October 27-31, 2024
Students are working very hard! I am proud of their hard work over the past couple of weeks. Many thanks for sending in so many batteries for our battery blitz- wowzers! Keep them coming if you can! Also, thank you for sending in headphones with your son/daughter. If you haven’t already done so, please do so as we will be putting them to use mid week. We are looking forward to a spooktacular week together. The Halloween dance was a huge success on Friday and an opportunity to see many terrific costumes and friends. Just a reminder to pack a spoon or fork when ordering school lunches, as we do not supply them at school. Many thanks in advance!
Math
In math, we will continue to work on representing numbers up to 1000 using base ten blocks, pictoral representations, expanded form, and written expressions (number sentences). We will continue to focus on skip counting by 5’s, 10’s, 100’s forwards and backwards from any number up to 1000, as well as skip count by 25’s. We’ll continue playing games that strengthen our use of math strategies (doubles, doubles plus 1, Make Ten, Think Addition, etc). Time spent on IXL (teacher recommended activities) and XtraMath in the days ahead will be helpful! I will be sending home student login info for XtraMath so students can spend some time on those basic +/- facts up to 18.
October/November focus: N9: apply mental math strategies and number properties such as:
• using doubles
• making 10
• using the commutative property
• using the property of zero
• thinking addition for subtraction to recall basic addition facts to 18 and related subtraction facts
PR2: Solve one step addition and subtraction equations involving symbols representing an unknown number.
For example, Harold has 15 markers but 6 of them no longer work. How many does he have, that work? 6 + __=15
Reading
In reading, I’ve had the opportunity to continue working on reading assessments last week and into this week as well. I plan to continue working with small groups of students in guided reading as well. If your son or daughter is interested in a particular series of books or has a book from home he or she enjoys, feel free to bring it to school. That book can also be enjoyed for homework reading time as well - as long as it’s a Just Right Level book. We want time spent on reading to be as enjoyable as possible.
We have been spending some time retelling stories and identifying story elements (characters, setting, problem/solution, etc) for various stories as well.
Writing
We are spending a significant amount of time on our Fundations program which is leaving less time to spend on our writing. However, it’s been exciting to watch students dive into their writing. We will be working on writing using a storyteller’s voice- telling stories bit by bit in a way that allows others to feel like they are right there with them. We will continue to distinguish the difference between using a story teller’s voice vs a new reporter's voice where just the facts are shared.
A storyteller’s voice:
describes actions that took place
uses dialogue
describes what we saw, smelled, tasted, or felt
describes images around the storyteller
Students also worked on Halloween art using glue and chalk pastels last week. Very spooky!
Homework
Reading- 20 minutes
Math- 10 minutes (IXL or XtraMath)
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please feel free to reach out anytime. Thank you for your continued support! Take care, Julie
Upcoming Dates:
October 31-Black & Orange Day
Nov. 1-No school (PD Day)
I hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving weekend with a little extra family/friends and delicious food. So good for the soul! Students worked so hard last week! What a beautiful group of caring little people they truly are. Be proud! I am enjoying my time working with each and every student in our class.
Writer’s Notebooks
I wanted to connect before the weekend was over just to remind you that students took home their Writer’s Notebooks on Friday to be decorated with your son/daughter’s name and any family photos, etc., they’d like to include. I spoke about this during our Meet the Teacher Night as well as in a couple of weekly notes. Have fun and be as artistic as you’d like! Please ensure students bring their notebook back to school on Tuesday, Oct.15th. We will be doing a gallery walk looking at them first thing on Tuesday morning and putting them right to use. Many thanks in advance!
Reading
We will continue to review some characteristics of fiction and non-fiction books this week and gain more confidence providing examples for each. As students get more comfortable, they can indicate whether their homework book is fiction (f) or non-fiction (nf) in their reading log. Some students have indicated they enjoy reading chapter books for homework. This is lovely and perfect as long as it’s a Just Right (JR) level book for them. If it is at all possible, take a few minutes to discuss the book or portion of the book they read. If he/she is unable to talk about the book, it may be too challenging. At times, students may be concentrating on word solving but lose track of the story. Having a conversation with them about what they read can be helpful and an important part of their reading time. I typically put 5 books in students’ homework pouches for the week. If students are reading 20 minutes/day and read their books before Friday, I can always provide new books. And of course, students might be spending 20 minutes/day on their reading and not read all 5 books which is perfectly fine as well. The goal is for them to enjoy reading, choose JR level books, and to read what interests them- whether that be books from home, library books that they select, or classroom levelled text.
