Dear Parents and Families,
      Happy Monday everyone. I hope each of you had a nice and relaxing weekend. I want to personally thank Mrs. Kroneman for preparing and hosting an amazing play date!  I can't express how thankful I am to Mrs. Kroneman and Mrs. Eells for making that wonderful event happen. This week is our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences!  I am excited to share your child's progress with you. If you have specific things you would like to discuss during your child's conference, please let me know. Conferences are scheduled for 15 minutes each. Please be on time and knock on the door at your scheduled time. (You can double-check your time on Sign-Up Genius: Fall Parent-Teacher Conference). Please note that Tuesday, Oct. 23 and Wed. Oct. 24 are both HALF DAYS with dismissal at 11:00 am.

Continue reading below to find out what we will be learning next week!
Learning Outcomes - What is my child learning this week?

• ELA:  This week, students will be reading poetry and identifying the point of view (P.O.V.) of the narrator and the characters. The focus question for Wonders Unit 2, Week 5 is, "How do people figure things out?"
  • Literary Elements: Alliteration & Rhyme
    
  • Comprehension Skill: Narrator's Point of View (P.O.V.)
  • Thinking Map: Partial Multi-Flow Map
  • Grammar: Possessive Nouns
  • Writing: Opinion
    
• Math: This week, students will be moving into a different math chapter. 
  
• Social Studies: Students will be reviewing the Three Branches of Government and how local and state governments have the same checks and balances. 
  
• Science: The students will be doing Diggs on Thursday. 
  

Homework:  Students will have their reading packet to return on Friday for reading.  In math, students will need to finish their Math 20/20 Volume 2 book. 

Important Dates:
Mon, Oct 22 - Wed, Oct 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tues, Oct 23 - Half Day 11:00 a.m. Release for Parent/Teacher Conferences
Wed, Oct 24 - Half Day 11:00 a.m. Release for Parent/Teacher Conferences
Fri, Oct 26 - Trunk or Treat 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. @ Simis
Tues, Oct 30 - Grade 3 Music Program Dress Rehearsal 8:00-9:45 @ Simis
Wed, Oct 31 - TCT 1 p.m. Release
Thurs, Nov. 1 - Grade 3 Music Program REHEARSAL at 11:30 a.m. @ Performing Arts Center
Thurs, Nov. 1 - Grade 3 Music Program at 6 p.m. @ Performing Arts Center

Dear Parents and families, 

     I hope everyone had a wonderful fall break.  I had a chance to go camping and hike down to Havasupai Falls.  I also had a great time at Flip Dunk with so many families that were able to attend.  Thanks so much for making that possible and helping our Simis PATS program.  PATS funding takes our school so much farther than other schools, we are very lucky to have you all.  This week, we are starting a new quarter.  Grades are reset as we start a new quarter.  If you have any questions or concerns please email me.  

Continue reading below to find out what we will be learning next week!

Learning Outcomes - What is my child learning this week?

• ELA:  This week, students will be reading expository (nonfiction) text and identifying the author's point of view of the text. The focus question for Wonders Unit 2, Week 3 is, "How can people help animals survive?"
  • Comprehension Strategy: Reread
  • Comprehension Skill: Author's Point of View (P.O.V.)
  • Thinking Map: Partial Multi-Flow Map
  • Grammar: Combining Sentences
  • Writing: Opinions

• Math: This week, students will be working on division strategies and dividing numbers.  We will also continue to practice multiplication fast facts with timed tests and computer practice.  Please continue to have your child on Xtramath nightly if possible.  
• Social Studies: Students will describe national symbols and monuments that represent American democracy and values, including: the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Students will also learn about the structure of government, including the 3 branches of state and national government.  Students will be learning about different structures, how they function, and how they provide us with organization. At home, begin thinking about different examples of structures in our everyday life. Ex. Structure of a paragraph, structures of the number system, structures of government around the world, structure of a classroom, etc.
• Science: Students will inquire into the structure of rocks and minerals. 
  
  Homework: 
  Students received a packet before Fall Break that is due this Friday.  Students also should try to read 20 minutes a night or use I-Ready for 20 minutes.  
  Math work is in the Math 20/20 book, lessons 9, 10, 11, and 12. 
  
