Book Review - Due Tomorrow

This is just a little reminder that the first book review is due tomorrow morning.  Please make sure the sheet and book is placed in your school bag tonight!
Those who bring back both will be awarded with 2 tickets!

Math Test...continued

There were about 4 students who weren't able to finish their test.  They know who they are, so be sure to ask them about it tonight.  They will have a chance to finish tomorrow.

Math Test and Quiz

A couple items are coming home tonight.  They are our recent patterning test and a quiz.  Parents, please review and sign.  This is to be returned tomorrow - students will earn 1 ticket for bringing it back. 

Homework - Due Tomorrow

As we leave procedure writing for now, we are heading into a different direction.  We are now going to be working on recount writing which is when we think of an event or memory either long ago or in the recent past. We recount the event in logical order and ensure to use connecting words like first, next, then , finally. Often in recount writing we also include our thoughts and feelings to give the reader or listener an opportunity to make a connection. Tonight's homework requires some parental support if students are unable to recall a good amount of detail.  Tonight's homework is only to be done in point form.  Long, detailed sentences are not necessary tonight. We will work with the outline this week, turning it into a fine-tuned paragraph. This homework sheet can be found in the green spelling folder.

Spelling List - Week 5

Words with long and short u sounds

under
such
much
young
touch
use
your
you
unit
cute
few
new
fuel
human
music

Reminders for Friday, September 26

It's hard to believe we've been at school already for 4 weeks!
here are a few things to remember for our busy day ahead....

1. It's photo day - dress in your best!
2. It is NOT purple spirit day - that is postponed
3. We will not have our monthly assembly due to the gym being closed
4. We will write our Patterning Math Test
5. We will write out Spelling Test
6. We will get new spelling words
7. It's Namira's last day :(
8. It's Brian's 8th Birthday!

Scholastic Flyers

The Scholastic flyers for October went home yesterday.  If you were not able to make out the due date stamped on the first flyer, it said October 9!  I will be placing orders at that time.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ONLY SEND IN CHEQUES!

Book Review

Book bags, book, worksheet, sample review and explanation all came home today. We were only able to get through one sample. If time permits, we will do another one tomorrow.  Below is a copy of the explanation:

Today, you are taking home your new book.  This book will be due next Wednesday, Oct. 1

The Process:

Each Thursday, I will be switching up the books and providing everyone with new reading material.  It is EXTREMELY important that you adhere to due dates as books are limited and it is important that I have enough books to go around each week.  You are given ONE week to read your book and write your review.  We did a couple in class today so you should have a good, solid understanding of what is expected of you. 

Handing in your work:

There are two bins in class.  One is labeled Books, the other Review. When you are ready to hand in your items, make sure you are placing them in the designated bins.  Then, check off your name on the class list beside the bins.  (If you hand in your book review early, you won’t be getting another book until Thursday). 

Remember:

Don’t leave your book review until Wednesday nights! 6 days is plenty of time to read your book, maybe even more than once and write your review.  Make sure you’re allowing yourself enough time to complete your book review as well as any other homework that may be given out. 

Terry Fox Run

Tomorrow is our annual Terry Fox run.  Students are reminded to come in shorts and a t-shirt as the weather forecast is calling for sunny, warm temperatures.  A bottle of water is also encouraged as we will not have an opportunity to come into the school for drinks - our route has changed this year and we will be following our Running Clubs route. Donations can continue to come in for about another week...and of course there is always an opportunity to donate online at http://www.terryfox.org/TerryFox/Facts.html

Day 2 - Spreading the love through music

A powerful message....Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson

Spelling Words - Week 4

Words with long and short o sounds

rocket 
pocket
hold
fold
told
often
grow
throne
so
sew
most
almost
both
coach
open
also

Isn't It Time We LOVE Who We Are?

