<p align="right">September 14, 2009</p>
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Dear Parents/Guardians,

We just completed our first week of 3<sup>rd</sup> grade!  I can honestly say that this class is WONDERFUL!  Every week, you will receive information on the activities we will be working on.  I am currently working on a class blog in order to save paper.  I know you are constantly receiving papers and forms from the school.  I am waiting for that to settle before I start sending class focused notes.  Tomorrow I will send a form that will let me know how many families have access to internet/email.  Here is a just a quick summary of what is going on in the classroom.  More extensive information will be available on the classroom blog (hopefully it will be up by the end of this week!).

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class Behavior/Color Chart</span></strong>

I monitor behavior by using a color chart (it has worked very well throughout the years).  Everyday your child receives a green card.  This means that your child is doing everything she/he is expected to do.  Your child receives a blue card, if she/he does something that was very positive (such as sharing, a kind gesture, or following specific directions).  If a student is not following directions, I give a verbal warning to the individual.  If the student still chooses not to correct themselves, I give the child a yellow card.   The student misses 2 minutes of recess and a note goes home to you.  If the child continues to not follow directions, she/he receives a red card.  This card means that I will call you and the student misses a specific activity such as free time or recess.  Red is very hard to get and I rarely give a child a red card.  IF the child is so insubordinate, she/he will receive a purple card, which means they are going to the administration office.  I will sign your child’s homework planner EVERYDAY with the color.  Please sign next to it EVERYDAY so that I am aware that you have seen your child’s behavior color for the day.  This is part of the homework.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">English Language Arts (ELA)</span></strong>

I use Balanced Literacy in my classroom.  This means that I use different components rather than just whole group instruction to meet the needs of EVERY student.  You will learn more about Balanced Literacy and what it looks like in my classroom next week during Open House.  This week, I am currently assessing each student on his or her reading level.  I hope to finish by next week.

This week, students are practicing procedures in the Daily 5.  The Daily 5 is a program that helps students become independent readers.  It provides choice for students during the literacy block.  Right now we are building stamina so that we can read independently for 45 minutes.  There are five main components that go along with the Daily 5.  You will hear more about this during Open House.

We are also starting Writer’s Workshop this week.  Writer’s Workshop helps students become better writers and gives me an opportunity to work with individual students on specific needs.  This week, we are learning the rituals and routines of Writer’s Workshop.

Towards the end of the week, we will begin our phonics instruction.  We will focus on consonant clusters and short vowel sounds.  The phonics instruction that I will primarily use is through the Fountas and Pinnell program.   I will use different aspects and activities from different programs as well.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Mathematics</span></strong>

We use the Everyday Mathematics program for Math.  This week, we will focus on number sequence, using Mathematical tools, using Student Reference books, and comparing data.  Students will receive daily Math homework this week.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Due this Week:</span></strong>

Please bring the following this week:
<ul>
	<li>$5 for the homework planner:  we will use this daily and it’s great to teach your students about organizing homework.</li>
	<li>Please turn in Lunch forms-even if you do not feel you qualify.</li>
	<li>Emergency forms need to be turned with CURRENT information.  IF there is an emergency, it is important that we are able to reach someone.</li>
	<li>Snacks will be due at the beginning of each month.  There are 29 students in the classroom.</li>
</ul>
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school and I will get back to your OR you can email me at <a href="mailto:ssprasad-hei@cps.edu">ssprasad-hei@cps.edu</a>

Thank you for all that you do!  I cannot wait to meet you at the Open House on September 23, 2009!

Sincerely,

Ms. Prasad-Heintz