Week 29

After a long week of ELA testing, we have earned a lovely weekend break. As we move forward, we are reassessing our reading goals and making plans to continue our progress. We are also preparing to for the upcoming Math test which will take place from May 2 to May 4.

Here's what to expect for next week:

• We will have Dance class on Monday and Thursday. Please note the extra session and have your child dressed for Dance on both days.
• We are going to the Armory on Tuesday. 
• We will have Family Friday on the 7th. This session will focus on making an Earth Day shaker with our Buddies from Mrs. Concannon's class. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week 28: ELA testing

The English Language Arts Assessment will take place next week starting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This will be the first time most of our third graders are taking a standardized test. For our students, this is just an opportunity to use the skills and knowledge they have acquired over their school years and across subjects. The test is untimed but most kids will take roughly an hour to complete the sessions.

To prepare your child on that day, please make sure your child has had a good night's rest. A nutritious breakfast should also be eaten. Of course, this is like any other day and we are treating it as such. Students will not be assigned homework during the week but we suggest that your child keep up his/ her independent reading habits.

In class, we have talked about how this test is does not require anything that they have not practiced before and most kids have been taking it all in stride. Many children have enjoyed the high interest reading passages from previous years tests. We have talked about how the expectation is not to get a certain grade but to do our best on this exam with focused reading and writing.

Here's what else is happening next week:

• We will have our Dance Enrichment on Monday. If you have not already done so,check out a small sample of the dancing we have worked on by watching the video on our class play list. 
• Our unit on China will come to a close. Next destination, Africa!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week 27: ELA Test March 28- 30

We are rapidly approaching a new experience for many of our students: Standardized testing! We will administer the test during the mornings of March 28 to 30th. We aim to start testing after 9 am. Children will have unlimited time to take the test but we estimate it would take roughly 60 to 70 minutes. This test does not factor into promotional criteria.

Students have been preparing for these tests all year by reading and writing in class. We have gone over some test formats with the class to help children understand multiple choice strategies and students are getting a good review of reading and writing strategies.

Here are some events to look forward to:

• The Jump-athon will culminate on Friday. If your have collected fund for this fundraiser, please send the envelopes in on Monday,
• We have our Dance enrichment on Monday. Check out our video on the right to get a sample of some of the Dance moves we are working on!

Have a warm weekend!

Week 26

It was great to see many of you at Parent Teacher Conferences. It was so helpful to talk about how your child is progressing and to make some plans as to how we will proceed from now on to continue the successes we've experienced this year.

On a separate note, I'd like to thank the Cohen and Harris families for buying our class book from the book fair. the kids are always excited to get new books to read!

For additional math support please try on the IXL Math Link this game:

• Units of Measurement, Game BB.3
• Equivalent Fractions, Game X.2

Here's what's happening next week: 

• We will have our Dance Enrichment on Monday.
• We will visit the Armory on Tuesday. 

Have an excellent weekend!

Week 25

How time flies! We have come to the end of the second semester. Report cards will be given out this Wednesday and Parent Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday. If you have not signed up for a conference yet and are interested in doing so, please return the PTC request form that was given out on Wednesday.  Children who have turned in an request have already been given appointment times. You will find it in your child's homework sheet from this week in the weekly comments box.

In math, we have begun a unit on Measurement. Time and clocks are the first lessons in this unit. To give your child extra practice, try the games under the Time section (scroll down the middle column). Games T.3, T.5 and T.7 are the most helpful.

Here's what to expect for next week:

• We will have Dance on Monday. Please have your child dressed for movement. 
• Thursday will be a half day for Parent Teacher Conferences. Children will be dismissed at 11:30 am. 

Finally, we want to thank everyone who came in for Family Friday. The children really enjoyed sharing their biography project with you. 

Have a cozy weekend!