Happy New Year! 2016 is here!

Let's Build Forts and READ!

Welcome to the Second Quarter of Third Grade!

Thank you to all of the families for meeting with me at the end of the first quarter.  What an amazing and supportive group of parents I have to work with!  I so appreciate all of you for keeping school a priority in your families.  These students are going to have a great year!

Thanks to everyone for assisting the students with their creative, delicious and interesting marketplace projects!  I'm sorry to say that I FORGOT to take pictures!  We were so involved in our shopping, and having so much fun, that it slipped my mind completely.  The students had a truly interactive experience as they simulated an economic experience!

End of the First Quarter

 

Believe it or not, the first quarter of our school year is coming to a close.  The past 9 weeks have been full of new friendships, new routines and learning the expectations of 3rd grade. Students have gained the skills needed to work independently and communicate what they need to others for better understanding. We are going to continue to build a community of care, trust and teamwork with our classmates as we begin the Second Quarter. 

I thank you all for your continued support at home and for taking time to meet with me during the first quarter conferences.  If you discover that you have more questions or concerns, please contact me right away.  I am always happy to talk on the phone or email with you all!

The children will be using a few websites at school that could also be accessed at home.  I would encourage some use of technology to support learning at home, but I am also an advocate for fresh air and getting back to nature!

Helpful Passwords:

portaportal.com
guest:  brownsville3rd
(This website is created by our team and houses links for safe sites that are related to most of our units of study.  It is organized by subject and unit.  For example:  Math-place value- number lines)

spellingcity.com/bethanyrobinson/
(This website used to be very well-organized, but I have continued to add spelling lists in a random unorganized way! The students will be able to find what they need once they get used to it.  We are going to begin using this website more in the 2nd quarter to play games and practice spelling words.  It can also be used for practice or fun at home.  Not all current spelling words are available,  Oct. 2015.)

brainpop.com  and  brainpopjr.com
username:  brownsville08  (both websites)
password:  acps (both websites)
(This website can only be accessed at home during school hours, on sick days, and other days off from school, M-F, approx. 8:00-2:30.)

The school website also has many great links for students!  Explore and see what you can find!

Scheduling Parent Conferences

Dear Families,

     With the first day of Fall comes the opportunity to schedule parent conferences.  I have scheduled 4 days of afternoon/evening conferences for the convenience of families.  The conference schedule /sign-up sheet was sent home Monday.  (Please let me know if you haven't received the conference schedule/ sign-up sheet.)  It is important that we take time to meet, share information about your child's learning and school experience, academic progress, social development and behavior.  I will also be sharing information and answering questions about the 3rd grade report card.  Conferences are child-friendly, and I would encourage you to bring your child to the conference to help facilitate and celebrate their role as a student. Thank you for scheduling your conference, and I look forward to meeting with you all in October.

Sincerely,

             Bethany Robinson

Read to Someone

Sept. 11, 2015


     Reading to someone is one of the most enjoyable parts of our weekly routine.  What could be better than sharing reading with a friend?  We are careful to choose "good-fit books" for both partners, share the reading and check for understanding.  Enjoy a glimpse of this favorite part of third grade.

We're off to a GREAT START this year!

     The Open House was a big success!  I met so many new families, as well as a few familiar ones.  The children and I have enjoyed 8 days of school together so far, and I can tell that we're going to have a lot of fun in 3rd grade this year!

     This blog will be a place for me to post information about what is happening in 3rd grade and in our classroom. These posts will replace a traditionally paper newsletter, so be on the lookout for an email reminder every other week, or so.  Thank you for your support this year.  I look forward to working with you all!

Back to School Night

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

6-7:30

     Back to School Night will be the most informative session of the year for parents. Come find out all about your child’s third grade experience, the curriculum and the expectations for social and academic development.

A Day At Jefferson's MONTICELLO

We enjoyed a perfectly beautiful (though somewhat hot and humid) day at Monticello!  The students were inquisitive and excited about everything they've learned. They made personal connections all day long about what they knew, wanted to learn and what they saw!  It was entertaining for me to hear them responding with such thoughtful reflection and curiosity.  I will admit that I was slightly concerned when they tried to give the statue of Thomas Jefferson a "group hug."  I could only imagine how much it would cost if we broke it! 

