E-mail

Parents,

If you have not already heard, the BGCS e-mail network has been down for the past few days. Please be patient while the school works to bring up the network, and I work to regain access.

Best,

Ms. Weissbaum

IXL Sections

Below is the list of some IXL sections that I feel may be helpful! Sections E and F relate to our multiplication chapters.

Any part of section E or F **Please work on these sections in order**

O.1
O.2

Verbs

Check out this fun song!! :)

http://www.havefunteaching.com/songs/songs-for-kids/verb-rap-song

BGCS Book Fair

Planet Weissbaum will be attending the Book Fair on Thursday, November 6 @ 8:30 a.m.

Please be mindful that you may send money with your child (in an envelope or ziploc with their name on the outside). 

Love,

Ms. Weissbaum

Multiplication

After the Chapter 3 Test next Tuesday, we will be beginning Chapter 4. Chapter 4 covers Multiplication Facts and Strategies. This is where the students will really begin to learn and understand how to multiply. Multiplication is largely about memorization. The students must be able to memorize facts and their products. We don’t want students spending time on their state exam drawing arrays and equal groups. Therefore, they need to know their multiplication facts and products by heart and be able to solve the equations quickly and easily. As a team, we do have many strategies that we can use to help them learn and understand their facts! However, we do need your help as well!

I suggest that each student obtain a pack of multiplication flash cards. These can be purchased at the Dollar Tree, Target, or any other educational store. Students should begin practicing with their flash cards and begin learning their facts. The students should practice these flash cards each night, as to help them better become acquainted with the different facts and their products. They can go over these flash cards independently, with an adult, and/or with a sibling. The important thing is that they are practicing!! The more they practice, the better they will become. The students will also have flash cards glued into their Interactive Math Notebook, that they can use to reference or study while they are in school.

After the students begin learning their basic facts, they will begin taking basic fact timed quizzes. They will begin being assessed on the facts they know. We will begin assessing them on the 2’s, 4’s, 5’s, 10’s, 3’s, and 6’s, as these are the first numbers they will learn to multiply. All students will begin with 2’s. Once a student passes the 2’s, they will move to a timed quiz that tests them on the 4 times table. Once they pass the 4 times table, they will move on to the 5 times table and so on and so forth. If a student takes a quiz and does not pass, they will continue to take that same quiz daily until they pass. For example, if a student takes the 2 times table timed quiz on Monday and does not pass, they will take that same quiz again on Tuesday. If they do not pass again, they will take it again on Wednesday. Students will continue take the same quiz until they pass. Each student must master each times table, before they are able to move on. Timed quizzes will help them memorize their basic facts. Taking these timed quizzes will also help them prepare for fourth grade, as fourth grade students take timed quizzes daily for the first few weeks of school.

In school, we will also be doing a great deal of multiplication centers. These centers provide students the opportunity to kinesthetically work with the basic facts and multiplication strategies. We will be doing a center where the students have to create arrays and multiplication equations using Fruit Loops cereal. We have done this center in the past and the students really seem to enjoy it! If you would be willing to donate 2 boxes of Fruit Loops cereal (or the off brand-it does not matter), please let me know. Send in your receipt and you will receive volunteer hours for the money spent. J

At home, you can put your child on any website that focuses on multiplication. Now, there are even iPhone and iPad apps that allow children to practice multiplication. IXL is a good website for the students to use to practice multiplication. They all have their login information for this site. Their logins and password were sent home in the Wednesday Folder in September. The students should definitely use this website to practice their multiplication

facts. 

Ben Gamla Pink Pep Rally

Dear Parents, 

The message below is one from our AMAZING Student Government that has been established this year by Ms. Rudman and Mr. Casa. Please read carefully, and if there are any questions do not hesitate to ask! J

Please remember that Ben Gamla's Pink Pep Rally is next Thursday, October 23rd on the early release day. If students wish to attend the pep rally, they are required to bring in a canned food item. Please make sure your child brings at least one item sometime this week or next week so that they can join in the fun! Remember that the pep rally is a free dress down day for students. Thank you for supporting our school and community by donating a canned food item! 

