Last week we began a new SPELLING routine with our Words Their Way spelling program. From what I gathered in class, most students did well with the new weekly routines of sorts, blind sorts and word hunts. Word hunts are the most important part of this routine as they help with the applied spelling of the pattern we see on a daily basis, both in our reading and writing. I will be sending out emails to parents whose students may not have completed the weekly spelling assignments completely or correctly.
Raz Kids will continue to be a weekly assignment at home, with the expectation that each student should try to read at least one book and answer the questions that go along with the story read. I will add time into my weekly plans for additional time on the site at school for those who are not able to login at home.
Additionally in READING, students will be given a Scholastic Reading Skills Test Packet each week to be completed by Friday. We will go over each question and the answers in class on Fridays. It is VERY important that students come to school on Friday with the completed packet so that we can all learn from our mistakes while we are correcting it together in class. Every year students learn a great deal from the mistakes that they are making as well as the common mistakes that other students often make. Understanding WHY the mistakes happen is an important part of TEST TAKING skills and strategies.
If your child does not have the packet, or loses/misplaces it, you can find and print another copy by going to the homework page on this website and clicking on the Reading Test words that are linked to the file.
Finally, Multiplication is upon us! Students should be practicing and memorizing their facts each week. Timed tests will take place twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. Students are encouraged to continue to review ALL facts that have previously been tested. Once your student has successfully passed all timed tests they will then be given a mixed review of all facts. Finally, when students have successfully completed a timed test on the mixed review, they will move onto a Division timed mixed review. Timed tests will continue until the end of the year in order to become fluent and recall our facts quickly!
Along with IXL there are many sites , and APPS, to go on to help students reinforce math fact fluency in a fun, non-stressful way! I will post some math game websites and APPS to the Math Game page later tonight! (1/14/13)
Well, it looks like "the cat's got my tongue" and I'm out of news for today! Don't let this new home work routine "Drive you up a wall".
"Hold your Horses" I am not done yet!
"A little Birdie told me" that idioms are part of the Common Core State Standards in 3rd grade, this week we are starting to take a closer look at Idioms and their real meanings. For a FUN project, students will be illustrating the literal meaning of an Idiom. "Ants in your pants" might be illustrated by a pair of pants having ants crawling out from inside of them. Today we had lots of fun with some popular Idioms. At home, find ways to incorporate these silly phrases into your conversations and then take time to discuss what they really mean.
I'm sure you too will "Bust a Gut" thinking of what they would really look like.
Wow, "Time Flies", this blog has been a "Piece of Cake" to write. Here's hoping that your student's Homework is "a breeze".