Welcome, all!

Greenwood's theme for the 2021-2022 school is, as voted by staff and students is, "Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters."  My focus with the students will be for them to be "thoughtful and careful."  Being thoughtful is thinking about what you're doing.  And being careful is how you do something.

Third graders will be discussing setting goals and attaining them with a concentration on Social and Emotional Learning through the 7 Habits of Happy Kids. They are as follows: Habit 1 - Be Proactive (You're in Charge), Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind (Have a Plan), Habit 3 - Put First Things First (Work First Then Play), Habit 4 - Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win), Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand Than Be Understood (Listen First), Habit 6 - Synergize (Together is Better), and Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best). Using the metaphor of a healthy tree, Habits 1–3 focus on developing a strong “personal root system,” building character and becoming more independent. Habits 4–6 teach skills of working well with others, and becoming more interdependent. Habit 7 is about taking care of oneself in order to ensure great leadership can continue into the future.

Academically, third grade will be focusing on reading. Your child as a second grader has spent a lot of time on strategies, but I want my third graders to get in the practice of picking up a book and reading just for the joy of reading!  The more you practice, the better you get.  The school's focus will be in math, as well.  Students will have a chance to solve a variety of problems, but also discuss their thinking. I want my students to take some risks and challenge themselves.

In third grade, we will continue to work on cultivating a growth mindset.  This means that all students can learn and be anything he or she wants to with hard work and no limits! Here are a few links to check out: (What is a growth mindset?  Check out this YouTube video!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVUqv0v1EE

(Will.i.am and the Sesame Street Crew)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyVzjoj96vs&list=PLmQSJICY9X0fEdDOwepUX60JvBiYAqqap&index=16

(Children talking about having a growth mindset)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sixp6QJP9rM&list=PLmQSJICY9X0fEdDOwepUX60JvBiYAqqap&index=18

Announcements, reminders, homework, and videos will be posted to Class Dojo.  Make sure to join and check us out!  Feel free to contact me with a Dojo message, letter, email (kwhitley@htsdnj.org), or a phone call (609.631.4151).  Our district's theme is: Building a Better Tomorrow Together.  We are a team, and it is my goal for us to work together to help your child be successful!  I am very excited to work with you and your child throughout the school year.