This is a great video shown today in our first school assembly.  The purpose of the assembly was to get the kids thinking more positive thoughts about themselves. Basically, we need to start learning how to LOVE ourselves before we can love anyone.  We spent the day sharing positive thoughts and being nice and creating a list of things we LOVE about ourselves.  We will continue this again tomorrow and the next day and the next day,....and the next!!!

Reading Assessments

It's DRA time!  All students in grade 3 are familiar with this process of assessing current reading levels.  It is a very time consuming assessment and takes approximately 30min per student.  This 30min is meant to be uninterrupted time between teacher and student.  Thirty minutes of uninterrupted time basically cannot happen on any given day and so we are only able to get through a few each week.  Mrs. Hawkins was kind enough to offer up her prep time today to come into our class so that I could get a couple assessments completed.  Thank you Mrs. Hawkins! You ROCK!
Once your child has been assessed, a score will be coming home to you.  This will help you to find suitable books when going to the public library or heading to your nearest Coles or Chapters book stores.  

Spelling homework and new words

New spelling sheets have been sent home today. As well, with no prep time today, I wasn't able to get the words posted on the blog.  In the future, I will make sure they are posted before the weekend for anyone wishing to get a head start on their studying!

Busy, hardworking few periods...

So, since my last post at the lunch hour, there was more time given this afternoon for students to get further in their math books. There are now only a handful of students who must finish up their workbooks at home.  They will be expected to be finished by Wednesday. Nice job everyone!

Time to Catch-Up!

Time was given this morning for students to work on their incomplete math assignments.  Some got through it, others did not.  There are only a handful of students who's workbooks were checked and signed off:  Rowan, Monica, Jayla, Abigail, Arjun.  If you don't see your name on the list, this book should be in your bag and is to come back on Wednesday! Yes, you are getting 2 days to complete.  We will be having a patterning test on Friday this week!

Spelling tests

Tests have been marked and will be sent home today.

Dear Parents...

I'd like to start off by again, thanking everyone who came out to meet me last night.  It was so nice to see such a large number of parents.  It shows that you are dedicated to working with me as a team and  I consider myself very lucky to have such a supportive group of parents by my side.
As I reflected on the evening, I realized that there were some families I did not get around to see.  I apologize for that and hope that if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Always remember that no news is usually good news.  Communicating to parents is important to me but unfortunately the students who need the most support are those whose parents will hear from me most often. As a final note, please look through The ABC's handout.  It contains some useful info which will come in handy down the road.  As well, the yellow questionnaire can be sent in any time.  The sooner I hear your thoughts, the sooner I can begin to make changes.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Cold Weather Reminder

Although the weather forecasts are showing temperatures hoovering around the 20's, it's not all that warm out if the sun doesn't shine or if there is wind...particularly in the morning.  Please send your child to school with layers and a nice fall jacket that can be worn in the morning.  We don't want to be getting sick this early in the year...or at all!!  

Math Homework!

Yes! It's finally happening.  Everyone is bringing home 1 sheet tonight which is reflective of what we are currently doing in mathematics.  PATTERNING WITH NUMBERS! The sheet has been explained and is to be brought back tomorrow.  All those who bring it back will earn ONE sticker! 

Thursday, September 18 - Meet the Teacher

Come out this Thursday evening for an opportunity to visit your child's class and teacher.  More details to follow.

Spelling Words - Week 3

Words with LONG i and Short i

pitch
drink
swim
life
while
I
my
light
buy
eye
which
find
why
kind
try

Where Do We Come From?

I would like to do an activity tomorrow with the children and for it we need to know the countries everyone comes from.  You will find a half sheet in your child's bag tonight to indicate this information.  Thanks!

Writing Homework

We have been working on writing procedures. We have done a number of oral, independent and paired writing assignments so far.  Tonight, homework is coming home that reflects what we have been doing.  The homework was given out at the very end of the and as such, instructions/clarification was not provided. Even though the instructions are on the paper, I will make sure I go over the expectations tomorrow morning.  This homework assignment is not due until Monday, Sept. 15.  

Spelling...long e correction

The words for the week will now be posted on this blog every Monday. The children will also be copying them into their agendas! Woo Hoo!

