News From the Nest
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Students spent more time this week becoming comfortable in their classroom and with the teammates that they will be sitting with for the next 4-5 weeks. Working as a team, students created a team name, banner, and cheer to represent them. Building these cooperative relationships in their teams will be helpful as we progress in the year and students begin doing activities and having discussions with their teammates.
Below is each team's banner.
Reading
We took the STAR reading test and students are now aware of their AR goal.
Next week, we will continue with our launching unit and introducing the reading strategies and routines we will be using as readers.
Writing
We also spent time looking at strong pieces of third grade writing in order to compile a list of what third grade writers do and do not do. Using this list, students wrote goals that they have for themselves as writers this year. A couple examples are shown below. Take some time to ask your child what their writing goals for the year are.
Next week we will begin planning for our personal narratives. Students will decide on the small moment they will write about and lay out their ideas for their first draft.
A parent letter explaining our narrative unit along with a checklist and writing sample came home in your child's Friday Folder. We use the same checklist and writing sample in class to set goals and improve our writing throughout the unit.
Spelling
Because this program is differentiated based on each student's needs, we will retest every quarter to measure growth.
Math
Next week we will begin our first topic: Using place value to round to the nearest ten or hundred. This will also include introducing students to the life skill of estimating.
Informative letters about Unit 1 and XtraMath are in your child's Friday Folder. Also, students can find their IXL password on the note card that is in their binder.
Math Practice
I will occasionally be sending math practice work home for the kids to do, but I feel that using this resource at home encourages problem solving that requires deeper thinking and discussion.
A Few Reminders
- If picking up your child after school, please remember that your child will be walked to your car when you get to one of the first three spots in line. If you choose to park and walk to get your child, please do not walk between cars that are waiting in line.
- There is no school on Monday in observance of Labor Day.
- Reading Log is due on Tuesday (9/8)
- Friday Folders went home today. Be sure to go through them at home, sign and return them. Thanks!
- Our new specials schedule is updated in your child's binder.
Mrs. White
Email: whitel@woodridge68.org
Phone: 630969
Twitter: @MrsWhiteD68