Recorders

Third Grade Parents,
In music class we are focusing on identifying note names on the
musical staff and distinguishing between our speaking voice and
our singing voice. We will begin recorder instruction in September. 
The students will continue to be exposed to note reading, to different
styles and composers of music, to ear training and basic rhythmic
patterns.

Recorders are taught in the “music dojo” where the students
play “Recorder Karate.”  Each song they learn is a little bit more
challenging and introduces a new musical concept. Once the student
can successfully learn each song, they will receive a “Karate Belt” for
that level to tie on their recorder.

We use Yamaha Recorders in the music room. Students
may purchase their own Yamaha recorder for $4.00 from Ms.
Tobias starting Wednesday, September 4th.  Recorders that
are purchased at a store (Target, Walmart, etc.) are considered
toys and do not produce the same quality tone as the Yamaha
recorders. Students do not have to buy a recorder, they can use
one during music class time.

You can encourage your child to play their recorder by:

• reminding them to use a soft, pleasant sound
• reminding them to play with left hand on top
• ask them to perform their songs from the song packet they receive in class
• listen to them play their songs and comment on how "Fluently" they played (did they play it without stopping).

If you would like to purchase a recorder for your child, please bring
$4.00 made payable to Highline Academy and have your child give it
to Ms. Tobias in the music room.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Ms.Tobias

Bubble Bubble lab

Learning to follow the scientific method can be a really fun activity! Here the students are testing which liquid soap can create the largest bubbles. Will it be dish soap, shampoo, or laundry detergent???

Love and Logic

* note: Highline's homework policy is to aim for 10 mins per grade level per night Monday through Thursday nights. So an average 3rd grade student should have around 30 minutes a night but it could be as little as 20 minutes or as much as 40 minutes. If it becomes more than this due to battles in your home or because of the content of the homework- please let your child's teacher know ASAP.

Ms. Whalen and Ms. Wetzel


As a kid, I had a love-hate relationship with homework. I loved those days when I didn't have any, and I hated the days I did. As a "mature" educator and parent, my attitudes have changed...but only a little bit.

Sure, homework is important! In fact, it doesn't take long to find research that shows how appropriate homework assignments contribute to improved academic achievement. Nevertheless, I still have a love-hate relationship with the stuff. I love when children get appropriate homework...but I hate seeing so many who repeatedly have unhealthy homework experiences.

Much of the problem seems to stem from very conscientious educators and parents who don't understand the key characteristics of appropriate homework:

• It leaves time for the child to contribute to the family by doing chores.

• It leaves time for the child to play and enjoy being a child.

• At least 95% of the content should represent repetition and review of things the child already knows how to do correctly.

• The parent helps only as long as the interaction remains positive.

• It's the child's work...not the parent's work.

In our Schoolwork / Homework Package, we teach a variety of strategies for helping parents and educators keep homework positive and productive.  One strategy involves systematically noticing only the parts of their homework they have done well. Helping your child learn to feel good about their stengths will help them have the energy and courage to keep working on their weaknesses.

 Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

 

Dr. Charles Fay

Welcome to the 2013- 2014 school year!!

Wow! Ms. Wetzel and I have already heard about what amazing students, writers, readers, mathematicians, listeners, etc... that we have this year. This is going to be one AWESOME year!

This year we will really focus hard on writing skills. The first language arts unit has a focus of expository writing. Most students in our school come out of 2nd grade already strong writers in expository writing therefore we can build 3rd grade skills within a style that they are already comfortable.

Ms. Whalen's science classes - We will be working on the Scientific Process. Your student will be doing all sorts of labs and learning how scientists must follow a certain process in their studies. Then we will turn to the Muscles, Bones and the Nervous System unit.

Ms. Wetzel's social studies classes will begin the year with map skills and then will travel on to Canada and World Rivers.

Thank you for supporting us and your student as we travel through this year together!