Things to Note...
Our field trip to Westcave Preserve was so much fun! Thank you to Susan Curp and Dave Edrich for chaperoning. It was a truly beautiful day, and we learned a lot!
A new spelling list is going home tomorrow (test on Friday 3/10), and there will be homework this week.
Spring Picture orders are due on Friday, March 3.
The Third Grade Economics Fair is just around the corner! Please read this informational letter for details. Students should now be working on making their products at home, in addition to their weekly homework assignment. Please remember that total material costs may not exceed $15, and they will need to have at least 35 of their item to sell at the fair on March 9.
Monday is our STAAR ready math practice test! Please send your child to school with a snack, water bottle, gum (if they think it will help them focus), and a couple of #2 pencils. Just like with the reading, this is going to be a good practice for how the STAAR math test will look and feel like!
Have a great weekend!
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division (test Tuesday); Measurement (Perimeter, time)
Language Arts: Fiction
Social Studies: Economics
Science: Ecosystems
Mark Your Calendars...
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
3/13-3/17: Spring Break!
Elsa England
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Friday, February 17, 2017
Friday, February 17
Things to Note...
Our field trip to Westcave Preserve is on Friday the 24th! Here are a couple of things to note for that day:
The Third Grade Economics Fair is just around the corner! Please read this informational letter for details. Students should now be working on making their products at home, in addition to their weekly homework assignment. Please remember that total material costs may not exceed $15, and they will need to have at least 35 of their item to sell at the fair on March 9.
Students did a great job on the reading STAAR ready practice test! Students had a chance to correct their own test and see which questions they missed. They filled out a reflection form that shows the standards covered in each question. This is going home today along with a stapled slip of paper that says their official score on the test. They will take the math STAAR ready test on Monday the 27th. Please let me know if you have any questions about this information when you have a chance to look it over.
Have a great weekend!
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division
Language Arts: Informational (visual literacy)
Social Studies: Economics
Science: PBL; Weather/Water Cycle
Mark Your Calendars...
2/20: No school for students (Presidents' Day; teacher work day)
2/22: Six Flags Reading Logs due
2/24: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Raney & Lilleboe; other classes go on other dates)
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
3/13-3/17: Spring Break!
Tip of the Week: VIRTUAL Makerspace!
Piggy backing off of my Tip of the Week last Friday...I have started to set up a virtual makerspace on this website! If you click on the "Makerspace" tab, you will find a list of resources that your child can use to be a maker from home. This class is particularly interested in creating and inventing, in part due to our PBL about reusing materials. So, this is a perfect thing to do with them on the weekends. Find a project from one of the virtual makerspace links to work on together using materials you find around your house. If you make something cool, send me a photo! :)
Our field trip to Westcave Preserve is on Friday the 24th! Here are a couple of things to note for that day:
- We have all of the chaperones that we can take. Unfortunately, the location has told us that we must limit the number of people we bring, so we cannot have any more people join us. Unless you have received an email confirmation from me that you will be joining us on the trip, please do not come. We wish we could have everyone join us there, but we cannot on this particular trip. Thank you for understanding!
- Students will need to bring a sack lunch that day, unless they have turned in the lunch order form stating that they will buy a sack lunch from the cafeteria.
- We will be walking outside all day-- please have your child wear sneakers, layers (it has been cooler in the mornings but heats up by afternoon lately), hat/sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. They may also want to bring a water bottle that they can keep track of and carry with them on the trail.
- Students need to wear their Planet Protectors t-shirt!
If you have any questions about this field trip, please let me know.
The Third Grade Economics Fair is just around the corner! Please read this informational letter for details. Students should now be working on making their products at home, in addition to their weekly homework assignment. Please remember that total material costs may not exceed $15, and they will need to have at least 35 of their item to sell at the fair on March 9.
Students did a great job on the reading STAAR ready practice test! Students had a chance to correct their own test and see which questions they missed. They filled out a reflection form that shows the standards covered in each question. This is going home today along with a stapled slip of paper that says their official score on the test. They will take the math STAAR ready test on Monday the 27th. Please let me know if you have any questions about this information when you have a chance to look it over.
Have a great weekend!
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division
Language Arts: Informational (visual literacy)
Social Studies: Economics
Science: PBL; Weather/Water Cycle
Mark Your Calendars...
2/20: No school for students (Presidents' Day; teacher work day)
2/22: Six Flags Reading Logs due
2/24: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Raney & Lilleboe; other classes go on other dates)
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
3/13-3/17: Spring Break!
