Our Future is so Bright, We Need Shades
May 22, 2019 Thank you
Dear Parents,
I give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give him/her back pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature than he/she was then.
Although he/she would have attained his/her growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch his/her personality unfold day by day and marvel at this splendid miracle of development.
I give him/her back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in our classroom, we have grown close, have become part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other.
Ten years from now if we meet on the street, your child and I, a light will shine in our eyes, a smile will come to our lips, and we will feel the bond of understanding once more.
We have lived, loved laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give him/her back I must. Take care of him/her for he/she is precious.
Remember I will always be interested in your child and his/her destiny, wherever he/she goes, whatever he/she does, and whoever he/she becomes. I will always be happy to share his/her joys and sorrows. I shall always be his/her friend.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing year.
Sincerely,
Becky Phillips
Dear Parents,
I give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give him/her back pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature than he/she was then.
Although he/she would have attained his/her growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch his/her personality unfold day by day and marvel at this splendid miracle of development.
I give him/her back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in our classroom, we have grown close, have become part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other.
Ten years from now if we meet on the street, your child and I, a light will shine in our eyes, a smile will come to our lips, and we will feel the bond of understanding once more.
We have lived, loved laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give him/her back I must. Take care of him/her for he/she is precious.
Remember I will always be interested in your child and his/her destiny, wherever he/she goes, whatever he/she does, and whoever he/she becomes. I will always be happy to share his/her joys and sorrows. I shall always be his/her friend.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing year.
Sincerely,
Becky Phillips
May 20 Awards Day
May 17 Last Spelling Bee
Way to go Lane!
Way to go Lane!
May 15 Miss Emily's Last Day
Today was Miss Emily's last day! We are sad to see her go. She has been a great High School helper this semester.
Today was Miss Emily's last day! We are sad to see her go. She has been a great High School helper this semester.
May 10 Field Day
What a great day! We had some record setters! Here are a few pictures to help us remember.
What a great day! We had some record setters! Here are a few pictures to help us remember.
May 10 Greencastle Field Trip
We had a great field trip - here are some highlights. First we went to the fire station. Here we saw where the firemen lived while on duty, what they wore to fight fires and all about the fire trucks!
We had a great field trip - here are some highlights. First we went to the fire station. Here we saw where the firemen lived while on duty, what they wore to fight fires and all about the fire trucks!
Next came the Courthouse where Prosecutor Bookwalter gave us a tour. We got to go in the courtroom and learned how to find our house on the GIS map on line. (Students brought home a card with the website - http://putnamin.wthgis.com/ )
We ate lunch in the park and played for a while.
Last, but not least, we went to the Putnam County Museum where we learned about spinning & weaving, blacksmithing and model trains!
May 8 PEZ
Today we explored the wonderful world of PEZ. One day a couple of weeks ago I mentioned PEZ candy and was surprised to see how many kids did not know anything about them. I got our my son's old PEZ collection and distributed them today. We learned how to put the candy in and that it is hard work for such a little treat!
Today we explored the wonderful world of PEZ. One day a couple of weeks ago I mentioned PEZ candy and was surprised to see how many kids did not know anything about them. I got our my son's old PEZ collection and distributed them today. We learned how to put the candy in and that it is hard work for such a little treat!
May 6 I LEARN TESTING
As we enter our last week of testing we know we can handle it! Thanks to parents who made sure students were rested and had a good breakfast (and wrote all those wonderful motivational notes), and to the students for really trying their hardest!!!
As we enter our last week of testing we know we can handle it! Thanks to parents who made sure students were rested and had a good breakfast (and wrote all those wonderful motivational notes), and to the students for really trying their hardest!!!
May 6 Thank you PTO
We were greeting this morning with a beautiful breakfast spread courtesy of the PTO. Thanks so much - it was delicious!
We were greeting this morning with a beautiful breakfast spread courtesy of the PTO. Thanks so much - it was delicious!
