This week in Language Arts...                               last updated 05.20.09
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05.20.09 **SOL WEEK!!**

05.11.09 **Final days until SOLs!!**

This week we will begin our first story in our new GREEN LA books.  Our selection will be "Ananse's Feast," and the skill will be, Theme: what's the main idea in the story?  There will be spelling homework every night with a spelling test on Friday.  The vocab quiz will take place on Thursday, and the selection test will possibly be given on Friday.  Remember: your child MAY take home his green book, IF he remembers to bring it back to take the test on Friday! 

Progress Reports will go home on Friday.  Please review with your child and sign/return the envelope only; the report is yours to keep.

SOLs will take place next week.  Stay tuned to this Weebly and your email for further important reminders and updates regarding this important assessment.  Don't hesitate to contact me or Mrs. Lewis with any/all SOL related questions you may have- we are here for you!

PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD IS STUDYING FOR THE SOLS EVERY NIGHT FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES.  He should be very familiar with EVERYTHING in his binder at this point; last week we removed any unnecessary items, so anything left in any section should be used to study.  If your child has no papers in his binder, encourage him to bring home his textbooks every night, and/or to study the SOL links on our Weeblies.

05.03.09

This week we will finish up the activities for "Your Dad was Just Like You."  There will be NO spelling work this week; instead, we will have skills homework each night.  There are no tests in L.A. this week! :)

...Except for the Unit 3 test- but there is no studying for that one.

Nine (school) days until the SOLs!!  Your child should be reviewing at LEAST five minutes every night something from his SOL section or on the Weebly.  Remember, the best online resource we have for ALL subjects on the SOLs is the Jefferson Labs link. 

Another great resource for your child is his blue Language Arts book.  The back section, pages 406-409, lists the reading skills he has learned since September.  All of these skills will be on the SOL!!  Your child MUST be familiar with and understand all of these skills.  If he does not, check his SOL section for any worksheets with the same name as the skill. 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact either me or Mrs. Lewis should you have any questions about the SOL.  We are here to ensure your child feels confident and prepared. 

Graded Papers Set #10 WILL go home in Tuesday's buddy folder.  We wanted to make sure we had plenty of papers to send home this time!

04.27.09

This week we will begin a new story, "Your Dad was Just Like You."  There is spelling homework each night this week, and there will be a spelling test on Friday.

Please return all picture packages, bought or not, ASAP. Thank you!

04.21.09

Welcome back!!

With the beginning of the fourth and final quarter of third grade, the countdown to SOLs has begun- less than one month to go now!!  Your child has written in his planner a reminder to study/review any/all SOL pages in his SOL section of the binder every night.  This only takes between 5-10 minutes, and should be done until SOLs!  The more he reviews, the more comfortable with the information he can become; this will also help build much needed confidence before the "big week."

We will continue to use PGSS in our flex groups this week.  Some student groups have begun their second PGSS packet; we have a total of four to complete before SOLs.  These can definitely be reviewed at home with you as they are completed in class.  However, these should NOT be done at home- they are classwork only!

There will be homework each night this week, although we will only have our vocabulary quiz on Thursday and our selection/reading test on Friday, as we have already completed the spelling test prior to spring break.  Therefore, no spelling words this week!

Please feel free to email either me or Mrs. Lewis regarding any questions, concerns, review ideas, or strategies regarding the upcoming SOLs.  :) 

04.06.09

THIS WEEK IS A FOUR DAY WEEK- WOOHOO!  :D 

There is no school for students on Friday, April 10, and Spring Break continues all next week.  Have fun!

This week in Language Arts we will move on to a new story, "Brave as a Mountain Lion."  There will be spelling homework each night and only a spelling test on THURSDAY.  We will finish the activities for this selection when we return from Spring Break.

GRADED PAPERS Set #9 will go home on Tuesday in the Buddy Folders.  Please review, sign, and return by Thursday.

SOLs are only a little over a month away.  Students have been encouraged in class to begin studying NOW for the SOLs.  How?  Review the SOL section or anything left in the LA section for only 5-10 minutes after doing nightly homework.  That adds up to about one hour of studying each week, not including any weekend studying, which in turn adds up to about five hours of studying before SOLs!!  "Cramming" or waiting to study the week before SOLs will NOT help at all, and only adds more stress to the student.  By studying a little bit each night, it not only helps the facts "stick" better or make more sense, but it also builds up the student's confidence, thereby decreasing his stress level come test time. 

Another fun idea to make studying less of a chore is to have small study groups on the weekend.  Playing classroom or "teacher" is a great way for your student to reinforce what s/he's learned in class.  Even reading old worksheets aloud or describing them to the family pet will help.  Most worksheets have an at-home activity that is meant to be fun and still reinforce the concept... try some of those.  Don't forget to use my SOL page here on the Weebly- LOTS of great games and resources here as well.  Who says studying has to be boring?  Not me!! :) 

Feel free to email me or Mrs. Lewis with ANY questions or concerns you may have about your child and the SOLs.  We're here to help!!

