Moskauski Minutes

Thank You: Wow!  I had an amazing birthday celebration with the class!  The children were so sweet and made me feel so special on my birthday.  I love all of the precious cards they made for me and appreciated all of the warm wishes.  We all enjoyed the yummy cupcake cake, too! 

Thank you so much for the restaurant gift card.  I am looking forward to using it soon.  I already have my meal all planned out!!  Thank you for this very generous gift.

Thank you to Mr. Gibson and Ms. Motamen for helping to organize all of my fun birthday surprises.  J  Thank you also to my amazing class family for making me feel so special on my birthday, and every day!  J

Snack Donations Needed: We are down to our last bag of pretzels for community snack.  Donations for community snack are greatly appreciated.  If you are able to donate snacks, these need to be healthy choices, store bought and unopened boxes or bags.  Examples of healthy choices are: a box of granola bars, crackers, pretzels, dry cereal, etc.  It is important that those who forget their snacks and those who are unable to bring one, have something to get them through the day until we have lunch. Thanks in advance!

Literacy Night Tonight: Tonight Douglas will be having our Literacy Night from 6:00 to 7:20.  The children can come wearing their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal and hear stories read aloud by Douglas staff members.  The Book Fair will be open for shopping.  There will also be a special snack of milk and cookies!  If you come out tonight, no homework except for math!!

High Touch High Tech In-Class Field Trip Important Update:

We have High Touch High Tech coming to our school next Tuesday, December 13. They will be conducting a lesson for each class individually. The lesson is called Earthworks and it supports the soils unit that we are exploring in second quarter Science.

The cost of the experience is $9. Money is due by this Friday, December 9^th, and it may be paid in cash or by check. Checks may be made to Douglas Elementary School.

We have many third graders who have not yet paid for the trip.  If you need assistance paying for the trip, please let your homeroom teacher know.  The school’s field trip budget is tight this year, and the school would welcome any donations to help cover the cost of students who cannot afford to attend.

Thank you,

The Third Grade Team

Class News

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

Parent-teacher conference time is here!  Conferences will be conducted from Wednesday, September 23rd through Thursday, October 8^th.  I am sending home a conference sign-up sheet today that lists some available times for conferences.  Please fill out this form and return it to school as soon as possible.  I will send you a confirmation note back to let you know your conference date and time.  If the times listed are not convenient for you, please let me know by indicating an alternate date and time, and I will do my best to accommodate you.  If you would prefer a phone conference, please list the best time of day to reach you, some possible dates and the number to call.

            Conference times will be selected on a first come, first serve basis.  Please return this form in a timely manner.  I will confirm your scheduled time immediately.

            It has been a pleasure working with you and your child.  I look forward to talking with you soon!

Picture Make-Ups:

Picture Make-Up Day will be October 27^th.  For the children that were absent on the first Picture Day, I am sending home a new order form.  If you did not order pictures on the first Picture Day, and would like to order pictures this time, please let me know and I will send home a new order form for you.

Scholastic Book Orders:

I am sending home new Scholastic Book Order catalogs in homework folders today.  Book orders will be due by Friday, October 28^th.   There is a column on the right side of this blog that has a link to Scholastic.  If you have any questions, please let me know J

Snacks:

Please be sure to send in a snack with your child each day.  Thank you to everyone who has donated snacks to our classroom.  We are in need of replenishing our community snack supply, once again.  If you are able to donate a box of granola bars, crackers, dry cereal, etc., we would greatly appreciate it.  It is important that those who forget their snacks and those who are unable to bring one, have something to get them through the day until we have lunch. Thanks in advance!

Moskauski Minutes

The children will be taking the Cog-At testing this week.  These are the first round of tests to determine eligibility for the Academically Gifted (AG) Program.  A paper was sent home last week about this.  If you have any questions about the tests, please let me know.  We will be testing Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 until about 10:30.  Please make sure your child is getting a good night’s rest, eating a healthy dinner and having a healthy breakfast either at home or at school each morning. 