April 22nd Central is in the Banner
Check out this article in the Banner Graphic about our students! https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2603578.html
Check out this article in the Banner Graphic about our students! https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2603578.html
April 19th Testing Begins Next Week
We are ready for I Learn! Our first test will b on Tuesday morning. Check out this year's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y283NzeJY64
We are ready for I Learn! Our first test will b on Tuesday morning. Check out this year's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y283NzeJY64
April 18th Jelly Bean Math
We worked on a variety of math skills using Jelly Beans with Miss Emily. We estimated, sorted, counted, double counted, added multiple two digit numbers, checked using a calculator and graphed. We also did a little probability experiment! And of course we ate Jelly Beans!!!!
We worked on a variety of math skills using Jelly Beans with Miss Emily. We estimated, sorted, counted, double counted, added multiple two digit numbers, checked using a calculator and graphed. We also did a little probability experiment! And of course we ate Jelly Beans!!!!
April 9th Walkathon
Today we walked during gym to raise money for our PTO. Thanks to everyone who helped and sent in pledges!
Today we walked during gym to raise money for our PTO. Thanks to everyone who helped and sent in pledges!
April 4th Bingo Reading Challenge
Hope your kiddo is enjoying this challenge - I am loving the pictures!
Hope your kiddo is enjoying this challenge - I am loving the pictures!
March 21st Third Spelling Bee
Today was the third Spelling Bee this year. Thanks to Addi, Dallas, and Riley for studying and making it this far. And congratulations to Riley for placing third.
Today was the third Spelling Bee this year. Thanks to Addi, Dallas, and Riley for studying and making it this far. And congratulations to Riley for placing third.
March 20 Our Human Footprint
Today our High School helper, Miss Emily, read to us about how much of various things we use in our lifetime - 686 bars of soap, 389 tubes of toothpaste, 87,520 slices of bread, 3, 796 diapers, 43,371 cans of soda, and take 28, 433 showers. Then we talk about how we could reduce this amount, or how we could recycle somethings so they do not go into the waste stream.
Today our High School helper, Miss Emily, read to us about how much of various things we use in our lifetime - 686 bars of soap, 389 tubes of toothpaste, 87,520 slices of bread, 3, 796 diapers, 43,371 cans of soda, and take 28, 433 showers. Then we talk about how we could reduce this amount, or how we could recycle somethings so they do not go into the waste stream.
March 8 Fraction Review
We work with fractions in lots of different ways today. We did a "Find Someone Who Can ... " bingo board, We rolled dice and modeled, compared, and manipulated fractions!
We work with fractions in lots of different ways today. We did a "Find Someone Who Can ... " bingo board, We rolled dice and modeled, compared, and manipulated fractions!
February 21 Mineral Lab
We worked today to describe the characteristics of minerals.
We worked today to describe the characteristics of minerals.
February 13 Thinker or Finisher
We have had some discussion about hurrying through work to get it turned in and so we don't have homework. I always allow study time during the day, and if that time is used wisely, there should not be much in the way of homework. That being said, we have a few students who hurry through their work and then end up having too much free time on their hands. This chart addresses the issue of "thinker" vs "finisher". We brainstormed together the characteristics of both, and decided that being a thinker was much better. You may see the works "thinker or finisher" occasionally written on papers. This picture explains what that means.
We have had some discussion about hurrying through work to get it turned in and so we don't have homework. I always allow study time during the day, and if that time is used wisely, there should not be much in the way of homework. That being said, we have a few students who hurry through their work and then end up having too much free time on their hands. This chart addresses the issue of "thinker" vs "finisher". We brainstormed together the characteristics of both, and decided that being a thinker was much better. You may see the works "thinker or finisher" occasionally written on papers. This picture explains what that means.
February 8 National School Counselor Week
This is National School Counselor Week. We are so fortunate to have Miss Robi Simms as our counselor. This week she visited our classroom to talk about responsibility. Third grade is a major responsibility jump. No more is it OK to say "mom forgot". She talked about taking responsibility for our actions, our work, and our words.
