Merry Christmas parents,
This will be short since I know you all have a lot to do. Your kids will have 2 more assignments due before Christmas. One of them is the final draft of their Book Review (due Wed.). The other one is a letter to Santa that I have instructed them NOT to show you until it is completed. Their rough draft is due tomorrow. I will check it and then they should be able to get a final draft done by Friday. Everything else will be done in class. If they have Redos to turn in I need them by Friday.
Christmas Party
This Friday @ 2pm
(Also don't forget casual for cause on Friday. Bring $1 to support CCLSU
Science
Please check out our science page to see what we've been up to.
Thank you for all of your help and support this semester. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with your families!
Love,
Miss Besel
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Week of Dec. 9th
Snow in Missouri is a new experience for me and I must say that starting off with a snow day was not what I expected. Hopefully you all got to enjoy some required time inside with your kiddos on Friday. I'm trying to get a little jump start on the week here with an early blog post.
Tomorrow we will catch up from Friday on:
Memory
Spelling
Santa's Workshop
Thanksgiving Projects
The video links for all the projects will be up on the Social Studies page.
Handwriting
My goal is to have all the kids writing their homework in cursive at the start of 3rd quarter. This means that we are skipping a few pages in their books so we can review capital letters. If you have the chance to write things in cursive at home, please do. This might help them panic a bit less when they have to do everything in cursive.
Advent
Service at Concordia at 7pm on Mon. 12/16 (Please have your child seated with me in our class section 5-10 minutes early.)
Book It!!
I sent home the December calendar last week. I had about 10 kids earn their pizza certificate for November. Remember they need to read at least 20 min. a night 5 days out of each week.
Kirk Care
We need to have all the donated items for Kirk Care by this Wed. 12/11. If our campus reaches 1,000 items by Wednesday the kids will earn a casual day for Fri. 12/20.
I'm sure that I am probably missing something in this blog post because it's Christmas time and there is always so much. Don't worry though, I will put things up as soon as I find out about them. In the meantime, enjoy you're last 2 weeks of school and crazy schedules before Christmas gets here.
I've been talking with the kids about how Advent is the time to prepare for Jesus. It sometimes seems that there is so much shopping, cooking, giving, driving, whining, and fussing going on that we can forget to (or sometimes not even have time to) look at Jesus. I am guilty of it too. Fortunately for you and me, your kiddos are great at remembering. After a crazy day at school we always pray. There are days when I am in a rush and tempted to say the Lord's Prayer myself to speed them along. Of course they all HATE when they don't get to pray out loud, so I give in and let us be late. It's in those moments that someone, without fail, prays "Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for all of us," or "Thanks for my teacher and mom and dad," or "Thanks for a good day and please help us have a good night too with our families." These are such simple things for them to be saying and yet I didn't want to take the time to let them say it. So...if you took the time to read all of this, I challenge you to listen, read, talk to, and pray with your kids this Christmas. They will mess up and a lot of times be the cause of all your crazy days. But they will also be the ones that God uses to help you see HIM day in and day out. God's grace and love just pour out of them. This is a reflection of His Christmas gift, a baby sent to love the world, die for it, and then save it. So simple and cute, yet used in such a gigantic way. Taking the time to focus on this part of Christmas is very hard. However, when you get the chance to, it makes that batch of cookies seem so unimportant compared to reading the Christmas story one more time with your kid (even though they know it by heart). Happy Advent!
Tomorrow we will catch up from Friday on:
Memory
Spelling
Santa's Workshop
Thanksgiving Projects
The video links for all the projects will be up on the Social Studies page.
Handwriting
My goal is to have all the kids writing their homework in cursive at the start of 3rd quarter. This means that we are skipping a few pages in their books so we can review capital letters. If you have the chance to write things in cursive at home, please do. This might help them panic a bit less when they have to do everything in cursive.
