Halloween Fun & Frenchie The Explorer Visits!

What Is Happening In Mrs. Mac's & Mrs. Short's Class!

Communication is Key!

We continue to have so much excitement going on in third grade.  Mrs. Mac & Mrs. Short have both met with almost everyone in both rooms for fall conferences before school, after school & during our specials.  We enjoyed being able to share your child's adjustment into our classroom & set goals to assure each child is working up to their potential & at their own level.   Please remember you can continue to keep in regular communication with us & what is going on in school by checking your child's daily planners, notes sent home, checking this blog newsletter & our website, sending us a written note or email, or giving us a call at 248-684-8075.  Report cards will be posted in December, March & June as well.

The kids are displaying their visualization pictures!

In Language Arts--We have been working on Compare & Contrast writing.  We have compared & contrasted 2nd grade & 3rd grade, different seasons, holidays, animals, different books & characters etc...  We have worked on the strategy of visualizing parts of text & noticing interesting or descriptive words.  We illustrated our visualizations & recorded interesting words for our data binder.  We have been working on long vowel E spelling patterns.  Students are enjoying our new read aloud--The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks by Nancy McArthur.  Don't forget our sock making homework assignment which is due Monday, November 5th. 

In Math--we finished Unit 2 and took our pre-test & then our unit test if we scored below at 95%.  This test was not review like Unit 1, so it was more difficult.  We introduced the students to a variety of different ways to solve addition & subtraction problems.  Then they will be able to use the method that works best for them.  We started Unit 3 last week, too.  Unit 3 has four main areas of focus:  

• To explore the need for standard units of measure
• To measure lengths using customary and metric units
• To develop the concept of area
• To investigate the relationship between diameter & circumference 

We have begun signing up students for the Khan Academy http://www.khanacademy.org/ to do extension or extra practice lessons at home or in school on their website.  All students should be signed up soon. The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. We're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere.

All of the site's resources are available to anyone. The Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.   This can be used in addition to the www.everydaymathonline.com website that can be used to reinforce lessons taught in class.  Remember that students can get online & play the EDM games with their classmates that are online at the same time.  Very cool!

Science/Social Studies--The kids were so excited to get their first textbook ever!  Mrs. Mac introduced them to their new book called--Meet Michigan!  They were thrilled to see all the places & maps we were talking about in color.  We learned about all the state symbols last week.  We continue to learn about Sound in science.  

We had a lot of fun celebrating Halloween together.  Thanks for sending in donations to make our finger pen craft, bags to decorate, candy treats, donuts, cider, paper products, etc...  We appreciate all the donations & the kids had a great day.  The parade indoors went smoothly as well.

Frenchie The Explorer assembly on November 1 was a big hit!  The kids loved learning about the Voyageurs & early Michigan living from Frenchie.  

Don't Forget!

*Don't that students do not have school on Tuesday, November 6.  Teachers have professional development on this day.  Don't forget to vote as well. 

On November 6, 2012 at the general election, district voters will be asked to vote on a renewal of 18 mills on non-homestead properties for 10 years.   This is a renewal of funding that voters authorized in June 2003-THERE WILL BE NO TAX INCREASE TO PROPERTY OWNERS on their primary residences.  This renewal allows Huron Valley Schools to get the full per student operational dollars ($6,966) that the state authorizes under Proposal A.  If this proposal is not successful, the district will lose approximately 10% of operational funding annually.  The State of Michigan does not make up this funding if the millage is not approved.  Please be an INFORMED voter. 

Please go to our P.T.A. page & JOIN THE P.T.A!  We really, really, really want 100% participation.  Remember you don’t need to attend meetings  to join but are encouraged to attend if you can.  It only costs $7 per individual student or $13 for the entire family.  Check out their page for LOTS of great information & important dates.  Thanks!

http://www.countryoakspta.org/Home.html

SQUARE 1 ART:

Square 1 Art order forms were sent home today.  If you would like to place an order, the deadline is Wednesday, November 14^th.  Merchandise will arrive to COE during the week of December 10^th.  Everyone’s art work looks great!!!

THERE WILL BE AN ICE CREAM PARTY FOR THE GRADE LEVEL WITH THE MOST AMOUNT ORDERED. 

