"It is our choices that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~ Albus Dumbledore

Friday, April 28, 2017

April 24-27

First off I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers! Our school wouldn't be successful without you. I appreciate all of the help you have provided me this year - I really do value your time.

FIRST WEEK of testing:
Your children did great. They took their time and persevered. This next week we will do the SBAC reading test - part one and part two (Monday/Wednesday).
Please ensure your child brings his/her headphones if they have them. I have a few spare, just in case!

Thank you to everyone who signed up to bring in food for our kiddos on testing days - they are pretty pumped about it :o) There are just a few slots left that need to be filled, so if you haven't had the chance to take a peek, please take a minute to do so.

Besides testing...
*We've been working on our Market Day project. Their businesses are established and products are being made. They're doing very well with their budgets. They're grasping the concept of selling their product for more money than it took to make in order to gain a profit. Our Market Day is May 17 and they'll be selling to the first graders.

*During reading we are doing a traditional Daily 5, with no extra assignments from me. I have been pulling students to start on my end of year reading assessments.

*We've been working on writing biographies.

Next week...
-We will record the business commercials in projects. They've been writing scripts and practicing. Businesses will continue making products and preparing for Market Day.
-We will review grammar standards that need to be readdressed.
-We will finish up our biographies.

THANK YOU to the Rotary Club of Fallon - if you haven't seen them yet, please ask your child about their awesome new dictionaries.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

ACT Monday and Wednesday

On Monday and Wednesday your child will be taking the ACT Aspire.  This test is timed, so there is no chance of it taking hours in one sitting. I will provide a power snack for your kiddos on these two days; however, we will not be having breakfast in class. 

Please ensure your child:
-has plenty of rest
-eats breakfast
-takes a water bottle and snacks to school
-I'll provide gum, but if they're particular, you are welcome to send them with some :o) 
-brings their headphones
-is on time to school

If your child is really nervous, maybe pack them a special snack to have during testing with a little note of encouragement. 

On another note, these tests for the next three weeks can be stressful. I have reiterated to my students (and even my own child who is getting nervous) that they will be just fine. We have been "preparing" for these tests all year as they are based on standards we've covered. They need to just breathe, take their time and do their best. We will all be proud of their efforts. It's hard to sit and test all day long, I truly feel for the kids - Mrs. Moon and I do our best to make the test days fun and low-stress with the breakfasts, longer recesses, and relaxing project filled afternoons. 

On Thursday, we will be taking a peek at the SBAC. Students will get to go on the practice site and learn how to navigate and use the tools. This sometimes eases nerves as they become familiar with the test prior to actually taking it. 




Sunday, April 16, 2017

April 10-13

Happy Easter!

Reading: We have been reviewing literature standards covered in the first semester.  Students took their last spelling test on Thursday - they did very well, too!

Writing: Students started writing biographies on their choice of a scientist, inventor, or entrepreneur.

Grammar: We've been reviewing grammar standards.

Projects: We started a new Market Day project. We learned about budgets, producers, consumers and scarcity (supply/demand). Students created businesses with the people of their choice. They decided what they'd lie to create and sell at their store, how much it would cost to make each item, and how much of each supply they'd need. They received a budget of $100 and went to the MoonRiver Supplies store to start purchasing product supplies. They will be selling their products to the 1st graders.

Misc:
Testing dates are as follows:

Third Grade: 4/24,4/26, 5/1, 5/3, 5/8, 5/9

We will not do the big breakfasts/treats on the first two dates as they are timed and don't take as long. Please ensure your child is here and well rested/fed on these days. I will send out a SignUp Genius next week sometime to get the food squared away for 5/1, 5/3, 5/8 and 5/9.

Book Fair!
Buy one get one free Scholastic Book Fair next week. The book fair will run April 17-20, Monday-Thursday and will be open in the morning from 7:45-8:00 am, during lunch time 11:30-2:15 pm, and after school 3:45-4:15 pm.  Students will be allowed to shop at these times but they will not be excused from class to do so - they must go before or after school or during their lunch recess time. There will not be a family night so be sure to stop by during the listed hours.


Sunday, April 9, 2017

April 3-6

Reading:
This week we watched Scholastic videos and determined the main idea/supporting details of these videos.
We had a LG test on Thursday. Students received new spelling words on Monday and will assess on 4/13.

Writing:
Students wrote opinion and informational papers on roller coaster safety.

Grammar:
We reviewed grammar standards and will continue doing so into this next week.

Projects:
Students finished up their adaptation projects. Thank you for coming to their presentations.

We will start a new project (our last project of the year!) on Monday.

Misc:
Testing is in two weeks. I will send out a SignUp Genius soon for breakfasts/snacks on those days.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Saturday, April 1, 2017

March 27 - 30

Reading:
We learned about poetry (line, rhyme and stanza).
Students received new Latin/Greek - test April 6.
They will get new spelling words April 3.
We are back on Edmodo. Please remember to check this to see how your child is doing on weekly assignments.

Writing:
We finished up our three types of writing based on one article and did some poetry. Their poems are hanging in the hall.

Projects:
Many students are done with their project. They have been helping other students finish up.
We plan on presenting April 6 @ 2:30 in the cafeteria.

Misc:
Thank you for coming to conferences. If you were unable to attend, please ensure you come sometime after school this next week with your child.

We will be revisiting a lot of standards this quarter to review and possibly bump up to mastery on our report cards.