Ms. Hudson's 3rd Grade Class

September 22

Happy Fall!  Things are finally starting to cool down.  You may want to send a jacket or sweater with your child to stay at school.  Please write their name in it if you do.

Here's what we're working on:  Reading - Reading with expression and fluency.  Finding the main idea, sequencing events, finding the problem and solution.  Ways you can help - Read at least 5-10 min. daily orally; your child should be reading silently several times a week, if not daily

Math - We're still working on adding and subtracting with and without regrouping, rounding/estimating, story problems.  We will be moving toward elapsed time.  Ways you can help -   Please review telling time with your child.  Money needs to be reviewed as well, both counting and making change.

Grammar - We work on Daily Oral Language which involves editing sentences, definitions, misspellings, etc.  Ways you can help - Encourage and model good grammar for your children.

Science - We're finishing up rocks and fossils and are moving on to landforms.  Ways you can help - Point out different landforms as you're driving, watching tv, etc.

Remember students only receive 5 new spelling words each week but they are expected to remember words from previous weeks and years.

September 15

Hooray!  We're finished with testing!  Do something fun this weekend to celebrate.  Powder Springs Day is tomorrow with a parade, food, and fun stuff for kids. The Chronicles of Narnia will be shown FREE of charge at the Methodist church on Marietta St.

Next Tuesday we will have a donut sale to benefit Relay for Life.  Donuts are 50c, maximum of 2 per student.

Wednesday is early release.  We will dismiss at 12:25.  Our lunch will be 11:19-11:49, so we will have a morning snack.

A reminder about dress code:  Spaghetti straps are not permitted unless a shrug or jacket is worn over them.  Shorts need to be a modest length, closer to the knee than the hip. A good rule is that the hem should be at least the length of the fingertips.

Next week we go back to our normal schedule which you received at Open House or from your child if you couldn't attend.  Progress reports were sent home today for any student scoring a C or below in any subject.

Have a restful weekend!

September 1

This week has gone by fast; the students even thought so.  Next week should too with the holiday and testing.  We will start our CogAt on Wednesday morning at 8:15.  Remember...lots of rest and a good breakfast.

PTA Open House is next Thursday September 7 at 7o'clock.  Your child can show you around the room after the meeting.

I'm going to put our schedule on this blog so you can refer to it as needed:

7:15-8:15  Arrival, seatwork, announcements, free centers

8:15-10:00 Language Arts (reading, spelling, grammar, writing)

10:00-10:30  recess

10:38-11:08  LUNCH

11:15-11:25  storytime

11:25-12:30  Math

12:30-1:10  Science, Social Studies, or Health

1:10-1:25  healthy snack (optional)

1:25-2:10  Specials

2:10-2:25  prepare for dismissal

2:25  Dismissal

August 28, 2006

So sorry that this didn't come on Friday.  My computer didn't survive the storm. 

I want to say a BIG thank you to Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Hudgens, and Mr. Moore for their help in the classroom.  There's room for you if you'd like to be involved; just let me know.

FYI - We do have snack time in the afternoon, but it is optional.  Due to food allergies, I do not provide snack or allow students to share snack.  If you want to send a snack for your child, it should be healthy and quick.  No utensils should be needed.  Also we have a water fountain in the room.

Congratulations to Alejandra Rendon on being our August Breakfast of Champions winner for showing Respect.  She and other students will enjoy a special meal provided by Publix.

Here's what we've been studying:

                        Math - place value, rounding, estimation, ways to write numbers

                        Science - rocks & minerals

                        Grammar - sentences, subjects & predicates, nouns & verbs

                        Spelling - Sitton Spelling (ask your child)

Testing will begin next week with the CogAT and the ITBS.  Get plenty of rest!

I will also attach a rough sketch of our daily schedule.  We're still working out the kinks.

Aug. 18

We've completed our first week of 3rd grade!  This week has been spent getting to know each other and new routines; next week we jump in with both feet.

I will be giving homework on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  Your child will fill out the agenda with all assignments on Monday.  If classwork is not completed it will be added to the homework.  I don't give homework on Wednesdays because many families have activities going on and frankly we all need a night to "chill."

I would love to have some of you help in our class.  There is so much to do and so little of me!  If you can copy, file, type on the computer, laminate, etc., please let me know.  I even have some things you could do at home if it's more convenient.  If you prefer to work with the children, you can do one-on-one reading or flashcards.  Our students succeed when we all pull together.

I typed this note on a "blog" which you can access if you have the internet.  If you prefer, you can just open the blog each week and have one less piece of paper in your child's backpack.  Log onto dowell.typepad.com/hudson/ and check it out.  I'll send a survey next week and you can let me know your preference.                            Have a great weekend!

Welcome

Welcome to 3rd grade and Dowell Elementary School!  This is my first year at your school though some of you may have seen my face as a substitute teacher last year.  I have taught school for 10 years in public and private schools.  I have two sons - Brett is 14 and starting Kennesaw Mtn. HS and Luke is 11 and will continue at Midway Cov. Christian.  I grew up in Cobb Co. and graduated McEachern HS.  I am sooo excited to be part of the wonderful staff at Dowell; I feel blessed to be here.

I will be communicating to you parents weekly through this "blog" format.  If you would prefer to have the newsletter on paper, please let me know.  This is new to me and may be new to some of you.  We'll learn together!  Hope to see everyone at Sneak a Peek on Thursday Aug. 10.  Drop in from 3-5.