Word Study
We are continuing to study closed and VCe syllable types as these represent so many syllables in the English language. We are specifically studying these syllable types with the vowel i, but students should be able to apply these rules to all common vowels. I began this study modeling decoding (reading) and encoding (writing) words with the short i sound (e.g., pig) and long i sound (e.g., kite).
Students sort words into groups, first visually and then look for confirmation using auditory cues. For example, the word give has a visual pattern of VCe, but the short i sound shows it is an exception (an "oddball" or "trick word") that must be memorized.
For encoding, we will eventually try out different syllable types for long vowel sounds (e.g., feet could be spelled feet with a vowel team or fete as a VCe syllable type). However, I won't introduce this until students are far more secure in their phonological awareness.
We are continuing to practice keyboarding for a few minutes most days. We don't spend much time on this, but daily practice is beneficial with a goal of becoming familiar with the location of all keys. We will eventually begin typing short sentences for practical practice.
We are also studying proper nouns and the importance of capitalizing them. Most third graders make a tremendous number of convention errors in their writing. This is very common and I encourage them to get their ideas down first. I do not want to interrupt their flow of ideas and use of great vocabulary. We go back to our writing and edit specifically for indenting, capitals, punctuation, etc. See if your student can distinguish between common and proper nouns. I think we are finally getting this concept.
Reading Workshop
We are still working on identifying the main idea and supporting details. We are also studying this in our writing (see below).
I assessed students using the Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA). I will share these results with you soon, along with the STAR Reading results, to help you support your student with selecting independent reading levels.
Writing Workshop
We are writing to our pen pals, two introductory paragraphs, one about ourselves and one about our school. The class is excited to begin this exchange. We are focusing on creating strong topic sentences that stand alone and adding supporting details. Many students include a supporting detail in their topic sentence or start sentences with because. We will work to correct these errors.
In honor of Tremont Elementary's Centennial, we are responding to the question, "What will school be like in one-hundred years?" Students' responses run the gamut from the whimsical, "I hope we hae robots for teachers," to the incredibly insightful, "In 100 years, students will be placed in grades by readiness, instead of age." (That one blew me away!!!) We were asked to respond to this question by the Upper Arlington Public Library who will feature some student responses in their magazine. I'll be getting a copy and will share if your student is published.
Math Workshop
We are making progress with numeracy. We made flash cards for all facts except the zero more, one more and two more. We will use these systematically to develop fact fluency daily.
I will assess students early next week and will share these results with you as soon as possible. While I always feel the pressure to jump right into third grade math standards, building a strong numeracy foundation is invaluable.
Science
We learned how to use Book Creator, an app on student iPads. We will use it to document what we observed on our recent field trip to Thompson Park. Please email if you are able to volunteer for the October trip. Thank you!
Students working in Book Creator.
Important Dates and Reminders
I will highlight changes and new dates in red.
STAR Assessments and Parent Access
Parents, you can access your child’s score via the Parent STAR Access website. If you had an account last school year, your account will still be active this year. If you do not have an account, you can request access. The process to request access can be found in the How Parents Request Access to Renaissance Place document. You can go to this webpage for reference documents, sample score reports, and FAQs around STAR Assessments.
September 2017
20 Walking Wednesday
21 Fall School Pictures
25 Book Fair Week
27 Early Release 1:00
27 Walking Wednesday
29 Fall Family Fun Night 5:30-7:30 p.m.
October 2017
October 2017
TBD Third Grade Reading AIR Testing
4 Walking Wednesday
11 Walking Wednesday
9-13 Collection Days for “Box Tops for Education”
16 No School for Students: Work Day/PT Conference Day
16 Parent Teacher Conferences 12:20 - 7pm
18 Walking Wednesday
19 Parent Teacher Conferences 3:20 - 7pm
20 Fall Picture Retake
20 Field Trip 9am-11am Thompson Park Tree Trek. Please email if you can chaperone.
20 Field Trip 9am-11am Thompson Park Tree Trek. Please email if you can chaperone.
24 & 25 3rd Grade State of Ohio Reading Assessment
25 Walking Wednesday
25 Walking Wednesday
26 Early Dismissal at 11:05
27 Halloween Parties & School wide Parade starting at 1:30 pm
31 Beggar’s Night 5:30-8 p.m. in UA
November 2017
November 2017
1 Walking Wednesday
6 End of First Trimester
7 No School for Students: Faculty In-service Day
8 Walking Wednesday
15 Walking Wednesday
21 Progress Reports go Home
21 Scarlet and Gray School Spirit Day
22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 2017
December 2017
21 Holiday Parties 2:00 pm
December 22-January 4 Winter Break
January 2018
January 2018
5 No School for Students: Teacher Workday/PD Day
8 School Resumes
15 No School for Staff or Students: Martin Luther King’s Birthday
18 PT Conferences grade 1-5 (students are dismissed at 11:05)
February 2018
February 2018
5 State of the Schools at UAHS 5-8 p.m.
5-9 Collection Days for “Box Tops for Education”
8 Third Grade Musical
11-14 Ohio Wildlife Center donation drive
14 Ohio Wildlife Center
8 Third Grade Musical
11-14 Ohio Wildlife Center donation drive
14 Ohio Wildlife Center
19 No School Staff or Students: Presidents’ Day
28 Early Release 1:00 (NO LIFT)
March 2018
March 2018
5 Spring Pictures
9 End of Second Trimester
9 Invention Convention 10-10:30am in the Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
9 Invention Convention 10-10:30am in the Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
12-16 Spring Break
19 No School for Students: Teacher Grading Day
27 Progress Reports go Home
30 Good Friday: No School for Students or Staff
April 2018
April 2018
4 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Windermere 11-12 in lounge
May 2018
May 2018
April 30-May 4 Scholastic Book Fair
4 KidFest, 5-8 p.m.
8 NO School for students or certified staff - Ohio Primary Elections
21 Field Day
28 No School Staff: Memorial Day
30 Last Day for Students
30 End of third trimester
From Ms. O'Keefe - School Counselor
Outreach Fund
If your child would like to participate in After School Enrichment classes or Fall Family Night but this is a financial hardship, you can confidentially contact our school counselor, Katie O'Keefe (kokeefe@uaschools.org) for assistance. Information for both can be found at: www.uawindermerepto.
If your child would like to participate in After School Enrichment classes or Fall Family Night but this is a financial hardship, you can confidentially contact our school counselor, Katie O'Keefe (kokeefe@uaschools.org) for assistance. Information for both can be found at: www.uawindermerepto.
Extended Deadline/Last Call for September/October Groups
If you are interested in having your child participate in groups provided by our school counselor or our Syntero counselor, please complete the Small group offerings form and return to Ms. O'Keefe's mailbox by September 25th. November and December group reminders will also be sent out in October. More groups will be added as we move through our year. 
Click to enlarge and print.
Continued ~ Click to enlarge and print.
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