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We had a GREAT start to the school year. The kids are doing a fabulous job learning their new 3rd grade expectations. As you may have noticed, homework will be written in the planners daily. At the start of the school year we may have some days without homework. On these days, I ask that your child do their nightly reading. (At least 20 minutes per night) Because they are 3rd graders, book bags will NOT be coming home, but each child will have a literacy group book (beginning after testing). I will help your child find appropriate level books from our Howard library, but I ask that you also take your child to the Dearborn Public Library or purchase books through Scholastic that your child can have available to read at home each night. We all know that the more you practice the better you get!!

On the subject of planners; your child knows that his/her responsibility is to get you to sign the planner each night. I am asking that you use a signature instead of initials. Please ONLY sign the planner if you have seen your child (or helped your child to) complete his/her homework. Your child also knows that homework is not complete until their name and number is written on the homework 🙂

I will communicate with you in the planner if necessary or I will send you an email. I do visit each child every morning and stamp planners. They like the individual attention and I like giving it to them!!

Thank you SO MUCH for making sure your child has the necessary supplies for 3rd grade, It makes our job easier and we appreciate you!!!

As far as learning goes, we have jumped right into the math curriculum and you will see a lot of homework this year (it is short practice though!) along with homework helpers that will help you as a parent learn along with your child 🙂 Nothing is as frustrating as learning “new” math.

We will be starting NWEA testing this week. I don’t like it, but I’m told we must start. Your child will start with the reading tomorrow and the math later in the week. The district would like us to get a baseline score for leveling and tailoring our instruction. Therefore, the testing must be done quickly.

Spelling (and hence spelling tests) will NOT start until next week.

If you EVER have any questions, I am available!!! If you want an in person meeting just drop me an email. If you just have a quick question or want me to know something, feel free to jot it in the planner or send me an email matinh@dearbornschools.org

I am THRILLED to be your child’s teacher this year!