12/14/15

Monday: Math test (On level)

Tuesday: Finish Math test; Winter Single Along

Wednesday: Science test on Fossils

Thursday: Multiplication party; Free Dress day if your child has brought in 5 cans.

Friday: Winter Centers; Spirit Day

11/9/15

Last week we had our 1st AR celebration. Each students has received his/her personal goal and has a month to reach the goal. For the month of October we had 6 students to reach his/her goal! (Vrishabh, Maxwell, Catharine, Sarah, and Jack Murhpy) Keep reading!

This week is Jump Rope for Heart. We will complete our challenge Friday.

Due this week: The students have been working on their brochures in class this week. They have had more then enough time to finish and will be receiving more time this year.
We will also have a reading test Wednesday. It's not anything they can study for. This is all about comprehension and going back to find the answers.

Next week they will take their test on Rocks & Minerals.

10/26/15

Red Ribbon Week:

Monday: Sock It to Drugs - wear crazy socks

Tuesday: Be Healthy Day - wear your favorites team's shirt

Wednesday: Put a Cap on Drugs - wear your favorite ball cap or hat

Thursday: Be SMART, Don't Start - special treat from staff

Friday: Book Character Day or Wear Red

Together, let's put an end to dangerous drug use!

Fall Centers is also on Friday. This shall be a fun and exciting week but also very busy. :) 

9/30/15

If you have not yet completed the Volunteer Training you will need to do so before you come in. Volunteer Friday/Principal Chat is this Friday @ 7:15.
Don't forget Dig-It is this Friday at 8:45. Be there or be square!

DADS--- Please plan to come to school October 6 for Donuts for Dads. Following that will be the State of the School Address.

9/25/15

Tiger Trot-a-thon was a success thank you for all of you that came out to support our awesome 3rd graders. They did such a great job!

Sorry for being out a couple days this week. (Strep is no fun as an adult.) You were awesome and super supportive. Thanks to Holley Griset for coming up yesterday and deep cleaning our classroom. 

Next week:

Picture day is Monday--- It is still a uniform day. They will get free dress for the spring pictures. 

Friday- Principal's Chat and Volunteer Day

Also, don't forget to bring in your grocery bags! I'm part of the recycling team so lets make a big impact. :) 

9/11/15

B. B. King said, "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." Even though this has been a shorter week the kids have learned so much this week. They came back after their extended break ready to roll! I was super happy to see how many kids wanted to take an AR test when they came back to class. Tiger Trot-a-thon: Don't forget your daily workout calendar. Don't forget to complete each task and initial the boxes. When you're finished make sure you turn it in to be entered in the drawing. Upcoming events: September 25- Tiger Trot-a-thon /Spirit Day

September 28- Picture Day

9/3/15

I tried to send the Power Point via email but it bounced back. I have put the Power Point on drop box. Curriculum Night Power Point
Remember there is no school tomorrow or Monday. Enjoy your extended break. Remember to read and complete Section A of IXL.

8/31/15

Just a reminder that your child is out of school Friday and Monday.
The Tiger Trot-a-thon has begun. Make sure your child is doing the daily training schedule. The folders to collect money will go home tomorow. (8/31)
Don't forget tomorrow is Curriculum Night. I hope to see all of your smiling face.

8/21/15

2 weeks have already flown by! I can hardly believe it. I must say I am truly impressed with how diligently they have worked. They have done a great job learning the procedures. We have had a few drills this week and they transitioned smoothly. I hope to see everyone tonight at the Back to School picnic. If you dunk me just a FYI you will have extra homework. ;)
Next week is the last week of the month... Spirit Day.

Also, if you have not taken the volunteer course online please do so as soon as possible. The link is below. http://www.fcsvolunteers.org/

Ixl and i-ready are now available for use.

IXL:
User id: first initial and last name@spalding (Mjsames@spalding)
password: abc123

I-ready:
User id: lunch number
Password: abc123

8/13/15

What a great first start to school. Your students received their agenda's today. The first agenda will be provided by the school. If they lose it the replacement fee is $5.

We have snack every day after specials. Please send your child in with a healthy snack. I am not the snack police and I understand that some days can get crazy so I really don't mind fruit snacks, breakfast bars, ect.

Water bottles: Some kids have already brought their water bottles in and I love it! Please only put water in them.

