HOMEWORK
WEEKLY PACKETS
Math practice varies depending on the week and the topic being covered. Typically, there will be a "Reteach" and a "Practice" sheet for each of the lessons that we will cover in class during that week. The "Reteach" explains the lesson from the day while the "Practice" provides additional problems requiring the student to apply the strategies taught during that day's lesson. (This is why it makes the most sense to do one lesson each night. This way student's are familiar with the information as it is introduced throughout the week.)
At the beginning of a new topic, an overview letter will come home. This overview is meant to aide familes in understanding exactly what is being taught that unit so that they can better assist their students in completing homework.
Additionally, students will receive a study guide at the beginning of the week when there will be a topic test. These study guides are modeled after the topic tests. Completing these guides throughout the week will better equip students to be successful on the topic tests.
Finally, students will receive Common Core math practice units during weeks when new, challenging topics are introduced such as rounding or estimating. These topics are ones that are typically harder to understand and comprehend. These Common Core units are provided as a means of additional practice in the challenging topics.
What is Word Study?
"Word study" is an alternative to traditional spelling instruction. It is based on learning word patterns rather than memorizing unconnected words.
What is the Purpose of Word Study?
First, students develop a general knowledge of English spelling. They learn how to examine words through active exploration using a hands-on, manipulative approach. Students also discover generalizations about spelling, instead of just spelling rules. They learn the regularities, patterns, and conventions of English orthography needed to read and spell. Second, word study increases students’ specific knowledge of words. Specific knowledge relates to the spelling and meaning of individual words. (pearsontraining.com)
How is Word Study Implemented?
During the first week of school, all students were given three word study assessment tests. These tests were then scored to determine each child's spelling stage. Students were divided into 5 different groups based on these spelling stages. Each group receives their own individualized spelling list each week. During class, each group works together to determine the spelling patterns and generalizations each week. Over the course of the week, students learn these patterns through sorting, writing, completing word searches, and playing word study games.
What is Word Study Homework?
Monday: Cut apart the words attached on the colored sheet. Sort the words into the spelling pattern groups.
Tuesday: Sort words and write them in the boxes provided on page one of the packet.
Wednesday: Use 10 or more of the words to write a story on the page provided in the word study packet. If more space is needed, attach additional pages to the homework packet.
Thursday: Complete a blind sort (this is like a spelling pre-test). Write the words on the lines provided as someone else dictates them to you. Sort the words one last time and glue them on to the last page.
As third graders, students will be taking the Ohio Achievement Assessments this fall and again in the spring. Students must pass these assessments in order to progress to fourth grade. In order to better prepare students for the OAA reading assessment, there are practice reading passages attached to the homework packets. These passages are taken directly from old OAAs. Students should read the passages and then answer the questions. Students may mark in the reading portions to underline important points, main ideas, or key words. Please work with students to identify these things and find them in the passage in order to answer the questions. Also, work on eliminating multiple choice answers that they recognize as NOT being the answer. Students will need these skills to pass the OAA reading assessments in the fall and spring.
QUESTIONS ABOUT HW:
OR TEXT ME:
nine. three. seven.
790-6150
MATH
PRACTICE
WORD
STUDY
OAA READING
PRACTICE
Students receive weekly homework packets every Monday. Although all of the work included in these packets is not due until Friday, it is suggested that the work is completed throughout the week. The math practice sheets and word study packet correspond to things being taught each day over the course of the week. The goal of the homework packets is to allow for further practice of the things being learned in the classroom. Again, all work is due on Friday morning at 8:00 am; work will not be accepted late. Each week, you will find the following items in the homework packets:
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Reading Log
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Math Practice Pages
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Word Study Pack
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OAA Reading Passage​
Detailed information about each section of the homework packet can be found below. An overview of what should be completed nightly is listed to the right. If you have any questions about the weekly homework, please feel free to send me an email to the right.
The cover page of the homework packet is a weekly reading log. Each night, students are expected to read for 30 minutes or more. This reading can be completed on their own or with a family member. The importance is that students are reading every night.
The top part of the log should be used to record the date, title of the book read, the number of minutes read, and the number of pages read each night. Students then should use the bottom portion to write 3-5 SENTENCES describing what the book/chapter was about. If students need more space to write, they may attach additional sheets to the homework packet. (Please make sure name is on any additional sheets if they are not stapled together.)
GRIT VOCAB
GRIT vocabulary words were sent home with students the first week of September. These 140 words are words that students need to know for the OAA. On the first Friday of every month, students will be tested over these words to see if they know them. Any student who scores a 120 or above will become a member of the GRIT team. They will be acknowledged during an in-school ceremony and receive a GRIT T-shirt which they can wear to school on Fridays. Throughout the year, they will participate in special GRIT-only events. In the coming months, there will be more levels to pass to stay a GRIT member.
So far, the following students in our class have become GRIT members:
Sean C.
Chiara H.
Ella H.
Da'Mya H.
Soniah P.
Reece W.
HW OVERVIEW
MONDAY:
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Read for 30 minutes
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Log reading
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Write 3-5 sentences summarizing what you read
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Complete math "Reteach" and "Practice" sheets for the day
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Cut out word study words and sort them
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Review GRIT vocab words
TUESDAY:
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Read for 30 minutes
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Log reading
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Write 3-5 sentences summarizing what you read
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Complete math "Reteach" and "Practice" sheets for the day
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Sort words and write them in the boxes
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Review GRIT vocab words
WEDNESDAY:
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Read for 30 minutes
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Log reading
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Write 3-5 sentences summarizing what you read
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Complete math "Reteach" and "Practice" sheets for the day
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Use 10 or more word study words to write a story on the attached sheet
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Review GRIT vocab words
THURSDAY:
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Read for 30 minutes
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Log reading
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Write 3-5 sentences summarizing what you read
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Complete math "Reteach" and "Practice" sheets for the day
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Complete a blind sort.
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Have a family member say word study words as you write them on the correct page
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This is a practice test for tomorrow's assessment
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Study the words that you miss
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Sort the words and glue them onto the last page of the packet
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Review GRIT vocab words.
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY:
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Read for 30 minutes
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Review GRIT vocab words