March 15, 2011

Last week we completed the novel, Marvin Redpost, Alone in his Teacher's House. The students enjoyed this novel and most completed an AR test on it.

Students have a challenge of earning 5 AR points this months. As of now, 2 students have reached this goal and 4 more are very close. Keep encouraging your child to read at home.

The animal reports are just about done! Only a few students are left who need to complete their writing. Ask your child what they learned about their animal or the writing process. Revising is very difficult for third grade children.

March 25th is the end of 3rd quarter. There will be no school for students on the 28th. I will be busy working on report cards that day.

We will have our second Pennies for Peace lesson tomorrow. Our first container is almost full of pennies! Please keep bringing them in. It is fun to watch the container fill.

This week in math, the children learned the multiplation facts for the 5s. This is a pretty easy set for them to memorize as most can rapidly count by 5s as well as tell time on an analog clock.

Spelling List for
Papa Tells Chita a Story

1. forks
2. worn
3. form
4. fourth
5. war
6. storm
7. horse
8. warn
9. morning
10. forest
11. court
12. porch
13. poured
14. port
15. important
* leprechaun

March 2, 2011

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! What an amazing author. We enjoyed reading some fun stories today to celebrate.

The students had their first Pennies for Peace lesson with Mrs. Raymond today. We will five lessons in all. Pennies for Peace is based on the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. It will be fun to learn about different cultures and see how many pennies our class can collect.

The third graders are all writing animal reports. They all got to choose their animal and are working on researching and beginning the writing process. I'm excited to see their finished products.

The Magazine Fund raiser is in full swing and orders are due on Friday.

Our new novel is Marvin Redpost: Alone in His Teacher's House. The students are enjoying reading about Marvin's adventures as he takes care of his teacher's dog while she is on vacation.

Last week the children began their MCA practice in Reading and Math. We will continue to work on little bits and pieces to prepare for the state tests.

Weekly Spelling List
1. fence
2. sneeze
3. bowl
4. walrus
5. liver
6. plate
7. bonus
8. family
9. leash
10. paw
11. vet
12. house
13. kennel
14. Marvin
15. Waldo
* chocolate

The students are getting much better at handing in their homework on time. Homework is sent home daily and due the following morning by 8:30.

Our class reading goals for this month are for each student to read 500 minutes at home and to earn 5 AR points. I know they can all accomplish this goal. Work hard and read some good books!

Mrs. Richter

Students have completed their study of the Solar System. It was an interesting unit and the children all enjoyed learning about the stars, planets, sun and moon.

This week we are learning about Presidents Washington and Lincoln. The children are making small books to remember important facts about these famous leaders.

We have also been doing creative writing activities. Ask your child if they have had a turn to spin the "machine." It is an interactive writing activity we do on the SmartBoard. I will have samples to show you at conference time.

No School for students on:
Friday - February 18 (elementary conferences)
Monday - February 21 (President's Day)
Tuesday - February 22 (teacher inservice day)

This week we are reading about Proverbs and Fables. Ask your child about some of their favorite stories.

Spelling Words

1. bear
2. tear
3. haircut
4. stairs
5. wear
6. airplane
7. compare
8. repair
9. pear
10. prepare
11. stare
12. glare
13. sharing
14. fairy
15. aware


Fun Quote:
As we are studying the planets and their distance from the sun, we come to Earth.
One child asks, "So, Mrs. Richter, do you mean we're in space?"
I reply, "Yes, we are on Earth, which is part of the Solar System."
The child responds (with a look of awe), "WOW! That's so cool! So, how come we're not floating around?"
This lead back to our discussion on gravity.

I am enjoying getting to know each child. They are learning and growning so much!
Enjoy the sunshine!
Mrs. Richter

February 1, 2011

Welcome to February!

The students and I had a wonderful first week together. We are getting to know each other and each day brings us closer together. We have been learning about the Earth and the Moon. The students are enjoying this and for the month of February we will be keeping track of the moon's phases.

Book orders are due today!


Spelling List for Centerfield Ballhawk

1. boots
2. grouped
3. shook
4. school
5. looked
6. hood
7. choose
8. brook
9. zoomed
10. balloon
11. loose
12. soot
13. understood
14. cartoon
15. afternoon

Spelling Words - week of Jan. 17-20

This week's words are tough because of the use of the apostrophe. Some of the words are plurals (meaning more than one person or thing); some of the words are singular possessives (one person or thing "owns" one thing); and some are plural possessives (more than one person or thing and they each "own" something). For example : 2 dogs (plural); my dog's bone (singular possessive); and my dogs' bowls (plural possessive).

1. brother's

2. brothers

3. uncle's

4. uncles

5. sister's

6. sisters

7. sisters'

8. man's

9. men's

10. child's

11. girls

12. girl's

13. girls'

14. mine

15. yours

Weaving Projects

For the past couple of weeks, the third graders have been learning about several Native American tribes. One of the MN art standards fits very nicely with our unit. Students are supposed to be able to recognize a Native American craft. We learned about sand painting and weaving in our social studies books. My students have been weaving small rugs for the past week or so. They are doing a great job!

Spelling Words - week of Jan. 10-14

1. wrinkles
2. friend
3. timer
4. shutter
5. film
6. peonies
7. farmer
8. perfect
9. pantry
10. flute
11. bicycle
12. picture
13. memories
14. darkroom
15. answers