Parents,

Sorry to post mid week, but I needed to let you know of some important things to help you stay informed.  Recent events have made us more aware of the safety of your children.  In order to make our school an even safer place, we have discussed as a faculty some concerns we have.  Please make sure you sign in at the office ANY TIME you come into the school.  Even if you are just dropping off a lunch or bringing a pair of glasses to your child, sign in at the office.  They will then call our classroom and send your child down to the office to pick things up.  If you need to talk to a teacher before or after school, stop in and sign in as well.  Outside doors will be locked at all times so you will need to come to the front doors in order to enter the building.  If a teacher sees you in the building without a badge you will be asked to go to the office and sign in.  Even if we know you well, you will be asked to sign in.  Remember, this is for the safety of your child and every other child in the building.

On a lighter note, the class spelling bee will be held on Monday, January 14^th.  A list of possible words to be used will be sent home with your child this week.  I like every child to participate with the winners going to the school spelling bee.  It is a great time to show off your spelling skills. 

Thank you for all your help and support.  I really appreciate all you do as parents and I love your children.  It is an extreme pleasure to teach them. 

Happy Holidays,

Brandy Rollins

We will be working hard to finish things up and get ready for the holidays.  Our Holiday party will be Friday, December 21 from 10:45-11:45.  Make sure to have your child do their Christmas cards to pass out to everyone.  Spelling is just 10 fun words.  No UTIPS this week.  Instead, have fun making cookies together (it is a great way for them to practice measurement), enjoy being with your families, and do lots of reading of great holiday books. 

I did get a grant and purchased 10 ipod shuffles for listening centers.  If you are concerned about earbud headphones that will be shared with many students your child can bring some from home.  I will label them, keep them in a bin here at school, and send them home at the end of the school year.

We have been practicing a Reader’s Theater to share with all the other third grade classes.  If you would like to see your child perform we would love to show off.  The Red Class (doing Polar Express) will perform theirs for parents on Thursday, December 20 at 9:00.  The Yellow Class (doing A Charlie Brown Christmas) will perform theirs Thursday, December 20 at 12:00. 

Spelling for December 17-21: Christmas Holiday Hanukkah Reindeer Rudolph Year Santa Claus Elf Elves Words are on spellingcity.com Under Holiday Words if you want to practice there. Words will also be written in their planners.

UTIPS Homework: None this week!  Merry Christmas!

Keyboarding Help: The school has used a free internet program called Dance Mat typing. bbc.co.uk/schools/typing

Reading Days: Remember to record your reading days!!! Your child needs to read 20 minutes or more to count as a day.

We will once again be having a busy week.  We will be working on our fluency by practicing a Reader’s Theater to perform for the rest of the third grade the week before Christmas.  We will also be writing a Christmas poem.  We will be working on our comprehension by learning about Christmas customs found throughout the world.  Thank you to those who sent in material and wrapped books for the Christmas party.  I really appreciate all those helping to get the party organized.

Spelling for December 10-14: Strange Spray Scram Strut Strap Strict Stress Scream Scrap Spruce Scrape String Stripe Struck Spread Scratch Stream Straight Stretch strength Words are on spellingcity.com Under List 9   if you want to practice there. Words will also be written in their planners.

UTIPS Homework: I have put two tests (remember they are not real tests) online for this week. Please sit with your child and work with them on the homework. Tests are: Graphs 1 Language Arts 2

Keyboarding Help: The school has used a free internet program called Dance Mat typing. bbc.co.uk/schools/typing

Reading Days: Remember to record your reading days!!! Your child needs to read 20 minutes or more to count as a day.

Welcome back!!!  We will be busy for the next three weeks, but I will be working to making it fun as well.  This week we will be reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas and working to being kind to others in our class.  We will also be writing a persuasive essay convincing Santa to bring your child the gift they “deserve”.

I have set it up so you can order books from Scholastic Book Clubs.  This is a great and cheap way to get books for your child.  If you decide to order for Christmas, let me know and I will save the books and let you know when they arrive.  You can then pick them up in the office.  The due date for this order will be December 7 so we will for sure get them in time for Christmas.  Also, I know the room moms have planned a book exchange for the Christmas party.  This would be a great (and cheap-some are only a dollar) way to get the book.  Just go to the website scholastic.com/bookclubs and use the class code:  GXFFD (or I have been told you can search under my name:  Brandy Rollins)

Spelling for December 3-7: Knack Wreck Known Wrist Knot Ring Wrap Knob Knit Wren Wring Knight Gnaw Knoll Kneel Knelt Knee Wreath Wrinkle Knead Words are on spellingcity.com Under List 8 if you want to practice there. Words will also be written in their planners.

UTIPS Homework: I have put two tests (remember they are not real tests) online for this week. Please sit with your child and work with them on the homework. Tests are: Graphs 1 Language Arts 1

Keyboarding Help: The school has used a free internet program called Dance Mat typing. bbc.co.uk/schools/typing

Reading Days: Remember to record your reading days!!! Your child needs to read 20 minutes or more to count as a day.