoming parent communication (I am not allowed to share your information). She will be helping us with PTA participation and class events, and the contact list is also helpful for parents to connect with each other -- as well as set up playdates.

Our homework routine will continue with Prodigy online math practice, a fluency passage, trick word spelling, and nightly reading.

Your child's mClass reading assessment scores and Aimsweb math assessment scores were sent home on Friday.

From our administrators: An Individual Student Report (ISR) of your child's BOG3 score is available in PowerSchool. To view electronic copies of the ISR in PowerSchool, log into PowerSchool through a web browser. Once you are on the website, click on State Test Reports in the left-hand menu bar. The ISR is not viewable on the PowerSchool app. Any standardized test score is a single indicator of student performance and only one piece of his/her educational picture. Your child's test score should be considered along with all the other information provided throughout the school year. A printed copy of this report will also be sent home soon.

Class Needs

If anyone would like to help, we need some water bottles for students who may not have one. We also need more class snacks and additional items for our small and large reward drawers. Thanks for all you have already sent!

We have two allergies in class -- a peanut/treenut allergy and a sunflower seed allergy. As snacks and items to share come to school, please try to avoid these items.

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to use the glued sounds and closed syllable exceptions to spell words: am, an, ang, ing, ong, ung, ank, ink, onk, unk old, ild, ind, olt, & ost

- how to use the Commutative Property and Distributive Property to help solve multiplication problems

- our Power Up groups in other classrooms!

- our unit focus on the sea -- with our focus poem The Sea Wind and Mary Cassat's painting The Boating Party, strategies to annotate the text, and how the sea is explored through both reading and art

- Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Happy Kids and how to use the habits each day

- our read alouds and their themes: The Magician's Hat, You Have to Write, and If You Were a Writer

Thanks so much!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of July 31st

Hi Families!

We had another great week together! I am so proud of your children for all of their hard work, as well as their sweet friendship as we welcomed a new student to our classroom! They all did a wonderful job being kind and helpful!

I will be absent tomorrow for Jury Duty -- and hopefully back on Tuesday! The children already know this, but you may want to remind them so they are prepared for another teacher in the classroom tomorrow.

Codington Information

Please mark your calendars with these tentative dates for PTA activities and events:

Attractions Books Fundraiser - begins tomorrow
Charleston Wrap Fundraiser - mid August to September

Bingo Night - August 31st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Scooters Night - September 14th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Beautification Volunteering - September 9th with time TBD

Fall Festival - October 27
Papa John’s Fundraiser - November 20th
Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser - December 11th
Movie Night - January 26th
5th Grade Dance - May 31st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony - June 5th at Minnie Evans Auditorium at 5:30 pm

Class Information

Our homework routine will continue with Prodigy online math practice, a fluency passage, trick word spelling, and nightly reading.

I am expecting BOG score reports to go home by the end of this week after all of our third grade students have been tested. We will also be sending mClass assessment reports at the same time.

Class Needs

If anyone would like to help, we need some water bottles for students who may not have one. We also need some items for our small and large reward drawers.

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- how to differentiate between using ch and tch when spelling words

- how to model division with manipulatives and drawings using groups and arrays and how to write a division equation to match each model

- our Friday Fun math card sorting activity

- our focus book, Keeping Up with Roo and how to use SMART strategies to make notes to understand text

- how characters' feelings can change in a text and how to apply this to our focus book, Thank You, Mr. Falker

- Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Happy Kids - Habits 3 through 7 and what they mean: Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand and Then to be Understood, Synergize, and Sharpen the Saw

- our read alouds and their themes: Hair Love, The Proudest Blue, & What If Everyone Said That

- our Friday Fun reading with websites: Epic Books and Amplify Reading

- spending or saving our Starbucks!

Thanks so much! :)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of July 24th

Hi Families!

We had a wonderful first full week together! I also enjoyed seeing some of you at Popsicles in the Park!

Class Information

We worked hard on the Beginning-of-Grade (BOG) assessment last week! Scores have not been received yet, but I think you will have a score report for your child by the end of this week.

The final components of homework that will begin this week are the fluency passage and math practice. Students will read the same passage, timed for one minute, each night for fluency. Students will also receive a login for the Prodigy online program for math skill practice to use for 15 minutes each evening. This week will begin an assessment phase, so please do not offer your child any help on the math problems as the program assesses and levels them for individualized practice. If you do not have online access, your child may also work in a Eureka math homework workbook as an option. This workbook will be sent home tomorrow, and it can also be used for extra practice. If you choose to use it, please check the pages as your child completes them so they receive immediate feedback on their responses.