This is National School Counselor Week. We are so fortunate to have Miss Robi Simms as our counselor. This week she visited our classroom to talk about responsibility. Third grade is a major responsibility jump. No more is it OK to say "mom forgot". She talked about taking responsibility for our actions, our work, and our words.
February 2 Happy Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day will forever hold a special place in my heart. Years ago, after I graduated from college, but long before I started teaching in public schools, I worked in the education department at the Indianapolis Zoo. Not the new zoo, the the old zoo that was on 30th street. At that time there were three of us that worked in education. We somehow also had the responsibility of raising all the orphaned wildlife that ended up on the zoo’s doorstep. We raised squirrels, raccoons, opossums, birds, flying squirrels, and groundhogs. Once the animals were able to fend for themselves, we released them, usually at a state park or nature preserve. Each year we tried to raise and keep (for a while) a baby groundhog for Groundhog Day. We used to have the news stations come to the zoo to see if the groundhog could see his shadow.
One year we got a cute little guy we names Charles. Charles lived in our offices and was little box trained. As Charles grew over the summer, we noticed that he was constantly running into walls, file cabinets and everything else. We had a veterinarian look at him, and discovered he had cataracts. How could he possibly see his shadow?! Being the very resourceful people we were, we arrange for him to have cataract surgery. Methodist Hospital allowed us to use an operating room, an eye surgeon and anesthesiologist donated their services and all was going to be right with the world.
We operated on one of Charles’s eyes, deciding to do one at a time because of the effects of of the sedatives and the fact that groundhogs hibernate. We did not want to put him into a hibernation state. Everything went well. Word spread of our efforts to help a groundhog see his shadow and Weekly Reader (the old-fashioned Scholastic News) showed up at the hospital. In my five minutes of fame I was on the cover of Weekly Reader holding Charles the groundhog before his surgery.
Weeks later we operated for a second time to remove the cataract from the second eye. This time it did not go as well. Charles slipped into a hibernation state and never woke up.
And so … Groundhog Day will always hold a special place in my heart as will my memory of Charles.
Groundhog Day will forever hold a special place in my heart. Years ago, after I graduated from college, but long before I started teaching in public schools, I worked in the education department at the Indianapolis Zoo. Not the new zoo, the the old zoo that was on 30th street. At that time there were three of us that worked in education. We somehow also had the responsibility of raising all the orphaned wildlife that ended up on the zoo’s doorstep. We raised squirrels, raccoons, opossums, birds, flying squirrels, and groundhogs. Once the animals were able to fend for themselves, we released them, usually at a state park or nature preserve. Each year we tried to raise and keep (for a while) a baby groundhog for Groundhog Day. We used to have the news stations come to the zoo to see if the groundhog could see his shadow.
One year we got a cute little guy we names Charles. Charles lived in our offices and was little box trained. As Charles grew over the summer, we noticed that he was constantly running into walls, file cabinets and everything else. We had a veterinarian look at him, and discovered he had cataracts. How could he possibly see his shadow?! Being the very resourceful people we were, we arrange for him to have cataract surgery. Methodist Hospital allowed us to use an operating room, an eye surgeon and anesthesiologist donated their services and all was going to be right with the world.
We operated on one of Charles’s eyes, deciding to do one at a time because of the effects of of the sedatives and the fact that groundhogs hibernate. We did not want to put him into a hibernation state. Everything went well. Word spread of our efforts to help a groundhog see his shadow and Weekly Reader (the old-fashioned Scholastic News) showed up at the hospital. In my five minutes of fame I was on the cover of Weekly Reader holding Charles the groundhog before his surgery.
Weeks later we operated for a second time to remove the cataract from the second eye. This time it did not go as well. Charles slipped into a hibernation state and never woke up.
And so … Groundhog Day will always hold a special place in my heart as will my memory of Charles.
