October+22

__**OCTOBER 22**__
= **A BIG Thank you to Justin Koons for coming in to share with our third graders. The students loved learning about the Iowa National Guard. They especially enjoyed tasting the MRE's.** =

__**FALL CONFERENCE SCHEDULING SLIPS HAVE BEEN SENT HOME. PLEASE RETURN THEM TO YOUR CHILD'S HOMEROOM TEACHER NEXT WEEK. CONFERENCES ARE TUES., NOV. 9 and THURS., NOV. 11.**__

====Next week is Red Ribbon Week, a week in which people all over the country celebrate the importance of living drug-free lives. Your child has been given a take-home "poster" explaining next week's activities and the reasons for those activities. But just as a reminder:====

__Math:__
Please encourage your child to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts. We have started Chapter 1 in math. This chapter teaches place value, rounding, comparing/ordering numbers, and problem solving strategies.

 __Social Studies:__
We have finished our first unit. A completed study guide will be coming home on Monday, and the test is scheduled for Wednesday. We will be spending time in class reviewing the material but please help your child study at home.

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.
 * //Thank you to Mrs. Abrahamson for volunteering to sew our flag! THANK YOU!//**

 __Science:__
This week we learned about joints, and how important they are to our daily activities. Did you know your hand has 14 joints, not counting the wrist?!? We spent two days practicing common tasks without the use of our thumb or finger joints.

__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. We have started discussing Fiction stories. The students were asked to "notice" things around them and write those down. They also have started to make a list of wishes for books. These are books that they wish were written. 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:__
//**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! Our Halloween Party is scheduled for Friday, October 29th beginning around 2:30.

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. Our student teacher started on October 19th. Her name is Miss McIntyre. More information will follow.

** __Mrs. Skahill/Miss Stephens:__ **
**Still on our wish list:**
 * Glade Plug-in refills, ream(s) of colored copier paper.**

**//We continue with a perfect record for homework packets being returned by the weekly due date!//** **//We haven't missed yet...7 weeks in a row!! Congratulations to kids AND parents!// **

 __Mrs. Schenck:__
Thank you to you Ann Coffie for the digital camera for our class! Our Halloween Party is next Friday. Please remind your child to bring their costume to school. We will have sometime for the students to change. If you are helping with the party, Thank You! If you haven't yet been contacted, please let me know. Continue reading and working with your child. Parental support at home plays a large role in the success of your child here at school.