Thank you to Ms. Coonse for being our “Mystery Reader” last Friday!  The children loved the books you shared and had such a wonderful time with you.  If you would like to sign up to be a “Mystery Reader”, we would love to have you!  Here is the link for the “Mystery Reader” sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/mystery377

In today’s Monday folder there is a form that needs to be filled out regarding school photographs and the yearbook.  Please fill it out and send it in for tomorrow.  Your child will earn a Dragon Dollar for turning the form in tomorrow!  J

Moskauski Minutes

Cog-At Testing:

Next Tuesday, October 11^th through Thursday, October 13^th the children will be taking Cog-At Testing.  These are the first round of tests to determine eligibility for the Academically Gifted (AG) Program.  More information will be coming home soon about the testing.

Dragon Dollar Celebrations:

The children have reached their class goal of 25 Dragon Dollars and we will be celebrating this week! The children voted on their celebration.  Tuesday the children will be having “Pajama Day”, and Wednesday they will be having extra recess time.  Please make sure your child dresses in appropriate pajamas that follow our school’s dress code policy (no spaghetti straps, etc.) and that they are dressed weather appropriately.  The children may wear slippers in the classroom, but I am still requiring that the children have sneakers to change into for recess and for leaving the modular. 

We are almost at the goal of 30 Dragon Dollars for our school’s goal of winning the dance party.  Way to go students!  Our next classroom goal is to get to 50 Dragon Dollars by the end of the quarter.

The children are also doing a fabulous job of earning individual Dragon Dollars.  They are enjoying cashing in their Dragon Dollars at our class store.  One of our most popular store items is the class treasure chest, and it unfortunately dwindles down rather quickly.  Donations of treasure chest items are greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much! 

Important Reminders:

McTeacher Night is Wednesday night.

Friday is an Early Release.

MOSKAUSKI MINUTES, September 25, 2011

Progress Reports:

In tomorrow’s Monday folder, you will be receiving your child’s progress report.  The report will serve as a brief update on how your child has been doing over the first few weeks of school.  Please understand that I am still getting to know your child and we have just begun to have assessments.  If your child has a 2 or 3 in any particular subject on their interim, it does not mean that this is what will be given on the report card.  We still have several weeks until the end of the quarter, and plenty of opportunities to improve or maintain grades.  Please review and discuss the progress report with your child and help your child to set goals for the rest of the quarter. 

Picture Day:

Picture Day is Thursday.  You may pay the traditional method of placing a check, money order or cash in the payment envelope or you may choose to pay online with a credit or debit card.  If you do pay online, please send in the printed online receipt in your payment envelope or write the order # on the boxes provided on the envelope.  Payment must be turned in by the time pictures are taken.

Classroom Wish List:

·         Pillows, rugs and bean bags for the children to sit on during independent reading time

·         Cardstock

·         Donations of old clothing for any accidents on the playground.  Old soccer shorts, t-shirts, pants, etc. will be a big help!

·         Treasure Chest items

Scholastic Book Orders:

If you would like to order books from “Scholastic Book Clubs”, go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Register" button in the "First Time Here?" section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code H8846. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
SELECT the books you'd like to order -- choose from thousands of titles -- many more than in our monthly flyers.
SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child's books will be delivered directly to my classroom. Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Notes and Reminders:

1.  Picture Day is Thursday.  Have your child dress their best.  This picture will be the one used in the school yearbook.
2. Friday is a Teacher Workday and school will be closed.
3. Last Friday’s math test has been scored.  Please be sure to sign the testing data sheet in our red behavior and work habits folder.
4. Please supply your child with a healthy snack each day.  Donations of healthy snacks for the students who cannot provide one, are always greatly appreciated.
5. Thank you to Ms. Webb, Ms. Sturm and Ms. Daniel for signing up to be upcoming “Mystery Readers”.  We are so excited to have you!  If you would like to sign up to be a “Mystery Reader”, you may sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/mystery377

Moskauski Minutes

Moskauski Minutes

Monday, September 19, 2011

Our Testing Data Sheet

I have attached a new form in the red Behavior and Work Habits folder.  On this form I will be writing down for you your child’s assessment data results.  Please review and discuss the scores with your child and then sign and return the form the following day.  This form will keep you up-to-date on your child’s academic progress.  The third grade team's goal is for the children to strive towards an 80 percent or higher on their assessments, as 80 percent is what qualifies as a passing grade on The EOG (The End of Grade test). 

