Weekly News

June 7

2011-06-07T17:04:00.001-07:00

I would like to thank all of the parents for a wonderful school year. There may have been a few bumps and bruises, but for the most part, we pulled off a great one. I am happy to have worked with all of you.

I'd also like to say thank you for the generous gift as well as the small thoughtful gifts. You have made this a remarkable and memorable school year.

Have a great and safe summer! See ya around.

Ms. Lyles

May 20, 2011

2011-05-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents and Students,

Please make sure that all of the homework packet are turned in no later than Monday. I'd like to start working on my report cards. Also, make sure that all library books are returned before the last day of school. Next Friday is the last day to check out books. The following week is when ALL books are due.

Next Friday, May 27, is the day that 3rd grade goes to Mrs. Carter's gym to celebrate the Read-A-Thon. All but three children will be attending the gym that day. Congratulations to those students that are going.

Next week is neighbor Appreciation Week. Our class will be making projects for three neighbors. We will deliver them ourselves. The addresses we will visit are:
1010 N. Harvey
1000 N. Harvey
1001 Hayes

Don't forget to send in money for the bus ride back from the park. That trip is May 31. There is no school May 30 (Memorial Day).

Have a great weekend!

I am excited to see what we're going to be doing at the third grade picnic. Please make sure you see Neelam Pride if you're available to help coordinate the activities that day.

May 13, 2011

2011-05-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents and Students,

This week has been productive. Students are just about done with their Culture Kit. They are still collecting items to share and are decorating their boxes.

Also, just in case you're confused about the last book report, it does not require a ton of work. All the students have to do is remember a fairy tale, legend, or any folklore and retell it to the class in their own way. I know this may be challenging for some, but what ever they can do would be great. Students may use note cards to help them, but I'd like for them to try to remember the story if possible. NO WRITTEN SUMMARY IS NECESSARY.

The class has been working on rewriting a fairytale or making their own. Students are publishing the short picture books in class. They will be reading them to their Book Buddies next Friday. Next week will be the last week that I will send home a homework packet. That's exciting right?

Students will be bringing home the Wisconsin Fast Growing Plant that was pollinated soon. I've tried to make sure that they are NOT to go around pollinating the neighbor's plants unless they have permission. I've also planted some of the sunflower and wildflower seeds that some of you have sent.

Miscellaneous:
Please make sure you send in the overdue library books (or payment) before June 7th. Oh yeah, there is a contest for the class that has all of the books returned. We get a free ice cream or smoothie.

Also, if you volunteered at school in any way and got your invitation to the Parent Appreciation Luncheon, please respond ASAP. The lunch is this coming Tuesday. If you volunteered and didn't get an invitation, let me know if you can make it and I'll add you to the list.

Thank you and have a great weekend.
Ms. Lyles

May 9, 2011

2011-05-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hello parents and Students,

We have started adding items to the culture kit. I have planned for the class to be finished with this project next week. Some students have said that they have items at home that they need to bring to school. There are about three students who need a shoebox. I have none. If you have an extra box, please send it in so we can use it.

Please remember that this Thursday is the third grade music recital. Check the Hatch School page in order to see the scheduled time of the recital.

Our plants are thriving. This is a photo of the plants that have been pollinated and have produced seeds. The long extensions are the tiny pea pods.

We have one more book report. This report genre is Myths, fairy tales, legends, etc. Students should read a story to retell to the class. Try to remember the story. No summary is necessary. If they would like to use notes, that would be accepted. The due date(s) May 23-30. Any day will do. When retelling the story, try to use special voices and/or sound effects to add variety. I will help students understand what that means. Please do as much as you can to help as well.

Thank you,
Ms. Lyles

2011-05-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR NOT WATCHING TELEVISION LAST WEEK:

Ella W.
Anjali P.
Anna S.
Matt B.
Jason K.
Ben K.
Emma R.

They turned in the contract (on time) and will eat pizza with me on Thursday. Make sure you bring a drink of your choice.

May 2, 2011

2011-05-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents and Students,

This week we are finishing the Storytelling Unit. The last story is about two little girls who visit their aunt. She tells them stories about her hats. I was in a play called Crowns. It is about a young girl who goes to live in the south with her grandmother because she gets in a little trouble at home in the north. The young girl then meets her grandmother's friends and they tell stories of the hats they wear. I would like to show the class the DVD of this performance. With your permission, I could bring it in one day next week to show.

