September 28, 2018

Announcements

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to our Dog Lovers basket for the Comet Carnival! Items are due by October 5th if you would like to donate. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845A9A729A6FA7-doglovers

As we are approaching my maternity leave, please use the email below to contact Lisa Frazier, my substitute, in my absence. If you have a change in transportation for the day, please send a note with your third grader or contact the office. 

lisafrazier44@gmail.com

This blog will not be updated weekly while I am gone. Instead, Mrs. Frazier will be doing a paper newsletter every other week that will be in the Friday folder. The blog updates will resume in January!

In the Classroom

We began our second math unit this week. Students studied how to use basic addition and subtraction facts to solve extended facts. For example, knowing 8 + 4 = 12 can help us get 80 + 40 = 120 and 800 + 400 = 1,200. We also reviewed our word problem solving strategies from 2nd grade in order to solve a variety of addition and subtraction problems. 

In writing this week, students continued adding strong details to their personal narratives. We learned how to use our senses as inspiration to include details. 

In reading this week, students learned how to make predictions when reading a non-fiction book. We used a book about wild animals to practice this skill. 

We finished our first Social Studies unit this week. Students took an assessment over Civics and Communities on Friday. We will begin our next unit, Weather and Climate, on Monday.

Upcoming Events

Hearing/Vision Screening-October 8

Comet Carnival-October 12

Early Dismissal at 12:50-October 16

Field trip to the Planetarium-October 17

Flu Shots-October 16

Dental Varnish-October 22

Fall Room Party-October 26

Field trip to the Food Bank-November 2

September 21, 2018

Announcements

Please note students do not have school on Monday, September 24, as it is a teacher work day.

In the Friday folder, you will find a volunteer letter for our upcoming field trip to the Central Missouri Food Bank. We need at least 4 parent volunteers, but 5 would be even better! You have to have a background check completed and on file, so please complete and return this form as soon as possible if you are interested. 

We also have a field trip to the Rock Bridge High School Planetarium coming up on October 17. Parent volunteers are not needed for this field trip, as there is limited space. 

The Comet Carnival is quickly approaching! Be on the lookout for lots of information about this fun event on October 12. Each class is in charge of a basket for the silent auction. Our theme is "Dog Lovers." Feel free to pick up items for the basket. They are due by October 5.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845A9A729A6FA7-doglovers

If you would like to order Spirit Wear for Paxton Keeley, check out this link! Orders will be taken until September 24.

https://mocotton.com/paxton-keeley-elementary/

As we are approaching my maternity leave, please use the email below to contact Lisa Frazier, my substitute, in my absence. If you have a change in transportation for the day, please send a note with your third grader or contact the office. 

lisafrazier44@gmail.com

In the Classroom

In math this week, we finished studying mass and took our first unit assessment. We will begin unit 2 next week.

In writing this week, we focused on selecting small moment stories and then exploding them with details. I was so impressed with how students were able to choose personal narrative topics that were zoomed in on one small moment. We will focus on adding stronger details next week. 

Our focus in reading this week was on problem/solution and plot. We also began our first round of reading groups. Students learned my expectations and routines for this small group reading instructional time. We also finished making our character trait selfies for our bulletin board!

In social studies this week, we began learning about different cultures. We read books that contained diverse characters and various backgrounds. Students used an app called Pebble Go to explore customs from around the world.

Upcoming Events

No School, Teacher Work Day-September 24

Hearing/Vision Screening-October 8

Comet Carnival-October 12

Early Dismissal at 12:50-October 16

Field trip to the Planetarium-October 17

Flu Shots-October 16

Dental Varnish-October 22

Fall Room Party-October 26

Field trip to the Food Bank-November 2

September 14, 2018

Announcements

The Comet Carnival is quickly approaching! Be on the lookout for lots of information about this fun event on October 12. Each class is in charge of a basket for the silent auction. Our theme is "Dog Lovers." Feel free to pick up items for the basket. They are due by October 5.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845A9A729A6FA7-doglovers

If you would like to order Spirit Wear for Paxton Keeley, check out this link! Orders will be taken until September 24.

https://mocotton.com/paxton-keeley-elementary/

The students were able to meet my maternity leave sub, Mrs. Frazier, on Thursday! We were so glad she was able to come and spend the day with us. She will be back again on Monday, and then will return next when my leave begins. 

In the Classroom

In math this week, students practiced multiplying, dividing, calculating elapsed time, and comparing masses!  On Wednesday, we figured out how long a day was by looking at sunrise and sunset data. We had fun learning about how many hours and minutes of daylight we have had these first two weeks of September. We will take our first assessment in math next week.

In writing this week, students began filling their notebooks with personal narratives. We made a special person/pet/object web and also drew a special place map to help inspire us in our stories. We also learned our first two cursive letters, l and h. Cursive homework will come home on Wednesday and is due back by Friday. Students are expected to write at least 4 letters per line and 2 words per line.

In reading this week, we began learning about story elements. We used our new read aloud book, Kensuke's Kingdom, to study character traits and setting. Next week, we will focus on problem/solution and plot.

In social studies this week, we finished our study of national symbols. We also talked about what being a good citizen in our community looks like. 

Upcoming Events

No School, Teacher Work Day-September 24

Hearing/Vision Screening-October 8

Comet Carnival-October 12

Early Dismissal at 12:50-October 16

Flu Shots-October 16

Dental Varnish-October 22

Fall Room Party-October 26

September 7, 2018

Announcements

It was wonderful seeing everyone at Get the Scoop Night! If you were unable to attend, your third grader should have brought information home on Wednesday. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Since I will be taking maternity leave at the beginning of October, I am offering informal conferences during September. These will take the place of the regular conferences that take place in November. (except EL conferences which will take place in November with Mrs. Frazier) If you would like to schedule an informal conference, please email me at kfox@cpsk12.org so we can schedule a time before, during, or after school. You can also choose to meet with Mrs. Frazier should the need arise, or wait until the next round of conferences in February. Thank you in advance for being understanding!

