Weekly Update

September 12-16, 2016

Learning Targets/Topics Word Study/Spelling: For now we will not have word study/spelling.  We are focusing on classroom routines and how to do our guided reading workshop.  We expect to begin word study next week by practicing the routines.  Students will then be put into groups and begin our normal word study rotation. Reading: ~I can use our classroom library correctly. ~I can discuss the genre of books I am reading. ~ I can follow the guidelines during reader’s workshop. ~ I can write a response to my reading. ~ I can write a letter to someone about a book I’m reading. Writing: ~ I can use my writer’s notebook to write ideas for writing. (planting seeds to write about later) ~ I can find and copy poems and write a response about   them. Math:    ~ I can represent 3 digit numbers in different ways. ~ I can complete the pattern on a number line. ~ I can find the number halfway between two numbers. ~ I can round numbers to the nearest 10 ~ I can round numbers to the nearest 100

Important Dates: 9-13: Picture Day 3-5 9-16: Buddy Visit and Mrs. Breslin Out/ Training 9-19: Mumpkin Orders Due 9-20: Shirts due 9-22: Field Trip Permission Slips and Money Due 9-23: No School for Students 9-26: PTO meeting 7pm @GES 10-2: Mum pickup @ GES 10-7: Field Trip to Ohio Caverns Lunch Menu Buddy Classrooms This year, each classroom on the intermediate side has been paired up with a classroom on the primary side to promote a sense of community and family in our school.  We will meet with our buddy class 1-2 times a month and share activities with them.  Our buddy class is Mrs. Oburn’s kindergarten class.  Check out pictures on our blog to see our first buddy visit.

Questions? Contact Me: Mrs. Breslin: breslink@grahamlocalschools.org 937-663-4449 ext 4319 *You can always send in a note or write to me in your child’s planner* Our classroom blog will be updated soon.  Check it out at mrsbreslin.blogspot.com Related Arts Rotation Week of:        Mon       Tues     Wed      Thurs    Fri     Sep. 12-16 E-PE A-Music B-PE C-Comp D-Lib Sep. 19-23 E-PE A-Music B-PE C-Comp D-Lib

Tie Dye We will be tie-dying t-shirts on September 24th.  Your child needs to bring in a freshly laundered, white, 100% cotton t-shirt.  Any extra shirt donations are greatly appreciated.  Please send in the shirts by Tuesday, September 20th.  Thank you!       PTO Mumpkins Fundraiser Order forms and money are due Monday Sept. 19th. Please make all checks payable to GES PTO. OHIO CAVERNS Permission slips and information came home today! This trip will be on October 7th. Let us know if you have any questions about this trip.  We are all very excited to go.  Money and permission slips are due back to us on 9-22.

Investigating Number Lines

Our First Buddy Visit with Mrs. Oburn's Class

Painting a Writing Seed

Reading Record

3rd Grade Home Reading Record

September 2016

Student Directions: Place a checkmark beside the item(s) below as you complete them throughout the month. Ask a parent to initial it. At the end of the month, sign your name and ask one of your parents to sign as well. If you have 5 or more items checked off, you will receive a reward!

• I read at home most nights this month. parent initial: ___
• I went to a public library to check out books. parent initial: ___
• I got my own library card. parent initial: ___
• I read under the covers with a flashlight. parent initial: ___
• I picked a cozy spot outside and read in it for a long time. parent initial: ___
• I read and discussed the reading with someone else. parent initial: ___
• I wrote a story at home based on something from one of the books I read. parent initial: ___
• I researched information at home about a topic I’m interested in. parent initial: ___
• I read the same book a few times to improve my fluency and expression: parent initial: ___
• I read in bed right before I went to sleep 5 nights in a row. parent initial: ___
• I read in the car on a busy night when I might not have been able to read otherwise:  p.i.:____
• I asked a friend for a book title they recommended and then read that book. p.i.:____
• I read a book with dialogue aloud and changed my voice to sound like the characters. p.i.:____
• I read an informational book and learned something new. parent initial: ___
• Make up your own:_________________________________________________  P.I.____

Write at least 1 goal below that you will have for the next month that will help you read more at home or continue to read at home.

Goal 1: _______________________________________________________________________

Goal 2: ______________________________________________________________________

Student Signature: _____________________Parent Signature: __________________

Please use the space below to let your teacher know how he or she can help you read at home. Thank you!

Reading Record Information Sheet

September 1, 2016

Dear Families,

Instead of doing a traditional reading log, the third grade teachers have decided to try something a little different. We want to encourage our students to read for enjoyment and gathering information, not only to fill out a required log. Our goal is for our students to become avid life-long readers, and we do not feel that a reading log is the best way to accomplish this goal. We would like our students to read nightly, (approximately 90 minutes a week). We will be doing different activities at school to encourage your child to read a book that he or she is excited about, as well as able to read.  As we’re sure you are aware, this is half the battle!

