The Stetka Stance

Week of January 30, 2012

2012-01-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

Our school is definitely a cancer smasher! So many students rallied together and raised money to fund cancer research. This is something to be VERY proud of!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, our class is going to continue studying the Metric units of measurement. We are going to choose a unit (21.5) and explore Celsius temperature (21.6). I plan to review on Wednesday, 2/1 and test on Thursday 2/2.

READING

There is a vocabulary test on Seal Surfer words on Monday, 1/30. We are also going to practice writing an extended response for this selection. Then, we are going to do a lot of reviewing. The concepts we are going to review are: main idea and details, genre, and synonyms. Then we are going to pay tribute to Black History Month (February) by reading a biography on an African American and making a photo album displaying four major events in that person's life. This is the "Snapshots of African American History" project we will be working on. The projects will be due on Monday, 2/6. I am going to give students class time on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to work on these.

ENGLISH

Our Verb test is on Wednesday, 2/1. On Friday, students will take a quiz on the daily oral language (DOL) concepts we have been covering (book titles and introductory words).

SPELLING

The pretest on lesson 15 words is on Monday, 1/30. All homework (WB 10 & 11 in volume 2 OR 2 challenge activities) + the cursive sheet is due on Friday when we take our final test.

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES

We will soon be wrapping up chapter 9 on weather - the test is on Wednesday, 2/8. Therefore, our class will begin the Chicago unit in Social Studies this week.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Ms. Stetka

Week of January 23, 2012

2012-01-20T13:33:00.001-08:00

It's a winter wonderland as I type this...absolutely gorgeous outside...until I have to get in my car and drive home!

I hope you all have a safe weekend full of snowballs and hot cocoa!

A few reminders about the upcoming week:

The district spelling bee is on Tuesday, 1/24 at 1:00.

There is an early dismissal on Wednesday, 1/25. Students leave school at 11:00.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We are beginning metric units of measurement (chapter 21) this week. This is will cover length (cm, dm, m, km); capacity (mL, L); and mass (g, kg). On Thursday, 1/26 students will have a checkpoint to show what they know about length. On Friday, 1/27 students will have a checkpoint on capacity. Please continue studying those facts and let me know when you are can take the tests you are missing. The test covering metric units of measurement will be no earlier than Thursday, 2/2.

READING

The students are going to read the story Seal Surfer this week while they practice making connections. They will be responsible for vocabulary from the story which they will be tested on no earlier than Monday, 1/30. In addition, there will be a comprehension on this selection on Friday, 1/27. How is your child's good-fit book working out during their read to self time at home? Every student's lexile level changed recently as indicated by MAP. Let me know if you did not see the letter I sent home indicating their updated level.

ENGLISH

Verbs, verbs and more verbs this week. We are going to review the special verb "be" and helping verbs on Monday. Then, we are going to explore irregular verbs and contractions. The final test on verbs is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/1.

SPELLING

Students will have the pretest on Lesson 14 on Monday. The cursive worksheet and either WB 252-253 or two challenge activities are due on Friday, 1/27, when we have the test. You may find your child is scoring very highly on their spelling tests, but are not spelling very well on their written assignments. (I know I am observing this from many of my students.) If you'd like to try out some of these spelling websites, let me know your thoughts:

www.spellingcity.com

www.funbrain.com/spell/index.html

www.all-about-spelling.com/free-spelling-lists.html

www.kidsspell.com

SCIENCE

This week we are going to cover lesson 3 in chapter 9; What is Weather? The class will explore different ways to measure weather, as well as the different types of clouds.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our focus is on Science this week.

Have a great week!

Week of January 16, 2012

2012-01-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

NO SCHOOL on Monday, 1/16 - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Please read the attached note from Dr. Tiede:
Dear Parents:
We desperately need your help and cooperation to bring order to the
automobile traffic on the Lakeview Campus. This past school year we have
had several dangerous incidents such as cars driving in the bus lanes, cars
driving on the sidewalks, and parents dropping off children away from
designated drop-off zones where children have to cross traffic. To protect our
students, we need your cooperation and adherence to the established traffic
plan which is attached to this letter.
When it is not possible for your child to ride the school bus please observe the
following traffic rules while operating your automobile on the Lakeview
Campus:
• Never drive in the BUS LANE.
• Prairieview student drop off is clearly marked in the east parking lot.
DO NOT drop your child off in the front traffic circle where they must
cross the bus lane.
• Parking in the front traffic circle is restricted to BACC student drop-off
and school visitors.
• Lakeview student drop off is at the rear of the school. PLEASE pull all
the way up to the end of the sidewalk so that the other automobiles are
not forced to block the bus lane.
• PLEASE drive slowly and carefully through the parking lot area as
many students who walk to school cross through the parking lot.
• The traffic pattern after student drop off is to proceed west until the
fence and then south until the second row of cars where you may turn
east to exit.
• NEVER turn left upon entering the Lakeview parking lot. Please
follow the pattern above.
• Remember when exiting the Lakeview Campus that the stoplight will
activate more quickly if your front tire is 2 feet in front of the marked
stop line.
Thanks you for your cooperation. Let's have a Safe and Smooth traffic year.
Sincerely,
Jay Tiede, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

BINGO has been closed. The school no longer sends out paper notices for activities such as these; please watch your email for messages from the office.

Our MATH MAP test is scheduled for Wednesday, 1/18. Whatever you did to prepare your child for the READING MAP, please do again! Our scores were GREAT!

BENCH MARKING to measure your child's fluency is during the morning of Thurs., 1/19.

GRADE LEVEL SPELLING BEE is on Thursday, January 19 at 1:30. We had stiff competition in our room to come up with two participants.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will take a graded review on Chapter 20 lessons 1-5 so I can check their progress. Then, we will learn about Fahrenheit temperature before closing out the customary measurement chapter. Most likely, the test on these concepts will be Friday, 1/20. Please continue practicing multiplication facts at home.

READING

Our class will focus on the questioning strategy this week. There are a few picture books I will use to practice this strategy with before the students will write questions about their own "good fit" books.

SPELLING

List 13 pretest is on Tuesday. The final test and all homework is due on Friday, 1/20.

ENGLISH

We keep work, work, working on those verbs as we explore verbs in the future, the special verb "be" and helping verbs this week. We are also writing our autobiographies.

SCIENCE

Did you find out what each bead of our water cycle bracelet's represent? We will take a graded review of lesson 2 (water cycle) on Friday, 1/20.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Focusing on Science.

Have great weekend in the SNOW!!

Ms. Stetka

Week of January 9, 2012

2012-01-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

Our first week of the new year was great! The matter matters presentation we had was a huge success! Some of the pictures are priceless.

**Please remember there is no school on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.

**Our class will be taking the reading MAP test on Wednesday. Please encourage your child to get a lot of rest and eat a healthy breakfast. If possible, stress to your child how important it is to read through the test carefully.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be taking a review test on all of the facts this Monday, 1/9. Please look for a note I'm sending home indicating which facts your child still has not passed. This week, we will continue our study of customary measurement. The test date is TBD - I will indicate the test date in the student's planners.

READING

We will continue using the strategies we've been learning throughout the year, including compare/contrast, fact/opinion, and summarizing. We will write an extended response for the current story we are reading Night of the Puffins and take a test on this selection on Tuesday, 1/10. This test will NOT be open book. I encourage students to take the reading book home to reread the story.

ENGLISH

Students will begin their study of verbs this week. The pretest is on Monday. In addition, they will begin writing their autobiographies.

SPELLING

The lesson 12 pretest is on Monday. Homework (WB 222-223 and cursive worksheet) is due on Friday when we have the final test.

SCIENCE

We are going to start lesson 2 of the water cycle this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our focus is on Science this week.

I hope you have a wonderful week!
Ms. Stetka

Week of January 1, 2012

2011-12-30T11:10:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you had a joyous holiday! I'm looking forward to seeing my students on the 2nd!

Matter Presentation: We are fortunate to invite scientists from "High Touch-High Tech" to Prairieview. They will lead students through many experiments involving the different states of matter on Friday, January 6th. Please send in $7.25 for this presentation, if you have not already.

Spelling Bee: We will have a Spelling Bee in our classroom on Thursday, January 12th. You will find a list of spelling words that will be used for the spelling bee in your child's binder. The winner will compete against the winners in the other third grade classrooms at a later date.

SCIENCE

We will begin the study of water cycle in chapter 9. We will start by discussing the different places water can be found in lesson 1.

SOCIAL STUDIES
We will focus on science this week.

MATH
We will begin the study of measurement (Chapter 20).

SPELLING

We are on list 11: words with the vowel sounds in clown and lawn. A pretest will be on Tuesday. Homework will be given Tuesday and will be due Friday. The final test will be on Friday.

READING
We will start working on the strategy of monitoring and clarifying as we read using the story Nights of the Pufflings. We will then extend our strategy use while working on a novel study. All the while, we will also be distinguishing fact and opinion. As always, we will continue to utilize strategies from previous weeks.

ENGLISH

Students will begin the week by writing down their New Year's resolution. Students will also write an autobiography.

Week of January 2, 2012

2011-12-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

Ronnie's mom MADE these!!!

How would you make the Grinch grin? Our students had some great ideas...

Friday 12/15/11

Students had a great time during our holiday celebration. Thank you so much to all of the parents who sent in treats. I had to include a picture of the cookies Ronnie's mom made - they were delicious and so adorable!

Thank you so much for the very, very generous gifts - I am truly spoiled to be able to work with such wonderful students every day.

Have a joyous holiday season and happy, safe new year. I will email you when I post my blog for the week we return to school. Enjoy your time off with family and friends!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Much love,

Ms. Stetka

Week of December 12, 2011

2011-12-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

Last week before winter break? Wow, time flies when you're having fun!

A few reminders:
We are bowling on Monday. Please send a sack lunch with your child rather than having them order hot lunch. When they come back from the bowling alley's snack bar, they have zero appetite for lunch. I told my students if they get hungry later on in the day, they can eat what they brought.

Grinch celebration day is Friday. So many parents offered to send in treats - thank you very much! Please send in permission slip asap.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be finishing up chapter 6 on graphs and will test on this concept on Thursday, December 15. Also, the 6,7,8 multiplication test is on Monday.

READING

There is a vocabulary test on Tuesday. Students will be reading various books at their level. They will then be writing summaries for what happened at the beginning and middle of their story. Finally, they will write a review evaluating their story without giving away the ending. The final draft of student summaries and reviews will be written on a snowman!

SPELLING

There will be a holiday activity packet of spelling words but I will not be testing students on these words.

ENGLISH

We will finish the study of nouns in unit 2. There will be a test on Wednesday, December 14th. Students can leave their textbook at home until the day of the test.

SCIENCE

Our focus is on Social Studies this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will finish the study of modern day Downers Grove and chapter 12. Students will be able to use their social studies textbook on the test, but they will not be able to use their Downer's Grove packets. Study guides have been sent home. Test date: Thursday, December 15.

I hope you have a wonderful week. Stay warm!

Week of December 5, 2011

2011-11-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

Parents, I was such a pleasure to have an opportunity to sit and talk with you during conferences. While I do my best to communicate often throughout the year, I sometimes get caught up with what is going in on the classroom and very much appreciate the time we get to discuss your child's achievements. Please know I am available at any time for any questions or concerns you may have.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will take the x4 test on Monday, 12/5. We will also begin chapter 6 on graphs on Monday. The skills involved in this chapter include collecting data, reading a pictograph, reading a bar graph and problem solving.

SPELLING

Students will take the lesson 10 (vowel sound in "join") on Monday. Workbook pages 184, 185 and the cursive worksheet are due on Friday the 9th unless your child is in the challenge group. If that is the case, they will choose 2 challenge activities and do the cursive worksheet. Final test is on Friday, 12/9.

READING

This week, we are going to visualize and evaluate the short story Dogzilla along with other books we are reading at the appropriate levels. We will also review character, setting and plot. An activity "Santa Cause" will allow students to come up with funny situations Santa gets into to which shows cause and effect.

ENGLISH

Our English test has been pushed back to December 14. This week, we are going to focus on singular possessive nouns and plural possessive nouns. There will be a graded review on the lessons we've covered on Tuesday and Friday to ensure students are comprehending the lessons.

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week will focus on modern day Downers Grove as the students continue to work in their learning logs to record their findings.

SCIENCE

The chapter 11 test on matter is on Monday, 12/5. After the test, we will be taking a break from science until after winter break.

Have a wonderful week!!

Weeks of November 21 and November 28, 2011

2011-11-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Friday, our class went on the Downers Grove field trip and learned so many fascinating facts. We all had a great time and our chaperones were top notch!

There will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, 11/23 - 11/25 for Thanksgiving break.