Technology communication update:
If you have not signed up for reminders please text @msjsam to 81010.
Follow me on twitter to see examples of some of our work. @mjsames

Edmodo: The students will have most of their homework from me assigned through Edmodo. (They call it a Facebook for kids.) Their user id will be their lunch number and the password is their birthday. (Example: July 4, 1981 is 0704198) If your child has their a device of their own there is a free app for Edmodo. If you have any questions/concerns please feel free to email.

One... more... thing.... I'm sure they have told you about our class pet. He is a 3 year old gecko named Jordan. They kids have asked if they could take him home on the weekends every now and then. I am working on getting us a travel tank so that this is possible. (Sorry for those how do not like reptiles.)

8/3/15

Welcome to Ms. Jsames' third grade class. One this blog I will post homework and class assignments, test dates, and extra material that you can use to help your student during the school year.

5/11/15

Can you believe in less than 10 days your kids will be 4th graders? I am so proud of the progress they have made. I will send home an end-of-the-year update that will show you your child's growth throughout the year. In addition, I have also found resources available for 4th grade social studies and science standards. This is not manditory but just in case you needed something to keep them busy. :)
Activites for the week:
Wednesday- retirement party for both Mrs. Gammage and Mrs. Hux.
Thursday- Field Day
Friday- Field Day

5/4/15

15 days.... We can do it!
We are pretty much back to normal this week after testing. Like stated before we will begin to preview the 4th grade units.
This week...
Tuesday- volunteer breakfast
Wednesday- 4th/5th grade guitar recital
Thursday- Field Trip to Fernbank
Friday-4th grade bio fair (Come and take a sneak peek at what your child will be expected to do next year.) Spirit Day

Next week....
Thursday-Friday-Field day. If you would like to volunteer contact Ms. Hutcherson.

4/29/15

Last week of Milestone testing but we are not done yet....
We still have STAR reading, F&P testing, and testing for advanced/accelerated (guidelines for that is below). I will have a sheet with all of the results by the end of the year.

Advanced and Accelerated Placement Testing will begin on May 4^th and continue through May 22^nd.  Students who meet the following criteria will be administered county placement tests. 

ELA

*Advanced level of STAR Reading Assessment

*ELA Unit Assessment Average: 85%

*Report Card – All A’s (Grades 2-5), All S’s (Grades K-1)

*Teacher Recommendation

 

Math

*Math Unit Assessment Average:  85%

*Report Card –All A’s (Grades 2-5), All S’s (Grades K-1)

*Teacher Recommendation

A note will be sent home with all students who meet the guidelines listed above and testing results will be sent by U.S. Mail.  Unfortunately, exact dates and times for test administration will not be available.  As always, please insure that your child gets a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast every day.  If you have a special circumstance which needs to be considered, please contact Chris Elm at 770-551-5880 ext 127.  Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

4/22/15

Earth Day!
I am SO proud of the kids. They have really taken their time during the Milestone testing and going back to check their work. Tomorrow they will take the math section. Discuss with them the importance of checking their work. They do not have homework during the testing but be sure to have them read nightly. Some of them are so close to getting their posters they can taste it. A few of them have asked to take home their Social Studies and Science books to review the standards for the test next week.
This Saturday is the Fun Run. Be there or Be square!

Next week they will take the Science test Tuesday and the Social Studies test Thursday.

The field trip is May 7th, if you havent returned the permission slip or would like to send in a dontation please do as you can.

4/13/15

Welcome Back!
I hope everyone had a enjoyable and relaxing Spring Break. This week will be lots and lots of fun and excitment with the beginning of our Milestone testing. Our schedules will change with the testing. We are scheduled to test on B days. The school had to split the testing days into two since 3rd grades test will be given online.

A day schedule: (4/16, 4/20, 4/22, 4/27)
Lunch 11;20-11;55, Specials: 12:35-1:20, Recess 1:30-1:45

B day schedule: (4/17, 4/21, 4/23, 4/28)
Specials 7:50-8:35, Lunch 12:15-12:45, Recess 11:58-12:13

Testing Tips: Make sure they get a good nights sleep, a good breakfast, and a big hug.
For additional testing tips please go to http://www.testtakingtips.com/parents/index.htm

Since we are preparing for the test this week we will work on reviewing.
Social Studies: Key figures, branches of government, and economics https://www.georgiastandards.org/Standards/Georgia%20Performance%20Standards/Gr3%20Social%20Studies%20Stds%202009-2010%205-27-08.pdf

Science: Continue to work on your studyjams, we will also review these key concepts in class.