February 1, 2019 Dodge ball
Today was the traditional teacher vs student dodge ball game! We had five players from our room (Dallas, Lucas J, Addison, Riley, and Jaxon). As usual, I am proud to say, the teachers beat the students in third grade - we lost to the 4th graders. We wore a sea of red to honor Mr. Newton (Mrs. Newton was there for the game!)
Today was the traditional teacher vs student dodge ball game! We had five players from our room (Dallas, Lucas J, Addison, Riley, and Jaxon). As usual, I am proud to say, the teachers beat the students in third grade - we lost to the 4th graders. We wore a sea of red to honor Mr. Newton (Mrs. Newton was there for the game!)
January 30 BRRRRRRRR
January 30th was one cold day!!! We stayed inside and faced the Reading Fort Challenge for bonus points in Reading. I have some awesome fort builders. There was only one where I couldn't tell if he was reading or sleeping. Thanks for helping your child read!
January 30th was one cold day!!! We stayed inside and faced the Reading Fort Challenge for bonus points in Reading. I have some awesome fort builders. There was only one where I couldn't tell if he was reading or sleeping. Thanks for helping your child read!
January 29 National Puzzle Day
Today was National Puzzle Day and we celebrated with a puzzle of course!
Today was National Puzzle Day and we celebrated with a puzzle of course!
January 23 Magic Convocation
We enjoyed a magical convocation! Mr. Magic even explained how reading, math and science help him do his tricks. Some were absolutely mind blowing.
We enjoyed a magical convocation! Mr. Magic even explained how reading, math and science help him do his tricks. Some were absolutely mind blowing.
Lego Anniversary Celebration at the Putnam County Museum
This Sunday (January 27) there will be a Lego Anniversary Celebration at the Putnam County Museum in Greencastle. Here is the article from the Banner Graphic - Lego article. Admission is on can of food for the food pantry!
This Sunday (January 27) there will be a Lego Anniversary Celebration at the Putnam County Museum in Greencastle. Here is the article from the Banner Graphic - Lego article. Admission is on can of food for the food pantry!
January 18 Class Photo
Thanks to our faithful yearbook photographer for taking this picture for us today.
Thanks to our faithful yearbook photographer for taking this picture for us today.
January 9, Working together
I love when we are able to work together in groups to reinforce our learning. Here are a few pictures of our group work in Math and Reading this week. There are more pictures on the Instagram Account.
I love when we are able to work together in groups to reinforce our learning. Here are a few pictures of our group work in Math and Reading this week. There are more pictures on the Instagram Account.
Friday, January 4 Awards Day
Thursday, January 3 Multiplication Games
Wednesday,
January 2
See You Tomorrow!!!
January 2
See You Tomorrow!!!
Thursday, December 20 Our Christmas Party
Thanks to everyone who donated time and materials to make our party a success. A big thank you to Mrs. Trammell for organizing everything. The kids had a great time and made some memories!
Thanks to everyone who donated time and materials to make our party a success. A big thank you to Mrs. Trammell for organizing everything. The kids had a great time and made some memories!
Wednesday, December 19 The Joy of Giving Donations to the Humane Society
Wednesday, December 19 A Holiday Visitor
Friday, December 7 Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
Friday, October 22
Congratulations to Brian, Tucker, and Molly, winners of the first Third Grade Spelling Bee. Lists for the next Spelling Bee were distributed today!
Congratulations to Brian, Tucker, and Molly, winners of the first Third Grade Spelling Bee. Lists for the next Spelling Bee were distributed today!
Monday, October 8 Dictionaries!
Thanks to the Cloverdale Lions Club for our new dictionaries. Each student got his/her own dictionary to use during the school year and then take home in May. What a great resource! I think more than the dictionary they were excited to see the longest word ever 1,909 letters.
Thanks to the Cloverdale Lions Club for our new dictionaries. Each student got his/her own dictionary to use during the school year and then take home in May. What a great resource! I think more than the dictionary they were excited to see the longest word ever 1,909 letters.