Nov. 28 - Nov. 30 - Parent/Teacher conferences (Let me know if you need a date/time reminder)

Friday, Dec. 2 - No SCHOOL

Here are our two upcoming weeks in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will begin our time unit on Monday. The lessons will include AM, PM, telling time, elapsed time and sequence events. The test covering these concepts will be on Thursday, 12/1. Also, students will be taking the x5 test on Monday, 11/21. Please make sure students are reviewing all the facts they are learning nightly.

READING

During our short week, students will finish up their independent reading books and work on some comprehension building skills with some Thanksgiving stories.

The following week, we are going to being self-questioning and point-of-view with various texts. A vocab test on the story Keeping Quilt will be given on Thursday, 12/1.

ENGLISH

This week, our focus will be on plural nouns and special plural nouns. On Wednesday, 11/30, there will be a review quiz covering the first 7 lessons of chapter 2. Then, we get into singular possessive nouns.

SCIENCE

After we discuss and explore mixtures and solutions, and chemical changes, students will be prepared to take the chapter 11 test on Monday, December 5. Before then, they will take the lesson 3 review quiz on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are going to learn about modern day Downers Grove. This includes the school districts, entertainment, shopping, health care and recreational areas. Test date is TBA.

Have a wonderful time celebrating with family over Thanksgiving!

Week of November 14, 2011

2011-11-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

Hi parents!

I emailed a conference schedule this past week and so far, not many changes were needed. If you are experiencing conflict, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make necessary changes.

Trimester 1 ends on Friday, 11/18.

Downers Grove Field trip - Friday, 11/18

Here's our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our schedule will be a little different this week due to our Downers Grove field trips. Students will meet with their math teachers from 8:10 - 8:50 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. During this time, our class will continue exploring and reviewing money so we can take a money checkpoint on Thursday, 11/17.

READING

We are going to continue our focus on setting, characters and problem and resolution in our small groups this week with our independent reading books. We will also continue reviewing cause/effect along with the reading strategies we have been focusing on throughout the year.

SPELLING

Rather than a typical spelling lesson, we are focusing on analogies this week. Students identified synonym and antonym analogies last week so we are going to review on Monday and test on Tuesday. Students have a worksheet in their binders they can use as a study guide. Then, we will begin part/whole analogies.

ENGLISH

Students have been writing, writing, writing! Hopefully, by Monday, I will have all of the Turkey Point of View stories - Thanksgiving told from a turkey's point of view. This week we are going to write a turkey cinquain. On Monday, students will take the chapter 2 pretest to determine who is able to extend their learning and who will receive further instruction.

SCIENCE

Our study of matter continues as we take the chapter 11 lesson 2 review (for a grade) on Monday. This is an open book assessment. Then, we will explore how matter changes.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The history of Downers Grove test is on Wednesday, 11/16. Study guides went home last week. This is not an open note test. Downers Grove field trip is on Friday!

Have a wonderful week!

Week of November 7, 2011

2011-11-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

Reminders:

Roller skating party after school on Monday, 11/7; 3:45 - 6:30

Thursday, 11/10 is a Friday Schedule

No School on Friday, November 11 in observance of Veteran's Day

Here is our week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students tested on the "squares" and we will be moving on to week two of our multiplication facts - two's. The two's test will be on Thursday, 11/10. We will also begin chapter 5 on time and money this week.

READING

Our class learned how to look up a book's lexile level on www.lexile.com today. This is another way to determine if students are reading a Good Fit Book. Feel free to let me know if you need some assistance in finding your child a high interest book they will enjoy reading every evening for at least 20 minutes. This week, our focus will be on story elements (plot, character, problem and solution. We will be exploring these elements through our Good Fit reading group books.

SPELLING

In lieu of a typical spelling lesson, students will begin exploring analogies this week with our focus on synonym/antonym analogies this week. There will be a test on synonym/antonym analogies on Tuesday, 11/15

ENGLISH

Students will present their Me Bags on Monday and Tuesday; please make sure students have their items on these days. Then, we will pretest on chapter 2, nouns. This will determine which students may be work on enriching activities while others receive necessary additional support.

SCIENCE

Our focus will be on the three states of matter this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will continue learning about Downer's Grove this week. Our field trip is scheduled for Friday, November 18.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of October 31, 2011

2011-10-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

So many parents worked hard to ensure we had a fantastic Halloween celebration - thank you SO much! Our class had such a great time at our party!

Our upcoming Downers Grove field trip is scheduled for Friday, November 18. Currently, I have 2 chaperones. I am in need of three more. If you are interested, please email me. Thank you!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our class has recently finished up chapter 2 on rounding. While we will continue practicing this skill throughout the year, we are going to focus on problem solving and T-charts this week. I will be sending a packet home on Monday explaining everything you need to know about T-charts. In addition, students will receive a list of the math facts they are responsible for knowing by the end of the with the program "Multiplication Facts in Seven Weeks". Every week, I will send home the facts they are responsible for learning.

READING

Last week, we began Cliffhanger in our reading series. We are going to continue using this story to practice cause and effect. The Cliffhanger test is on Thursday and will test your child's comprehension of the story. Students are welcome to bring their reading books home.

ENGLISH

The final copy of the haunted house descriptive writing paper is due on Monday. Then, we are officially starting ME BAGS which will allow students to choose three of their favorite things to describe. Students will share the bags on Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8.

SCIENCE

Students will explore matter's physical properties and buoyancy this week. An open note/book quiz on lesson one is scheduled for Friday. Each lesson will be open note, however, the final test (scheduled for December 5) will not be.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will continue discussing Downers Grove in preparation for our field trip on November 18.

Week of October 24, 2001

2011-10-21T13:08:00.001-07:00

Important dates to remember:

Thursday, 10/27 Early Dismissal (11:00)

Friday, 10/28 Halloween Parade at 1:00

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be take the chapter 2 test on rounding on Wednesday, 10/26.

READING

We will begin to focus on cause and effect as we read stories from the basal and other materials such as non fiction articles and chapter books. We will also work on synonyms and antonyms. Students will take a vocabulary quiz on Friday, 10/28.

ENGLISH

We've created our haunted houses, now we are going to describe them with our detailed writing.

SPELLING

There will not be a pretest on our Halloween words, but there will be homework and a final test on Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our study of Downers Grove will begin in preparation for our DG field trip coming up on November 18.

SCIENCE

Chapter 11 - Matter - will begin on Tuesday.

Have a great week!

Week of October 17, 2011

2011-10-14T12:46:00.001-07:00

Book Fair is on Thursday, 10/20 from 6:30 - 8:00. This would be a great place to find a good fit book!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will be exploring greater than, less than and equal to this week and we will begin rounding.

READING

Students will continue inferring word meaning, character traits and author messages with various books at their level.

SPELLING

We will be pretesting on lesson 7 (long o words) on Monday, 10/17. If your child receives a 90% or higher, they will be working from the "challenge" list of words for their homework. All students complete the cursive worksheet as part of their homework. The challenge group will complete two activities and the non-challenge group will complete workbook 122 and 123 and abc order for homework. The final test and all homework is due on Friday.

ENGLISH

Our descriptive writing practice continues and we will be introduced to the 6 traits of writing.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We began hemispheres and will test on this on Friday, 10/21. Students will receive a study guide on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Week of October 10, 2011

2011-10-06T10:06:00.001-07:00

We have a short week in store, but there is a lot to accomplish! A few reminders and important dates:

Monday - No School; Columbus Day

Tuesday - No School; teacher institute

Thursday - Vocab Test in reading

Friday - Chapter 4 test in science

Movie Night 6:30 - 8:45

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be finishing up chapter 1 so we will be testing on Friday, 10/14. Study guides are in their math folders. The tests covers place value, standard form, expanded form, and word form.

READING

Our continued focus will be on inferring this week as we practice using many reading strategies to improve our reading. The inferences we make will be about text, characters and unfamiliar words. There will be a vocabulary test (from the story Ballad of Mulan) on Thursday.

How are your child's "good fit" books working out? Are they willingly reading at home for 20 minutes each night? If this is a struggle, perhaps I could work with your child to find a book they will be very interested in - let me know!

SPELLING

Due to the shortened week, there will not be a lesson.

ENGLISH

As we wrap up our descriptive writing unit, we will study similes and metaphors in depth before we write our haunted house descriptive stories.

SCIENCE

Chapter 4 Ecosystems test on Friday. Students have received a study guide and the test will be open book/open note.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will begin our hemisphere unit this week and will test on this on Friday, Oct. 21.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of October 3, 2011

2011-09-29T16:12:00.001-07:00

Magazine Drive: Thank you so much for all of your hard work in gathering magazine orders. As one of our students said: "It doesn't matter that we didn't win...We raised money for the school and that's what matters."

MATH

As we begin chapter 1 this week, students will explore odd/even numbers, points on a number line, and place value. This includes listing numbers in standard, expanded and word form.

READING

The reading calendar you have been initialing when your child reads a good fit book for 20 minutes or longer each evening is due on Monday. This calendar reflects 10 points of their reading grade each month. Our strategy focus this week in on inferring. The students will use basal reading stories, supplemental short stories, and possibly novels to extend their practice of understanding what they read. We will also continue to work on an extended response where we use ideas from the text combined with our own ideas to answer a question.

SPELLING

We will be pretesting on lesson 6 (more long vowel words) on Monday, 10/3. If your child receives a 90% or higher, they will be working from the "challenge" list of words for their homework. All students complete the cursive worksheet as part of their homework. The challenge group will complete two activities and the non-challenge group will complete workbook 102 and abc order for homework. The final test and all homework is due on Friday.

ENGLISH

We will continue practicing descriptive writing through naming our own crayon colors, exploring sensory words, describing a 'mystery object' for our classmates to guess, and determining which details aren't alligned with a given topic.

SCIENCE

This week we will continue the study of chapter 4 on ecosystems. During our study, we are practicing using a nonfiction book and locating answers in a text.

Enjoy your week!

Enjoy your first weekend of fall!

Week of September 26, 2011

2011-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!

On Monday, September 26, we will be making applesauce to celebrate. Please send your child with a peeled, cored, and sliced apple.

Magazine Drive: Our class is currently in FIRST PLACE! WOW! Keep up the hard work! Students can turn magazine orders on Tues. 9/27 and Thurs. 9/29.

Picture Day is on Thursday, September 29th.

Friday, September 30th will be an early dismissal day. Students are dismissed at 11:00 A.M.

MATH

Our class will be testing on chapter 4 (subtraction) this week. Part 1 is on Tuesday and Part 2 is on Wednesday. To review on Monday, we will be opening "Cash Store," allowing students to practice subtracting across zeros

READING

How is your child's "Good Fit Book" working out? Are they reading with 98% accuracy or higher? This week we will continue to highlight summarizing and sequencing using materials differentiated for our classroom's various reading levels, and will be extending our knowledge through written responses. We will also assess our third graders on their ability to sequence events from text. Students will make their own comic, which involves sequencing of events as well.

SPELLING

We will be pretesting on lesson 5 (short and long vowels) on Monday, 9/26. If your child receives a 90% or higher, they will be working from the "challenge" list of words for their homework. All students complete the cursive worksheet as part of their homework. The challenge group will complete two activities and the non-challenge group will complete workbook 85 and abc order for homework. The final test and all homework is due on Friday.

ENGLISH

We've completed unit 1 on the sentence and will not begin our unit on descriptive writing.

SCIENCE

This week we will continue the study of chapter 4 on ecosystems.

Enjoy your first weekend of fall!

Week of September 19, 2011

2011-09-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 26th is Johnny Appleseed’s birthday. We will be having a celebration! A note will be sent home as a reminder on Monday, September 19th. Your child will be asked to bring in a peeled, cored, and sliced apple to school on Monday, September 26th to be used to make applesauce for the class. We are looking for donations of small bowls, plastic spoons, and apple juice. If this is something you are interested in helping with, please email me or send the items in any day before Monday, September 26th. Thank you in advance for your help!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

Science: This week we will begin chapter 4 on ecosystems.

Social Studies: This week we will have a continents and oceans quiz on Tuesday, September 20th. Students will need to identify where the 5 oceans and 7 continents are located on a map.

Math:

We took our first chapter test today and will need to complete it on Monday. Please note that after we complete each chapter we will be going through our math folders to place un-needed papers in the "keep at home" pocket. Please help the students clear out the keep at home pockets nightly. Right after part two of our test, we will be starting Chapter 4 on Subtraction. We start off with a quick review of the subtraction touch math strategy and then discuss fact families, double and triple digit subtraction with regrouping, and subtracting across zeros.

SPELLING

We are pretesting with List #4 (vowel-consonant e pattern) on Monday of next week. Please remember that if your student receives a 90% or higher they will be working from the "challenge" list of words for their homework. All homework is due on Friday and if your student is taking the posttest, that will be Friday as well. Every week, students will be responsible for completing the cursive list of spelling words and either 2 activities from the challenge group - or - the workbook pages/possible abc order if they are in nonchallenge.

