Language Arts: Our mentor text this week is Verdi by Janell Cannon. We will continue to explore the difference in character traits  (both physical and behavioral) and emotions and how they play a part in the message the author is trying to convey to the reader.
Mentor Sentence: Verdi
Vocabulary: Students will test on words from week 2 this Friday and will receive words for week 3 that will not be tested until NEXT Friday. The goal is for the students to have new words for two weeks before testing.
Week 3 words: pause, gasp, ancient, observe, brief, locate, interpret, unruly, unexpected, unhealthy, uneasy; What does the prefix un- mean and how does it change the meaning to a word?
Science: We will conclude our exploration of heat this week and take summative test on Friday, September 1st. Students received a study guide today that reviews what we've been exploring the past several weeks. We will also conclude the exploration with an at-home project of making a koozie to keep a can of Sprite cold over a period of time when exposed to heat and will look for alternate ways to cook food when the power goes out.
Math: Weekly focus: Round numbers to the nearest 10

Homework:
* Read 20 minutes nightly
* Study vocabulary (test over week 2 words: September 1; week 3 words: September 8)
* Weekly grammar & math ws
* Koozie project (see HW folder for directions)
* Study for Science Heat summative

Important Dates:
August 30 - Picture Day
September 1 - Solar Ovens

Technology:
Students have log-ins for the following programs and can practice at home: IXL, xtramath, MobyMax

Do you know an AWESOME bus driver who takes care of your child day after day on the bus? Now is the time to recognize him/her. The nomination window is open for the October Pursuit of Excellence Award.  The category is transportation employees.  Nomination forms may be accessed via the Pursuit of Excellence link located in the “Staff” dropdown on www.oconeeschools.org.                      

The nomination window will close at the end of the day this Friday, September 1.

Thanks for your help in promoting this important recognition.

We are lucky to have an intern from Athens Tech with us for the next several months. Meet Michaela Martin:


I would like the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Michaela Martin, and I will be interning in Mrs. Rivera’s’ room for the next few months. I am a student at Athens Technical College where I will graduate in May of 2018 with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I will then begin at Piedmont to pursue a Master's Degree in Early Education. In addition to my academic activities, I am a wife, a mother to 4 (children and fur babies), and a grandmother to 2 gorgeous granddaughters. I currently work at Apple Tree Prep as a lead teacher in Blossoms (22-28-month children). I have been at ATP for just about a year now and I absolutely love it. I am excited to put all I have learned into good use and become an active participant in your child’s classroom. It is my pleasure to have been placed at Rocky Branch, and under the mentorship of Mrs. Rivera and will uphold her highest standards.

ROCKY BRANCH

  Leadership Team

Are you interested in having a voice in student activities around our school?  Do you have a desire to make R.B.E.S. a better place?  Join the Rocky Branch Leadership Team to serve your school community by addressing concerns with a win-win mindset, organizing fun school events, and build school spirit.  The Leadership Team will meet each first and third Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:00.  If you would like to serve on this team, complete the application and return it to your teacher by August 30, 2017.  Your teacher has an application.  You, the student, must complete the application in your own handwriting.  Only five students per grade level will be accepted.  You must share the parent note with your parent to confirm the opportunity for an adult to pick you up each Thursday.   All applications must be given to Sandy Bradshaw or Christina Crowe to determine your eligibility for service on this team.  Thank you!  

Augustt 21-25, 2017

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog for this week. What a busy week and it's only Tuesday! Fall MAP report will go home Friday. If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me and we can talk over the phone or set up a conference. 

Language Arts: Our mentor text this week is "Pinduli" by Janell Cannon. We will be exploring the difference between character traits and emotions and how they play a part in the message the author is trying to convey to the reader. 
Mentor Sentence: The animals had been sleeping all through the hot afternoon, and now they began to stir. Pindulli
Vocabulary: Students will have a set of words for a period of 2 weeks to review and practice using in different subjects. We have a folder with words and meanings to keep at school. The students have a slip in their agenda of the words. Ask them questions about the words to see if they know what it means as well as be able to use in writing and a sentence.
Quiz on first set of words is Friday, August 25th. 

