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Current Skills we are working on...........           

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Specials:  Monday-Spanish/Library    Tuesday-Music/Art    Wednesday-Music    Thursday-Gym     Friday-Gym, Computer

A few weeks ago the 10 Best Ways to Help Your 3rd Grader Succeed in School was started with Tip 1.  Here are the remainder of the tips, inspired by an article by Ann E.  LaForge.

3rd Grade Success Tip 2:  Treat your child like an author. 

How to Help:  Let your child see you write and correct your mistakes. Give gifts associated with writing--pencils, papers, notebooks, diaries. Encourage using the computer to write and how to use spell check. Encourage use of crosswords, anagrams, and other vocabulary word builders.

3rd Grade Success Tip 3:  Make math a part of everyday life.

How to Help:  Frequently point out how numbers are integrated into our daily lives.  Help your child count, sort, estimate, and measure whenever possible. Give your child real life problems to solve. Talk about how you use math to balance a bank account, making or getting change at the store, or making a recipe. 

3rd Grade Success Tip 4:  Teach your child how to listen carefully.

How to Help:  Many professionals say they have seen a definite decline in listening and attention skills in past years.  This is attributed to the fast paced world of computers and video games, but also the fact that children don't have nearly as much time to sit, listen, and talk to family members as in years past.  Read aloud on a regular basis. Limit TV, computer, and video games.  Make eye contact when you speak to your child and insist they do the same.  Ask for directions you give to be repeated.  Teach your child that even if they are not interested in what a person says, they still need to stop and give complete attention.  Spend time doing quiet family activities that encourage talking and listening.

3rd Grade Success Tip 5:  Support the teacher and the school rules.

How to Help:  Let your child know that you feel school is valuable and that the work they do there is important.  Have a conference with the teacher to express concerns or ask questions. 

3rd Grade Sucess Tip 6:  Tell the teacher everything.

How to Help:  Tell the teacher anything that may be happening at home---if you feel it may have an impact on your child's mental or emotional health while at school. If the teacher knows there is a problem or a change at home, she will be able to  better understand your child's attitude or behavior, as well as help support the child.  The teacher does not need details, just basic information such as moving, divorce, or even an upcoming special trip that the child is thinking a lot about.

3rd Grade Success Tip 7:  Make sure the child is prepared for school each day.

How to Help:  Make sure your child gets to sleep at a regular time--preferrably to get about 10 hours sleep to function at their best level.  Provide a nutritious breakfast. Make sure children get to school on time each day so they don't miss beginning information and therefore feel out of step all day.   Guide the child to wear proper clothing for the weather.  Label all clothing items, backpack, lunchboxes, etc.  Make sure your child has put their homework or any special supplies in their backpack.  Remind your child how they will be going home that day.

3rd Grade Success Tip 8:  Try to volunteer for something for your child's school or classroom. 

How to Help:  Volunteer for field trips, school fundraisers or events, playground helpers, etc.  Your child gets a thrill from seeing you at school!

3rd Grade Success Tip 9:  Encourage responsibility and independence.

How to Help:  Have a regular homework time or routine.  The child should have the habit of unpacking thier backpack on their own, and giving you any materials or notes you need to have.  Have your child help around the house such as picking up own toys and helping with family meals.  Help your child get clothes ready the night before and make sure they have packed up their homework.  Hold your child accountable for their own actions both at home and at school.

3rd Grade Success Tip 10:  Ask about school every day.

How to Help:  It hard to answer the question "What did you do at school today?" because so many things happen. It can be overwhelming to think about answering.  But, it is still important to ask because it lets your child know that school is important and that you are truly interested in his/her school life.  Sometimes asking during the quiet ritual of bedtime is a better choice instead of when your child first walks in the door. Sometimes it's best to ask a specific question such as "Who did you sit with at lunch today?" or "What book is your teacher reading to the class?", or "Did you learn any new songs in music today?".  Then....stay in touch behind the scene with the teacher, to make sure all is going well with your child.

[34] In Computer Lab.....

At the start of the school year, we will learn important keyboarding skills.  It is extremely important that these skills be learned as we will be using them throughout the year as well as all the years to come.  Please insist your child employ proper keyboarding skills at home when using the computer.  We have begun using the Type to Learn program which guides students through "missions" that incorporate certain letters.  They need to complete several activities in order to be able to move on to the next mission.  Ask your child how they are doing and what "mission" they are on!

Computer Lab:  We are continuing to use the Type to Learn Program.  Each child moves through the program and progresses at their own speed for each lesson completed.  We also use the lab to further our studies across the curriculum.

 

In computer lab each year, we go to freerice.com and using our vocabulary skills,  donated tens of thousands of grains of rice to people in impoverished nations.  This will be an ongoing mission of this year's class.  This website has expanded and now includes vocabulary from many subject areas and different languages as well!  The kids really enjoy trying out various things on this site.