We need your help!

We opened our last box of tissues this morning!

We could use a few more boxes. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Our noses thank you for your generosity!

We're Hitting the ROAD!

Third grade classes at Gilbert have been busy learning about rocks, minerals, fossils, and soils. To culminate our unit, we have planned a field trip to Ruby Falls on Thursday, April 1, 2010.

The cost of the field trip is $14 per student. This price includes transportation, admission, and a t-shirt. Each classroom teacher has chosen a color for her class. Having these shirts helps us to easily identify and keep track of our students. Students love wearing them for spirit days and other special events throughout the remainder of the year. T-shirts are available for parents if interested.

We would love to have parents accompany us on our trip. However with spaces limited, each class has five spots available for parents. If you are interested, please let your child’s teacher know, as these spaces are offered on a first-come first-served basis. Payment must be made before places will be held for parents.

We understand that finances are tight for everyone these days. To help, you may pay in installments. The first installment of $7 is required so that we may order our t-shirts. It is due by Friday, March 5th. The remaining $7 is due by March 19th.

Parent T-shirts

• Youth Small $7
• Youth Med. $7
• Youth Large $7
• Adult Small $7
• Adult Med. $7
• Adult Large $7
• Adult X-Large $8
• Adult 2X-Large $9
• Adult 3X-Large $10

Dance Rescheduled!

Get our your dancing shoes!

Our dance has been rescheduled!

Due to inclement weather, our dance was postponed. We've finally set the date! It will be held on Thursday, March 11 from 2:30-4:30. It's not too late to attend! If you would like to stay for the dance, I will need a note from your parents giving you permission and your $5 which includes a snack, drink, and a photograph!

Measurement

Measurement

How do you measure up? We've recently become excellent measure-ers! We will be completing our culminating task on Tuesday of next week. In the meantime, check out some of these site to keep your measurement skills in top shape!

• Measure and Measure Song
• Measuring with Customary Units
• Matching Equivalent Customary Units
• Length Strength - Inches
• Length Strength - Centimeters
• Measurement Quiz

March Book Orders

March book orders went home today. If you would like to place an order, please return the form and payment by Friday, February 19th. Remember your purchases help our class earn books for our class library!

Wk 24 Homework

Wednesday

Study spelling words
Review math facts 5-10
Fluency Passage
AR Books

Thursday

Take a practice spelling test
Review math facts 5-10
Fluency Passage
AR Books

Please note: Due to the changes in our schedule, we will not have Coach book homework this week. Spelling words were assigned for this week. Be sure to study each night.

Hope everyone is feeling better!

We're off to a rough start this week! Members of our classroom family are a bit under the weather. We had several students absent today and two students to go home sick. Symptoms include nausea, running a fever, stomach pains. We're taking steps to cut down on germs in the classroom. We are washing hands more frequently and cleaning tables daily.

Please remember students who are running a temperature should not be allowed to attend school. They should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Let's get everyone well!

CSO String Quintet Visits Gilbert

On Wednesday, February 3rd, Gilbert Elementary students were given a rare treat! The Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra's String Quintet paid a visit to our school. These talented musicians introduced us to string instruments including violins, a viola, a cello, and a bass. We listened to lively music all centered on an animal theme. Composers included Joseph Haydn and Camille Saint-Saens. What fun!

Valentine's Info

We are planning to exchange Valentine's with our classmates. Keep in mind you must make a Valentine for every student in our room. We do not wish to have any hurt feelings.

Girls
Brianna
April
Kaitlyn
Farrah
Taylor
Heather
Haley
Mrs. Richardson

Boys
Joshuwa
Mason
David K.
Ethan
A. J.
Desmond
William
Royce
David V.
Bryce
Alex

Staff Members
Mr. Hayes
Mr. Harris
Mr. Lemons
Mrs. Sandow
Mr. Bruce
Coach Neal

Richardson's Review Wk 22

I must begin the newsletter with an apology! Things have been so busy lately with the addition of CRCT prep to our daily schedule, I haven't written a newsletter in far too long. To that end, let me catch you up with the latest happenings in third grade!

I'd like to introduce you to our newest class members. We've added three more students to our happy classroom family! We now have a total of 18 students, including seven girls and 11 boys.

Alex Wood
Lee Smith (moved already)
Kaitlyn Brackett

You have noticed the addition of the CRCT Coach books to our normal homework schedule. We are completing some lessons in class also as games to ensure we review all material prior to testing. Our schedule is as follows:

Monday - Math
Tuesday - Reading
Thursday - Science

We have complete our math facts for multiplication. Your child should continue to review the assigned facts. We'll continue to test our fluency with these facts daily.

Please continue to ensure your child reads his or her A. R. books for at least twenty minutes each night.

Goal Setting

Students were having trouble staying on track to meet their weekly A.R. and Math Fact goals. I created a form that allows students to keep track of their goals all on one page.

Timed Facts Goal: Students set personal goals for themselves increasing by at least five each day. Those who do not meet their weekly goal must list a strategy they can use to improve.

A.R. Goals: Each student must meet grade level expectations with AR goals. The following is required:

• One chapter book per week
• 3 other books (student's choice)
• 85% or higher average

I allow students to have Monday as a "free" day, as no homework was assigned over the weekend. No test is required. However for the remaining days, students must take at least one test per day or he/she will miss recess. Students also must maintain an 85% or higher average in order to be clear for recess. This usually means if a student fails a test, he/she must read another book and take another quiz to bring up the average.

I check for chapter books on Thursday morning. If a student has not taken his chapter book quiz, he will miss Thursday's recess. The following day's recess and specials (P.E., Art, Computer, Science Lab) will also be missed until the book is complete and the test is taken.

All of these requirements are put into place to discourage students from taking tests on books they have NOT read. Students are given 30-45 minutes each morning to read as well. They may also read if they finish an assignment early. However, students must read at least 20 minutes outside of class in order to meet weekly goals.

Computer Facts: Students record scores earned on the computer version of math facts. The computer gives one minute for 20 problems ( 3 seconds per problem). Certificates are printed for each fact students master. Our goal is to get through all 10 facts by Friday.


Congratulations! Our class was the winner of the attendance contest for January for third grade! Way to go everyone! We enjoyed our ice cream reward on Thursday, February 4th!