Parents:

What a wonderful week – Teacher Appreciation Week.  Although, we know we are appreciated, it sure is nice to be pampered.  First, with a bulletin board.  Next, surprised by so many flowers.  After that, the perfect luncheon for Cinco De Mayo. To top everything off, cards and kind words along with a gift card that will be put to good use!

Thank you to our room parents for coordinating all of this.  I know the time and effort it takes and appreciate you. You have done so much already throughout the year.

It is a pleasure teaching your child.

Mrs. Minier

Mrs. Thomas also had a message for you.

“Dear Third Grade Parents and Families,

Thank you so much for the ways you spoiled me over Teacher Appreciation Week.  My bulletin board was amazing.  The flowers are beautiful.  The chocolates are gone! Yum!  And my family and I enjoyed the Antonio’s Gift Card last night!  I am blessed to at Howard, serving your students.

Love,  Mrs. Thomas”

Well, we have now officially spent 4 weeks of school together.  By now, routines and procedures should be in place.  However, I am noticing a lot of “lost” items like planners, Math Journals, homework.  Please assist your child by helping them develop a routine to put these items back into their backpacks before they go “missing”.

Here is a brief summary of our journey in the next few weeks together in 3rd grade.

Language Arts:  Spelling words are to be written in the planner every Monday. They will have a test every Friday.  We have practiced Work on Writing, Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading and are currently working on Word Work. Almost all Daily 5 are in place. Our class practiced reading a short chapter book using the strategies of Making Connections, Making Predictions, Visualization, and Asking Good Questions.  We will continue these in another chapter book next week.

Math:  We are just about to finish Unit 2.  Be looking for the Practice Test to study with them the night before.

Science:  We are finishing Force and Motion and moving along to light and sound.

Social Studies:  Michigan is a cool state to study.  We continue to learn about its landforms.

We have taken the Reading and Language portion of the MAP test.  We will take the math and science next.  These tests will again be given in the winter and spring to chart growth.

As always, it is a pleasure to work with you and your child.

Mrs. Minier

Thank you, parents for entrusting me with your child’s education.  I knew I wanted to be a teacher in second grade.  And here I am, 20 years of teaching later…..

We are beginning the year slowing…establishing rules and routines.  I would appreciate your support when there is a PBiS color change.  I will be changing colors when directions (directions are always given twice) are not followed or behavior is inappropriate.  I need to be diligent and set my expectations high – this will determine how the rest of the year will be.

As far as curriculum, we have started going over procedures for Daily 5 and talking about CAFE strategies. Children have picked Good Fit Books.  We are currently working on Unit 1 in math – getting comfortable with the number grid, elapsed time and organizing data.  In science we are learning what a scientist does, what they use and what they do.  We will begin our unit on Forces and Motion next week. Finally, in Social Studies, we are learning “where in the world Dearborn is”.

Open House is next Thursday the 18th.  I cannot wait to meet you.  Please remember, this is a time to meet me and other teachers, see what your child has been working on, see the classroom and tour the school.  Please save your concerns for emails/phone calls or conferences.  Thank you.

Our classroom has been working hard to remember the PBIS rules of responsibility, respect, and safety.  Here are some other things we have been learning about.

Social Studies:  Michigan History (Currently the French and the fur trade)

Science:           Motion and Force

Daily 5:             We continue working in our groups with our Good Fit Books, Reading to Self, Reading to Someone, Listening to Reading and Word Work (from our Spelling Words).

Writing:            We just finished writing our Personal Narratives – Something we are good at.

Math:               Unit 5 – Large numbers to a million (keep working on your multiplication facts!)

For the Holiday Season we decided to share with those that are in need.  Please remember to allow your child to make a donation either to Oakwoods Nature Center or the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

Happy Holidays!

Welcome to third grade.  I am looking forward to a great year!

Mrs. Minier