January 4th - 8th

Happy New Year!!!  I hope your Christmas vacation was one to remember.  I had a very nice vacation.  We spent a couple days in downtown Chicago and went to the Science and Industry Museum.  It was great to show my own kids the museum that I used to take my third graders to for our annual field trip when I taught in the suburbs.

We will be finishing our Guided Reading groups this week and begin testing the students to see if they can move up a level.  Reading at home is a great way to help them in addition to our groups.  The more they read the better readers they will become.  It would be great if each student was reading 20 - 30 minutes each night.  Raz Kids is a great asset if they are having a difficult time finding books they enjoy.

There will be a spelling list coming home this week.  This class is very good at studying their words.  Many weeks we have almost all A's.

In math we will begin a new unit of addition and subtracting with larger numbers.  We will also begin our timed tests for multiplication.  Each student will be given a ziploc bag with their name on it.   I will give them flash cards to put in their bags every time they pass a test.  They will get their 0's and 1's on Monday.  The first test will be on Wednesday of this week and will only be 0's and 1's through 12.  They will have two minutes to complete 25 problems.  I allow them to miss or get one wrong and still pass.  Knowing multiplication facts by memorization is a standard for third graders.  If the students pass all of the tests they will be invited to an ice cream party in May.  This party is only for the kids who really put in the work to learn their facts.  They are all capable of learning them and have four and a half months to do so.  I give a timed test two to three times every week.  If they practice for 5 minutes every night they will pass!  There is a great app on the ipad called Timed Test Arcade.  You set up the test and which facts they practice.  It does cost a couple of dollars, but it is totally worth it.  I have it on my school ipad and will allow the students to practice in class also.

In Science we are going to be learning about landforms.  This is a fun unit with a lot of activities and research.

January

8th- Mass

15th- Mass

20th- Mass

22nd -  No School

29th - Mass

31st- Catholic Schools Week Mass and breakfast  - All students attend 

31st- Feb 5th Catholic Schools Week - watch for dress up days and daily activities all week - Grandparents Day is February 5th and an early release

Have a wonderful week!!!  If you have questions or concerns, please let us know.

Mrs Cowart and Ms Ploederl