Ms. Underwood's Class

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

MATH - COMPARISON BARS STRATEGY

Parents:

This morning in math we worked on using comparison bars to solve multi-digit comparison problems. This math concept is tricky and requires practice because students must distinguish the known information in the word problem from what is unknown. I am including two links to youtube videos that give an explanation of the comparison bars. I thought these might be helpful to you in helping your child with homework.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-hCpRJriBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGfwCLPLF5U

Monday, September 8, 2014

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday, September 11 - BEGINNING OF GRADE ASSESSMENT

Thursday, September 18 - OPEN HOUSE 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Monday, September 22 - Interim Reports sent home

Thursday, September 25 - TEACHER WORKDAY - (Conferences to be scheduled)

Wednesday, October 1 - FALL PICTURE DAY

Thursday, October 2 - SCHOOL SKATE PARTY - 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

United Skates of America
Friday, October 17 - EARLY RELEASE - 1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29 - TEACHER WORKDAY

September 2, 2014

Dear Parents:

The start of the new school year has been a successful one. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your child through activities we have done in the classroom 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 set a purpose for reading, stay engaged during reading, and check for understanding. During Writer’s Workshop, students have been learning how to write a well-organized paragraph with a topic sentence and supporting details. This week we will begin writing focused, small moment personal narratives. Our focus in math has been on reviewing various methods to fluently add and subtract. 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. 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 to help students understand various systems within the human body.

HOMEWORK

Students are writing their homework assignments in their agendas. Your child should be bringing home his/her math and homework binder nightly. This binder contains his/her agenda, the green Douglas folder which will contain homework papers, and the math focus lessons for the quarter. There is also a reading log inside the green homework folder 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. I am sending these home today since Monday was a holiday. 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.

BOOK ORDERS

Included in today’s Monday folder is a book order from Scholastic. These orders will be sent home often. If you would like to order any books, please send back the order form and check by September 15. Make checks payable to Scholastic, and please do not send cash. We will receive classroom points redeemable for free books for orders made online using our classroom code J64DG.

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 white form, you can help our classroom earn a free gift.

UPCOMING DATES

9/11 – Beginning of Grade Assessment, 9/18 – Open House (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.), 9/25 - Workday

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

Monday, June 2, 2014

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

June 3, 2014

Dear Parents,

We are having an end of the year 3^rd grade celebration/pizza party. We are asking for $3 from each child. If you’d like to donate more, that would be awesome! Please only send in cash (exact change is appreciated), no checks. I’d like to collect all the money by Friday, June 6th. Thank you!!

Our grade level pizza party for teachers and students will be on Wednesday, June 11^th from 12-2:30. Please remind your child to bring a beach towel or blanket to lay out for our pizza picnic.

We are also going to have a third grade end of year social for our class family on Tuesday, June 10^th from 10:00 to 11:00 (right after the PBIS awards assembly). Parents are invited to attend.

I would be grateful for your help in donating food items for our celebrations. Here is a link to a sign up for donations. If you are able to donate items, please send them to school by Monday, June 10. Thank you so much for your continuous support and generosity!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A8AD22A0F85-endofyear

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to teach your children this year! It was a pleasure getting to know each of them. They are a wonderful group of hard working, compassionate, and smart students. They have such an enthusiasm for learning. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year with them and will miss them so much next year. I also appreciate the support and kindness each of you has shown me this year as parents and family members. Thank you for all that you have done!

Sincerely,

Donna Underwood

PS- If your student is planning on being absent next week, please send me a note so I can have their “end of the year surprise” ready early!!