Ms. Keep

Weekly Update - November 17th

2008-11-17T17:12:18Z

Government
We will be wrapping up our study of American Government this week and students will be demonstrating their understanding through a final assessment next week. I will be sending home a review sheet, but you can help your child by reviewing the Constitution, Bill of Rights, 3 branches of government, and checks and balances between the 3 branches.

Pen Pals
Thank you so much for your generosity! We have many wonderful community based products and samples to share with our Pen Pals (shells, salt water taffy, coloring books, Tom’s of Maine samples). These will be used to help teach our pen pals about the great area of Maine we live in! We will put together our packages next week, so if you have anything additional you’d like to send in, please do so by this Friday. There are 22 students in the third grade at Easton Elementary.

Word Study
We have been reviewing the word study skills studied during Trimester I and will continue to do so this week in order to be prepared for our final review next week. Please look for a sight word review to come home this evening.

Below is a list of skills and the sight words that we have worked on this Trimester:
FLS rule – one syllable word or compound word, one vowel, short vowel, vowel followed by f, l, or s, double the f, l, or s.
CT Blend – two consonants, each keeping their sound
S Saying “Z” – between a vowel and a silent /e/, sometimes used as a suffix
Contractions – shortening of a word, omitting one (or more) letters, replacing the letter(s) with an apostrophe
Hard and Soft G - /g/ is soft when it is followed by e, i, or y.
Hard and Soft C - /c/ is soft when it is followed by e, i, or y.
IC and ICK – ic comes at the end of a syllable in a multi-syllable word and
–ick comes at the end of a one syllable word.
Sight Words: want, something, mother, four, should, waste, father, there, their, they’re

Endangered Animals
Students will be asked to find a top 5 list of endangered animals they would like to learn more about at home this week. On Friday, we will draw names and students will select an animal from their list that no one else will be researching. This endangered animal needs to be from the Biome they researched last week. There are several links on my website if you would like additional information on the current endangered animal list.

Parent Teacher Conferences
I can’t believe that the end of Trimester I is already here! Where has the time gone! If you have not signed up for your conferences yet, please contact me as soon as you can to arrange a time. I look forward to seeing all of you December 8^th- 10^th!

Multiplication
The students will begin their study of multiplication this week. By the end of the third grade, it is hoped that students know as many of their 0-12 facts as possible. I will be sending home many games and activities so that you can practice at home! We will also be keeping track through weekly mad minutes here in the classroom. Please help remind your child that they should be reviewing their math facts at home as often as they can.

Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness
The Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness will be in to visit our classroom this Friday morning. More information about their presentation will be coming home to you in a letter on Friday.

Ms. Keep

Weekly Update - November 3rd

2008-11-03T17:17:48Z

Government – Election Day!
We have been talking about the presidential election through our current government study. Tomorrow, we will be voting with the rest of the third graders to see who we feel should become the next president of the United States! Please be sure to talk to your child about the election process…there will be many great opportunities for discussions in the upcoming week!

Brickstore Museum
We will be taking a trip to the Brickstore Museum this Wednesday to find out more about the history of Kennebunk. We will not miss snack or lunch, so you can plan for your child as usual.

Pen Pals
We are currently putting together a package for our pen pals to thank them for the wonderful potatoes that we received this fall! I will deliver this to them over the Thanksgiving break. If you have any goodies that represent Kennebunk and would like to donate them, it would be much appreciated! There are 22 students in the third grade at Easton.

Word Study
We will be studying the final /k/ sound this week, specifically the –ick and –ic patterns. Your child will be bringing home a sort to do with their words this evening. You can help them this week by pointing out that –ick comes at the end of a one syllable word and that –ic comes at the end of a syllable in multi-syllable word.

Example: -ick – pick, kick, tric
-ic - fabric, public, picnic
Other letters that make up the final /k/ sound include –c, -k, -ke, and –que.

Biomes
We will be beginning our study of Biomes this week as well. The students will be learning what a Biome is, as well as investigating a biome of their choice to learn more about. We will also begin studying endangered animals throughout this unit. Your child will be asked to design a 3-D model of their endangered animal and create a habitat box at home. They will be researching and writing a report here at school. More information to come home on this later!

Food Drive
From November 3^rd to 10^th, MSAD 71 will be joining Sodexo (dining services) at UNE to help collect food items for those in need. Please join us in filling our local food pantries for the long winter months ahead. **If you have any questions please contact Amy Roy at aroy@msad71.net.

URGENTLY NEEDED ITEMS
To help local food pantries get through the winter months!