03.30.09

This week we continue to work on activities and skills for "Mom's Best Friend," including writing the Test Prep.  Please do NOT complete this with your child, even if it comes home in his book.  We will work on it in class together.

In Flex Groups last week we learned in small groups about PGSS.  This week we will take a break from PGSS to go over the results of our last bubble sheet test- our last one until the BIG ONE- the SOLs!

How are your child's supplies?  We are constantly in need of pencils and eraser toppers, but does your child also need color checks or composition notebooks?  How about crayons or colored pencils?  Time to check! :)

03.23.09

Can you believe March is nearly over?? Wow! 

Since we finished our activities for "Tops and Bottoms" last week and completed the bubble sheet test, we will move on to "Mom's Best Friend."  There will be spelling HW every night, with a spelling and selection test on Friday.  The vocabulary quiz will be Thursday.  Our skill for the week will be Text Structure, how a story is set up (chapters, headings, chronological, etc).

PGSS
Late last week both classes began using PGSS, an awesome SOL strategy developed by two of our own VBCPS teachers at Lynnhaven ES!  PGSS stands for Predict, Genre, Split (my edit), Summarize.  KES has been using this strategy for the past two or three years with great success.  When used properly  and after a great deal of practice, students have been observed to score higher on bubble sheet tests AND the SOL than students whom did not use it, or whom did not use it properly.  Ask your child to tell you about this "new," messy, and fun method to enhance reading comprehension!!  :)  Please do NOT take out any papers in your child's binder for the remainder of the year in his/her SOL section.  Two months to go until SOLs!!

Library checkout will once again resume on Monday.  Phew! It's time for new books. 

03.16.09

This week we will continue to work on "Tops and Bottoms."  We will write the Test Prep, finish our bubble sheet test, and work on the skills and grammar as well.

There will be LA homework every night.  Please check your child's planner nightly to ensure s/he is writing in it each day.  Don't forget about using SpellingCity.com for extra spelling practice!  It can be used for words your child should know how to spell by now, including past spelling word lists and homophones.  Go to the links page to find all third grade spelling words up through "Tops and Bottoms." 

GRADED PAPERS SET #8 will go home Tuesday in the Buddy Folders.  As always, please review with your child, sign and return the papers on Wednesday or ASAP.  Thank you!

03.06.09

This week in Language Arts we will be moving on to a new story, "Tops and Bottoms." There will be spelling homework every night, a vocab quiz on Thursday, and a selection and spelling test on Friday.  There will also be a "bubble sheet" ARS test. 

PROGRESS REPORTS go home on Monday.  Please review, sign and return the envelope only.

We will be viewing the new book fair on Thursday and buying on Wednesday the 18th.

FYI: A great parent workshop coming soon-
and it's FREE!! :)

101 Ways to Stay Connected to Your Child:
A Guide to Positive Discipline 

Mark your calendars! A FREE Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ Parent Connection workshop will take place on Thursday, March 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.at the ODU/NSU Higher Education Center (1881 Concert Drive.) The event is open to all parents and families in Virginia Beach.  

ODU’s professor of early childhood education, Dr. Katharine Kersey, will discuss the 101 positive discipline practicesthat parents, caregivers and teachers can use to build and maintain respectful, loving and caring relationships with children.  

Dr. Katharine Kersey is one of Hampton Roads’ foremost experts on early childhood development and education. She has authored three books and appeared on numerous local and national television programs including Oprah!

Call 263.1936 to reserve your seat!
spread the word!!

02.23.09

We will go on to our new selection to answer the question, "What do authors do?"  We will also learn about the difference between action and linking verbs (ask to see the hand motions!) as well as the importance of following the steps in a process.

There will be a spelling test and a selection test on Friday.  This new spelling list would be a great pick to practice using SpellingCity.com!!  ;)  There will be homework every night, please continue to check your child's planner daily.

02.16.09

This week we will NOT be moving on to a new story.  There will be homework most nights, so please check your child's planner every night. 

We will be doing mostly flex group work, reviewing our Unit 2 tests as well as learning a new spelling activity called Spelling City.  Please see my Links/Games page for more info on this awesome resource!

02.09.09

*Valentines info will be sent home in the Buddy Folders on Tuesday. :)

This week in Language Arts we will finish up activities for "Nights of the Pufflings."  There will NOT be a spelling or selection test this Friday, but there WILL be SOL homework each night.  Please check your child's planner for daily assignments.