READING

Now we will start to put the reading strategies we have learned to great use while reading various types of literature. We will always be reviewing/using all of the strategies, but for the coming weeks we will highly focus on the strategies of sequencing and summarizing. The students will use basal reading stories, supplemental short stories, and possibly novels to extend their practice of understanding what they read. As a third grade we are really highlighting oral and written responses to what was read and will integrate this throughout. We will also work on an extended response where we use ideas from the text combined with our own ideas to answer a question.

ENGLISH

This week we will finish unit 1 on sentences, fragments, run-ons and subjects/predicates. A study guide went home today. There will be a test on Friday, September 23.

P.E.

There will be a soccer test on Thursday, September 22nd. Study guides will go home on Monday. Intramural Games Permission slips will be sent home on Monday. They are due back by Friday. More information can be found on the PE website.

Week of September 12, 2011

2011-09-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Our class designed this portion of our school-wide quilt in honor of September 11. We discussed this tragedy in class today and students drew or wrote a way they would like to honor those who lost their lives 10 years ago.

Hi parents! A few odds and ends:

If you forgot about Scholastic Book Orders, you can send them in on Monday.

DOL quiz on Thursday, 9/15.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students are going to continue working in chapter 3 on addition this week. We are going to test on these skills on Friday, September 16.

READING

We will continue to teach the students how to utilize the essential reading strategies. In our classes we will demonstrate how the application of these strategies will maximize student comprehension of a range of literary materials. Is your child reading a "Good Fit" book at home? Have them use the I-PICK strategy:

I choose a book

P urpose for reading

I nteresting

C omprehend

K now almost all of the words

SPELLING

Lesson 3 pretest is on Monday with the final test on Friday. This week, students will have 3 homework assignments to complete, all of which are due on Friday.

ENGLISH

We are continuing to work on 'the sentence'. There will be a DOL study guide coming home on Monday to help your child prepare for the quiz on Thursday if needed.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We finished up directions and are moving on to the continents and oceans. I believe the students have a little 'solo' they would like to perform for you...goes a little something like this:

Let's name the seven continents

Let's name the seven continents,

before we end this song.

Asia, Europe and Africa;

North and South America;

Australia and Antarctica;

And now we've named them all.

Can you guess the tune we're singing to?

Have a great weekend with your loved ones.

Week of September 5, 2011

2011-09-02T14:25:00.001-07:00

I thank everyone who was able to come to Curriculum Night...I covered so much information in my presentation; if at any time you have questions or are unsure about, please don't hesitate to contact me.

A few important upcoming dates:

There is NO SCHOOL on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

Tuesday, 9/6: Spelling pretest on lesson 2

Wednesday, 9/7: My class takes the Reading MAPS test in the computer lab. Also, there is a quiz on directions in Social Studies.

Friday, 9/9: Spelling final test

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

My class will cover chapter three, lessons 4, 5 and 6 this week. All students have a packet in their Math folders on the skills they will be quizzed on at the end of the chapter. These skills include adding two-digit numbers and finding the missing addend.

READING

The third grade starts off our reading curriculum by teaching the students to use various reading strategies. We model the use of these strategies while reading high interest picture books to the class. We then will spend the year extending the use of these strategies while reading a variety of literary materials to aid in comprehension. This coming week, we will learn about monitoring/clarifying; summarizing and questioning.

SPELLING

Spelling: We will work on list 2: short vowel words. There will be a pretest on Tuesday and the test will be on Friday. Due to the shortened week, your child will have 2 homework assignments due Friday.

ENGLISH

English: We will focus on ch 1: The sentence. We will work on subjects and predicates. We will also begin DOL (Daily Oral Language) as we focus on conventions and fixing incorrect sentences.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will continue to work on map skills as we focus on cardinal and intermediate directions and the compass rose. We will have a short quiz on these skills on Wednesday, 9/7. Look for a study guide in your child's social studies folder.

Have a wonderful, long weekend with your families!

Week of August 29, 2011

2011-08-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

The 2011-2012 school year has officially started! Our week was short, with a lot of information presented but our class did a really great job of settling in. This upcoming week will allow us to settle into a routine and begin some subject areas.

A few bits of information:

Please send your child to school with one of their T-shirts (it won't get ruined and will be returned by Friday) and a hanger. You will be able to see why I am making such a strange request on Thursday evening at Curriculum Night.

Binders have been organized so they will be coming home daily with assignment notebooks.

If time allows, could you please write your child's first and last name on their lunch box where it is visible.

Students will have homework every night, which is to read any book of their choice for 20 minutes.

Curriculum night is on Thursday, September 1 at 6:30. I am looking forward to seeing you there! This provides a great opportunity for me to share what the upcoming year will look like for your child.

Math: Does not begin until Thursday, 9/1. For math related information, your child's math teacher will provide this on her blog.

Science/Social Studies: I will be switching off between Social Studies and Science the first trimester to alleviate some of the "transition stress" for your child. On Friday, we had a science experiment, which also tied into reading but our focus will be on social studies this week. We are going to do our best to get through as much of our map/direction unit as time allows.

Reading: At Curriculum Night, I will explain my reading program in more detail. This week, we are going to touch on all of the reading strategies through fun read alouds and activities in a program we coined "Recipe for Success".

Spelling: I will be sending a worksheet home on Monday explaining how spelling is conducted in our room. At Curriculum Night, I will be able to touch on this further. Basically, spelling pretests are on Mondays (this week is lesson one); if students receive 2 or less wrong, they are given a challenge spelling list for homework purposes only. All others will take the post test on Fridays. Challenge list students are required to complete two homework items and non-challenge will complete three.

English: We will begin Daily Oral Language (DOL) this week, but we will also incorporate writing into our other subjects. In addition, we will be working in chapter 1, covering the four types of sentences.

If at any time, you have questions or are feel something is unclear, please do not hesitate to email or call me. I understand this year is a huge transition for you and your child and with change comes stress...I would like to alleviate as much of that stress as possible.

I am looking forward to a very productive, fun, and memorable year!

Week of May 30, 2011

2011-05-27T10:07:00.001-07:00

Happy Memorial Day!

In our day-to-day activities, it is easy to forget how many people paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I am proud to be an American and want to send my sincerest thanks to the soldiers and their families who have made this possible.

This week marks the last full week of our 2010-2011 school year. As I sit for a moment to reflect upon the growth our children have made, my heart swells. I am so proud of each and every student I had the honor of working with over the last 9 months. Summer break is a very bittersweet endeavor as I am always sad to see my students leave me, but just like a mama bird I will dutifully push them out of the nest (with guaranteed tears). I hope summer break provides endless opportunities for family and friends, lemonade and lightening bugs, sunscreen and sand. I will look forward to seeing how much my third graders have grown over the 2.5 months I won't get the opportunity to see them but hope summer drags on just long enough to recharge every one's batteries. Read a lot, practice math facts on rainy days and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!

A note about the raffle for Japan: The raffle for Japan has just begun. A letter was sent home on Wednesday, with the list of raffle items and raffle tickets. If you wish to participate, just fill in the tickets, put them in an envelope with the money, and return it to your classroom teacher. All tickets must be turned in by June 3rd. We will have the raffle at the all school assembly on June 6th. Thank you so much for your support.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will continue reviewing concepts we have covered this year. Tuesday is the last day students could make up any fact tests they would like to receive partial credit on .

READING

My class will continue using nonfiction books to monitor/clarify; scan for important information; summarize; visualize and question.

HOMEROOM

This week, we will focus much of our time on writing. We will finish up our descriptive writing unit and also write a persuasive paper. In addition, we will begin our 3rd grade scrapbooks. To better prepare for fourth grade, we will complete the science inquiry unit as well.

Next week, on June 6, we have our all-school picnic in which we will be able to enjoy a performance by the Sky Dogs after lunch. I'm very excited about this! On Tuesday, students are dismissed at 9:30 after we wrap up our year and sign yearbooks.

Enjoy the long weekend and the summer that lies ahead.

Ms. Stetka

Week of May 23, 2011

2011-05-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

We have a busy week coming up!

On Monday, students are going to begin Junior Achievement. Tuesday, we will have an opportunity to enjoy the Lakeview Choir.

On Wednesday, students will be bowling from 9-11. Please send students with

a sack lunch that day.

Our pen pals from Elizabeth Ide are coming on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, we will enjoy a pizza party for bringing in the most box tops this trimester. Way to go!!!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We have been reviewing comparing, ordering and rounding numbers; subtracting across zeros; estimating differences; money; and time. There will be a review quiz on these concepts on Monday.

READING

Students are creating their own "Jackdaw" on a book of their choice. This will require them to gather objects which will help others guess what the plot of their story is. They will also need to write a summary on their story. Students will present their "Jackdaw" to the class on Monday and Tuesday. Then we will begin a nonfiction study.

SPELLING

Lesson 26 covers more commonly misspelled words. All homework is due on Friday, May 27th when we will also have the final test.

ENGLISH

This week students will finish their expository paper.

SCIENCE

We will finish our unit on heat, light, and sound (chapter 14). Students will have a chapter 14 test on Friday, May 27th. They will receive a study guide on Monday, May 23rd when they will also take the lesson two open book review.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will be quizzed on the hemisphere unit we just finished on Monday, May 23. Study guides are in their binders.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of May 16

2011-05-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Don’t forget to sign up for the 2 mile Walk Day on Tuesday, May 24th at Prairieview School. All proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross to help the victims of the earthquake in Japan. There will also be a raffle to help raise money for the cause, and any donations would be appreciated. (gift cards, sport items, games, services, small goodies). Anyone who would like to volunteer on May 24th, please e-mail Mrs. Cavoto ccavot@ccsd66.org or Mrs. Sulima Ssulima@ccsd66.org to let them know. Thank you!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, we will spend time reviewing concepts covered earlier in the year. The skills we will practice include comparing, ordering, and rounding numbers, subtracting across zeros, estimating differences, money, and time. There will be a graded review on Friday, May 20 covering these concepts. On that day, there will also be a divided by 6 test.

READING

Students will be tested on comprehension and vocabulary for Two Days in May on Tuesday, May 17. Then, students will be creating their own "Jackdaw" on a book of their choice. This will require them to gather objects which will help others guess what the plot of their story is.

SPELLING

Lesson 25 covers commonly misspelled words. All homework is due on Friday, May 20 when we will also have the final test.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our class will begin hemispheres this week.

SCIENCE

The unit on heat, light, and sound (chapter 14) will begin this week.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of May 9, 2011

2011-05-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you for coming to our magic show on Friday! The students and I were so excited!

Reminder: Students have a P.E. test on Wednesday.

Friday, 5/13 is an early dismissal.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

READING

We will begin a new story, Two Days in May, this week as we focus on using all of the strategies we have learned this year. The vocabulary and comprehension test on this story will be on Tuesday, May 17.

SPELLING

Lesson 24 pretest on contractions is on Monday and all homework and the final test is on Friday.

ENGLISH

We will continue writing our expository essays this week as we focus on details and transitions.

SCIENCE

The chapter 12 energy test is on Thursday, 5/12.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The chapter 9 test on economy is on Wednesday, 5/11.

Week of May 2, 2011

2011-04-29T09:57:00.001-07:00

The sun must love my blogging days because it made another appearance! Second week in a row! Sure is good to feel that sun...

Here is our week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our divided by 4 test is on Friday, May 6. Throughout this week, we are going to continue practicing dividing. We will test on division on Thursday, May 5. Your child has a packet of the material they will be tested on in their math folders.

READING

The magic continues in my reading class as students choose and practice their tricks this weekend. By Tuesday, they need to confirm which trick they are going to do with confidence. The Magic Show is scheduled for Friday, May 6 at 8:20. I am looking forward to seeing you there! Let me know if you plan to come so I have chairs set up for you. *Reading classes will not meet on Monday due to MAP testing*

SPELLING

Our lesson 23 pretest will be on Tuesday and all homework will be due on Friday.

ENGLISH

Students just finished up our pronoun unit and will be moving on to expository writing. I am very excited to start this unit with such a great group of writers! We will discuss introductory hooks, transitions, and effective closings in addition to detailed body paragraphs.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will take the chapter 9 lesson 2 open book review on Tuesday which covers economic choices and opportunity costs. The chapter test will not be until Wednesday, May 11.

SCIENCE

We are moving on to lesson three which is "Why is energy important?" The lesson 3 open book review will be Friday, May 6.

I hope the sun continues to shine and you have a wonderful weekend!

Week of April 25, 2011

2011-04-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining as I write this and boy, what a difference it makes! I hope it stays for a while!

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL tomorrow (Friday, April 22)

Arbor Day is Friday, April 29 - perhaps you can plant a tree with your family?

For an upcoming (it's a secret, wink, wink) project we are working on, I am asking each child to bring in $1.00.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We are continuing our long division unit this week. The divided by 3 test is on Friday, April 29. I will keep you posted through your child's planner on the date the test covering the unit will be.

READING

This week, we will begin our magic unit! Be on the lookout for an invitation coming home for our magic show on Friday, May 6 from 8:20 - 9:20.

