Weekly Update #8: October 9 - October 13

Announcements:

• Science Materials Needed: We will begin our next science unit on Monday (Forms of Energy). We are in need of a few materials for a fun heat energy activity. If you are able to purchase any of these items please click on the Sign Up Genius . Thanks!
• Xtramath (Treasure Box Items Needed):  We are also in need a few more treasure box items for students that complete a section in Xtramath. The box is getting quite low on the number of items for students to choose from. Items can be purchased at Dollar Store, Target (dollar spot area) or Five Below. 
• Field Trip Forms: Please, return the blue and yellow field trip forms by Friday, October 27. 
• PTA Direct Donation Drive: Please consider making a monetary donation to our amazing Elsa England PTA. All 100% of your money goes right back into Elsa England and so many of its wonderful academic and social programs. Click HERE to make that donation today!
• Spelling Groups:​ New spelling words will be going home on Monday.  Please, practice words at home. Feel free to use the Word Work Sheet that was emailed out last week for fun ways to practice.
• 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.  Math Superstars link is on the Welcome Page. 
• Home Access Center: Check weekly to stay up to date on your child's academic progress. Link to Home Access Center.​
• 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!
  Bluebonnet Book List 2017 - 2018 http://www.txla.org/new-tba-list-released
  Mrs. Lilleboe's Bluebonnet Book Wish List http://a.co/j39aDD1
• 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:​​​​.​ ​​​​​​​

• October 17 - School Pictures - Return form if you want to purchase pictures
• October 18 - Don Tate Book Order form is due
• October 20 - End of first nine weeks grading period and our 1st Kinder Buddy Activity, Science Materials
• October 25 - Third Grade Fall Music Concert @ 6:30 pm
• October 26 - First nine week report cards go home - sign one copy and return 
• October 27 - Start of 2nd round of Enrichment groups and Spelling Test
• October 31 - Scholastic Book Orders for October are due!  Order online HERE.  Code NP79X
  • ​Thank you Yashvi's parents for already placing an October book order!
    

What's Been Happening In Class?  

• Writing: Poetry Unit.  We will start with learning how to write a Free Verse Poem and a poem that shows Personification. 
• Reading: We wrapped up our reading comprehension strategies this week using fiction stories - Summary using story elements (character, setting, problem, solution, B-M-E (events throughout the story) and point of view). We started our next unit - Poetry by just exploring different types of poetry. Next week we will continue to read poetry using our reading strategies. 
• Math: Our next unit is Multiplication!  The focus in this unit is to learn how to multiply by 10's and doubles (2's, 4's, 5's, and 8's) using a variety of strategies - arrays, equal groups, number line, repeated addition, skip counting, and area models. 
• Science: Our next unit is Forms of Energy.  We will observe heat/thermal, mechanical, sound, and light energy. 
• Social Studies: