Mrs. Adkins’ Class

Third Grade Newsletter

Volume 7, Number 23                    sadkins@pennoyerschool.org                          April 24, 2009

Hello Parents!  Well, I would like to announce that I am finishing my time here at Pennoyer School and next week will be my last week! I will be leaving on Thursday, April 30, 2009. I will then be graduating from Concordia University Chicago on May 2^nd 2009. My degree is in Elementary Education with an Art Specialty and Middle School Endorsement. As much as I am happy that I am finishing my degree, I am very sad that I am leaving Pennoyer School! I had an AWESOME time here at Pennoyer and I will DEFINITELY miss all of the kids in this class!! I plan on coming back and visiting during different times before the end of the year! I also want to show all of them pictures from my wedding! So, since I am finishing here soon, I am lessoning my teaching time and Mrs. Adkins is taking back some of the teaching. So, her voice and mine are both in this newsletter! Here is what has been happening this week:

Reading ~ In reading this week, we read an informational nonfiction story called, Animal Homes.  This story talked about several different animals and their homes and how they construct their homes. While reading, the skill that we focused on was description. All of the students filled out a description chart that went along with their story. Doing this helps students comprehend and summarize the story. While in their centers, the students worked on this skill as well as details that are in stories. During our small group time, we read some other stories that were related to the reading. It was great to see that while we were reading the other stories; some of the students were recalling details or information from our text book reading. They always do such a good job over there!

Language Arts ~ Our grammar this week focused on contractions and apostrophes. However, we also focused on identifying synonyms, antonyms and analogies. During our literacy centers we had the art center set up with lap tops! What they did first was work together to figure and practice some different analogies. Then they paired up and played several different games on the lap tops that dealt with analogies! They all had a great time at that center!  Aside from this, during our writing time this week, all of the children where able to finish their final draft of their Narrative writing! They all did a great job; very good stories!! I have graded all of their papers and they will be going home with them next week instead of this week. We are doing this because we decided that it would be fun to share all of the stories in class today and MondayJ Be sure to ask your child how they did on the presentation of their story.

Math ~ It was unfortunate that no one passed their timed test this week! Again, most of them are SO close! I bet we will have some individuals pass next week! Some of the students keep saying to me, “Mrs. Wierzgac, I’m going to pass today, I know it!” So, I am hopeful for them, they seem to be confident and encouraging themselves to pass, which is good! All of the kids should be practicing their multiplication facts at home so they can memorize each fact! Aside from this, during the week we mostly talked about using different ways to divide and we worked on word problems. We did some fun activities this week and the kids were really exacted on Wednesday! We did a crazy activity so be sure to ask about it!  Their chapter 10 test on division will be next week on Thursday.

Science ~ I (Mrs. A) introduced the bridge project to the kids this week!  Hopefully you got the letter I sent home on Monday.  The kids have three weeks to get this bridge done, and they will need to meet outside of school with their partner to complete it.  Bridges are due Wednesday, May 15.  I told the kids that they will need some help from parents (driving places, buying materials, possibly using power tools) but that the majority of the work needs to be done by them.  Please do not do this project for your child as that will rob them of this unique opportunity to create something themselves with a friend.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  The kids gave me their partners yesterday, and they spent time in class brainstorming ideas for their bridges.

Social Studies ~ This past week we celebrated Earth Day.  Your child participated in many hands-on-activities which enhanced learning.  Your child created mini tree books with information they were required to collect from home on a state tree.  Also, we held class for one hour without using any electricity.  Finally, we went outside to clean up the playground and field area.  The 3rd graders worked very hard this week and were engaged with real-life conversations and exciting practices that have motivated them to care for the earth.  The students of Pennoyer did a fantastic job this week in celebrating Earth Day.  I hope that you continue to reuse, reduce, and recycle.

Other Areas of Interest:

• Next Friday, May 1, progress reports will go home for the fourth quarter.  Your child will receive one if they are earning a grade less than a C- in any subject.  Please look for this next week, sign, and return to school as soon as possible.
• I want to thank all of you for your kind words and thoughts about my car accident I was involved in last week.  My car is totaled, but everyone walked away, fortunately.  My daughters were in the car with me, but they were unharmed and it became more of an adventure for them if anything.  I was awfully sore and bruised up from the air bag last weekend, but I feel much better now.  It was a relief for me to know that Miss Wierzgac was here taking care of things for me.  It was such a nice feeling to come back to school on Monday to find so many concerned people and the lovely card Miss Wierzgac and the kids put together for me.  Anyone know someone who is trying to sell a car? J

That’s it for now!  Thank goodness the weather is finally turning warm!  I hope you are able to enjoy the good weather with your families this weekend.  We teachers are learning about the new Pennoyer web site this afternoon, so that should be up and running shortly.  I am excited!  We are all sad that Miss Wierzgac’s time with us is coming to an end, and we will miss her dearly.  Her creativity and love for the children has been appreciated by all of us.  We wish you all a wonderful weekend and remember to keep your child reading!

Miss Sarah Wierzgac

Mrs. Sarah Adkins