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Language Arts
We will be finishing up with our research paper this coming week.  We have been letting the class type the reports, much to their excitement.  We will also take this time to finish up with our regions of Georgia.

Math
The class will have a test over Measurement this coming Wednesday.  We will then begin working on common fractions in addition to equivalent fractions.  We will also be continuing to review multiplication and division facts.

Social Studies
Our primary focus this week will continue to be economics and the four productive resources.  We will have a test over the material this coming Friday.

Specials
Monday - PE
Tuesday - STEM
Wednesday - Music
Thursday - PE
Friday - PE

Math
The class will begin working with measurement on Monday.  We will start with measurement using metric units (meter, centimeter, millimeter) before moving into standard units (yard, inch, foot).

Language Arts
We will continue incorporating our science curriculum into our reading block next week.  The class will begin studying the five regions of Georgia and learning about the unique features of each region.  We are also beginning to incorporate our in-class research into a formal research report.

Science
We have been very impressed with how well the class has been doing with researching in the Media Center.  We will be returning there next week to continue our research, focusing this time on plants of Georgia.

Social Studies
Our first Social Studies unit for the third nine weeks will be over economics.  We will be learning about the four productive resources (human, natural, capital, entrepreneur) in addition to the concept of scarcity.

Specials
Monday – Music
Tuesday – PE
Wednesday - PE
Thursday – Art
Friday – PE

Third Grade, Part 2
Upon returning from the winter break we had a class meeting with the students to discuss the second half of the year.  Two ideas we really focused on with the class is responsibility and independence.  These two traits will be very important going forward as the amount of work we will be doing in class is going to start increasing exponentially.  Not only do we have 14 weeks left to make sure they’re ready for the CRCT’s, but long term we need to make sure they will be successful in fourth grade. As most of you know the fourth grade workload is awe inspiring, and we need to start releasing responsibility for getting the job done to the students.

What does this look like? For some in the class it means a lot less “babying.”  We are moving into a point of the year where we cannot continue to stand over the students and continually remind them to complete their work.  They either need to complete the assignments in the time allotted or face getting a lower grade due to incomplete work.  Obviously we will continue to take into considerations the needs of each individual child, but eventually we hope to see more initiative as we continue through the year.

Also, please be aware that the homework protocol has changed.  We will now be sending home assignments nightly and will need the students to turn them in each morning.  Spelling and Reading Logs will still be due each Friday.

Math
The class will conclude their brief unit over area and perimeter with a test this coming Thursday.  We will then move into measuring with customary units (inches, feet) to the nearest ¼ and ½ inch.

Language Arts
We are moving headlong into our informational writing standard for the third nine weeks.  We will be using our science standards for Regions of Georgia during language arts in order to focus on nonfiction reading, note taking, and using notes to compile an informational writing.

Science
The class is very excited to be beginning our research project over Georgia habitats.  The next few weeks we will be learning and using research skills in the Media Center.  Each student will be researching one region of Georgia in addition to three plants and animals that inhabit the region. While we will be completing the majority of this assignment here at school, the students are more than welcome to research at home.

Specials
Monday – MLK Holiday
Tuesday – Art
Wednesday - PE
Thursday – PE
Friday – STEM

Chick Fil A Spirit Night is Tuesday!

January 17th 2011

5- 8 at Woodlawn Chick Fil A

Theme this month-- Favorite Books!

Encourage your child to bring their favorite book to share with a friend at Chick Fil A!

Free Ice Cream provided by our very own Sope Creek Staff

Dear Students and Parents,

The first ever Sope Creek Family Movie Night is coming on January 20, 2012.  It is being sponsored by the Student Council.  We will be showing The Smurfs and National Treasure 2.  Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase, but you can BYOC (Bring Your Own Candy).  We will be expecting that you bring your parents because this is a family event – no drop offs, please.  So mark your calendar – January 20 7:00-9:00 in the cafeteria and the media center.  Optional donation for Must Ministries gladly accepted.

Thank you

The Movie Night Committee

We have received third grade CogAT and ITBS scores.  ITBS score reports will be distributed in sealed envrlopes on 12/9/11, the vendor does not distribute individual score reports for students/parents for the CogAT.  If you would like a copy of your child's CogAT scores, please contact you child's teacher.

The CogAT measures reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime and at different rates for different individuals. Reasoning abilities are good predictors of success in school and are important outcomes of good schooling.   More questions?  Please download the following reference form with Frequently Asked Questions.  Download FAQ CogAT

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test (NRT). A nationally standardized test is a test is administered to each test-taker in the same way across a specified comparison group (e.g., age groups, grade groups, etc.). Therefore, score interpretations are based on a comparison of the test taker’s performance to the performance of other students in the nation who took the same test in the same manner at the same time of year.  More questions?  Please download the following reference form with Frequently Asked Questions.    Download FAQ ITBS

Specials:
Monday: PE
Tuesday: PE
Wednesday: STEM
Thursday: Music
Friday: PE

Parents,

Please consider taking a Holiday Bear from the bulletin board in the lobby and buying a gift card.  If you are unable to get to school to take a Bear, just stop by Walmart, Publix or Kroger and purchase a card and send it to school with your child.  Your child's teacher will pass it along to one of the counselors who will make sure it reaches one of our families in need this holiday season.  If you are able, your contribution would be appreciated by Thursday, December 15.

Thank you

The School Counselors

Math
We will be giving a test over geometry this coming Thursday.  The students have been hard at work completing a geometry dictionary which will be coming home on Monday.  Please make sure that your child studies the vocabulary!

Language Arts
We will continue to work on writing our response to literature as we read a variety of stories. We are also working on summarizing and retelling. In grammar we will  work on singular and plural nouns, possessive nouns, and the ever difficult plural possessive nouns.

Science
The class will continue studying Soil, Weathering, and Erosion.  Our intention is to give the test the week after next.

Field Trip
Please remember that our class will be going to the Federal Reserve this coming Tuesday.  We will be leaving campus at around 10:00 and returning at 1:00ish.  We will eat lunch upon returning to campus.  We would like to suggest that the kids bring a really nice snack to have before we leave.  Also, their class t-shirts and tennis shoes are a must!

Specials
Monday – STEM
Tuesday – Field trip
Wednesday - PE
Thursday – PE
Friday – Art

Please be aware that the clinic is not permitted by the Cobb County School District to administer any medication to your child unless the parent/guardian completes the appropriate paperwork and brings the medication into the clinic.  Please do not send any medication with your child via his/her backpack, or otherwise, to school.  All medication must be brought into the clinic in its original container by a parent or guardian.  You may download and print form JLCD-2 "Authorization to Give Medication" by clicking here.  Thanks for your cooperation!

Dear Sope Creek Famiy.

We are holding our annual Holiday Bear gift card program and would like you to consider making a gift card donation to help our Sope Creek families during this holiday season. Bears with store and amount designations are posted on the main bulletin board in the school lobby.  Please consider helping by taking a bear and obtaining a gift card.  Gift cards can be returned to your child’s grade level counselor by December 15.  Your generosity will help to make this a brighter holiday for many of our children and their families.  Thank you in advance, and may each of you have a wonderful holiday.

Your Counselors