Words with the LONG and SHORT e sound

next
left
help
please
believe
many *
very *
been
seen
she
between
three
easy
sea
leave

Recorders for Music

The children's music teacher, Miss Yule, requires all students to have a recorder.  This can be purchased through the school by sending back the completed form and $.  This form was sent home during the first week of school. Please let me know if you need another one.  Any student who already has a recorder can simply use it again this year.  No need to return the form. 

Spelling Test Clarification..Con't

All spelling tests that are to be rewritten will require a signature. This signed test with corrections will need to come back on Mondays.  I will put my faith in parents that they are ensuring incorrect spelling words are written out 5 times on the back.  All spelling tests can be stored in the green spelling folder.  If your son or daughter does not need to rewrite, the test does not have to be returned with a signature.  

LOVE this!

We did this in class yesterday.  Love it!

I'm SO Impressed!

For the first time in history, we have 100% yellow envelop submitted! WOW WOW WOW!
Thank you so much to all families who took the time to read through and sign the forms that were sent home on Tuesday.  I definitly hope this is a reflection of what to expect throughout the rest of the year. Well Done EVERYONE!

Spelling Test

Our first spelling test is tomorrow! Friday, September 5.  The first round of spelling homework is also due at this time.  Please remember to bring in your green folders with your finished work.  (There may be a reward involved).  

What A Week!

Our week is just about over.  The kids should be happy to get on with a new week as this one has been filled with lots of talking by yours truly.  The first, and often second weeks of school are a time for teachers to remind students about proper behaviour, our class routines and so on.  Every class teacher operates differently and so students need to hear, see and learn how they will be expected to operate in their new setting.  A lot of repetition and modelling is key.  Today we reviewed our school's Code of Conduct (to be found in the school agendas first couple pages). We had some great discussion surrounding the various expectations and it seems like we're all on the same page and understand what to do and what not to do. Please ensure you take some time to review the code of conduct with your children so that we are all conducting ourselves in a safe manner.  Thank You.

Welcome Back Letter

The letter below, along with our timetable (subject to change) was sent home today. In the event that it didn't make it home, I've included it in this post.  It was accompanied by the yellow envelope containing a number of forms for parents to review and sign. The expectation is that they (the forms) are returned to school ASAP.  The plastic zip lock bag will be used to transport letters, forms, and money to and from school.  This bag is to remain in your child's bag all the time! Please help to ensure this happens.

Welcome back! It’s going to be a great year.  I hope that everyone is well rested from our long summer vacation and ready to get right back into the swing of things at Clairlea. 

For those of you who do not know me, I am entering my 9^th year at Clairlea…hard to believe.  I’ve always had a passion for the primary division and for that reason my focus has been in grade 3, although I have taught grade 2 for a number of years and grade 1 as well.  In addition to being a classroom teacher, I also coach the girls baseball and volleyball teams and take on a few clubs throughout the year. I am also a mother of one, she will be turning 2 at the end of October! I like to stay active and will be promoting healthy lifestyles within our classroom on a regular basis. I also like my coffee and you will likely see one in my hand every single morning.  J

So not to lose any time, we will jump right into our homework program starting with Spelling.  The spelling program will consist of 15-17 new words each week. Starting on Monday, your child will receive the new list and a package to be completed throughout the week.  It will be due on Friday mornings.  Today, the first list and package will be provided.  I will be guiding the children through the expectations in hopes that they will be able to explain it to parents after school today. 

            There will also be a reading/writing homework program which will start in the next week.  Math homework will be given on an as need basis which could ultimately be everyday.  Science, Social Studies and Health will also be sent home for homework but not as often. 

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I will do my best to post at a reasonable time and on a regular basis almost daily. There may be instances when I can't post and I apologize in advance for that.  I will always inform the class of my expectations so if you do a little digging, you will likely find some answers in them! 

It's the First Day of School!!

Good luck Everyone!  Have a great day.