October+8

October 8

__**Math:**__ Please encourage your child to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts.

Miss Stephens' and Mrs. Schenck's math classes will have a test over chapter 3 (addition and subtraction) on Wednesday, October 13th! Mrs. Volk's class will be testing on Thursday.

__**Social Studies:**__ 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 last week 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 have just started a unit on the skeletal system, and were busy counting our bones this week! We also observed our bones in motion and then created free standing skeletons from toothpicks and marshmallows.

__**Language Arts/Writing:**__

Our third graders have been writing personal narratives. Ask them what they have learned. We have been learning about writing "seed" stories and using 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 writing our "spooky" stories for Halloween. 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.

__**Other:**__ //**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.

__**Elementary Fundraiser**__ The elementary fundraiser will start on September 29 and go through October 11. This fundraiser provides materials and a majority of the funding for our field trips. Thank you for helping to support our elementary experiences. **__PLEASE RETURN FUNDRAISER PACKETS ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 11!__** Thank you!

**__Mrs. Volk:__** 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/Ms. 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 missed the sign-up sheet, and would like to help with the Halloween party, please let me know and I'll pass your name on to these two moms. I'm not yet sure of the exact time, but 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!)**

**__BOOK ORDERS ARE DUE__ THIS COMING __FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15__...EITHER ONLINE OR SEND THE ORDER AND MONEY TO SCHOOL. It's not too early to start Christmas shopping!**
__**Mrs. Schenck**__

Thank you for all of your donations this year! We are looking for a camera for our classroom. If anyone has an old digital camera that they no longer use, the third graders would be very grateful. We would like to take pictures of all the exciting things that are happening this year.

Continue reading and working with your child. Parental support at home plays a large role in the success of your child here at school.