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