This huge goal cannot be accomplished by us alone; we need your help! We will do our best to ensure every child is excited about reading every night, but choosing a few items on the following list will encourage your child to read frequently (ideally nightly) at home:

~Set aside a time for reading and remind your child to do it nightly. Many families have their children read as part of a bedtime routine, while dinner is being prepared, or first thing in the morning if they’re an early riser. Choose a time that works best for your family that will be doable most days of the week.

~Have books at home that your child is excited about and able to read. Scholastic book orders, yard sales, Goodwill, and Amazon are all great places to get inexpensive books. We also have amazing local libraries that are full of a wide variety of books for children.

~Choose a weekly or monthly library day for your family. Setting it on your calendar will make it more likely to happen even when you get busy, and your child will love being able to go check out many different books. Best of all, it’s free!

~Encourage your child to bring a book with them in the car if they are able to read while you drive. Even a short trip to the grocery store could be 30+ minutes of reading if they are able to read on the way there and back. School bus rides and car trips to sporting practices or events are another great time to enjoy a good book.

~Set up a fun, special place to read at your home. Pillows, soft blankets, an old tent and a flashlight, etc. can be used to give your child a special place to go and relax with the book they’re currently reading.

Anytime we want to become better at something in life, we have to practice. We know this is true for sports, cooking, etc., and the same is true for reading. Research shows that families that make reading a priority, and children who “practice” their reading skills simply by reading, become better readers. While we do spend some of our school day reading, we have many other activities to fit in as well. Reading at home is a vital way to ensure your child’s success in school, and later, in life.

Families of third graders are experiencing extra pressure from The Ohio Department of Education through the 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee. This requirement is not something we can ignore, and reading at home will only help your child reach the state’s goal, if they haven’t already done so.

The attached “Third Grade Home Reading Record” will be our way to help students remember to read and help give them activities to do while reading.

Please return the bottom portion of this letter as soon as possible. We appreciate your help in furthering your child’s education and a successful third grade year!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

___ I have read the information about the reading record, and will work hard to ensure my child is reading an appropriate amount of time at home.

___ I have read the information about the reading record, but at this time I am unable to ensure my child will read an appropriate amount of time at home. *If this describes your family’s situation, please write your child’s teacher a note letting us know what needs you have so that we can help.

Student:___________________________ Parent Signature: _____________________________

Weekly Update 5-9, 2015

Weekly Update

Sept.5-9, 2015

Learning Targets/Topics Word Study/Spelling: We expect to begin word study in mid September. Reading: ~I can use our classroom library correctly. ~I can choose “Just Right” books. ~ I can discuss the reasons I choose books. ~ I can write and discuss my thoughts about books I am reading. Writing: ~ I can use my writer’s notebook to write ideas for writing. (planting seeds to write about later) Math:   ~ I know and understand the place and value system for 3 and 4 digit numbers. ~ I can read and write three digit numbers. ~ I can locate  and write numbers on a number line. ~ I can complete the pattern on a number line. Science/S.S: ~ I can follow the scientific inquiry process by: creating testable questions, creating a hypothesis, testing my hypothesis, observing, recording and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

Important Dates: 9-5: Labor Day: No school 9-6: Fall PTO Fundraiser Kick-Off (3:00) 9-9: 2 Hour Delay 9-12: Mobile Dentis 9-12: Picture Day K-2 9-13: Picture Day 3-5 9-19: Mumpkin Orders Due 9-23: No School for Students 9-26: PTO meeting 7pm @GES Lunch Menu Reminders ~Please sign your child’s planner each night. ~Please send in a family photo for us to put up in the classroom if you have not already done so. ~ Please send lunch money in an envelope or baggie with your child’s first and last name, the amount you are sending, and their lunch account number. ~ Reading Records came home today.  It is our goal to make reading fun and to try and foster a love of reading in our kids!

Questions? Contact Me: Mrs. Breslin: breslink@grahamlocalschools.org 937-663-4449 ext 4319 *You can always send in a note or write to me in your child’s planner* Our classroom blog is up and running.  Use this to see your child in action and to know what skills we are working on and how you can help at home.  Check it out at mrsbreslin.blogspot.com Related Arts Rotation Week of:        Mon        Tues        Wed       Thurs        Fri     9/5-9/9 No School A- Music B- PE C- Comp D-Lib 9/12-9/16 E- PE A- Music B- PE C- Comp D-Lib

Number Sense Our number system is made of a pattern that repeats itself over and over again.  When students recognize this pattern and can work with the pattern in many ways, they have a better understanding of numbers and therefore do far better in math.  One VERY important concept students need to understand is the relationship between ones, tens, and hundreds. Students in third grade should be able to say what is 1, 10, or 100 more or less than any 4 digit number within just a few seconds. Ex: What is 100 more than 356? What is 10 less than 627?  Use base ten blocks, hundreds charts, and number lines to help teach this skill.  Practice in the car, at dinner, etc When your child is able to do this, their math skills will drastically improve. Thanks A Bunch! Thank you for a fantastic first couple of weeks. I greatly appreciate you sending in all the necessary school supplies and paperwork. An extra thank you to those of you who sent in beginning of the year donations!