October 5th Newsletter
October 4, 2009 by aguirrl
Homework at Home this week! The third graders are ready but they will need your help to transition to doing homework at home. Establish a quiet time and place for your child. You may need to turn off the T.V. You may want to let the answering machine do its job. Then don’t help your child unless they are working hard. If they start whining: just walk away (Love and Logic tip).
Science: we are beginning our study of life science. I’ve received requests from boys and girls who want to bring in their critters to “show and tell”. I’ve said O.K. As long as they are kept in a container, they may come for one day only. We may have allergy concerns with anything that has “fur or feathers”. If we set up a time with advance notice for other parents, you might be able to bring these animals to share briefly (10 minutes). Please call me this week if you have allergy concerns about cat hair. And please, for safety reasons, no glass jars on the bus and no poisonous spiders.
Homophones: words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have a different meaning are the hardest spelling words. If your child has them in their spelling list, be sure that they practice them with a sentence. Context is the key!
Rocket Math homework is beginning for those who need extra practice on math facts. Just one section per day, not the whole thing. Spinners are to be kept in their binders and used to practice addition strategies (5 minutes) +1, +2, +3, doubles, near doubles +1, near doubles +2, near doubles +3
Art Contest: this is optional but if your child chooses, he/she may complete the release form and tape to the completed art project. Due back by Thursday, October 9. Please follow the directions or I cannot mail your child’s work. If he/she chooses to do this, they may have a “free homework pass for 2 days”. Just note in their daily planner on those days that they were working on the Art Contest and I will excuse the regular homework.
Friday Reflections: your child will be reflecting on each week and recording this on a “Friday Reflections” sheet. Attached to this will be any work/tests they have done in class. This is so that you can review their work and see how they are being graded. This is to be signed by you and your child then returned on Monday. This also gives you and I another way to communicate any needs, comments or questions.
Thank you for all your support,
Loreen Aguirre
464-5746
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