Mrs. Wilson's Class

February 2008

Dear Parents,

I can hardly believe that we are almost at the end of January and that the 3 rd quarter has started. This school year is truly flying! Don't forget to send back your child's report card envelope. We will need to reuse it for the third quarter. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding your child's progress.

Last Friday was our field trip to the Art Museum. All the children enjoyed seeing the art work. For the last few weeks Mrs. Hussey and Mrs. Harden have used art slides to teach the children about the different pieces they were going to see. The children were so excited to see the art work they had already learned about. A special thanks to Mrs. Harden and Mrs. Hussey for working with the third grade students.

In reading, students are beginning to work on strategies involving fictional stories. Students are learning the parts that are in every fiction story. They are locating the parts of the story (characters, problem/solution, and setting) using a story map. In an upcoming story, students will be practicing the skills we have learned while reading stories that fall in the “Incredible” category. Students love reading about adventures and wild characters! The third quarter will focus on reading narrative text and applying reading strategies while students are reading and after they finish.

In writing, we are finishing our Friendly Letter unit. Everyone has done such a great job writing letters with sufficient details and following the format for a letter. We completed our “Fairy Tale” letters where students have written to a character from a character. Ask your child what they wrote about in their letter.

In math, we have finished a unit called “Mapping and Coordinates”. Students are interpreting maps to re-create scale drawings; reading maps to find distances between objects; using coordinates to move around a map; and drawing a map. You can add to our learning by showing your child where your home is located on a city map or even using a city map to find the route taken to a particular destination. These experiences will help your child see how useful maps are.

During team time we have been working on estimation. Students will be taking a post-test after finishing the unit this week. Look for the post-test in next week's Monday Folder. It will have the pre-test attached to it. You will be able to see your child's progress with this concept.

As many of you know, we have begun working on multiplication! Students are learning their basic multiplication facts. Students have used it here at school and I think you will find it very beneficial. Recently, you received a letter in regards to our “multiplication club”. This letter included all of the dates for the multiplication quizzes. Please make sure your child is studying for their quizzes by practicing their flashcards that they bring home in their agenda each night. A fun web site to go to is www.oswego.org/ocsd-eb/games/mathmagician/mathsmulti.html

In social studies, we are beginning our study of Citizenship and American Heritage. We will discuss the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance and various other important figures and symbols in our country. Each child will be assigned a topic such as an American holiday or symbol to research. Mrs. Harden will be teaching the students how to do research and what books are available in the library. After the students complete their research, they will be putting together a PowerPoint presentation on their topic to share with our class! This is an activity all the students enjoy each year!

Friday, February 1 st is the 100 th day of school (can you believe it?). On Friday the students will be completing centers around the number one hundred. They will use many math skills including: estimation, measurement, addition, patterning, and probability. Also on February 1 we will have a special snack to celebrate the 100 th day. We are asking that your child bring in 100 items of a certain food. For example, your child could bring 100 M&M's, 100 raisins, 100 Cheerios, etc. We will mix all of the food together to make a special “100” snack!

Our next celebration will be Valentine's Day. I am sending home a class list for your child to use when they address their Valentines. The children can start bringing them in on February 11 th . If anyone needs some Valentines for their child, please let me know, I have a few extra boxes of them. If your child does decide to give out Valentines, please make sure everyone in the class is included. We will also have a special snack on Thursday, February 14 th and then the children will have a chance to open their Valentines.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at school (518-0090), at home (373-9347) or send me an e-mail ( awilson2@wcpss.net ).

Thanks for all of your help!

Amy Wilson

Important Dates

• January 30 – Pledge Of Allegiance Quiz
• February 1 st –100 th Day of School – Bring 100 food items to contribute to our snack!
• February 14 th –Valentine's Day

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