Pom’ via CompfightMarch Happenings
Well, I guess we are skipping winter this year. I just wanted one, One, ONE GINORMOUS snowfall.
So, we shall move onto spring. The icicles and snowflakes have melted in my room and spring’s new beginnings are about to pop up all over my room. So exciting!
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
We have been talking a lot about commitment, our February’s trait. This homeroom tries to show so much commitment in so many ways; friendships, peer relationships, family meetings, cafeteria behavior, respect towards this school, the adults, and their peers. Now, we shall move our conversation to RESPECT.
Mrs. M’s ELA
I think we are definitely coming in like a lion, even though our forecast might not agree. I have seen so much growth in their writings, readings, and conversations. We are finishing up learning about severe weather and landforms and are moving on to making goals and planning for them. Please continue reading with your child and talking about that reading so that they all can continue making sense of his/her world.
Mrs. M’s Math
This is one of my favorite units; Generating and Analyzing Data. It is such a hands-on unit. We have already collected some data concerning ourselves to put into graphs and to analyze. And of course, we will be making graphs representative of our new season. Please continue having your child practice his/her math facts, especially multiplication. Mathematic fluency is so beneficial in life.
Tah Tah for now-
Mrs. Mergenthaler
blog: https://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
Important Dates
March 2-6 Read Across America
March 6th-April April 3rd Big Read
March 13th Spring pictures
Book Fair week of March 16th
March 18th Early Dismissal
March 20th STEAM Fair
March 26th End of marking Period
Michał Kosmulski via Compfight
February Happenings
Happy February, Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well. How can such a short month be so full? I can’t believe we are in the third marking period already. I am writing this as I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get a boatload of snow in our near future. I love winter’s cold snowy self. I just don’t like driving in it. Here are some things that are going on in third grade…
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
We will be exchanging Valentines in homeroom this year. The students will be able to place the cards in their fellow students’ envelopes during homeroom time the week of February 10th. On Thursday, the students will get to go through their valentines that last half hour before our early dismissal. This is totally optional. We have no known allergies. A list of all your child’s homeroom fellow students’ names is attached to this newsletter.
Mrs. M’s ELA
We just finished our module where the students came up with a new flavor of ice cream to try to get our school to sell. We are now moving on to our world’s weather and what to do if…. The students will become meteorologists, so to speak, and inform the community about approaching severe weather conditions and what they should do to stay safe.
Mrs. M’s Math
We have traveled through time, money management, and measurement. We have now entered a mathematical world full of the area and perimeter involving multiplication and division. Please, please, please, allow your child to practice those math facts at home. Fluency in all four operations, especially multiplication and division, is going to be so important in their mathematical world.
Important Dates
Feb. 13 Early Dismissal/Valentine’s Day card exchange in homeroom
Feb. 14 No School/in-service
Feb. 17 Vacation Day (snow make-up day)
Please Remember
Your child and you can access our ELANCO pages through my blog at:
http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
January 2, 2020
Happy New Year to Everyone! I can’t believe it is 2020. I have been practice writing it and it is not going so great. Let me apologize ahead of time if important papers come to you with the wrong year on them. I hope you all had a wonderful winter break. Maybe we will experience actual Old Man Winter weather soon. However, apparently not at this moment.
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
Our room is somewhat back to normal. Winter is still up. Gumdrop has left our classroom as well as everything he brought to it. Last year, Llummy the Leprechaun came for a short visit. We shall see. Please remember to sign your child’s daily agendas. I know, I have been slacking on this, also.
Mrs. M’s ELA
Parent Career Day is rescheduled for January 22nd, 2020, from 10:15-12:00. Thank you to all, in advance, who are going to try to volunteer to share their careers with our third grade. Just drop me an email or write me a note. You must have your clearances to participate. We will be learning about our economy and finance for the next few weeks which will fit in nicely with math. I am looking for a parent interested in making ice cream with the students. The students are to create a new ice cream that is both nutritional and yummy.
Mrs. M’s Math
We explored measurement before the holidays. Now, we will be continuing this unit’s adventure through money; counting, subtracting, making change. Also, we are learning about time and elapsed time. Any additional help you can provide from home would be greatly appreciated.
A final thought…
Thank you so much for all the wonderful gifts and kind words. You all put a lot of thought into them. My family and I enjoyed and are still enjoying every single one of them.
Sincerely, Mrs. Mergenthaler
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 (Just practicing)
Brook Ward via Compfight
Greetings Families,
We have a package arriving today from the north Pole. Many of the students think it may be Elf on the Shelf. Time will tell. So exciting!