Advent
Service at Concordia at 7pm on Mon. 12/16 (Please have your child seated with me in our class section 5-10 minutes early.)
Book It!!
I sent home the December calendar last week. I had about 10 kids earn their pizza certificate for November. Remember they need to read at least 20 min. a night 5 days out of each week.
Kirk Care
We need to have all the donated items for Kirk Care by this Wed. 12/11. If our campus reaches 1,000 items by Wednesday the kids will earn a casual day for Fri. 12/20.
I'm sure that I am probably missing something in this blog post because it's Christmas time and there is always so much. Don't worry though, I will put things up as soon as I find out about them. In the meantime, enjoy you're last 2 weeks of school and crazy schedules before Christmas gets here.
I've been talking with the kids about how Advent is the time to prepare for Jesus. It sometimes seems that there is so much shopping, cooking, giving, driving, whining, and fussing going on that we can forget to (or sometimes not even have time to) look at Jesus. I am guilty of it too. Fortunately for you and me, your kiddos are great at remembering. After a crazy day at school we always pray. There are days when I am in a rush and tempted to say the Lord's Prayer myself to speed them along. Of course they all HATE when they don't get to pray out loud, so I give in and let us be late. It's in those moments that someone, without fail, prays "Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for all of us," or "Thanks for my teacher and mom and dad," or "Thanks for a good day and please help us have a good night too with our families." These are such simple things for them to be saying and yet I didn't want to take the time to let them say it. So...if you took the time to read all of this, I challenge you to listen, read, talk to, and pray with your kids this Christmas. They will mess up and a lot of times be the cause of all your crazy days. But they will also be the ones that God uses to help you see HIM day in and day out. God's grace and love just pour out of them. This is a reflection of His Christmas gift, a baby sent to love the world, die for it, and then save it. So simple and cute, yet used in such a gigantic way. Taking the time to focus on this part of Christmas is very hard. However, when you get the chance to, it makes that batch of cookies seem so unimportant compared to reading the Christmas story one more time with your kid (even though they know it by heart). Happy Advent!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Week of Dec. 2nd
Hi Parents,
I apologize that this is so late this week. I don't know how Monday and Tuesday came and went and it's already Wednesday. Only 2.5 weeks left till Christmas...holy cow that was fast! I am trying to keep up with the new things you learn at a school for each season. This is what I know about Christmas so far:
Santa's Workshop
Our class is signed up to go shop on Friday morning (12/6)
I think somehow we missed getting the envelopes for you to send money in so...
If you don't have an official one, just mark clearly on the outside of a plain envelope how much your child should spend on each family member.
Advent Service
The all school Advent service will be Monday 12/16 at 7pm. Please have your child seated in our class section about 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the service. (They have been practicing songs with Mrs. Killian in music class.)
Teacher Bake Sale
There is a bake sale after the Advent Service full of yummy things made by the teachers. The money raised helps the teachers fund their trip to the national LEA conference.
Wednesday Pick-UP
Inside pick up during Advent
Kirk Care
CCLS is participating in Kirk Care again this year. We will be collecting non-perishable food items and personal toiletry items until Wed. 12/11. If our campus collects 1,000 items the kids will get a casual day on Fri. 12/20.
Our class will be in charge of counting the items for the whole school and updating the graph each day.
Raging Readers
Due back to me by this Friday.
I apologize that this is so late this week. I don't know how Monday and Tuesday came and went and it's already Wednesday. Only 2.5 weeks left till Christmas...holy cow that was fast! I am trying to keep up with the new things you learn at a school for each season. This is what I know about Christmas so far:
Santa's Workshop
Our class is signed up to go shop on Friday morning (12/6)
I think somehow we missed getting the envelopes for you to send money in so...
If you don't have an official one, just mark clearly on the outside of a plain envelope how much your child should spend on each family member.
Advent Service
The all school Advent service will be Monday 12/16 at 7pm. Please have your child seated in our class section about 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the service. (They have been practicing songs with Mrs. Killian in music class.)
