Literacy News: Week of August 30-Sept.3

Literacy News: Week of August 30-Sept.3

The new word wall words are:

1. a lot (these are two separate words)

2. they

3. people

4. into

5. could

Tip: Review all the words on a weekly basis or as needed.



Reading Goals:
This week students will be learning and and identifying story elements. They will recognize that stories have a title, character/s, and setting. They will also learn that the plot is part of the story elements. We are going to work on identifying important events in the beginning, middle, and end of a story.



Language Goals:
Students have learned about the different types of sentences. What we will be focusing on this week is on the 2 parts of a statement: the subject and the predicates of sentences. They need to understand what makes a sentence complete and clear. As a reference, use Language book pgs 12-15.


Writing Goal:
We have worked all month on writing excellent IDEAS. Students will practice writing a formal piece showing their ability to express clear, focused, interesting, and descriptive ideas. They will use a checklist with the expectations, and it will help them through their writing. This will be the IDEAS assessment. It will be done in class throughout the week.


Announcements:
1. I want to thank the parents who have sent donations for our class: prizes, candy, pens, and crayons. We greatly appreciate your effort!!
2. Please do not forget to make the Lps. 700 deposit for the class parties. They are to be deposited in Banco Ficohsa/Account # 057-101-00001017. It is in the name of Isabel Corzo Mury, room mother helper. Send the deposit slip to school in the homework folder by no later than Sept. 3.


Thank you,

Mrs. Lila Paredes

MULTIPLICATION.COM INSTRUCTIONS

To practice and master the multiplication tables in less than 3 minutes, please go to: http://www.multiplication.com/

1. Click on Resources

2. Click on Self Correcting Quizzes, select either the blue Fact Family sheet or the green Review Quizzes

3. Scroll down and Click on a a sheet - this will depend on what times table we are working on in class (for example TWOS)

4. Click on Start and then Finished when done

Note: It is recommended that your child use the Number Pad on the right of the key board hitting enter quickly to move to the next problem. This is the easiest and fastest way.

Kathy Vega

MATH & SCIENCE CLASS - AUG 30 - SEPT 3, 2010

MATH: 3-A will have their first Plato Math test during computer class on Tuesday, Aug. 31st and Wednesday Sept. 1st. Attendance is very important on these days so all students can take this assessment together.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1st. the multiplication time test will be x2.

On Thursday, Sept. 2nd, we will have a multiplication concept test. It will involve writing and solving word problems, addition and multiplication sentences, working with arrays and equal groups and vocabulary (factor product). The corresponding pages in the math text are pages 205-210.

SCIENCE: Wednesday, Sept 1st we will have a test on Botany. It will cover all of the information in your child's science notebook. In the notebook you will also find a study guide. The notebooks will be ready to take home this Friday, Aug 27th. for any review necessary.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Kathy Vega

MATH & SCIENCE CLASS - AUGUST 23 - 27, 2010

MATH: Time tests in multiplication will begin this week: The class will practice every day with a 10 problem mini-time test. On Wednesday, there will be a 36 problem time test to be completed in 3 1/2 minutes. The time test schedule has been posted on the right hand side of this blog.

This week we will continue concentrating on the meanings of multiplication. The class will also practice creating and solving multiplication word problems.

SCIENCE: As we continue with our botany unit, the class will complete an experiment based on the scientific method. We will need two weeks to complete the observation involved.

Enjoy your weekend,

Kathy Vega

Literacy News: Week of August 23-27

Literacy News: Week of August 23-27

This week we will add the following words to our word wall:

1. friend

2. said

3. because

4. very

5. again

The students will be responsible for spelling these words correctly all the time (after we add them to our word wall). These will be dictated in sentences on Friday, Aug. 27.

Academic Goals for this Week

Reading: Students will continue practicing how to choose "just right" books. We will be meeting individually with the students to check for fluency and comprehension.

The books and shared reading pieces we will work with this week will help the students understand what good writing ideas are and will provide them with examples of the different types of sentences.

Writing: Students will write a friendly letter that includes its 5 parts and many descriptive details in order to invite the reader into the writing. This will allow students to practice developing their ideas with details that enables the reader to visualize what is being told.

Students will practice "funneling", a strategy to help them narrow a broad idea and turn it into a specific and clear idea.

Language: Last week we introduced the 4 types of sentences and the correct punctuation mark to use with each. This week, students will identify and label the different types of sentences. In this week's word wall test, students will be asked to label each sentence that is dictated to them, in addition to using correct punctuation and capitalization.

News/Announcements

• This Friday, August 27 will be a color's day!

Thank you,

Mrs. Lila Paredes

MATH & SCIENCE CLASS - AUGUST 16 - 20, 2010

Welcome to 3-A! An exciting new school year is beginning.

In Math class, we will start the year off with the concept of multiplication. Time tests will begin in two weeks. A multiplication time test schedule will be posted here. Our first time test will be x0-x1.

Math homework will be assigned Mondays through Thursdays. Students should be able to complete the assignment on their own. Parents should check it to make sure it was completed correctly.


In Science Class, this quarter we will complete a rather extensive unit, Botany. We will investigate the world of plants. All information will be in the science notebook. This will also include a study guide for assessments.

We will see you at the open house after school on Monday, August 16th.