Also, we are slowly turning our room into a winter wonderland. Icicles, snowflakes, snowmen, and so much more will be added to our very traditional classroom, hehe.
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
The students are very excited about the party, which is on December 20th at 1:45. We are looking for volunteers to help make our Winter Festival the bestest ever! Our room oversees the providing of sweet treats. We have no known allergies. We will have games, music, crafts, and just plain old sensational seasonal fun! Please let us know if you are interested in attending and/or helping.
ELA
What a busy busy time we will be having for the remainder of this year! A special thematic writing center will be set up. We will be comparing and contrasting different versions of literatures, some old and some new. A lot of surprises will be occurring. A lot of blogging entries will be written. Also, we should be finishing up our literature circle books before holiday break. We will continue to learn about matter and future careers.
We are looking for a few parents to come and share their workdays with the students on December 11th ; how the jobs came to be, what kind of school and/or training was needed, the ups and downs, and so forth. Please let us know if you are interested is sharing
Math
We are moving on to measurement, time, and money. Please take advantage of those teachable moments at home when you are cooking and baking with regards to fractions and measurement. Math fact practice is still extremely important. The students are getting stronger with multiplication fluency. Rounding and subtraction still tends to be a struggle for some.
Thank you so much for all the support you give your child,
Respectfully,
Mrs. Mergenthaler
dawn_mergenthaler@elanco.org or http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
Happy November Families!
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
What wonderful field trips we had. The students were so wonderful. They were appreciative, inquisitive, and kind. There are many pictures for you to view on my blog. They learned about days of yore and agriculture galore.
Please remember to make sure students fill in their agendas before you sign them. Also, please check through their blue plastic folders often for important information, some of which, needs to be returned to the school.
Mrs. M’s ELA
These students are working so hard in class. They really are completing their work and reading and reflecting on that reading A LOT. They are blogging about their lives and their experiences. They are putting many assignments on to Seesaw. Don’t forget that you can access Seesaw to see their work.There is a picture of it in the photo gallery section of my blog, as well as others.
Mrs. M’s Math
Fractions are everywhere! That is what the student are learning about right now. Our math room is hustling with hands on learning experiences involving fractions. You can find photos and videos of our classroom activities on my blog and on Seesaw. Enjoy! I know the children are quite proud of themselves. Please, keep practicing those math facts with your child, especially multiplication and subtraction. This practice will help the students soooooo much in the future.
Don’t Forget to Check Out My Blog
There is a photo gallery, a link to your child’ s Gateway so that they can practice reading, math and spelling from home, a photo gallery of the past month and so much more! http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
You all have a wonderful November.
Sincerely, Mrs. M
Important Dates:
Conferences: November 7 and 8
November 13 Early dismissal
Food Drive through November 18th
November 22 Spaghetti Dinner
November 27-December 2 Vacation
October Newsletter 2019
Hello-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Our first newsletter for the year, I can’t even believe it myself.
Homeroom
What a great group of students! They are so supportive of each other and so eager to help in any way shape for form. I love it! The students have a better understanding of the 3rd grade expectations and seem to be moving right along. We spent the past couple of weeks having lunch together in small groups so that we can learn even more about each other. Our morning family meetings have also helped with this.
We had a fun-filled time at Brubaker Park for Ag Day. They children saw farm animals, rode on a hayride, learned about the business part of agriculture, and played some games. To get the 411 on what all the students did on that day, I encourage you to visit my class blog and read about your children’s adventures.
Please remember to read and sign your child’s agenda each night. Reading for 15 minutes and math facts for 2 minutes is always for homework Monday through Thursday.
ELA
Agriculture and recycling have been the push behind what we have been learning about in class. We went on two VR trips to a landfill and a local farm. One of the students said, “This is the best day of my life!” So funny. We have started blogging. You can access their homework assignments on Google Classroom which is on the Gateway which is on Mrs. M’s Blog. Reminder: There is a spelling test most Fridays. Hopefully, you have seen your child’s spelling words. I am still in need of parent help for anyone interested.
Math
We have been learning about multiplication and division involving the factors 2,3,4,5, and 10. Please make sure your child is practicing those math facts. I sent home ideas as to how to do this practice earlier in the year. Next, we will be entering the world of fractions. I love fractions because they are so hands-on and full of yummy possibilities. I am still in need of parent help for anyone interested.
Thank you so much for sharing your child and children with me,
Mrs. Mergenthaler
Email: dawn_mergenthaler@elanco.org
Upcoming important dates:
October 4th Early Dismissal
October 9th Fire Safety Day
October 16th – Fire Safety –“The Smoke House Experience
October 24th field trip to Landis Valley Farms
Mrs. M’s blog: http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/ There are links for Google Classroom and the Gateway on this link, as well as the wise words of my students…and oodles of pictures!