Teacher Bake Sale
There is a bake sale after the Advent Service full of yummy things made by the teachers. The money raised helps the teachers fund their trip to the national LEA conference.
Wednesday Pick-UP
Inside pick up during Advent
Kirk Care
CCLS is participating in Kirk Care again this year. We will be collecting non-perishable food items and personal toiletry items until Wed. 12/11. If our campus collects 1,000 items the kids will get a casual day on Fri. 12/20.
Our class will be in charge of counting the items for the whole school and updating the graph each day.
Raging Readers
Due back to me by this Friday.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Field Trip Money
I don't have much to update you on right now except for our field trip.
- I will need $12.50 for your child (and yourself if attending) as soon as possible. Make checks out CCLS please.
- We will be leaving at 8:30 am. and return somewhere between 2 and 2:30 pm
- Bring a sack lunch!!!
Interesting Read!!
Hello Parents,
I am constantly finding different articles and things that I think will help me out in the classroom. I have 2 very interesting finds that I thought I'd share with you parents this week.
Stability/Exercise Balls
I have been doing an experiment in our room this last week, and I can't help but be excited about it. The 4th graders have moved to using only stability balls as chairs in the classroom and they love it. The basic idea of the ball is to help give students a way to channel their energy and fidgety bodies into something that is less distracting. They have to constantly be moving a little bit to keep their balance on the ball while they sit. This makes it so they are less tempted to act on those impulses like tapping their pencil, poking a friend, or constantly getting up to get a kleenex (even though they don't need one). The last week that I have tried this with just one ball, I've seen remarkable improvement in attention for the child sitting on the ball. Those kids have even told me themselves that it helps them. Here is my proposal:
Currently I have 1 ball in my room that will rotate each day. I would love to give the kids more of a chance to use this tool. I am willing to buy 2 more myself for the room, but I want to give you a chance to help out as well. If you like this idea and want to donate a ball or 2 to 3rd grade, I will absolutely not turn you down. The balls would be a donation and stay here after the school year is over. The 4th grade teachers already have enough for all of their students, so your kids will still get to use one next year. I'd love to eventually have enough so that all 21 kids can have their own, but we'll see what happens. The balls cost about $10 a piece at Wal-Mart. If you want to just send in $10 I can go pick them up too. Unless we end up with 21 balls, I will just rotate them among the kids each day.
I know that you all are giving an awful lot right now with the Thanksgiving feast coming up, so please don't feel obligated. We are very appreciative of all you have done already!
The following link gives you more information on the research behind this.
Stability Balls in the Classroom
Food for Thought
I also found this video clip/article on food that I thought was very interesting. Enjoy!
Think Food Doesn't Affect Kid's Behavior...???
I am constantly finding different articles and things that I think will help me out in the classroom. I have 2 very interesting finds that I thought I'd share with you parents this week.
Stability/Exercise Balls
I have been doing an experiment in our room this last week, and I can't help but be excited about it. The 4th graders have moved to using only stability balls as chairs in the classroom and they love it. The basic idea of the ball is to help give students a way to channel their energy and fidgety bodies into something that is less distracting. They have to constantly be moving a little bit to keep their balance on the ball while they sit. This makes it so they are less tempted to act on those impulses like tapping their pencil, poking a friend, or constantly getting up to get a kleenex (even though they don't need one). The last week that I have tried this with just one ball, I've seen remarkable improvement in attention for the child sitting on the ball. Those kids have even told me themselves that it helps them. Here is my proposal:
Currently I have 1 ball in my room that will rotate each day. I would love to give the kids more of a chance to use this tool. I am willing to buy 2 more myself for the room, but I want to give you a chance to help out as well. If you like this idea and want to donate a ball or 2 to 3rd grade, I will absolutely not turn you down. The balls would be a donation and stay here after the school year is over. The 4th grade teachers already have enough for all of their students, so your kids will still get to use one next year. I'd love to eventually have enough so that all 21 kids can have their own, but we'll see what happens. The balls cost about $10 a piece at Wal-Mart. If you want to just send in $10 I can go pick them up too. Unless we end up with 21 balls, I will just rotate them among the kids each day.
