***REMINDER***

Parents,

If you think you would like to chaperone any of our third grade field trips this year, please make sure that you have gone through the volunteer process with Wake County Public Schools.  You must be an approved volunteer in order to chaperone, and this process may take a few weeks.  Thank you!

WEEK of SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 NEWS

September 8, 2015

Dear Parents:

I am continuing to enjoy getting to know your child as we create a positive learning environment within our classroom.  It is a very rewarding experience for me to have the opportunity to help your child grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Listed below are a few pieces of information I wanted to call to your attention:

Curriculum – In reading this week we will continue to ask before, during, and after reading questions to comprehend text with the focus being on nonfiction books.  Students will also learn ways to use context clues in order to determine the meanings of unknown words.  During Writer’s Workshop, students will be writing a true, small moment story.  In math we will continue practicing strategies to add and subtract numbers within 1000.  The focus this week will be on carefully analyzing word problems in order to figure out whether to add or subtract.  Students will be engaged in some fun hands-on activities in science to explore the various types of joints within our skeletal system.

Open House – Douglas Elementary will be holding Open House on Thursday, September 10.  Third grade parents are invited to learn more about the Read to Achieve Program from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Following this session, please feel free to come to our classroom, Room 3124, to hear more information regarding third grade curriculum, field trips, etc.  For your convenience, two sessions will be held from 6:00 – 6:45 and 6:45 – 7:30 p.m.  You may attend either one.

Highlights Magazine Subscription – I am also including a special school offer to subscribe to Highlights magazine.  Highlights is a fun magazine that offers activities to make children think, crafts that spark creativity, fiction and nonfiction reading, as well as games and puzzles to build learning skills.  By checking yes or no on the yellow form, you can help our classroom earn a free gift. 

                                                                                                            
Upcoming Dates 
  

Wednesday, Sept. 9 – Beginning of Grade Test – Reading only – Please make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and eats a hearty breakfast in preparation for the test.  The test will begin at 9:30 a.m.  I am encouraging my students to give their best and to not get stressed about this assessment.

Friday, Sept. 11 – Wear red, white, and blue in remembrance of 9/11.

Enjoy the upcoming week, and I hope to see you at Open House.

Sincerely,

Donna H. Underwood

 

 

WEEK of AUGUST 31, 2015 NEWS

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 – 3^rd 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

INTEGRATING ART AND SCIENCE: CREATING SEED MOSAICS

In science, Ms. Flowers' and Ms. Underwood's classes have been studying the parts of a seed and how plants develop from a seed. We had a good time using various types of seeds to create beautiful mosaics.

SCIENCE IS FUN! - IN-HOUSE FIELD TRIP

Students had a blast on April 23 learning about skin, bones, and organs as Scientist John from Science is Fun! made a presentation.  Enjoy some pictures from our fun learning experience!

IN-HOUSE FIELD TRIP ON APRIL 23, 2015

On Thursday, April 23, scientists from Science Fun for Everyone! will be coming to our school to engage our third graders in a program entitled "Skin-n-Bones." This program aligns with our human body curriculum standards.  Students will be involved in a "hands-on anatomical adventure exploring real animal organs."  

www.ScienceFun.org

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARTS NIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELED.  IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN THE FALL.

SPRING FOOD DRIVE - APRIL 6 - 10 - We are collecting non-perishable food items to benefit the Backpack Buddies organization.  Please do not bring glass items.   Classes that bring in 50 cans/containers of food will earn a Pajama Day, and the class that donates the most food will earn a Popcorn Party.  Let's help our community, Ms. Underwood's Class!