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!

AR Congratulations!

Congratulations to these students for recent AR accomplishments!

25 Points

Joshuwa Burse
A. J. Pettigrew

50 Points

April Beaird
Heather Reynolds
William Sainthill

Producing Polygons

Producing Polygons

What can you do with a few toothpicks and some marshmallows? Well, we can produce perfect polygons! We learned a polygon is a plane shape having three or more sides. Students were given toothpicks and marshmallows. They were asked to create three of the following polygons: triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon. We had a great time creating our polygons. The best part of course is eating the leftover marshmallows! Math can even be YUMMY! Check out our photos!

Terry Catlett and Dave the Story Dog visited Gilbert Elementary School last week to teach students the importance of treating the family pet with respect and love. Mrs. Catlett told students that when you adopt a pet you are making a very important promise to that pet. You are promising to love him, play with him, feed him, and give him a safe warm home.

Catlett and Dave Wood are two of the founding members of the North Georgia Animal League, a nonprofit organization based in Walker County.The organization began four years ago when the Walker County commissioner formed a large group of volunteers to help renovate the county’s animal control facility. After the project was completed and most of the volunteers dispersed, a core of about 15 dedicated people remained. They were so affected by what they had seen and by the state of animal welfare in Walker County, that this group, which included Catlett and Wood, vowed to do some-thing about it, and so the North Georgia Animal League was born.

In order to educate the public, the North Georgia Animal League has also partnered with Walker County Libraries to bring animal education programs to local elementary schools. During the program, Catlett reads books that have been approved by the humane society and tries to impart on the children the importance of treating pets with equal amounts of food, shelter and love.

Walker County Schools Closed

Due to impending inclement weather and frigid temperatures, Walker County Schools will be closed Thursday, January 7, 2010. Please stay tuned to local stations for further information.

Stay safe and warm!

Christmas Memories!

A look inside our Christmas party....

Holiday Scarves

As part of students' Christmas presents, we made cozy scarves! Students had a blast choosing their color and creating designs with beads. Don't we look great?