Thinking of you all!

Just wanted to let my students and families know that I am thinking of all of you as the storm approaches.  My husband and I made it back safely from Michigan early yesterday.  We, fortunately, beat the storm out of Michigan and beat the storm coming into DC.  Like you, we are hunkering down for the worst and hoping that it is not as bad as the predictions. 

Enjoy this extra family time together and know that you all are in my thoughts!

Ms. Coffman

Map HOME Project Assigned Today; Due 10/29

Social Studies Mini-Project

Assigned: Monday, October 22, 2012

Due: Monday, October 29, 2012

Last week we started talking about maps and globes.  These are geographical tools that are used for many reasons such as finding the location of a place or determining the distance between two or more places.  We also learned that a person who makes maps is called a “cartographer”.  For this assignment, YOU will be the cartographer!

Using information that you have learned about maps, I would like to design a map of your own.  The options for this map are listed below OR you may submit your own idea for a map (see option 4 – this must be submitted and approved by Thursday, October 25^th).  Here are your choices:   

1)            Map a favorite room.  Be sure to include doors, windows, furniture and any special features you feel are important.

2)          Create a building floor plan.  Again, remember to include doors, windows, furniture, and any special features you feel are important.

3)          Design a map of your immediate community.  This could be, but is not limited to the street you live on, a favorite area in Arlington, a favorite neighborhood etc.

4)          My own idea for a map is __________________

Submitted by:   ______________________________

                             Student Name

Approved by:    _______________________________

                             Ms. Coffman

Although this is a project that you are to complete at home, it should be your own work.  You may ask a parent, sibling, or friend to assist but YOU, the cartographer, must complete the work.  Spend approximately 30 – 45 minutes on this project.  Paper for this project is available in the classroom or you may use a standard sheet of construction paper (9” x 12”). 

As always, have fun and do your best work!

Ms. Coffman

Harvest Fest Reminder

Harvest Fest

We are down to our last week and we need your help.

Sell a ticket, bake a cake, man a game, sell a pizza, or staff the
obstacle course.

Please sign up at
http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C084AAFAE2CA13-harvest


Please contact Pam Howze if you have any questions

Pamela.howze@gmail.com

Optional Work Packs

Dear Parents:

Please look for another long weekend/optional work pack coming home today.  By student vote, this was a requested item for the weekend (go figure!).  Please know that these packs are optional and children will not lose points for not completing.  However, they can earn extra credit or win small prizes for completing some or all of the pack.  I trust you and your child to make a decision about this item that is in his or her best interest and I support that decision.

Thank you; have a great week and weekend!

Ms. Coffman

Picture Retakes November 5

       
Dear Parents: 

Please read below regarding information about school picture makeups:

Retake/makeup school photos are scheduled for Monday, November 5.  Only children needing retakes or makeups will be photographed.  There is no schedule.  I'll stop by and bring only those children needing photos to the multipurpose room.

Retakes:  Have students bring their unwanted photos with them to the retake.  No payment is necessary.

Makeups:  Students should pick up an order form from the front office prior to picture day and then bring the payment with them that day.

Any questions or concerns, kvansice@gmail.com 703-628-1370.

Thank you very much, 
Krissy Van Sice
Marnie Lewis
Senior Instructional Technology Coordinator
Tuckahoe Elementary School
703-228-8318

Halloween Day Schedule

October 17, 2012

Dear Students/Parents:

Halloween is getting close and I’ve been asked about our plans for the classroom on this day.  The schedule below is provided for your convenience.  Parents are welcome to join us, in the classroom, after the parade (* see below) for a healthy treat and a game of Halloween charades.  Please contact Erica Burson (egum@verizon.net), our room parent, to volunteer your time to assist with costume changes or offer donations to our celebration.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

8:50-9:50                  Classroom warm-ups/math lesson

9:50-10:50                Tuckahoe Parade

10:50-11:50*           Halloween Charades/Healthy Snacks (items suggested include veggie sticks, pretzels, popcorn, fruit, and/or juice)

                                    Students will also have the option to decorate Unicef boxes 

11:50-12:15             Students write assignments/pack up

12:15-12:45             Lunch in cafeteria

12:45-1:15                Student interview or Halloween themed video (to be used as a writing prompt for next day)

Regarding attire, students are welcome to wear or bring their costumes.  I suggest bringing outfits if these will interfere with transportation or our early morning math lesson.  If not, please be sure to wear suitable shoes that will allow for our outdoor walk.  Children may also want to bring a change of clothing in order to protect costumes for later evening use.  These decisions are at the discretion of you and your child. 