In math, we will begin Unit 10. We also may finish the entire book before the end of the school year. That's exciting!

Unfortunately some of the Wisconsin Fast Plants wilted over the weekend. There wasn't enough water in one of the irrigation stations. Fortunately, we have extras that are still growing that we have transplanted into the quads of the students whose plants have wilted.

Students are continuing to work on the culture reports. Some students are ready to begin their culture kit. I am asking that each child bring a shoebox to school so they can begin working on decorating and adding items to their kit.

Our next book genre will be Fairy Tales/Myths, legends, etc. The book report will be due the week of Memorial Day weekend, May 31st - June 3rd. Please make sure your child has a book.

If you have overdue library books, please send them in by the last week of school. I will not be allowed to give you the report card with overdue library books or lunch balances. Please remember to take care of this.

I will announce the names of the children that took the no television challenge
tomorrow (May 3).

If you have any magazines that you are done reading, please recycle them by sending them to class. Each student is writing a story book, and they need pictures.

Thank you for signing the homework packet this week.
Ms. Lyles

Anouncement:

2011-04-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents and Students,

I will be out of school attending a workshop on differentiated instruction this Friday. Unfortunately, I won't be able to hear book reports. However, that gives you the weekend to work on it if you aren't quite ready.

Ms. Lyles

April 25, 2011

2011-04-25T18:22:00.001-07:00

Hello Parents and Students,
I hope everyone remembered that the book reports are due this week. I made sure I put a little note on the homework packet last week. Please make sure you sign the homework packet at least one day of the week. It will let me know that you have seen important announcements that may not be put in the blog from week to week. I want to make sure EVERYONE is up to date with due dates and upcoming activities.

Remember, the Culture Report will be done mostly in school. I have books, from the Hatch School Library, checked out in my name. NO student will/should bring that book home. Students are free to check out books from the library on their own. We will search the Internet for more information. The only thing that your child may need your help with is obtaining a shoebox for the "Culture Kit". This kit will require six items that best represent that culture. You don't have to go buy anything for the kit. Students will have to use things they already have or make whatever they need.

Students are grasping the concept of larger numbers as we learn multiple strategies for multiplying 2 digit by 2 digit numbers. They are excited to know that there are so many ways to look at an equation. Please remember to keep practicing the multiplication facts. As an incentive, I would like to challenge all of the third graders in my class to say each fact (2's-9's) from memory. If they are successful, there just may be a "sweet" treat. As they learn them, they should come and recite the facts to me. Please do not wait until the last minute to say them all at one time.

In science, we have seen growth spurts in our fast growing plants. This week we will be measuring and observing. Soon we will explore how bees pollinate. We have real bees. They're dead though. LOL!

Please make sure that your child understands that no television means NO TELEVISION! I know it may be hard, but I will send home a list of possible activities they can do instead.

Thank you and have a great week.

Ms. Lyles

April 18, 2011

2011-04-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Students and Parents,
I am excited about all of the great things happening in our class. We have painted lady butterflies. We're growing plants for observation. The students are researching cultures. Students are learning to multiply 2 digit by 2 digit numbers. I'm entering great poems in a national poetry contest. Last, but not least, we're turning off the television next week.

Whoa! I think I forgot the talent show act we've composed. It's a surprise! If you want to see it, come to the talent show Wednesday morning. Go to the Hatch main page for show times. I'll try to have someone video it and post it to this page. However, there are a few students whose pictures I am not allowed to post on the Internet. If that is your child, please reconsider just for this occasion.

For National-Turn-Off-the-Television week, I have prepared a special contract and alternative activities for you and your child to do instead of watching the television. Look for that document this week. Make sure your child understands that video games are prohibited. NO VIDEO GAMES, OR TELEVISION SHOWS OF ANY KIND!!!! Students, remember, if you are not honest, I will know. Oh yeah, if students are successful, they get to eat pizza with me on the following Thursday, May, 5th.

We do not need any more egg cartons. Thanks for what you've already sent.

I am asking that all students wear blue jeans and an all white t-shirt (with no lettering) for the talent show. If you don't have all white with no lettering, just turn it inside out. Each child also needs a baseball cap of any color or kind.

