Mrs. Minier's 3rd Grade Class

I miss everyone already. I realize there have been a few glitches up to this point. Please email me if you are having any trouble. I have been trying to trouble shoot from my end. Some students had to go directly to classroomgoogle.com and enter our class code vvojpkq, some students have had to ask for access for Social Studies Econ and Me, some students are confused about Raz-Kids.

First of all, let me reassure you, the teachers, as well as the district are aware that lesson plans were put together within hours and may not be perfect, not every household has computers let alone multiple for more than one child. Some households do not have a printer. Just like school, we expect our students to put forth their best effort. As long as they try to complete the assignments, that is all that matters. If they enter everything into a notebook -spelling, application problems in Eureka Math, Econ and Me- that is totally fine. I realize it might seem like a lot of work, but just think of what they get done in a school day!

My suggestion is that in a day, they read one of the 19 Hollow Kids series books, complete a spelling activity, watch a Eureka Math video, complete the same lesson on Zearn and do the application problem, and choose either a science ( 1 of 6 Biome books like “Deciduous Forest” on Raz-Kids or Mystery Doug) or a Social Studies activity to complete.

Teachers just received a Time for Kids article about the virus. Please add this to their reading list. Maybe you can read it together as a family. It if factual and may actually help them feel better about the situation. Here is the article:

https://digital.emagazines.com/TIME_for_Kids_Gr_3/20200320/index.html?t=c55dced1-e090-4af3-879d-40523a2636a9

Looking forward to seeing everyone healthy in a few more weeks!

Hello Howard Families:

I know everything seems a little crazy right now, but remember, we are doing this to slow down the spread of a virus. It is the right thing to do and in no time we will back in the classroom working hard!

In the meantime, (since we have 3 weeks off and break), I am asking your child to work on Zearn. This will keep up to date in the Eureka Math Program. Right now, we just finished Lesson 8. I would like them to at least practice up to Lesson 19. These lessons will get more challenging so it is important that they watch the tutorial (it is the lesson). Some kids like to skip through it. That is the most important part. Use the link to view videos to watch and find Application Problems for them to practice. When they return, we will be giving them a quiz to see what they were able to learn independently. I will be giving them the Mid-Module Assessment, too (covers up to Lesson 13) – this will give me an idea of what they completed at home, what they understood and what they need more help with. PLEASE practice multiplication daily! We’ve come so far!

Eureka Math videos, Social Studies and Science can all be found through CLEVER -Googleclassroom. Your child should be able log into Googleclassroom under “Ms. Minier’s Owlsome Owls” to work on the assignments and turn them in.

I am also asking each student to begin reading the 6 Non-fiction Brilliant Biomes Series (quiz at the end) in Raz-Kids and the The Hollow Kids Fictional Series (quiz and constructed response at the end). If they read one chapter a day (19 chapters total), they should be able to complete all of the books. Since I am unable to continue reading their chapter books with them here at school and most did not bring their book bags home, this is the easiest way to make reading accessible to everyone.

Please explain to your child that I am able to obtain their quiz/constructed response scores on-line. I am also able to see what they have completed on Zearn. I will be using these grades for report cards. So, please work carefully and responsibly. Set aside a “learning time” each day so that your child is able to focus on what needs to be completed. They should not wait for the last minute to try to complete these assignments.

Since we will be missing out on test preparation for M-Step during these crucial weeks, your child can go onto ILearn – Test Prep for Math and LA. This is a tool just for practice, but I highly encourage them to utilize it.

I am including the next 2 spelling lists.

The first list the words are Plurals:

years, twins, trays, states, ashes, foxes, inches, flies, cities, ponies, bunches, alleys, lunches, cherries, daisies, heroes, libraries and review words: sale, rode, you’re

The second list are compound words:

airplane, daytime, birthday, daylight, hairdo, notebook, birdhouse, barefoot, headlight, sometime, someone, newspaper, sidewalks, basketball, stagecoach, somebody, handwriting, and review words: states, inches, cities

Practice your spelling words by writing them 3 times each, sailboat spelling, rainbow spelling, use each word in a sentence, and put them in ABC Order. Keep these together in a notebook or use paper and bring them back to school to be graded. We will have 3 spelling tests to catch up on when we return (not all at once).