I know that you all are giving an awful lot right now with the Thanksgiving feast coming up, so please don't feel obligated. We are very appreciative of all you have done already!
The following link gives you more information on the research behind this.
Stability Balls in the Classroom
Food for Thought
I also found this video clip/article on food that I thought was very interesting. Enjoy!
Think Food Doesn't Affect Kid's Behavior...???
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Week of Nov. 11th
Field Trip
I still have one spot for a parent to join us on the field trip to the Daniel Boone House. We will be leaving at 8:30 am and be back at school by 2:30 pm. Let me know if you would like to join us!
Thanksgiving Feast
Kati Connell and PJ Lowry have graciously agreed to help us organize the 3rd Grade Feast. We will be needing quite a bit of help, so please take a minute to sign up. We will need food, donations, and actual people to come in and help make the pies. Also, please remember to RSVP if you are able to come and eat with us on Tuesday 11/26. Thank you so much for all the help you have already given our class!
Thanksgiving Unit
Mr. Fishburn and I have decided to mix our classes together for the next 10 days and do a Thanksgiving unit. The basic idea of the unit goes like this:
1. The kids will be mixed together and put into groups based on their choice of project. Each project is different and covers a different aspect of Thanksgiving.
2. Half of the days will be spent in groups researching and completing their project.
3. The other half of the days will be spent in homerooms doing things as a whole class with Thanksgiving themed Reading, Math, and Religion.
4. The kids will be presenting their projects to the parents using various types of technology at the Feast on Tuesday.
There will not be very much outside homework that is given this next week due to the nature of the projects.
Other Items
I still have one spot for a parent to join us on the field trip to the Daniel Boone House. We will be leaving at 8:30 am and be back at school by 2:30 pm. Let me know if you would like to join us!
Thanksgiving Feast
Kati Connell and PJ Lowry have graciously agreed to help us organize the 3rd Grade Feast. We will be needing quite a bit of help, so please take a minute to sign up. We will need food, donations, and actual people to come in and help make the pies. Also, please remember to RSVP if you are able to come and eat with us on Tuesday 11/26. Thank you so much for all the help you have already given our class!
Thanksgiving Unit
Mr. Fishburn and I have decided to mix our classes together for the next 10 days and do a Thanksgiving unit. The basic idea of the unit goes like this:
1. The kids will be mixed together and put into groups based on their choice of project. Each project is different and covers a different aspect of Thanksgiving.
2. Half of the days will be spent in groups researching and completing their project.
3. The other half of the days will be spent in homerooms doing things as a whole class with Thanksgiving themed Reading, Math, and Religion.
4. The kids will be presenting their projects to the parents using various types of technology at the Feast on Tuesday.
There will not be very much outside homework that is given this next week due to the nature of the projects.
Other Items
- Operation Christmas Child - Shoeboxes need to be brought in by Wed. Nov. 20th. (info sent home today)
- FIELD TRIP!!! - Monday Feb. 3rd to the Missouri History Museum to learn about slavery and the 1904 World's Fair/Olympics. 9am - 11:30 am (no limited chaperone spots)
- No School - Wed. 11/27 - Fri. 11/29
Monday, November 4, 2013
Week of Nov. 4th
Happy Book Fair Week! Here's all that you need to know about the Book Fair:
Book Fair Dates:
· Monday, 11/4 thru Thursday, 11/7
· Wednesday: “Breakfast with a Buddy” at 7:30am – Students are encouraged to invite a relative or special friend!
· Thursday: “Family Enrichment Night” at 5:30pm – Fair will be open!
· Online Book Fair runs through 11/8.