April 8, 2011

2011-04-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!
Now that Spring Break is over, we're in the final stretch. We have so many new things to discover and explore.

This time of the year is always busy with fairs, and other events before the end of the school year. What we have to do is remember to keep focused on the great learning that must continue in the classroom. We also have to remember to keep treating each other kindly. Lately, we've been having some problems doing just that. I have read the Have You Filled a Bucket Today? series to my class. It is a series of books for younger and older children to remember to treat each other with respect. It could also be seen as a guide to daily happiness for children. You never know how much a kind word or a smile means to the next person.

In reading, we're continuing our study on Storytelling. This week we read a story about a young boy who is afraid of storms. His grandfather tells him a story about when he was young, and how he was afraid of storms as well. It teaches how stories can help you have courage and overcome fear.

We're studying cultures in Social Studies. Soon we will begin our last research project. Each student will be given a culture to research. Once that has happened I'll send home the requirements and the due dates. We'll probably start sometime before the end of the month.

The Plant Growth Unit in science will begin on Monday. If you have an empty egg carton, please send it in. We may need extra planters.

Thank you and have a wonderful, warm, and soggy weekend. :-)

Ms. Lyles

March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Please remember that all homework is due this Friday! Poetry recitals are this week. Our new book genre will be a book of choice. The book report/project will be due the last week of April.

We are finishing Unit 8 in math. Please continue to work on multiplication facts. I will be challenging students to learn them before the school year is over. In May, I will have a special treat for all who can recite, from memory, the multiplication facts from the 2s through the 9s.

National Turn-Off-The-Television Week is the last week in April. I am challenging all of you to turn off the television and turn on your creativity for that week. No television or video games. More information will be sent home after Spring Break. Get ready!

As we study storytelling, students are learning how important oral history is in families. So far, I've heard some interesting stories. If you have an older relative in your family that your child can interview, please allow them to call or write a letter to that person for more family information. We will need the information for a fun writing project soon.

Friday is backwards/inside out day. Students will be allowed to wear their clothes inside out or backwards.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT BUCHTA FOR WINNING THE TASTY DOG OUTING WITH ME!!!

Have a Great Week!

March 14, 2011

2011-03-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents/Students,
I hope everyone got the email about report cards. Now that I'm finally done, you shall receive them this Friday. I got ahead of myself.

This week we'll be finishing the money/economy unit in reading and social studies. Our next unit in reading is Storytelling. We'll be studying different cultures in Social Studies. Each student will research a different culture as we get close to the end of the last trimester. More information will come later.

I will be sending home the poetry recital date(s) and the requirements for the poem. As part of the poetry unit, we will write our own poetry and compile them in a book to be shared with each student. We have already written some personification poems that are out of this world. I can't wait to share them with you.

In math, we are still studying Unit 8, Fractions.

We will begin a new unit in Science this week. We're going to have a grow lab in the classroom. Each child will grow and observe the Wisconsin fast growing plant.

Have a great week everyone!

Ms. Lyles

March 8, 2011

2011-03-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents and Students,

Whew! Now that ISATs are all done, we can get back to work! Students worked extremely hard while taking the tests. You should be proud of them. Thank you for making sure they were in school on time and ready. Oh yeah, we had an impromptu popcorn party towards the end of the day Friday. There are a few children that need to do make-ups this week, so they will be finishing this week.

We'll begin Unit 8 Fractions this week in math. We are still exploring simple machines in science. In reading and social studies, we are about to finish the economics/money unit. Our next reading unit is Storytelling and the social studies unit is about Cultures.

This month's reading genre is Poetry. This is national Poetry month, so I thought it would be fitting to teach poetry strategies. Each student will be responsible for memorizing a poem that is at least two or three stanzas long. I will make sure each child understands what that means. We have started writing an interesting piece about money.I will send home the requirements of the assignment by Friday.

By the way, the homework packet should come home today. Each child has one in their mailbox. We will also have the homework raffle on Friday. This time there were more children that turned their homework in on time. That is awesome. Keep up the great work Students!

