Help for Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey

Types of Sentences

Hello Parents! We have been working with different types of sentences in English. Your children have these definitions in their spiral notebooks, but in case you want a reference at home, here is a chart with the same information. Hope this helps!

Pizza Day Tomorrow!

Don't forget that Pizza Day is tomorrow! The students should still be in mass uniforms or can participate in the $5 Jean Day and we will eat at our normal time, but we will have PIZZA for lunch!

Fun Ways to Count Money

Looking for some fun ways to count money? These are so enjoyable you won't even realize you're doing math!

1.     Money Memory- Make a money concentration game with 20 index cards, magazine pictures and coin stickers or stamps.  Have your child look through magazines and cut out pictures of ten items that he would like to purchase.  Have him glue each picture on an index card.  Draw a price tag on each picture.  On the other ten cards, put coin stickers or stamps that equal the prices of the objects shown on the other cards.  To play, shuffle and spread the cards face down on a playing surface. One player chooses two cards.  If she gets a match, she gets to go again.  If they do not get a match, the cards are returned and the next player picks two cards.

2.     Penny-a-Day- Purchase four disposable plastic cups.  Label each cup with a different coin name (penny, nickel, dime, quarter).  Each day give your child a penny to place in the penny cup.  When he reaches 5¢ in the penny cup, allow him to trade for a nickel and put in the correct cup.  Encourage them to keep trading for larger and larger coins as they save money.

3.     Coin Toss- Place a plastic bowl on the floor several feet away from your child.  Give her 10 play coins.  Instruct her to toss the coins into the bowl.  She then counts the coins that land in the bowl.

3.     How Many Ways? - Each day review counting money by asking your child to show you different combinations of coins that equal the date.  For instance: Today is the 21^st.  Show me how many different ways you can make 21¢ using coins.

4.     Grocery Store- Buy a package of garage sale stickers or use a roll of masking tape to make price tags.  Place them on several grocery items and write a price on each.  Place the priced items on the table and invite your child to go ‘shopping’.  He can use real or play coins to purchase the items. Older children can practice making change.

5.     Egg-celent Shake-up- Recycle your old cardboard egg cartons.  Place a handful of coins in a cardboard egg carton.  Close the lid and have your child shake it up.  When she opens the lid, ask her to count the coins in each section of the carton.

6.     Race to a Dollar- Grab a pair of dice, a bag of coins, a partner and you’re ready to go!  To play, one person rolls the dice.  She takes the same number of coins as the number that they roll.  Play continues until one player reaches a dollar. 

7.   Create a Catalog- Get several pieces of construction paper and have your child create their own catalog by drawing pictures of things that they like.  You can even write descriptions beside the drawings.   Help him accurately price each item.  Using play coins and bills, allow him to ‘purchase’ the item and count out the money needed.

Jean Day on Friday!

How the Earth Moves: Rotating

We learned in Science today about the Earth's movement and how it gives us day and night. Here is a link to a site that shows the official time of day where we are and where the Sun's light is showing on the Earth.
https://www.time.gov/

Looking to Practice Rounding?

We worked on rounding today in class! I am posting lesson sequence and a rhyme that might help your child at home in case they are still working on finishing their assignment or if you would like to continue to practice with them. Here is how it was taught in class:

Step 1: Find your place value and underline the digit. (If it asks to round to the nearest ten, find the "tens" place, if it asks to round to the nearest hundred, find the "hundreds" place, if it asks to round to the nearest thousand, find the "thousands" place.
Step 2: Look at the neighbor directly to the right and determine if it is 4 or less or 5 or more. If the number is less than 4, the underlined digit remains the same. If it is 5 or more, the underlined digit changes by adding 1. Remember our rhyme! 4 or less, digit to the left stays the same, 5 or more, digit the left makes a change.
Step 3: Once you figure out your underlined place value, ALL digits to the right change to "0."

Hope this helps! You can also go to this SITE and play some games that will help rounding to the nearest 10 and 100. 

Here is a copy of the Lesson if it helps!

Attention Boys!

Nancy Larson Science

Hello families!
This year we are  working with the Nancy Larson Science Program. This is a wonderful, easy to follow program that leads us through everything from our Solar System to plant and animal life cycles. With each unit of study, your child will receive a new booklet that reflects all the lessons and information that we will be discussing. We will use the booklets for note-taking and I will also provide them added experiments and assignments to reinforce what we have learned. At the end of each unit, we will review together in class then take an assessment. I am providing you with a link the website for additional resources for this program. The website is not mandatory or necessary for the mastering of concepts, but rather an added resource to extend comprehension and learning.
The website is www.nancylarsonpublishers.com. You will need to click on "student links" and provide the following information to log on:
Username: stanns
Password: lion
I will also put this information in our resources section. Thanks for all your support and help thus far! Have a great day!

