Math

3
rd
- This week in math we are moving into subtraction strategies. In
third grade, our goal is to solve one-step and two-step problems
involving addition and subtraction within 1,000 with fluency, using
strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and the
relationship between addition and subtraction. We will be discovering
the clues in problems that tell our brains when to combine/add, and
compare/subtract.
*Ask your child how they know when to add and when to subtract.
What clues do they use? Are there certain situations or vocabulary in
the problem that gives them clues?

4
th
- This week concludes our study of place value of decimals to the
hundredths place. We will be reviewing money and connecting this
knowledge to tenths and hundredths. Students will be expected to
write numbers with decimals in standard, and word form, compare and
order numbers without the aid of a place value chart. Students will be
taking an assessment over decimals and place value at the end of the
week
Daily homework continues this week. Students will have
homework connected to current learning in the classroom as well as
Spiral Review each night. Please see the Homework Helper for tips
and strategies for working with you child. I do ask that your child at
least completes a WIK/WINK chart if they are unable to solve the
problem (info on WIK/WINK on the Homework Helper).

Student Led Conferences
Students are preparing for student led conferences this
week. They will be reviewing work from the past six weeks as well as
writing you a letter about his or her beginning of the school year. Each
student will be writing two goals for themselves and asking you to write
a third goal with them during the conference. Student Led
Conferences will take place Monday,10/13 from 10:15-11:30 or
Tuesday, 10/14 from 8:00-9:00. The conference period will be over at
the end of the window, so please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to
ensure you have enough time with your child. To families who are not
able to attend, we ask
that you set aside some
time one evening next
week to listen to your
child talk about their
work. Thank you for
your support in your
childs education!
*Please ask your child
about their preparation
for the conference.
This is their time to shine in front of you!


UT Student Tutors
Ask your child what happened this week with
their UT buddies! Each week students receive a
joke, please ask your child to share this with you.
It is a fun way to practice reading fluency, reading
naturally, accurately, with appropriate pacing and
with expression.




Matilda
This week we are beginning the wonderful novel Matilda, by
Roald Dahl. As we are reading we will be thinking aloud, sharing with
students our thinking about what we read. This is a common practice
that you can incorporate into your nightly reading with your child. *Ask
you child what they think will happen next, or how the outcome of a
certain event may affect other characters.
This book club will focus on learning several new book club
jobs. This week students will be working on Visualizer and Passage
Master. Students will choose one of the following options each day as
a written reflection to the chapter we read.
Visualizer Job: Pick a part of the story you were able to
picture in your mind. Ideas are: strong description of the character, a
struggle, language that describes something
in detail using words to evoke the senses, a
sequence of events, or the time and place
the story occurred.
Passage Master Job: Pick a part
of the story you want to read aloud to your
group. It might be a part that is: funny,
scary, confusing, interesting, a piece of
good writing, a good description or even
something surprising.


Writers Workshop
Students are making final preparations for his or her
published pieces this week. We are in the final stages of editing,
looking for meaning making and proper use of conventions. Our mini-
lessons are focused around making our writing fit our audience and
choosing an appropriate publishing method for his or her piece. We are
celebrating in our classroom on Friday, with a class
Authors Chair of our first published pieces of the
year. Students are excited to share these pieces
with you during his or her student led conference.
*Ask your child what decisions they are making about
publishing their work.


Important Notes & Events!

Conference Options:
*Student-Led Conference: Monday, 10/13 from 10:15-11:30 or
Tuesday, 10/14 from 8:00-9:00.

*Individual Conference Sign up: http://vols.pt/ZUMXZY


Class Tie-Dye: Monday, October 20, 12:15-2:15

Library Day: Friday


*Please check our calendar on the back of this newsletter as well as
online for snack share information and other school events.
http://mahlstadtsvrcek2-3class.wikispaces.com/Calendar

*Please visit our wiki page for information about our class:
http://mahlstadtsvrcek2-3class.wikispaces.com/


Lifeskill or Life-long Guideline of the week: Integrity
October 6 - October 10, 2014