Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Newsletter 13

Newsletter 13                      2014-2015                             5/26/2015

 

Dear Families,

 

State computer testing is done.

And that is that.

My advice to everyone involved would be to minimize the importance—no matter what the results. I think it's what we see each and every day that really matters. If I gave my three kids a written test on manners, they'd probably all pass. But what I really care about is how they conduct themselves each and every day. The test cannot measure or predict that.

Similarly, I can give the students all kinds of reading tests. But the real test for me is whether they want to read away from school. Kids who want to read, will read. They don't need to be told or reminded. That's my goal. (Of course, it never hurts to stack the deck a bit: regular trips to the library, interesting read-alouds, magazine subscriptions, and sharing your reading with them are all things that nudge them in the right direction.) I hope you're seeing voluntary reading. If not, I'd be happy to talk about ways to encourage this over the summer.

Fact Practice

Our final timed test is at the end of May. My goal is for every third grader to start fourth grade with facts memorized. Keep the practice going.

Art Show

            The third grade classes have their papier-mâché animal sculptures on display at the high school art show. It's open to the public this Thursday from 5:00-8:00. It is in the high school commons and down a hall. Look for the signs. I hope you can make it.

Upcoming Academics

               The year is winding down. We are not. We have lots left, including 3 field trips; finishing our study of area, perimeter, and fractions; and writing fairy tales and informational reports about Black Diamond (two separate things J). I'll be sending more information about the field trips at a later date, but I wanted to remind everyone that there is volunteer paperwork to fill out if you want to join us.

 

 

Please email or call if you have any questions.

 


Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Jeff

 

 


 

Boletín 13                                              2014-2015                                                       12/05/2015

 

Estimadas familias,

 

Pruebas de equipo Estado se hace.

Y es eso.

Mi consejo para todos los involucrados sería minimizar la importancia, no importa lo que los resultados. Creo que es lo que vemos todos los días que realmente importa. Si yo di mis tres hijos una prueba escrita de modales, que había probablemente todo pase. Pero lo que realmente importa es cómo se comportan cada uno y todos los días. La prueba no puede medir o predecir eso.

Del mismo modo, puedo dar a los estudiantes todo tipo de pruebas de lectura. Pero la verdadera prueba para mí es si quieren leer fuera de la escuela. Los niños que quieren leer, se lee. Ellos no necesitan que se les diga o recordado. Ese es mi objetivo. (Por supuesto, nunca está de apilar la cubierta un poco: viajes regulares a la biblioteca e interesantes de lectura en voz alta, suscripciones a revistas, y compartiendo su lectura con ellos son todas las cosas que les empujón en la dirección correcta.) Espero que 're viendo la lectura voluntaria. Si no es así, yo estaría encantado de hablar sobre maneras de fomentar este durante el verano.

Hecho Práctica

Nuestra prueba cronometrada final es a finales de mayo. Mi meta es que cada estudiante de tercer grado para iniciar el cuarto grado con hechos memorizados. Mantener la práctica de ir.

Muestra de Arte

Las clases de tercer grado tienen sus esculturas de animales de cartón piedra que se exhiben en la feria de arte de la escuela secundaria. Está abierto al público este jueves de 5:00-8:00. Es en los bienes comunes de la escuela secundaria y por un pasillo. Busque las señales. Espero que pueda hacerlo.

Próximos Académicos

El año está por terminar. No somos. Tenemos un montón de izquierda, incluyendo 3 viajes de estudio; terminando nuestro estudio de área, perímetro, y las fracciones; y escritura de cuentos de hadas y los informes informativos sobre Diamante Negro (dos cosas separadas ). Voy a enviar más información acerca de los viajes de estudio en una fecha posterior, pero quería recordar a todos que hay papeleo de voluntarios para llenar si desea unirse a nosotros.

 

Este es mi primer intento de utilizar Google Translator para toda mi boletín de noticias. Por favor, hágamelo saber si le resulta útil. También me gustaría saber si no tiene sentido. Gracias.

Por favor, correo electrónico o llamar si tiene alguna pregunta.

 


Sincerely,

 

Jeff

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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Newsletter 8

Newsletter 8                       2014-2015                             12/16/2014

 

Dear Families,

 

Thank you so much to everyone for making conferences such a success! I spoke to every single family this year. It’s been awhile since that happened. I hope you found the time well spent. Please don’t hesitate in the future if there is anything else you want to talk about.

Winter Breakfast

We will celebrate the break with a class breakfast on Friday, December 19th. We’ll plan to start about 9:30.

If you would like to volunteer to help out with cooking or send in some food, I would really appreciate it. We need cooked sausage, white bread (for special decorated toast), butter, and toasters, fruit to make fruit kabobs (bananas, grapes, apples, oranges), bamboo skewers, juice, plates and napkins. Please email me or write me a note letting me know if you are able to help out.

On a related note, please double check to make sure the food you send in for class has no peanuts. The last few treats we've gotten have included peanuts. That means one of our class is excluded. That doesn't seem fair.

Homework

I hope that using the checklist every day is starting to become a habit. It will be a good way to keep track of what's happening over the break, too. Students may want to keep it in a prominent place so it's not lost in the shuffle. On a related note, books make great gifts.

Tissues

We’ve had lots of runny noses this year and we’re on our last box of Kleenex. If you haven’t sent any yet, or if you could send another box, we’d appreciate it. (Until then, maybe long sleeves? J)

 

Please email or call if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

 

Jeff

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Newsletter 7

Newsletter 7                       2014-2015                             11/18/2014

 

Dear Families,

 

We have been quite busy getting ready for report cards and conferences. It will be fun to sit down with you and your child and talk about progress and next steps.

Conferences

If you haven’t let me know if your conference time will work, please do so ASAP. Students were all given a yellow slip with the time and day. I have families whose time will not work but I cannot reschedule until I hear from everyone.

Please plan to bring your child to their conference. It’s theirs. It’s about them. I think it’s important for them to be here, both to celebrate what they’ve accomplished and to talk about next steps. Some of the students have been confused about this, so I wanted to make sure it was clear: Students should plan to come to the conferences. Let me know if you have questions about this, or about something you want to discuss without them present.

I plan for conferences to last about 20 minutes, to make sure we’re done on time. When we run late it can have a negative impact on a whole lot of families and teachers. If you feel like you need more time, please let me know and we’ll schedule a follow-up time.

Homework

The use of the homework sheets in the red folders is still not a habit for many. I do expect students to be in charge of their own homework, but often they still need reminders. The sheet in the red folder is supposed to help remind them, as well as help them track what they’ve done.

This month they have set goals for how many days they think they can accomplish the homework. Please ask your child about his or her goals, and the progress so far; and please help them fill in the sheet every day.

Halloween

Thanks to all who helped with the Halloween party I think it was a great success. We’ve been able to use some of the leftover food for snack, too. But we’ll be out soon and need more.

Book Orders

If you would like to order books for presents, just let me know and I’ll keep them a secret for you to pick up without your child knowing. There will also be a book fair running during conferences, if you’re interested.

 

Please email or call if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jeff

 

 

 

Monday, October 27, 2014

Newsletter 6, 14-15

 

Newsletter 6                       2014-2015                             10/27/2014

 

Dear Families,

 

 


We have had lots going on. I appreciate all the help to make it work on both ends.

Homework

I hope the new homework is going well. Please help them to remember to fill out the sheet every day, whether they do something or not. I’ve heard that many of them enjoy doing Khan Academy, but I realize not everyone has access. That’s fine. They should use the “comments” section to explain the math they did instead. As in all their writing, I expect them to double-check for spelling, capitals, and punctuation.

Halloween

Our class is celebrating Halloween on the morning of Friday, October 31st. (9:15-10:30) Students may come to school in their Halloween costumes. (Please, no blood and gore, nor toy weapons.) Have them bring regular clothes to change into after our party because they have PE and will need to be able to move freely.

We’ll read a book, make a snack, play a game, and make a craft. If you’re able to send in a snack, please let me know. I’d love some healthy choices, such as carrots and celery. We can also use cups and plates.

Please remember that we cannot have food with peanuts, or made in a place that uses peanuts. I’ve mentioned that before, but we’ve had several such snacks sent in recently, so I thought a reminder would be good.

If you want to join us for the celebration, we’d love your help. If you’ve filled out volunteer forms, the office should be able to tell you whether or not those have cleared.

Book Orders

Thanks to Mrs. Andrade, we have started sending out book orders. I have urged the students to use the book orders to not only buy books from Scholastic, but to also use them to help find books at the library.

Students currently keep a reading log showing what they’ve already read. Another thing readers do is think about the next book they want to read. The book orders can help them with this.

Art

We plan to make realistic drawings of pumpkins this Wednesday. If you have any uncarved pumpkins at home, please send them in with your child on Tuesday or Wednesday (if they aren’t too big to carry!)

 

Please email or call if you have any questions.

 


 

 

Sincerely,

 


 

Jeff

 

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