SPELLING

Unit 22 covers words ending in -er and -le. Homework will be due on Friday, April 29.

SCIENCE

Our study of energy continues as we discover how energy can be used this week. We will take an open book chapter 12 lesson 2 review on Wednesday, 4/27.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Now that we've finished up our Chicago unit, we are going to start economy. This is in chapter 9 of our social studies books. The first graded assignment is on Thursday, which is a lesson 1 open book review.

ENGLISH

Our pronoun unit will end this week, on Friday, with the test covering all of the lessons in chapter 6. Students have been given learning contracts and have been working diligently on getting all assignments finished.

Although it's not necessary, if you want to shoot me an email if your child is going to miss school on Thursday for Take Your Child To Work Day, that would be very helpful and allow me to provide any crucial work your child may miss.

Have a wonderful weekend and Easter!

Week of April 18, 2011

2011-04-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you for stopping by to see our classroom and projects we have been working on during Open House. It was wonderful to see past and current students, as well as, meet some upcoming students. Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, April 22. Also, there is an early dismissal on Thursday, April 21. Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be working at stations this week to review and refresh on the concepts we've covered this year. I also intend to spend some time working on multiplication and division facts. The division test for 2's is on Thursday, April 21.

READING

We are going to continue working on our poetry unit with our focus on the "I AM" poem. We will not have reading on Thursday of this week.

SPELLING

There is no spelling due to the shortened week.

ENGLISH

The class will be working with pronouns, but each at their own pace depending on the pretest they took.

SCIENCE

In preparation for Open House, science really was left on the back burner but now our attention focuses back to energy.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will finish up our Chicago unit before moving on to our economy chapter.

Have a great week!

Week of April 11, 2011

2011-04-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Open House is on Thursday - hope you can make it! Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students began chapter 23 last week in which they multiplied by 2-digits. We are going review this before moving on to multiplying by 3-digits. I plan to test on these concepts on Wednesday, April 13. Mixed multiplication review test is on Friday, April 15.

READING

We are going to begin our unit on poetry this week focusing on stanza, rhythm and rhyme. There will be a poetry vocabulary quiz on Thursday, April 14.

SPELLING

The focus on lesson 21 is the VCCV (vowel, consonant, consonant, vowel) pattern. All homework is due on THURSDAY, April 14. The test will still be on Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Please remember - the Chicago Mobile is due on Monday. Also, there is a history of Chicago quiz (study guides went home) on Tuesday, April 12.

SCIENCE

We will finally be picking back up with our study of energy this week. Discussions will include stored energy, kinetic energy and potential energy.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at Open House on Thursday! Doors open at 6:30. Have a great week!

Week of April 4, 2011

2011-03-31T09:45:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their time off and will be well rested when we return on Monday.

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, April 5

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

The students and I will review the lessons we covered last week in chapter 17 (lessons 1 on patterns and lesson 2 on geometric patterns) before learning lesson 3 on number patterns. We will then be ready to take the chapter 17 test on Wednesday, April 6. Please remember, the x12 multiplication test is on Friday, April 8. We will then begin mixed reviews which include all of the numbers. Students have also received division packets which they have hopefully started looking at. We will begin testing division facts on Wednesday, April 20 with 2's.

Reading

This week will allow us to study Tomie DePaola in depth through several of his stories. We will continue using all of the reading strategies we have learned throughout the year as we focus on comparing and contrasting, making connections and using our metacognition.

Spelling

Lesson 20 focuses on words with the vowel sound in bought. The final test and all homework is due on Friday.

English

We are going to begin pronouns this week and finish up our Open House projects.

Social Studies

Our study of Chicago continues this week as we write our own Chicago Fire stories, decorate our own "Cows on Parade" and discuss immigration.

I look forward to seeing all of my students on Monday! Enjoy the rest of your break!

Week of March 21, 2011

2011-03-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Monday, March 28th is the beginning of Spring Break. School will resume on Monday, April 4th.

This week in a nutshell:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week, but we will also be discussing potential and kinetic energy.

Social Studies: We will continue the study of Chicago.

Spelling: This week we will work on spelling list 19. There will be a test on Friday, March 25th.

Reading: We will finish working with the chapter book Ramona Quimby, Age 8. While reading, students will work on many reading strategies including finding the main idea, making connections, and sequencing.

English: This week we will finish our study of adjectives and adverbs in unit 4. There will be a unit 4 test on Thursday, March 24th. Students will receive a study guide on Monday.

Math: We will be testing on chapter 19 on Monday, then we will move on to algebra.

Have a great week and enjoy Spring Break!!!

Week of March 14, 2011

2011-03-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

Yipppppeeeee! We have finished all of our ISATs and I could not be more proud of our students! They took their time and tried their best! Congratulations on all of your hard work!

A few odds 'n ends:

Students attending the roller skating party on Monday, March 14th will need to report to school at 3:45 p.m. to check-in and have their stamped before boarding the buses. Students should bring their fast pass with them at check-in which will go home with them on Monday. Please remember not to park in the bus lanes when dropping your student off and for pick up.

Monday, March 14, 2011
4th and 5th Grade Choir - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Chess Club - Knights - 2:25 to 3:25 p.m.
All School Roller Skating Party - 3:45 to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Project Challenge
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Parent Meeting - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
4th and 5th Grade Choir - 7:15 to 7:50 a.m.
Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m
District 66 Eat Out - Fundraiser at Nonnies Pizza http://www.ccsd66.org/PTO/FundRaisers/nonnies.pdf

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students have these dates written in their planner and I don't foresee any date changes at this time for the upcoming multiplication tests:

Friday 3/18 x10

Friday 3/25 x11

Friday 4/8 x12

Friday 4/15 mixed review

Then we move on to division...I will be giving practice sheets to students who have accomplished all of their multiplication facts.

This week, we will continue working with decimals.

READING

We will continue working on all of our reading strategies, especially identifying main ideas and details, sequencing events, and making connections as we use various reading materials (novels, basal short stories, and leveled readers). I have asked students to bring in their favorite recipe on Monday so we can type those up and compile a classroom recipe book.

SPELLING

We will pretest on Lesson #18 on Monday and have our final test / homework due on Friday.

ENGLISH

Our goal is to finish up our simile project this week and continue working on adjectives. We are still collecting "junk" if you have any items you don't need returned.

SCIENCE

Students will be testing on Chapter 4 on Monday. I decided to postpone the test and allow students to use their books because of how disjointed our schedule was due to the ISATs.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will be doubling up! Our study of Egypt will continue as we begin our exploration of Chicago. There are a lot of interesting facts I've learned about our great city!

Have a wonderful week!

Week of March 7, 2011

2011-03-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

No School on Monday, March 7!

During parent/teacher conferences, it was so nice to see many parents again, as well as, meet some parents for the first time. If at any time you would like to touch base with me, please don't hesitate to contact me.

We only have one ISAT left this week! On Wednesday afternoon, students will be taking the final Math ISAT test. Students have done such a great job on these tests and even though it was their first time, there were true experts. Thank you so much, parents, for sending in treats for the students. They enjoyed them very much!!!

Please note that on March 15th there will be a Parent Connect meeting to learn more about how to interpret your child's MAPS scores.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be taking the final math ISAT on Wednesday. In addition, we will begin chapter 19 on decimals.

Multiplication tests will be on the following dates:

x10 Friday 3/18

x11 Friday 3/25

x12 Friday 4/8

Mixed Review Friday 4/15

READING

We will begin reading the chapter book Ramona Quimby, Age 8. While reading students will work on many reading strategies including finding the main idea, making connections, and sequencing.

SPELLING

We will have spelling this week. We will be working on spelling list 17, which includes words with prefixes and suffixes. There will be a test on Friday, March 11th.

ENGLISH

Students will begin working with adjectives this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

As we continue our study of Egypt, students will learn more about Cleopatra this week. There will be a comprehension check on Monday, 3/14. This check will be open book.

SCIENCE

We will finish up chapter 4 on ecosystems and test on this chapter on Friday, 3/11.

Have a wonderful week!

February 28, 2011

2011-02-26T09:44:00.000-08:00

ISAT WEEK

This week, it is very important to eat a hearty breakfast and get plenty of sleep. Third grade will be taking the ISATs on Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning/afternoon, Thursday morning/afternoon. Next week, the final test is on Wednesday afternoon. If at all possible, please avoid keeping your child home on these days. Some parents sent in snacks for students to nibble on before our tests - I very much appreciate this - thank you so much! Testing with a full belly makes a huge difference! Also, if you have not had an opportunity to send me a letter/sign for your child, you can certainly send that in on Monday or Tuesday.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

No School on Friday, 3/4

No School on Monday, 3/7

Parent/Teacher conferences are this week. If you have forgotten your time, feel free to email me.

MATH

On Monday and Tuesday, we will be reviewing T-charts and concepts covered earlier in the year to refresh for our tests on Wednesday and Thursday. I am going to resume with math fact tests after ISATs are over. Our x10 test will be Wed. 3/16. In the meantime, please continue practicing at home.

READING/SPELLING

We will be taking the ISATs during this time.

ENGLISH

Students are going to finish up their friendly letters and then we will mail them out. All of the junk we have been collecting will then be put to use on a project we are writing - be sure to look for this project at Open House.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our study of Egypt continues and we have a lot of fun projects/activities planned this week.

SCIENCE

We will be finishing up chapter 4 on ecosystems. I expect to test on Thursday, 3/10.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of February 21, 2011

2011-02-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

No School on Monday, February 21 in observance of President's Day.

Students had a great time at our Valentine's party on Monday and enjoyed playing the LEFT,RIGHT game shown in the picture. A huge THANK YOU to the parents who organized the party and came in!! The students and I really appreciated your time and effort in allowing us to have such a great party!

On Monday, we also had a scientist come in from High Tech - High Touch to talk about matter with our students. You can see from the pictures how much fun they had during this in-school field trip!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

I will review solid figures, perimeter, area and volume this week (chapter 16 lessons 1 and 2; chapter 22 lessons 1,2, and 4). On Wednesday 2/23, students will take a checkpoint quiz on these concepts. In addition, we will practice writing T-charts.

Spelling

We are focusing on breaking down words into prefixes, root/basewords, and suffixes. We are also discussing how the addition of prefixes and suffixes can change the meaning of words.

Reading

We will continue working on all of our reading strategies, especially identifying text proofs, interpreting passages, as well as inferring meaning as we use various reading materials (novels, short stories, and leveled readers).

English

Students will continue practicing writing friendly letters this week and will be assessed on their skills on Friday, 2/25.

Social Studies

Our study of Egypt continues as we visit a virtual Egyptian Tomb and explore the ancient pyramids. An open book comprehension check is on Thursday, 2/24.

Science

We will continue discussing ecosystems and all of the populations and communities they are comprised of.

Week of February 14

2011-02-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

Students did an excellent job taking their first closed book tests this past week. It was obvious much time was spent preparing for these tests at home - keep up the good work!

There will not be reading classes this Monday due to the Matter Matters presentations. Valentine's parties begin at 1:30 on Monday.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, we will discuss geometry further as we cover congruent and similar shapes, symmetry, and flips, sides and turns (lessons 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 in chapter 15). There will be a checkpoint assessment on these topics on Thursday, 2/17.

READING

We will continue to practice the strategies we have learned throughout the year. Students did an excellent job on their African American photo albums!

ENGLISH

We will be working on a friendly letter writing unit this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will begin our study of Egypt this week.

SCIENCE

This week, we will begin our study of ecosystems.

We have a very fun week ahead of us!

Week of February 7, 2011

2011-02-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Due to school cancellations, many of our tests and quizzes have been rescheduled and are listed under each subject.

Valentine's Party - If your child is bringing Valentine's cards in for their classmates, please have them refrain from addressing each card. A simple signature works best to save time in passing the cards out - thank you!

Wednesday, 2/9 is the 100th day of school!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be taking the chapter 21 test on Monday, 2/7. The x7 test was on Friday; makeups will be given throughout this next week. The x8 test is the upcoming Friday, 2/11. We will begin Geometry this week in chapter 14 working with types of lines, angles, plane figures and quads.

SPELLING
This week we will focus on List 16: adding endings. The homework will be sent home Monday and due Friday. The graded test will be on Friday.

READING
We will continue working on all of our reading strategies, especially identifying main ideas and details as we use various reading materials (novels, short stories, and leveled readers). The photo albums students started on Friday are due on Friday, 2/11. They will have class time on Monday to work on this project.

ENGLISH

The verb test is on Wednesday, 2/9. Then we will begin friendly letter writing.

SCIENCE

The chapter 11 test on matter is on Tuesday, 2/8. The matter presentation from High Touch-High Tech was rescheduled for Monday, 2/14.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The chapter 3 test on immigration will be on Thursday, 2/10.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of January 31, 2011

2011-01-29T14:08:00.000-08:00

The amount of information our class shared for Culture Day was truly amazing. I only planned for this event to occur on Thursday and Friday afternoon and soon realized I did not set aside enough time for all our students had to share. We learned so much and ate delicious food! Thank you for all of your assistance at home on this very successful project. We still have some presentations to look forward to on Monday!