All of the teachers have filled a bucket of books they can use for their classrooms. If you would like to donate a book to our room check out my bucket!
Family Enrichment Night
You should have received an email about Family Enrichment Night. There will be things for kids and adults as well as catering by Bogearts. Make sure to RSVP!
Book IT!!
I am starting Book It with the kids this week. The November calendar went home tonight. Here are my requirements for getting a pizza certificate:
Read at least 20 minutes for 5 nights a week. (They cannot count DEAR time, it must be done AT HOME)
Return the calendar to me at the end of the month signed by a parent to receive the certificate.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Animal Fairy Tale Rubric
Here is the link to the rubric for their Animal Fairy Tale.
Please remember to let them do the writing on their rough drafts. It is helpful for them to go through the writing process and not have a perfect piece on the first try. I will be conferencing with them about their stories on Thursday and Friday. After our one on one conference, more help can be given with a final draft to check spelling, grammar, etc. Thanks for all your help!
Animal Fairy Tale Rubric
Please remember to let them do the writing on their rough drafts. It is helpful for them to go through the writing process and not have a perfect piece on the first try. I will be conferencing with them about their stories on Thursday and Friday. After our one on one conference, more help can be given with a final draft to check spelling, grammar, etc. Thanks for all your help!
Animal Fairy Tale Rubric
Week of Oct. 28th
Welcome back to school! I hope you had a great week off. I know we all appreciate breaks, but I am actually so excited to get this week started. Here's all the fun stuff we will be starting this week:
Spelling
The kids informed me that they really loved being able to pick their spelling words last time. My goal is to make things meaningful and enjoyable at school so they retain the information. From now on, we will be picking our spelling words on Mondays. There will always be separate lists that I check before they are set in stone. We will have a few simpler words that the book provides to work on phonics skills, but your kids seem to grasp this pretty well. I will also be adding a couple bonus words that we use for vocabulary each week. The spelling lists will be put up on Mondays after our Reading class from now on.
Reading/Writing
This week we are discussing wolves. We will look at fictional and non-fictional readings about wolves. The kids will need to write a fairy tale with a wolf/wolves as the main characters. The other characters in the story must be only animals. Their rough draft will be due on Wednesday. I would like their final drafts by next Monday. More specifics on Fairy Tales/rubrics will be sent home in their folders.
Science
We are doing science during 2nd quarter and our first unit will be on weather. Your kids are going to be taking what they learn in this unit to create and present a weather forecast. This will take the place of a formal test. Most of this work will be done in school and it will take us 2-3 weeks to complete. I will send home more information as needed. This project idea was inspired by this funny video clip that I stumbled upon. Here it is if you'd like something fun to watch!
9 year old weather forecaster
Thanks all of you for coming to our conferences! You have no idea how much that meant to them that you were there.
Spelling
The kids informed me that they really loved being able to pick their spelling words last time. My goal is to make things meaningful and enjoyable at school so they retain the information. From now on, we will be picking our spelling words on Mondays. There will always be separate lists that I check before they are set in stone. We will have a few simpler words that the book provides to work on phonics skills, but your kids seem to grasp this pretty well. I will also be adding a couple bonus words that we use for vocabulary each week. The spelling lists will be put up on Mondays after our Reading class from now on.
Reading/Writing
This week we are discussing wolves. We will look at fictional and non-fictional readings about wolves. The kids will need to write a fairy tale with a wolf/wolves as the main characters. The other characters in the story must be only animals. Their rough draft will be due on Wednesday. I would like their final drafts by next Monday. More specifics on Fairy Tales/rubrics will be sent home in their folders.
Science
We are doing science during 2nd quarter and our first unit will be on weather. Your kids are going to be taking what they learn in this unit to create and present a weather forecast. This will take the place of a formal test. Most of this work will be done in school and it will take us 2-3 weeks to complete. I will send home more information as needed. This project idea was inspired by this funny video clip that I stumbled upon. Here it is if you'd like something fun to watch!
