Multiplication Celebration and Winter Craft

I wanted to thank all of our parents that sent in items for our celebration on Friday. Many parents were able to come in to help and witness the excitement. The class had a great time making their ice cream sundaes and even more fun eating them! We also had fun making a wonderful snowman craft led by Janet O'Toole. Special thanks goes out to Julie Sanburn for organizing the event and providing fun decorations. I can't forget to thank all families for encouraging your student to practice and master fluency of their multiplication facts.
Have a wonderful, restful break and I look forward to seeing you all in 2016!

Wonders of the Sea Website for Hyperlink Lesson

The students were really excited about the hyperlink lesson where I shared the following website. I want them to have access to it and explore hyperlinks.
The Wonders of the Sea

Nov. 30, 2015 Newsletter

Is anyone feeling the excitement of the busy season that is upon us? I hope you all enjoyed some time off with your families. The next few weeks will be busy indeed with lots of excitement in the air!

Reading:

Students will begin using informational text and focusing on text features (subheadings, captions, maps, bolded words etc.) to help support comprehension and research. We will be learning to identify main idea of informational text and identifying supporting details within the text.

Language/Writing:

We will be learning to research and write informational pieces on planets.

Math: Students will solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Students are encouraged to assess the reasonableness of their answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding. Students will also write equations using a variable to represent the unknown quantity.

Our multiplication sundae celebration will be December 11. We will also be having a winter craft activity to go along with the celebration. Mrs. Sanburn sent out a sign-up on the Shutterfly parent communication website. There’s still time to volunteer to help:)

Social Studies: Students will begin learning about the major components and patterns with the earth, moon and sun systems. We will begin explaining the causes of day and night and the phases of the moon.

Important Dates:

Dec. 1 - Read to Achieve Informational Session and Success with Reading Session 8:15-9:15 AM  and 4:30-5:30 PM session

Dec. 2-3- IOWA testing for previously notified students 9:30

Dec. 7-11 - Scholastic Book Fair

Dec. 11- Ice Cream Multiplication/Winter Celebration 2:30

Social Studies Test Tuesday

Notes and a study guide are assigned for homework and will be brought home this afternoon. Please take time to review for test tomorrow. Students have been working on these concepts with Mrs. Croy for several weeks.

Nov.11, 2015 Newsletter

I hope you all were able to enjoy a beautiful day with your children! As I type this newsletter, I am sitting outside watching my son shoot baskets in the beautiful sunshine:) Life is good!

Reading:

We have enjoyed learning about idioms and how non-literal language is used in writing and speaking. Don’t be surprised if your students start pointing out idioms in your everyday conversations! Ask them about some of the idioms we’ve learned.

Students will be looking at stories and comparing theme, plot, characters and setting. We’ve been reading the Clementine series and discussing these differences. We will do this with other stories. Students are continuing to read their books for book club and taking notes.

Language/Writing:

Students are beginning to write opinion pieces based on a review of a topic. They have selected their topics and are beginning to put together an outline. We will then elaborate on the reasons to support their opinion using good vocabulary. Students will be learning about verb tenses. We will play a new program involving technology called Plicker. I’m excited to try it out for the first time with the class.

Math: We will continue our multiplication and division unit. Students will continue learning the properties; commutative, associative and distributive. Distributive seems to be difficult for some. I found this video that really does a great job explaining it: Distributive Property/Decomposing Numbers We will also be learning mixed two-step problem solving.

We have been taking our timed multiplication quizzes. Please have your student practice their facts at home using the websites provided on my blog or flashcards. Please check with your student about which fact they are on. They can bring home the quizzes to practice. I always hand them back. In December we will have an ice cream party to celebrate their hard work. For quizzes passed, they earn tickets that can be used for their bowl, napkin, spoon, scoops and toppings.

Social Studies: After completing a mini project about personal finances, students will learn about trade by discussing imports, exports, specialization, and interdependence.

Important Dates:

Nov. 17 - Lifetouch Picture Make Up Day (please let me know via email)

Nov. 25 - Teacher Workday

Nov. 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday Break NO SCHOOL

Dec. 7-11 - Scholastic Book Fair

Picture Make Ups

There are some good-looking pictures coming home in their Tuesday folders today. However, if you would like to have your child retake their picture, the retake day is Nov. 17. Please let me know on that day so I won't forget to send them:)

Nov. 2, 2015 Newsletter

Thank you for supporting ACES Fall Fun Run! We had a great time on Friday.  

