Hi All,

The kids and I settled into a nice routine last week. I was happy to see how well the kids adapted to my expectations!

This week, the final piece of homework will be added to the packet: a spelling list and spelling practice pages. The stapled packet consisting of spelling, a reading log, and math practice pages, is due on Friday. There will be a spelling test on Friday, consisting of the 20 words and 5 sentences on the list. The nightly math homework is due each day and is designed to support content addressed on that day. There is also a small review section each night, but I have been crossing these out because we began with chapters intended for the end of third grade, rather than the beginning. In a week or so, we will begin Chapter 1 in the math curriculum, and the rest of the year will be in sequence.

Students will also be bringing home permission slips for our first field trip: the Santa Cruz County Fair. If you are able to drive and chaperon, please return the forms right away! Insurance forms must also be filed in the office. Thanks in advance for your support with this trip; it really compliments our studies of Charlotte's Web, local history, and plants and animals.

Have a great week,

Carroll Mayer

Hello All,

Whew, we've got the first few days under our belt(s)! I really enjoyed meeting your children and those of you that stopped in to say "hi". Please be patient as it will take me a little time to connect names, faces, and kids with parents. I also want to thank the many people who sent in items from my wish list including many Ticonderoga pencils, dry erase pens, gift cards to Staples and Palace. You can be assured that we will consume all these items and more this year!

Hopefully, your children came home from school this week comfortable and confident that Third Grade will be just fine. Many of our activities last week were about getting to know each other and establishing the classroom behaviors. However, we did jump right into math! Next week, in addition to the nightly math homework, there will be a reading log and page of subtraction facts to practice. (The AR level on the Reading Log will be explained at Back-to-School Night.) This homework is due on Friday. There is also a Mystery Bag assignment due on Wednesday. Finally, if you haven't sent in the office Information Card and the signed Computer Use Agreement, please do so.

And just a reminder that this Wednesday is not restructured...

Finally, please feel free to email me with any questions. I check my PVUSD email daily, but not throughout the day. If you have an urgent message, please phone the office, and they will relay the message, or send a note.

Take care, and have a great week,

Carroll Mayer

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to Third Grade! We are going to have a great year.

A short supply list is posted. Please don't send pencil boxes, as they take up a great deal of space and are underused by the kids. I will have communal boxes with markers, colored pencils, and other supplies, which we will pull out as needed.

In addition, if you have copies of Charlotte's Web, please bring them as we will start reading this wonderful book right away.

We are also going to hit the ground running with math homework on Wednesday night. In addition there will be a Mystery Bag assignment that will be due on Wednesday, August 24th.

I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday morning at 7:55. Have a great weekend!

Ms. Mayer

Hi All,

I cannot believe we have arrived at the last week! I've had fun this year. Even with some challenges, your children have been an interesting and fun bunch. I know you will have lively summers.

This week, the second group will be presenting their Famous American speeches on Tuesday, with a few more on Thursday. The kids who did speeches on Friday did really well; I was very proud.

On Wednesday, we are heading to the beach. Please be sure to review Patti's email so that your children are properly prepared for the outing.

Finally, thank you all so much! So many of you have helped in the class, on field trips, and with organizing parties and field trips. You make the school year easier, smoother, and a lot more fun. You are truly appreciated.

Have a great summer, and come visit me next year!

Carroll

Hi All,

Wow, has this year zoomed by. Please send in those permission slips for the End-of-the-year Party. There are several children that have not returned their form or 5 dollars. I am also still short on drivers, by 9 students.

I will send math homework on Monday and Tuesday, but this week the primary homework is preparing for the "Famous American" speeches. The children have worked hard, and most of them have a 3-4 paragraph speech written in the first person, in draft form. Many of them have also been able to rewrite their drafts onto index cards, or to type them. On their day, children should arrive with their speech, and a "dress up" costume. Please find items for the costume around the house! Students' assigned days are indicated below, and anyone that is assigned to Tuesday, May 31, may switch to June 2nd. (I know how frustrating it can be to have an assignment due when you are leaving town.) However, please let me know by Thursday, May 26th, if you are switching to June 2nd. Parents are welcome to view the speeches and take photographs or video. I will not be recording this year's performance.

Friday, May 27th: Abigail, Gigi, Grant, Indy, Izzy, Jack, Jacob, Jaden, Jake, Jamie, Katelyn, Katherine, Lauren, Madisen, Ryan

Tuesday, May 31st: Amelia, Brett, Christian, Gabby, Gage, Jasmine, Jordan, Kye, Layla, Mohammed, Sean, Tara, Trevor, Zachary

Have a great week,

Carroll

Hello All,

I hope you had a pleasant Mother's Day and a relaxing weekend!

I received several responses to my email regarding missing Lit. Circle books. For those of you that did not reply, please carefully check your child's places for the books. This year I have had many more missing books than ever before, and that will have a frustrating impact on future third graders.

As the CSTs are now done, we will resume homework routines. The spelling packets over the next two weeks will look slightly different, because we have completed the HM spelling curriculum. The packets contain words that we frequently see misspelled in children's writing. There are only 14 words to study for Friday's test, but the packet is 2 double-sided pages, with a multiplication practice sheet attached. This homework is due, as always, by Friday. We will also resume nightly HM math homework.

In class, students are working hard on their "Famous American" note taking. These notes will be written into paragraph form over the next 2 weeks. Homework for the week of May 23-27 will include practicing the first person speech, and copying it into final draft form. Speeches will begin (in class) on May 27th, and continue during the last week of school!

This Thursday night is Rio del Mar's Open House. Please make a point of visiting our classroom between 6:30 and 8:00 and seeing your child's work place.

Finally, information about the class party (at the beach, beside 1st and 2nd grade) will be coming home shortly. This is always a fun and social way to wrap up the year.

Take care,

Carroll

Hello All,

I hope you all enjoyed the break; the last few days have finally felt like spring! Today I had the lovely surprise of a May Day bouquet hanging from my door. Thank you, mystery giver!

This week, we will continue with CSTs in Language Arts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

As we have completed the math section of the CSTs, there will be math homework this week. We will not have a spelling packet. In addition, parent volunteers will not be needed this week, except for Wednesday Lit. Circles.

On Thursday the class will be going to the Agricultural History Museum. All drivers who volunteered will be needed, and please make sure your driver info. is current in the office. Several students have not returned their permission slips or $3.00. Please bring these in ASAP.

Finally, students will begin researching their "Famous Americans". We will print our articles in the computer lab on Monday, but all students should have a biography about their person as well. Please confirm with your child that they have chosen a person and located a book.

Have a great week,

Carroll