Welcome to third grade at Cedar Fork Elementary! I’m so excited to get to know everyone this year and grow with a new third grade community! We will be doing a lot of fun relationship-building activities this week so that I can get to know the students and the students can get to know me!
During the first week, we will be easing into homework. Students should be reading every night. It’s also really important to take a few minutes to discuss what the students are reading.
“It doesn't need to be an in-depth discussion about characters, plotline, or style, but you may be surprised at how your conversations evolve after you read together for some time. You can begin by just “thinking aloud”—every few pages, share your thoughts about the text out loud, kind of like a built-in commentary. Your child will hear how you think about and process text as you read, and soon it will become habitual for him or her to do the same. Over time, incorporate questions or thought-provoking statements and involve your child.” (http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/3-reasons-to-read-your-elementary-schooler-every-night)
I know that students are coming off of summer, where a more relaxed schedule may make it hard to come back to the habit of reading every day.
“Start with a mini habit. In his book “Mini Habits,” Stephen Guise suggested starting a new habit with a small change that can easily be accomplished. His example? Doing one pushup as the start of an exercise program. Once you’ve finished one pushup, you’re likely to do at least one more. Then the next day, knowing how easily you accomplished the task before, you’re more likely to do it again. With reading, perhaps set a limit at two or three minutes, then gradually adding a minute at a time. Longer periods of reading are obviously preferred, but reading consistently, over a period of time, is an effective way to create that habit.” (http://www.edudemic.com/skipping-your-reading-homework/)
Expect a couple math problems for homework starting Tuesday. We are starting with adding and subtracting numbers within 1000. Students will be using strategies that they remember from second grade, including:
Tuesday Folder: Students will have a few sheets in the Tuesday folder that need to be signed. Please look through it carefully. Also, if you have not turned in the Consent for Technology and Digital Resource Use, the pink student information sheet, or the green student information half sheet, please turn them in very soon!
Me Museum - Students will also be working on a short project this week for homework. Students will need to bring in 3 items that represent them, their families, hobbies or interests. These items will need to fit on their desk and be accompanied by an index card that explains why it was placed in the museum. This will help our class continues to learn about each other!
During the first week, we will be easing into homework. Students should be reading every night. It’s also really important to take a few minutes to discuss what the students are reading.
“It doesn't need to be an in-depth discussion about characters, plotline, or style, but you may be surprised at how your conversations evolve after you read together for some time. You can begin by just “thinking aloud”—every few pages, share your thoughts about the text out loud, kind of like a built-in commentary. Your child will hear how you think about and process text as you read, and soon it will become habitual for him or her to do the same. Over time, incorporate questions or thought-provoking statements and involve your child.” (http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/3-reasons-to-read-your-elementary-schooler-every-night)
I know that students are coming off of summer, where a more relaxed schedule may make it hard to come back to the habit of reading every day.
“Start with a mini habit. In his book “Mini Habits,” Stephen Guise suggested starting a new habit with a small change that can easily be accomplished. His example? Doing one pushup as the start of an exercise program. Once you’ve finished one pushup, you’re likely to do at least one more. Then the next day, knowing how easily you accomplished the task before, you’re more likely to do it again. With reading, perhaps set a limit at two or three minutes, then gradually adding a minute at a time. Longer periods of reading are obviously preferred, but reading consistently, over a period of time, is an effective way to create that habit.” (http://www.edudemic.com/skipping-your-reading-homework/)
Expect a couple math problems for homework starting Tuesday. We are starting with adding and subtracting numbers within 1000. Students will be using strategies that they remember from second grade, including:
- drawing base ten blocks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtWqrzcZgdA&feature=youtu.be)
- show all totals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjiK4Gj6FsM&feature=youtu.be )
- expanded form subtraction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZwwfbBlmtI&feature=youtu.be )
Tuesday Folder: Students will have a few sheets in the Tuesday folder that need to be signed. Please look through it carefully. Also, if you have not turned in the Consent for Technology and Digital Resource Use, the pink student information sheet, or the green student information half sheet, please turn them in very soon!
Me Museum - Students will also be working on a short project this week for homework. Students will need to bring in 3 items that represent them, their families, hobbies or interests. These items will need to fit on their desk and be accompanied by an index card that explains why it was placed in the museum. This will help our class continues to learn about each other!