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Mrs. O´Neil´s Class
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January 17, 2011 Update from Mrs. O’Neil’s class! Here are some highlights of what to expect for the remainder of the year until March Break.Language Arts ReadingStudents will continue to strengthen their reading skills by reading material at their own level. Students should be reading at home and using their monthly reading log to practice reading strategies. It is important that children not only read and decode the written words, but that they can comprehend what they read. In class, we are continuing our Better Answers strategy when answering “open response” questions. A hamburger icon is used to prompt the students to remember to have 3 parts to their answer: -the top bun restates the question, -the burger adds the details from the text to answer the question -the toppings are the student’s connection to the text -and finally, the closing of the answer refers again to the question. Throughout the school, students are using this strategy to answer questions in all subject areas. Hopefully, you will find that your child is answering your questions at home better too! WritingStudents will be writing reports to inform about a topic. They will use the computer and books to do some research activities. Word study (spelling connections) will continue as a part of their homework. Students are given 2-3 nights to complete the short activities. MathematicsWe are working on 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction. Various strategies have been reviewed to practice mental math strategies (facts). Students are encouraged to practice facts up to 20.We will continue adding and subtracting with larger numbers over the next 2 months. Problem solving is also important to apply these skills. Children will be expected to read and solve multi-step problems. Please continue to review daily math with your child.It is very important that students complete and return nightly homework. If students have difficulty or are unable to complete the assigned work they will be expected to complete it with me during recess time. Science Our current unit is Forces and Movement. We will look at various forces that impact their lives as Pushes and Pulls.DanceMrs. Morris has prepared a creative unit for our students again this year. Her integration of drama and dance always has the students very excited! Their final presentation will be on the morning of Thursday, January 27 at 10:30.
Mrs.O’Neil’s Fall NewsletterAs we have been getting to know each other in the classroom and establishing classroom routines the 4 TRIBES agreements have been reviewed. Ask your child what the agreements mean to them. Attentive listening, Mutual Respect, Appreciation and Participation. Students meet weekly or biweekly to partner with a buddy from Mrs. Chinnick’s SK class. This is a great way to foster social skills and community learning.Reading LogsThe grade 3s did a great job with their Sept. & Oct. Reading logs. Many earned a Scholastic $1 to purchase their own books. November’s log focuses on Making Connections to what they read. Please use the starters with your child at home to encourage this reading strategy. In December, students will be predicting and retelling. These strategies can also be encouraged with nightly reading. MathematicsChapter 3 is data and graphing. We will also cover measurement of length, area and perimeter before the New Year.
WritingWe’ve just finished our writing of personal recounts and will move on to Narratives until the holidays. Narratives use imagination to write creative stories that have characters, setting, a problem and a solution. Students continue to follow the writing process to improve their stories and follow a modeled writing sample.
Social StudiesEarly Settlers will be the focus of the term. Students will learn about life in the 1800s and compare and contrast early communities of pioneers and Aboriginal people with their own life.ScienceWe have completed the plant unit and will look at structures in the New Year. Please continue to check nightly homework and sign planners. I check homework and planners each morning! Students will miss 1 recess if homework is not completed. Word study work and math is sent home on a regular basis. Other work is sent home as needed. Many students still need some assistance to complete homework, but will become more independent as the year continues. Students in Mrs. O’Neil’s grade 3 class will present the Character Trait Assembly on Honesty on Thurs. Oct. 6 @ 2:15 p.m. in the new gym. Parents are welcome to attend the assembly! Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Bus will depart at 11:00 a.m. and arrive back at the school at 3:15 p.m. Students are asked to bring their lunches and dress appropriately for outdoor weather. Cost: $3.00 to assist in the cost of the bus. Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Dear Parents: I would like to welcome your children to Mrs. O’Neil’s grade 3 classroom and let you know a little about how my classroom is organized.The school uses a website http://www.tapsfalcons.com with links to all of our classrooms. I have started to post information in that location, but will also continue with class newsletters at the start of each reporting period. Planners/agendas will be used for daily home and school communication.I hope you will have a chance to view this year’s school agenda with your child. If you have any questions throughout the year, please do not hesitate to write me a note in the agenda/planner. I will try to respond as soon as possible with a phone call, meeting or note as needed. Please check the agenda nightly and sign it so that I know you have done so. I will check homework and planners each morning.I expect nightly reading from all students and will offer many items for the children to borrow. Students will bring home monthly reading logs with attached instructions. Reading logs and books can be stored in the folder provided and will be collected at the end of each month. Mathematics worksheets may be used 2-3 times per week for homework as part of our Nelson Math Program. The lessons will review what has been taught in class that day/week. Please do your best to assist your child as needed. There are often parent tips in the margin for your benefit and there is a link to our Nelson Math program found on my classroom website. Your child should become more independent with the work as they get more familiar with using the textbook in class. If, however, this is ever a problem please do not hesitate to contact me. Other homework will be assigned as needed as suggested by the school’s guidelines.Weekly words will be written in the planner starting next Tuesday. These words will go on our Word Wall and will focus our phonic and word study program for the week. I will be encouraging the students to practice the spelling of these words as they will be expected to be spelled correctly at all times in the classroom.Our first Science unit is Plants and our Early Settlers will be the topic in Social Studies first term. I look forward to an enjoyable year with your child. Sincerely, Mrs. W. O’Neil Meet the teacher barbecue is Thursday, September 15, 2011. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! Book fair will also take place in the library. Word Study work will be sent home on Monday of each week. Please practice the spelling and use of these words nightly. Completed assignments are due on Wednesday. Hi! Welcome to Mrs. O’Neil’s class of 2010-2011. I am excited to get to know each of the children in my room as their grade 3 teacher and I look forward to working with all of the families to make this year a successful one. I will begin to use this site to keep families aware of what is happening in the classroom throughout the year and to post useful information for families regarding our classroom and school community. It is essential that students continue to use their planner for homework and home/school communication and I am requesting that you sign the planner each night as you review the day with your child. Please feel free to contact me at any time during the year about any concerns you may have. A quick note in the planner is still the best way to reach me. I will respond with a note, phone call or meeting as needed as soon as possible. |