More IXL

As requested by some enthusiastic students, here are some additional IXL sections that align with our upcoming Chapter 3.

E.1
I.4

ENRICHED MATERIAL:
C.16

Book Fair

BGCS Book Fair

Friday, October 31 - Monday, November 10

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

in the BGCS Main Lobby

As soon as I schedule a time for our class to visit, I will edit this post (and e-mail)! :)

Conjunction Junction

Here is the YouTube link to an awesome video about conjunctions.

Schoolhouse Rock is a favorite among students and educators. Planet Weissbaum loves it!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPoBE-E8VOc

IXL

The students asked me to post some of the IXL.com sections that I am allowing them to work on at this point. Please remember that the students should be working on Third Grade only. I sent home the login/password sheet on Wednesday.

B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4
C.1
C.3
D.1
D.3
L.1
L.2
L.7

Have fun practicing!! :)

Reminders

Just a few reminders:

Thursday, September 25th is NO SCHOOL. This is a holiday that many of our families observe. On Friday we will resume school, and spend the day reviewing.

Monday, September 29th is Picture Day for all students. They MUST be wearing their Ben Gamla uniform for this photograph. 

Feel free to e-mail or call about any questions!!

Ms. Weissbaum

Context Clues Video

Check out this awesome video!!

http://www.flocabulary.com/context-clues/

Love,

Ms. Weissbaum

Homework

Parents (and Students),

Just a reminder that homework pages are NOT available online. If a student forgets his or her homework at school, there is no digital way to retrieve the assignment. I promote responsibility in my classroom. A missed homework assignment can be completed for half-credit; however, the student will still receive a negative DOJO point for "no homework".

Our classroom has a very regimented routine, which the students are familiar with. At this point, week four of academics, the students are independently completing these steps. Currently, the students are given about 20 minutes to complete their afternoon routine. 

1. First, write in your agenda.
2. Then, raise your hand so Ms. Weissbaum can stamp it.
3. Next, look at the "What to bring home" chart.
4. Now, take out the items you need.
5. Finally, get your backpack.

Based on this schedule, the students should not be forgetting any materials at school.
I hope this helps to explain a bit more about our afternoon routine. 

Respectfully,

Ms. Weissbaum

Monday Update 9/8/2014

Good afternoon Parents,

I hope everyone’s weekend was relaxing! Here comes my weekly update!! J

1.       This week we have a spelling test on Friday, as usual. The spelling worksheet will be due on Friday as well.

2.       Our Chapter 2 math test will be on Wednesday. Tomorrow we will complete a secondary review. This review looks very similar to the test, but with different questions and data. The following information will be covered:

a.       How to read a picture graph

b.      How to read a tally table

c.       How to read a bar graph

d.      How to read a frequency table

e.      How to read a line plot

f.        Applying data to all types of graphs

g.       Answering word problems about data

3.       Please check in with your child in regard to school supplies. Some students are in need of glue, scissors, etc. (some of these items were not purchased at start-up and/or already need replacing).

4.       Please remember that reading is MUST for all students. If you attended our Parent Meeting last week then you may recall our conversation about the benefits of reading. Please encourage your child to be consistent in their readings. They are responsible for taking a book home each night, and bringing it back to school. I have already begun to award negative DOJO points for not having a book and/or not reading a book.

5.       Also, some important school dates are coming up:

a.       Thursday, September 18 – Early Release – 12 p.m. pick-up. There is no after school programming on this day.

b.      Thursday, September 25 – No school

c.       Monday, September 29 – Picture Day for all students (Look out for the purchase form going home soon!)

Let me know if any questions arise throughout the week!! J

Room Mom...or Dad?

Parents,

I was recently asked if there is a room mom for my class this year. Is there any parent that is interested? My beginning of the year paperwork didn't really give me a complete answer.

