August 31, 2015 
Dear Parents:
The start of the new school year has been a successful
one. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting
to know your child through hands-on activities (using play-dough, gummy worms,
and drama) to establish a sense of community.
I am very excited about the learning experiences your child will
participate in and look forward to a productive school year.
CURRICULUM
Last week we learned the procedures and expectations of our
“Daily 5” program for literacy. Students
are doing a wonderful job practicing read to self while at the same time
building their stamina for reading. They
have been asking questions before, during, and after reading to engage them in
their reading and help them comprehend.
We will focus on more strategies this week such as back up and reread,
as well as check for understanding to aid our comprehension of text. Our focus in math has been on reviewing
various methods to fluently add and subtract within 1000. These methods include place value drawings,
show all totals, and expanded form. We
have also been working on “math talk” in the classroom because it is important
that students be able to explain the process of their problem solving rather
than just give an answer. This week we
will focus on the number line strategy as another method to add and
subtract. We began our first unit of
study in Science today which is the human body.
There are many fun, hands-on activities planned in this unit (making
pasta skeletons, assembling Mr. Bones, etc.) to help students understand the
skeletal and muscular systems within the human body.
HOMEWORK
Students should be writing their homework assignments in
their agendas. Agendas may be purchased
for $3.00. Your child should be bringing
home his/her math and homework binder nightly.
This binder contains his/her agenda, the green Douglas folder containing
homework, and the math focus lessons.
Homework is consistent throughout third grade and consists of one math
page and a reading log which needs to be signed nightly (Monday – Thursday),
acknowledging that your child read 20 minutes and checked for comprehension
that evening.
COMMUNICATION
I am always happy to
talk to you about any questions or concerns you may have about your child. Please do not hesitate to send a letter,
write a note in the agenda, call the school (919-881-4894), or email me at dunderwood@wcpss.net. I think it is very important to keep the
lines of communication open between home and school in order to create a
positive learning environment for your child.
Folders will be sent home every Monday to inform you of your child’s
progress, important events, and upcoming dates. Please take the time to review the
information/class work/homework with your child. Please feel free to keep the papers in the
folder other than those that specify to be returned. I am also in the process of updating our
class website. This classroom blog will
serve as another means of communication between home and school. I have some really cool pictures of your
children during our first week of school activities that I would like to
post. Once I receive all the photo
permission forms, I will be updating my blog for this school year.
SNACK
Students are allowed to bring a healthy snack such as fruit,
veggies, or granola bars since our class eats lunch at 1:15 p.m. Students are eating their snack around 11:00
a.m. while instruction continues and before leaving for Specials.
SCHEDULE
Ms. Underwood’s
third grade schedule is as follows:
8:45 – 9:15
Arrival and Morning Responsibilities
9:15 – 9:30
Morning Meeting
9:30 – 11:20
Literacy SPECIALS
11:20 – 12:15 Specials A Day – P.E.
12:20 – 1:05
Science/Social Studies B Day - Science
1:05 – 1:15 Read
Aloud C Day - Art
1:15 – 1:45 Lunch D Day - Dance
1:50 - 3:05 Math E Day - Drama
3:10 – 3:40
Recess F Day – Music
3:45 -
Dismissal
UPCOMING DATES
9/4 – Early Release – Students released at 1:15 p.m. /
Spirit Day – Dress from the 80’s
9/7 – Labor Day Holiday – No School
9/9 – Beginning of Grade Assessment
9/10 – Read to Achieve Meeting – 3rd Grade
Parents – 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Open House –
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thank you for the classroom donations of tissues, wipes,
copy paper, expo markers, etc. These
supplies are definitely needed, and I appreciate your generosity. I am very grateful for the opportunity to
teach your child. I look forward to
helping your child grow academically and develop the skills needed to function
effectively in our global society.
Sincerely,
Donna H.
Underwood