  Upcoming Dates:  
  Mon, Oct 15 - PATS General Meeting 6:30 p.m.
  Wed, Oct 17 - Fall Box Tops Due to Classrooms
  Wed, Oct 17 - TCT 1 p.m. Release
  Fri, Oct 19 - Report Cards Sent Home
  Fri, Oct 19 - Dad's Club Movie Night @ Simis
  Sat, Oct 20 - Fall Fun Get-Together 4-7 p.m.
  Mon, Oct 22 - Wed, Oct 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
  Tues, Oct 23 - Half Day 11:00 a.m. Release for Parent/Teacher Conferences
  Wed, Oct 24 - Half Day 11:00 a.m. Release for Parent/Teacher Conferences
  Fri, Oct 26 - Trunk or Treat 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. @ Simis
  Tues, Oct 30 - Grade 3 Music Program DRESS REHEARSAL @ Simis (8:00-9:45 am)
  Wed, Oct 31 - TCT 1 p.m. Release
  Thur, Nov 1 - Grade 3 Music Program REHEARSAL @ Performing Arts Center (11:30 am) - more info about permission slips & chaperones coming soon
  Thur, Nov. 1 (6:00 pm): Grade 3 Music Program @ Performing Arts Center (6:00 pm) - please see letter from Ms. Brewer​

Dear Families,

Happy Monday!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  We won the Flip Dunk Party on October 14th from 5pm to 7pm!  I think I might just be more excited than the kids!  I have never been there before.  I even told my husband that he had to attend!   I can't believe that it's almost Fall Break and that we are at the end of our first quarter.  ALL unfinished and/or late student work needs to be turned in by Thursday, Oct. 4. Any assignments not turned in at that point will receive partial credit. Please check your child's blue folder on Monday to see if they have any late work to complete.

Today, Oct. 1st is Picture Day! We took our class photo and individual photos at 10:50 am and 11: 30 am. All students will be taking a photo for the yearbook. On Wednesday, October 3rd I will be emailing out a Sign-Up Genius to sign up for a Fall Conference (Oct. 22-24). Conferences will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. On Friday, October 4th, we will have a half day with dismissal at 11:00 am. Students will be eating sack lunches with Turkey/Cheese from the cafeteria. The cafeteria would like an estimate of how many students are planning on ordering a sack lunch for Friday's lunch. Please ask your child to be ready to tell me on Tuesday if they think they will need a lunch on Friday or write a note for me on their Green Sheet please.
Continue reading below to find out what else we will be learning this week!

Learning Outcomes - What is my child learning this week?

• ELA:  This week, students will be reading nonfiction and identifying the author's point of view of the text. The focus question for Wonders Unit 2, Week 3 is, "How do people make government work?"
  • Comprehension Strategy: Reread
  • Comprehension Skill: Author's Point of View (P.O.V.)
  • Thinking Map: Tree Map
  • Grammar: Special Nouns
  • Writing: Personal Narratives & Opinions
• Math: This week, students are continuing to work on multiplication. Students will be using an area model to multiply and they we will focus more on division.  
• Social Studies: Students will also learn about the structure of government, including the 3 branches of state and national government.  Students will be learning about different structures, how they function, and how they provide us with organization. At home, begin thinking about different examples of structures in our everyday life. Ex. Structure of a paragraph, structures of the number system, structures of government around the world, structure of a classroom, etc.
• Science: Students will inquire into the individual structures of the rocks: Basalt, Limestone, Sandstone and Marble. Students will be able to determine if the mineral Calcite is present in each.
• 
  

Homework- Students have a reading packet called A Vampire's Dilemma.  Students are also working on spelling words with Short i.  Please look at seperate tab on website for spelling words.  
Math 20/20 Volume 2 : Lesson 5, 6, 7, 8.  

Important Dates:  
Mon, Oct 1 - Fall Picture Day
Mon, Oct 1 - LD28 Candidate Forum 5:30 p.m. Madison School District Board Room
Tues, Oct 2 - Dine Out for Simis at Chipotle 5 - 9 p.m. (Central & Camelback)
Wed, Oct 3 - NO TCT, Dismissal at 2:30 p.m.
Wed, Oct 3 - Simis Dads Club Meeting 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 5 - Half Day 11 a.m. release -  End of First Quarter
Fri, Oct 5 - Spirit Day (wear Simis gear and/or colors)
Mon, Oct 8 - Fri, Oct 12 - Fall Break (NO SCHOOL)
Sun, Oct 14 - Flip Dunk Party 5pm - 7pm
Tues, Oct 16 - Art Masterpiece
Mon, Oct 22 - Wed, Oct 24 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Dear Families,

How are you? Happy Monday! I hope each of you had a nice weekend with your families. The students had SO much fun posing as superheros in our class photo and taking individual photo-booth pictures with their friends at recess. Thank you for contributing to the Simis Fall Fundraiser! Next week is the third week of the Simis "Caring is Super" Fall Fundraiser! Our summative projects from IB Unit 1, "People express their culture in different ways" can be found on Seesaw the end of this week. Each child will present their poster and will share about their family's culture. Be sure to check it out! If you haven't signed up for Seesaw yet and need a new copy of your child's login information, please write a note on the Green Sheet and I will print you a new login paper. This week is the start to our second IB Unit. Our central idea, which will guide our learning is, "Structures impact the way we live." I hope everyone has had a good weekend. I look forward to a great week with more Caring is Super, Art Masterpiece, and a Power of One assembly.


Continue reading below to find out what else we will be learning this week!


Learning Outcomes - What is my child learning this week?

• ELA:  This week, students will be reading historical fiction and identifying the theme or central message of the text. The focus question for Wonders Unit 2, Week 2 is, "Why do people immigrate to new places?"
  • Comprehension Strategy: Make Predictions
  • Comprehension Skill: Theme
  • Thinking Map: Tree Map
  • Grammar: Singular & Plural Nouns
  • Writing: Opinions

• Math: This week, students are working on multiplication and division. Students are learning and practicing using different strategies for solving equations and word problems, including: showing "groups of," skip counting, arrays, and repeated addition. Students will also solve word problems involving multiplication situations. Our end of the year goal is for students to have their times 0-12 facts memorized. A great place to get flashcards is Dollar Tree or you can try online flashcards. Please also visit Xtramath at home nightly for even more multiplication practice if you have a phone or computer with internet.

• Social Studies: Students will describe national symbols and monuments that represent American democracy and values, including: the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Students will also learn about the structure of government, including the 3 branches of state and national government.

• Science: Students will inquire into the structure of rocks and minerals and the layers of the Earth.

• IB Unit 2 - Week 1: Students will be learning about how different structures, how they function, and how they provide us with organization. At home, begin thinking about different examples of structures in our everyday life. Ex. Structure of a paragraph, structures of the number system, structures of government around the world, structure of a classroom, etc.

Homework:  Reading packet, Lost Wallet.  Optional Spelling Packet- Words with Long e.  Math 20/20 volume 2 booklet, Lessons 1, 2, 3, and 4.  Please try and do Xtramath nightly. 

Important Dates: 
Tues, Sept 25 - Fall Fundraiser Superhero Bracelet Delivery Day
Wed, Sept 26 - TCT 1 p.m. Release
Thurs, Sept 27 - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfast
Fri, Sept 28 - LAST DAY to donate for Fall Fundraiser
Fri, Sept 28 - Simis Spirit Day
Fri, Sept 28 - Simis Parent Social @ Madison Arts Center 7 p.m.
Fri, Sept 28 - SCOOP Newsletter
Mon, Oct 1 - Fall Picture Day
Tues, Oct 2 - Dine Out for Simis @ Chipotle 5 - 9 p.m.
Fri, Oct 5 - Half Day 11 a.m. Release
Mon-Fri, Oct 8 - Fall Break
Mon, Oct. 22- Oct. 24 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Have a wonderful week!

Dear Parents and Families,  
     I hope that everyone is having a great Monday.  Last week, I was out for most of the week and Mrs. Couch took over for those days.  The students had a good week and enjoyed learning with Mrs. Couch and Mrs. Isham.  This coming week, I will be out for doctor appointments (I am very sorry but the offices are only open during school hours) on Tuesday.  A dear teaching friend, is going to come in and teach.  She has been instructing in Thinking Maps and Write From the Beginning from before I even knew her.  She is just as passionate about the writing program so I am honored to have your child learn from her.  Also, this is the second week of the Simis "Caring is Super" Fall Fundraiser! The Superhero Photo Booth will be open for students before school and during lunch recess. Students pay $2.00 for 3 poses. A green flyer went home with your child on Friday with additional information. We will also be taking a class photo at the photo booth on Monday morning at 9am. I believe the photo booth has props for students to pose with; students will NOT be wearing costumes to school. If you have any questions please email me.  
Continue reading below to find out what else we will be learning next week!
Learning Outcomes - What is my child learning this week?