Again, if you would like to make a donation of a snack, drink, or paper product, please contact Erica Burson at the email above.  Additionally, you may contact me at my address and I will do my best to answer questions or forward information to Erica.

Thank you for all that you do to support our classroom community!

Theresa Coffman

Theresa.Coffman@apsva.us

Tuckahoe ES

Success in Savanna, 10/12

Dear Parents:

I would like to begin this week with a big thank you to all who accompanied us today to the National Building Museum.  From the hum of excited voices as we left, through the morning of instruction and building everyone seemed to enjoy the day.  The city we built was both fun and functional.  Who knows, maybe the next generation of city planners will include one of our students.

            As you know, Parent Teacher Conferences are on-going and continue through next week.  This is an opportunity for you and me to share how we see your child adjusting to the expectations of Third Grade.  I will also share information about early assessments, our language arts program, and other classroom news.  I enjoy this opportunity to discuss your child with you.  If you have not done so as of yet, I would like to ask that you confirm your conference time through email.  As of today, I believe that I have sent confirmations to all my parents.

            In content learning, we have started new units in math, social studies, and health.  In language arts, we are building our visualization skills, as readers, and reviewing the rules of capitalization.  Word Study groups are formed and moving forward.  We will not start a new unit on the 17^th due to the shortened week.  For this reason, I worked in a little dictionary skill review that will continue into next week.  Soon, we will start another science unit on Living Systems.  There is never (or at least rarely) a dull moment in third grade. 

            The leaves are beginning to change outside the window and the temperature is fluctuating with early signs of change.  This signals me to take a moment out to remind everyone that the children do need to be dressed appropriately for the weather each day.  The children do go outside each day for recess and we want them to be warm enough to enjoy their time on the playground.

            Below you will find a list of some of the upcoming events at school.  Please mark the dates on your calendars.

                        Thurs./Friday 10/18-19- Parent Teacher Conferences

                        Tues. Oct. 23- ASPAN Homeless Walk- 9:15 am

                        Fri. 10/26- Harvest Fest 6:30-9:30 pm

                        Thurs. 10/31- Halloween Parade- 10:00 am

                        Tues. 11/6- Election Day/Teacher Work Day

The forecast for the weekend looks like it will be good for sports games.  With our O’s and Nats battling for divisional wins, it will certainly be a baseball weekend at our house.  I know the same is true for many of you!

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                              Ms. Coffman

Success in Savanna, 10/5/12

Dear Parents,

            This week has flown by!  The children have been busy in class with content learning and we finished the week with our first test in math.  We also enjoy learning about a box turtle, a ball python, a hedgehog, and a ferret with the visit of Cindy Schall from the Career Center.  She took time with all the classes to explain adaptations these animals make to protect themselves from predators, as well as how they hunt for food and live in the wild. The children asked thoughtful questions and enjoyed Mrs. Schall’s visit to the classroom.   Overall, it was good week.  As we look at the month of October, there are several housekeeping items I would like to bring to your attention.

First, please take a few minutes to review your child’s assignment notebook and binder each night with them.  This will help them organize which assignments need to be completed on which evening, and to pace out the work for the remainder of the week.  In the next week I will begin to back off checking the assignment notebooks each day before your child leaves.  It will be up to them to make sure they have all their supplies for the night.  Should you see that your child is not coming home with all they need on a repeated basis, please let me know.  I will also be keeping a close eye on completed homework that will let me know how your children are doing with this responsibility.

Second, we are asking for your help in getting your child get to school on time each morning.  We begin direct instruction at 9:00am.  If your child comes in 5-10 minutes late they have missed the initial instructions for the day.  It is in these first few minutes where we explain what will happen during the day as well as the expectations.  Missing these beginning minutes of the day can put your child at a disadvantage.  We want to ensure all the children experience success each day, and being at school on time will help them do so. 