We just have 1 spot left to fill for our Fall Party on October 26! (craft) Please use this link to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4ca9ad23a1fd0-fall

The Comet Carnival is quickly approaching! Be on the lookout for lots of information about this fun event on October 12. Each class is in charge of a basket for the silent auction. Our theme is "Dog Lovers." Feel free to pick up items for the basket and send them in with your third grader. Here is a sign up link to ensure we have a variety of items.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845A9A729A6FA7-doglovers

If you would like to order Spirit Wear for Paxton Keeley, check out this link!

https://mocotton.com/paxton-keeley-elementary/

In the Classroom

In math this week, we explored data, graphing, and multiplication. Students were very excited to begin learning about multiplication! We discussed picture and number models to help us begin to understand this concept.

I enjoyed seeing all of the decorated writer's notebooks! We spent time sharing them with each other on Tuesday. Students took the personal narrative pre-test on Wednesday. We spent the rest of the week discussing how to use our writer's notebooks and where writers get ideas. We also started cursive! We will learn our first two letters next week.

Our skill focus this week in reading was activating our background knowledge. We used a book on George Washington Carver to practice this skill. Students also started learning about reading responses and using text evidence.

In social studies this week, we compared and contrasted local and state governments. We also explored the National Anthem as a symbol of our county. On Thursday, we had a special guest speaker! JJ Musgrove, the deputy city manager of Columbia, came to speak to our 3rd graders about how he helps the citizens of our community. We enjoyed learning from one of the leaders of our city!

Upcoming Events

No School, Teacher Work Day-September 24

Hearing/Vision Screening-October 8

Comet Carnival-October 12

Early Dismissal at 12:50-October 16

Flu Shots-October 16

Dental Varnish-October 22

Fall Room Party-October 26

August 31, 2018

Announcements

I hope everyone can join us for Get the Scoop Night on September 4th at 6:30! This is a night to hear/see more about the 3rd grade and ask any questions you may have. We will begin in the gym and then head up to the classrooms. 

We only have 2 spots left to fill for our Fall Party on October 26! (Healthy snack and craft) Please use this link to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4ca9ad23a1fd0-fall

The Comet Carnival is quickly approaching! Be on the lookout for lots of information about this fun event on October 12. Each class is in charge of a basket for the silent auction. Our theme is "Dog Lovers." If you are out and about shopping this weekend, feel free to pick up items for the basket and send them in. 

Our Fall Fundraiser kicked off this week with an assembly on Monday! Check out our new Paxton Keeley mascot!

If you would like to order Spirit Wear for Paxton Keeley, check out this link!

https://mocotton.com/paxton-keeley-elementary/

In the Classroom

In math this week, students delved deeper into telling time. We worked on being precise by telling time to the nearest minute. We also learned strategies to find elapsed time. Students completed a lesson where they found out how long our morning was. I loved seeing all of the wonderful strategies!

In writing, students finished their classmate interviews. We will have the book on display at Get the Scoop Night next week. We also started talking about our writer's notebooks. They can't wait to start filling them next week.

In reading, we studied how some books have a theme the author is trying to convey. We also learned how to use text evidence when answering questions about what we read. We will begin reading responses next week.

In social studies this week, students learned about rights and responsibilities citizens have in Columbia. We also identified local and community leaders. 

Upcoming Events

No School-September 3

Get the Scoop Night at 6:30-September 4

Fall Picture Day-September 6

No School, Teacher Work Day-September 24

Hearing/Vision Screening-October 8

Comet Carnival-October 12

August 24, 2018

Announcements

Friday Folders began this week. Please make sure to initial or sign in the appropriate box and go through the papers in the side pocket. 

We also started Weekly Journals! This is a writing assignment students will complete most Fridays. Please read their letter and respond with one of your own in the journal. Weekly Journals should be returned no later than Wednesday of the following week. I realize it may not be possible for you to respond every week, but please try your best to help with this authentic writing activity.

I hope everyone can join us for Get the Scoop Night on September 4th at 6:30! This is a night to hear/see more about the 3rd grade and ask any questions you may have. We will begin in the gym and then head up to the classrooms. 

We still have many openings to help with our Fall Party on October 26! Please use this link to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4ca9ad23a1fd0-fall

If you would like to order Spirit Wear for Paxton Keeley, check out this link!

https://mocotton.com/paxton-keeley-elementary/

In the Classroom

We began our first math unit this week. Students explored their resources including their reference books and math tool kits. We also learned a game called Number Grid Difference. Students took the STAR math test as well. On Friday, we used human number lines to review rounding.

We started writing this week with a photograph activity. Students were asked to take a photograph of something in the room and then create a writing piece based on it. We have some very creative writers! We also started our classmate interviews. Students were partnered up and given guiding questions to ask. Be on the lookout for the completed interview book at Get the Scoop Night.

Students set up their reading routines this week. We discussed how we wanted our reading time to look and sound. We also talked about the difference between engaged reading and distracted reading. Students took the STAR reading test as well.

In Social Studies, we started our Citizenship/Community unit. Students learned about various symbols of communities, and then designed a flag that could represent our classroom. Congrats to Ellery for designing the winning flag! We also studied rules of communities, including their purpose and who enforces them. 

Upcoming Events

Fall Fundraiser Begins-August 27

No School-September 3

Get the Scoop Night at 6:30-September 4

Fall Picture Day-September 6

No School, Teacher Work Day-September 24