Odds and Ends:

There will be a PE test on Thursday.

The matter presentation from High Touch-High Tech is on Wednesday from 9-10.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will continue through chapter 21 this week (metric measurement) and be tested on Thursday, 2/3. The x7 test is on Friday, 2/4.

Spelling
This week we will focus on List 15: vowel plus r sounds. The homework will be sent home Monday and due Friday. The graded test will be on Friday.

Reading
We will continue working on all of our reading strategies, especially identifying main ideas and details as we use various reading materials (novels, short stories, and leveled readers). Students will be developing a photo album of a famous African American in honor of Black History Month.

Science

The chapter 11 test is on Wednesday, 2/2. Students have been given a study guide and we will review this week, because this will be the first test in which they will not be able to use their book. The reviews we have taken throughout the chapter and the graphic organizers we have completed together are excellent studying resources.

Social Studies

Our last lesson in chapter 3 will be completed this week. The final test will be on Tuesday, 2/8. Students will not have access to their books for this test.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of January 24, 2011

2011-01-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

Hi parents and students!

If you are interested in helping out for our Valentine's Party, please email me.

Monday, January 24, 2011
Chess Club - Rooks - 2:25 to 3:25 p.m

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
District Spelling Bee - 10:00 a.m. - PV Gym

Project Challenge Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Friday, January 28, 2011

PTO Bingo Night - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. - Multipurpose Room

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, we will explore Fahrenheit temperature and then review for our chapter 20 test scheduled for Wednesday, 1/26. Then, we will continue learning about the metric units of measure in chapter 21. The x6 test is on Tuesday, 1/25.

READING

We will continue to work on our novels or basal stories as we practice the strategy of making connections.

SPELLING

This week we will focus on List 14: homophones. The homework will be sent home Monday and due Friday. The graded test will be on Friday.

ENGLISH

We will be writing with verbs, discussing the verb 'be', and exploring helping verbs. On Thursday, there will be a review covering these concepts.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students have a graded open book review on Monday, 1/24 on lesson 3. On Thursday, 1/27, we will have the first part of Culture Day and Friday will complete this event. Students will know if they are presenting on Thursday or Friday on Monday. An explanation of this event is in your child's SS folder.

SCIENCE

Matter Presentation: We will have an in school "field trip" about matter on Wed. 2/2 about matter. The cost of the presentation will be covered with the money from last years canceled field trip (when your child was in 2nd grade).

Week of January 17, 2011

2011-01-14T14:50:00.001-08:00

No school on Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday.

This past week, we had a very cool juggling assembly which discussed bullying. Our class has been doing such a great job taking care of each other and being kind, they earned the opportunity to watch My Friend, Martin (with popcorn!) this past Friday. I hope we can keep up this caring attitude of being RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE. They learned that Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for equal rights because he believed everyone deserves equal treatment. This ties with our topic of bullying so well. I don't expect everyone to "like" each other, but I do expect everyone to respect each other.

Ultra's Smart Shopper Program: Has been extended to May 31, 2011. Please save your receipts and turn them into school. Our school can earn 5% return on the total number of receipts collected.

Bus Aide Needed: Caring adult needed to assist special needs students on the school bus. Four hours per day split morning and afternoon. Interested candidates please contact Mrs. Hart at 630-783-5168.

Monday, January 17, 2011

No School/Martin Luther King's Birthday

Papa Passero's - PTO Dine Out: http://www.ccsd66.org/PTO/FundRaisers/Papas.pdf

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Chess Club Permission Slips Due

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

PTO Meeting - 11:30 a.m.

THIRD GRADE SPELLING BEE AT 1:40

Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, students can expect to learn about capacity (gallon, pint, cup, quart), weight (pound, ounces), and metric length (meter, millimeter, centimeter, kilometer). On TUESDAY (1/18), students will be tested on x5. Due to scheduling conflicts, the test dates have been pushed back. The x6 test will not be until TUESDAY, 1/25. I expect the chapter 20 test on measurement to be no earlier than Wednesday, 1/26.

READING

As we begin our novel studies this week we will be targeting the reading strategy of questioning. As always, we will also continue to review and refine our work with the other strategies that we have already introduced, but will highlight questioning this week.

SPELLING

We are back to our normal spelling routine next week with Lesson #13. We will pre-test on Tuesday and assign the corresponding homework. The spelling challenge students will only have to pick two assignments from the list and all other spelling students will have a shortened assignment as well due to the 4 day week. The homework will be due on Friday and we will have the test that day also!

ENGLISH

Our study of verbs will continue this week.

SCIENCE

We will continue discussing states of matter and then begin preparing for the lesson 2 quiz in chapter 11 scheduled for Friday, 1/21.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students were given information about our upcoming Culture Day on Thursday, 1/27. For homework this weekend, they are to discuss with you the components of their culture they would like to discuss with the class. They have a sheet to be filled out which is due this Tuesday. We will continue discussing immigration this week to prepare for the open book lesson 3 quiz on Monday, 1/24. Students took quite an interest in the Ellis Island online tour we took today.

As always have a wonderful (long) weekend!

Week of January 10, 2011

2011-01-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents,

We are back in the swing of things after our two-week break. This upcoming week will be altered slightly due to MAPS testing. Students will not have reading or math on Tuesday or Friday.

As I sat with each student on Friday to clean their binders out, I noticed that this is the time of year when some binders begin to break down and pockets fall out, etc. Please check your child's binder to see what condition theirs is in. If your child's is not in good condition, please
consider buying them a new one asap. I have plenty of folders and replaced those I noticed were not in good shape. Also, this is also a good time to ask your child if they have all their supplies,
or if they are broken or lost. Please replace supplies if your child needs more.

A few reminders:

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. Straight "A's" Recognized

Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Juggling/Motivational Assembly 12:30
Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Friday, January 14, 2011
Progress Reports Issued

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, students will begin customary measurement. Please continue working on math facts. Our x5 test was scheduled for Friday, but due to MAPS testing, students can choose to take this test on Thursday or Tuesday, 1/18.

READING

We will continue to work on the reading strategies of monitoring and clarifying what we read as well as distinguishing facts and opinions while concluding our work with the story Nights of the Pufflings or starting a novel study. The test on Nights of the Pufflings is scheduled for Wednesday, 1/12. We will also be reviewing various other reading strategies to comprehend our reading materials.

SPELLING

Due to MAPs testing this week, we are working on synonym practice during spelling. We will not have a test this week or spelling homework. We will be working on a unit of "snowy synonyms". We will be back to working on Lesson #13 the following week.

Students have been given dates for our Spelling Bee. They are as follows:

Class practice bee: 1/11

Actual class bee: 1/14 (two winners)

Grade level bee: 1/19 at 1:40

District bee: 1/24 or 1/25 TBD

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will be finishing up lesson 2, New Customs, completing the review together as we turn the question around, and taking an open book quiz on Tuesday, 1/11. Students should keep each review to study from as the final chapter 3 test will not be open book and these are great resources.

SCIENCE

Matter: We will be reviewing lesson one, taking the quiz on Friday 1/14 and starting lesson 2 as well. A lesson one study guide will go home early in the week.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of January 3, 2011

2010-12-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope you all had a family, fun-filled, break! Hopefully, everyone returns to school recharged for the new year!

A huge THANK YOU from both Spike and I for such tremendous Christmas gifts!!!

If you look closely, you can see a picture of Spike's old cage inside of his new home! Mrs. Zimmerman creatively printed out this picture to show the difference in size! He is going to be so excited when he comes back from Winter Break to explore his new mansion. Thank you so much for all of your generous contributions allowing him to get a larger home.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

There will be a math fact test on 4's on Friday, January 7. I sent many students with practice sheets over break; hopefully, you found some time to work on these.

READING
We will start working on the strategy of monitoring and clarifying as we read the story Nights of the Pufflings. Throughout this story, we will also distinguish between fact and opinion. We will extend our strategy while working on a novel study. As always we will continue to use the strategies from previous weeks..

SPELLING

We are on list 12: words with the vowel sounds plus r. A pretest will be on Monday. Homework will be given Monday and due Friday. The final test will be on Friday

SCIENCE

We will begin the study of matter in chapter 11. We will begin by discussing the definition of matter. Then students will learn about the physical and chemical properties of matter.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will begin the study of chapter 3 titled People Move From Place to Place. Students will learn about different customs.

Thank you for reading my blog! Enjoy the rest of break and I'll see you soon!!

Week of December 13, 2010

2010-12-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

This is a busy week right before our holiday break! A couple of dates to remember:

On Monday, we will be attending an all school holiday concert at 9:30.

On Wednesday, we will be bowling from 9 to 11. Many students bring money to purchase food from the snack bar. This usually results in students not being very hungry when we return. I highly recommend packing your child with a lunch that day. This way, if a hot lunch is ordered, it is not wasted. Also, they will be able to eat their lunch in my room later in the day if desired.

On Friday, we will be going to the Tivoli to watch The Grinch.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We have a x3 multiplication test on Thursday. Students will continue exploring graphs and data this week. Please continue practicing facts at home on a nightly basis.

ENGLISH

We will complete our narrative papers and have a DOL quiz this week (most likely Thursday) on quotes.

READING

We will continue to learn about evaluating text and visualizing as we read. We will continue to use the story Dogzilla as well as other novels and text as we apply these skills. We will also work on strategies from previous weeks.

SPELLING

We are on list 11: words with the vowel sounds in "clown" and "lawn". A pretest will be on Monday. Homework will be given Monday and due Friday. The final test will be on Friday.

SCIENCE

We will complete our planet books and then make our star gazers this week.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of December 6, 2010

2010-12-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Parent/Teacher conferences provided such an excellent opportunity for me to talk with all of you. I truly cherish this time because I often get so involved in my classroom, I don't interact with you as much as I'd like. Thank you all for coming on time and for your patience with conferences that may have gone past our scheduled time.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, our first scheduled multiplication test (2's) is on Friday. Throughout the week, we will be learning how to tell time, elapsed time and sequencing events. Please remember to continue practicing those math facts (addition, subtraction and multiplication).

READING

We will begin a new strategy focus as we learn about evaluating text and visualizing as we read. We will use the story Dogzilla as well as other novels and text as we apply these skills. We will also work on strategies from previous weeks.

SPELLING

We are on list 10: words with the vowel sound in "join". A pretest will be on Monday. Homework will be given Monday and due Friday. The final test will be on Friday.

ENGLISH

We will continue the study of narratives. Students will write their own narrative this week!

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week, we will continue learning about our community officials.

SCIENCE

Our focus will be on the sun, the inner planets and the outer planets.

Have a great week!

Week of November 29, 2010

2010-11-23T13:00:00.001-08:00

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family and friends!

There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, December 3, 2010.

I am holding Parent/Teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will continue working with money this week. We are having a checkpoint quiz on money on Thursday, December 2. Students were given a multiplication fact test schedule. The first scheduled test on 2's is on December 10th. Students should be practicing these facts nightly.

READING

We will be focusing on author's point of view and purpose next week as we read The Keeping Quilt. If you have a quilt at home you can send it in with your child. If you would like to share your knowledge about quilting, please contact me via email. We would love to have someone come talk to the students about quilts. Thank you!

SPELLING

We will work on list 9: long i sound. A pretest will be given Monday. Homework will be sent home Monday as well. The final test and homework is on Thurs.

SCIENCE

This week we will be focusing on the solar system.

SOCIAL STUDIES
We will be starting chapter 12 this week on our local government.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of November 22, 2010

2010-11-19T14:09:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 will be picture retake day. Any student that did not have their picture taken prior to this date may do so. They will be required to have a picture envelope with money to have a picture taken. Any student wishing to have a picture retaken will have to return the original picture packet for a retake.

Don't Forget Ultra's Smart Shopper Program: Shop at your local Ultra Foods store for your Thanksgiving needs and save your receipts and have your child return them to school. Our school can earn 5% return on the total number of receipts collected. This fundraiser ends December 31, 2010.

Holiday Service Project: The students of Project Challenge grades 3-5 are participating in a Lion's Club Holiday Drive. We are looking for donations such as new toys, new games, toiletries, and food for the needy families in the Darien area. If you wish to participate, you will need to bring the donations in by December 13. Remember that some of these families live right here in Darien. So let's help these families have a happy holiday season. PLEASE DONATE!

Paper Recycling Fundraiser Comes to Prairieview: We are happy to announce we can now raise money for our district by recycling paper! You can help us out, too! Please collect any paper you are going to throw away or recycle (office and school paper, newspaper, magazines and catalogs, and construction paper---no cardboard!) and send it in with your child to school or drop it off at the green and yellow Paper Retriever bin in the Lakeview parking lot (near the fence by the Prairieview playground). The bin is available for drop offs 24/7. The more paper we recycle, the more money we can make! Do something good for our schools AND the environment! Thank you!