Reading:

Students will be working in book clubs and taking on various roles in their book clubs. They will be using sticky notes to stop and jot down notes or questions that they have as they read. We will be learning about idioms and understand the difference between literal and nonliteral language.

Carolina Hurricanes- Pick Up A Book And Read Program

Today in their homework folder you will find a scorecard to keep track of minutes read. This is an optional program to encourage students to read. If your child chooses to participate, parents will need to help their student fill out a scorecard and return it to me after six weeks. I will send a reminder when six weeks are up. I have already registered our class, but if you would like to look at the program information here is the link: Pick Up A Book And Read. There is an essay contest if anyone would like to enter. Information concerning the contest is included with the link. Happy Reading!

Language/Writing:

In writing students are learning about types of reviews. We have examined types of reviews and they will be picking a topic to review as their next writing piece. In language we are learning about the function of adverbs and will be identifying subjects and predicates in sentences. 

Math:

This week students will be using multiplication and division strategies to solve various word problems. I sent a document last week attached to an email that I hope will give provide you with an overview of our math units along with videos showing strategies and methods taught. It is also on the blog to the right under “Helpful Documents”.

We have been taking our timed multiplication quizzes. Please have your student practice their facts at home using the websites provided on my blog or flashcards. In December we will have an ice cream party to celebrate their hard work. For tests passed, they earn tickets that can be used for their bowl, napkin, spoon, scoops and toppings. 

Social Studies:Students have started their economics unit with Mrs. Croy. They will be learning about the importance of using a budget and even making decisions about spending money. 
Information From Ms. Brinchek:

November At Home Engineering Challenge

What can you do with...... an empty plastic bag?!?!?!?!

To participate in this home challenge, you will need to create something (anything) using an empty plastic bag (any size or brand)! You can use any additional materials in your creation! The only rule is to BE CREATIVE!

Important Dates:

Nov. 11 - Veteran’s Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL

Nov. 25 - Teacher Workday

Nov. 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday Break NO SCHOOL

Dec. 7-11 - Scholastic Book Fair

ACES Fall Fun Run and Health Challenge Donations Due This Week

Please consider collecting donations for the ACES Fall Fun Run. All donations are tax deductible and some companies match employee donations. The students will be participating in the Fun Run this Friday, Oct. 30 from 10:15-11:00. This is the school's first big fundraiser and we know it will be a HUGE success! Go Team ACES!

Science Unit Test Tomorrow

Please help your student review the study guide that they will bring home tonight to study for their science test tomorrow in Mrs. Croy's class. Thank you and have a great day!

Timed Multiplication Quizes

In order to develop fluency with multiplication facts, we will continue our multiplication timed quizzes this week on Tuesday and Thursday. The order that the quizzes will be given for the multiplication facts is posted in the classroom and in my Oct. 13 newsletter. They must pass each fact before moving to the next.

Oct. 13, 2015 Newsletter

Reading:

Being able to recount or retell stories by picking out the most important details helps to determine the central message or moral of a story. Your students have been reading and listening to several fables, legends and stories. We have been working on finding the important details and the overall lesson. The class learned how to identify suffixes and their meanings. Students saw how suffixes change the meaning of root words. We will be learning how to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple meaning words. Strategy groups are meeting to read chapter books and discuss/reinforce strategies for reading comprehension. Students are using sticky notes for “stop and jots”. Doing this is good practice for reflection about what they read. It could also be something they do at home after reading a few pages or a chapter.

Language/Writing:

Most students are working on their second personal narrative. I have conferenced with many students and encouraged them to work on various aspects of their writing. Mostly students need to zoom in on powerful moments and be descriptive. We are working on getting away from list like writing and really focusing on feelings and using our senses. Using more powerful vocabulary also makes writing more interesting. I keep reminding the students that students who read voraciously are better writers because they tend to model what they read. We have also been working on learning about pronouns and the nouns they replace. We will be learning about using linking verbs and commas this week.

