Sunday, February 24, 2013

Hi All,
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weekend weather.  This week we return to a normal schedule!

The spelling list is a review list, so the children have 3 pages of spelling practice instead of two.  There are no sentences to study.  This Friday there will be another multiplication Timed Test on 0-6.  Please encourage your child to review these facts.

Last week I sent home permission slips for our field trip to the MAH on March 15th.  Thank you to all who have volunteered to drive; we have a good number at this point.  I am still missing several students' permission slips, as well as their $2.00 donation for the museum.  If your child has misplaced their permission slip, please send a note requesting another, or download the form from the school's website.

The kids have begun gathering additional research about their "Famous Americans" this week.  We will work in class over the next several weeks to research and write a 3-5 paragraph first person speech from the point of view of their candidate.  The children will then bring home their speeches to rehearse before performing them for the class.  The due date for the speeches will be the last week of March, before vacation, with the kids presenting them over a couple of days.   I will send home a rubric with our expectations when the kids bring home their speeches.

Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Friday, February 15, 2013

Hello All,
Have a wonderful 3 day weekend!  This week was a particularly challenging one for many kids, with the Choir performance and Valentine's Day sandwiched between two holidays.  We spoke in our class meeting about distractions, and distracting behaviors, and how frustrating they are.  Many of the kids are able to identify them in others, but don't see how they contribute to the problem.  Feel free to continue this conversation at home.  Even those children who are generally well-behaved may add to the problem by laughing at those who choose "class clown" behavior. 

A big thank you to Ruth DeLuca, for the great, yet mellow Valentine's Day party.  The cupcakes were yummy too!  Thanks as well to all the parents who popped in to help; you make our school a special place.

Finally, a reminder about the March 15th MAH field trip. I have only had a handful of permission slips returned.  Please have your child bring in the form, and $2.00, ASAP.

Take care, and enjoy a beautiful, warm, weekend!
Carroll

Monday, February 11, 2013

Hi All,

I hope you are all enjoying the first of two 3 day weekends!  Because of the holidays, this week's Homework Packet will not be due until Friday, 2/22.  We have found that many of the kids need a full week to practice the spelling words, and that it is worthwhile to give them extra time to prepare for the test on Friday.  We have included an extra reading log (on the back of the regular one) and expect students to read throughout both weeks.  Most of the class is doing an excellent job on the reading log, and reading interesting, appropriate books.  Please encourage your child to check whether their outside reading has AR tests.  Many of the kids are not on track with their point goals, despite a lot of reading in class and at home.

In addition, please remember that this Wednesday (2/13) is the choir performance. The kids have been practicing with Tanya and Jessica since the fall and are looking forward to showing off the results of their labors.

Our class Valentine's Day party is on Thursday.  Ruth Deluca sent out a list with all students' names and a schedule.  In general, 3rd grade keeps it low key.

Finally, I am sending home a permission slip for our next field trip, which is to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History.  They have an excellent, hands-on presentation about local history.  Our class is scheduled to attend on Friday, March 15th.

Take care,
Carroll Mayer