Please check my blog from time to time. I may be adding some additional materials/lessons to be completed. If you need anything or have questions, email me minierj@dearbornschools.org

It is going to be a quiet, lonely 4 weeks for me. I will be thinking about each and every one of my students. Stay healthy.

Thank you to all parents and students that came to the Parent Meeting and Open House!

Here is a quick update on where we are heading in the next few weeks:

Spelling: Words will continue to come home every Monday. Tests will be on Friday.

Daily 5: We are practicing procedures for Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading and Word Work.

Writing: We will begin our first piece on “What is Important to Me”.

Math: The Mid-Module Assessment will be Friday, September 20th (as long as we stay on track).

Science: We have been talking about scientists, what they do and the scientific method.

Social Studies: Where is Michigan? Where is our exact location in Michigan? Let’s find out!

To suppliment our Eureka Math program, we have been also doing 180 Days of Math each day. At the Parent Meeting most parents were ok with the idea of purchasing the workbook for their child in order to save on copies. If you cannot purchase the workbook, please do not not worry. I will accommodate your child. Amazon.com is a great place to find it! The title is: 180 Days of Math (3rd Grade) Jodene Smith (Shell Education).

I have enjoyed meeting your children and getting to know all about them these past few weeks. Please let me know if your child needs anything…sometimes I am not aware.

The 3rd grade team has decided to have the students enjoy their lunches with their classmates in the cafeteria and have the recess from 12:35 – 1:13 p. m.

During this time, Ms. Minier, Ms. Martin, and myself will set up tables for snacks near the school for our afternoon end of the year picnic celebration.  We are concerned about the amount of mosquitoes that may be at York Park due to the rain.  As the afternoon progresses, we will decide based on the needs of the students where they will have activities.

Please join us at the back of the school today from 1:15 p. m. – 3:00 p. m. for some end of the year fun if your schedule permits.

 

March is Reading Month has been so much fun.  The kids have had fun listening to our guest readers, voting for their favorite books in the tournament of books, recording minutes they’ve read at home, and contributing to a schoolwide traveling story.  I cannot believe it all comes to an end this Friday.

Thank you to our room mom’s for a successful Birthday Bash!  It was a good time that all enjoyed.  Howard School would not be what it is without you or your support.

Looking ahead:

April will be a short month but we will be working hard before testing begins in May.

Math – Finishing the last 8 lessons in Module 4 and hopefully starting Module 5.

Daily 5 – Each group should be finishing their chapter books along with the activities that go with it.

Writing – We have been working on TDA (Text Dependent Analysis) to prepare us for the M-Step.

Science – We will finish up life cycles and discuss traits and heredity.

Social Studies – Our government unit will continue.  We will start the month off learning about the branches of government.

For now,

Ms. Minier

We now have all of the Winter NWEA scores completed.  Every single student went up in math – even with adjusting to our new Eureka Math program.  I am very happy.

March 5th – Our field trip to Lansing.  Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather.  They will need a bag lunch (not a lunch box) that can be disposed after they are finished eating.  This is a wonderful trip packed full of learning.  It is important to remember we represent Dearborn and we must be on our best behavior.

Here’s what’s happening with curriculum:

Daily 5/Literacy – Groups continue reading their chapter books working on specific stragies chosen for them.  PLEASE make sure their homework is completed each night.  It is difficult to have a discussion about the book when students come to group unprepared.

We are beginning to teach stratgies to help the students on the M-Step Writing portion of the test.  It is here they will be expected to complete a Text Dependent Analysis.  The RACER blueprint will be used and the students will have a few months to practice before the assessment.

Math – Our Mid-Module Assessment for Module 3 is now complete.  We will be moving onto multiplying by 9.  Ask your child if they learned Familiar Fives, 10 – 1 and Finger strategies.

Social Studies – We are learning about Michigan Government.  Why do we have government?  Who are our leaders in Michigan/Dearborn?

Science – Our classroom is learning to classify animals.  Our next Mystery Science Lesson “Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?” will address animal groups and survival.

The Bookfair begins next week.  Our class will view on Tuesday and purchase on Wednesday.  The Bookfair is a great place for everyone to find just the right chapter book to read.

Thank you for all of the tissues, glue and wipes.  We definately appreciate it!  Your support is always important!

A final note, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me minierj@dearbornschools.org .  It gets to me a lot faster than a phone message.  I cannot begin to help with a potential problem if I am not aware of it.  We are in this together.

