October+29

=October 29=

Dress in nice clothes. Report to music room or art room, as assigned.
Thanks again to Justin Koons for sharing with us last week about his career in the National Guard! We have two more parent visits scheduled, and are hoping to hear from more of you very soon!

==**__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:__ ** ==

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:__ ** == ====We talked more about joints this week...learning the names of our three types of joints, labeling them on a skeleton, putting (plastic!) chicken and rat leg bones together with the joints properly connected, and playing some "bone games". We will be finishing up our unit on the skeletal system next week with some VERY special visitors and activities!====

==**__Language Arts/Writing:__ ** ==

Our third graders have been working on prewriting skills for their fiction story. We have discussed ways to get ideas for a story. We have also discussed how the setting of a book influences the characters, animals, and other aspects of a story. The students are getting lots of ideas and will begin writing their fiction story sometime next week. 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.//**

==== **//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:__ ** == Thank you to all our Halloween helpers! Believe me when I say that we couldn't have done it without you!

Christmas is around the corner! I know, I know we haven't even gotten through Halloween or Thanksgiving yet, but I'm just following the lead of the retailers. :) I will be sending home two more book orders before Christmas. Books make great gifts so if you would like to order secretly let me know, and I will let you know when it comes in.

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. Please return your October reading calendar! Our student teacher started on October 19th. Her name is Miss McIntire. More information will follow. = **__Mrs. Skahill/Miss Stephens:__** = ===A HUGE thank you to the parents who furnished treats and supplies for our Halloween party, and to the moms who came to help! The kids had a great time, and the help of you parents is appreciated __SO__ much! Thanks again!===

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">﻿Makyah Merrifield will be moving and starting at a new school in West Des Moines next week. We will miss her and we wish her the best in her new school!

// **Glade Plug-in refills, ream(s) of colored copier paper.** //
==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__Mrs. Schenck:__ ** ==

Thank you to everyone who volunteered for our Halloween party. It is wonderful to have so much parent support! Continue reading and working with your child. Parental support at home plays a large role in the success of your child here at school.