We now are 2 days into the school year and things are going great. Please remember that you can expect your student to have 30-40 minutes of homework each night. If you find that your child has more than that on a daily basis, please let me know. Now, with that being said, some student may find that they have more homework next week as they settle into the classroom routine and learn how to use all of their work time most effectively. It often will take third graders a week or two to really settle in and hit their grove.
If you have not returned the bottom half of the goldenrod packet pertaining to the school year please do that a.s.a.p. Also, please note that Hot Lunch order forms are due today (Thursday), the blue field trip permission slip is due on Friday, and any book orders you wish to place are due on Monday.
This upcoming week we will be settling into our weekly routine with one exception. On Monday the students will have the spelling test for Unit 1. On Thursday we will take the usual spelling pretest (for Unit 2) after chapel. If your child gets all of the words correct, then they do not need to take the spelling test on Friday. Please look for their pretest to be in the Home folder Thursday night so that you know which words they need more practice on. Also, next week Thursday the students will be taking their first English test. With English tests, the students shouldn’t need any extra study time at home.
Next week, the students will have the first big, challenging piece of memory work. The “What Does This Mean” part of the second article is due on Thursday. This piece of memory work will take time for the students to learn. The most effective way to work on memory work is in small chunks spread out over time. If your student studies smaller chunks for 5-10 minutes at a time, and revisit it often it will actually help it to stick in their brain longer. One suggestion I make to students is that if they are watching t.v. they could work on memory work during the commercial breaks.
Here are some important dates for your calendar.
Friday, September 7 Back to School BBQ with LIVE music @ 5:30
Saturday, September 8 Heimatfest Parade in Jordan @ 10:30
Sunday, September 16 K-8 Sings
Monday, September 17 River Rendezvous field trip (3-6)
Wednesday, September 19 Picture Day
Monday-Friday, October 1-5 NWEA Testing
Sunday, October 7 3-5 Sing
Monday, October 15 Climb Theatre
Thur.-Fri., October 18-19 No School