Team Sonntag Updates

7/31/2011

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Successes:

It has been another successful week for Team Sonntag!  We have implemented all of our literacy stations this week and the students have adapted to the procedures effortlessly!  I am so proud of the initiative they have taken when it comes to working with groups, partners, teachers, and independently in class.  If you check out the "What We Are Up To" page from this website, you will be able to see a short video clip of how the students have taken flight with the technology we use as tools to enhance our learning in the classroom!

Reminders:

Families and Students, please remember that our homework is consistent each night and should be completed BEFORE you come to school the next day.  Being a responsible third grader means you should pace yourself each night and give yourself plenty of time to do your homework.  This skill takes some time, but I know you can do it!  Parents, please guide your child in our effort to make sure they complete all of their homework each night.  The daily homework can be seen on our "Homework" page, also located within this website.  Thank you!

Objectives:

Next week we will continue to practice making predictions while we read, but also start making predictions during reading.  While making predictions during reading the students will also learn the importance of asking questions and making connections.  These skills are all part of the CROP QVS method that we teach at BRES.  C=connections, R=reactions, O=opinions, P=Predictions, Q=Questions, V=Visualizations, and S=Summarize.  These skills for reading help the student comprehend more than just words on a page.

For math, we will continue to practice our additions skills with numbers up to the thousands place as well as learn more about subtractions and borrowing.  These objectives are the foundations from what the students will work on and since our curriculum spirals, the students will need a sturdy foundation with these skills.

In writing, the students are beginning to map out their first story based on Seed Ideas that we created in class over the past week.  From here, we will model and practice drafting, editing, and revising for the next 1 to 2 weeks, before we publish!

With Science, the students are extremely excited about our investigations with soil.  Students will be observing, exploring, and getting hands-on with three different types of soil.  Ask your child what they already have found out and you will be amazed too!

Important Dates:
Picture Day  8/9/11
Progress Reports  8/12/11
Open House  8/18/11



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Team Sonntag Updates: Week 2!

7/20/2011

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Welcome & Reminders:

I would like to welcome all of our Team Sonntag students & families to the 2011-2012 school year!  I'm so excited for all of the new and inquisitive minds to work like sponges in our classroom.  I have only had our new class for 2 weeks, but I can already see great things in the works!

Last week we sent home a VERY LONG newsletter with students that explained many of our policies, procedures, & expectations for students and parents.  Please make sure that you read through this newsletter with students and make sure everyone is understanding what is expected for this year.  If you did not get a copy or are new to our school/class, please let me know and I will get you a copy.

*Students need to bring in a picture of a memory they would like to write about during our literacy block next week!*

*Don't Forget!  Friday, 29th, 2011 is Early Release at 1:15pm!*

Homework:

When it comes to homework, I just wanted to clarify that during the first two weeks students will be completing their homework in class.  This is to ensure that students are understanding the homework expectations and have proper homework skills modeled for them.  Starting next week, (July 25th) students will need to do their homework AT HOME!  Hopefully by this time students will have a firm understanding of how to complete their homework & what the expectations are for it.

Skills & Objectives:

During the first two weeks of school we have been working on creating rules as a community, learning/review procedures & expectations, and making new friends.  In reading, we learned how to choose a "Just Right" book, explain our reasoning for our book choices, and make predictions with narrative texts.  In writing, we set up our Writer's Notebook, personalized its cover, created "What If..." ideas & seed ideas, and began sketching stories.  In math, the students have reviewed place value to the thousands place, made place value drawings, practiced our addition skills, and worked with standard, word, & expanded number forms.

Next week, we will be focusing on making more precise & detailed predictions with narrative texts, write about 1st time experiences, explore place value drawings with money, add money values, and use real world examples to connect money & math!


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