Please let me know :)

Ms. Weissbaum

Tuesday Update 9/3/2014

I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend! Here comes some of my updates for this short week we have…

1.       We will be finishing up Lesson 1 from our reading text. Our test will be on Friday and will cover the following:

a.      Comprehension of A Fine, Fine School

b.      Vocabulary from A Fine, Fine School

2.       We are about half-way through our first math chapter (Ch. 2). We will be assessing students next week on Wednesday. Please keep in mind a few things about each math chapter:

a.      Half-way through the chapter we use a mid-chapter checkpoint to asses student understanding.

b.      It is unannounced.

c.      It will count as a quiz grade beginning next chapter. I will count this one as class participation.

d.      Our chapter test will be on Wednesday, September 10.

3.       If you are planning to attend our meeting on Thursday morning, and have not RSVP’d, please do so. It will be very helpful in arranging space for parents and children.

4.       The Scholastic Warehouse sale will be happening this weekend. Hundreds of Scholastic books are on sale for 40-60% off (sometimes more!!). I usually go and pick up a few new books for the classroom. If there are any parents interested in helping to finance some new books my classroom library, please let me know!!

I am most certain I will remember more information before the weeks end. J

Parent Meeting

This message was sent via e-mail on Friday. If you are planning to attend, please notify me (if you haven't done so already).

Dear Parents,

Due to some overwhelming concerns from many third grade parents, my team, administration, and I have decided to hold a brief parent meeting on the morning of Thursday, September 4. We will meet in my classroom (room 206). If your child does not attend morning sibling care, they may be seated quietly in the hall with a book. We will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m., so we may conclude by 8:15 a.m. just in time for the children to arrive.

Please understand we are strongly urging you to attend this meeting. We feel that some of the expectations of third grade need further explanation. We will be discussing some Frequently Asked Questions and homework, classwork, and behavior expectations.

Please respond if you think you will be able to attend this meeting.

With great thanks,

Ms. Weissbaum

Ben Gamla Parent Contract 2014-2015

Dear Parents,

Today I sent home The National Ben Gamla Charter School Foundation Inc. Parent/Guardian Contract.

Please sign and return no longer than Friday, August 29th.

Thank you!

Ms. Weissbaum

Friday Update 8/22/2014

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the new school year (and my first email of many)!!!! I am so excited to say we have had the most amazing days at school thus far, and I know they will only get better as the days pass. Here are just a few updates as we end our week:

1.       Dismissal is organized by direction of travel. There will now be a half-sheet of paper to place in your window to aid in organizing our dismissal.

a.       If you are heading eastbound (towards the ocean), please make sure you are at the blue overhang.

b.      If you are heading westbound (towards I95), please make sure you are at the original silver overhang.

c.       If you are still unsure about this procedure, please do not hesitate to ask.

2.       Next week we will begin academic instruction, with homework. I will send another e-mail out to advise about any important events.

3.       Engrade codes were sent home yesterday with a sheet explaining how to make an account. If you need help, please let me know.

4.       Class DOJO codes were also sent home. Please create a parent account so you may keep track of your child’s daily behavior. Our “official” first week will begin on Monday. Tomorrow I will be rewarding ALL of my students for an excellent week with a small treat!

5.       I will be updating my website regularly, so please be sure to stop by! www.msweissbaum.blogspot.com

6.       If you have not done so already, please check out our Wish List on my website. We are in need of a few items that are hugely beneficial to our classroom. If you are interested in donating, please let me know. The top two right now are:

a.       A gift card to Dollar Tree to purchase ClassDOJO rewards. If I cannot purchase items, the students will not be able to receive any prizes beginning next Friday! L

b.      Additionally, we are in need of a class set of pronged folders for our morning work. I imagine we can buy in bulk. Here is a link to a box of 25, assorted colors. http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/552456/Office-Depot-Brand-Twin-Pocket-Portfolios/ (FULFILLED!!!!)

As mentioned at my Meet the Teacher night, I am always remembering more items immediately after I send an email! So expect more soon… J I am always here to help! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and I can address them to the best of my ability!

Best,

Ms. Weissbaum