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Dear Parents,
My name is Brent LaFay and I will be your child’s third grade teacher.
I would like to be the first to welcome you to Meadows Valley Elementary, and more specifically my classroom for the
2009-2010 school year.
First, a little about myself...I became interested in education and
teaching while attending high school in Lewiston, ID. There I served as a Teacher's Aide in my mother's
first grade classroom for three years. From there I enrolled in the elementary education program at Lewis
Clark State College receiving my Elementary Education degree in 2001. During the Winter/Spring of 2001
I was employed as a substitute teacher for the Meadows Valley and McCall-Donnelly School Districts. After
these enriching experiences, I applied for and was hired as the third grade teacher at Meadows Valley. Since
then I have spent eight years teaching third grade.
I am excited to spend this next school
year working with you and your child.
Sincerely,
Mr. LaFay
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Click on the Pencil to view Mr. LaFay’s Rules & Expectations.
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Click Photo for Highlights
of 3rd Graders Kayaking at Zims with Mr. LaFay!
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Click Here to View the Meadows Valley Elementary Handbook
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Read Mr. LaFay's story.
Click on his photograph. |
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What We Learned in 3rd Grade this Last Week...
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History
& Geography
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Writing: During writing this week we have completed the rough drafts for our first five
paragraph essay in third grade. This essay is entitled Summer Memories and is a narrative of our most meaningful
summer activities. Mr. LaFay was very proud of how well we were able to organize our writing into paragraphs!
Next week we will be working on revising, editing, and publishing our essays. |
History: In History this week we have been learning all about Canada. We made a huge
map puzzle of Canada and colored the different geographic regions. We have learned that Canada has a lot
of similarities with the U.S. and some differences, like their money and health care. We are looking forward
to working on our province reports next week.
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Reading: In Reading this week we have been reading Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Pollaco.
This was a very touching about a young girl (Patricia Pollaco) who has dyslexia. We loved this book
so much we have been researching more about her and the books she writes. At the listening center we have
been reading the book Ronald Morgan Goes to Camp. |
Science:
Information coming your way next week. |
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Math: Math this week consisted of four lessons with math games on Friday. In our lessons we worked
with number grids to find differences, reviewed money, calculator routines, and probability. On Friday
we learned a fun new game called, “Number Grid Difference.” |
Health:
We have not started our health lessons yet. We will probably begin the week of the 21st. |
Dear Parents,
You can expect your third grader to be bringing home homework every Monday unless you
are notified otherwise. I send home reading, math, and spelling homework each Monday and expect it to be
handed in on Fridays. The reading homework will be 20 minutes of reading per night Monday thru Thursday,
but I would encourage your child to read more. As part of this 20 minute reading I send home a weekly fluency
and comprehension assignment that has specific skills for your child to work on.
Math homework
will be a worksheet or activity for each lesson of the week that will reinforce concepts taught during the week.
They are responsible for writing the math lesson number for each day, so you will know what "home link" worksheet
to do with them that day.
The spelling homework will be a practice worksheet for the week’s
spelling words. Also, if a student has trouble finishing any assignments in class they may be asked
to take them home to finish.
Mr. LaFay
Click on the Pencil to view Mr. LaFay's Homework Policy
Click Here for 3rd Grade Core Knowledge Information
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Meadows Valley School
Student of the Month: 
Click the Giving 100% Stamp for Mr. LaFay's Student of the Month information
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Planners/Agendas in 3rd Grade...
We will be continuing use of student planners this school year. At the end of each day
your child will write down any assignments they did not finish for that day including the math lesson we did that day that
will correlate with their math homework. Inside the planner you will find your child’s
spelling list (added on Tuesdays), and the title of their A.R. book. There is a small space for parent comments and
questions within the planner. I check the planners each day and will respond to any comments or questions that you have
written. Planners need to be returned each day.
If these get lost, students will be expected to pay for another one at $5.00.
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YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Call
me at home 634-7599 or at school 347-2411. Thank
you for your time and I look forward to another productive year with your students.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brent LaFay
Click Here to E-Mail Mr. LaFay
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IMPORTANT 3rd Grade Parent Information
Volunteers...Click Here
Click Here...Supplies
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Accelerated
Reader:
Your child will be particpating in the Accelerated Reader program in 3rd grade. This program
is designed to help your student become more fluent readers. I will be assessing students to see what level they are
reading at. This program includes tests on the computer and students are expected to read the questions. I
am expecting students to practice reading their Accelerated Reader two times before taking the test. Please be sure
to have your student bring their Accelerated Reading Books back to school each day.
Click Here to Find Out About Mr. LaFay's Book Club Orders
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Friday Folders...
Each Friday, your child will bring home
a folder of their work for the week. Also included in this folder are any notes from the teacher or school. Please
take a moment to review the contents of your child’s folder with them. What a great opportunity for your child
to discuss what they have learned in school the past week! Please be careful to return the folder each Monday, as your
child will only receive one folder per quarter. Also, use the comment section on the folder to let me know if you have
any specific needs.
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Click Here for 3rd Grade Core Knowledge Information
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Click Here for Idaho Content Standards for 3rd Grade
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