We're Off !
Our first week of school was really an awesome one! I love getting to know the kids and watching their cute personalities pop out as we all become friends. Everyone was so well behaved! I was impressed at how well they are able to follow directions...that's a very good sign that we will have a good year!
Next week we really get down to business! We will begin the first chapters (or units, as they are sometimes called) in each subject. We will also switch classes for Social Studies and Science - Mrs. Moran will teach Social Studies, and I will teach Science. You may see the dreaded onset of HOMEWORK emerge! (Really, it's not so bad. I try not to give more than 40 minutes of reinforcemenr work a day. I do usually ask children to finish seatwork from the day also. If they use their time well, however, that won't be an issue.)
I want to see the children develop more RESPONSIBILITY this year, therefore they will copy their assignments from my Homework Chart each day themselves. I will not post assignments on this blog because I feel that doing so just defeats my purpose. I will try to monitor their homework tablets, and I hope that you will check their work against their tablets each day. You should initial the page to keep them on track. If we have any difficulty with incomplete work, we can both get on board and initial each day. I do prefer that they learn to monitor this themselves eventually though.
So that they will become successful at being responsible, I am constantly working on ORGANIZATION skills with my class. While I certainly don't expect the kids to be perfect, I do strive for a certain amount of caring for and organizing their materials.
My third goal in third grade is to help the children grow in INDEPENDENCE. They sometimes are so fearful of making a mistake that they are unwilling to do things for themselves, when they are actually very capable. I want them to know that it's okay to make mistakes because we learn from them. Yes, there is a huge difference between making a mistake and not understanding something. Please encourage your child to always ask for my assistance whenever they do not understand directions or new material. I will then be able to clarify and guide them into continuing on their own. I am always available for extra help when needed...before or after school if necessary.
I'm sure my goals for the year are very much the same as yours! Together we can help your child accomplish great things. I look forward to meeting you on Wednesday,
September 2, at the Parent Orientation Night. See you then.........