Saturday, October 5 Fall Festival Don't forget the Fall Festival tomorrow evening. We warmed up today by letting selected students throw pies at teachers. From our class Trip Trammell was selected. Here is a pic of him, me and Mr. Gowen. Teachers will be available tomorrow evening to receive pies as well.
The Art of the Brick Exhibit Indiana State Museum September 29-January 6
My son Ben loved Lego building bricks and everything he could make with them. There is a very cool exhibit coming to the State Museum in Indianapolis featuring some amazing Lego sculptures. With the upcoming breaks (fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas) if you are looking for something to do locally, this may be it. Here is a link to the article about the exhibit: https://www.indianamuseum.org/the-art-of-the-brick
My son Ben loved Lego building bricks and everything he could make with them. There is a very cool exhibit coming to the State Museum in Indianapolis featuring some amazing Lego sculptures. With the upcoming breaks (fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas) if you are looking for something to do locally, this may be it. Here is a link to the article about the exhibit: https://www.indianamuseum.org/the-art-of-the-brick
Wednesday, September 26th Johnny Appleseed Day
We had a great time learning about apples and Johnny Appleseed. We determined that our favorite apple in the taste test was Honey Crisp, but in our classroom it was Ginger gold. Thanks to everyone who sent in apples and caramel. What a treat! The work will be up in the hallway through conference time. Be sure to check it out when you come in for your conference.
We had a great time learning about apples and Johnny Appleseed. We determined that our favorite apple in the taste test was Honey Crisp, but in our classroom it was Ginger gold. Thanks to everyone who sent in apples and caramel. What a treat! The work will be up in the hallway through conference time. Be sure to check it out when you come in for your conference.
Friday, September 21st Field Trip to McCloud Nature Park
We had a great day! A little damp at times, but over all wonderful. We learned about the water cycle, how a tree grows, and took a nature/scavenger hunt.
We had a great day! A little damp at times, but over all wonderful. We learned about the water cycle, how a tree grows, and took a nature/scavenger hunt.
Friday, September 14th Homecoming Spirit Day
Tuesday, September 10th Twin Day
Monday, September 10th Crazy Hair and Sock Day
Tuesday, September 4th The Great Cup Challenge
Tuesday, August 28th Blue Day and New Student
Monday, August 27th Supporting our Kindergartners
Wednesday, August 22nd A Great Opportunity
Here is a great opportunity to explore some of Greencastle's trails by bike! Hope you can take part. Here is a link with the information: bike_with_a_bio_flier-_final.pdf
Here is a great opportunity to explore some of Greencastle's trails by bike! Hope you can take part. Here is a link with the information: bike_with_a_bio_flier-_final.pdf
Tuesday, August 14th Multiplication Monsters
Yesterday we began working on our multiplication monsters. A letter explaining the entire process should have come home. Our monsters are beginning to grow. Today seven students earned their heads by passing the 0/1 multiplication timed test (30 problems in one minute). Our first timed test for a grade will be on Friday (0/1 - 50 problems in five minutes).
Yesterday we began working on our multiplication monsters. A letter explaining the entire process should have come home. Our monsters are beginning to grow. Today seven students earned their heads by passing the 0/1 multiplication timed test (30 problems in one minute). Our first timed test for a grade will be on Friday (0/1 - 50 problems in five minutes).
Friday, August 10th Watermelon Day
We had a great start this week. We ended on a high note with Watermelon Day.
We had a great start this week. We ended on a high note with Watermelon Day.
Friday, August 3rd First Day of Third Grade
We had a great first day! Thanks to everyone for signing the photo release so I can share!
We had a great first day! Thanks to everyone for signing the photo release so I can share!
WELCOME to third grade!!!! This will be a very exciting year. Third grade is a year of academic challenge for students. This is a “growing up”
year. The curriculum is packed and the pace is quick. Students are expected to work more independently and to become responsible for their own work and organization. They will gain the skills to work more independently. We will be using computers almost daily in the classroom.