Math: We have begun our unit on multiplication. We are learning how division is the inverse operation of multiplication. Students have learned strategies for multiplication and division. We will begin taking 2 minute timed multiplication quizzes this Friday. I will try to give the quizzes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will be given 2 minutes to complete 20/22 problems accurately. We will start with a mixed 0’s and 1’s Friday. There is a great link on my website called Multiplication Magician. Students can pick the facts they are working on and it times them for practice. They must practice at home to be successful. Here is the order that the timed quizzes will be given: 0’s-1’s, 2’s,10’s, 5’s, 4’s, 8’s, 3’s, 6’s, 9’s, 7’s, 11’s, and 12’s. They must pass one before moving to the next. We will keep a chart in the classroom. In December we will have an ice cream party to celebrate their hard work. For tests passed, they earn tickets that can be used for their bowl, napkin, spoon, scoops and toppings.

Science: The scientist have been having fun with Ms. Croy learning about the 3 different types of joints and comparing mammal bones.

Field Trip permission forms and money are due for the Science Fun for Everyone in house field trip. Please send in as soon as possible or pay online.

Important Dates:

Oct. 14 - Picture Day

Oct. 14 - Ms. Argent 3rd Grade Explorers Meeting 4:30

Oct. 16 - Early Release 1:15

Oct. 17 - Community Service Project 9AM-12PM (See Ms. Brinchek’s website)

Oct. 21 - Science Fun for Everyone Skin and Bones

Oct. 23 - End of 1st Quarter

Oct. 26 - No School/Teacher Workday/Conferences

Oct. 30 - Report cards go home

Oct. 30 - Fall Fundraiser envelopes are due

Sept.29, 2015 Newsletter

Interims are coming home in this week’s Tuesday Folder. There will also be an mClass summary for you to go over explaining your student’s results following the beginning of year assessments.  Please sign and return the interim. I will be scheduling conferences for Oct. 26 using  Signup Genius.

Reading:

Character study is a very important part of comprehension. Students will be working on group posters this week displaying character traits focusing on four categories; physical, social, emotional and intellectual. They are encouraged to use evidence from the text to support their conclusions.We will have a gallery walk at the end of the week to look at our character posters from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Students will be learning and using common prefixes along with root word knowledge to help decode and understand words.

Language/Writing:

The class has been working on revising and editing their personal narratives. We are beginning to think of topics for our next personal narratives. Students are generating ideas by thinking of “turning points” in their lives, strong feeling moments, and stories families tell over and over.

This week students will be taking a closer look at common nouns and proper nouns. They will also discuss rules of plural nouns.

Math: Students are continuing to work on the geometry unit. They are learning about shapes and their attributes. We have begun Team Time for 30 minutes each day. This is an opportunity where the students are able to be provided enrichment, or reteaching of concepts learned. Students are divided up between the four third grade classrooms during this time.

Science: Students will begin their Science unit on the Human Body with Mrs. Croy. They will be studying the skeletal system and muscular system.

Field trip permission forms and money are due for the Science Fun for Everyone in house field trip. Please send in as soon as possible or pay online.

Important Dates:

Oct.6-8 - Cognitive Abilities Test 9:30 AM (CogAT)

Oct. 14 - Picture Day

Oct. 16 - Early Release 1:15

Oct. 21 - Science Fun for Everyone Skin and Bones

Oct. 23 - End of 1st Quarter

Oct. 26 - No School/Teacher Workday/Conferences

Oct. 30 - Report cards go home

Field Trip Permission Forms

In today's Tuesday folder you will find a permission form for the in house Oct. 21 field trip. Please complete the form and return by the Oct. 21 field trip date. The cost for this hands on science experience is 8.00. If you would like to use the OSP online payment system please see the yellow sheet attached to the permission slip for directions.

Sept.15, 2015 Newsletter

Reading:

Students will be working on character traits and their motivations. We will be looking at characters in our read aloud, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and learning to describe their feelings and motivations in the story. We will be looking at events from the character’s point of view. How does a character’s actions move the story along or change events in the story? Also, students will be working on looking at root words as clues to understanding the meaning of unknown words.

Language/Writing:

The class is learning how to participate in collaborative discussions effectively by building on others’ ideas and expressing theirs clearly. Students are preparing ideas to share and following decided upon rules for discussions. Please practice at home by having discussions during dinner where they can practice listening to others and adding onto ideas expressed.

Students have been crafting their personal narratives. They are working on strong beginnings and will continue writing with detail zooming in on the main events and using interesting vocabulary. We will be practicing using a timeline to organize events in our narratives stressing the importance of sequential order that unfolds naturally.

Math: The students are reviewing rounding to the nearest 10 or 100 as a tool for estimation. We will begin geometry at the end of the week. The students will be studying shapes and their attributes. It is important that when they answer their journal prompt homework they use the correct vocabulary.  