It's Time For Spring Break!

I wish you all a restful, safe and happy spring break full of adventures and family time! 

 

When we return to school on Monday, April 13, we will begin the final quarter of our school year.  We'll complete our final math units of probability, patterns and geometry.  We will enjoy mysteries and more non-fiction reading. There will be a study of soil, energy and natural resources, including the human impact on our environment.  When we finish our 3rd grade curriculum, we will then begin reviewing and preparing for our end-of-year testing.  It's an exciting time of year!  I look forward to seeing you all in the SPRING!

Is it SPRING yet?

Dear Mother Nature,

We sure have enjoyed our snow days and winter fun!  Thank you for the extra time to rest and spend with family. The children have enjoyed their time to play, for sure.

But now, we are in need of some consistency of school days and little more recess. Please wake up the crocuses and the daffodils. Then allow the sun to warm up just a little more and make the great outdoors more accessible. We call it spring, and it makes everyone happy! 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Robinson

PAJAMA DAY with hot cocoa

Our class has been on a mission to exhibit certain character traits throughout each day, and throughout the last few weeks.  As we earned compliments from other teachers, or took care of each other and our classroom, we began to fill a new "compliment cloud" with letters that spell:

PAJAMA DAY with hot cocoa!

The children enjoyed Pajama Day, along with sharing Valentines and a special musical assembly, on Friday, Feb. 13th.  Mrs. Robinson looks forward to sharing the hot cocoa with the class sometime next week.

I have missed the children terribly during my series of absences, while my son is awaiting surgery for his broken clavicle  (rescheduled for next Wednesday) and into the recovery period. The next week or so will likely continue to be shared effort of teaching between me and trusted other substitute teachers.  Mrs. Tarrant is a retired 3rd grade teacher, and she has provided the consistency and attention to instruction that we are all thankful for this past week.  I can't thank her enough for being there with the children.  Thank you to everyone for your kind words of support and encouragement!

Rebuilding the Community

How did we arrive at January 20th so quickly?  Well, Happy New Year to everyone! 

The past 2 weeks, we have focused intensely on building character using daily themes.  It is time well-spent to start the new year with increased expectations and practice time for these skills. We will progress academically, take care of each other with understanding, and finish this year strong!

Our themes have encompassed the skills and qualities of a successful student, such as responsibility, generosity and understanding differences, thinking before speaking, and goal-setting.  We reflected on our goals from the beginning of the year, and set new individual goals, like being ready for 4th grade! 

Last week, we created a slogan (suggested by Responsive Classroom) which is "Mrs. Robinson's Class C.A.R.E.S."  Each letter stands for a character trait that we are striving for every day.
C-Cooperation (with ALL persons)
A-Attention (for the benefit of self and others)
R- Respect (for self and others)
E- Empathy (understanding the caring for others)
S- Self-control (without reminders)

We read several picture books to help us illustrate the meaning of each theme. 
You might like to read some of these:

Don’t Spill the Milk   by S. Davies

Tico and the Golden Wings   by Leo Lionni
Those Shoes  by M. Boelts 

(responsibility to help others)

 

The Sandwich Shop  by  K. DiPucchio

My Mouth is a Volcano! 

(think before speaking)

Zen Ghosts  by J. Muth

Zen Ties  by J. Muth

Mama, I’ll Give You the World 

by R. Schottler and S. Gallagher

Thank You, Mr. Falker  by P. Polacco

(respect and empathy for needs of others)

The Graves Family  by P. Polacco

(understanding and accepting differences)

It will be expected that all students follow the class guidelines, show responsibility, help others reach their goals, and show their best character each day.  These expectations have been reviewed and are not changed from the beginning of the year.  The students have agreed and participated in the practicing of the skills needed to be successful.  When reminders are needed, beyond what is reasonable, it is likely that parents will be involved in solving the problem.  As always, thank you for your continued support at home!

THE SPELLING BEE

Congratulations to Hailey!

Hailey will represent our class in the Brownsville Spelling Bee this week. Be sure to wish her luck and offer your support and encouragement if you see her.  She will compete against one student from each of the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes.