August 31, 2007
Dear Parents,
Hello.
Welcome to third grade! It has
only been a few days and I know it has been full of information for the
children. I told them not to worry
because it takes a few weeks to adjust to new procedures, rules, and
routines. In the last few days we
certainly have been quite busy acclimating ourselves, learning about each
other, doing some fun activities, and starting our themes. It has been SUPER!!!
We started off the year with an
exciting behavior system in our class.
In order for the system to be the most effective the children created 3
of the 5 class rules. They really
enjoyed this. To coordinate with the
behavior system the students brainstormed a list of rewards they will
earn. Have your child explain the system
and rewards to you.
Here in our class we begin each day
with a morning meeting. This is where we
greet each other, do a friendship activity, and work on calendar and math
activities as a group. In
The students wanted me to make sure I
made a list of the specials for you.
Here they are:
|
Monday |
Music |
|
Tuesday |
Gym |
|
Wednesday |
Gym |
|
Thursday |
Art |
|
Friday |
Library |
***Please send in a smock
with your child’s name printed on it for Art.
Your
child will have homework Monday through Thursday. It most often will be spelling and math. Occasionally there may be an assignment in
another academic area. Every Monday a
spelling list will go home so your child can study throughout the week for a
test on Friday. The spelling program
this year correlates with our reading program.
Thus, your child will sometimes have a workbook page and sometimes have
other spelling worksheets to complete for their homework. Next week your child will have books to
cover for a homework assignment.
Your
child has a homework folder with an assignment list to take home everyday. Homework should take about a half an
hour. If your child finishes homework before
the half an hour is up, he/she should read or practice math facts. If you find your child is taking much longer
than this on homework, please let me know so we can make adjustments. Please take the first month of school to
check regularly that your child is doing their homework and getting it back
into his/her backpack. This routine
is essential for the successful completion of homework. Reinforcing homework from the start will develop a
positive homework habit for your child. If
your child forgets the homework, I will send a notice home with the
assignment/s and expect the assignment/s to be completed and retuned with the
note signed the next day. Third grade
is a critical year to build homework into a student’s daily responsibilities. We need to work together to accomplish this
for all the children.
I
will be sending home corrected school work on Tuesdays in a blue folder. The folder needs to be returned by
Thursday with your signature and date.
There is a place for comments as well.
I read the comments every Thursday or Friday, so if you have a comment
or a question or need to contact me, this is a good way to do it. My voice mail is another good way to contact
me. My extension is #110. Of course, the standard note works well also. Communication is a key component to success
for each child, so please do not hesitate to let me know your questions or
concerns, I will certainly do the same.
I
know this is a great deal of information.
I may have even overlooked something.
I write newsletters each Friday, to keep in touch with
parents. In the letter each week I will
update you on the curriculum we are working on, projects, and special
events. I will also ask for donations
and volunteers for special projects.
I
look forward to a year full of learning and growth from each and every
student. Third grade is a year of
academic wonder and excitement for children.
It is a fantastic grade! I look
forward to spending a productive and positive year with your child.
Enjoy
your weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs.
Johnson