Social Studies: We are finishing our unit on geography. Students will be doing research on a North Carolina Region. They will then collaborate within groups to make displays for each region.

Important Dates:

Sept. 15 - Open House 6:00

Sept. 23 - No School/Teacher Workday

Oct.6-8 - Cognitive Abilities Test 9:30 AM (CogAT)

Oct. 16 - Early Release 1:15

Oct. 23 - End of 1st Quarter

Oct. 26 - No School/Teacher Workday

Oct. 30 - Report cards go home

Open House

Looking forward to seeing you at Open House Tuesday, September 15 from 6:00-7:30. There will be a PTA meeting to kick the evening off at 6:00 followed by two sessions of presentations by teachers in their room. See you Tuesday! 

BOG Testing

Beginning of Grade Testing for reading is Wednesday, September 9. Please have your child get a good night's sleep and a good breakfast. Testing will begin promptly at 9:30 AM Wednesday. There will be no homework Tuesday night to help with an easy bedtime. Thank you for your help:)

September 1, 2015 Newsletter

We have a wonderful group of students and are off to a good start. I am confident the students will continue to adjust daily to their new routines and new school.

Missing Locator Cards - Please send these in this week.

Reading:

We have been learning about asking and answering questions while we read. The students are listening to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It is a wonderful story and we will be using it to support the standards this quarter. This week the students were introduced to QAR (Question-Answer Relationships) in literature and nonfiction. Students are distinguishing between “In the Book” questions and “In the Head” questions. Ask your child about these types of questions.

Language/Writing:

Students are learning strategies to generate ideas for personal narratives. They have begun writing several personal narratives and will choose one to develop into a final copy after learning to edit and revise.

Math:

We are practicing strategies to add and subtract within 1000. We have learned how to add or subtract using place value drawings, expanded form and some are familiar with the traditional method of making new groups above and decomposing. We will begin using the number line this week as another method. It is my goal that the students understand each method but choose the one that they feel most successful with.

Social Studies:

We began our geography unit by making “Me on a Map” books. We are learning about the 3 regions of North Carolina and their characteristics. We will be learning about absolute and relative location, longitude and latitude.

Homework:

We have some very nice agendas for students to copy homework assignments in each morning. However, this takes some students a long time each morning. Since I post the homework assignments on my website each week, I don’t feel a big need for them to copy it down. It is  good practice for them but the most important thing is that they gather materials necessary to complete homework and put them in their backpack to take home.  Please encourage them to be responsible to follow morning procedures on the board and make sure they have what they need to complete their homework each night. Thank you for your support in encouraging responsibility. Please check over reading responses for accuracy, spelling, punctuation, and complete sentences. We are working on these skills in class and want them practicing them at home.

Science Special:

Ms. Brinchek is starting monthly home science challenges this month. This is OPTIONAL. Please check out her website for more information. www.brinchekscience.weebly.com

Important Dates:

Sept. 4 - Early Release 1:15

Sept. 7 - Labor Day Holiday - No School

Sept. 9 - BOG Beginning of Grade Reading Test for Third Grade

Sept. 15 - Open House 6:00-7:30

Welcome to Abbotts Creek and Third Grade!

Welcome to Mrs. Emerson’s 3rd Grade!

Newsletters/Communication

Visit our class website/blog at http://pemerson.blogspot.com/ or by following the “Faculty Directory” link on the Abbotts Creek Website.  In an effort to be more “green”, please follow me (on my website) by typing in your email address under “Follow Me by Email” at the top right of the page. You will get notifications when I post information on the blog. It is here I will also post newsletters. If you do not have access to email or internet please let me know.  Our school/class website is a great source for information.

Snack

Please send a nutritious snack with your child each day. Peanut products are not permitted in the classroom especially since we have students with allergies. Our lunch is at 11:35. Students will be permitted to eat while they continue working. I do ask that each student have their snack in their desk at the start of the day so that whenever they become hungry, they can immediately get to it. If students take advantage of this privilege, they will be given a specific time and will no longer have the option to eat their snack at a time of their choosing. Water only is permitted.

Homework

We will have homework Monday-Thursday. Homework will be posted each week on the website. Students are responsible for copying their homework assignment in an agenda each morning and getting the necessary materials to bring home.