Breakaway for Books
Students had an opportunity to meet a couple of hockey players with the Charlottetown Islanders last week.Each evening that a student completes his/her reading parents will sign the back of the bookmark. After earning 10 signatures, the bookmark can be returned to their teacher to receive a certificate of achievement and a complimentary ticket to an upcoming Charlotteown Islanders regular season home game. There is no limit to the number of bookmarks students can submit, earning them free hockey tickets each time a bookmark is completed. I hope to pass these bookmarks out to students this week.
Math
We have been and will continue to focus on:
N2 -Represent and describe numbers to 1000, concretely, pictorally, or symbolically
N3-Compare and order numbers to 1000
Next steps with greater focus in upcoming days include:
N1-Skip counting by 5’s, 10’s, or 100’s from 0-1000 using any starting point
N10-students will apply mental math strategies -Doubles, Making 10, Think Addition for subtraction (ie.,13-8=? Think 8 plus what =13) to recall basic addition facts to 18 and related subtraction facts
As I mentioned during Meet the Teacher night, XtraMath is helpful to review and solidify basic facts to 18 (N10) and a great use of time particularly at the beginning of Gr. 3. IXL is another excellent program that our school is paying for and provides lots of variety for students. I have some activities suggested on IXL (teacher recommended) that students can explore that target some of the above learning but are not limited to. Students are encouraged to spend 10 minutes a night on IXL (recommended activities would be best) or XtraMath once I introduce it to students. Each week the IXL program outlines the amount of time each student in the class focuses on what skill area/overall time spent on math program- keep up the excellent work 3A! We took some time a couple of weeks ago in class to explore IXL and to try out some recommended activities and ensure students were comfortable navigating the site.
Halloween Dance
Students were sent home with a form last week about our upcoming Halloween dance being held at the school on Oct. 25. Tickets can be purchased by sending in the form with money with your student to school. However tickets will need to be purchased prior to the event. The office asked us to clarify that everyone who comes to the dance needs to have a ticket. Students must be accompanied by an adult and the adults need to purchase a ticket also. It sounds like a fun event!
Headphones
Students are encouraged to bring in a pair of headphones to use when on the chromebooks. I have discussed this with students and many children have already brought a pair in. Thank you in advance for this!
Cross Country
Congratulations to the students who participated in the cross country meet last Wednesday-always an exciting day! Congratulations to you for your hard work and commitment.
Also, many thanks for beginning to send in so many batteries for our battery blitz- wowzers! Keep them coming if you can!
Upcoming dates:
October 18- Picture Day for Grade 3 students
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me anytime. Many thanks for your continued support - so appreciated! Take care, Julie
What a gorgeous weekend full of sunshine! I hope everyone enjoyed a few extra minutes of family time over the long weekend. I want to apologize for not sending students home with their Writer’s Notebooks as intended. I explained last week in our update that I would send them home with students on Friday to have the extra day to decorate them with their name and family photos, etc. but completely forgot to do so. My apologies! I typically send them home with students over the long weekend in Thanksgiving and obviously still have that stuck in my head from previous years. I will discuss this with students on Monday and plan to send them home with students on Friday, Oct. 11 so students can return with them on Tuesday, Oct. 15. I apologize for the confusion on my part.
We will take some time to discuss Truth and Reconciliation Day- orange shirt day on Tuesday. Also, our Terry Fox run was postponed until this Friday.
Reading
Students have been moving into some discussion about making connections with their books during their independent reading time. It is lovely to see students working hard on their reading. I hope to move into guided reading groups very soon. In the meanwhile, I’ve been working with students individually to get a sense of them as a reader.
Math
Students have been reviewing concepts from last year (number patterns up to 100) and we are moving into new concepts working with three digit numbers up to 1000. Please take advantage of practising skip counting by 10’s from any 3 digit. Have some fun with this!
N1: In Grade 3, students will say a number sequence forward and backward from 0 to 1000 by:
5’s, 10’s, or 100’s using any starting point
3’s using starting points that are multiples of 3
4’s using starting points that are multiples of 4
25’s using starting points that are multiples of 25.
We also will be moving into:
N2: Represent and describe numbers to 1000, concretely, pictorally and symbolically.
N3: Compare and order numbers to 1000.
Homework:
20 minutes-Reading
10 minutes- Math IXL
I have the opportunity to see student progress on the IXL math program. They are encouraged to spend time on teacher recommended activities.
Upcoming Important dates to remember:
October 1- Orange Shirt Day
October 8-Cross Country Meet
October 14- Thanksgiving- No School
October 18- School Pictures for Grade 3
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to connect with me. I hope you have a great week! Thanks and take care, Julie.
Students are setting into routines nicely and adjusting to expectations and routines. They are a beautiful group of students who are showing kindness and thoughtfulness to one another each day. They make me smile!
Homework Pouches
Students are expected to bring his/her homework scribbler (blue folder) as well as keep homework books in his/her homework pouch and bring them back and forth to school daily. This allows me to switch books when necessary.
Last week I sent home books that were considered easy (hopefully!). Please indicate otherwise on your son/daughter’s reading log (or by emai) if they were too challenging. I want reading homework to be a positive experience especially as we get back into routines that may be forgotten. My goal is for students to understand what his/her “just right” reading level is. Ask your child to explain this to you this week. I sent home a bookmark that outlines what it means just in case you are unclear. Typically I put 4-5 books inside your child’s homework pouch each Monday for the week ahead. It is very possible that he/she reads 20 minutes each evening but does not finish all 4 books- that is quite fine! I would rather send more than not enough. Twenty minutes daily reading is key!
Notices and forms are sent home throughout the week. Please check your child’s homework pouch daily to ensure you keep informed and sign/return necessary forms. Many thanks in advance for this!
Also, I try not to repeat information that is listed on our school blog, so please subscribe to it as there is important information listed regularly.
Writer’s Notebooks
The children were quite excited about the prospect of trying out their creative ideas for the design of their Writer’s Notebooks. I mentioned this during our Meet the Teacher Night. As a special student project, students are asked to decorate his/her writer’s notebook. Students can cover their writer’s notebook with scrapbook paper, brown/white butcher paper, or sturdy gift wrap paper. The main focal point of the cover should be their name. Students are also encouraged to decorate their book with family photos or special pictures that are meaningful to them.
I will be sending home their writer’s notebooks on Friday, Sept.27 this week. Please ensure the notebooks are completed and returned on Tuesday (Oct. 1) as we will be having a sharing about them. Also the notebooks will be used for continuing our writing project at the first of week on Tuesday morning (Monday is a holiday). Some students were interested in making their book design similar to an Adventure book I have in the classroom. I will be mentioning to them that the protective covering over the scrapbook paper is called Mac-Tac (clear covering which can be purchased at Staples/Michael’s) but it is not necessary. Keeping in mind, students’ name should be the main focal point on the cover and feel free to include photographs too. I’m looking forward to seeing the creative ideas students came up with. Have fun!
Terry Fox Run
Our school will be participating in a Terry Fox Run Friday, Sept. 27th. Students are encouraged to donate what they’d like to this cause, $2 has been a suggested amount but feel free to donate what you choose. Feel free to make an online donation as well:: https://schools.terryfox.ca/WestRoyaltySchool.
Book Orders
Book orders are typically sent home once a month. If you could have any orders placed online one week from the day they are sent home, that would be lovely. Once you place an order on-line once it will save your information and it makes it very easy to do it online each month. I will not be accepting cash for Scholastic Book orders this year. Thanks in advance!
Upcoming Dates
Sept.23rd-No School
Sept. 27th- Terry Fox Run at school, donations welcomed!
Sept. 27th- Writer's Notebooks sent home (see note)-due back on Oct.1 (Tues)
Sept.30 - National Truth and Reconcilliation Day (no school)
Oct. 1- Writer's Notebooks Due back to class decorated
I’m not sure if I actually communicated to you yet what a beautiful group of students I have the pleasure of working with this year. They really are lovely and I am enjoying my time working with them. Many thanks for your support!
Take care, Julie.
What a beautiful group of students I have to work with each day! We are starting to settle into some routines and just finished our first full week of school. It was a pleasure to meet many of you (or at least see you from a distance!) at our Meet the Teacher night last Tuesday. Our time was short together but it allows you to see our classroom space and get a sense of important routines and expectations. I recognize that families have many commitments and attending isn’t always possible. Here is a brief recap of homework that will be starting this week (point form rather than slideshow):
Reading -(20 minutes/day). Your son/daughter should record the book title and date in the Reading Log each evening. A few minutes will be provided to record a book title each morning, however he/she may need to complete it at home if more time is needed to do this (depending on arrival time, etc). I have added a page of some comprehension questions in your son/daughter’s homework duotang that I will be sending home this week. It is important to take a few minutes to discuss his/her reading whenever possible.
Math- (10 minutes/day) I have provided students with XtraMath login information, as well as his/her IXL login information on the inside cover of their homework duotang. I would love to see students focus their attention on XtraMath for the first month (September) just to see if we can dust off those cobwebs off our math facts (+/-up to 18) and build some efficiency.
Homework Pouches
Students are expected to bring his/her homework duotang as well as keep homework books in his/her homework pouch and bring them back and forth to school daily. This allows me to switch books when necessary. Please encourage your child to be responsible for having his/her homework pouch signed and packed into their backpack/brought to school each day. Computer logins and passwords will be taped to the inside cover of his/her homework duotang for quick easy reference as well.
This week I will send home some books (4-5) at a level slightly easier than what they were reading at last June. Hopefully these books will be considered “easy”. Please indicate otherwise on your son/daughter’s reading log (or by emai) if they were too challenging. I want reading homework to be a positive experience especially as we get back into routines that may be forgotten.
My goal is for students to understand what his/her “just right” reading level is. Ask your child to explain this to you this week. I will be sending home a bookmark that outlines what it means just in case you are unclear. Typically I put 4-5 books inside your child’s homework pouch each Monday for the week ahead. It is very possible that he/she reads 20 minutes each evening but does not finish all 4 books- that is quite fine! I would rather send more than not enough. Twenty minutes daily reading is key!
Notices and forms are sent home throughout the week. Please check your child’s homework pouch daily to ensure you keep informed and sign/return necessary forms. Many thanks in advance for this!
Noodle Jar
3A filled their noodle jar! Students voted on Thursday to have PJ and small stuffie day on Monday. They agreed Friday’s field trip wasn’t the best to sport their favorite jammies. Well done 3A-well deserved!
Tidbits
One thing I may have forgotten to mention at one of our Meet the Teacher sessions was the importance of packing utensils daily for students. Our lunch programs do not provide forks or spoons, so it’s very important that your son/daughter bring them each day. Many thanks in advance for this!
Field Trip
What a fabulous field trip we had with all the Grade 3 classes on Friday! We all walked away from the morning adventure of visiting two farms: the National Research Station in Harrington, and a family owned dairy farm in York. It was a cool experience and a lovely way to jump start our year together.
Upcoming Dates
September 23-School Goals Day- no school for students
September 27-Terry Fox run/walk
September 30-Battery Blitz Campaign officially starts
September 30-Truth and Reconciliation Day (No School)
Remember that September is an important time for building homework routines and making back to school adjustments. We are all still adjusting-be kind to yourself! It’s my goal for school to be fun and meaningful for students.Take care and please don’t hesitate to connect with any questions or concerns, Julie
Dear Families, September 9, 2024
We are off to a fabulous start to our grade 3 year. Students are settling into new routines well and have been working hard. Please note that much of the specifics of our day are outlined at our Meet the Teacher Night which is being held on Tuesday, Sept. 10th. I’ve enjoyed having the chance to meet your son/daughter and begin to get to know a little more about them. After a few days together, we were starting to settle in together as a “school family” nicely.
I will send you a link by email as well for our classroom blog. My classroom blog will soon become available through our West Royalty School website but for now, the link will take you to it. Please check this site regularly for updates as I won’t be sending paper updates after this note. Typically, I update our blog on Sunday evenings for the upcoming week.
Starting next week, I will be sending home books that I would like your child to read. Reading practice is the most important part of your child’s homework. I ask that he/she read a minimum of 20 minutes per night. I ask that he/she write the title of the book they read in their homework agenda and to record beside the title, the page numbers they have read (if possible) and for parents to initial it each evening. This reading log form will be located in his/her homework duotang. I will be aiming to build confidence with reading and it is my plan to send home books that are a couple of levels easier than where they left off last June. Getting back into school mode can take a bit of time to adjust and I would like it to be as positive as possible.
Each week, I ask that your family select 5-6 words (from our 103 No Excuse word list) for your son/daughter to study and learn. This will be your family’s responsibility to monitor. In class we will be selecting a different focus for our word study/phonics each week and work on activities.
Email updates- I have communicated with each family by sharing this note via email. Occasionally email addresses that are on file are not accurate. If you have NOT already received an email from me by now (in addition to this paper copy), please email me at jalynch@edu.pe.ca as soon as possible so I can add you to my parent contact list.
Food Orders- I encourage you all to explore the lunch program that allows all students (pay what you can program) access to healthy meal choices. The choices look terrific!
Bundle of papers-thank you to the many parents who have already reviewed and returned signed papers and forms last week. We have a field trip scheduled for Friday morning- starting our year off with some excitement! Please ensure your child comes to school each day with his/her homework pouch/duotang as it will be very important as we begin to establish our daily routines. Many thanks in advance for your support with this!
Students in Grade 3A are working hard over the past few days together and almost filled their noodle jar! Way to go, Grade 3! Stay tuned for news on their reward time…
Thank you so much, Julie Lynch