Jean Day Coupons for Sale! Deadline October 31st

Place Value to the Hundred Thousands Place

Here is a great video and chart that reteaches how we learned place value in class. Hopefully this helps with homework and reinforcement.

PTO Meeting Tomorrow!

Ways to Practice Spelling

Looking to study spelling words?

Tired of having your child recite their spelling words out loud to make sure they know them?
What students really need to know is how to write, recognize and define their spelling words. 

Here are a few new ways to practice spelling. 

You and your child can:

1. Create a set of flashcards Have your child write their spelling word in pencil on one side an index card. There are some ways to use flashcards other than using them to quiz. They can:

• Trace the word in pen or marker to reinforce knowing the letters and shape the word makes when it’s spelled correctly.
• Read the word, turn the card over, write it again and flip to check for accuracy.

2. Create a second set of flashcards with the definition of the word on it. If possible, use a different color index card then the first set.She can:

• Have you read or show her the definition and tell you the word that goes with it.
• Flip the card over and write the correct spelling word on the back.
• Test herself by writing the words on a separate piece of paper as she looks at the card.

3. Use both sets of flashcards to play spelling Memory.

• Arrange the flashcards in rows, face down on the table.
• Each player takes a turn to pick up a two cards, one of each color. If the word and definition match, the player keeps the cards. If not, they put them back in the same place and it’s the next player’s turn.
• The players will have to remember the position of the cards in order to match them up. When all the cards are gone, the player with the most matches wins.

4. Use alphabet magnets or Scrabble tiles to spell out each word. 
5. Write the word  list on a piece of construction paper. Then cut the words apart into strips. Then, cut those words into letters and have your child reconstruct the list.
6. Write sentences for each word. Make sure your child is using it in context to show that they understand the definition and part of speech of the spelling words.
7. Type her spelling words on the computer. This will help to reinforce how to spell each word and help them recognize what the words will look like in a book or other reading material.
8. Write or type a story using all of the spelling words. The story doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but it should show that they know how to spell and use each word properly.
9.  Use the Spelling City website.  Parents can register for the free version and input your child’s spelling word list. Your child can then play games and activities or take practice tests on the site.
10. Use Discovery Education’s puzzlemaker tool. You can create word searches using your child’s spelling words.
11.  Alphabetize the word list. This can be done either by writing them in alphabetical order or by using the flashcards.
12.  Sit down with your child, two pencils and a piece of paper. Tell them the spelling word you’ll be practicing and write the first letter of the word. Pass the paper to them so they can add the next letter. You add the letter after that, repeating until the word is spelled.
You can do this with all of the words and up the ante by having them write the next two or three letters before passing the paper back to you. 
13. Create Mad Libs only using the spelling words. You can either buy Mad Libs books for just this purpose or find them online at Wacky Web Tales.
14.  Use old magazines or newspapers to find spelling words and cut them out. It can be an interesting demonstration of how many times words are used in everyday writing.

Thank You!

I was so happy to see such a wonderful turn-out at our Parent Night. Thank you to everyone that attended. I hope I was able to answer any questions, but you can always refer to the Parents section to review the classroom procedures.I have also included a brief rundown below of the items we covered in case you were unable to make it. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you again. Looking forward to our year together!

Conference Times:

Monday: 9-9:30 and 1-1:45

Tuesday: 10-10:25 and 12:45-1:15

Wednesday: 9-9:30, 1-1:45, and 1:45-2:30

Thursday: 9-9:30 and 1:15-2

Friday: 12:30-1 and 1:30-2:15

In the event you are unable to meet during my conference periods, I would be happy to visit at an alternative time before or after school. Please contact me and we can schedule an alternative conference time.

Tuesday Folders should be returned and signed Wednesday with all filled out forms, money, and completed assignments. I will file the assignments in class and they will be returned to you at the end of the 9 week grading period.Please review the folder with your child and take out any tests that may be corrected. Return the graded work and forms on Wednesday morning

Planners should be signed daily by a parent. Their lessons will be reflected in their daily and any homework should be highlighted. Please feel free to utilize this as communication from home to school. I check their planners every morning and have let the students know that it is their responsibility to get their planner signed.

