Hello Families,
A few things to keep you informed:
Homework: Please remind your child to return their math fact and reading log each Monday. A new one will be coming home tomorrow. I was not at school today as was not able to get one sent home.
Turkey Trot Information
Please read the information about the Turkey Trot on our P.E. teachers page.
Update from Mr. Waldie:
Please make sure you have checked the school blog for an update from Mr. Waldie.
Have a great week!
Ms Van Arkel
Here’s an update of our learning in third grade:
Writing: The third graders have started drafting their personal narratives. They have carefully looked at mentor texts to notice what other authors do to make their writing powerful. They will work to try a lot of these strategies as they finish drafting this week. We will move on to revising and editing.
Math: So far we have learned the 5s, 2s, 10s, 9s, and 3s multiplication facts!! We have been learning lots of strategies for solving multiplication and division problems and word problems. The best way to support your child with multiplication right now is to help them practice their math facts. It is so crucial that they know their facts as we move in to new math concepts. Thanks!
Reading: We are learning the importance of building a reading life! We are learning how to choose good-fit books, how to read as if our books are like GOLD, and we are learning to keep track of progress with a reading log.
Growth Mindset: We continue to talk about how our mindset can make a difference in our learning and in our daily lives. This week, we talked all about facing challenges and I was able to challenge the class with the Coin Flip Challenge! We definitely needed to use a growth mindset with this! We also started talking abut choices and how each choice we make impacts our day and it can also impact ourselves and those around us. We read the book What Should Danny Do? and it reminded our class that each of us has the power to choose!
*Other important things to know*
Homework: Reading/Math Fact log: A Reading/Math Fact log was sent home with your third grader today (Monday 9/28) This will serve as third grade homework and is meant to support your child in gaining accountability and responsibility as a learner. Last week, your third grader started using a reading log in class and now they will be responsible for keeping track of their reading at home. This reading log will be turned in every Monday. Thank you for your support with this!
Walk a thon!!:
Thank you for supporting our school! Final donation date is Wed, Sept. 30. There’s still time to donate!
• Please make checks payable to: Georgetown Elementary PTC
• Visit this page for more details!!
Picture Day is this Thursday, October 1
Forms were sent home last week, but we do have some extra in the office if needed! If your child is not at school on Thursday, picture retake day will be Tuesday, Nov 3. If you would like to order your pictures online, you would go to geskusphoto.com/fallorders and you will need this webcode. 264BFISDGVNHA
The next Early Release is Friday, Oct. 23. Dismissal is at 12;15pm. If your child is a car rider, please be at school between 12:10 and 12:15 for pick up. Food Service will be offering a sack lunch on early release days. Children can order a lunch with their teacher in the morning and will have them to take to their destination.
Thanks!
Ms Van Arkel 🙂
We are doing a spirit week this week for the walk a thon.
Monday – PJ Day
Tuesday – Crazy Socks Day
Wednesday– Crazy Hair Day
Thursday– Walk a thon Day and Hat Day
Friday– Maize and Blue Day
Walk a thon Event details:
Support our school and help our class win!!!
Thank you to all who have donated so far!
• Please make checks payable to: Georgetown Elementary PTC
• Visit this page for more details!!
*Be sure to subscribe to our school blog if you have not done so already.
Our class enjoyed the sunshine last week by doing some reading outside. Here’s a photo of just some of our class getting lost in their books. 🙂
I’m looking forward to another great week in third grade!
– Ms Van Arkel
Hi Families,
Our class has been doing a wonderful job at getting back into the school routine! We have taken time to get to know each other and learn our new procedures.
Here is an update of our learning:
Writing:
We are learning strategies for personal narrative writing. We are learning how to make goals and how to use strategies when we get stuck. We have been working on writing like a storyteller and not a reporter.
Growth Mindset:
We have been learning all about different character traits such as kindness, acceptance, friendship, courage, and bravery. With each trait, we read a book to help us understand what that character trait can look like. We will continue to learn about using a growth mindset as a learner and we will work on making goals for our learning. We will also be learning about how the parts of our brain help us learn.
Math:
We have started learning and understanding the concept of multiplication. We have learned to use drawings as a strategy. We will be using flashcards to learn and have started with the 5s facts. It will be important for your child to build a habit of practicing multiplication facts for at least 5 minutes, at least 5 days a week.
Reading:
We are working on building our reading life and choosing good-fit books. Our class is practicing building stamina as a reader.