On a related note, please try to schedule doctor’s appointments for afterschool or other non-school times.  While I know how difficult it is to get appointments and that later appointments are sometimes not available, I would like to ask you to keep this in mind when scheduling them.  Missing parts of the day and getting caught up during lunchtime is not always most beneficial for your child.  Also if your child does have to leave early for an appointment, please let me know the time to expect to pick your child up.  This will help me have your child as ready to leave as possible.

Finally, as you may know, Fall Enrichment is begins next week.  I am reposting the message the PTA sent out on Wednesday about sending notes in each day your child has a class. 

            PTA Update for October 3, 2012   

FALL ENRICHMENT BEGINNING - BRING YOUR NOTES!  With the start of Fall School Enrichment programs next week, please be sure your students bring written notes regarding their participation in an Enrichment program to their teachers so they are aware of where your child needs to go for their program. Please keep in mind that a note must be written each day that your child is participating in a program. This is to ensure that children arrive to their programs at the right time and at the right location. A master list of the programs and room locations will be posted outside of the office on Tuesday so you will know where to pick up your children. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. 

Please know these enrichment notes, as well as all other notes concerning a change in dismissal, are essential for us to ensure your child’s safety.   

I am looking forward to talking with each of you during our conferences to hear your perspective of how your child is transitioning into Third Grade.  We are off to a super start in third grade and I can’t wait to share all the news with you soon.

As always, I appreciate all you do for your child to ensure they come to school ready to learn each day.  I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Ms. Coffman

Upcoming Events

Mon. 10/8- Columbus Day- School Holiday

       Fri. 10/12- Building Museum Field Trip- 9am-12:30 pm

       Thurs./Friday 10/18-19- Parent Teacher Conferences

       Tues. Oct. 23- ASPAN Homeless Walk- 9:15 am

       Fri. 10/26- Harvest Fest 6:30-9:30 pm

       Thurs. 10/31- Halloween Parade- 10:00 am    

Math Test Returned/Expectations

Dear Parents:  Math tests were returned and should be reviewed at home.  I have taught my students how to convert their fraction scores to percentage scores and they are welcome to do this at home if they desire.  Essentially you take the numerator and divide it by the denominator and multiply the result by 100.  All bonus points are added AFTER you complete this calculation.

Overall, I was pleased with test scores but I still encourage students to rework any incorrect problems.  These corrected papers, along with a parent signature, should be returned to me by next Monday.  This process of reviewing tests and having a parent sign and return it to me will be repeated for all math, science, and social studies tests.  I do not require signatures/return for word study or other language arts tests.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Reminders: Health Project Tues. 10/9

Please remind all students that our health project is Tuesday afternoon.  They do not need to bring craft materials to complete the work unless they are in need of materials that can found in the classroom (paper, glue, string, etc.).  All students should choose the project that they intend to complete and have an idea of the steps that they will take to complete the project.  No work is to be completed at home beyond a list or rough sketch of the project.  All work is to be completed in the classroom. 

Enrichment Reminder

FALL ENRICHMENT BEGINNING - BRING YOUR NOTES! With the start of Fall School Enrichment programs next week, please be sure your students bring written notes regarding their participation in an Enrichment program to their teachers so they are aware of where your child needs to go for their program. Please keep in mind that a note must be written each day that your child is participating in a program. This is to ensure that children arrive to their programs at the right time and at the right location. A master list of the programs and room locations will be posted outside of the office on Tuesday so you will know where to pick up your children. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Math Test 10/5; Health Project 10/9

The first test of the year will take place this FRIDAY in math.  Concepts to be covered include place value, addition, subtraction, counting money, making change, comparing numbers, addition properties (commutative and identity), and vocabulary (addend, sum, difference).  

As review, students should review all returned homework and make corrections as necessary.  Furthermore, Wednesday’s homework is a mini-review of the unit and includes problems similar to those on the test.  We will also be having an in-class review on Thursday.  Beyond this, it is my hope and expectation that students are ready for this assessment.

On a separate note, we will be having our first in-class project next TUESDAY, October 9^th, in Health.  A detailed instruction sheet was sent home yesterday and will be reviewed in class this week.  Please remember that students are only allowed to plan projects at home.  All work will be done in the classroom.

Please contact me if you have any questions.