April Happenings 
Tom Jutte via Compfight
Happy Spring Families!
Thank you for your responses pertaining to Mrs. Opdyke’s baby shower. It is still not to late to email or call me about volunteering treats and/or your time for the party. Again, presents are not necessary. We just thought this would give all involved closure as Mrs. Opdyke makes her exciting exit! The party is April 26th at 2:15. You can email me at dawn_mergenthaler@elanco.org or call me at (717) 354-1525 (room 105).
Homeroom This and That’s and the Other Things…
I hope you have had a moment to see what fun my homeroom had the Friday before my birthday. It may help to know, I am an April Fool’s Day baby. You can see what I put them through on my blog at
http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/ . PSSA’s will be taken in homeroom classes on April 15, 16, and 17 and April 29 and 30. Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and has a healthy breakfast. Of course, the school will provide breakfast as usual. Snacks will not be provided during the PSSA time. We encourage your child to bring water to drink during the test.
ELA Times
We are all just preparing ourselves for the end of this school year. They have worked so hard and have grown so much. I am so proud of every one of my students. We are learning about the history of PA and how to prepare yourself for success in school and life. Please keep checking out their blogs. You will find some interesting entries and lots and lots of pictures!
Math
We have moved on from area and perimeter and now we have entered a math world full of DATA, reading, interpreting, and creating data, and geometry with regards to shapes and their attributes. Please keep having your child practice his or her math facts. Math fact fluency is so important for the math that is ahead of them.
Spring has most definitely sprung in third grade!
Mrs. Mergenthaler
Important Dates:
April 15- 17 PSSA ELA
April 18th No School
April 19th No School
April 22 Snow Make Up Day
April 26th Sh!!! Mrs. Opdyke’s shower (2:15)
April 29-30 PSSA Math
February Happenings
tdlucas5000 via Compfight
Happy February, Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well. How can such a short month be so full? I can’t believe we are in the third marking period already. I am writing this as the snow is really coming down and reminding me that winter is not yet over. Fortunately for me, I love winter’s cold snowy self. I just don’t like driving in it. Here are some things that are going on in third grade…
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
We will be exchanging Valentines in homeroom this year. The students will be able to place the cards in their fellow students’ envelopes during homeroom time the week of February 11th. On Thursday, the students will get to go through their Valentines that last half hour before our early dismissal. This is totally optional. We have no known allergies. A list of all your child’s homeroom fellow students’ names will be attached to this newsletter.
Mrs. M’s ELA
We just finished our module where the students came up with a new flavor of ice cream to try to get our school to sell. They wrote persuasive pieces and created posters. You can see their ideas on Seesaw and on their blogs. We are now moving on to our world’s weather and what to do if…. The students will become meteorologists, so to speak, and inform the community about approaching severe weather conditions and what they should do to stay safe.
Mrs. M’s Math
We have traveled through time, money management, and measurement. We are now entering a mathematical world full of the multiplication and division of tricky numbers. The children are using a program called Reflex to help them with math fact fluency. They are excited about this. Please, please, please, allow your child to practice those math facts at home. Fluency in all four operations, especially multiplication and division, is going to be so important from now on.
Important Dates
Feb. 14 Early Dismissal/Valentine’s Day card exchange in homeroom
Feb. 15 No School
Feb. 18 Vacation Day
Please Remember
Your child and you can access our ELANCO pages through my blog at:
http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
FYI
We are collecting clean plastic bags from stores for a special schoolwide project next year. We need tons!
Also, we are asking the students and the families to make Valentine’s Day cards for our senior citizens, veterans, and military. These cards must be brought to school no later than February 4th.
Thank you so very much,
Dawn Mergenthaler
Marco Verch via Compfight
December Happenings 2018
Greetings Families,
My students and I received a special letter that stated that we would be receiving a special package this coming Friday, November 30th. However, we can’t even open the package until Monday morning. My, oh my, what could it be? We know that it is fragile and that it is to arrive promptly at 3:20…SO EXCITING!
Also, we are slowly turning our room into a winter wonderland. Icicles, snowflakes, snowmen, and so much more will be added to our very traditional classroom, hehe.
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
The students are very excited about the party, which is on December 21st at 2:00. We are looking for volunteers to help make our Winter Festival the bestest ever! Our room is in charge of providing sweet treats. We have no known allergies. We will have games, music, crafts, and just plain old sensational seasonal fun! Please let us know if you are interested in attending and/or helping.