Homework is always due the next day unless otherwise instructed. Even if students finish in class, they are not allowed to turn in the assignment until the next day so they can be checked at home. The student’s binder will be their homework folder and all assignments should be in the front pocket. Students are typically not allowed by the office to come up to the classroom before or after school so make sure they keep up with their materials. The students are responsible for turning in their completed assignments on time. Any time there is a late paper, there will be 10 points deducted for each day it is late. Any missing work will be stated in the planner for you to know. Absent work will be ready for parents to pick up in the afternoon the day they are absent if the school is called in the morning. Otherwise, the students work will be ready for them when they return. The policy is one day to complete for each day absent. Students may correct tests for half of the credit missed on the test, with the exception of open book tests. They may also correct any papers that say “please correct.” Check Tuesday folders for any tests and work that may need to be corrected and return by Friday for credit. The students may correct when they find the correct answer and page number they found it on, with the exception of math. I take grades on everything, even if it is just a participation grade. I average their grades weekly so you may check their progress anytime. Report cards go out at the end of every 9 weeks.

The students have been read the rules and know the policies. I am here to help your child problem solve and make the right choices. If however, their behavior needs to be corrected, it will be reflected in their conduct grade. If the behavior persists, I will notify you. If you notice any issues that home or that you would like to address, please contact me and we can discuss how to help your child.

Students are expected to follow the uniform policies as stated in the handbook. Dress code infractions will be enforced based on the handbook procedure. If you are still waiting on uniforms to come in, please let me know.

I hope these few points will help you and your child out for the beginning of the year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Our partnership will go a long way in sending a positive message to your child. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your child. I am very excited for this year! I look forward to our new relationship together and I know with our cooperation, your child will excel! 

Information from our School Nurse

 

Shurley Parent Booklet

Hello Parents! We are continuing this year with the Shurley Method Program as part of our English Curriculum. We have begun discussing the proper elements necessary to a sentence's structure, as well as synonyms and antonyms. We will soon begin classifying each part of a sentence with the appropriate part of speech. I am including a link to a Parent Help Booklet for Level 3, so that you may see how the program will work this year and how you can add extra support at home for your child. I hope this helps throughout the year!
SHURLEY PARENT HELP BOOKLET

Parent Night

Tuesday is our Parent Night! It begins at 6:30 and is broken up into three, 20 minute sections so that you may visit the classrooms of all your children. The first session is 6:30 - 6:50, the second is 6:55 - 7:15, and the third is from 7:20 - 7:40. I will provide the same presentation at each session to allow you to visit the classes of your child's sibling(s). The presentation will highlight what we have accomplished thus far, as well at explain the policies and procedures of the classroom. Hope to see you all there!

Updated Schedule

Hello Families!
We have one minor change to our schedule each day. Library will now be at 12:30 on Fridays instead of 1:00. Here is the new Friday schedule below and it is now updated in the PARENTS section of the website. Thank you all and have a great Friday!

Hot Dog Day Shirt Order Form

Place Value Notes

Afterschool Information

Back to School!

I am so happy to be getting to know each and every one of your children. We've had a great first two days. While we are still taking time to grasp new routines, we have managed to do a few "get-to-know-you" activities, start our first novel in class ("The Witches" by Roald Dahl), and start learning about the Saints recognized in our Catholic Church. 

A few reminders for you and your children:

• Today was our first day to write in planners. Please remember to sign the planner nightly. This allows you to see what we accomplished in school that day and see if your children have any homework. It also promotes responsibility for your child.
• Tuesday folders go home weekly. Please be sure to review them with your child and return them signed, along with any graded work and forms.
• One of your children's homework assignments are to make sure the class contract, homework contract, and parent survey are returned by Tuesday (Or when you come to Parent Night). Each of these forms are a great help to me in creating a curriculum that meets your child's needs. Thank you for your help with this, and please feel free to include any information that you feel will help me teach your child.

I can't wait to see what your children accomplish this year in 3rd grade. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school, my email, or through notes in the planner!

Sincerely, 
Mrs. Owen

Mass Tomorrow!

What a wonderful first day we had in 3A! I enjoyed getting to know your children so much! We are so blessed at St. Ann's Catholic School to attend Mass each Friday. Tomorrow is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church where we celebrate the Assumption of Mary. We will make our way to Church tomorrow instead of Friday to celebrate this special Mass together. If your child has their Mass uniform in, please be sure to wear it for Church tomorrow. Our young men wear navy slacks and our young women wear plaid skirts. Both girls and boys wear their blue oxford shirts. Please feel free to join us at Mass tomorrow if you'd like!

Welcome to 3A!

Hello students and families!
Welcome to Third Grade! I am so excited to get to know you all. We are going to learn some great, new things this year! Please feel free to check this website throughout the year for resources and happenings around the classroom. Thank you for all who came to "Meet the Teacher." I can't wait to see everyone on Monday. Have a great weekend!