I hope that you had an opportunity
to look at some of the things your third grader brought home on Friday. If you
did not see a poetry book I would encourage you to look for it in your child's
backpack. I was amazed by the effort and care that was put into these books all
the way up to the last day of school. The words and drawings are wonderful. I
hope you enjoy looking at them with your children. It was bittersweet cleaning
out cubbies on Friday. It is has been a beautiful year of learning and growing
and I will miss seeing your children everyday.
Third graders loved the reading
minute auction last Friday during which students were able to “spend” their
reading minutes from the year to buy different items that classmates brought
in. Thank you for sending in so many wonderful things for third
graders to bid on. It was amazing to watch the third graders
practice respect during the auction, looking out for classmates who hadn’t
gotten anything yet and even giving things away to others. I was so
impressed with them!
Summer is
a wonderful time for so many things. Here is a list of some ideas to
keep your children busy and engaged!
Ride your bike often, but only
when wearing a HELMET. Spend time outside everyday.
Consider subscribing to the
fantastic math learning website DreamBox then practice your math skills as
often as possible. Visit the website with your parent. Start with a free trial
period or subscribe right away. DreamBox is an amazing web-based
application. This website is adaptive, meaning that it keeps track of your
answers and your strategies and adjusts the activities you encounter to make
them “just right” for you as a mathematician. As an added bonus, the activities
are downright fun.
Write often because you love it (poems, stories, magazine articles, etc.)
READ EVERY DAY. Read aloud to your family and/or pet. Ask someone to read to you. Read picture books, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, anything! Visit your public library.
Write at least one letter this
summer to a friend, teacher, or relative. Getting a handwritten letter is
an affirmation that somebody cares about you and your life. It’s like a gift in
the mailbox. Make somebody’s day by taking the time to send them a note, even
if it’s just a short shout-out with a goofy doodle on it! Teachers love getting
letters and always write back!
Smile and laugh often.