9 year old weather forecaster
Thanks all of you for coming to our conferences! You have no idea how much that meant to them that you were there.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Week of Oct. 14th
We all made it to the end of 1st quarter still alive and kicking. I want to thank all of you for being so patient and helpful while I figure out how things work at a new school. I have had some questions about field trips and other things that we will be doing this year. I know you are all curious and I just want to let you know that they will be happening. Mr. Fishburn and I are talking about ideas and will let you know when dates are actually set in stone.
Parent Volunteers
In all of my busyness this 1st quarter I had forgotten about having parents volunteer for things. I know that sounds silly, but it just wasn't something that even crossed my mind until last week. I will be sending out some emails to people asking for more help this quarter. Most of you filled out my form at home visits, but if there is something you would really like to do feel free to let me know.
Conferences
The time slot preference sheet is in all of their folders tonight. Please take a look at it and get it back to me by Wed. morning. You can email me your preference to if your child doesn't happen to get the sheet to you on time.
Homework
This week's homework will be very light so that we can spend quality time getting ready for your conference!
Calendar Reminders
Parent Volunteers
In all of my busyness this 1st quarter I had forgotten about having parents volunteer for things. I know that sounds silly, but it just wasn't something that even crossed my mind until last week. I will be sending out some emails to people asking for more help this quarter. Most of you filled out my form at home visits, but if there is something you would really like to do feel free to let me know.
Conferences
The time slot preference sheet is in all of their folders tonight. Please take a look at it and get it back to me by Wed. morning. You can email me your preference to if your child doesn't happen to get the sheet to you on time.
Homework
This week's homework will be very light so that we can spend quality time getting ready for your conference!
Calendar Reminders
- Fall Party - Fri 10/18 @ 2pm
- 12:00pm dismissal on Tuesday 10/22
- Student Led Conferences - Tuesday 10/22 and Wednesday 10/23
- No School Wed. 10/23 - Fri. 10/25
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Week of Oct. 7th
It finally feels like fall, and your kids informed me that they love it. If you haven't noticed, they are quite funny. I'm not sure what it was today, but they were just being sarcastically witty at all the right times, and it was great. They have already grown up since the beginning of the year. I hope that you are taking the time to listen to what they say. They'll most likely impress you and make you laugh at the same time. Here's what we've been up to lately:
Reading
We started a new unit in Reading with the theme of "Investigations". This week our story is an old Zuni folk tale. We will be spending 2 weeks on this story so that we can investigate a little more about the Pueblo culture. We will also be working on writing persuasive paragraphs. A lot of this will be done in class, but next week there will be a final draft due.
Religion
This week our lessons talk all about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. This covers everything from Baptism and forgiveness to how our faith grows and spreads to others.
Social Studies
Our class has been investigating the differences between rural and urban life.
Things to Remember
Reading
We started a new unit in Reading with the theme of "Investigations". This week our story is an old Zuni folk tale. We will be spending 2 weeks on this story so that we can investigate a little more about the Pueblo culture. We will also be working on writing persuasive paragraphs. A lot of this will be done in class, but next week there will be a final draft due.
Religion
This week our lessons talk all about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. This covers everything from Baptism and forgiveness to how our faith grows and spreads to others.
Social Studies
Our class has been investigating the differences between rural and urban life.
Things to Remember
- Service Project Form - Due Friday 10/11 (I sent home an extra copy today)
- Church and Sunday School attendance - Due Friday 10/11 (Check your email)
- Fall Party - Fri. Oct. 18th @ 2pm
- Student Led Conferences - Oct. 22nd and 23rd (more information coming soon)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Reading Project
I just wanted to give all you parents a little heads up for the project we will be starting on Friday. The reading test, will not be given as a test this week, it will be a take home project that we start in class on Friday and will be due Mon. 9/30. We have been working up to it all week, and it should be pretty self - explanatory once they bring it home. The kids will get a paper full of boxes that they need to fill in with certain things. I am attaching the instructions that will be sent home. That way you can see exactly what is expected and have time to plan for it over your weekend. Depending on how quickly your child works and how well they understand the story/directions, it shouldn't be too time consuming. Blocking out a couple chunks of time might be helpful to them though so they don't feel too rushed. Thanks!
