A few items...

I hope your week is off to a great start! I wanted to mention a few important items: 

• Be sure to read all about what we are learning this week here. 
• Our internet here at school this week has been a bit sporadic, so please forgive any delayed email replies. 
• The Reader's Workshop training we Gr. 3 teachers are receiving is going very well and we are gaining so much valuable information and teaching tools. 
• We would like to extend a warm welcome our new student, Soyeong Yoo, who joined our 3LN Class Family today. 
• The following students have been requested to kindly submit a copy of their Emirates ID to the registrar's office as soon as possible : Alia, Mariam, Beril, Zeina, Haris, Yousef, Ali, Maxim, Oliver, Soyeong 
  
• Please kindly let me know if your child is involved in an After School Activity, so I can keep better accounts of where they should go at dismissal time. 
• The culture quiz has been postponed until next week. Stay tuned. 

~ Thursday News ~

Dear Parents, 

A very happy Thursday to you each. It's been another very productive week, full of great learning, happy smiles and plenty of flexibility. 

As some of you may be aware, we faced two challenges this week: MAPS testing was delayed and we have had some school-wide difficulty with the Internet over the last couple of days. These are always terrific opportunities to model adaptability, patience and a positive attitude in the classroom as bumps in the road will always be part of life. The good news is that it looks like we are back online and, secondly, MAPS testing will start next week. 

Here is the updated schedule: 

• October 2 (Day 4): 8:30-10:30 ~ Language 
• October 7 (Day 7): 1:00-2:30 ~ Reading
• October 22 (Day 3): 10:30-12:00 ~ Math 

We Grade 3 teachers rolled out Words Their Way with our students and they seemed to really enjoy it! We explored different ways to sort our words (short and long u, as well as an "oddball") and refreshed different spelling patterns (CVC, or consonant-vowel-consonant, and CVCe, consonant-vowel-consonant-e) that they may have forgotten from Grade 2. WTW (Words Their Way) homework will not begin until after the Eid holiday. 

After School Activities (ASAs) will start next week. The children are very excited! 

Just as an FYI, Grade 3 teachers will be attending a training on campus next week. It will be in the afternoon (12:30-2:30) from Sunday through Wednesday. We are excited to welcome a small team from The Teacher's College at Columbia University who will be teaching us more about Reader's Workshop. Our TA's will be our substitutes.

Also, I want to extend a special thank you to Stephanie Nooren who has graciously offered to be our 3LN room mother. This entails a great deal of time, energy and effort, so I hope you'll all express your appreciation to her, as well. Additionally, Lamia Bibi has offered to assist Stephanie in her role, so I am very grateful to her also. Thank you both in advance!! I know you be a huge blessing to our sweeties and to me, especially as we approach the holiday season. Please know I'm very grateful. 

To facilitate better communication for planning class parties and events, we would like to put together an email database (exclusive to our class) that Stephanie and Lamia may use. If you are agreeable to share this information with them (and other classroom parents), please just check yes on "Get Connected" form that I will send home on Sunday. This will make future planning much easier. 

That's all for now. I hope you each have a happy, restful weekend! 

Ms. Laura 

Cycle Schedule

To make it easier to follow along with our 10-Day Cycle, I have created a calendar, which you'll find at the bottom of the home page. I completed the rest of September, as well as October. I hope this helps keep us all on track. I know it can get confusing! 

** MAP Testing Update **

Due to some difficulty uploading student data for the MAPS test, it has been delayed until Wednesday at the earliest. Stay tuned for more info. I will post the updated schedule as soon as it's released. Thanks for your patience and flexibility. 

MAPS Schedule for 3LN

Here is the schedule for our MAPS testing. Please remember that this is not a test you must study for, but a measure of how much your child knows at this point in the year in the areas of Language Arts (Spelling, Grammar), Reading and Math. 

I shared part of a prep Point Point with the class this afternoon in an effort to lower their test anxiety and give them an idea of what to expect. We will finish it on Sunday morning, set some testing goals, then begin the first test at 10:30 AM. 

Simply click on schedule to enlarge

Back to School Night Power Point

For those who were able, thank you for coming to our Back to School Night. I really enjoyed meeting a few new faces and also sharing a little about what we do here everyday. 

If you were unable to attend, know that we missed you, but we understand that it's not always easy to get out at night, especially with other siblings, absent spouses or other responsibilities. 

