October+15

**OCTOBER 15**
__**REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20.**__ It will be a professional development day for teachers.

__FALL BOXTOP COLLECTIONS ARE DUE NEXT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22.__

__MAP testing results were sent home with your child this week. Please be sure that you have received them.__

__**Math:**__
Please encourage your child to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts. Miss Stephens' math class completed the chapter 3 math test. Each student will be bringing home a packet containing a reflection sheet for chapter 3, the test, and pretest. Please look over this packet, sign the bottom of the reflection sheet, and return it to school with your student on Monday. Thank you!!!

Mrs. Schenck's math class completed Chapter 3 math test. The students were encouraged to fix any problems that they missed. This will be coming home today.

Mrs. Volk's math class is working on completing the Chapter 3 math test. We had a few students that were absent and we are in the process of getting those made-up. The test will be given back to the students for corrections and then will be coming home. Look for them sometime next week.

__**Social Studies:**__
We are wrapping up our first unit. We will start to prepare for the test next week, with the test given on the following week. A specific test date will be included in the next newsletter.

Our third grade students have been invited to participate in a writing contest for the Waukee VFW. Information regarding this contest was shared with our students in Social Studies class. I tried to email out the information, but apparently not everyone received the instruction sheet. If you would like to enter, and did not receive the details, please have your child let Mrs. Volk know. We are still in need of a person to volunteer to sew our third grade flag. If you are interested, or want to volunteer grandma :), please contact your child's teacher. Thanks

__**Science:**__
We continued our study of bones this week, learning the "scientific" names of 21 of the 206! We assembled skeletons, learning how each system of bones fits together. We ended the week by making "skeletons in motion". Look for these in the hallway soon! Each child also had (or will have on Monday) an individual assessment with me, in which they looked at a picture of a skeleton and tried to find four sets of bones that were incorrectly placed.

__**Language Arts/Writing:**__
Our third graders have been writing spooky stories. We have been learning to use adjectives and other visually descriptive words to help their readers create a movie in their head. We also have been discussing onomatopoeia's and how they help make stories more interesting. Encourage your child to bring home their author's notebook to share a few of their stories with you. Just remember to bring it back.

**__MISC:__**
Parent/Teacher conference forms will be coming home sometime next week. Please look for them.

//**Want to help our students become life-long learners? Then become a model for life-long learning by sharing! The third grade teachers are looking for individuals to share their passions, talents, and/or careers with our students. We would love for you to volunteer to come in and share with our third graders. If you are interested, or know of someone who would be willing to share, even via skype, please contact your child's teacher.**// Please remember to send birthday invitations through the mail if the entire class is not invited. Also, the school requests that presents, sleeping bags, etc. be taken directly to the birthday girl/boy's house instead of coming to school with the students. We want to avoid hurt feelings. Thank you for your cooperation.


 * //The town bus and bus 3 (Ruth Erdman's bus) are full. These buses are not able to take many extra students home. Please be aware of this when requesting bus passes for extra students to come home with your child.//**

__**2nd-3rd GRADE CONCERT**__ Just a reminder that this is coming up on November 16 at 7:00 p.m. Dress code will be nice clothing (no jeans). More information to come. ==== **//The students are starting to practice keyboarding skills in computer class. You may access this link so your child can practice keyboarding at home!!//** __ [] __ ====

**__Mrs. Volk:__**
I have contacted all the Halloween helpers in a separate email. If you believe you are a helper and haven't yet heard from me, please email!

We have been using a computer program in school called Skills Iowa. This program allows students to work through specific skills in reading, math, language arts, and vocabulary at their own pace. Your child can access this program at home by typing in ac.corek12.com or by clicking on the SkillsTutor link on the Van Meter Elementary Voice and Tech site. The students have been given a personal username and password to use. Wish list: Glade Plug-in refills, Clorox Wipes, reams of colored paper, sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, other small prizes to use for our PBIS rewards, dusting clothes, colored cardstock, and an age appropriate game that addresses vocabulary words/skills. Thank you to those of you that have already donated! We appreciate it! Our class will be participating in the Scholastic reading program this year. Students are encouraged to read at least 10 books this year at their level. Once all the students in our room have met the 10 book goal, Scholastic will donate books to needy schools in all 50 states. Information about this program came home with your child recently. Please continue to encourage your child to read, read, read! Remember to also keep track of the minutes your child is reading and record them on our reading calendar. Reading calendars are due at the end of October. We will have a student teacher starting on October 19th. Her name is Miss McIntyre. More information will follow.

__Mrs. Skahill/Miss Stephens:__
//**Still on our wish list:**// //**Glade Plug-in air fresheners, Glade Plug-in refills, gallon-size ziploc baggies, Clorox Wipes, ream(s) of colored copier paper.**//


 * At Open House night, we had a sign-up sheet for volunteers for our holiday parties. Kristie Gardner has taken on the chairwoman role for our Halloween party, and Jennifer Janis is also signed up to help. But we could use another couple helpers! If you would like to help with the Halloween party, please let us know and we'll pass your name on to these two moms. Although we're not yet sure of the exact time, the party will be at the end of the day on Friday, October 29. We have a full slate of helpers for the Christmas party, but we still need a chairperson for the Valentine's party! (hint, hint!)**

**__Mrs. Schenck:__**
Thank you to you whoever brought in the digital camera for our class! I was gone on Thursday, and Friday morning it was laying on my desk. The students will really enjoy capturing all of our third grade moments. Continue reading and working with your child. Parental support at home plays a large role in the success of your child here at school.