I just made a new Voki. See it here:

Monday, March 25, 2013

March 25-29

I hope you were all able to enjoy some fun family time during Spring Break!  I have to admit that I love snow, but I am NOT overly fond of our pal, Phil.  Spring was supposed to be here WEEKS ago!  Hopefully this weekend's storm was the last blast for the season. 

Now that we have returned, we are back in full swing.  MATH STATE ASSESSMENTS are next week!  We will be doing a lot of final preparation and review this week.  Your child should be bringing home a Math Playbook that he or she should be studying EVERY night.  Please make sure this stays in their homework folder and returns to school each day, too.  We'll have some time to review it at school as well. 

Here are some important dates for you to know for the remainder of the year:
March 26-- Mother/ Son Skate Night
March 28--Spring Pictures
March 29– College/Professional Sports Spirit Day
April 2-4-- Math State Assessments
April 19--Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
April 22, 23, 25-- Spring MAP Assessments
Arpil 24-- Ernie Miller Field Trip
April 29-May 3-- Science Week
May 10-- Science Fair
May 21-- Assessment Reward- walk to the park
May 23-- Field Day and LAST Day of School

Here is a look at this week:
Reading-  This week in reading we will begin reading about inventors.

Math-  The students will be reviewing important assessment topics this week.  Each teacher will specialize in one topic and all of the classes will rotate from room to room for a review.   There will be a review homework assignment each night.

Spelling-  No spelling this week!  Have students study their Math Playbook instead.

Social Studies- The students will continue to learn about economics this week.  They will be hosting a lemonade stand on Friday for all of the 1st and 2nd graders.  The students will be selling lemonade and fruit snacks for $.50 each.  The money they earn will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand which is an organization that raises funds to help to fight childhood cancer.

Have a great week!!

Monday, March 11, 2013

March 11-15

Hello!

The class was so focused last week, and they all performed their very best on the test.  We have received the PRELIMINARY scores of the Kansas State Reading Assessments.  I informed your child of the performance category in which he or she scored on the assessment. They will also be bringing home a paper showing that information to you as well.  I also wrote one strength and one or two areas on which to focus their studies to improve reading.
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Upcoming Dates:
March 14-- Last day of the 3rd quarter
March 15-24-- No School-- SPRING BREAK
March 26-- Mother/Son Skate Party
April 2-4-- Math State Assessments

A look at this week . . .

Reading and Social Studies:
We will be reading about Economics in a cross-curricular unit this week.  The class will learn about some key economic ideas such as goods, services, budgets, wants and needs. 

Spelling:
The spelling list this week will also be related to Economics.  The focus will be on vocabulary words related to this topic.  The final test will be on Thursday.

Math
We will complete Topic 9, about fractions, with a final test on Wednesday.  We will also be tying all of our economic study into a fun final assignment involving fractions with pizza. If your child would like to buy pizza on Thursday, I will be collecting  $2 for each slice each he/she would like to eat.  Students will be limited to only 2 slices as this will be considered and afternoon snack, rather than lunch.

Science:
We are completing our study on Force and Motion this week.  The students will be working in groups to create and build roller coasters.  They will test them out with marbles. 

Writing:
Published books are due Wednesday!!  Students have beeen working very hard to complete them and several have already finished.  We will be mailing their completed work to the publishing company by the end of this week.  If you have NOT signed your parent form that will allow your child to receive a free book, PLEASE SEND IT IN BY WEDNESDAY!

Enjoy Spring Break!  Hopefully, we will have some warming weather for it!

Monday, March 4, 2013

March 4-8

Well, it looks like we may have a FULL week of school this week!! It seems like a long time ago that the kids have spent 5 days at school in a row!

The time has finally arrived: READING STATE ASSESSMENTS!!
The 3rd graders will be taking their state reading tests on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings this week. Here are a few things that you can do to help your child prepare for them and to help them do their best:
1. Make sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable hour ensuring that they get a good night's sleep.
2. Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast. Some suggestions are eggs and toast, yogurt and fruit, or oatmeal. They will be testing first thing in the morning, so eating breakfast is crucial for optimal performance.
3. Avoid having morning appointments for your child for these 3 mornings.  Your child can always make-up the test if they miss; however, they are often less stressed when they can take it with the rest of the class.

Thanks for your help, I know they will do GREAT!!

Here is a list of some important upcoming dates:
March 4-- A new reading program is beginning today. Your child should have a reading log to fill out in their Monday folder.
March 14-- Last day of the 3rd quarter
March 15-24-- No School-- SPRING BREAK
April 2-4-- Math State Assessments

Here is what we will be working on this week in class:
Reading-- State Assessments

Spelling-- No list this week due to assessments

Math-- We began learning about fractions last week and will continue learning about them this week. Students will learn about fractional parts of a set, locate fractions on a number line, and identify benchmark fractions (the most common ones like 1/2 and 1/4).

Writing-- Students will be creating an autobiography that will be PUBLISHED into a real book. In your child's Monday folder today, you will recieve a form that will allow you to order books. You will get ONE FREE, but are able to order more. I need a parent signature for EVERY child in order for them to recieve the free book.

Science-- We will continue our study of Force, Motion and Sound this week.

Have a super week!