Tip of the Week: VIRTUAL Makerspace!
Piggy backing off of my Tip of the Week last Friday...I have started to set up a virtual makerspace on this website! If you click on the "Makerspace" tab, you will find a list of resources that your child can use to be a maker from home. This class is particularly interested in creating and inventing, in part due to our PBL about reusing materials. So, this is a perfect thing to do with them on the weekends. Find a project from one of the virtual makerspace links to work on together using materials you find around your house. If you make something cool, send me a photo! :)
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Friday, February 10
Things to Note...
Thank you for your support and participation in our school fundraiser!
The Third Grade Economics Fair is less than a month away! Please read this informational letter for details. Students should be working on making their products at home, in addition to their weekly homework assignment. Please remember that total material costs may not exceed $15, and they will need to have at least 35 of their item to sell at the fair on March 9.
On Monday, third graders will take the STAAR ready reading test. This is a PRACTICE test that will give students experience with how the actual STAAR will look and feel. It will also give me an idea of what skills we need to practice more as a class, and which students might need some individualized attention before the actual test in May. I will share results with you when I get them back. For this practice test, here are some tips:
Our Valentine's party is on Tuesday the 14th at 1:30 pm. Students will need to bring their valentines and box on that day. Please remember to include a valentine for every member of our class. Here is the flyer describing the boxes, in case it has been misplaced. If you need another class list, please email me.
Have a great weekend!
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division
Language Arts: Informational (visual literacy)
Social Studies: Economics
Science: PBL; Weather/Water Cycle
Mark Your Calendars...
2/13: STAAR Ready Language Arts (PRACTICE test)
2/14: Valentine's Party (valentines for every student and boxes to collect your child's valentines due)
2/22: Six Flags Reading Logs due
2/24: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Raney & Lilleboe; other classes go on other dates)
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
Tip of the Week: Maker Space
Since our PBL has involved reusing materials to conserve resources, I thought that this was a great time to create a maker space in our classroom! So, there is a corner of our room fully dedicated to creating. There are supplies and a variety of materials there...but we can always use more! Please check out our class wish list to see if you have any materials around your house that you are looking to donate to a worthy cause. Here is a great blog about maker spaces, if you are unfamiliar with this idea! As a class, we are working to define our space's purpose and set expectations for its use.
Thank you for your support and participation in our school fundraiser!
The Third Grade Economics Fair is less than a month away! Please read this informational letter for details. Students should be working on making their products at home, in addition to their weekly homework assignment. Please remember that total material costs may not exceed $15, and they will need to have at least 35 of their item to sell at the fair on March 9.
On Monday, third graders will take the STAAR ready reading test. This is a PRACTICE test that will give students experience with how the actual STAAR will look and feel. It will also give me an idea of what skills we need to practice more as a class, and which students might need some individualized attention before the actual test in May. I will share results with you when I get them back. For this practice test, here are some tips:
- Students may bring a piece of gum (mint has been known to wake up your brain, and the chewing can help some students concentrate-- this is optional!)
- Please make sure that students have a healthy snack and water bottle on Monday.
- We want to try and make Monday feel as much like the actual test day as possible in order to take away some of the unknown for the actual test in May. Therefore, students will do best if they have a good nights' sleep and a healthy breakfast. It is a long test and will take some stamina!
- This is NOT something students should worry about...it's just practice! They should take it seriously, but it should not be a source of anxiety or concern at all. :)
Our Valentine's party is on Tuesday the 14th at 1:30 pm. Students will need to bring their valentines and box on that day. Please remember to include a valentine for every member of our class. Here is the flyer describing the boxes, in case it has been misplaced. If you need another class list, please email me.
Have a great weekend!
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division
Language Arts: Informational (visual literacy)
Social Studies: Economics
Science: PBL; Weather/Water Cycle
Mark Your Calendars...
2/13: STAAR Ready Language Arts (PRACTICE test)
2/14: Valentine's Party (valentines for every student and boxes to collect your child's valentines due)
2/22: Six Flags Reading Logs due
2/24: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Raney & Lilleboe; other classes go on other dates)
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
Tip of the Week: Maker Space
Since our PBL has involved reusing materials to conserve resources, I thought that this was a great time to create a maker space in our classroom! So, there is a corner of our room fully dedicated to creating. There are supplies and a variety of materials there...but we can always use more! Please check out our class wish list to see if you have any materials around your house that you are looking to donate to a worthy cause. Here is a great blog about maker spaces, if you are unfamiliar with this idea! As a class, we are working to define our space's purpose and set expectations for its use.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Friday, February 3
Things to Note...
We welcomed a new student to our classroom family this week! We also said "see you later" to another student as she heads out on a great family adventure to New Zealand-- we wish them all the best! Lots of excitement in our class this week. :)
The Third Grade Economics Fair is about a month away! Please read this informational letter about the details, if you did not already when I emailed it out earlier this week. The students' ideas with a parent signature are due on Monday. On Monday morning, I will ask students to show me their Homework Spiral where they will need to write "My idea for the Economics Fair is to make ____." I will also check for a parent signature, which will show me that you have discussed the idea, materials, etc. with your child and approve of it!
On Thursday, I sent home a blue half sheet for field trip lunch orders. Please fill this out and return it to school by Friday, 2/10, if you haven't already. This will give me a count of how many students will need to order a sack lunch from the cafeteria on our field trip day.
Our class has our picture day on Tuesday, February 7. Come to school ready to smile big! :)
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division
Language Arts: Informational (visual literacy)
Social Studies: Economics
Science: PBL; Weather/Water Cycle
Mark Your Calendars...
2/7: Picture Day for our class
2/13: STAAR Ready Language Arts (PRACTICE test)
2/14: Valentine's Party (valentines for every student and boxes to collect your child's valentines due)
2/22: Six Flags Reading Logs due
2/24: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Raney & Lilleboe; other classes go on other dates)
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
Tip of the Week: STAAR Testing...What Should I Be Doing to Help My Child?
Third grade is the first year that students take the much talked about STAAR test...and for some of you this is the first time your family has EVER had a STAAR testing student! Here are some of my top tips to (hopefully) answer your questions and ease your minds about the upcoming test and how you can best prepare your child:
We welcomed a new student to our classroom family this week! We also said "see you later" to another student as she heads out on a great family adventure to New Zealand-- we wish them all the best! Lots of excitement in our class this week. :)
The Third Grade Economics Fair is about a month away! Please read this informational letter about the details, if you did not already when I emailed it out earlier this week. The students' ideas with a parent signature are due on Monday. On Monday morning, I will ask students to show me their Homework Spiral where they will need to write "My idea for the Economics Fair is to make ____." I will also check for a parent signature, which will show me that you have discussed the idea, materials, etc. with your child and approve of it!
On Thursday, I sent home a blue half sheet for field trip lunch orders. Please fill this out and return it to school by Friday, 2/10, if you haven't already. This will give me a count of how many students will need to order a sack lunch from the cafeteria on our field trip day.
Our class has our picture day on Tuesday, February 7. Come to school ready to smile big! :)
Curriculum Preview...
Math: Multiplication/division
Language Arts: Informational (visual literacy)
Social Studies: Economics
Science: PBL; Weather/Water Cycle
Mark Your Calendars...
2/7: Picture Day for our class
2/13: STAAR Ready Language Arts (PRACTICE test)
2/14: Valentine's Party (valentines for every student and boxes to collect your child's valentines due)
2/22: Six Flags Reading Logs due
2/24: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Raney & Lilleboe; other classes go on other dates)
2/27: STAAR Ready Math (PRACTICE test)
3/9: Economics Fair (8:15-10:00 in cafeteria-- parents welcome!)
Tip of the Week: STAAR Testing...What Should I Be Doing to Help My Child?
Third grade is the first year that students take the much talked about STAAR test...and for some of you this is the first time your family has EVER had a STAAR testing student! Here are some of my top tips to (hopefully) answer your questions and ease your minds about the upcoming test and how you can best prepare your child:
- First and foremost, keep in mind that this is just ONE TEST, one day. It does not equal your child's intelligence, worth, ability to pass on to 4th grade, etc. It's important to take it seriously, but also to keep a healthy perspective.
- Read with your child daily! Ask them questions about what they read to help them think about the text, and improve comprehension.
- Have your child practice math facts regularly-- this will help them make simple computations in their head more quickly and easily on long tests like STAAR. If those facts are second nature to them, or they can mentally figure them out quickly, their time will be more efficiently spent working through the bigger problem solving situations on the test.
- Help your child feel confident on the test. If they express concerns, reassure them of their strengths to build up their confidence! EVERY ONE OF THEM is capable of doing well on the test, and they need to believe that themselves, or it may not happen, no matter how much we practice academic skills.
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