Students are enjoying the Stories with Holes. Please remember not to give them any hints. When you do, it takes away their ability to think. These stories are great for learning. Here is how it works: I tell the class the story. Each story has major pieces of information missing. Students must figure out what pieces are missing by asking only YES or NO questions. When someone doesn't hear the question that another child asks, they have to raise both hands. This way, the teacher doesn't repeat themselves. It also forces each child to learn to take charge of their own learning. No one is left out, and every one has a chance to think of a question that may help find the answer. The person who answers the question gives the explanation about how they found the answer.

One last thing, I will be absent Tuesday and Wednesday. I am helping my mom this week. I hope to return on Thursday.

Have an awesome week!
Ms. Lyles

February 27, 2011

2011-02-27T17:03:00.000-08:00

Good Day Parents and Students,

This week, we begin testing on Tuesday and end on Thursday. Our testing times are 8:30-9:30 each day and 12:30-1:30 each afternoon. We will take one reading and one math test per day. Please try your best to have your child in school, on time, on those days. I will begin each day with a focus exercise that will hopefully ease some of the anxieties your child may be experiencing.

Each student will be allowed to have a book to read if they should finish the tests before the allotted time. They may also choose to work on a crossword puzzle, word search, etc. during those times.

There will be no homework packet this week. However, students will have to complete the math Home Link page assigned for the day. I am going to try to finish Unit 7 and begin Unit 8 this week.

The African-American History Biographies were awesome! I truly enjoyed seeing the students learn to let go of their inhibitions and fears. They should be proud of themselves. I will post pictures soon.

February 20, 2011

2011-02-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents and Students,
I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend.

Don't forget that the African-American report is due any day next week. I'm sure they are going to be awesome. I can't wait to see them.

Thank you again, for all of you who took the time out of your busy schedules to reschedule your conference. I think I'll finally be done with them this week. Wow!

I also would like to say, to the hard working parents, you have definitely been exceptional this year. I thank you for your support and all of the wonderful things you're doing with your child. Without you, my job would be extremely difficult. Positive parent participation is key to a child's success. When we are positive, we get better results.

Lastly, ISAT testing is next week. If your child is absent next week he/she will be allowed to take the part(s) they missed the following week. I will do my best to ease the anxieties and fears that some of the children have. Make sure you let them know that a test does NOT define them. Although the test is important, it is not the qualifier of their lives.

Next week we will do some ISAT test preparation. We will explore a little probability and continue with multiplication. We will also be continuing our money/economy study in reading and social studies.

Have a great week!

Ms. Lyles

February 11, 2011

2011-02-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents and Students,

This week we started Unit 7 in math. Students will be exploring double and triple digit multiplication. Please continue to practice the multiplication facts nightly. I am more than sure that each child will learn all of the facts by the end of the school year. That is my hope and dream.

In reading and social studies, we are still learning more about money and its endless possibilities. We also wrote several business letters. Soon we will be exploring the US Mint for Kids site that is linked to this blog. It is alright for you to allow your child to explore this site at home as well.

In science we are still working with simple machines and Legos. We will continue this unit until the end of this marking period. Hopefully there will be a field trip to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. The have a wonderful invention and simple machine program for students.

There are still a few people who have not had a conference with me. If you have already made arrangements to meet with me then we're good. If not, please send in the paper that was sent home today ASAP.

Have a great weekend!

February 4, 2011

2011-02-04T07:45:00.001-08:00

February 4, 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The teachers at Hatch School set aside Wednesday, February, 9th for conference make ups due to the snow days we had this week. If you are able to come on that day, I will be available from 2:00-4:00 and then from 4:45 until 7:00. Please let me know if you can make it. If you are willing to do a phone conference, I can make sure we set up a time to call and have our much needed conversation.

If we do not meet face to face, but talk on the phone, I will send the Student Progress Report for math and reading in an envelope with the school letterhead addressed to you. You will NOT get that report if we don’t talk or meet face to face. Please email me with your preference at: slyles@op97.org. You may also send a note, with your child, letting me know what you prefer.

I will be assigning each student an important African-American to research. We will do some research in school, however most of the work will have to be done at home. Each student will have to dress as their person on the day of the presentation. Naturally, the girls will be assigned women and the boys will be assigned men. The project due dates are during the week of February 22nd -25th.

Please be advised that ISAT testing week starts February 28th. The week after that is for make-ups. Make sure your child is in school on time, well rested and well fed during those times.