Monday, November, 22, 2010

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 3 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 4 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Picture Retakes -Report Cards Issued

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 1 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 2 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, November 24-26, 2010

Thanksgivings Break/No School

Here is our short, upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students are doing a fantastic job working with money! On Friday, we had a challenging lesson on counting change back in which students will be practicing next week. Over the weekend, they are expected to practice this skill with the 'counting mats' that were sent home OR they were also given directions on how to access games on the computer to practice this skill.

ENGLISH

Our creative writers will be given a chance to show their stuff when we write a thanksgiving story from the turkey's point of view!

READING

We will be doing some reading activities with a Thanksgiving theme. These activities review the different skills and strategies we've been working on this year.

Also, students have chosen five vocabulary words from the novels we just completed that they want to become experts on. They will be orally quizzed on these words on either Monday or Tuesday - their choice.

SCIENCE

The chapter 10 lesson 2 quiz was postponed. Students have the choice of either taking this open note quiz on either Monday or Tuesday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students should be prepared to take the Downers Grove quiz this week. They received a study guide with everything they are responsible for knowing.

Have a great week!!

Week of November 26, 2010

2010-11-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

This past week, our class had the opportunity to go on the Downers Grove field trip. We had a gorgeous day and learned so much (myself included)! The chaperones made this field trip such a wonderful experience - thank you so much! Some parents also met us at Giordano's where we had lunch, which was very cool - thank you for stopping by!

Just a reminder that our local Jr. Girl Scout Troop 724 is collecting socks, gloves, hats and scarves for the DuPage County Shelter. There are collection boxes in each of the grade levels. The last day to bring in any items will be Monday, November 15, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Wiseman at chrisina.wiseman@comcast.net

Monday, November 15, 2010

PBIS Recognition Assembly - 1:45 p.m. Parents are invited to attend

Chess Club - Last Names - A-G & S-Z - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 4 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 3 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 2 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 1 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Chess Club - Last Names - H-R - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.

Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Picture Retakes: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 will be picture retake day. Any student that did not have their picture taken prior to this date may do so. They will be required to have a picture envelope with money to have a picture taken. Any student wishing to have a picture retaken will have to return the original picture packet for a retake.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts nightly. This is a skill they must have "down pat" before we begin multiplication. Our work with T-charts continues this week - students are really doing a great job with this very complex concept.

READING

We will continue to focus on our reading strategies as we apply them to our reading. We will focus on making inferences, summarizing, predicting, using background knowledge, and applying our knowledge about synonyms and antonyms. We will also continue to work on identifying character traits, setting, and problem/solution.

SPELLING

We will continue to focus on synonyms and antonyms and analogies this week. There will be a graded review on Friday.

ENGLISH

Students will begin writing a narrative paper.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will continue learning more about modern day Downers Grove.

SCIENCE

Our study of the moon's phases continues. We will be taking an open book quiz on chapter 10 lesson 2 on Friday, November 19.

Thank you! Have a great weekend!

Week of November 7, 2010

2010-11-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hi parents! Just a few odds and ends to start with:

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 will be picture retake day. Any student that did not have their picture taken prior to this date may do so. They will be required to have a picture envelope with money to have a picture taken. Any student wishing to have a picture retaken will have to return the original picture packet for a retake.

Students attending the roller skating party on Monday, November 8th will need to report to school at 3:45 p.m. to check in and have their hands stamped before boarding the buses. Students should bring their fast pass with them at check in which will go home with them on Monday. Please remember not to park in the bus lanes when dropping your student off and for pick up. Thank you

Sunday, November 7, 2010Daylight Savings Times Ends - Turn Clocks Back One Hour - Fall Behind
District 66 Eat Out - Chili's http://www.ccsd66.org/PTO/FundRaisers/Chilis.pdf

Monday, November 8, 20104th and 5th Grade Choir - 7:15 to 7:50 a.m.
Chess Club - Last Names - A-G & S-Z - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 3 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 4 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
All School Roller Skating Party - 3:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
District 66 Eat Out - Chili's

Tuesday, November 9, 2010
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 1 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 2 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
District 66 Eat Out - Chili's

Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Ms. Stetka's class goes on Downtown Downers Grove Field Trip
PTO Meeting - 11:30 a.m. - Room 216
4th and 5th Grade Choir - 7:15 to 7:50 a.m.
Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Chess Club - Last Names - H-R - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.
District 66 Eat Out - Chili's

Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day/ No School
District 66 Eat Out - Chili's

Friday, November 12, 2010
End of Trimester

Saturday, November 13, 2010Market Day Pick Up - 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

On Wednesday, we will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our Social Studies unit about our city. The field trip is scheduled from 9:30 am until 2 pm. Everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child did not sign up for a pizza lunch). If you would like, though it is not necessary, students can also bring $5-$8 in cash on the day of the field trip. This money can be used to spend at any of the downtown Downers Grove shops. Each student will be responsible for their own money. I have all my volunteers to come on the field trip with me. I will be sending more information to my chaperons on Monday.

Spelling

We will continue our study of analogies. This week and next, we will focus on synonym and antonym analogies. Therefore, we will not have a spelling test this week nor next.

Reading

We will continue with our novel study while focusing on character traits, problem/resolution, and setting as well as predicting, summarizing, and making inferences as we read!

English

There will be a unit 2 noun test on Friday, November 12. We will then begin the study of narrative writing.

Math

Our study of T-charts will continue this week as we practice making tables, finding important information, labeling our answers and explaining how and why we have solved the problem.

Science

This week, we will discuss the moon and it's phases. Look for the moon journal your child will be bringing home.

Social Studies

We have finished discussing the history of Downers Grove - there will be an open note quiz on this on Friday, November 12. Next, we will be discussing modern DG.

Have a great week!

Week of November 1, 2010

2010-10-31T05:01:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome Halloween celebration with outstanding behavior!!! I'm very proud of our class and am looking forward to finding out if our school earned 100 power paws during the celebration. Parent volunteers: Thank you so much for making it such a great party!!

A few odds and ends:

Please help one of our local Girl Scout Troops. As part of their community service project this year, Jr. Girl Scout Troop 724 is collecting socks, gloves, hats and scarves for the DuPage County Shelter. There will be collection boxes in each of the grade levels. The last day to bring in any items will be Monday, November 15, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Wiseman at christina.wiseman@comcast.net

Ultra Foods is inviting you to take part in Ultra's Smart Shopper Program, an Educational Rebate Program that generates Cash Back to your school for your educational needs.
Shop at your local Ultra Foods store from September 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010, save your receipts and have your child return them to your school. At the end of the program, our school will submit a grand total of all receipts collected and Ultra will remit a check for 5% of that total back to your school.

Monday, November 1, 2010
4th and 5th Grade Choir - 7:15 to 7:50 a.m.
Chess Club - Last Names - A-G & S-Z - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 4 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 3 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Teacher Institute/No School

Wednesday, November 3, 2010
4th and 5th Grade Choir - 7:15 to 7:50 a.m.
Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Chess Club - Last Names - H-R - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.

Thursday, November 4, 2010
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 2 - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
3rd Grade Intramurals - Group 1 - 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Sunday, November 7, 2010
Daylight Savings Times Ends -
Turn Clocks Back One Hour - Fall Behind
District 66 - Eat Out - Chili's

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Science: We will continue the study of space. Students will learn about the lunar cycle. They will also learn about solar and lunar eclipses.

Social Studies: We will continue learning about the history of Downers Grove.

Math: We will begin the study of "T" charts. This Make-a-Table problem solving is one strategy for solving math story problems. We will be learning the strategy by solving problems together in class. This type of strategy is one area of emphasis on the coming ISAT tests. Look for a packet and a letter of explanation in your students to be left at home folder.

Spelling: This week the students will focus on solving part/whole analogies. We will work on this skill every day. A packet will be given to the students on Monday. We will work on the packet in class and some pages will be homework. This packet can be studied and reviewed for Friday's graded review on part/whole analogies.

Reading: We will be focusing on the following skills and strategies as we read novels this week: identifying character traits, setting, and problem/solution, summarizing, predicting, and making inferences.

English: This week we will continue our study of nouns. There will be a test on nouns (unit 2) on Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of October 25, 2010

2010-10-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

It's our Halloween week. Please keep in mind the following guidelines when helping your child pick out a Halloween costume for our Halloween party and parade (parents may come at 1:00 pm to watch our school parade) on Friday, October 29th:

1. We only have 15 minutes for costume changes. Please make sure your child can change into his/her costume easily and by themselves. If the costume can be worn over their clothes, then both the time to change and the chances of losing any clothes is minimized.

2. If the costume involves make up, please apply it before your child comes to school. If you send your child in with make up then your child has to be able to apply it themselves.

3. Please do not send any weapons (guns, swords, etc.) as part of the costume. Save those for trick-or-treating.

4. We will not have time to change back into our clothes for dimissal. Your child will wear their costume home.

We will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our social studies unit about our city on Wednesday, November 10th. All of the chaperones have been notified - thank you for such a huge response! You still are welcome to come and meet the class at Giordanos for lunch at 12:15 pm. If you would like to meet the class for lunch and eat the pizza we are ordering, please send in $7.00. Otherwise, you can buy a separate lunch or bring a sack lunch.

Science: We will continue the study of space. Students will learn the reason we have seasons.

Social Studies: We will continue the study of Downers Grove. Students will learn about how Downers Grove played a part in the underground railroad.

Math: This week we will continue the study of Chapter 4. There will be a quiz on subracting two, three, and four digit numbers on Thursday, October 28th.

Spelling: This week we will work on Halloween words. There will be a homework packet given to the students on Monday. The homework packet is due Friday. There will be no pretest or final test this week.

Reading: We will be focusing on predicting, making inferences, and cause and effect as we continue to work with Cliff Hanger and other stories. The students will be applying the above comprehension strategies as they read.

English: This week we will continue the study of nouns.

Week of October 18, 2010

2010-10-14T17:38:00.003-07:00

Important dates this week:

Monday, 10/18 MAPS testing - reading
Wednesday, 10/20 Early Dismissal
Thursday, 10/21 Book Fair
Friday, 10/22 MAPS testing - math
Failure Notices and Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Here is what to expect this week:

MATH

We will continue working on subtracting larger numbers. Students should be practicing their math facts every night because the first subtraction fast fact test is scheduled for Friday, 10/22. Students need to pass the test by answering 28 out of 30 questions correctly in two minutes or less.

READING

Our continued focus this week is on predicting and cause/effect. Students should be reading a minimum of 20 minutes per night.

SPELLING

Spelling list 8 (3 letter clusters) pretest is on Monday; homework will be assigned nightly (3 homework assignments this week) and be due on Friday; final test is on Friday.

ENGLISH

We will finish up our descriptive writing unit this week and then begin nouns.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our study of the continents continues and was pushed back a bit. Students will work with the laptops and be ready do take the continent test on Wednesday, 10/20. Then we begin our study of Downers Grove.

SCIENCE

We will begin our study of the planets this week.

Have a great weekend!

Week of October 18, 2010

2010-10-14T17:38:00.001-07:00

Week of October 11, 2010

2010-10-09T07:06:00.001-07:00

Reminders and upcoming dates:

Monday, October 11
No School - Columbus Day

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday Schedule - No Art!!
Students will now see their "reading teacher" for a 70 minute block - Spelling will be done with this teacher from this point forward
3rd Grade Cheer & Dance Clinic - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
MAPS Testing for our class - our school is very excited to begin implementing this test which will measure your child's academic growth in areas of math, reading and language. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information about MAPS testing.
Movie Night Permission Slips are due
3rd Grade Cheer & Dance Clinic - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Language Stars - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Chess Club - Last Names - H-R - 2:30 to 3:25 p.m.

Thursday, October 14, 2010
Open book review of Chapter 9, lesson 3 in Science
3rd Grade Cheer & Dance Clinic - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Friday, October 15, 2010
Movie Night - Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. No admittance after 6:45 p.m.
Student Pick Up is at 8:45 p.m.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

There are only 3 days of math this week due to MAPS testing. Our class did an OUTSTANDING job on their addition timed tests!! We are now moving on to subtraction timed tests, so please continue practicing these facts with your child each night. This week, we will begin chapter 4 - subtraction.

READING

We start learning about cause and effect while reading the story, Cliff Hanger.

Practice makes perfect! Please make sure your child is reading every night.

SPELLING

We are on list 7 this week: the long o sound. We will take a pretest on Tuesday. Homework will be assigned throughout the week and due Friday. The final test will be Friday.

ENGLISH

In our descriptive writing unit, our class just finished sharing our mystery objects and creating similes. This week, we will continue this unit.

SCIENCE

On Thursday, October 14, our class will have an open book review of lesson 3 in chapter 9. This lesson primarily discusses clouds and how we measure weather.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will be researching a continent (on our laptop computers!) to find facts they will present to the class. Presentations will be done in groups of three.