Science: Continuing our study of why some objects get hotter than others and what contributes to the heat.

Math: Review ordering and comparing numbers. 
NBT.1 Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.

Homework:
* Daily Language and Math Review - Bring to school each day to check.
* Read 20 minutes and log in agenda
* Review vocabulary words

Important Dates:
Scholastic Book Order due August 25
Picture Day August 30

August 14-18, 2017

Language Arts: Our mentor text this week is "Picture Day Perfection". We will be discussing how to summarize what we read and reviewing making connections to the text.
Mentor Sentence: I got queasy listening to everyone say "Cheese". Picture Day Perfection
Vocabulary: Students will have a set of words for a period of 2 weeks to review and practice using in different subjects. We have a folder with words and meanings to keep at school. The students have a slip in their agenda of the words. Ask them questions about the words to see if they know what it means as well as be able to use in writing and a sentence.

Science: Continuing our study of why some objects get hotter than others and what contributes to the heat.

Math: NBT.1 Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.

Homework:
* Daily Language and Math Review - Bring to school each day to check.
* Read 20 minutes and log in agenda
* Review vocabulary words

Important Dates:
Curriculum Night - Tuesday, August 15 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria
Send Solar Snacks to school - August 18
Solar Eclipse - Monday, August 21
Scholastic Book Order due August 25

Solar Eclipse

Families,

As you know, we will be extending our school day on August 21st and dismissing students at 3:00 due to the solar eclipse that we have the wonderful opportunity to see.

On that day, our school will be participating in a school-wide STEM project to allow students a rare and hands-on learning experience. Grade levels will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data all day, including: outdoor pictures of the sky/shadows of objects, temperature at different times, and UV/Light changes. We will also have the opportunity to listen to a solar eclipse presentation presented by scientist, Dr. Snook.

To make this day even more exciting, RBES has decided to make this day a “Black Out.” Students and faculty are encouraged to wear black to represent the shadow cast by the moon during a solar eclipse. Additionally, we would like to celebrate this fun day by eating a yummy solar eclipse themed snack in our classroom. If you would like to donate a special snack that day, please email me with what snack you would like to send in to share. Some examples of snacks include: Krispy Kreme Solar Eclipse Donuts, Moonpies, Capri-Suns, Sunny D, or Sunchips. If we can have two different snack options and maybe a drink, I think that would suffice.

Thank you for helping make this day something the kids will remember!

*Oconee County School System will provide all students with a pair of solar eclipse glasses for their viewing safety.

August 7-11, 2017

We are off to a busy start of third grade! This week, the students will be MAP testing on Monday (Reading), Tuesday (Math), and Wednesday (ELA). This data will be used as a baseline for growth over the course of the year and will be rechecked in December and April. If you have any questions concerning MAP, please email me. 

Last week, the students completed a narrative writing pre-assessment. They will be completing an opinion and informational pre-assessment piece of writing this week and beginning of next week. I look forward to seeing writing growth over the school year. 

Scholastic Book Orders - Open until August 25. Use this link and use code L4PFZ. Paper flyers will go home this week. 

Important Upcoming Dates:
August 15 - 3rd - 5th Curriculum Night 6 p.m.
August 15 - Volunteer Training 7 p.m.
August 17 - Volunteer Training 7 p.m.
August 21 - Delayed Dismissal 3 p.m.

Homework:
Reading - Read at least 20 minutes each night
Math - practice addition & subtraction facts for fluency (we will begin using www.xtramath.org to track progress weekly)
Science - 


Thank you again for all your support. 

First Week Success

We had a busy week getting to know one another and learning our new classroom. Thank you again for sharing your child with me this school year. It's going to be a great year. 

Few Reminders:

* Send in BLUE clinic card if you have not
* Send in Signature Page from front of agenda signed
* Donation of $25 to cover agenda, Social Studies Weekly, and StoryWorks magazines
* Sign up for Remind 101 Click Here
* Subscribe to Blog Click here

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me. 

Have a great weekend!

Can you determine the color Skittle you are eating only by taste?

Playing Scoot