If you would like, please send in your snow day pics to be posted to the Hatch School web page. Email one or two pictures of snow fun, and I'll post them to the web page under the Photo Gallery section.

Ms. Lyles

January 31, 2011

2011-01-30T15:25:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents/Guardians and Students,

This week’s focus will be on Making Connections. I still see that some of the students are struggling to make text to self, connections. Parents, please click on the text to text link in the parent links section to the left of this blog.I will also be focusing on comparing and contrasting. On the unit test, there is a piece that requires students to compare the stories. Students will be writing more than ever this week. Get ready!!!

In math, please continue to study the multiplication facts. I cannot express how important multiplication will be for the remaining of the year and for fourth grade. Study students! Study students! Study students! It’s time to get more wrinkles in your brain! Check out the multiplication games in the student link section of this blog.

Happy Conferences everyone, and I’ll see you one day this week.
Ms. Lyles
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2011-01-20T17:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents and Students,

Please make sure the conference confirmation is turned in by Wednesday. I will try my best to accommodate you.

This week in science students made a wheel and axle with Legos. They also made other things with wheels. It was a great experience for them. We also talked about gears (wheels with teeth). Students noticed that gears turn in opposite directions. The smaller gears work harder to keep up with the larger gears and gears help with changing speed and direction.

For the next six weeks, we will focus on the Economy in Reading and Social Studies.
Our next genre for the book reports will be African American Biographies. I will assign each student a person to research. We will do some research in school, but most of the work will have to be done at home. I will send home the rubric for this project. Please note that every student will have to dress as the person they research. I will assign the boys a male and the girls a female. 

We are now working in Unit 6- Geometry. I am trying to encourage students to bring the Home Link book to school every day. If they bring the finished assignment back to school there is a small reward.

Please continue or start working on the multiplication facts.

Miscellaneous:

Family reading night is approaching. Please bring the family out dressed in PJ’s and ready to listen to a great storyteller. We’ll have light refreshments as well.

•Reading Tip - Read aloud with your child at a slightly quicker pace. Tell them to try and keep up with you. This will help with speed.

•Thinking skills tip - Always ask how and why questions about what has been read.

•If your child needs help getting homework done, please consider having them stay for Homework Helper. They meet every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Have a safe and fun three day weekend!

2011-01-14T06:44:00.001-08:00

January 14, 2011
Dear Parents and Students,
I have attached the due date and requirements for the How-To-Do book report and project. Please make sure you check it out.
This week in math, we fell a little behind. However, I have taught the lessons, so hopefully over the three day week end; you can find some time to allow your child to complete all of the math home work for this week.
In science we built first, second, and third class levers with Lego’s. The students really enjoyed constructing the simple machines. We’ve also experimented with the wheel and axle. We haven’t explored with the Lego’s, but we will on Tuesday. If you’d like to join us, feel free to drop in at 1:30. Our next topic will be gears.
We have begun the Economics Unit in social studies. If you check out my blog, you can visit the U.S. Mint for Kids site. Students will find the latest coin information and exciting games to play, as well as learn a little about our economic system.
Next week, will be the last week for the imagination unit in reading. The next unit will be about money. As you can see, social studies and reading are coinciding for the last part of the trimester.
The Hubbard Street dance instructors, Jessica and Kirsten, came and helped us with the brain dance and talked about structures. Our focus this year is structure. This is going to be interesting and fun.
Please check the Digital Back Pack, on the Hatch Website, for any and all upcoming school functions.
Also from now on I will be posting this newsletter on my Blog. You can find my page on the Hatch School Website. Just click on “WEB” next to my name and you’ll be right there. If you still need a hard copy, please let me know and I will make sure you get one.
Have a great three day week end.

Nick-A-Rockin'!

2010-12-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

Sand Paintings

2010-12-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

Lancun Project: OUR PROGRESS OUR MISSIONThe Lan Cun Education Pro...

2010-11-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

Lancun Project: OUR PROGRESS

OUR MISSIONThe Lan Cun Education Pro...: "OUR PROGRESS OUR MISSIONThe Lan Cun Education Project will build, staff, and supply a cafeteria and kitchen at the Lan Cun Primary School, ..."

This will be the next Student Council fund raiser for a great cause.

ABC

2010-04-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

The teachers performed to The Jackson 5's "ABC" in the Hatch School Talent Show! Fun time!!!