Have a great 3-day weekend!!!

Week of October 4, 2010

2010-10-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 11 - Columbus Day.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will continue our work in chapter three as we learn how to add two-and-three-digit numbers. There will be a checkpoint quiz on Wednesday, October 6 to assess how well our class is grasping this skill. Remember: keep practicing those facts at home! I will begin taking a grade on our math fact timed tests on Friday, October 8.

READING

We will continue to work on the comprehension strategy of making inferences. Our class is full of super stars! The inferences they make about the stories we read are impressive!

Spelling

We are on list 6 this week: more long vowels words. We will take a pretest on Monday. Parents, to save you from searching for spelling workbooks or worksheets, I explained to students that all spelling homework is due on Fridays even though I assign specific homework each night. If you find your child in a position in which they do not have their spelling homework with them (and it's not Thursday night) they essentially have a "pass" and can turn the work in the next day.

ENGLISH

We will continue working on our descriptive writing unit while writing a class book of similes and discussing sensory language.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will study the continents and oceans. There will be a continents and ocean test on Friday, October 8th. Look for a study guide to come home at the beginning of the week. Then we will begin to study Downers Grove. Students will learn about our town's location and history. This is an opportunity for students to relate to their studies.

SCIENCE

We will continue to study weather. Students will learn about different kinds of storms.

Have a great week!!

Week of September 27

2010-09-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hi parents! Just a reminder that picture day is on Thursday, September 30 and forms will be coming home.

A few odds and ends: Third graders are invited to sign up for a free intramural program. During this program, students would stay after school and play games in the gym. Permission slips are available this week and due back to Mrs. Cushing by Friday. The program will start some time in October. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Cushing at tcushing@ccsd66.org

Thank you to everyone who sent in cups, spoons, bowls, juice, and apples to help in our Johnny Appleseed birthday celebration! We had a great time!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will be finishing ch. 2 this week. We will spend Monday reviewing for our test on Tuesday. Students were given a study guide on Friday, which they may have finished for me to grade so I can see which skills may need more attention. Our next unit will be ch. 3: Addition.

READING

We will begin working on making inferences this week. We will be using the story Mulan.

SPELLING

We will work on list 5: more long and short vowels. We will have a pretest Monday and the students will be given their homework each night. The test will be on Friday and homework will be due Friday.

ENGLISH

Students will write the final copy of their "Me" bag paper. Students will present the items in their "Me" bag to the class on September 29th and 30th. Then we will begin a descriptive writing unit.

SCIENCE

We will continue the study of weather. This week we will finish up lesson two and take an open book review on Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will begin the study of continents and oceans.

Enjoy your week!

Week of September 20, 2010

2010-09-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, September 24. Teachers have an institute day.

A couple of odds and ends:

The PE study guide for the soccer test went home Friday. Have you seen it yet? If not, please ask your child about it. The PE soccer test will be Wednesday. Please help your child review for this test.

The PTO would like you to know about this great rebate program through Ultra Foods! Ultra Foods is inviting you to take part in the Ultra's Smart Shopper Program, and educational rebate program that generates CASH BACK to your school for educational needs. It's EASY! Shop your local Ultra Foods store from SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 through DECEMBER 31, 2010. Save your receipts and have your child turn them in to their teacher. At the end of this program, your school will submit a grand total of receipts collected and Ultra will remit a check for 5% of that total back to your school! WOW!!!!!!

Johnny Appleseed's birthday falls on a Sunday this year. We will be celebrating his birthday on Thursday, 9/23. Information about our celebration will come home this week. One of the things we will be doing on Thursday is making homemade applesauce! Please send your child in with an apple that has been cored, cut, and peeled!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

READING

We will continue to focus on summarizing and sequencing this week. We will work on applying this strategy to different texts.

SPELLING
This week we will work with words that have vowel-consonant-e pattern. Homework will be sent home Monday and due Thursday. The test will also be on Thursday.

ENGLISH
We will begin our first writing unit. Students will have homework Monday night. They will be making a "ME BAG" to bring to school. Information about this assignment will come home Monday. They will be using their Me Bags to help write a 5 paragraph paper in class.

SCIENCE

We are learning about the water cycle (ch. 9 lesson 2). Ask your child to show you the movements we learned in class.

MATH
We are focusing on rounding this week (ch. 2) . We will learn to round to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000. We will learn a rounding song and rounding tip on Monday. Ask your child to show you these things!

Have a wonderful week!

Week of September 13, 2010

2010-09-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hi parents!

Hopefully, everyone had a great week and is beginning to settle into the school routine again. On Tuesday, we will begin the Magazine Kick Off fundraiser! Please look in your child's binder for further information about this.

We have an exciting week ahead; here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students brought their graded chapter 1 tests home and are correcting any errors and getting a parent signature over the weekend. We will be going over the test on Tuesday, as we do not have math on Monday. Then, we will begin ch. 2: comparing and ordering greater numbers.

READING

This is an exciting week! Third grade will start switching for reading! We will be reading The Lost and Found by Mark Teague as we focus on the summarizing strategy and our sequencing skills.

SPELLING

In spelling, the new lesson focuses on more short vowels. The pretest is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13. If a student gets a 90% or higher (two or less wrong) they will be in the challenge group and will not be required to take the final test. Students with three or more wrong on the pretest will take the final test on Friday, Sept. 17.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week we will learn about the dangers of "run on" sentences. By the end of the week we will have completed chapter 1 in our English textbooks. A study guide will be sent home on Monday, September 13th. We will have a chapter 1 test on Friday, September 17th.

SCIENCE

This week we will continue chapter 9. Students will build their own terrarium in order to learn about condensation. They will also learn about the states of matter.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will be going on a treasure hunt to use all of the direction skills we learned this past week. Then, our primary focus will be science.

A PE soccer test is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22nd. A study guide will go home on Friday. Please help your child review for this test.

Have a great week!

Week of September 6, 2010

2010-09-03T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Parents! The second week of school is down!

Just a reminder that there is No School on Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day.

This week, I introduced the "All About Me" board to the class. Every week, a different student will share information about themselves on Fridays. The poster I send home can be changed or altered slightly if you are struggling with what to put in a specific section.

Information about Late Slips:Third grade will begin using late slips for homework that is not complete or handed in at the time it is due. Each student will receive 3 "breaks" for Trimester 1. Upon the fourth time they have not completed homework, one point will be taken away from their homework bank in the appropriate subject. You will notice that each subject has a "homework bank" comprised of 5 points. Late slips will be sent home with students for a parent signature which is due back the very next school day with the completed homework assignment. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

MATH
We will continue working with place value this week. I will be sending a game home that will help your child practice place value in a fun way. Also, we are currently scheduled to have the test on chapter one on Friday, 9/10. If we aren't prepared, this will be postponed until the following Tuesday. You will notice that homework grades have been entered in the grade book. Each day, I will try to update the grades so you will be able to check if your child is struggling with a specific concept. Homework is worth 4 points each day.

READING
This week we will continue introducing the reading strategies that we will be utilizing throughout the rest of the year using picture books. The strategies are predicting, inferring, visualizing, monitoring/clarifying, phonics/decoding, summarizing (fiction and non-fiction), questioning, connecting, and evaluating.

Spelling This week in spelling we will work on Lesson 2. This lesson will focus on words with short vowels. We will pretest on Tuesday and assign homework each night. We will be taking one of the homework sheets for a grade. On Friday we will have a test worth 20 points.

ENGLISH
We will continue with "The Sentence" chapter as we explore subjects and predicates. You will notice in your child's assignment notebook that we will be quizzing in DOL (daily oral language) on Thursday, 9/9. A study guide went home to help your child prepare further.

Social Studies
We are continuing our map study skills. I will be sending a study guide home so your child can prepare for a Map Quiz we have coming up - either Friday, 9/10 or Monday, 9/13 (depending on how much we can cover).

SCIENCE
We will begin Chapter 9 on weather and space this week! A lot of fun activities are planned for this unit.

Have a wonderful week!!

Week of August 30, 2010

2010-08-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to school everyone! Parents and students have made huge adjustments this week and as we enter the weekend, I know most of us are looking forward to some time off. Students worked very hard this week and proved what a wonderful class they are going to be!!

Each week, I will list pertinent information about each subject, as well as, other useful school information. Please look at your child's math teacher's blog to check out what is going on in their classes. Thanks!

My Math Class

Third grade is a crucial year to memorize math facts. Students will be required to pass their times tables and I recommend using the flash cards at home on a regular basis. Mastering this skill provides students with a solid sense of numbers which helps them tremendously in all subareas of math. In my math class this upcoming week, students will be locating points on a number line, practicing place value, and discussing standard, expanded and word form.

Reading

This coming week we will start introducing the reading strategies that we will be utilizing throughout the rest of the year using picture books. The strategies are predicting, inferencing, visualizing, monitoring/clarifying, phonics/decoding, summarizing (fiction and non-fiction), questioning, connecting, and evaluating.

Spelling

This week in spelling we will start with Lesson 1. These are "Back to School" words. We will pretest on Monday and pass out a homework packet due Friday. We will be taking one of the homework sheets for a grade. On Friday we will have our first test worth 20 points.

English

Next week we will start with Chapter 1 in our English book: The Sentence. We will be talking about what a sentence is, the types of sentences, subjects/predicates and run-ons. Please encourage your child to speak in sentences at home to practice their understanding of correct sentence formation. You can also start a daily journal with them where you write them a question to answer in complete sentences.

Social Studies

This week will be spent learning our directions. We are going to make a compass rose, practice our directions playing Simon Says and going on a school-wide scavenger hunt.

Have a wonderful week!!

Week of August 23

2010-08-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents and Students:

It was wonderful to meet each of you at Open House. I am so excited to begin a new school year with such fabulous students!

This week is going to be busy! Students are going to start getting in the swing of using their Assignment Notebooks regularly and getting used to our schedule. In addition, we have fun getting-to-know-you activities planned.

We are going to begin the year with a Recipe for Success with excellent books that carry very worthwhile lessons.

Please be sure to check out the survival kits that are going home on Tuesday. This is the first homework assignment of the year.

I can't wait to get to know each of you better throughout this week and the upcoming school year.
Ms. Stetka

Week of May 24

2010-05-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Every year at this time, I experience such a wide range of emotions. I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to summer vacation :) yet, I am equally as sad. After spending nine months with such wonderful, talented, caring children, I have to say goodbye on June 2. I'm never ready, physically or emotionally, to do this. There's always so much more I wish I could learn about them and from them, as well as, so much I wish I could teach them if time allowed. I wish the best for these amazing young people I was lucky enough to spend my year with. Yes, I hope they all do well in school, but more importantly, I hope they grow into self-confident, strong adults who aren't afraid to do what is right. I will miss each of you and will think of you often. Good luck in all of your future endeavors!

Throughout the week, students will be creating their 5th grade memory book. Please send in pictures as soon as you have developed them. Thank you!

Monday May 24 - Lakeview Choir Concert at 10:00

Thursday, May 27 - 5th grade party!!!! in the afternoon

Friday, May 28 - Bowling Field Trip in the morning - PLEASE BRING A SACK LUNCH!

Monday, May 31 - No School in observance of Memorial Day

Tuesday, June 1 - Summer Olympics/Picnic at 10:00

Wednesday, June 2 - Last Day Dismissal at 9:30 :(

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our last day of math is Thursday, May 27. We will be reviewing concepts we've covered throughout the year.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students will be finishing their story element posters and giving book talks about the book they've chosen for trimester 3.

SOCIAL STUDIES

CHAPTER 12 TEST ON MONDAY!!!!!

Have a great week....and an AWESOME SUMMER!!!!!

Week of May 17

2010-05-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hi parents and students! We have a busy week ahead!

Monday, May 17 - The Woodridge Library presentation - 9:40
Monday, May 17 - Parent Night at Lakeview at 6:30
Wednesday, May 19 - 5th grade visits Lakeview Library to discuss summer reading at 10:00
Tuesday, May 18 - 5th grade Lakeview visit at 1:15
Thursday, May 20 - Band concert at 1:00

Monday May 24 - Lakeview Choir Concert at 10:00
Thursday, May 27 - 5th grade party!!!! in the afternoon
Friday, May 28 - Bowling Field Trip in the morning - PLEASE BRING A SACK LUNCH! Monday, May 31 - No School in observance of Memorial Day

Tuesday, June 1 - Summer Olympics/Picnic at 10:00
Wednesday, June 2 - Last Day Dismissal at 9:30 :(

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

After learning volume, students will be testing on Chapter 24 on Wednesday. Then, we will be reviewing fraction concepts and long division.

LANGUAGE ARTS

The lesson 30 spelling test will be on Thursday this week.

In English, we continue through chapter 7, working on adverbs and prepositions, and will be ready to test on Thursday, May 20.

In reading, our poetry books will be complete on Monday and we will spend the rest of the week finishing our book projects for the trimester.