*November 9th           Pep Grant Celebration   6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

*November 12th         Veterans Assembly        9:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
*November 14th          Square 1 Art orders are due
*November 15th          Chess Club for 3rd Grade (4:00-5:00)
*November 21-25       No Schools in Session for Thanksgiving Break

*December 7th            Early Release Day for students/Professional Development for staff
*December 10-14        Holiday Shoppe
*December 12-13        Vision screening for grades 1, 3, 5
*December 14              Math Pentathlon             7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
*December 17-20        Vision screening for grades 1, 3, 5
*December 18              Native American Presentation--3rd grade
*December 24-Jan.2     No Schools in Session/Winter Holiday


RESPECT RAP!   Third grade was responsible to discuss the R (respect) in C.A.R.E. rules during community time this Thursday.   We taught the school the chorus of this rap & watched this great video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOvZLOL9zd0

Celebrate Good Times In Our Class!

FUN RUN ASSEMBLY 2012!



So Much To Celebrate in Our Classroom!

October 19th, 2012



The winners FROM JUST OUR CLASSES that won something in 

THE FUN RUN DRAWING ASSEMBLY! WOW !!!



All COE students are winners!  What an amazing job for raising a record amount to put towards all the special events, assemblies, field trips, supplies for staff & students, etc...  All students went home with a Fun Run Tee shirt & a drawstring bag full of coupons & other goodies as well.  What lucky kids & generous families we have at COE!  It was wonderful to watch our students be genuinely happy for their classmates & others to win things even if they did not.  It was really super cute & touching!

While Alex O. shared  "he has never won anything at the Fun Run Assembly yet," he ended up being one of the few winners of a free pizza kit from the 5th grade camp fundraiser.  Can you see how thrilled he was?  Adorable!

Happy Birthday, Alex K!!

Loving Alex's Birthday Donuts & Getting Ready for Our Marble Jar Celebration Movie Treat! 

 WHAT ABOUT THE SURPRISE DAY OFF BECAUSE THE POWER WENT OUT AT COE & OVMS?

While missing our school buddies, it was a treat for Mrs. Mac to be able to
surprise her daughter at the bus stop for the first time EVER and for Mrs. Short to 
spend the day with her little ones, too! 


And What About That Game!!

COE Staff Celebrated The Upcoming

Michigan/Michigan State Game With A Staff Breakfast!

Students Could Wear Sports Wear!

Check Out Our Class Pets!

This tank & 3 Glo Fish were delivered the week before school

started.  Mrs. Mac had applied for the Pets in the Classroom

grant in the summer & it was accepted.  Pets in the Classroom

grants are offered to Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade

classes only in both public and private schools.These grants

are intended to support pets or aquariums in the classroom for

the purposes of teaching children to bond with and care for

their pets responsibly.  Mrs. Mac bought a few guppies to join

the two remaining Glo fish.  One didn't make the first day:( The kids 
thought the  news ones were to celebrate the Tiger's win

because of their striped tails.

Another Grant Source is Donor's Choose!

   This grant source & others are a wonderful way to get materials for our classroom.  We are close to getting a project funded for bean bags for reading in the classroom.  Right now the NEA is matching any donations.  We only have $111.00 left to go until we will receive our comfortable reading bean bags!   Check out the the link below to see our current project.  You are welcome to donate to this or future projects. 

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1419949.199337793

We Had Fun Playing "Sparkle Spelling!"

In Language Arts, we worked on Fluency as part of our C.A.F.E. time.  We modeled different fluency rates and stages.  1-Choppy  2-Steady  3-Smooth.    We used a character map to organize character traits of the character, Michael in our new read aloud.  We wrote rough drafts for our "gift bag books" & are finishing our final copies next week.

In Math, we continued using ballpark estimates as a check for reasonableness of answers.  We used basic facts to solve extended fact problems involved in trade-first subtraction.  

In Science, we learned about sound, volume & vibrations.  We reviewed parts of the ear taught in Grade 2. 

In Social Studies, we reviewed what we learned so far in unit 1.  We will be taking home a study guide to review & study from for our upcoming Social Studies test.  

And we finished the math portion of the  statewide M.E.A.P. test.   Great job, kids!

Don't forget...

Monday, Oct. 22  is picture make up day.  Pictures went home on Friday if you ordered them.  

Wednesday, Oct. 24 is COE Red Cross Blood Drive 3-9 p.m.

Parent Teacher Conferences with Mrs. Mac & Mrs. Short Oct. 22-Nov. 2nd.  Please see reminders sent home & PARENT HOMEWORK SURVEY THAT IS TO BE TURNED IN BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 22.

Friday, October 26 is our first POPCORN FRIDAY.  Popcorn can be purchased for 25 cents a bag.

October 31st is our Fall Harvest celebration & Halloween Parade.  See note that went home about this day.

November 6th--No School for Students    Election Day & PD for teachers.

November 9th--PEP Grant Fun Friday Night

                                               

Alex S. shares his Pokeman
book he made!

