Classroom+News

= Classroom News =

December 11, 2013
This year is speeding by! I can not believe that Christmas is just around the corner. We are well into the school year and my students are working very hard. I am very pleased with my students' progress so far this year but we still have a long way to go and many more essential skills to learn.

The transition from 2nd grade to 3rd grade is hard enough but when you add in a new curriculum everyone is more stressed. I have to say that you, as parents, are making the transition with grace and is shows your faith in our school and in me. When you have questions, you ask. When you have concerns, you share them. Thank you! I want you and your child to have a comfortable year in third grade so please continue to let me know what you are thinking or feeling. There are many things that I am unable to control due to federal and state law but if I can answer any of your questions or express your concerns to others I will.

Your support with homework is crucial to your child's success. Thank you for making sure your child is reading for 30 minutes every night. This reading practice at their independent reading level is making a big difference in their growth as readers. My students are becoming confident readers who are able to show that they understand how to apply complex skills (like identifying the main idea or theme of a text) to books on their independent levels as well as on third grade level texts. Again, thank you for your support at home. It is noticed and appreciated.

I would also like to take a minute to discuss math. Math is an adventure for me this year and I am sure you are noticing that your child's math work looks considerably different than when you (and I) were in elementary school. We have been working on concrete models to show understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division for the first part of this year. We will continue to develop a deep understanding of these operations but now that we have had time with a variety of models we will begin to represent the models with the standard algorithms we are familiar with. If the students have a good understanding of addition and subtraction with models they will be ready for "regular" or "normal" addition and subtraction. If your child struggles be patient. Addition and subtraction, and more specifically, subtraction with regrouping are very difficult concepts for third graders (and many fourth graders) to master.

I take the responsibility that you have tasked me with very seriously and I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that your children learn what they need to be ready for fourth grade. Please continue to work with your children at home and allow them to explain how they are learning new skills in class. They may not be able to explain it perfectly but if they are able to successfully use the reading or math strategy the ability to explain will come later.

Have a very Merry Christmas, Mrs. Stutzman

September 18, 2013
I have to say I have hit the third grade JACKPOT! As I learn more about your children and what their interests, strengths, and weaknesses are I find myself enjoying my job more and more. They are working extremely hard every day and trying everything I ask them to do. Encourage your child each day and remind them that effort is important when they are trying new things.

I have started working with the new reading program (Action 100). At this point in the year I am working on finding every child's independent reading level, which is defined as the level of text where a child can read every word and understand the ideas that the author wants to share. I am also working on the Third Grade Common Core Standard 1. This standard focuses on asking and answering questions that are stated directly from the text. This skill is a great skill to practice at home after your child has read for his/her 30 minutes. Ask questions such as "Who is the most important character? What from the book makes you think that?" or "What has happened in the text so far?". These types of questions force children to rely on the text to find their answers.

We have also been very busy in math and science. During math we have been investigating rectangles and the attributes that we can use to describe them. We have also been using square tiles and grid paper to make rectangles using rows of squares. This investigation will help us when we come to arrays and multiplication/division models. In science we have been studying the properties of matter as well as the different states of matter. We are using tools to help us measure some properties of different items. We will soon use what we have learned about the states of matter when we begin learning about the water cycle and weather.

So far this year we have completed two STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning activities. The first was designing and building a habitat for a pig that would keep it safe from a wolf and would also meet the basic needs of a real pig. My students read multiple texts, answered questions about the texts, researched the needs of a pig, and designed and built the habitats using the materials that we had in the classroom. The second activity was designing butterfly mobiles that used rectangles and triangles in their butterfly wing designs. We also considered how many mobiles we could make if we used a certain number of butterflies on each mobile. In addition, we determined how much money we would make if we sold the mobiles. As I watched my students work I was impressed with their ability to discuss their differences with respect for their partners as well as perseverance when they were frustrated with their work.

Thanks for reading, Mrs. Stutzman

August 29, 2013
As we approach the end of our first week I am very please with the progress my class is making. They worked extremely hard on their county reading benchmark and are showing me that they were well prepared for third grade. Your children have also done a wonderful job getting their homework completed and turned in. Please remember to check the calendar for important dates and more news about what is happening in our classroom.

Have a great Labor Day weekend, Mrs. Stutzman

August 23, 2013
Welcome to GES Open House! This wikispace has been designed to provide information about what is happening in my classroom as well as having materials available for you at home. I will send you an email with a link to this site so you can visit it throughout the year to stay updated on upcoming and exciting events that are happening at school.

I hope you find this helpful. Mrs. Stutzman