From this page you can click links above to show upcoming events (both school and classroom), parent information that may be important for you to know, the weekly focus, which is a summary of our weekly classroom activities, and a link to our Central site.
Please check your child's blue assignment folder daily. Graded papers, homework, and school announcements should be in this folder. The back pocket should contain the weekly assignment sheet.
Please make sure that you have signed the photo release from registration. Without all parents signing, I cannot post class photos. I love to share our school day with you.
About the Third grade curriculum:
Language Arts: Reading, Spelling, and English.
Reading
The school adopted reading program will be the primary sources of instruction, but we will incorporate other materials such as novels throughout the year. Most days we will have a silent reading time. For this time the students will be required to select and read grade appropriate books on their own. They will present book talks to the class monthly over something they read and will be required to keep a reading log.
English and Writing
We will have weekly grammar lessons on nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions, and more. There will be a weekly grammar quiz. We will work on writing paragraphs and multi-paragraph works. We will work very hard this year to master neat and legible printing and cursive writing. Our writing assignments will range from basic complete sentences (at the beginning of the year) to complete stories, reports, poetry and letters.
Spelling
Spelling lists will generally be sent home on Friday for the following week. They will also be in the weekly focus page of this site. Students will take a pretest on Wednesday. If they pass that test with a 100%, they will not be required to take the test on Friday. We also have 3rd grade Spelling Bees (one each nine weeks). Those lists will come home on the first week of the nine week period.
Math
Third grade mathematics is very challenging. Hopefully, students already have their addition and subtraction facts mastered. Our math curriculum is fast paced and difficult. We will review for about a week and then hit the ground running. We teach a spiral curriculum, reviewing each concept as we progress through the year. We will learn our multiplication and division facts. We work with time, money, fractions, geometry, and more.
Science and Social Studies
This is the first year that students receive a letter grade in Science and Social Studies. There will also be the occasional test. We do a lot of hands on in both Science and Social Studies. We sue this time to help students learn to be familiar with their books and how to find information they need in it. Most work is one at school, but there may be the occasionally project to be done at home. In Science our topics focus on sound/light, rocks/minerals, plants, and simple machines. In Social studies we will focus on community, government, US History (early), and maps. We usually teach science for half of the nine weeks and social studies the other half, although there will be a few grades during the "off" time. We will teach Social Studies the first semester and Science the second semester.
State Mandated Tests
Third grade is the first year that students will take the ISTEP+ Test (in whatever format they finally decide). This test is given in two parts and covers reading and math skills. More information will be shared about this in The spring. Also, this is the year that students must pass the Indiana standardized test called I-Read3. This is a state test, but is not a part of the ISTEP+ test.
Help at home
Research has repeatedly shown that the most accurate predictor of a pupil’s achievement is not parent income, but the extent to which parents create a home environment that encourages learning. Children are twice as likely to read outside the classroom if they are encouraged to read by both their mother and father. Benefits for children who are encouraged to read by their parents include: higher academic achievement being happier as adults earning higher incomes living healthier lives If you can spare just ten minutes a day to read with your children you can make a huge difference to their development and help give your children the best start in life so they can succeed.
About Mrs. Phillips
This is my 25th year teaching in public schools. Previously to that I taught at both the Indianapolis and Louisville Zoos. This is my eighth year in 3rd grade. I have also taught Title I, first grade, second grade, and fifth grade. My bachelor’s degree is in elementary education/learning disabilities from Miami University in Ohio. I have a Masters of School Administration from Indiana State University. I love teaching and watching the students grow and mature. It is wonderful to see them become independent thinkers.
My husband, John, and I live in Greencastle. Between us we have three grown children. My son Ben, who graduated from South Putnam in 2007, lives in Bloomington and works for BloomingFoods. John has two daughters, Mandy and Angela. We have four grandchildren, including 14 year old triplets. We enjoy riding bikes, hiking and traveling.