To help you feel more in the loop, I would like to invite you to view the Power Point I created. I hope it will serve to clarify any questions or simply give you a good overview. 

Looking forward to a great year ahead! 

Math Test Date Update

Dear Parents, 

On the Sept. 15 Assignment Sheet and News, I indicated that the math test would be this Thursday, Sept. 19. This is an error.

We will actually be testing on Chapter 1 NEXT Thursday, September 16. Please forgive the mistake. 

Also, I will send home a review sheet by the end of this week or by Sunday, so your child will have at least a whole week to review and prepare. 

Many thanks, 

Ms. Laura 

A Message from Robyn Hoyt

Dear Parents, 

If you did not receive ASA information or a Spots school newsletter by email, the school does not have your current contact information. Please see Robin Hoyt, Parent Relations Executive, to update your information if you are new to the school or changed details over the summer. 

Thank you, 

Robin Hoyt
r.hoyt_daa@gemsedu.com

Parent Relations Executive

Week 2 News

Dear Parents, 

I'm very pleased to report that it's been another successful week in 3LN! Students are really falling into smooth classroom routines and procedures and learning my expectations. They absolutely LOVE happy sticks and have accepted reminders as a way of life, at least while I'm their teacher. :) Actually, I have found that students like reminders as they provide clear guidelines about what's acceptable and what's not. 

Many went to the treasure box and those who didn't have a chance to go, will go on Sunday. I love giving immediate praise and recognition to those students who are making wise choices, working diligently and showing kindness. I really believe that we all are so much more successful when we receive frequent praise, encouragement and enthusiasm. 

I will be using the Assignment Sheet and News to communicate all that we are learning as it relates to the subject areas (math, reading, writing, social studies, etc.) Please refer to this, which will be sent every Sunday. I will also post it online here as well. Also, please note that there has been a change in that I will be sending homework on an "as-needed" basis. There will be many nights when all your child needs to do is read for 20 minutes. 

The goal for homework is to provide more practice for those who require it, not to give extra work for those who understand the concept/skill. So, please allow for a little time in your afternoon or evening schedule for your child to read for 20 minutes and spend about 10 minutes of other homework, such as math, but again, only if needed. (Children may have different homework depending on their needs.) I will have your child specifically indicate what he/she needs to complete in the passport.  I hope this is clear, but if not, please feel free to inquire further. 

Next week, students will be getting their individual pictures taken. Our scheduled time is Wednesday, Sept. 18th at 9:00 am. This is Day 4 in the 10-Day Cycle. Please be sure your sweetheart is dressed in his/her formal uniform and looking tidy and smart! 

Also, please be sure you click on the tab to the right called After School Activities. It contains info about ASA's and will include the clubs and activities available very soon. 

For Social Studies, please send in a photo of your child in front of your house as we will be including it in our Dubai Book. Also, please continue collecting photos of your national flag, dress, food, language (written), celebrations and landmarks. Do not paste these anywhere as we will be putting them in the Dubai Book. Simply send them in to school in an envelope or folder (already cut) by next Thursday, Sept. 19. 

Lastly, I want to thank you for all of your support during these first days of school. Your smiles, conversation in passing, warm notes and emails have all been the wind in my wings. 

Have a very restful and relaxing weekend. From the sounds of the class' "Happy News," there will be many fun things happening! I hope that all those trying out for swimming give their very best effort!! 

Sincerely, 

Ms. Laura 

Week 1 News

Dear Parents,                                                                           

Happy Thursday! J I wanted to update you on how our first week and give you some news to note.

Our class has had a fantastic start to the school year!  Thankfully, everything has gone very smoothly and there have been no tears or mishaps. We have been working very diligently to establish new procedures and routines, form bonds as a class family and get to know our new students, all of whom are just lovely. We even celebrated a birthday. Ha Eon, turned 8 and had a very happy day with students sharing verbal “gifts” of kindness. Next week, we will celebrate Louis-Phillip and Mariam’s birthdays, as well.

The “Me Bags” were a big success as children shared their interests and things they love. It was truly a pleasure to see their personalities shine through and make connections to each other through shared interests, experiences and passions. What an impressive bunch!

Next week, we will dive into the real meat of our curriculum and the academic rigor will increase a bit. (Sunday is Day 6 on the schedule.) I have no doubt that this group is ready to jump right in. I’m already looking forward to the great things they will produce and achieve. 

That's all for now. I wish you a very pleasant weekend! 

Ms. Laura