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Monthly Archives: March 2018

March 26th, 2018 – NSCAS Reading Test Week

Good Morning Families!

This week most kids will take the NSCAS Reading Test.  The test will take place on Monday and Wednesday mornings, from about 11:00 to 12:00.  Because of these exams, coupled with a four day week, we will not be having a spelling list.  We’ll still study the skills of the words during the week, but will skip the test on Thursday.

If your child doesn’t test Monday, that means he/she has accommodations regarding the test.  Kids with accommodations will likely begin testing this week also, but on a slightly different schedule and pace.

In Math we’re continuing to practice a variety of word problems.  You’ve probably seen from the homework we’re practicing using Math Mountains to find the two addends and the sum, or two factors and the product of a problem.  I know word problems can be tricky, so thank you for all the help you’ve provided at home!

In my Math class, you can expect homework to come home on Monday for Lesson 6-3, and Wednesday for Lesson 6-4.  We’re supposed to have homework on Thursday before break, but I will provide time in class for that assignment so they don’t have homework over the long weekend.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

March 19th, 2018 – Welcome Back!

Hello Families!

I hope you all had a restful Spring Break, and I especially hope your child is ready for the homestretch of third grade.  I can’t believe it’s already the 4th quarter of the year, and I’m already sad my time with your kids is drawing to a close.  We’ll just have to soak up every moment and have a great finish to the year!

We are into Unit 5 Week 4 in reading, and the kids should have brought home a spelling list today.  Remember, the Literacy Homework assignments have ended, so no need to look for those.  Those assignments were designed to help the kids get ready for next week’s big state reading test.  Most kids will take that test on Monday and Wednesday of next week, from 10:30 to 12:00.  If you can help your child get a good night of rest before those dates, and a good breakfast the morning of, it will certainly help your child stay focused during those exams.

In Math we’ve started Unit 6, which is mainly focusing on solving various types of word problems.  Almost every lesson is designed to take two days, so you can expect Math homework to come home about every other day.  For example, my Math class will have homework for lesson 6-1 on Tuesday, lesson 6-2 on Thursday and lesson 6-3 the following Monday.  That is subject to change depending on the flow of each day’s lesson, but hopefully we can keep that pace.

That’s about all the thoughts rolling around my head at the moment.  Thanks for reading a have a great week!

Eric Wachter

March 5th, 2018 – Dr. Seuss and Fossil Dig Week

Hello Parents and Guardians!

This week, the kids at Arnold will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and “Read Across America Week.”  We’ll read a different Dr. Seuss classic book each day, and the kids will have a chance to celebrate each book by wearing certain clothes or bringing items from home to share with the class.  The following are the books we’ll read, as well as the special celebration item.

Monday – “The Cat in the Hat” – Wear your favorite hat

Tuesday – “Fox in Socks” – Wear crazy or mismatched socks

Wednesday – “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” – 3rd Graders wear blue clothes

Thursday – “If I Ran a Zoo” – Bring a small stuffed animal

Friday – “There is a Wocket in My Pocket” – Bring something to share with the class that fits in your pocket

We will have spelling this week, and the kids will also have a Literacy Homework assignment.  I’ve been very impressed with the return rate of these assignments!  Thanks for reading with your child and helping him/her return them on time.

In Math, we will take our Unit 5 test on Tuesday and Wednesday.  In my Math class, we’ll only have one homework assignment the entire week.  That will be a review assignment on Monday evening.

To celebrate the end of the quarter, the kids will partake in a fossil dig on Friday afternoon.  This fun activity allows the kids to excavate a fossil from a plaster of Paris mold.  It’s really fun, but can get a little messy!  I’d encourage your child to wear clothes Friday that can get a little dirty. 🙂

Lastly, I have been told…much to my chagrin…that I have to attend a training session on Wednesday.  So for the second time in two weeks I have to miss school.  I can’t tell you how much that drives me crazy!  Your kids did great during my absence last week, and I’m sure they will do fine again this week.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter