Happy New Year!!!

Well, January really got away from me and I've had it on my to-do list to write a blog post for weeks now!  Sorry for the delay! It is unbelievable that we are more than half way through grade three- tomorrow is the 100th day of school.  Report cards went home last week.  Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone if you'd like to discuss your child's progress or make an appointment for a conference! We have been working hard- researching and writing about different types of technology, reading historical fiction texts, and comparing and ordering fractions- especially using the number line.  All of this as we prepare for the Maryland State Assessments- which are just 4 weeks away! To prepare, we have been reviewing many mathematical concepts the students haven't done much since Grade 2- including telling time to the minute, counting money and interpreting graphs and data.

One website the class and I have really enjoyed lately is www.abcya.com. They have games to review all different reading and math skills, practice typing and things that are just for fun, all organized by grade level.  Check it out with your child and ask them to show you some of our favorite games.

Some food for thought:
Last year, the leadership team at our school read the book MINDSET by Carol Dweck. It is a quick and easy read and discusses how important it is to promote a "growth mindset" in students, rather than a "fixed mindset".  Everyone has a fixed mindset in certain areas- that is the belief that to a certain degree, we are born with a given level of talent, intelligence or capability.  A growth mindset is all about believing that through hard work and perseverance, you can become good (or even great!) at anything. This has certainly been proven with regards to intelligence, with recent studies showing how we can increase IQ, which used to be interpreted as a person's full potential. This year, Dr. Starr, our superintendent, selected the book How Children Succeed by Paul Tough. This book focuses and similar concepts- building the character of our students so they have grit and determination to succeed even when learning gets tough, as it does for everyone sooner of later. Telling your child how smart they are is great, but then when they get things incorrect of struggle with a new concept, what are they going to think?  That they are no longer smart? This leads to self doubt and a fear of risk taking.  Praising a child for their hard work and perseverance is much more powerful stuff and sends the message that the most important thing is not giving up, rather than getting the correct answer.

"Smart is not something you are, smart is something you get!" -Stephanie Harvey