ACT Aspire testing this week

This week the students will be taking the ACT Aspire. This test is a timed test so we don't have to worry about it lasting too long. Because this test is timed and much shorter, we will not be having breakfast in the classroom this week. I will provide them with a snack this week.  I will also buy them gum/mints to have during the test.  If you child only likes certain kinds of gum you may send it in with them. 


On these day it is important your child:

     * Get's enought rest
       * Eats a healthy breakfast
       * Has their headphones at school
       * Arrives at school on time
       * Brings a water bottle

I know a lot of the students are very nervous.  I have talked to them about this and let them know that they will do great. The test is just the things they have already learned this year. Mrs. WindRiver and I make testing days as low stress as possible.  The afternoons will be filled with projects and extra long recess. Your kids are amazing and I know they will do great!!

I have sent out a sign up genius so parents can sign up to help provide breakfast for the kids.  Thank you to those who have already signed up. We won't start doing breakfast until we do the SBAC test.  Those tests are not timed so those days can be very long for the kids. Having breakfast together before we start testing those days calms the kids down and is a fun way to start the day.

April 10-14

Reading: We spent this week reviewing the parts of a fiction book.  The students also worked on different language arts IXLs to review what we have learned this year. 

The students recieved their last set of Latin/Greek words (can you believe the year is almost over??) They will test on these 4/20.

Third graders took their last spelling test. They ended the year on a great note, almost all the students got a 3 on the test!

Writing: We started the week with a writing called The Best Part of Me.  These turned out really good.  Come check them out in the hallway.  On Wednesday we started another writing.  The students each picked an inventor or entrepreneur. They will research and then write a paper on their chosen person.

Grammar: We are reviewing and retesting grammar standards we have covered this year.

Projects: We started a new project and I am so excited! The students got to choose their own groups with anyone from either our class or Mrs. WindRiver's class. Each group is given $100 to make a product to sell to the first graders. They will have to budget their time and money in order to succeed. They also need to make a commercial and a sign to advertise their products. The commercial and sign also cost money out of their budget so they need to plan for that as well. It is so much fun to watch their brains word to try to figure out the best way to be successful!

Misc. I sent home the last book order. They are due on Thursday.

I will be sending home a sign up genius soon to sign up for breakfast and treats. We will not be doing breakfast or treats the first week of testing because those are short timed tests. The last 2 weeks of testing are long days(the tests are not timed) so we like to make it fun with food and treats to get them through the day.

LAST BOOKORDER

I am sending home the last bookorder of the year today! I can't believe it's already that time.  The due date for ordering will be Thursday April 20th. As always, if for any reason you need me to extend this date please let me know. 

April 3-7

Reading: This week the students watched videos from the Scholastic News website and determined the main idea and supporting details. 

The students took a Latin/Greek Test.

3rd grade students received new spelling words.  They will test on 4/13

Writing: The students wrote an opinion paper and informational papers on roller coasters.

Grammar: We are reviewing grammar standards.

Projects: We finished up our animal habitat project.  These turned out so good!  Thank you to everyone who was able to make it.  If you weren't able to make it be sure to have you child share their project with you.  

Misc. We will begin testing in 2 weeks.  On testing days in order to make it less stressful and ensure the kids have a good breakfast, we have breakfast each morning. I also give the kids lots of snacks while they are testing to keep them going.  Be on the lookout for a signup genius email so you can sign up to bring something in.

March 27-30

Reading: 
The students started reading non-fiction books. They are back to doing their work on Edmodo. 

We learned about poetry this week. We talked about line, stanza and rhyme.

The students received new Latin/Greek words.  We will test on them April 6th. 

3rd grade will receive new spelling words on Monday April 3rd.

Writing: The students finished up their last type of writing based on one article.  As they finished they wrote different kinds of poems.

Projects:  We are finishing up our projects.  We plan on prenting them on Thursday at 2:30 in the cafeteria. 

Misc. Thank you to everyone who made it to conferences.  If you were unable to attend please come either before school (I get here at 7:30) or after school with your child.