Another 3 Day Weekend!

Hello Parents,

I hope you're all enjoying this nice 3 day weekend. I could get use to this schedule! Our field trip to the Cabrillo Planetarium is coming up next Monday Feb.
25. I have plenty of parent drivers signed up to go, thank you! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to cover the Solar System, it's on my list of things to do this week along with the Biographies. Most of the students began taking notes on their famous American. However, some are still looking for research and were able to get on the classroom computers and print out some information. Please make sure your child brings his/her articles and/or books to class Tuesday. I had several kids leave it at home last week and they were not able to start. My goal is to have the students finish their note-taking and written draft by the end of the month. Then, I can have some of them begin typing it in class. I only have 4 computers, so if some can do this at home, that would be great. I know this seems overwhelming, but having the kids type their own report would be a good experience for them. I would like all reports and presentations done by Spring Break. I'll keep you posted on their progress.

Due to the Monday holidays back to back, I will not be sending home a weekly report with your child this week. I will send one home the following Monday.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Biographies

Hello! I'm sure your child has mentioned to you about an upcoming biography project. I will send home letters tomorrow with each student explaining what is expected of him/her along with a scoring rubric. Most of the work will be done in class, but they may need help finding research on the internet or a good book. Students will have a solid month to work on their project. Please check Mrs. Mayer's blog for additional information.

I am also sending home a field trip form tomorrow for the Cabrillo College Planetarium. Please let me know if you are interested in being a chaperone. This trip will extend beyond the school day. The presentation will begin at approximately 1:15 and end about 2:15. I need a driver willing to take students to Magic Apple After-school Program (off Trout Gulch). The remaining drivers will bring students back to school.

Hope you are enjoying Super Bowl Sunday. See you tomorrow!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Despite the weather on Friday, our field trip to the MAH in Downtown Santa Cruz, was a success. Thanks to all the parents who were able to come. A big thanks to the Miller's for stepping in to drive last minute! This Thursday we are still scheduled to attend the Peter Rabbit Performance at the Mello Center. I also wanted to give you a heads up regarding another field trip on February 25th to the Cabrillo College Planetarium. If you'd like to see what will be covered, you can go to: www.cabrillo.edu/~rnolthenius/pltarium/planetarium.htm (That should get you to the instructor's page). Mr. Nolthenius only has times on Mondays at 1:00. This field trip will extend beyond the school day by about 30 minutes. If your child attends Magic Apple afterschool, I will try to arrange for a parent to take those students there. The remaining students will be brought back to school probably by around 2:30-2:45. I'll send permission slips home in a week or so.

Tomorrow, I'll send home the weekly reports, as usual. Please take a look at your child's multiplication test. This was given a week ago to let me know where they are at. Over the next few weeks, take the time to help practice the facts that are still unfamiliar.

Let's have a good week!

Field Trips

Good Morning! This Friday, our class is going to the Museum of Art History (MAH) in Downtown Santa Cruz. I have 4 drivers so far and am looking for more volunteers. If you are available to drive, please let me know. I need seats for 11 more students (4 parents approximately). Also, next Thursday 1st-3rd grade classes will be attending the Peter Rabbit play at the Mello Center in Watsonville. It is advised that chaperones carpool due to the limited parking at the event. Parents will not be allowed to come on the bus with the students. I will send out an email of the chaperones in our class.

Other updates:
Tomorrow I will send home the weekly reports with each student. These reports are just one way to let you know how your child is doing in class. Please sign and return the bottom portion so I know that your child has given it to you. I've revised the form and added a place to include their Spelling and Math test scores for the week.

I gave the homophone spelling test on Friday and was pleasantly surprised to see how well the students did. Since the class did well, I will not give the test again this week. They will get a spelling packet tomorrow with more homophone practice but will not be tested on the words this Friday.

I also gave a multiplication test last week and only a small handful of students seem to know them by heart. I bought a multiplication rap DVD which will be used as another way to learn the facts. Please continue to practice at home. It is crucial that students learn the facts by the end of 3rd grade.

Happy MLK today. See you tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

Welcome back parents and students! I don't know about you, but it was great having a little r&r the past few weeks. Now that vacation is officially over, it's time to get back in the swing of things. I even got some time to look over the new science curriculum the district adopted, so we'll dive into that this month. I also got a multiplication rap DVD for the class to enjoy. It's fun to watch and just another way for those pesty multiplication facts to stick in our heads. I think the kids will enjoy it. Please continue to work with your child on memorizing their facts if they haven't learned them yet. It's a critical part of the 3rd grade math curriculum.

We have an upcoming field trip to the Museum of Art History(MAH)in Santa Cruz on January 25. I have heard wonderful things about the tour and look forward to taking the class there. Permission slips will go home Tuesday along with their weekly spelling packet. Please email me or send in a note if you would like to chaperone.

More Upcoming Events:
This month, we'll have a credentialed teacher come in for about 30 minutes per week to teach Spanish to the class.

There will also be a focus on Biographies for Social Studies. Students will need to write up a report about a famous American who made a difference in our country. A report description will be sent home within the next few weeks.

That's all for now! Thank you for the generous Christmas gifts. You are a caring group.

Upcoming Events for Dec.12-21

This Tuesday our class will be going to the Animal Hospital of Soquel. I sent home the green parent chaperone forms on Friday. Please let me know if you are coming on this field trip and did not receive one. If you have any pictures from a former field trip, send them in soon. I have only about 10 pictures in the box for our yearbook and would like to have more for Mrs. Field to look through when the time comes.

The class holiday party will be Friday, December 21st from 12:20-1:15. If you have any ideas for a fun center, let me know. Also, if you have any scraps of wrapping paper or extra cards you are not using, please send them in with your child. I would like to use these items to make cards for our kinder reading buddies.

One more request:
Please send your child in with several pencils and a sharpener to use on a daily basis. Many students are wasting pencils and/or not coming to school prepared. When they do not have pencils, class time is wasted.

Thanks for your support and all you do for our classroom and students!

Field Trip

Hello all! The permission slips for next weeks field trip to the Animal Hospital of Soquel were sent home on Friday. Attached was a note from the 3rd grade team regarding field trip costs for the remainder of the year. Please make the checks payable to the Parent Alliance. In the memo, note "field trip funds for Mrs. Maraldo or Room 23." Thanks!

With the holidays coming up, if anyone has an art project they would like to share with the class, please let me know. A few parents are coming in this Friday to teach about Hanukkah. Students always enjoy having their parents share in the classroom.

That's all for now! Happy December!