after the play

In our writing workshop kids are writing a narrative about their experiences in the play and I just had to share this with you.

Theo read his writing and said that as he was walking down the aisle of the cafeteria he could not stop smiling.  He tried but he couldn't.  A chorus of other kids chimed in and said the same thing happened to them!  One girl said that she tried to cover her teeth with her lips but they "kept popping out" because of her smile.  Many others agreed that they felt the same way.
Just one example why this is one of my favorite days in third grade.  These guys know that they accomplished something yesterday and they are filled with pride.  I get to take it all in and share it with them.  What a job!

Yours,
Valerie

Play Information

I'm sending home a paper copy with every kid today:

Dear Families,

Here is the information about the play.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we have a dress rehearsal at 9:15.  Kids come to school in their first costume change.  They bring any other costumes AND regular school clothes in a grocery bag.  The best bags are the reusable ones.  After the dress rehearsal, they’ll change into school clothes and take their bag home and we’ll do the same thing on Wednesday.  We will give our morning performance at 9:15 (I know I had said 9:30 but, I was wrong).  Again kids will change and take their costumes home.  Wednesday evening we have many parents coming to help set up the chairs for the performance.  This is a good time to grab a seat for your family members- the reward for setting up and staying to take things down.  Kids come to the classroom at 6:00pm.  Please keep an eye on them before that time, they can’t be upstairs or in hallways unsupervised.  The performance begins at 6:30pm.  What fun we’re going to have!  Kids, teachers, volunteers have worked really hard but, especially the kids.  As a result there is NO homework this week.  Let’s focus on our lines and our costumes and celebrate our efforts.

All the best,

Valerie McKenzie

Michelle Sweeney

Jeff Wilebski

Third Grade Play in Two Weeks!

Hi Everyone,
Kids are working very hard to learn lines and dance steps for our production of Portland:  The Musical.  Our classes will present the play on Wednesday, March 9.  They will have two performances, one for the student body in the morning and another in the evening for parents.

While we have some costumes for tap dancers and top hats for our city's founding fathers, most of the costumes come from home.  Tomorrow we'll get the costumes out and go over ideas with kids.  That gives you two weekends to pull something together.  No need to over think this.  The suggestion of a fur trapper or a society girl is all we need, not an expensive head-to-toe get up.

We are all looking forward to our performance, thanks to all the volunteers for their help.

Valerie McKenzie

Family Math Night Tomorrow, Valentine's Day Card Sharing on Friday

Just a reminder that Family Math Night is tomorrow, Thursday, from 5:30-7:00 in the cafeteria.  It promises to be a lot of fun with prizes and math games and even food!

Also, we will have a Valentine's Day Celebration in our classroom from 2:15- 2:50.  Kids will share cards and have a sweet treat.

Thanks,
Valerie

Peacemakers Homework project is in the Google Classroom

February 8, 2016

Dear Families,

I put the Peacemakers project in the Google Classroom.  It is due February 12.  While it is in the Google Classroom, it could, instead,  be written by hand OR typed on a Google doc and shared with me at my pps address:  vmckenzie@pps.net
Whatever works best for you and your family.

I look forward to seeing their Super Heroes!

Valerie McKenzie

Valentine's Party on Friday

Oh my, the calendar is getting away from me.

We will exchange cards and have a treat on Friday the 12th of February.  I have talked to the kids about their mailboxes representing Portland in some way, roses, Big Pink, Timbers, etc.

Also, we were really successful last year having a NO Candy valentines celebration.  My experience is that kids toss the valentine messages on the floor and eat the candy.  I want to slow them down and appreciate the thoughtful gesture of a Valentine.

I have someone bringing juice and a cookie, if your kid needs an alternate treat, please send it to school on Friday.

Thanks and have a great weekend.
Valerie McKenzie

Homework assignment and Family Math Night

Today I sent home a school wide project.  It is a writing assignment that combines our character work this year and the upcoming auction theme.  Students will also create a drawing or a collage of their superhero to put up on their lockers.
We have done some of the pre-writing in class.  They have good ideas!
I will put the assignment in the Google classroom and the kids can work on it in the classroom when there is time. But most of the work should be done at home. The deadline for the project is Friday, February 12.

Family Math Night is Thursday, February 11th from 5:30-7:00 pm.  We'll have a variety of Math Work Places (skill games) from grades K through 5th.  There will be food and prizes and a lot of mathematical fun!  I would love to see a lot of my third graders at the event.

Thanks so much,
Valerie McKenzie