The Buzz
What's Happening in Our Hive
This newsletter is intended to let families know what third graders are working on in class and how third grade classrooms are participating in school-wide events. Please make sure you are still checking your student's red folder every night for important communications from the PTO, school administration, or central office.
Transportation Changes
Please only send your change request in writing - either email or written note. Please do not call, text, or message on DoJo. Please send requests by 1:00 p.m. Send to your child's teacher as well as Kathy Ornato, Claxton Data Manager. Please do not plan to check your child out between 2:00 and 2:30.
This Week in Third Grade
Students continue their study of arrays and practice using them to represent multiplication while also investigating the concept of area. Students will practice dividing whole groups into equal groups as a foundation for their conceptual understanding of division. We do not expect students to master division in third grade, only to understand its connection to multiplication. Our first unit will be wrapping up in the next week or so. Students should be able to multiply fluently by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
ELA
Students are practicing skills that help readers interact with and understand the stories they read. Students are focusing on making predictions based firmly in their previous reading and background knowledge. A great way to help your child practice this skill is to stop during reading time at home to ask "What do you think will happen next?"
Students continue to practice writing personal narratives. This week we will be focusing on revision and conventions. By third grade, students should be using capital letters and using punctuation appropriately. Help support your child with this by guiding them in revisions of their own writing at home.
Science/Social Studies
We have begun our study of landforms and bodies of water by investigating the land masses and major bodies of water that exist on our planet. We will investigate the difference between fresh and salt water, and learn how our choices impact the health and safety of water around the world. Next week we will move on to the landforms that shape our planet (mountains, valleys, volcanoes, caves, etc.).
Week 4 Spelling Words
class
where
talk
down
sound
when
laugh
white
together
don’t
Spelling Tests are on Fridays
Testing Window Closes...sort of!
The exceptions to the end of the testing season are the Cognitive Abilities Test or CogAT and the NC Check-Ins. The CogAt assessment is used to measure students' reasoning and problem-solving skills. The test is given in three parts (verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal) over three days starting November 5th. Students' CogAT score, along with their reading and math scores from the BOG and 2nd-grade iReady tests will be considered as students are identified to receive AIG services. The AIG team will be working with students to prepare them for this assessment. If you have questions or concerns about this assessment you may contact your child's teacher or Claxton's AIG Specialist, Shannon Hunt at shannon.hunt@acsgmail.net. The NC Check-ins will assess students in math and reading. The data collected during these assessments will help us identify areas of individual growth opportunities for each student.
Fun Run Kicks Off!
We want this to be fun and easy for everyone, so think of others who can support your student as they run laps to help our school. The Fun Run itself will take place on Thursday October 4 at Memorial Stadium. You’re invited to come out and cheer on our students! Thank you for supporting Claxton!
If you are able to volunteer, please sign up here.
Milk Charges in the Cafeteria
Students will no longer be able to charge milk in the cafeteria. They must either have the .50¢ in hand or in their account. If you need to add money to your child’s lunch account, you may send cash or check (made out to Claxton) with your child or you can visit the ACS Nutrition website to pay online.
Important Dates
Monday, September 24- Fun Run Pep Rally
Thursday, September 27- Thursday ASA classes begin
Thursday, October 4- Fun Run
Tuesday, October 9- Half-Day; Parent-Teacher conf.
Wednesday, October 10- No School; Parent-Teacher conf.
Friday, October 12- Fall Picture Day
Monday, October 15- Health Fair
Friday, October 26- Fall Carnival 5:30 PM
Monday, October 29- Half-Day
The Third Grade Team
Brian Arnst brian.arnst@acsgmail.net
Betts Conti annemarie.conti@acsgmail.net
Holly Gregg virginia.gregg@acsgmail.net
Kelly McCarthy kelly.mccarthy@acsgmail.net
Kaeta Seimer kaeta.seimer@acsgmail.net