Weekly Update #4: September 4 - September 7

Announcements:

• Home Access Center: I've started posting grades into Home Access. Please, check weekly to stay up to date on your child's academic progress. Link to Home Access Center.  The Home Access link is on the Welcome page of my website. If you still have trouble logging in please contact our school's front office.
• Science Supplies Needed: We are in need of some science supplies for our next couple of units. Please, check out the Sign Up Genius to see if you can help us out. Thanks so much!  Sign Up Genius
• Donors Choose: Our Donors Choose Project was completely funded thanks to many of you!  We received our comfy chairs and lap desks today. The kids got a chance to test them out too!  
• Fall Conferences: Schedule your one-on-one conference by going to this link Fall Conferences Please, email me or message me via Class Dojo with time slot you would like.  I will add your name for you. If you are unable to come on Monday, October 8, email me days and times that work for you in October. I will get back to you with which one works for me. Thanks!
• Scholastic Book Orders: It is vital that your child read everyday for 20 - 30 minutes. Ideally, it would be best if you read with your child so that they can practice their fluency, articulation and comprehension skills. Reading STAAR is this year, so keep your child reading!!!  Orders are due by September 28th. Place your orders online - Your Class Activation Code NP79X).  The link to order is HERE.    Thank you to Ethan H.'s parents, Jayanti's parents, Carsten's parents and Avantika's parents for already submitting their September book order.  Last day to order for this month is September 28th.
• Bluebonnet Book Program: Our class's goal for each student to read 5 books! The Bluebonnet Program goes until mid-January so we have plenty of time to read, read, read. So, let's get to it​
  • Elsa England Bluebonnet Book Program Information englandlibrary.edublogs.org/bluebonnet-books/
  • ​Bluebonnet Book List 2018 - 2019 texasbluebonnetaward2019.wordpress.com
  • Mrs. Lilleboe's Bluebonnet Book Wish List http://a.co/j39aDD1
• Math Superstars: This is an excellent source for keeping up with those math skills. Awards and prizes are given out to those students that complete the worksheet each week and turn it in. This will begin October 1st. Math Superstars link is on the Welcome Page. 
• Wobble Stools  - Wobble stools are an alternative desk seating option for your child. Wobble stools help provide students with the ability to wiggle as they sit. They help some students to focus more on their work too. This is a parent purchased item. With that said, at the end of the year the wobble stool is yours. Your child can then use them in 4th and 5th grade. I would recommend the 18"  stool. Here are a couple of websites of where to make this purchase if you are interested. Really Good Stuff - Wobble Stool  and Active Learning Stool - Amazon.com ​​

Upcoming Events:​​​​.​ ​​​​

• Sept. 7 - Math Quiz (Graphs & Charts) 
• Sept. 12 - Science DCA Test: Unit 1 - Classifying Matter (online games and activities for review are in the Science Links tab on this website) 
• Sept. 19 - Baskin & Robbins Ice Cream Spirit Night @ 5:00pm - 8:00pm
• Sept. 28 - Scholastic Book Orders due - order online using our code NP79X
• October 8 - No School for students - Parent/Teacher Conferences (scheduled times) 
• October 9 - No School for students

What's Been Happening In Class?  

• Writing: Personal Narrative Unit. Continued to explore Watermelon and Seed ideas. We learned about conjunctions and how to use a conjunction (and, but, or, so, nor) in a sentence. We also started our personal narrative using the "Explode the Moment" strategy to get our sequence of our narrative in order. We'll work on our rough drafts and revising/editing our personal narratives next week.  
• Reading: We learned a some new ways to develop our reading comprehension this week. We used the "Visualization strategy" and "Fiction Comprehension Check Questions" this week in our reading journals. We also met with our Reading Partners too!
• Math: We wrapped up our Charts and Graphs unit with a quiz today. The unit test for this will be combined with the Unit 2 test later this month. Please, remind your child to "show their work" when doing math problems at home. It's just as important to see how your child is understanding and thinking about a math problem as it is in getting the right answer. Points will be deducted for not showing math work (only giving answer) on worksheets, quizzes and tests!!
• Science: Matter Unit - States of matter and their physical properties. Completed Matter Stations and used STEMscopes (our online science program). Test will be on September 12th. Students can practice and learn more about matter by going to the "Science Links" tab.  
• Social Studies: Continuing to love Class Dojo as it helps us to follow our Social Contract in class. We also did a fun inferring activity with the constitution.