• Protein items; tuna, canned meats, peanut butter
• Canned soups & stews
• Fruit juices
• Canned fruit, applesauce
• Healthy cereals & snacks
• Pasta, sauces, mac & cheese
• Instant potatoes, rice
• Canned vegetables & beans
• Shelf-stable milk
• Paper products

Thanks!
Thank you so much for making our fall celebration last Friday a fun one! We had many wonderful treats sent in and the students loved sampling everything! I hope that you all had a great evening for treats as well!

Enjoy your week! I looks like it’s going to be a beautiful one!
Ms. Keep

Weekly Update - October 24th

2008-10-27T17:50:23Z

Math - Measurement
For the next 2 ½ weeks, we will be working on Measurement. You can help your child at home by reviewing with them how to measure to the nearest ¼ inch and centimeter. Other areas that we will be talking about include perimeter, area, diameter and circumference. For more information, please be sure to read the Family Letter that is coming home this evening.

The Hard and Soft Sounds of G
Last week, we studied the hard and soft sounds of C. This week, we will be studying the hard and soft sounds of G. When a g sounds like /g/ as in goat, it is called a hard g and when the g sounds like /j/ as in giraffe, it is called a soft g. A soft g usually precedes the letter e, as seen in gem and germ. Please help your child at home by talking about the different sounds of g and see if you can find some of your own examples around the house.

Toy Drive
This will be the final week to send in brand new toys for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Thank you all for the donations you’ve made! I think this was a very successful toy drive for the students from KES and Sea Road!

Fall Fun on Friday
This Friday afternoon, we will be having a mini-fall celebration in the classroom! If you would like to send in a snack or treat for the students, please feel free to do so. I have plates, napkins and cups. We have 21 students.

Conferences
I am in the process of putting together a conference schedule for the beginning of December. You will hear more about this later this week or next, but wanted to let everyone know that it’s on its way!

Thanks and hope you enjoy this last week of October!
Ms. Keep

Weekly Update - October 20th

2008-10-20T17:06:13Z

Mapping with Dave Carpenter
Tuesday, October 21^st, Dave Carpenter (Program Coordinator from the Kids and Transportation Program of York County) will be visiting our classroom to teach us a few mapping skills! The students will be taking a closer look at local maps and discussing how maps are made. Be sure to ask your child about some of the cool activities they did in class!

The Hard and Soft Sounds of C
This week, we will be studying the hard and soft sounds of c. When a c sounds like /k/, it is called a hard c and when the c sounds like /s/, it is called a soft c. A soft c usually occurs when c comes before e, i, and y. Please help your child at home by talking about the different sounds of c and see if you can find some of your own examples around the house.

Unit 2 Math Assessment
The students will be taking their unit 2 math assessment on adding and subtracting whole numbers this week. One of the ways you can prepare your child at home is by reviewing their addition and subtraction math facts with them. One way of doing this is by using the fact triangles that came home at the beginning of the unit. We will also begin doing some fun mad minutes to continue our study here at school. These are quick checks to see how well your child knows particular addition and subtraction math facts.

Thanks and hope you have a wonderful week!
Ms. Keep

Weekly Update - October 15th

2008-10-15T12:43:45Z

I hope you all had a wonderful Columbus Day weekend! Wasn’t the weather perfect!

Still looking for a few good volunteers!
Classroom volunteers are starting this week. If you have not signed up for a time yet, but would like to help out, please let me know as soon as you can. Here are the times I am looking for additional help:
Monday – 9:50-10:30 - Reading
Tuesday – 9:00-9:40 - Reading
9:50-10:30 – Writing
Wednesday – 1:00-1:50 – Writing
Thursday – 8:40-9:20 – Writing
12:40-1:15 – Reading
Friday – 11:30-12:00 – Sunshine Math

Contractions
This week, we will be studying contractions. Please help your child at home by talking about how words are joined together and what letters are left out. While reading, see if you and your child can work on finding some examples.

Prize Shop
We had our first prize shop last Friday, as I’m sure you’ve all heard J Thank you to everyone who sent in all of the wonderful prizes! It’s so nice to award the students for their great work in 3^rd grade!

Maine Children’s Cancer Program Toy Drive
For the next several weeks, K.E.S. will be collecting NEW TOYS to donate to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and their ‘Owie’ Box. Due to health and safety standards, all toys much be NEW and UNUSED. This precaution is necessary for the children in treatment whose immune systems may be weakened and are susceptible to germ and infection. If you would like to contribute to this project, please have your child bring a new, unwrapped toy to K.E.S. Toys can range in ages for infants to Teens. The toy drive will end on October 31^st.