Ms. Minier

Can you believe it is already the Holiday Break?  I can’t .  Time is flying.

Tomorrow is our classroom Holiday Party.  We will be having a pizza lunch, making a Holiday Craft and playing a few Holiday games.

Over break, please encourage your child to read and practice their mulitiplication facts.  We will be finishing Module 2 when we return.  Module 3 heads back to multiplication.

Our classroom is in need of tissues, 4 oz. Elmer’s Glue, dry erase markers and Clorox Wipes.  Any donation is appreciated!

The end of the card marking is January 18th – a few weeks after we return.

Please have a safe and restful holiday.

Just a couple of things to keep you up to date:

Late Start Wednesday, 10-17-18

Picture Day, 10-18-18

Our Room Moms are collecting $20 which will hopefully cover the costs of all of our parties this year.  Please try to send this in by Friday, October 26th.

I am collecting $2 for a project we will be doing in Social Studies.  Usually I don’t mind buying things for activities that we do.  This one requires battery operated tea lights along with a few other items.  Your support would be wonderful!

Here’s what we have been doing:

Daily 5 – Students have now been rotating through 12 different stations during Daily 5.  They are now meeting in a literacy group with me.  Please ask them each night what they are reading and if they have homework to finish.  Many of them are forgetting to complete assigned tasks.  They need to be prepared for group the next day by having completed these assignments.  Practice makes perfect.

Math – We are 5 lessons away from finishing Module 1.  I am pleased with the progress most of the students are making.  Please remind your child that since this is a new program it is essential that they are paying attention and participating in class.  Some students are falling behind because they lack focus during the lesson.

Science – Pushes and Pulls!  Soon it will be working with magnets.

Social Studies –  We continue learning about Natural characteristics of Michigan – landforms, vegetation and climate.  Next, we move onto Human characteristics.

PBIS – Be responsible, Be respectful and Be safe!  Many students are getting color changes because they are forgetting things at home, not completing assignments, acting immature at inapproriate times (this has been a big one!), not following directions (directions are usually given 3 times), and difficulties on the playground.  I have been changing too many colors this month – more than I would like.  Please have a discussion with your child about why they might have had a color change.  Some receive a color change, we disuss making good choices and just a few minutes later are being reminded of a possible color change again.  Learning from our mistakes is important.

THANK YOU for all of the tissues!  Hopefully our noses will be set for a little while.  Our classroom always needs candy or little prizes for the prize box if you are out and about and would like to contribute.

 

 

Please use these pages along with the practice pages from their Learn Book that came home to study for the Assessment on Tuesday 9-25.parent-tips_g3m1tf parent-tips_g3m1td parent-tips_g3m1te parent-tips_g3m1tc (1) parent-tips_g3m1tb (1) parent-tips_g3m1ta (1)parent-tips_g3m1tb (1)parent-tips_g3m1ta (1)

It would be a great idea to have your child begin practicing a little here and a little there tonight, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Waiting until Monday is too overwhelming.  Again, please be patient as we are all learning this new program together.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Now that Open House, Parent Meetings, and Testing have ended, I feel like the school year is officially off to a wonderful start!

Students are now practicing classroom routines and prodedures along with PBIS expectations.  Color changes have started, but please know I am not changing colors without warning first.  I am fair.  I know we all make mistakes.  Please trust that in September and October I must be firm with expectations so that we may transition into a smooth year.

Here is a quick explanation of where our classroom is headed.

Spelling – Words will be coming home every Monday.  Spelling words should be entered into the planner.  Test on Friday.

Daily 5 – We have practiced Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading and some Word Work. Soon we will be starting our literacy groups.  During Daily 5 the children are expected to work independently while I am with small groups.  I expect integrity.

Math – We are half way through the first Module.  This module takes the children through the process of multiplication and division.

Science – After learning all about scientists, we will be diving into Forces and Motion.

Social Studies – The first unit includes learning where Michigan is located, what are its natural and human characteristics.  Please allow your child to bring in one can of Play-doh (any color) as we make models of landforms.

Parents are always asking if our classroom needs anything.  Currently, we are in need of tissues, candy for the candy jar, small prizes for the prize box and Clorox wipes.  I appreciate any help!

Thank you for your support.  I am always an email away!