Your child is expected to spend a minimum of 20 minutes of pleasurable reading each evening and then responding to one of several suggested prompts. Math homework will typically be real world problems to solve and give an explanation showing their work when possible.  It  is ACES intent that homework be purposeful and aligns with the Common Core Standards.

Volunteers

We would love to have you come visit our classroom as a volunteer. We will need assistance from time to time with projects, learning experiences, field trips, etc… Please remember it is WCPSS policy that all volunteers re-register each year on a school computer. The registration window is open.

Added Reminders for Third Grade

1.  Buses begin arriving at 8:45.  All students should be in the classroom as soon as possible to unpack copy and collect homework for that night and get started on their morning work.  Our instructional day will begin promptly at 9:15.  The students are dismissed at 3:45.

2.  Put your child’s name on all personal items so there is no question as to who it belongs to.  (jackets and book bags especially)

3.  Please send money in an envelope with your child’s name, the amount of money, and what the money is for.

4.  State law requires that a note or email be sent to school explaining a student absence upon their return to school.  Otherwise, it will be recorded as unexcused.  

6.  Money can be added to your child’s account before school or online. Even if your child usually brings their lunch to school, it is helpful to have money in their account in case their lunch is left at home.  

7. A special form must be filled out by your doctor and filed in the office before any medicine can be given at school.  

7. We must be notified in writing of any changes in your child’s transportation plans from school.  If you plan to pick your child up in the afternoons, please be sure you obtain a carpool number.

8. Please let your child wears comfortable clothes to school.  Long dresses, flip-flops, and clogs are not appropriate for P.E. days and outside activities.  If your child gets cold easily, please leave a sweater at the school.  

9.  Please do not allow your child to bring valuables, make-up or toys to school unless requested for a special occasion.  

10. We love to celebrate birthdays! If your child would like to share a treat on or near their special day, please let me know. Treats can be shared in the cafeteria during our lunch time. Please note that we are not permitted to send in homemade goodies and all items must be store bought for special events scheduled in advance. Due to allergies we request that birthday treats are peanut free.

11.  On Tuesday of each week, your child will bring home a “Tuesday Folder”.  This will contain your child’s work and important papers. Please return the folder ASAP.

12. Our school will be adopting a school wide positive behavior system. We will follow these principles in our classroom and throughout the building. Our entire school will be using PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to reinforce positive behavior throughout the school. Our classroom will be using Class Dojo. It is a website which allows each student to earn dojo points for excellent behavior. Students will keep track of their dojo points and can earn homework passes for filled dojo charts. Parents can login at any point to see how their child is doing. More information about Class Dojo will be coming home soon.

13. 3rd graders receive reports cards 4 times a year.  Progress reports are sent home halfway between the grading periods. Results from district and statewide assessments will be sent home as soon as we receive them. Below are some of the assessments your child will be given during this school year:

mClass Assessment- This is a reading assessment that is administered one-on-one with your child three times during the year (at the very beginning, halfway through the year, and at the end of the year).  This assessment will track your child’s reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. It is one of the ways we determine your child’s reading level.

Case 21 Benchmark Assessments- At the end of second quarter, your child will be given a reading and math Case 21 assessment to determine how well they are learning and applying the skills taught to that point. These assessments are multiple-choice and follow a format similar to the EOGs. The reading Case 21 consists of reading passages and multiple-choice questions that can be answered using the passages. The math Case 21 consists of individual problems covering the skills taught the preceding quarter with multiple-choice answers.

EOGs- The End of Grade assessment is administered at the end of the school year. The EOGs are the state standardized reading and math assessments given to all 3rd graders in the state of North Carolina.

Daily Schedule 8:45-9:15  Arrival/Morning Work 9:15-11:05  Reading/Writing 11:05-11:35  Reading Team Time 11:35-12:00  Lunch 12:00-12:30  Recess 12:30-1:00  Math Team Time 1:00-2:00 Math 2:00-2:45  Specials 2:45-3:40  Science/Social Studies 3:40  Dismissal Specials Schedule A Day- PE B Day- Science C Day- Art D Day- Music E Day- Rotation of PE, Science, Art, Music

I look forward to working with you this year and helping your child grow as a productive learner.  It is important that we keep the lines of communications open and we are  willing to help in whatever way we can to ensure your child’s success in school.  

Abbotts Creek : 919-694-0555

Pam Emerson

Email: pemerson@wcpss.net