Hello Parents!
I have quite a bit of news to share with you regarding some minor changes in our homework routine as
well as information about the many upcoming events we have planned here at Pfaff!
Math: This week we will be starting Unit 3 which places a heavy emphasis on measurement. However,
this unit begins with a brief introduction to multiplication to give students an opportunity to start
practicing their facts ahead of time before we delve into an entire unit on multiplication and division in
Unit 4. We introduce multiplication using repeated addition, equal groups, arrays, and skip counting.
Tomorrow, we will begin our multiplication routines to help students become fluent with their facts.
This week we will focus only on the 0s and 1s facts. Each week, students will be responsible for
mastering a new fact. At the beginning of the week students will be introduced to a new fact and
provided with a reference sheet to study from. (This week they will be given a reference sheet for the 0s
and 1s facts.) Students will also be responsible for completing a practice homework sheet for these
problems. Practice homework sheets will be given at the start of each week when a new fact is
introduced, and the practice sheet will be due every Thursday. Students will take a 4 minute timed quiz
containing 50 problems on the given fact for each week every Thursday as well. If your child does not
show mastery (45/50) of that week’s fact, he/she will be given until the following Monday to study the
fact again before being reassessed. In this case, your child will have a “ticket” stapled to his/her quiz to
be signed and returned. Students will not be assessed on a new fact until they’ve demonstrated
mastery of the previous week’s fact. The grade level wide incentive for mastering every fact will be an
ice cream sundae party. Students will reach this goal at various points in the year depending on the
amount of fact practice they put in.
It is imperative that your child practices his/her facts at home on a daily basis. This can be done through
self-made flash cards for each fact, store bought flashcards, and/or “Fact Dash” which is available at
www.everydaymathonline.com. One of the best online resources for practicing math facts is Reflex
Math. Usernames and passwords for these resources can be found behind your child’s technology tab in
his/her binder. Students will rotate through some extra practice during Target Time stations, but this will
not be enough time to establish fluency with every fact.
Reading/Language Arts: We will be wrapping up Unit 1 this week. Students will have a break from RELA
homework and a Spelling test this week. Please use this time to wrap your minds around the new
multiplication homework/study routine. We will resume with regular RELA homework on Monday of
next week. Please keep in mind that the Spelling test for each lesson is administered the same day that
the RELA homework packet is due.
Writing – Students will be typing up their final drafts of their personal narratives using Google
Documents. Students will be “sharing” their documents with me so that I can make edits and
suggestions for their piece electronically. Students will be able to access this document in their Google
Drive from home using the username and password listed on the paper behind their “Technology” tab in
their binders. We will review this process of accessing their documents in school.
Science: Our unit on Rocks and Minerals will be coming to a close soon. Students will complete a Study
Guide toward the end of the unit to review material that will appear on the end of unit assessment. This
study guide will serve as an excellent tool to prepare your child for the assessment which will be given
before the marking period ends.
Events:
 Red Ribbon Week will take place from Oct. 26th – Oct. 30th
o Monday: Wear Red
o Wednesday: Students will go home with a Red Ribbon Week Tattoo that they are
encouraged to wear on Friday for Race for Education! Students will also go home with a
water bottle today to use on Friday. PLEASE LABEL YOUR CHILD’S WATER BOTTLE since
all students at Pfaff will have the same one.
o Thursday: Wear your favorite team’s gear!
o Friday: Sign Drug Free Pledge (In School)
 Race for Education – Friday October 30th
o Third grade races from 1:25 – 2:25 PM
Lastly, the third grade team agreed that we will not have an official Fall Party this year. We are allowed 2
class parties per year, and we have decided to have a Winter Party and an End of the Year party as our
two choices.
I appreciate all of your support to ensure that your child is successful as we progress in our studies! As
always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Enjoy your week. 
Sincerely,
Emily Farrell
Grade Three
Pfaff Elementary School