There are two graded tests on the form.  On Friday we took a math quiz on addition and subtraction.  We also took a reading assessment on Friday.  This assessment had the children write predictions before reading.  Also listed on the sheet is “Formative Assessment 1 for Math”. 

The Formative Assessment has not yet been scored.  This assessment is a formal assessment.  It does not count for report card grades.  These assessments are used to guide instruction.  There are “Formative Assessments” for math every couple weeks, approximately two a quarter for reading, and one for science.  These assessments are multiple choice, and require that the children mark their answers in their test booklets and also on a bubble sheet.  They are excellent practice for the EOG’s!  J

Our Share Schedule and Shopping for “Good Fit Books” Schedule

 We will be following a weekly rotational schedule for Sharing Time for Morning Meeting and also for going to our class library and school Media Center to select “Good Fit Books”.  The schedule is below:

MONDAYS: Adelle, Mar’Shaun, Mercer, Ellie

TUESDAYS: Tiana, Zekiah, Brady, Grayson

WEDNESDAYS: Andrew, Keon, Makalani, Paul

THURSDAYS: Alanah, Matthew, Sam, Dylan

FRIDAYS: Schuyler, Sage, Michael, David

The children are expected to have many books in their book boxes at all times that will last through the week until their next shopping day.  The children are learning how to select “I PICK Good-Fit Books”:

I PICK

I choose a book.

P urpose—why do I want to read it?

I nterest—Does it interest me?

C omprehend—Am I understanding what I am reading?

K now—I know most of the words.

Classroom Wish List:

·        Pillows, rugs and bean bags for the children to sit on during independent reading time

·        Donations of old clothing for any accidents on the playground.  Old soccer shorts, t-shirts, pants, etc. will be a big help!

·        Treasure Chest items

Helpful Websites

Below you will find links to educational websites.  They are educational and fun!  Check them out!

http://cuacs8.mck.ncsu.edu/mathsampleitems/main.html
(A great EOG math practice website!!)

http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/science/plants_pt2/
(Website about the life cyle of plants)


http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
(National Geographic for Kids)

http://www.timeforkids.com/
(Time for Kids)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/white-house-101/
(White House Information and Fun Facts)

http://www.afb.org/braillebug/
(Learn about Helen Keller, Braille, and much more!)

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm
(fun, online math games)

http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html

Our Class Rules

Dear Families and Students,

Below you will find the class rules that the children created and all agreed to follow.  These were sent home and each of the students and parents signed these in agreement that they would do their best to help with following the rules.

Thank you for all of your support in helping this to be a wonderful school year!

Melissa Moskauski

Our Class Family Rules

Created and Written by Mrs. Moskauski’s Class

1.    Be responsible, respectful and safe

2.   Only talk at the appropriate times, and do not disturb others

3.   Use “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to work things out

4.   Keep your hands, feet, body and objects to yourself

5.   Use your best manners and treat others kindly (The Golden Rule)

6.   Always raise your hand before speaking

7.   Focus on your work and doing your best!  J

Welcome to the Third Grade!

Morning Procedure

Enter the room quietly, greet your teacher politely, unpack all materials needed for the day, put away your book bag, turn in any paperwork, check the board for any directions or important information sharpen two pencils, and start morning work assignment.

Absences

Bring a note stating the reason for the absence, signed by a parent of guardian.  Check with your teacher for missed assignments. 

Book Bags, Desks, and Cubbies

All book bags will be kept in the cubbies, not at your desk or on your chair.  Desks are expected to be kept neat and tidy so that you are able to locate materials that will be needed during instruction.  Please do not bring items to school that will clutter your desk.  We will take pride in keeping our classroom neat and clean.

Class Rules

As a class we will follow our school’s three basic rules:

Dragons are a Step Ahead…

1. Be Responsible
2. Be Respectful
3. Be Safe

Manners

Treat others as you want to be treated!  Always use Please, Thank you, Excuse Me, Yes Ma’am, etc.  Show respect to all school personnel, parents, visitors, and students.  Remember, we are a family!

