Newsletters

Use these bi-monthly newsletters to find information about our classroom happenings, important dates, and curriculum information.

The Third Grade Tribune
November 16, 2009
Mrs. Barcello, Room 265
barcelloa@issaquah.wednet.edu

http://www.newcastle.issaquah.wednet.edu/Teachers/BarcelloA/ 

Important News and Upcoming Dates:

ü November 18^th – Mystery Book Report DUE
ü November 20^th – Scholastic Book Orders DUE – www.scholastic.com/parentordering
ü November 25^th – Report Cards Sent Home
ü November 25^th – Volunteer Calendar DUE…if you’re interested in volunteering in our classroom
ü November 26^th-27^th – No School, Thanksgiving Break
ü December 5^th – Newcastle Chorus @ Factoria Mall (11:30-12:30)
ü December 9^th – Eye & Light Lab with Kate Poaster
ü December 18^th – Winter String Story Handed Out (More information to come in December!)
ü December 21^st-January 1^st – No School, Winter Break
ü January 2^nd – Winter String Story Due
ü January 18^th – No School, MLK Day 

Mystery Book Report Project:  For this project your child is required to choose a mystery book at their reading level and complete a Mystery Puzzle Project.  All work on the project must be hand drawn and hand written, no computer typing or computer generated pictures are allowed.  I can’t wait to see what each kiddo will do!   This project is due: November 18^th. 

Scholastic Book Orders: This year, we will be doing scholastic book orders online.  This gives you the ability to order at your own time using a credit card.  Please check out www.scholastic.com/parentordering. 
·         User Name : Barcello
·         Password: Books
Just place your order online and I will submit it on November 20^th.  The order will be delivered to our classroom.  This is a great opportunity to do some holiday shopping!! 

Mathematics:   We are currently working on our 3^rd unit in Everyday Math!  Unit 3 focuses on measurement and area.  Not only have we been studying the US Customary system of measurement, but we have also been studying the Metric System!  Ask your child to tell you the difference between the two systems, you will be amazed with how much they can tell you!  In addition to linear measurement, we have started learning about perimeter and area.  Our main focus has been looking at the difference between perimeter and area, as well as how to find these two measurements.  We have done some very exciting hands-on activities to help us understand these concepts.  We have been using our meter sticks to find the perimeter of all sorts of objects in our classroom.  If you want to be amazed, ask your child how many square feet are in a square yard. 

Readiness Activities:   As a grade level, we have put together math readiness packets for students and parents who would like them.  These packets include worksheets from the upcoming unit that allow students who need extra practice, to preview skills that will be covered in the coming unit.  Please let me know if you would like me to send home readiness packets prior to beginning our units. 

At home, encourage your child to play math games on the Everyday Mathematics website; this will continue to build their fact knowledge.  Visit www.everydaymathonline.com and use the login and password that were sent home with your child.  I also sent home fact triangles that your child can use to practice their addition and subtraction facts. 

Reading:  This week we started reading our next novel, Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary.  This book is an exciting story of a 3^rd grade girl named Ramona who tends to get herself into a lot of mischief.  While we are reading this book, we will be focusing on vocabulary words, predicting,  and summarizing.  Students will spend a lot of time discussing the events in this book and connecting their reading to their own life. 

Salmon:  We have almost completed our salmon calendars!  After 6 weeks of VERY hard work, each student has almost finished their research calendar.  Each student has been working tirelessly on their calendar.  We have two last page to finish as well as a few finishing touches.  Throughout this process each student has become an expert on salmon!  Ask your child to tell you a few interesting facts about salmon, I guarantee you will learn a lot!  We have two pages left to go and you’ll be amazed at the time and effort your child put into this project.  The 2010 calendar is stuffed full of facts and pictures of salmon throughout the different stages of the life cycle. 

Eye & Light:  Our next science unit is eye & light.  A major part of this unit is the cow eye dissection…that’s right, we’re dissecting a cow eye!  Did you know, the cow eye is one of the most similar to a human eye?  This is an amazing learning experience for students and they have loved it in the past!  If you are interested in volunteering, I sent home a sign-up sheet with your child. 

Misc:

«  If you are interested in volunteering in our classroom, please return your volunteer calendar by November 25^th.

Thanks for reading the Third Grade Tribune!