Hello Families
We are moving right along here in Room 25. We have mastered our daily 5 routine, moving quickly through our 2nd grade math review and we have started our personal narrative writing through our work with courageous problem solving.
Daily 5
Daily 5 is the reading program that we use CSS from kindergarten through 4th grade. It is a system that allows students to make their own choices about improving their reading and writing skills. They get to think about what they need to work on, what they want to work on and who they want to work with. Since they have been doing this for many years now they have just jumped right in. They are empowered to improve their own reading and a writing skills as well as have some fun reading and writing. For me as a teacher I get to evaluate each student individually and work with them personally to give them exactly what they need. I also get to spend time with each student personally, which is really special because one on one time is tough to come by. As we get further into the year students will get to be part of book groups to allow them to share their enjoyment together.
Math
In the beginning of our year we are really working on solidifying our second grade skills and setting up our independent math time. We are focusing on our addition and subtraction strategies. We discovered yesterday that subtraction really isn’t as hard as we thought it would be. Also this month in number corner we are working with money. You can support our class time by allowing them to work with and keep track of money. The grocery store is a great place to practice and think about money. How much do we need? How much will be left? Head to the Math Learning Center for the bridges home connection. They are broken up into units and we are in the middle of unit 1.
Courage Writing
As a whole school we are exploring the idea of Courageous Problem Solving as a part of our school mission. We are thinking about how we can be courageous and what we can do to solve hard problems in our community. Students have created a courage journal about a time they were a courageous problem solver. They are hanging outside our classroom. These pieces of writing are meeting for 2nd grade and now we are moving them on to a piece of writing that is aiming for 3rd grade expectations. They are starting off really good and they will be ready for back to school night.
In our snack/free choice times are coming alive with creation of he yarn variety. Special thanks to the Buchholtz family for finding those awesome knifty knitter looms at a yard sale. They have really had a good time making scarves and hats.
Bella and Emily with their 1st scarves!
Nuts and Bolts
We had a great first week! It’s amazing how fast they get into the swing of things. Just some things that you might want to know as the year get started, if there are things I’m not thinking of please let me know and I will tell about those as well.
1.)Our specials schedule (ok it gets a little crazy with A and B schedules because there is an extra art or an extra PE on any given week, I am not going to go into that fine of detail for you just know we either have 2 PE’s and 1 art or 2 arts and 1 PE, depending on the week.)
Monday – PE
Tuesday- PE and Art
Wednesday – Art
Thursday – Library (check out day)
Friday – Library
Matt and I will also be trading classes on Fridays. He is teaching science and I am teaching technology. So both classes will get 1 session of science and one session of tech every Friday.
2.) Thanks so much to those of you who handed in your paperwork. If you haven’t gotten it in yet please do it ASAP.
3. We will be starting up our invention center next week. Please send in your recyclables so we may make them new.
Homework will start next week so ask your kiddo if they have a Monday due date. It will come up fast.
A Message from our Lovely Librarian
First Day of School!
Things are changing for you guys. Your little kids are now big kids in the big kid hallway. If you have younger ones I recommend that you drop off your 3rd grader first,then take your younger child to their class.
On the first day of school I will ask you to come at the end of the day to pick up your kiddo. They will come home with their homework journal and an assignment inside to make a plan withyou about what you are going to do after school. You can have them stay in the class until you arrive to pick them up, they can meet you at a siblings classroom, they can meet you on the front lawn, or a personal favorite of many parents, they can run across the playground and meet you out back so you don’t have to deal with the crowd at the front of the school. From the 2nd day on, 3rd graders will be responsible for following through with your family plan after the 3:00 bell.
See you on Wednesday!
Homework Policy
1. The reason I am assigning this homework
a) It is an opportunity for me to have some “one on one” time with each student. With 30 kiddos in one classroom I find myself having a very difficult time getting to know each student. I will be able to use this writing opportunity to really get to know each student.
b) It is an opportunity for each student to take personal responsibility for their learning. They have the power to think about, question, theorize on and discuss any topic of their choice. I want them to practice taking responsibility for their own learning.
c) I will also be able to personally work on individual skills with each student. If they need to work on spelling words, I can suggest that. If they are working on adding commas to their writing, we can do that. Each student has different needs and I feel like this homework option allows me to meet them.
d) Parents will be able to look at the book and see what their kids are thinking about. You should also feel free to write in the book. If you have questions for me or your child or you would just like to add to the conversation you are welcome to chime in. If you would like to suggest topics or you are wondering about the math that came home the week before you can write it down. When you write it in the book we will all think about it together.
2. The Reading Log
Each week students are required to do at least 2 hours of reading per week and keep track of it in their reading log. The reason I am having students read each week is because it will help them manage their time, explore their own interests and build on the characteristic of responsibility. I will show them how to draw their own reading log in the book when they need a new one.
3. The Book
The book will start out as a simple composition book with a little bit of cool tape on the edge. But as we spend the entire year filling it with thoughts, questions and memories it will become a reflection of you in the third grade.
Each week you will write an entry in the journal. If you are unsure of what to write about just tell me about what you are reading. Each week I will write back to you. We will go back and forth writing to each other each week and we will explore and learn about anything that comes up.
You must keep track of your book, we will be putting all sorts of things in it throughout the year, pictures, drawings, completed work, journal entries and responses as well as other fun stuff. If you lose the book it will not be an accurate reflection of your growth over a year. I have attached a photo of a book just waiting to be filled.
3. Due Dates
Your due date depends on the duck tape put on the spine of your journal. It is also written on the front of your book.
Leopard: Monday
Mustaches: Tuesday
Penguins: Wednesday
Flying Pigs:Thursday
Sheep: Friday
In order to be able to connect with each student every week I have to be follow my homework policies exactly without exception.
No late journals will be accepted. If your journal is not returned on the day that it is due you must spend your extra recess time writing an entry and I will not write back to you. If you are absent or there is an emergency that prevents you from handing in your journal you will get two responses the next week.
CSS Picnic
Don’t forget to stop by CSS on Thursday, August 29th at 1:00pm. We will meet outside on the playground at 1:00 and then you can come in and see the classroom. You are welcome to bring your school supplies on that day so you don’t have to lug them all in on the first day. See you soon.
Allison
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CSS 3rd Grade 