FYI

Homework - Updated

Please be on the look out for updates on our "Star Homework" program, which will be sent home this week of November 5.  I will post further information about this after I have reviewed it with the class.

 

Team Teaching: Ms. Lopez & Ms. Jessica

A letter was sent home last week, on November 1, to inform all third grade parents that Ms. Jessica will be teaching my Marvelous Monkeys and my magnificent math students each Friday.  If you did not receive the aforementioned letter, please let me know and I will get you a copy as soon as possible.  As stated in the letter, Ms. Jessica and I are teaming up to ensure that this is a fantastic and successful year for our students.  We communicate every week and make sure that we are both up to date on classroom activities and student needs.

I am greatful for everyone's understanding of my decision to make this change, so that I am better able balance teaching and working on my master's degree in mental health counseling.  The support many of you have expressed is very encouraging and I appreciate it.

Homework

Information about our "Star Homework" program has been sent home today.  This homework program is research based and inspired by the "Universal Homework Model."

You may have noticed that this program requires nightly reading (at least 20 minutes) and nightly math facts practice, no matter which option you and your child choose.  This is not a coincidence.  Reading and practicing math facts each night can make a huge difference in your child's academic gains in reading and math.  While reading and practicing independently is beneficial, I would encourage you to take time once or twice a week to work on these two areas with your child.  More information about shared reading experiences and fun math practice will be sent home next week. In the meantime, please help your child to record the number of minutes they spent reading and how many stars he or she earned for homework in his or her Student Planner.  I have highlighted the section of the planner where this information can be recorded with your initials.

Students who choose to write a "letter to the teacher" or do any kind of paper pencil math fact or spelling practice may record their work in their homework journal.  Students are expected to label their work with the date of completion in the top right hand corner, and they are discouraged from using marker in their journals.  We will review these expectations each day, while students adjust to this new system.

I encourage you to discuss the Star Homework program with your child and help him or her to make a responsible and informed decision.  Please feel contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or positive comments about our Star Homework program.  I know this is probably very different from what you and your child have experienced in the past, but I hope to make it a positive, painless, and beneficial experience for all involved!

Student Planners

Our planners have arrived!  We are asking parents to initial each night that you reviewed the assignments for the day and any notes given by your teacher. You will find a place for comments and parent initials at the bottom of each day, in the light yellow row.  We expect students to correctly record daily assignments and to bring their planners to and from school each day.  Five days of missing parent signatures will result in a lunch detention.  This policy will begin on Monday, August 20. 

Please check your child's homework folder and planner on Monday, as we will begin our regular homework schedule then.  Along with the homework for that evening, you will find a brief explanation of what to expect to see for homework and our class homework policy.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write a quick note in your child's student planner or send me an email.

Community Supplies in Our Classroom

In our classroom, we do community supplies. This means that supplies are collected and shared within our entire classroom community. We take a community approach to supplies in our classroom for many reasons. 

Community supplies have a significant effect on the atmosphere of the classroom. The community supply system helps to create a more peaceful classroom, in which everyone shares, cooperates, and takes care of one another. It eliminates an opportunity for unnecessary competition (i.e. who has better supplies). Community supplies help to foster more responsibility because everyone assumes the responsibility for keeping the supplies in good condition, picking things up, and ensuring that they are returned to their proper places. As such, fewer materials are lost and the supplies last longer. (This means parents are not required to purchase further supplies over the course of the year.) 

The community supply system also supports an effective and efficient learning environment. It is important that the kids be provided with enough good-quality supplies, in order to do their best work. This system ensures that no individual goes lacking in necessary tools and supplies. Everyone has access to the same supplies. Community supplies also support activity-based and cooperative learning, which is an approach that will be used heavily in instruction this year.

Although we are using a community supply system, I do understand that some students get very excited about purchasing fancy or fun supplies. I enjoy purchasing and using fancy folders, notebooks, and pens too. However, to be fair to the other children, special supplies will have to stay at home to be used for project work done there. If your child is not able to bring in the basic/plain supplies requested on the third grade supply list, please let me know so that I may make other arrangements to obtain the necessary supplies.

Your support and understanding of our classroom policies and procedures is greatly appreciated. Thank you!