Monday we will begin writing our first test prep of the third quarter. The test prep question is always based on the current selection/story, and can be found at the end of the story after the "about the author" section.  The answer will always come from the story.

Monday we will also begin our Unit 2 test.  We will more than likely finish on Wednesday.  We may also begin DRA testing for some students.

Welcome to the Third Quarter!!
02.02.09

Reading Night last Thursday was a huge success.  It was noisy/rhythic, informational, and a lot of fun! :)

Report cards go home Friday, February 6th for the 2nd Quarter.  Please review with your child, keep the report card itself, and sign and return the envelope by Friday.  Thank you!

Graded Papers Set #6 will go home Tuesday in the Buddy Folders.  Please review with your child, sign and return the entire packet ASAP.

The Graded Papers from the first semester (1st and 2nd Quarters) will go home in a bag for you to KEEP.  You do not have to return these.  Please do, however, return just SET #6 so your child can get paid in classroom cash.

This week we will move on to "Pufflings."  We will have spelling homework every night, as well as a spelling test and selection test Friday.  Remember: your child may take home his blue Language Arts book as often as you wish; just please return it to school every morning for use in class.  Check your child's planner for homework assignments and reminders.

Housekeeping note
Now that we are halfway through the school year, it is time to replenish all student supplies.  All children need a fresh supply of wooden pencils and at least three color checks (highlighters, colored pencils, or crayons- NO MARKERS).  Ask your child if he needs some binder paper or a composition notebook.  We will begin using composition notebooks on a weekly basis in class and all students must have one.  How is the condition of your child's binder?  Is it time to replace it?  Make sure there are five dividers in his binder as well:  Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and SOL Review.  Please DO NOT remove papers from the binder!! We do that on a regular basis in class.  There are some papers children will keep until SOLs have passed.  Feel free to email us if you feel you must tidy things up and we will be happy to let you know what your child needs to keep.

Classroom Store- Jimerson
I'm not sure how Mrs. Lewis' classroom cash store is going, but the Jimerson store is running out of items to sell to the children.  Small items may purchased in large quantities at the Dollar Tree, and home donations of gently used items that are age appropriate are always appreciated.  Chapter books have also been a recently popular item, as have Dollar Tree fun erasers.  Pencils, color checks, and individually wrapped candies (purchased at Sam's Club or Wal-Mart) are hot items as well.  The children and I thank you for your continued support!! :)

~SNOW DAY MAKE-UP DAY SCHEDULED~ :(

From the office of the Superintendent:

"As noted on the adopted 2008-2009 school year calendar: “Should school be cancelled due to inclement weather, make-up days will be at the discretion of the Superintendent. Potential make-up days may include single day holidays and staff work days.” With this in mind, Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16 will be used as a make-up dayfor the cancellation of schools and offices this past Tuesday.

On Monday, February 16, all schools and offices will be open for students and staff.  This make-up day will be classified as an A day for high school students. For your convenience, the school calendars (standard and year-round) posted on the school division’s Web site –  vbschools.com – are updated to reflect this change."

How to Make Giant Snowflakes!

Want something fun and crafty to do over break?  How about making some of these!!  Thanks to Hailey H.'s mom for submitting this great idea.  You can also see it in today's edition of the VA Pilot!!

Click here to watch the how-to video!

Look what we did with Mrs. Jernigan- PODCASTS!!

Mrs. Jernigan meets with a group of students once a week, every week.  The students just finished reading "The Green Book," and even kept their own journal entries, just like in the book.  Mrs. Jernigan had the students then summarize one of the chapters and tell us about it via podcasts.  Check them out below!!

the_green_book_jimerson.mp3
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the_green_book_lewis.mp3
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11.07.08 ~ Finding That "Just Right" Book

Use these strategies to help match your child to a great read!

•Give lots of choices. There are so many types of books out there—try exposing your child to as many
of them as you can, from fairy tales to mysteries to nonfiction books about gorillas. Cookbooks,
magazines, and poetry are also great options. You never know which type of book will turn your child
into a lifelong reader!

•Be supportive of your child’s passions. You might not love comic books or thick readers on dinosaurs,
but your child might. And kids are much more likely to become lifelong readers if you let them follow
their interests. Even potty humor can help open the door to a love of reading.

•Know the 5-finger rule. Have your child open up a potential book to a random page. Each time
s/he comes to a word s/he doesn’t know, ask her to hold up one finger. If your child is holding up 0 or 1
fingers, the book may be too easy. If s/he’s holding up 4 or 5 fingers by the end of the page, the book
may be too difficult for now, while 2 or 3 fingers signify a “just right” book.

•Read together!  Research shows that reading together as a family makes a big difference in students’ skills and interest level. Ask your child lots of questions as you read. If it seems like he isn’t understanding
what’s going on or isn’t interested in the story, feel free to put down the book and move on!