Penguin Chick Rubric
Penguin Chick Rubric
Monday, September 23, 2013
Week of September 23rd
First of all, I should let you all know how many compliments I have gotten about your kids this week. In chapel, they all sat so well and participated that 2 other teachers came and interrupted my lesson to tell them how awesome they acted. They have been so good and are working so well together. That's so exciting to me because it means we can do some really fun stuff in class as groups. This week I'm hoping to get links and pictures up on the Reading and Social Studies pages to show you their hard work.
Here's what we are doing this week:
Math
Money: Each team created their own store and was in charge of the money. They had to hand out receipts, total up the amount their store earned, and show what coins to use to make different amounts of money.
Suggestion: While at the store, have your kids help you count out the correct coins to give to the store clerk.
Fractions: We will start looking at fractions, adding them up, and using fraction bars.
Reading
Last week your kids did an investigative project in class. Please see the Reading page of the blog to find out more.
Social Studies
I will have pictures of the posters they created on the Social Studies page in a couple days.
The next couple of weeks we will be learning about urban and rural communities. They will be doing a collaborative project with another class from a rural area to show what they learn. This means lots of technology! They don't know where the other class is yet, so it will be a surprise.
Science
I am planning on doing Social Studies during 1st quarter and then Science during 2nd quarter. Some of the things we learn/read about in Language and Reading overlap though. In order to fully cover topics I thought this would be the smartest way to go with the amount of class time that we have.
Hope you all have a great week!
Miss Besel
Here's what we are doing this week:
Math
Money: Each team created their own store and was in charge of the money. They had to hand out receipts, total up the amount their store earned, and show what coins to use to make different amounts of money.
Suggestion: While at the store, have your kids help you count out the correct coins to give to the store clerk.
Fractions: We will start looking at fractions, adding them up, and using fraction bars.
Reading
Last week your kids did an investigative project in class. Please see the Reading page of the blog to find out more.
Social Studies
I will have pictures of the posters they created on the Social Studies page in a couple days.
The next couple of weeks we will be learning about urban and rural communities. They will be doing a collaborative project with another class from a rural area to show what they learn. This means lots of technology! They don't know where the other class is yet, so it will be a surprise.
Science
I am planning on doing Social Studies during 1st quarter and then Science during 2nd quarter. Some of the things we learn/read about in Language and Reading overlap though. In order to fully cover topics I thought this would be the smartest way to go with the amount of class time that we have.
Hope you all have a great week!
Miss Besel
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Week of September 9th
In case most of you didn't know already, it is officially Fall in my head (even if the calendar...or weather don't agree yet). Football is on every weekend! The mornings are crisp, leaves are turning, and the days are getting shorter. I just love this time of year, especially now that school is in full swing. Our class has become a class instead of just a group of kids. We've read stories, written stories, played some math games, done art projects, used the chrome books and prayed A LOT together. They can actually use their Bibles on their own now, and sometimes I catch someone reading it during DEAR time. All of these things have been so fun for me to see in your kids. So this week we are going to keep plugging away at learning even more. Here's the basic run down:
Language Arts
Reading: We are still on the story "Dear Juno" in Reading. We will be adding some other stories to it, especially ones that talk about writing letters and communicating.
Writing: This week we will actually write our first letters to our 3rd grade pen pals. The rough draft will be due on Wed. Thursday and Friday I will individually conference with each of them and their Final Draft will be due next Mon. 9/16/. If you have a picture to send in their letter that would be great! Please bring it in or email it to me by Thursday.