 

Here is the link to the video of pictures this week!  Enjoy!  We can't guarantee a video every week. However, we will try to capture moments that you may not be able to experience as a parent & we would want to see as parents ourselves!

 

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a4d324d4455784d54553d0d0a&blogview=true 

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love, 

Mrs. Mac & Mrs. Short

Welcome To Our First Blog Newsletter!

Welcome To Our First Blog Newsletter!

Welcome to our first addition of our new blog/newsletter.  I am excited to try this new form of communication.  My daughter's teacher uses a blog to communicate what is going on in school.  She posts pictures and videos so families can see what is happening along with the regular newsletter update items.  I really liked seeing what she was doing & hope you will as well.

Here's a video of what we have been up to!  Link is: http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a4d314d6a55784e44413d0d0a&blogview=true

Getting Ready To Take The M.E.A.P.

We had another great week in third grade.  We showed our support for our Detroit Tigers by wearing Tiger clothing last Friday.  While this week, students wore orange to show support to stop bullying.




We did a great job taking the Reading part of the M.E.A.P. this week.  Next week, we will be taking the math sections for third grade on Tuesday, October 16th.  We will start right away so make sure your child arrives on time, rested and fed a healthy breakfast.

In Language Arts, we were assigned a reading/writing buddy from the other classroom.  We chose permanent buddy reading spots and tested them out.  We came up with class rules & norms for reading with a partner & independently.  We are also going to be pen pals with our buddy.  Each buddy group has a folder with paper that they will use to write back & forth to each other, respond to each other, recommend books to read or write them suggestions to help them grow as a reader or writer, etc...

In Math,  we worked on solving number stories in a variety of ways.  We used number models & change diagrams.  We also used basic facts to solve extended fact problems.  We solved multi digit number stories using comparison diagrams, too.  We continue to take our timed math facts twice a week.  When students achieve 95% or higher, they move to the next timed test. (ex.  Mixed addition, mixed subtraction, multiplication x0 & x1, x2, x5, etc...) There are copies of these tests on our website that you can print off & have them practice at home.  They have 5 minutes to complete 100 problems.
Also, don't forget to go to https://www.everydaymathonline.com/  to log in & get games to play that practice concepts they are learning, family math letters, homelinks and so many more great math resources.

In Science, we looked more at the food pyramid & healthy food choices.  We are beginning are next unit on Sound next week.

In Social Studies, we took to the roads of Michigan & pretended we were going on a road trip.  We looked at the major highways connecting the cities in upper & lower Michigan.  We also learned that Lansing is our state capital.  We looked at the capitals of other states which are marked on maps with a star next to them.  

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!

Please go to our P.T.A. page & JOIN THE P.T.A!  We really, really, really want 100% participation.  Remember you don’t need to attend meetings  to join.  It only costs $7 per individual student or $13 for the entire family.  Check out their page for LOTS of great information & important dates.  Thanks!

http://www.countryoakspta.org/Home.html

On November 6, 2012 at the general election, district voters will be asked to vote on a renewal of 18 mills on non-homestead properties for10 years.   This is a renewal of funding that voters authorized in June 2003-THERE WILL BE NO TAX INCREASE TO PROPERTY OWNERS on their primary residences.  This renewal allows Huron Valley Schools to get the full per student operational dollars ($6,966) that the state authorizes under Proposal A.  If this proposal is not successful, the district will lose approximately 10% of operational funding annually.  The State of Michigan does not make up this funding if the millage is not approved.  Please be an INFORMED voter. 

Families experiencing financial hardship who would like to be included in our "Holiday Help" program need to contact Nancy Willyard, School Social Worker.  Call her at 248-676-8473 or email her at Nancy.Willyard@hvs.org to register or for more information.  THE DEADLINE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS OCTOBER 26.  Families requesting assistance after that date will be directed to community resources.

Upcoming Events!

October 22        Picture retakes

October 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30th--Fall conferences with Mrs. Mac & Mrs. Short.  Conference reminder slips were sent home last week.  Please make sure to let us know if you can't make it.  Also, please try to be on time as we only have 15 minutes and we really need to stick to our time schedule to get everyone in.  Thanks!

October 24       COE Blood drive from 3-9 p.m.

October 31st     Harvest Festival/Halloween Parade    We will be doing some activities as a class before the parade.  Students can bring costumes in a bag labeled with their name  to put on before the parade.  All costumes must be able to go over the student's school clothes.  Only G-rated costumes.  No weapons or props.  No face  paint, make-up or hair coloring is allowed.  Parents are welcome to join us for the parade at 3:00 p.m. & come back to the classroom for some treats.

Hope you enjoyed our first newsletter blog!

Mrs. Mac & Mrs. Short