What We Learned This Week
Short post this week...
Word Study
We are continuing to study parts of speech. You can support parts of speech understanding any time your student asks about a word by discussing whether it's a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc. and why.
I introduced analogies this week. I use the term "relationship" or the phrase "how are they related" to guide student understanding.
Reading
We are still reading for information. It is important that students start with the question. Beginning with the passage is akin to starting a trip without a map for developing readers. Young students simply have a hard time retaining all they read and will likely need to reread the passage. Third graders are still learning to read. They'll make the important transition to reading to learn as the year progresses and using this strategy will help them to be more focused and efficient in their finding answers to specific questions.
We are also working on main idea and comparing and contrasting. These two skills deepen readers' understanding. Venn diagrams in particular are very good across all areas of learning. We are distinguishing between supporting details and main ideas as well. I am also cautioning students to rely on the passage, not background information, when determining the main idea. Many students will share vaguely related incorrect main ideas because they have a personal connection or interest in the topic.
Writing
I introduced a kinesthetic process for remembering the parts of a friendly letter. See if your student can share this with you: heading (address and date), greeting (Dear Pen Pal,) opening (purpose for writing), body (paragraphs on various topics, the meat of the letter), closing (final instructions, e.g., "Write back soon."), and signature.
We completed our second paragraph in our pen pal letters and should be wrapping them up next week. Encourage your student to write letters to family and friends. It's a great way to support understanding of paragraphs as a single topic, main ideas and supporting details.
Math
Students are learning to represent numbers in three forms: standard (e.g., 2,037), word (e.g., two thousand, thirty-seven), and expanded (e.g., 2,037 = 2,000 + 30 + 7). We are also comparing numbers using place and value.
Important Dates & Reminders
Our library days are: September 25; October 9, 24; November 8, 27; December 11; January 8, 24; February 7, 22; March 8, 22; April 16, 30; and May 14, 29. This is a new schedule approach this year and may be modified. I will update as needed. Please refer back to this information to help your student remember to return their library materials.
October 2, 2012 - Ohio Reading Achievement Assessment (Please avoid scheduling absences on this date). If you would like additional preparation materials, or just to get a better idea of the reading level expected for this assessment, please visit the Ohio Department of Education's website for practice tests: http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=240&ContentID=4348&Content=126215
October 3, 2012 - Walk To School Day
October 8 through 12, 2012 - PTO Book Fair
October 8, 2012 - Field trip to Highbanks Metropark
Please have your student:
- Wear shoes for hiking (no Crocs, sandals or flip flops please)
- Pack a sack lunch that can be thrown out or recycled (including drinks and tableware) with their name on it
Chaperons should arrive no later than 8:15. We will depart promptly at 8:30.
October 12, 2012 - Fall Family Night from 6pm till 8pm and Windermere Spirit Wear Sale
October 22, 2012 - No school, professional development day
October 24, 2012 - Picture Retakes
October 26, 2012 - End of the first quarter
October 29, 2012 - No school, teacher grading day
October 31, 2012 - Halloween party (NOTE CORRECTED TIME: extended lunch from 12pm till 1:15pm, most students go home to change into costumes)
Einstein is assigned each week. If your student receives Einstein, please have them take a few photos with Einstein doing a favorite activity over the weekend and email them to be by Monday morning. Your student should write about their weekend and be prepared to share on Monday.
From PTO
Just a reminder that Hawk Walk, Windermere PTO's major fall fundraiser begins on Monday, September 24th. Your child received an informational packet just prior to the Labor Day weekend with pledge sheets and general info. Please remember to have your child turn in his/her pledge sheets on Monday (or on the day he/she walks). Students will walk during one of their two PE classes next week. Each student will receive a free Hawk Walk T-shirt as well as a drink and cold treat after they complete the walk. Should you wish to help out during your child's class, we definitely could use extra hands to mark lap cards and organize pledge sheets. If you interested in helping, please visit our online sign up sheet at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EADAB2BA13-2012 . Thank you in advance for your support of this fun event! A big thank you to our sponsors this year: Yabos Tacos, Street Realty (Carrie Mimnaugh, Realtor), Schakolad, Jimmy Johns on Tremont Road, Dawson (DeCapua Family), The Arlington Bank, Cuzzins Yogurt and Relish The Moment Photography (Mindy Clark and UA mom Jennifer Rose). Should you have any questions regarding the walk, please contact Randi Stummer at rstummer@columbus.rr.com or Janice Walsh at pwalsh@columbus.rr.com ."
Parents,
As a reminder, the Entertainment Book sale has ended. If you have not done so already, please turn in your white collection envelope with any money you have collected for books sold. If you have chosen not to purchase a book, please return the book and envelope that was sent home with your child.
Please have all information turned into your classroom teacher by end of school day Thursday September 20.
Thank you for all of your support,
Everett Bradley
