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