• ELA:  This week, students will be reading folktales and identifying the theme or central message of the text. The focus question for Wonders Unit 2, Week 1 is, "Why is working together a good way to solve a problem?" To make this skill more transdisciplinary, in social studies, students will be reading and analyzing the theme/message of Greek myths.
  • Comprehension Strategy: Make Predictions
  • Comprehension Skill: Theme
  • Thinking Map: Tree Map
  • Grammar: Kinds of Nouns
  • Writing: Narrative 
  • Spelling:  Months, Days, and Titles
• Math: This week, students will begin a unit on multiplication. Students will practice different strategies for solving equations, including: showing "groups of," skip counting, arrays, and repeated addition. Students will also solve word problems involving multiplication situations. Our end of the year goal is for students to have their times 0-12 facts memorized. A great place to get flashcards is Dollar Tree or you can try online flashcards or Xtramath.org at home for 10 to 15 minutes a night.  
• Social Studies:  Students will be creating a summative project to reflect what they learned about their own family's culture. Your child will use the answers from their "My Family's Culture" interview to create a unique project that represents different aspects of culture and traditions that are important to them.
• Science: Students will be determining the hardness of given rocks and reading more into earth materials.  

Homework:  This week we will have a reading packet "First Day Back to School" and spelling worksheet for Months, Days, and Titles.  For math, please use Xtramath.org Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well as the last 4 lessons in their Math 20/20 booklet.  
​ 
Important Dates Coming Up:  
Mon, Sept 17  - Fall Fundraiser Last day to order bracelets.  
Mon, Sept 17 - Fri, Sept 21 - Caring is Super Photo Booth
Wed, Sept 19 - TCT Early Release  1 p.m.
Thurs, Sept 20 - Spirit Wear estimated delivery

Dear Friends and Families, 
     I hope everyone had a wonderful three day weekend.  Mrs. Couch and I can't believe that we are already in our second month of school.  It's like they say, "Time flies, when you're having fun!." We are excited about learning and even though this will be a short week we look forward to a lot of learning.  Please remember that this will be a full Wednesday with release at 2:30 pm.  This week, we will kick off our Fall Fundraiser on Wednesday with an assembly in the cafeteria.  Expect information to go home this week about it.  On Wednesday, we are also taking our first Math CPA (Common Pacing Assessment), this is a very challenging test created by the district to prepare students for the rigor and complexity of the AZ Merit.  Please encourage students to show their work on paper.  If you have any questions feel free to email me.    

​Learning Outcomes - What is my child learning this week?

• ELA:  This week, students will be asking and answering questions before and after reading biographies. The focus question for Wonders Unit 1, Week 4 is, "How can problem solving lead to new ideas?"
  • Comprehension Strategy: Ask & Answer Questions
  • Comprehension Skill: Cause & Effects
  • Grammar: 4 types of sentences/subjects
  • Spelling: Long A
  • Writing: Personal Narratives

• Math: This week, in preparation for our District Common Pacing Assessment, students will be reviewing place value skills (e.g. place vs. value, comparing, ordering), rounding to nearest 10 and 100, addition (stacking), and subtraction (adding up) thought hands-on practice, engagement structures, and more. Please note, the District common pacing assessments are rigorous and contain lots of higher-level thinking skills. Please remind your child to SHOW THEIR WORK, not just guess, and take their time on their test.
• Social Studies: Students will be reading a myth from the Ancient Greeks to then present to the class.  Students will learn and take notes on many different myths.  
• Science: Students broke up rocks last week and tried to dissolve some of the materials in water.  We will look at what is left after all the water has evaporated to see what minerals remain.  Later this week, we will read about geologists and sedimentary rocks.   In Diggs, students should also be planting seeds in our garden. 

Homework:  Students will have a reading packet The Ugly Duckling and spelling worksheet that is due on Friday.  They will not have to do the Monday portion of reading and only 3 of the spelling tasks.  For math, students will be taking home a book called Math 20/20.  Students should do lesson 6, 7, and 8 by Friday and return it.  We will review and check books on Friday.  

Upcoming Dates:  
Mon, Sept 3 - Labor Day NO SCHOOL
Wed, Sept 5 - Vision & Hearing Testing, Regular release 2:30 pm
Thurs, Sept 6 - Vision & Hearing Testing
Fri, Sept 7 - Vision & Hearing Testing
Sun, Sept 9 - PATS Meeting 3 - 4:30 p.m. @ Flip Dunk
Mon, Sept 10 - Fall Fundraiser Kick-off w/ Coffee 7:20 a.m.

Simis Information
IB Learner Profile for the Month at Simis
Caring: I am compassionate and show concern for others and our world. 

Student Activity Fee!!!
There are several ways to pay for your child's $50 Activity Fee, and it is considered an Arizona Tax Credit contribution.  To contribute online please click here.  Make sure you choose Simis as your school and "General" as your destination.  A receipt will be emailed to you.  Please forward or send in the receipt to your child's teacher.  You may also come into the Simis office and use check, cash, or credit/debit card.  In addition to the $50 Activity Fee, you, your family, and friends may contribute up to $200 if filing as an individual and up to $400 if filing jointly on your Arizona Tax Credit. 

District Dress Code - New Changes!
All students in the Madison Elementary School District will adhere to the new Madison District Dress Code. Although student dress and grooming are generally a matter of personal choice, there is a relationship between student dress and student success.  The complete District Dress Code and violation consequences may be found on page 15 of the new Madison District Student & Parent Handbook.  Please be sure to review the dress code with your student so they may dress for success! 

Volunteers - New Changes!
At Madison, we understand how important it is to provide meaningful opportunities for parent and community involvement. Volunteering at your child's school, whether in the classroom or on a field trip, is a great way to stay connected to your child's education. Beginning this year, parent/guardian volunteers will be required to complete a volunteer registration packet. Volunteer applications must be completed by November 1st. Additionally, as required by ARS 15-512, volunteers who are NOT a parent or legal guardian of a child in the school where they will be working must complete a background check and be fingerprinted. Complete the application packet by clicking here. 

Dear Friends and Family, 

      We are now getting a good routine established in our classroom. We had almost every student complete the reading homework but we are still working on the spelling portion.  Sight words were really hard for the majority of the class so you might notice that it was weighted very low.  Please make sure your child is doing at least one spelling assignment a night to help on this weeks spelling test.  Thank you so much for your support at home in helping your child learn to be responsible for their work. This week, we continue to dive deeper into the 3rd grade content.  If you are able, please send your child to school with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) & headphones on a daily basis. I recommend having your child keep the device in their backpack for easy, daily use in the classroom. If your child doesn't have a BYOD device, he/she has access to our 18 shared classroom Chromebooks. The Technology Agreement form from the handbook must be signed and returned before your child will be able to participate.
Learning Outcomes - 

• Reading:  This week, students will be asking and answering questions about narrative nonfiction texts. The focus question for Wonders Unit 1, Week 3 is, "How do people from different cultures contribute to a community?"
  • Comprehension Strategy: Ask & Answer Questions
  • Comprehension Skill: Sequence
  • Grammar: 4 types of sentences/subjects
  • Writing: Personal Narrative
  • Spelling: Words with Short a
• Math: This week, students will learn more about subtracting numbers through 1,000. Students will be taught ADDING UP TO SUBTRACT (-) for subtraction.  Students will also be estimating by rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and nearest 100.
• Social Studies: Students will be discussing and recognizing ways that Ancient Greece contributed to the development of our own civilization, including: the beginnings of democracy, mythology, art, architecture, philosophy, and the Olympics. Students will be inquiring into how ancient architecture influenced modern society, including columns and mosaics.
• Science: Students will learn that rocks are made up of minerals and will learn how geologists identify them.  

Homework:  Students have the weekly reading and spelling packet plus students will have worksheet from MyMath Chapter 3 on Monday Lesson 2, Tuesday Lesson 3, Wednesday Lesson 4, and Thursday Lesson 5.  Friday we will have a quick Check My Progress.  

Upcoming Dates:  
Mon, August 27 - Day 4 - Music /Cool Fitness at Lunch
Tues, August 28 - Day 5 - PE (Wear tennis shoes) and Art
Wed, August 29 - Day 6 - Spanish.  TCT 1 p.m. release  (Return Library books) /Cool Fitness at Lunch
Thurs, August 30 - Day 1 - Music and Library, DIGGS (8:30-9:00)
Fri, August 31 - Day 2 - PE (Wear tennis shoes) and Art.  SCOOP Newsletter
Mon, September 3 - Labor Day NO SCHOOL

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