A few more reminders:
• Scholastic Book order is due today (Mon. 9/14). If you are still planning to order ( Follow the directions on the flyer that went home), please do so by 10pm tonight.
• Occasionally we use headphones during computer time. If your child would like to use their own earbuds or headphones, please send them into school for your child to keep in their desk.
• EARLY RELEASE is this Friday, September, 18. Dismissal is at 12:15. Your child may order a sack lunch to take home from food service.
Hi Third Grade Families,
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE:
PLEASE be sure to read this post from the office. It includes important information about drop off and pick up as well as letting you know about some forms to be looking for in your child’s daily folder. Some of these forms will need to be returned to school. Thank you for your cooperation with some new school procedures this year!
* If you have not done so already, please fill out the survey posted on a previous blog post to let me know your child’s transportation plans (or just send me an email). It’s important to me that I know exactly where to send your child at the end of the day. Thanks*
The way we talk with our students about these new routines (masks, social distancing, hallway walking, bus routines, etc) will make all the difference in how we transition back to learning. Please help your child process these changes and remind them that although this feels different, we are all in this together, and we can do hard things. This will be one of our first GROWTH MINDSET lessons! 🙂 Your support is so helpful.
OUR CLASSROOM
Here is a peek at our classroom. I can’t wait to see it filled with some AMAZING third graders!
Our Classroom!
Hi Third Graders,
Take a peek at this video.
I am looking forward to meeting you on the first day of school!!
Ms Van Arkel 🙂
Hello Families,
I am so excited to meet a great group of third graders! I am glad to have the opportunity to be your child’s teacher! I will be sharing lots of information on our class blog over the next few weeks so please make sure you SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss a post! You can do this by typing your email in the box on the right side of the blog and clicking subscribe.
As we enter a school year with lots of changes, I want you to know that I am committed to making a safe and comfortable learning environment for each of my third graders. We will work together to take care of each other and build up our growth mindset as we learn new routines.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
I have created a School Supply page at the top of the blog. You can find it HERE. We will not be sharing supplies this year so it will be important for your child to have their own individual items labeled with their name. Some of the items you send in will also be used in specials classes.
It will be important to send in one healthy snack each day for our morning snack break.
SURVEY
I look forward to getting to know your third grader this year. If you could, please fill out this survey to share any other information that would be helpful. Thank you!
OUR NEW PRINCIPAL:
If you have not done so already, please read the blog post from Mr. Waldie! We are excited to welcome him to our Georgetown family! Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the school blog so you won’t miss announcements from the office or information from Mr. Waldie.
CLASSROOM DONATIONS:
If you are looking for another way to help out our classroom, please take a look at my Amazon Wishlist. Thank you for your support!!
Dear Parents,
Studies have shown that students can lose up to 50% of learning during the summer vacation. Georgetown is challenging you and your child to “KEEP ON LEARNING” this summer to prevent summer slide. There are a few ways your child can continue learning throughout the summer.
2. READING:
• Chapter book reading for 20 minutes (or more!). Help your child maintain their reading progress by keeping a reading routine. With the unusual way our school year ended, maintaining reading skills will be very crucial through the summer and into 4th grade in the fall.
• EPIC : If your child enjoys using this site for reading and they’d like to use this throughout the Summer months, please let me know as I will need to send you a link for access.
• Challenge your child to read fiction and nonfiction texts.
3. Writing:
• Have your child keep a journal and write abut their summer adventures and activities. Remind them to think of a small moment and include details, thoughts, and feelings as they write.
• Write about reading: As your child reads, have them write about the text.
– Describe the main character.
– Describe the setting of the story
– Make a prediction
– How would you feel if you were the main character? Would you do anything differently?
– Why do you think the author wrote this story?
– What is the lesson of this story?
4. Workbooks
• You may find 3rd/4th grade workbooks at bookstores that would have some great skill practice.
Parents,
I have loved teaching this group of third graders this year! They are so special to me! Thank you for your support throughout the year and especially these last few months. Thank you for encouraging your child as a learner and coaching them through a difficult transition.
I wish your family a summer of fun, family time, and relaxation!
Enjoy this video that highlights some of our moments this year.
Ms Van Arkel 🙂
THANK YOU for all you are doing to support and encourage your children as learners! I appreciate the way you are engaging your children in learning activities at home. I am so grateful to have awesome families to partner with!
Here is a small way we can say thank you!