Word Study for week of Sept. 12th

Our word study patterns this week focus on the short vowels e, i, and u, and also consist of the beginning blends cr, dr, gr, cl, fl, str, spr, tw, and tr.

Our pattern words for this week are:

1. flick

2. crest

3. grip

4. dress

5. crept

6. strict

7. clip

8. sprinkle

9. twinkle

10. trek

Reflection of 9/11....10 years since that day...

As the 10 year anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that changed America, approached, it was a real time of reflection for myself as well as many others. Something that I really noticed was the interest that my students had about that day. Most of my students were not born yet or only babies on September 11, 2001. I was really excited that my kids were so interested and excited to learn and embrace that very important day in history...I think it is a mystery to them since they did not experience it first hand, and they are ready to peel back the layers to uncover it.

I was able to share with my class where I was and what I was doing on this day 10 years ago. Not only was that a special time for my kids to hear about my personal experiences, but it was a great time of reflection for me. It warmed my heart to see how engaged my students were, sitting on the edge of their seats, taking in every bit of information I put before them. We were able to watch a kid-friendly cartoon video explaining the happenings of that day, and WHY that day took place in our history. We also explored several front pages from September 12th newspapers around the country. This really brought the day alive for the students. There was not a sense of fear as the events of the day unfolded, but more a sense of community and pride in our country, and what that means.

As we discussed the pride that we were feeling, something that really touched my heart emerged from our group. I knew that Jacksonville was a military town, but never have I realized so much until this day. As we discussed and expressed our thanks for the military, the discussion turned personal. In our class this year, we have four different people whose immediate family members (fathers) are deployed, protecting our freedom, including myself (fiance). What a way for us to bond together!! We ARE proud of our freedom. We ARE thankful for the people who protect us. We WILL NEVER be held down and we WILL ALWAYS be PROUD to be Americans!

Word Study for week of Sept. 5th

Word pattern:

S-blend words: sp, st, sw, sn, sc, sk, sm
Tr blend words
Vowel: short a and short o

Example word list:
1. spot
2. stop
3. swam
4. snack
5. smock
6. scab
7. mask
8. tropical
9. trap
10. trolley

Vocabulary words:
1. ledge
2. descent
3. trekked
4. bracing
5. plunging
6. void
7. eased
8. concentration

**Please help your child become familiar with these words and spelling patterns as we will have a quiz on Friday! :)

I WILL BE POSTING DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS SOON TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILD PRACTICE THESE WORDS AT HOME! Check back often!

Happy reading!

Bon a petit! Welcome 2011-2012 Students!

It's time for another school year to begin! I have been cooking up some great ideas for this year to help my students grasp the "Recipe for Learning Success"! This is our theme this 2011-2012 school year. I am looking forward to meeting all of you on Friday, August 19th at 2:00 in Room 20! Welcome to 3rd grade! Let's get ready for a great year!

Back to School!

It's that time again! Get your backpacks and books ready....it's back to school on Monday! I have been in our classroom all week preparing for you, and will meet many of you tomorrow at Meet the Teacher (Friday, 8/20 at 2:00). I'm very excited. Here's a sneak peek into your new classroom!

Oh, The Places You'll Go!!

Where will YOU go this year in third grade??

There are so many endless possibilities! Will you travel to a distant land in a fairy tale? Dive to the depths of the ocean in a non-fiction book? Write your own adventure and be the headlining star?? I am very excited about this year and being a tour guide to your explorations in reading, writing and language arts!

Below you will find our third grade "Wish List" for our classroom. These are supplies that are specific to our classroom, unlike the third grade general supply list. Please purchase what you can from our CLASSROOM SUPPLY LIST. Thank you so much in advance!

Ms. Tatham's Class Supply List

* 1 backpack- NO wheels
* Solid Color 1" Binder
* 3 Spiral Notebooks- Wide Ruled
* 4 folders, 3 prong, 2 pocket- red, blue, yellow, green
* 2 packs #2 pencils
* 1 pack pencil topper erasers
* 1 pencil box
* 1 package multi-colored highlighters
* 1 package dividers
* 1 package 24 count crayons
* 1 ream white copy paper
* 1 bottle hand sanitizer
* 1 box gallon OR quart size ziploc bags

Thank you! Keep checking the BLOG for our 2010-2011 Class List AS SOON as I get that little sucker in my hands! :)

WELCOME SUMMER!

It is that time of year again! SUMMER! I hope that all of my little fantastic first graders enjoy their time off this year. Don't sit around in front of the television all break...get outside in this beautiful weather, use those imaginations like we talked about this year! However, drink LOTS of water to stay hydrated!! Can't wait to see you all starting second grade in the Fall.

There are BIG changes with Ms. T! Our FANTASTIC principal, Mrs. Johnson, thinks that I will be a great third grade teacher, so next year I will be heading out on a new adventure in third grade. I am excited for the changes and am eagerly preparing myself daily to be the best teacher for my kids, and to make sure they have all the tools they need for "that" big test! :) I will be teaching reading and writing in Room 20(right down the hall from 2nd grade...so I will see many of you often), with my partner, Mr. Campbell teaching math and science.

Everyone enjoy your summer and stay tuned..... :)