Lunchroom

Before eating, wash your hands and use napkins and utensils.  Chew your food with your mouth closed, and do not talk with food in your mouth.  It is good manners to keep a napkin in your lap.  Make friendly conversation with your neighbors.  Remember to always use your indoor voices in the lunchroom.  Clean up your table/space before leaving the lunchroom.

Give Me 5

This is the universal signal to stop all talking and focus undivided attention on the speaker immediately.

Student Helpers

Students are assigned class jobs such as; boards, line leader, librarian and messenger.  I choose students every two weeks, and rotate through the class.  No one “passes” on a job; everyone will earn an assigned position each two weeks.

Keeping a Notebook

You are expected to keep your notebooks, binder and folders neat and orderly.  Do not rip out pages from your notebooks, and do not draw or doodle in them.  Do not waste paper, skip only one line between each entry, as a shown in class.  Notebooks will be checked periodically by the teacher.  You will keep loose papers neatly in the designated folders.

Dragon Dollars

Dragon Dollars will be rewarded to students throughout the school year for positive behavior.  Students can earn Dragon Dollars anywhere in the school by any adult that observes positive behavior.  The Dragon Dollars can be traded in for various rewards throughout the school year.

Book Orders

I will be sending book orders home often.  If your child wishes to order any books, I would like the order form and check returned within two weeks.  Please make checks out to Scholastic.  Please do not send cash!

Birthdays

If you should wish to provide a snack for the class to celebrate your child’s birthday please make sure that the treat is store bought.  Please provide the treat during our scheduled lunch period.  Please be sure that the treat does not contain nuts, due to allergies.

Monday Folders

Your child will have some papers coming home every week.  This will include important documents other than homework.  Please review this folder on Monday night and have your child return the folder on Tuesday morning.  Inside the Monday folder you will find a weekly progress report.  Please review and discuss it with your child, and return it back with a parent signature. 

Agendas

Your child will bring home an agenda each day.  If there is any class work not completed during the day, your child will record this in their agenda and finish the work for homework.  Homework and classroom reminders will also be recorded in the agenda daily.  The agenda must be signed nightly and returned the following day.  Agendas are required and can be purchased at school.  The cost is $5.00.  If you are unable to purchase an agenda, please let me know.

Grading

I do not grade every paper your child completes but I do look at every paper.  I will be sending home work for you to review throughout the school year.  I do keep documentation of your child’s work habits and progress.

Reading

Students are expected to read every night.  1^st quarter-20 minutes, 2^nd quarter-25 minutes, 3^rd and 4^th quarters-30 minutes, each night.  Students will also be participating in independent reading, guided reading, and reading centers in the classroom.  We will work on using our CROP QV strategies to check our comprehension (making connections; forming reactions, opinions, predictions and questions about our reading; and visualizing what we read.  There will be a focus on reading strategies, nonfiction, fiction, drama and research.

Math

Our math series is Math Expressions.  We will be covering the four major operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  We will also cover the concepts of time, money, measurement, place value, geometry, fractions, graphing, and decimals.

Science

We will focus on the following topics: Skeletal and muscle systems of the human body, plant and growth adaptations, soil properties, and build an understanding of earth/moon/sun system.

Social Studies

We will be discussing Citizenship: People Making a Difference

Cursive Writing

Your child will be expected to print all assignments neatly at first.  We will begin to learn cursive writing in the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters.  We will slowly work towards writing assignments in cursive.  Please do not begin cursive writing practice before we begin in class.  Often students form incorrect habits and experience problems during cursive instruction.

Writing

Students will write daily through activities in Reading and Writing Workshops.  We will learn the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

I am so excited to begin this school year.  Please make sure that you contact me if you have any other questions.  You may contact me via email, mmoskauski@wcpss.net, notes in your child’s agenda, or you may call the school and leave a message.   In order for this year to be a success, we all need to work together towards the same goals.  Let’s make third grade an unforgettable year!

Melissa Moskauski