Dear Parents,
I am so thrilled to be your child's teacher this year and look forward to guiding your child through many rewarding learning adventures.
I am also so happy to be working with Mrs. Wilson again this year. She will be your child's energetic and dedicated French teacher. Mrs. Wilson look forward to planning many English/French activities together and supporting your child in their understanding, particularly of social science concepts.
This week we are very busy establishing routines and expectations, and reviewing common prerequisite skills in math and language. Speaking of the latter subjects, we will begin our school year focusing on recount and descriptive writing strategies,fix-up and repairing comprehension techniques in reading, and place value and building, comparing and deconstructing numbers.
Few Mentions:
1. All basic school supplies will be provided to you child. Should you feel inclined, a box of tissues, or plastic spoons or forks would be greatly appreciated.
2. Agendas: Students will write their homework and important information in their agendas. I will check and sign each day, Therefore, please feel free to write to me or request a call through the use of the agenda.
3. Scholastic Book Orders: These will go home each month starting next week. Participation is optional. If you wish to place an order, kindly write a cheque to Scholastic Canada Ltd. or you may pay on line (information to follow).
4. Homework:
This week the homework is actually for parents (sorry). I am sending home a short questionnaire about your child.
Homework will be discussed during Program Night, (September 12th 6 pm).The Grade 3, 3/4 learning team firmly believes that evenings are about family time. We encourage reading together each evening and when homework is to be assigned, it is our intention that it is meaningful and scheduled effectively. This is to provide the extra time that best accommodates your personal schedules and allows for each day to begin with well-rested and happy children.
5. Learning Opportunities Outside the Classroom:
(i) Stonehaven Manor visits every three weeks will commence again this year. The start dates will begin with Ms. Dougan's class on September 21st at 9:30 . This opportunity will be both for the Grade Threes and the Three/Four class. Every three weeks we will dress appropriately and walk over and back. Duration of each visit is less than one hour. Parent or grandparent volunteers to walk with us would be greatly appreciated.
(ii) Swim to Survive Program for the Grade Threes is also a go. Our dates and times are soon to be determined. Parent volunteers for the Gr. 3 Ministry sponsored program is needed, particularly a dad to assist with supervision in the change rooms. If you can volunteer for any of these dates, please let me know. Much thanks.
6. Star of the Week- As part of our Family Life and definitely my class philosophy, I would like to provide your child the extra opportunity to share information about themselves through a presentation of photos, mementos, drawings, etc. Each week starting the fourth week of September, one student will be randomly chosen to present to their classmates. The format of this presentation can be informally sharing photos and mementos brought to school that week. Students may also copy photos, etc. on a memory stick or copy them and create a Google Slide Presentation through their student account.
Student presentations will take place on Fridays each week starting the last Friday of the month (Student names randomly drawn). After the presentation, classmates will create a booklet acknowledging the many ways "Our Star Shines".
This has created great excitement in the past and has been successful as children were given the opportunity to decline if they know they are going to be away or have a busy week with extra curricular activities.
I will talk more about it on Program Night and am definitely open to the idea of choosing names ahead of time for the duration of the year if you prefer. I will also be the first "Star" as it gives students a chance to get to know me better and models a risk-free example that they can follow during their sharing time.
I have participated in this activity for most of my teaching years and regardless of grade, it has always been such a hit with my students!!!
To be environmentally conscientious, I will post agenda and classroom happenings on this blog and from my twitter account. Information is updated at least on a weekly basis.