Math: reviewing all standards

Reading: They are working on an Amazon Book Review using a book of their choice.

Sites for Spring Break

http://parccgames.com/ Fun games that reinforce common core standards.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/ Study Jams Science and Math Standards

3/31/15

Almost.... 3 more days. During Spring Break we will not have homework however... If you have any "extra" time (or if you are like me and need 5 minutes lol) you can put them on study jams, ixl, or xtra math (code is 9KDCBGAA). And always READ, READ, READ! While reading a teachers book titled, The Reading Zone, the book discussed why reading is so important and entering the zone is the goal. The zone is reached when the reader places themselve in the book. "The only surefire way to induce a love of books is to invite students to select their own (books)." The public library is a great way for students to select their own books.

3/23/13

I loved the welcome backs that I received from the class. I truly missed them. I'm so sorry I was out so much the wonderful stomach bug hit our house. Just wanted to give you a heads up on what is going on this week. Homework for the week: If the kids didn't finish their paragraph on Greece this should be turned in by this Friday. They were assigned a paragraph on the impact of Frederick Douglass. There is also a math snapshot that is assigned on Edmodo, and ixl.
Today was picture day. If you didn't send in money for a class picture you can turn in a late order form to me and I will bring it to the front office. The cost for the class pictures are $13. (I'm in the same boat.)
Wednesday- We are lucky to have a Cultural Arts performance.
Thursday- Falcon's training camp... If you did not turn in a consent form for your child I will send another one home tomorrow. Also, please join us at 6:30 in the cafeteria for Peter Pan.
Friday- Spirit Day. If you couldn't make Peter Pan Thursday come to the cafeteria at 6:30.

3/16/15

Finally wonderful weather!!! I hope you guys are enjoying it as much as me.
This week we have a project for homework that encompasses social studies, reading, and language arts. The students are going to research Greece and write a 3-5 paragraph essay discussing how they influenced democracy and our buildings. Some of the kids asked if they could create an artifact and I would love it.
We are preparing for the Milestones doing short units on to review science and social studies materials.
The kids just finished taking a unit test for i-ready I will send home the results. I have to say I am so proud! They showed so much progress!

2/27/15

What a weird last two weeks... Hopefully the weather will warm up. After looking at the weather report for next week I'm seeing a whole bunch of rain. The plan is to use our indoor recess productively to complete our enviromentally friendly homes.
Next week: Wednesday is Early Release Day.
Friday the 6th: Dr. Seuss Day and Read Across America, Volunteer Day, and Bingo Night. Most importantly my son, Amari, turns the big 10! :(
I hope to see everyone at Bingo Night. It is lots of fun and tons of prizes.

2/18/15

What a wonderful snow day and extension to our break! I hope you guys had a relaxing break and enjoyed your extra day off. Although this is a short week it is jammed pack full of learning. I am starting to set up conferences so keep your eyes out for an email to schedule a day/time.

2/4/15

This week has been fun and exciting. Monday was Career Day, today (Wednesday) we have High Touch High Tech and don't forget Friday is Muffins for Moms.

Next week, Wednesday is Early Release Day and Friday is Valentine's Center. I am sending home a Valentine list today. :)

AR: We are working on getting all students to the second part of the mountain. Please help us by ensuring that your child reads 20-30 minutes a night.

Technology Tip: A great website to increase vocabulary is: wordlywise3000. Check it out! :)

1/27/15

Updates:
Our whole class has made it in the AR wall! I am so proud of them and you should be as well. Today we will celebrate by enjoying dounuts. Our next class goal is to have everyone make it to the second level.

I am beginning the middle of the year conferences.

We will also have our magnets test this Thursday. Click on the magnets page for some helpful study info.

Next week---- Monday is Career Day and Groundhogs day. I think Mr. Stevenson still needed a few parents to volunteer if you're available please email him.

GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!

1/20/15

I hope everyone enjoyed their three day vacation. I know I did! Last week the students took their STAR reading and Math assessments and a Write Score. The STAR test is used by me to form groups and see if students are making progress. They graph their results and then set goals for themselves to reach by the end of the year.
The Write score testing is used to help me plan lessons to make sure I am meeting all standards and preparing the students for the Milestone testing.
Copiers are were down this morning so please log onto Edmodo for homework.

As always if you have any questions or concerns please email me.