October

3W October Newsletter

Weasel Website: https://sites.google.com/gotvdsb.ca/wiebeweaselwebsite/home

E-mail Address: a.wiebe@tvdsb.ca

Dear Parents/Guardians,

There’s no turning back now! We’re running full swing in grade 3! You may have heard that our school recently re-organized some classes and through that process, our grade 2s were moved to a new class, making us a straight grade 3. We’re sad to see them go but can still play with them at recesses!

We’ve been busy working since the first day of school, and the fun continues! Believe it or not, we’re into month two - yes indeed, October is upon us! The signs of fall are magnificent and so are the signs of your child’s progress. It has also been impressive to see how responsible your children have been when it comes to washing (or sanitizing) their hands frequently throughout the day.

Curriculum Corner

Math: We’ll review and learn about numbers, place value, regrouping, estimating, patterning and graphing. We continue to learn and apply various skill-building games.

Social Studies: We’re “zoning in” on and perfecting our mapping skills with Ms. Davis.

Science: Students will be moving and shaking as they explore Energy & Movement.

Language: We’re focusing on writing recounts of our personal experiences. Hopefully your child can soon share what the expectations are as they apply their learning to “bump up” their work! We’ll follow that up with some “tasty” procedural writing. We also continue to learn the Daily 5 in Language, where your children are working to become strong, independent readers and writers. So far it is exciting to see how much they enjoy this program!

I’ll do my best to let you know what’s up in our Curriculum Corner each month so you can support us from home, whether it’s conversations about numbers, or topics we’re questioning in Science/Social Studies! Stay tuned each month...

It’s no secret that reading is an essential part of our lives. There is not much we can do without this key component and therefore, as an added bonus to students reading and improving their skills, they can also earn points for Treasure Box rewards at the end of each month.

If your child completes their Home Reading Log consistently, with your initials/signature on the planner monthly tracking page, and they hand it in on the last school day of the month, they’ll earn a visit to the Treasure Chest! What a fun way to enjoy the benefits of reading! Remember, the goal is for them to read consistently. You can track book titles, OR the # of books read, OR # of minutes read; OR a mix of all 3; whichever works best for your family! Reading can be recorded on the “month” page in the planner. The October month is on page 19.

As parents, I hope you can help ensure that your child is reading regularly at home. They can read to you, with you, to another sibling, to family or friends over the phone, by themselves or to their favourite stuffy; the possibilities are endless! More details are included in the letter that came home earlier this week. Our hope as educators is that students make it a part of their daily routine to read, choosing books of interest at or just above their reading level. The A-Z H me Reading, online RAZ Kids site and lexiacore5 reading programs also count - be sure to include those as well if your child is using them at home!

*Usernames and passwords for programs we use are on the tabbed page in your child’s planner.

Be sure to check out our Weasel Website for some pictures of your children at work!

*Our website link can be found at the top of this page

*Thank you for sending in Kleenex for our class to use throughout the year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Wiebe ☺

*Throughout the year, students will build a portfolio of their work. Sometimes they’ll select items and sometimes I’ll choose work to include. At times, your child’s work will come home for you to peruse and keep; other times, you’ll be asked to sign and return items that will be included in their portfolio when it’s been returned.

Important October Dates

Oct. 5 - Bark due for Thanksgiving/Fall Centrepieces (if you can acquire some; size: spread out hand or bigger)

Oct. 7 - Pumpkin note due

Oct. 11 - Thanksgiving - no school; enjoy Family time

Oct. 18-22 – Bring in your medium-size pumpkin (refer to note)

Oct. 25 – Pumpkin due by today

Oct 25-28 - Pumpkin Activity Week

Oct. 28 – Pumpkin Carving Day; pumpkins come home

Oct. 29 – Halloween Party (refer to note), H.R. due (p. 19 in planner)

Nov. 1 - Bring in 2-4 mini boxes of Smarties for Math (if you received some on Halloween! I will have some for those who don’t have any; NO worries!)

**If you are picking up your child during or after school, please call the office and/or write a note in the planner to let us know. Thank you.

*Please remember to initial your child’s planner daily.

*We will soon begin to complete weekly “Mad Minutes” to build our proficiency of math facts. While it is great to become an expert, the initial goal is simply to show improvement in hopes of eventual mastery. Throughout the year we’ll learn various strategies to become more efficient mathematicians. We’ll move through addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts, 2-3 months at a time. Having quick recall of math facts helps when problem solving and completing various math challenges. Please encourage your child to practice their math facts to strengthen their skills. You can do this by creating flashcards, or calling out math facts during car trips, using online games, etc.

Pumpkin Fun & Halloween!

During the week of October 25 - 29 we will be doing a variety of fun things with pumpkins. We’ll complete math activities, as well as writing assignments, art, and possibly even a little “tasting!” Once our “outside” work is done, we’ll design and carve our pumpkins to bring home for display, in time for Halloween!

Some carving tools will be provided, but you are more than welcome to send in additional tools (preferably labelled). Carving will take place on Thurs. Oct. 28.

I am hoping that every child will have their own pumpkin to work with throughout that week. Please complete and return the bottom portion of this form to indicate whether you are able to provide your child with a pumpkin. Students should select a medium sized pumpkin that’s not too heavy, one that THEY can safely carry on their own. We’ll begin measuring and working with our pumpkins on Monday, Oct. 25.

Pumpkins should arrive at school between Oct. 18-22 (please do not send them in any earlier to avoid a rotting pumpkin). Once our carving has been completed (On Oct. 28), students will take their pumpkins home on the bus, unless you choose to pick up your child and their pumpkin after school that day.

***Halloween Party: Oct. 29: Students will take part in fun, Halloween/fall-themed Math, English and Art activities. Students are welcome to bring/wear a costume, but a change of clothes is recommended. Due to Covid safety protocols, treats brought for sharing must be store-purchased, individually wrapped and nut-free.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding our upcoming events.

Thank you in advance.

Spookily yours,

Mrs. Wiebe

*Please detach & return the slip below by Oct. 7*

✂ ✂ ✂-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Child’s Name: _______________

☐ Yes, I am able to provide my child with a medium sized pumpkin and will ensure that it arrives by Oct. 25 .

☐ I’m not able to send in a pumpkin, but my child can participate in the pumpkin activities and carving process.