ELA
What a busy busy time we will be having for the remainder of this year! A special thematic writing center will be set up. We will be comparing and contrasting different versions of literatures, some old and some new. A lot of surprises will be occurring. A lot of blogging entries will be written. Also, we should be finishing up our literature circle books before holiday break. We will continue to learn about matter and future careers.
We are looking for a few parents to come and share their work days with the students on January 8th; how the jobs came to be, what kind of school and/or training was needed, the ups and downs, and so forth. Please let us know if you are interested is sharing
Math
We are finishing up with fractions for now and moving on to measurement, time, and money. Please take advantage of those teachable moments at home when you are cooking and baking with regards to fractions and measurement. Math fact promise is still extremely important. The students are getting stronger with multiplication fluency. Rounding and subtraction still tends to be a struggle for some.
Thank you so much for all the support you give your child,
Respectfully,
Mrs. Mergenthaler
dawn_mergenthaler@elanco.org or http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
Happy November Families! 
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
What wonderful field trips we had. The students were so wonderful. They were appreciative, inquisitive, and kind. I couldn’t ask for a better homeroom. There are many pictures for you to view on my blog. They learned about days of yore and agriculture galore. Please remember to make sure they fill in their agendas before you sign them. Also, please check through their blue plastic folders often for important information, some of which, needs to be returned to the school.
Mrs. M’s ELA
These students are working so hard in class. They really are completing their work and reading and reflecting on that reading A LOT. They are blogging about their lives and their experiences. They are putting many assignments on to Seesaw. Don’t forget that you can access Seesaw to see their work. They are so proud of their Red Ribbon Week project. There is a picture of it in the photo gallery section of my blog, as well as others. We are now comparing and contrasting the book we read, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to its original movie. You may hear them talking about this at home. Finally, we are launching our Crayola Project and introducing it to the school with our Google Slide presentations that the students have created. A paper will be coming home soon about what this project is all about.
Mrs. M’s Math
Fractions are everywhere! That is what the student are learning about right now. Our math room is hustling with hands on learning experiences involving fractions. You can find photos and videos of our classroom activities on my blog and on Seesaw. Enjoy! I know the children are quite proud of themselves. Please, keep practicing those math facts with your child, especially multiplication and subtraction. This practice will help the students soooooo much in the future.
Don’t Forget to Check Out My Blog
There is a photo gallery, a link to your child’ s Gateway so that they can practice reading, math and spelling from home, a photo gallery of the past month and so much more! http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
You all have a wonderful November.
Sincerely, Mrs. M
Important Dates:
Conferences: November 8th and 9th
November 9th: Book orders due for my homeroom
Picture Day Make-up – November 28
Katrinitsa via Compfight
Welcome Autumn!
Hello families,
So far so GREAT!. This year is proving to be a truly KIND year. This year’s students are so supportive of each other. They are sharing the workload with their collaborative partners. They are helping each other during independent times so that all can be successful. And the contributions during direct discussions are so welcomed and appreciated.
Mrs. M’s Homeroom
This is the only I time I get to see some of these students. I find this time very precious. However, with the special lunches, short transition games, songs and jokes, and just old fashioned conversation, that gap is being filled. Please remember to check and sign their agendas each night and to sign their accountability chart at the end of each week. Also, we need a written note when your child is absent, getting picked up early or differently.
Mrs. M’s ELA
Wow! The children are working so hard. They are learning about agriculture and being recycling advocates. The whole third grade is getting the whole school to collect dried-up markers so that Crayola can recycle them into fuel for industries. Any kinds of markers will do; dry erase, permanent, generic, and of course Crayola. Dried-up markers from home will not be rejected. Please remember that students will have a spelling quiz on Fridays, for the most part. There are always exceptions, isn’t that the truth?! Remember your child is to read each night for 15 minutes, also.
Mrs. M’s Math
We are multiplying our little hearts out. The students are trying to master the 0-5 times tables. Please encourage them at home. If they can master all their times tables, future math will be so much easier, I promise. Other struggling areas I am seeing are subtraction and rounding. Again, please encourage your child to work on these kinds of math facts each night for at least 2 minutes. Just a reminder, your child will have a math worksheet most Mondays through Thursdays.
Mrs. M’s Blog
This blog is still a major work in progress. I am trying to update it. Please be patient. Willy Wonka: So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.
- Mrs. M’s Blog : http://blog.elanco.org/dmergenthaler/
Important Dates:
- Early Dismissal October 5th
- Fire Prevention Expo October 10th
- Garden Spot Football Players visit October 11th
- Walking Taco Dinner Night October 12th
- Agriculture Day October 16th
- Landis Valley Farms October 18th
- Picture Day October 22nd