Catching Up To The End

Wow! Where did September go? Already the end??? Wow! We are deep into our learning and are also having a blast. Here are some of our highlights:

1. Biographies
We learned how to research using a book and how to use the information and make a final project specifically about the biography we read. We are using Kidspiration, which is a software program on the computer to create digital webs. We are also creating cutouts of our person and will have an awesome final project to show off coming this next week.


2. Flat Stanley
We have reviewed the letter writing process, have written our community letters and are ready to address our envelopes. Our Flat Selves are almost ready to go on their adventure. The students are so excited. We even had the opportunity to view a past project from a grandma of a third grader who received a Flat Stanley. What a motivator! Although, it set high expectations for those receiving our letters.


3. Math
We wrapped up Unit 1 in math and are pushing forward to Unit 2. And might I add how impressed I was with our first test in math. Wow! Totally blew my mind how well everyone did. Once again, if you haven't, you can check grades online through parent portal. Contact the office and they can help you get set up.


4. Writing
We have loved getting back into the swing of writing. We have almost completed one whole round of writing with publishing coming up this week. It is truly awesome to watch the excitement when we write and to see all our positive attitudes.

5. Circle of Greatness
I am taking a class on Nurtured Heart and love what I am learning. We have started a Circle of Greatness to end our day. We all sit in a circle and talk about our greatness. Sometimes it is as simple as coming to class on time or else it can be finishing a project or using nice words all day, either way we love to talk about our greatness.

6. PTA Membership Drive
This week we are having a PTA membership drive. The PTA does so much for our school and classroom and we are so thankful for them. So... become a member. Not only will you be able to attend meetings and have a voice, you are saying thank you in a very simple way. During our membership drive, the grade level with the most memberships will win some prize (we are not sure what it is yet, but we love a competition). So let's all join PTA.

7. Finally... Fargo Force Reading
There will be forms coming home on Monday in order to track your child's reading minutes. Also, each month, there will be a "Reader of the Month" which is open to those who have met their reading goal. There is also a classroom competition in which we can win free things and even a trip to the Scheels arena for the classroom that reads the most minutes. How fun! More details to come, watch your child's backpack tomorrow.

Upcoming Events:

* Picture forms due tomorrow
* Pictures will be taken Oct. 4th
* Watch for an October calendar to come home this week
* Conference schedule times will come home this week (close to Friday). If your time does not work, please contact me right away to get a new time arranged.


Thank you so much for helping our classroom get off to a great start.

Until another great day...

Mrs. Farkas

Monday Morning Blues

My goodness...Monday mornings are rough! I think my room was full of zombies and not third graders!!! You all must have had some crazy fun weekends. :) Just a heads up for some of you, we had a few lovelies who were honest (which I SOOOOOO appreciated) and admitted to secretly reading or playing some kind of game boy or ipod in bed unbeknownst to you until VERY late. You may want to consider rounding up any gaming devices (and books, even though I hate to say it) in your house at bedtime to assure this doesn't happen again. I know you all realize and understand the importance of a good night's sleep, and I myself am a night owl and guilty of a late bedtime often. Thank you so much for your efforts to establish and maintain a consistent and healthy bedtime! A good night's sleep (along with daily activity and healthy eating) GREATLY impact a child's attention, participation in class, understanding of learning topics, and relationships with their peers.

Onto our learning...

Last year we implemented a new Writing Workshop in grades 1-3, and I continue to be amazed by how students respond. Our first two weeks we focused on brainstorming ideas to write about and developing these topics through storyboarding. If you ask your son or daughter, they should be able to tell you that we are working on writing personal narratives, and that these stories must have the following 4 things: characters, setting, problem, and resolution. No happy stories here! This week we are starting to draft which means we are getting to write our stories out.:)


Cursive! The students are SOOOO excited to be learning cursive. Our goal this year is to learn how to form all the letters correctly and be able to read cursive fluently. Even though we aren't expected to master cursive, I anticipate that cursive will end up to be easier and neater for several students than printing. Proper formation is key along with the correct pencil grip. So when practicing at home, keep those things in mind.


Other topics we studied last week: identifying characters and setting, words that end in -ed, 4 kinds of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory - yes, we used those words!), telling time on an analog clock (one with hands), measuring with inches and centimeters, and using tally marks and bar graphs to study data.

The coupon book fundraiser is in full swing! Westside will benefit $10 from every book sold!!! That's amazing!!! The students are very excited about the opportunity to earn money for their school and to earn prizes for their efforts. We talked about polite, safe, and strategic sales strategies and prepped the materials. Please consider purchasing one and helping your son or daughter to sell a few more. The coupons inside are FABULOUS, so I'm sure it won't be hard to "get rid" of them!

That's it for today... until next time.

Mrs. Farkas