Friday, September 21

Greetings from Bette

Greetings, Families of Bette's Class,

It was great to see so many of you last week at curriculum night. The info I shared with you is posted on the class blog. The link is attached to my email signature to make it easy for you to access. You can also just google "Bette's Class Notes to Families."
Today was our first Community Gatherings. We focused on International Peace Day. In addition we talked about the 17 Sustainability Goals in class.
 
Yesterday we had an author, Elizabeth Eulberg, visit the 3/4 classes. She has a series written for middle grade readers (us), Shelby Holmes, about a girl detective. She talked to the kids about what it takes to write a book, including many drafts and revisions!

In math we are working on Problem Solving and Place Value. 3rd grade students should know the value of digits in numbers into the ten thousands and 4th graders should know into the hundred thousands. We play a game called Guess-Digit-Place. Your child may be able to play it with you. Students should be familiar with different forms of numbers including standard form (23,987), expanded form (20,000+3000+900+80+7) and word form in which you write the number out in words.
This coming Wednesday, September 26, will be an Early Release Day. School will end at 12:52. Students will still have lunch at school.

We have scheduled a fall field trip to DeBuck's Corn Maze Wednesday, October 3rd from 10:00-2:00. We will be going together with Tracey's class. Watch for permission slips next week.
 
Our drinking fountain in the classroom is paltry. Some of the kids are pretty good about bringing water bottles to school. We can fill them at the drinking fountain near the cafeteria so it is helpful if kids do bring in water bottles.

         The first round of conferences will be Tuesday, October 9. Conferences include student, parent and teacher. They are scheduled for 20 minutes.  We use this time to help set goals with your student. A goal sheet for you to fill out was passed out on curriculum night and is also available on the pages section of the blog. I will assist students in completing a form with a similar format in class.  Students should attend the conference with you so they can participate in setting their own goals with your support. Some areas to consider include Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Listening, Speaking, Science, Social Studies, Social Development or Work Habits. 

On a humor side, one day the kids came in with muddy feet and got the rug all muddy.  I said,
"Do your parents let you come into the living with mud all over you shoes?" and several of the kids answered yes! Hmmm.