Class Needs

Thanks for all of the snacks you sent last week! If anyone would like to help, we need some water bottles for students who may not have one. We also need some items for our small and large reward drawers. Small rewards are party favor items like tops, poppers,mini slime buckets, squishy insects, etc. Large rewards can be dollar store items like stuffed animals, games, flashcards, etc. Thanks in advance!

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our BOG and mClass assessments

- how to tap sounds to read and spell words with short vowels

- how to model multiplication with manipulatives and drawings using groups and arrays and how to write a repeated addition equation and multiplication equation to match each model

- our Epic online learning library and friendship book collection

- features of fiction books - characters, setting, conflict, events, and resolution and how to apply these to our focus book, Thank You, Mr. Falker

- how to take SMART notes about books we read

- Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Happy Kids - Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

- our read alouds and their themes: Over the Moon & What If Everyone Did That

Thanks so much! :)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Week of July 16th

Hi Families!

Welcome to the Star Wars Class! We had an outstanding first week together, and I am looking forward to many more to come this year!

Please reply to this first email newsletter to let me know you have received it. If you do not prefer to receive email at this address, you may also reply to have it removed from my list -- or send me a different one.

Please also take a few moments to read about my background and teaching style on our class website -- you can also find some important class information, including our daily schedule here. Also on our class site is this weekly newsletter which I will send by email every Sunday.

Important Codington Info

Students will take the third grade Beginning-of-Grade Reading Test (BOG) on Thursday morning. Tomorrow morning, they will also participate in a standardized tutorial to learn how to navigate the test.using online devices and how to use the tools to read and mark their responses.

We are also beginning to complete mClass one-on-one reading assessments this week.

Class Information

We follow the Standard Course of Study for North Carolina, as well as utilize the following programs selected by New Hanover County Schools:

- Wit and Wisdom for reading and writing

- Wilson Fundations for decoding and spelling foundations

- Eureka Math Squared for math facts and concepts

I also use the following online sites for class instruction, practice, and/or homework:

- Epic Books

- Amplify Reading

- Zearn Math

- Prodigy (Math)

Homework will be implemented in small stages, with some parts beginning this week. A homework sheet will be sent home each week to organize these activities. Students will ultimately have the following homework assignments on each week night:

- Read for 20 minutes

- Prodigy online program for math skill practice for 15 minutes

- Spelling practice activity for 10 minutes

- Fluency practice passage for 2 to 3 minutes

The nightly reading and spelling practice will begin this week!

Grades will be the newest aspect of school in third grade for your children. Grades will slowly begin to be used for some class assignments and activities. I approach this process very carefully and understand that it can be a source of stress for children and families. We are already beginning to establish practices for quality work, and our discussions at school focus on doing our best and not expecting perfection all of the time. My main goal is to assess standards fairly while ensuring that students maintain confidence in themselves. I typically do not give a grade of less than C on class assignments if your child is demonstrating effort and completing them. It is also important to note that grades of C reflect average performance, while grades of B or A reflect higher quality or understanding than standard. I also add participation grades twice per quarter to help improve your child's overall grade in each area. A first "practice grade" from an assignment will be given this week!

Important Reminders

- We will have time for a daily snack, so please send one for your child each day. Our schedule requires us to eat as we work, so please be sure the snack is quick and easy to open and eat neatly (please try to avoid oranges to peel, fruit in liquid that spills, items that come with dip, etc.).

- Please send in a refillable water bottle each day. Water fountains are available for use, but the school-provided filtering station has been removed.

- Please send in a sweatshirt for your child to keep at school. Our classroom can be chilly!

- Children should bring their homework folders back to school each day. Feel free to send any notes or communication inside, and check it daily for homework and graded assignments, as well as any class or school information.

Class Needs

We need some extra snacks for students who may not have one, if anyone would like to help. Please also send in your child's headphones, if you have not already.

Ask Your Child to Share About...

- our Use the FORCE class rules

- the names of our friends in class and our Find a Friend and Four Corners activities

- our class library and how it is organized

- our star bucks, credit jar, and reward coupons

- our class binders and how we will use them

- the special and unique ways we are different and the same

- the special and unique ways our families are different and same

- Howard Gardner's concept of multiple intelligences and the eight ways people are smart -- and your child's smart strengths

- Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Happy Kids - Habit 1: Be Proactive

- our Read SMART comprehension strategies and motions that accompany them

- our read alouds and their themes: The Colors of Us, All the Colors of the Earth, I Am Every Good Thing, The Name Jar, The Family Book, Two Houses, and The Girl Who Hated Books

I hope you are all having a great weekend! I have also texted each mom an initial text during the week, so you all should also have my personal phone number for any quick needs. If you did not receive a text from me on Wednesday or Thursday, please reply and confirm your phone number of choice for any quick communication.

Thanks so much! I am so excited about this year! :)