Thanks to our very own Kate Sprague for helping to lead this great project!

Team Spirit Day
Friday October 17^th is Team Spirit Day. Students are asked to support their favorite team by wearing clothing or gear with team emblems on them. Students and staff will be permitted to wear hats during the day. If students don't have team items to wear, then team colors can be worn instead.

Thanks and hope you have a wonderful week!
Ms. Keep

Consolidation Meeting

2008-10-10T14:55:04Z

Arundel/MSAD71 will be sponsoring RSU Informational Meetings to answer questions the public may have on the consolidation process and the RSU Plan. The meetings will be on: Thursday, 10/16/08, 7 PM, Mildred L Day School in Arundel at 7 PM and Saturday ,10/25/08, 9 AM, Consolidated School Gym, Kennebunkport.

On Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 7 PM, at the Kennebunk Elementary School Cafeteria, there will be a Public Hearing.

For further information go to www.msad71.net.

October News

2008-10-06T21:03:47Z

Can you believe it’s already October! Where did September go?

Volunteers
The students are doing a great job with the daily practices and routines of our classroom. As a result, I am hoping to get my volunteers into the classroom by next week! If you signed up during parent orientation, please be on the look out for more information to come home this week! If you did not sign up, but would like to help out in the classroom, please let me know and we can find a day and time that works for the students! I always welcome a helping hand!

Science
As part of our science unit, we will continue to study animal and plant habitats and learn about the many biomes of the world. We will be assigned an endangered animal project later this month. The written report section of the project will be done here at school while the "model" will be done at home. Be on the look-out for more information toward the end of the month.

Pen Pals
We had a great time learning about our pen pals from Easton, Maine, when Mrs. Allen visited us last Friday! I hope that you all enjoyed the fresh Russet Potatoes that were brought home and were even able to try out a recipe or two! Now it’s our turn! If you have any ideas of local products that we can share with our pen pals to teach them about our own great community of Kennebunk, I would appreciate your help in bringing those to the classroom! I’d like to put together 21 goodie bags for our pen pals and hopefully deliver them during a November visit. Thanks in advance for your help!

NWEA’s
The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) provides research-based assessments that are used to improve teaching and learning. Our 3^rd graders will be tested in the areas of Reading and Math this month and again in May to measure academic growth. The NWEA is a computerized test.
Students in my class took their reading test last Thursday and will take the math portion this Friday, October 10^th. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and a healthy breakfast before coming to school.

Fire Prevention Week
Did you know this is Fire Prevention Week? We will be practicing fire drills here at school, but what a great opportunity to talk to your child about the best routes out of your own house during a fire! I’ll be sending home a map later this week so that you and your child will be able to map out their escape route.

Prize Shop
We will have our first prize shop this Friday! Thanks to all of you who have been sending in goodies to add to the store! They are much appreciated! Our next one will be at the beginning of November!

Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions or concerns you may have...985-2383, ext. 2505, hkeep@msad71.net.

Enjoy the fall colors! This is such a beautiful time of the year to get outside, view the sights and breath in all of the fresh air!

Ms. Keep

Field Trip

2008-09-07T22:18:04Z

Just a reminder, we will be on an all day field trip this Thursday to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. Your child should dress appropriately for the weather this time of year (I suggest layers so it can be taken off if necessary) and wear sneakers or a hiking type of shoe. They will need to pack a lunch, but should not bring glass containers, or food for the animals (we used to be able to feed several of the animals, but the park rangers would prefer we no longer do this as the animals are getting overfed). There are grain machines if your child would like to bring some change for that. We will also be visiting the store that is on site, but I’ve encouraged students to only bring a few dollars.

Keep your fingers crossed for warm and dry weather!

Thanks!

Ms. Keep

Welcome to Third Grade!

2008-08-11T15:14:45Z

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year! I am excited to be your child's 3rd grade teacher and look forward to meeting you at Parent Orientation on Tuesday, August 26th from 5-5:30 p.m. This blog will be an important part of my home-school communication, and therefore, it is my hope that you will all become subscribers. I will be posting editions often to tell you about current studies, upcoming projects, field trips, special events and volunteer opportunities. I hope that you will find my blog helpful and if you have any suggestions as to things you would like to see me add, please let me know!

I look forward to working closely with you and your child this year! Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns. I can be reached at hkeep@msad71.net or 985-2382 x2505.

Thanks and see you soon!

Ms. Keep

If you are receiving this blog as a previous parent, please be sure to unsubscribe to my blog today!