Kathy Vega

3A's Literacy News: Week of August 16-20

Literacy News: Aug. 16-20

We have a word wall in our class that will gradually include all the high frequency words or frequently misspelled words. Once we add them to our word wall, students are going to be responsible of spelling them correctly all the time.

The first word wall words are:
1. I
2. you
3. about
4. me
5. my
6. the
Students have a portable word wall stapled in their homework folders. Our first test will be on Friday, Aug. 20. Sentences will be dictated to the students. Word wall tests will also assess the language skills taught during that week. This week we will check for types of sentences, capitalization, and punctuation.

This week's academic goals are:

WRITING: Introduce how writers develop excellent ideas and how to have great ideas in their own writing. We will also be practicing cursive handwriting.

LANGUAGE:

• Review/Teach students how to write a friendly letter (including the 5 parts of a letter). You can use the Language book pgs. 146, and 166-167 as a reference.
• Review the 4 types of sentences (statement, command, question, and exclamation). Language book pgs: 2-9 can be used as a reference in order to reteach or practice.

READING: Teach students what good reader's do and how to choose "just right" books.

NOTE: All our academic goals are delivered to the students through a literacy framework that includes: Read alouds(the teacher reads and the students participate in discussions throughout the reading), Shared Readings (students read the text together following the teacher's guiding voice), Interactive Writing (we write together, sharing the pen), Independent Reading and Writing (students work and apply their knowledge independently). The students will learn about these strategies and their procedures in the first few weeks of school. Later on, we will be start using Interactive Editing, Literacy Centers, and Small Group Instruction.

Special Announcements:

1. This week students will start working on homework from Monday-Thursday. We will start with their daily Reading Logs and Math. Every night students must read for 20 minutes, record the title of the book they read, the author, and page numbers. This will be part of the daily homework. They will have a Math assignment from Monday-Thursday too. Please check that the homework is completed and sign the assignment book every day. It is school policy this school year that a missing signature in the Assignment Book will be considered missing homework.

2. REMINDER: 3-A's Open House is Monday, August 16 from 2:45-4:00p.m. Please be here to visit your child's class, meet the teachers, and learn ways to help your child have a successful year in 3rd grade.

3. Make sure your child wears the proper American School uniform every day.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Lila Paredes

It was a great first day of school!

I just want to add a few announcements to keep you more informed:

1. There will be no homework this week. Please take the next few days to read the student handbook and sign the form we sent home. Please fill out the Personal Information card and White Card as soon as you can.
2. Next week, starting Monday, students will take their homework folders home. Homework will be given from Monday- Thursday. Please check that they complete the homework and sign the assignment book every day.
3. Parents who pick up their children in the back parking lot need to wait in the green area behind the Middle School Building. Waiting in the Middle school hallway makes it too crowded.
4. Students have P.E. tomorrow too. Please send them with the proper uniform.

Thanks,
Mrs. Lila Paredes

3A NEWS

WELCOME TO 3A!!

We hope you had a restful and fun summer!

We will be updating the blog on a weekly basis, and here's where you'll find all the important information such as academic news, special dates, and announcements.

To make it easy for you, we have added the rotating specials onto our blog. See the top right hand corner and click on them to view or print these calendars.

We look forward to a great year!!

Mrs. Paredes
Mrs. Vega
Mrs. Dougherty

Dear Parents Letter - August 11, 2010

August 11, 2010


Dear Parents,

Welcome to a wonderful school year 2010-2011! We are happy to be back and look forward to making this an academically rich and exciting year. Let’s work together to make it fantastic!

3-A’s Open House will be next Monday August 16 from 2:45 - 4:00. It is an excellent opportunity for us to meet and share important information needed to help your child succeed in 3rd grade. We look forward to seeing you there!

The calendar showing the rotation of the special classes can be found in the American School website: http://www.amschool.org/. It’s important that you print it and put it in a safe and accessible place to check for P.E., Computer, Library, Music, Estudios Sociales, Art, and Character Education classes during the week. In the school’s website, you will also find the student handbook. Please go over it with your child. Then, sign and return the page in this packet no later than Friday, August 20. It indicates that you have read and understood the student handbook. Attached, you will find the White Card and a personal information sheet for you to fill out.

Meeting our students’ needs is important. Every student is encouraged to bring a water bottle or thermos every day to keep in class to drink as needed. Please plan whether your child will bring a snack from home to eat during the morning recess (9:50-10:10a.m.) or if he/she will buy a snack in the cafeteria at this time. Plan accordingly so your child has enough food to eat during recess and lunch (12:30-1:10p.m.), and please make sure it’s something he/she will enjoy.

An assignment book and homework folder will be sent home daily. It will contain information about homework assignments, letters to parents, or any other important notes. Please check them every day and initial/sign the assignment book after checking that your child has completed his/her homework. We’ll start assigning homework next week! It will be the best time to encourage homework responsibility and good study habits.

Communication is very important. We recommend you hove good communication with your child about school related activities. Also, feel free to send us a note to schedule an appointment if there is something you would like to discuss with us. You can also call the office to schedule one as needed. Teachers, students, and parents working together will make this year very successful! Let’s make the best of it!

Best Wishes,

Mrs. Lila Paredes
Mrs. Kathy Vega
Mrs. Elsa Dougherty