Memory Work and Spelling: Listed on the Spelling and Memory Tabs of the blog.
Math: Monday and Tuesday will be lighter because we are having a test. This is mostly review so they should be fine.
Handwriting: Starting cursive this week!!
Picture Day is Tomorrow They should wear their school uniforms and bring back their picture packets.
Picture Day is Tomorrow They should wear their school uniforms and bring back their picture packets.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Week of September 3rd
Happy short week! I'm hoping you all had a great Labor Day weekend. Of course it never feels quite long enough and there will always be things that need to get done. This week we are talking about "Keeping In Touch". Our story is about a boy who writes letters back and forth with his grandmother. We will be starting to learn how to write a letter next week. This week there will not be a writing assignment that needs to be checked at home. It would be a great idea to explore different types of communication with friends or family that live far away. This can also add to our Social Studies by learning about different communities. If you have old letters around your house, photographs of people that live far away, postcards, etc. please show them to your kids. They are welcome to bring them in to add to our discussion! Have a great week!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Week of August 23rd
Hello 3rd grade families,
I hope you all had a good time at the carnival. Thanks to everyone that helped and came out to support CCLS in the hot weather. Speaking of the hot weather, please send your child to school with a water bottle that has a good lid. I know some already have this, but they are getting extra thirsty in the heat. This week we are really getting into our reading book with spelling, vocab, grammar, and stories. Our theme for the week is "New Beginnings". Here's what to expect:
Vocabulary
They will be given vocab cards to fill in with words from the story. They should use the glossary in their book to find definitions. Each card is worth 5 points, so make sure they do them all by Wed. You can find a copy to the link for more cards under the Reading page. Here's the list:
(from pg. 12 in book)
1. downstairs 2. nervous 3. fumbled 4. chuckled 5. nonsense 6. trudged
Memory Work
We will work on the books of the Bible quite a bit this week, especially how to pronounce them. Here's some ideas to help at home:
1. Write each one on an index card and make them put them in order while saying the name.
2. Time them to see how fast they can say the list.
3. Give them a book to find in the Bible without using the Table of Contents
4. Make a funny acronym out of the names.
5. Put the names to a song (link on Memory Work page)
Have a great week!
I hope you all had a good time at the carnival. Thanks to everyone that helped and came out to support CCLS in the hot weather. Speaking of the hot weather, please send your child to school with a water bottle that has a good lid. I know some already have this, but they are getting extra thirsty in the heat. This week we are really getting into our reading book with spelling, vocab, grammar, and stories. Our theme for the week is "New Beginnings". Here's what to expect:
Vocabulary
They will be given vocab cards to fill in with words from the story. They should use the glossary in their book to find definitions. Each card is worth 5 points, so make sure they do them all by Wed. You can find a copy to the link for more cards under the Reading page. Here's the list:
(from pg. 12 in book)
1. downstairs 2. nervous 3. fumbled 4. chuckled 5. nonsense 6. trudged
Memory Work
We will work on the books of the Bible quite a bit this week, especially how to pronounce them. Here's some ideas to help at home:
1. Write each one on an index card and make them put them in order while saying the name.
2. Time them to see how fast they can say the list.
3. Give them a book to find in the Bible without using the Table of Contents
4. Make a funny acronym out of the names.
5. Put the names to a song (link on Memory Work page)
Have a great week!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Let's Begin
Hello to all my 3rd grade friends! This summer I have done so much that is brand new to me, including writing a blog. While this is probably not as hard as it seems while I'm writing this, right now I am still learning how it works. You should be able to look at throughout the year to find out all you need to know. I will post spelling words, memory work, upcoming projects, newsletters, field trips, helpful links, and any other fun things that come to mind. Please take a little time to look through what is up already and get familiar with the layout. Hopefully you'll be able to see everything and all my links actually work. If they don't, let me know and I'll try to fix it.
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