Friday, October 3, 2008
Parent Letter
Dear Parents,
This entire week was the best week ever. We learned so much stuff. First of all we started learning about insects. Our class is learning about the different body parts of an insect. So far we have learned there is an abdomen, thorax, and head. Our class has been divided into three groups and then we are making a power point about each specific part. Another thing that has made this week exciting is we are almost writing a complete paragraph. A paragraph has a topic, two details, four explaining sentences and a conclusion. We need to stop this letter so Lexi can go get her puppy. Hopefully you can tell we had a great week.
Sincerely,
Your Third Grader
PS We won the food drive!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Class Work
Our class continues to settle in to the daily routine of math, reading, writing, and science. Students seem to enjoy the new math curriculum and the pace of the work allows all students to be engaged. Please continue you make sure your student is completing their homework correctly each night.
Thanks
Letter Home
Dear Parents,
What a week we have had! You are about to learn why school was fun this week. First this week was awesome because we got to do a bio blitz. Our class went outside and caught insects. We caught grasshoppers, moths, earwigs, crickets, stink bugs, and beetles. Secondly this week was fantastic because our class began to learn about adding explaining sentences to our writing. Explaining sentences talk about detail sentences by giving examples about the detail. In our Step Up to Writing program we color code them red. Finally our class finished the classification poster. Each group did a great job and looks forward to sharing with the entire class on Tuesday. As you can see we have had an awesome week.
Sincerely,
Your Monkey
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
NWEA Test
Your student may have informed you of the NWEA testing taking place this week. This test is to help teachers understand strengths and weakness in each student's academic progress. The test is thought to be a strong indicator of students chance of success on the WASL and it is built upon Washington's state standards. We will take the Math, Reading, and Language test three times during the year. Scores will be shared during conferences or earlier if you are interested.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Letter Home
Dear Parents,
This week we have been having a lot of fun for several reasons. First of all, this has been a great week, because we went to the Salmon Festival. At the Salmon Festival we put our faces in the fake, wood, fish. Kodi looked really funny! You should check it out on our blog. Angel saw a stuffed brown bear and made a mad face. Our class also saw many different types of fish like salmon, trout, croppy, and sockeye. We also got to listen to a Native American story in a huge blow up fish. At the salmon fest there was also a display of birds. Second of all we have been learning more about writing. Our class has continued to practice topic sentences and now knows how to write detail sentences. We also learned how to make a graphic organizer. In conclusion you should understand why we have had such a exciting week.
Sincerely,
Third Grade
PS. The blog address watervilleclassof2018.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Salmon Fest 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Letter Home 9/12
Dear Parents,
We have been learning a lot this week and you are about to find out all about it! First we have been studying about classification. Our class has learned that there are reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and fish. Mr. Grillo divided us into groups and we are starting to research about these different classifications. Next, in writing, we have been learning about topic sentences. It has been fun learning how to write topic sentences because we have practiced writing these sentences in groups. A topic sentence is when you begin a story and it is important because this sentence tells the reader what you are going to write about. Finally math has been great. Each morning we have a problem of the day and other brain twisting work to do. Parents look at our binders because we now have fact practice to do each night. As you can see we have been learning lots of new stuff.
Sincerely,
Your Third Grade
PS
I still need to parents for the Salmon festival. Also thank you parents for helping your student complete their homework each night. Our blog address is classof2018.blogspot.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Letter Home
Dear Parents,
We have had a great week. Our class will tell you a few things we have done. Today we had our first Math lesson. We reviewed how to tell time by reading an analog clock. Each of us showed the time by using little personal clocks. Our math lesson started with a problem of the day and math meeting. Another thing we did was get ourselves ready for the year. One thing we did was set up our binders and look at the calendar. We spent a lot of time learning the procedures of the room. One procedure we learned was how to answer the phone correctly. Mr. Grillo also showed us a slide show. Clearly you can see we have had a great week.
Sincerely
Your Third Grader
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Parent Letter
Dear Families,
Welcome to third grade. I’m excited about the opportunity to get to know you, and I’m looking forward to a happy and productive school year. As you know, you are the most important part of your child’s education. By showing your interest and enthusiasm for what occurs at school, you can help encourage your student to be a success. Within this letter I will share information about various items. Please feel free to contact me about any question you may have regarding what is shared or other concerns you may have. .
Throughout the year your student will be required to do homework. Each week your child should be studying their spelling words, math facts, and spending at least forty minutes reading aloud. Some nights a homework sheet will not be sent home however they should study spelling, math facts, and read. Your child has a student planner in their binder which reflects what needs to be accomplished each evening.
Please help your student learn how to be responsible for their work. You can do this by creating a time and a place for them to complete their studies and by helping them to remember to bring their binder and homework to school each day. In their binder under the “homework” section you will find a homework tracker. Please initial each night to show your student has completed his/her homework. Thank you in advance for your help!
Each week students will be given fifteen spelling words to complete. The spelling words will be written in their student planners. Each test will focus on a different spelling rule and the test will occur on Friday. Please help your student to study their spelling words each night. .
It is extremely important that you spend time working with multiplication facts throughout the year. I have found it impossible to insure students are proficient in their times tables if they do not practice at home. If you find your student struggling with the facts I would be glad to help come up with various activities to aid in their practice.
Each week the class will help write a letter reviewing briefly, what occurred in class. I encourage you to hold a discussion about the information found within this weekly letter with your child. I will also post this information on our third grade blog. www.watervilleclassof2018.blogspot.com Please check the blog throughout the year. I will publish student work, pictures, and other information about our classroom work. In order to publish your students picture on the blog I will need the permission form attached to this letter returned ASAP.
We will be using the Time to Teach discipline plan again this year. I have modified this program in the following manner. A student who fails to follow directions will be prompted and their name will be placed on the board. The student will receive two more prompts before being refocused. Each prompt equals a check. Three prompts equals a refocus. Three refocuses in a week equals an academy held after school on Monday. After each refocus your student will call and speak with you as to why they have received a refocus form. It is important you realize it is somewhat difficult to earn an academy. The majority of students will go through a year without having to attend academy, however some become weekly attendees. If this begins to occur with your child I want to work with you to develop a creative means to help your child develop behavior which will allow them to be a success.
Throughout the year I will need to send information home. One of the most convenient methods of communicating for me is email. If you can send me an email I will add your address to my class list. My address is jgrillo@waterville.wednet.edu . I would like to have as many addresses as possible. If you need to speak with me about any concerns you or your student has please send me a note or email me so we can set up an appointment when students are not in the room. I want to be open to hear your concerns however during class I am preoccupied with my students and can miss important information that you have to tell me.
Once again, welcome to third grade. Let’s work together to make this the best year ever!
Sincerely,
Justin Grillo