SOCIAL STUDIES

After finishing lesson 3 this week, we will test on chapter 12 on Monday, May 24.

SCIENCE

We will continue our study of energy and assess on what we are able to cover on Friday, May 21.

Have a great week!

Week of May 10

2010-05-08T10:58:00.001-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Hi parents and students! The end of the year always brings a packed calendar...here are our important upcoming dates and events:

All this week Prairieview is collecting gym shoes in any shape and all other shoes that still have some life in them. We want to help cut down on the amount going into landfills. The shoes will be either donated to places that help people or will be sent to Nike's recycling center where they recycle gym shoes into a variety of objects including floor mats. Please tie the shoes together or put them in plastic grocery bags so that they do not become separated. Thank you for your support. At Prairieview School – Character Counts!

Monday, May 10 - Spring Concert at Lakeview at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 11 - Bubble Wonder Assembly at 10:00
Thursday, May 13 - Dress rehearsal of "Oklahoma" at Lakeview at 1:00
Friday, May 14 - Early Dismissal at 11:00

Monday, May 17 - The Woodridge Library presentation - 9:40
Monday, May 17 - Parent Night at Lakeview at 6:30
Tuesday, May 18 - 5th grade Lakeview visit at 1:15
Thursday, May 20 - Band concert at 1:00

Monday May 24 - Lakeview Choir Concert at 10:00
Thursday, May 27 - 5th grade party!!!! in the afternoon
Friday, May 28 - Bowling Field Trip in the morning - PLEASE BRING A SACK LUNCH!

Monday, May 31 - No School in observance of Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 1 - Summer Olympics/Picnic at 10:00
Wednesday, June 2 - Last Day Dismissal at 9:30 :(

We will be starting our memory books shortly. If you have film to be developed, please take it in soon.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

After we test on perimeter on TUESDAY, we will begin area. Do you know the formula for figuring out the perimeter of a regular shape? What about an irregular shape?

LANGUAGE ARTS

We continue to practice the reading strategies and skills we have learned this year while we publish our poetry books and finish our self-selected books. Our final project will be a story element diagram.

The final spelling test on lesson 29 is scheduled for Thursday, May 13.

In English, we will continue with adverbs as we explore negatives, prepositions, and prepositional phrases. When is it appropriate to use well? good?

SCIENCE

We started energy, chapter 15 and will continue discussing solar, mechanical, electrical, and sound energy.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are going to fit one more chapter in before the end of the year: Times of Change. This chapter explores the Industrial Revolution. The final test is scheduled for Monday, May 24. We will also be completing two fun projects as we work through this chapter.

As you can see, we still have a lot to accomplish before the end of the year. It's important we remain focused and continue to follow school rules - they don't change just because it's May :)

Have a great week!!

Week of May 3

2010-04-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hi parents and students! Project Challenge is helping to support a very good cause. Please read below for details:

Students from Project Challenge have started a fundraiser for the ASPCA, a foundation to stop animal cruelty. The kids will be selling Smencils® (scented pencils) for a $1.00 each. The pencils will be sold each morning in the grade level areas. The sales will start Friday, April 30th and go through May 28th.
We will track our sales on the bulletin board by the multi-purpose room. For every twenty dollars we raise, one food bowl will go up on the bulletin board. So please help save our animals. Buy Smencils.

Can't you help me?

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

My math group will be testing on measurement (chapter 22) on Tuesday, May 4. Students will be required to memorize the measurement tables we have been working with throughout this chapter. Then, we will begin perimeter and circumference.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Our class will continue working on the strategies we have been practicing throughout the year, as well as, finishing up our poetry unit. We will be assembling individual poetry books which will include our favorite poems we have written and some from famous poets.

In spelling, lesson 28 final test will be on Thursday, May 6.

The chapter 6 test on pronouns is on Monday, May 3. We will be reviewing in the morning and taking the test in the afternoon. Students will be reviewing specific lessons (7, 3 and 2) over the weekend which have provided some difficulty for them.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The chapter 11 test has been postponed to Friday, May 7. Students have the opportunity to write notes on one side of a 5 x 7 notecard which they can use for the test.

SCIENCE

Students will be taking the Chapter 14 Science test on Tuesday, May 4. Because this is such a "test filled" week, students will have the same opportunity they have in social studies to use a notecard for the test.

Have a wonderful week! Can you believe only 22 days left? Where did the year go?

Week of April 26

2010-04-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hi parents and students!

This week, Dr. Tiede will be joining our class to share some of the explorations he has recently experienced. We are looking forward to having him!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students have been working hard in our measurement unit. This upcoming week, we will be covering elapsed time and temperature. Then, we will begin preparing for the chapter 22 test, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4. (I can't believe I'm saying MAY already!!!) Students should be regularly reviewing their measurement conversion tables until they are committed to memory. There may just be a 'pop' quiz coming up!

LANGUAGE ARTS

We are reinforcing all the strategies previously covered in reading as we continue working with the books each student has chosen to read independently. In addition, our poetry unit continues as we explore diamante, cinquain, clerihew, limerick and ballad poetry this week.

In spelling, the lesson 27 pretest is on Thursday. This particular unit focuses on spelling throughout the writing process.

Our pronoun study continues as we learn about contractions with pronouns, double subjects, using we and us and using homophones correctly. The chapter 6 test is scheduled for Monday, April 3.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Political parties are forming and Thomas Jefferson is looking into the United States' future in Social Studies right now. We are going to discover a lot about Jefferson this week. In addition, we are going to discuss Lewis and Clark's expedition. Currently, the chapter 11 test is scheduled for Thursday, May 6.

SCIENCE

We'll compare mixtures and solutions this week and begin lesson three on chemical properties of matter. Please bring in a very, very dirty penny on Wednesday to witness a chemical change.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of April 19

2010-04-16T12:22:00.001-07:00

It was great to see so many of you at Open House on Thursday! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Since Earth Day falls on the 22nd & we have Early Dismissal that day we will be celebrating on April Friday 23.

Students may wear their Earth Day shirts or green shirts & pack a "NO-trash" lunch as well as walk or ride their bike to school & any other great ideas you may have to celebrate this national day!!!

Important upcoming dates:

Progress will be mailed on Tuesday, April 20 if any students are receiving a grade of a D or below

Wednesday, April 21 is Secretaries Day

Thursday, April 22 is an early dismissal at 11:00

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our class will be discussing customary weight and capacity and metric mass and capacity. The test on chapter 22 is not scheduled until Friday, April 30.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In spelling, our final test will lesson 26 is scheduled for Thursday, April 22.

In English, we will be exploring pronouns.

In reading, students will prepare book talks for the books they have started reading recently and we will also begin our poetry unit.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The start of chapter 11 discusses George Washington as president and we will continue onto forming political parties, as well as, Thomas Jefferson.

SCIENCE

We will explore physical change and density this week as we continue through lesson 2 in chapter 14.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of April 12

2010-04-09T11:56:00.001-07:00

Friday morning, students and parents attended the Too Good For Drugs Graduation ceremony. It was wonderful to see so many parents come out to support our students in their pledge against drugs, alcohol and peer pressure. Deputy Kotovsky does such a fantastic job with our students; we certainly miss him at the end of the program.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, April 12 - Chicago Baseball Day; wear Cubs or Sox shirts (no hats)

GeoSpace at 12:15

Thursday, April 15 - Open House 6:30p.m. - 8:00p.m.

Thursday, April 22 - Early dismissal at 11:00a.m.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Due to GeoSpace in our classrooms, we will only have math on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, we will be reviewing chapter 22, lessons 1-3 in preparation for our open book quiz on these lessons on Friday. Next week, we will be continuing with chapter 22 while addressing customary weight and capacity and metric capacity and mass.

LANGUAGE ARTS

The final test for lesson 25 will be on Thursday, April 15.

In reading, we will continue reinforcing all of the strategies we have previously covered with books each student has chosen to read.

In English, we will begin working with pronouns and continue improving our writing skills. I would like to have the menus and adjective books completed by the end of the week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We have wrapped up chapter 10 and will be testing on Wednesday, April 14. Important books will be handed back to use at part of the students' study guide.

SCIENCE

As we continue working through chapter 14, our next lesson focuses on solids, liquids and gases and physical properties and changes.

I hope you have a great week!

Week of April 5

2010-04-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Spring Break! The weather certainly cooperated!

I am looking for two volunteers to help out in the classroom with our Geo Space program. The program is Monday afternoon, April 12th. The time would be 12:15 - 2:15. If you are interested please let me know.

Important upcoming dates:
April 9th Too Good For Drugs Graduation 9:00 in the Prairieview Gym
April 12th- Geospace in the classroom
April 15th- Open House

MATH

We will begin chapter 22, Measurement. The students will learn how to estimate and measure length using appropriate customary and metric units. We will also focus on converting linear units of measurement. During this chapter we will also continue to review from chapter 14, adding and subtracting fractions.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week we will focus primarily on summarizing, and touch on the other reading strategies while complete our study of the country of China. We will learn from each other as the students share their China brochures with the class. Later in the week, we will begin book clubs using novels the students select. Their selection approvals are due on Wednesday.

SCIENCE

We will be continuing our study of matter this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students are going to take the Preamble Challenge this week and focusing on the important topics of chapter 10 lesson 3.

Have a great week!

Week of March 22

2010-03-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

Maybe the snow will pass over us this weekend?

We have one full, busy week before we enjoy SPRING BREAK!!! A few announcements before the details of our upcoming week:

Naper Settlement is this Tuesday, March 23 - students need to bring a sack lunch clearly labeled with their name.

TGFD letters are due on Wednesday, March 24. The graduation, which I will remind parents of closer to the date, is scheduled for Friday, April 9.

Geospace is scheduled for Monday, April 12. Please send in the $9.75 at your earliest convenience.

Open House is Thursday, April 15 from 6:30 - 8:00.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students took an assessment on adding and subtracting fractions Friday. We need to continue working on this skill and will do so throughout the upcoming week. In addition, we will be adding and subtracting mixed numbers. I hope to quiz on this skill on Friday, March 26.

LANGUAGE ARTS

As we continue our study of China, we will be focusing on using non fiction text to practice the reading strategy of clarifying. China brochures are due on Friday, March 26.

As I have mentioned, TGFD essays are due on Wednesday, March 24.

We will continue working with adjectives in English. If you haven't already done so, please send a picture in of your child. If you do not have an 8x10 photo, I am able to enlarge a smaller photo on the copy machine.

The Spelling final test on lesson 23 will be on Thursday, March 25.

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week, we will continue working through chapter 10. Lesson two is on the debate in Philly about the problems within the government after the Revolutionary war. I have a fun activity planned to focus our attention on the main ideas of this lesson.

SCIENCE

Our focus will shift a little to the matter unit next week.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of March 15

2010-03-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Parents and students,

We have two full weeks before we begin Spring Break, so let's make them worthwhile!

Upcoming dates of importance:

Tuesday, March 16:

Social Studies test on chapter 9

Roller Skating Party at 3:45 - 6:30

Wednesday, March 17

St. Patrick's Day

Character Counts Assembly at 9:30

Classroom job placements will be announced after all applications have been turned in

Thursday, March 18

Science Test on chapter 11 (weather)

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students will be taking a 'quest' on Tuesday, March 16 covering chapter 19 geometry concepts. Then, we will return to fractions to practice adding and subtracting like and unlike fractions. Are you continuing to practice your math facts?

LANGUAGE ARTS

Spelling - lesson 22 focuses on the prefix -com. The final test will be on Friday, March 19.

In English, our focus will be on adjectives and how to utilize them to improve our writing.

We will continue clarifying using nonfiction text throughout this week with our focus on China. Much of our class time will be spent developing our China Brochures.

I will also be discussing with the students the options they have for the trimester 3 book project.

SOCIAL STUDIES

As I have mentioned, the chapter 9 test is on Tuesday. Students should have been preparing for this test over the course of the week, as we will not have as detailed of a review as we have had in the past. Students are well equipped with detailed notes to insure success.

SCIENCE

Over the weekend, students should be preparing for an open note quiz in Science on lesson 3 by reviewing the notes we have taken in class.

Have a wonderful week! Enjoy the weather!!

Week of March 8

2010-03-05T11:55:00.000-08:00

We did it! ISATs are over! Students did such a great job staying focused this past week; I'm very proud of them!

This upcoming week is only a four day week because we don't have school on Friday. Since we are missing Friday, Thursday is a Friday schedule. Also, parent/teacher conferences are being held this week.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We are beginning chapter 19 this week, which will continue geometry. This chapter focuses on plane and solid figures. A 'quest' is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 to cover the concepts for this chapter.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week we will be focusing on clarifying by identifying the main idea and details of nonfiction text. Our focus will be on China for which we will be developing a travel brochure. Class time will be provided for this project and if students work efficiently, very little work will need to be finished at home. The brochure will result from at outline we complete using nonfiction books on China.

Students will be taking the lesson 21 test in spelling on words spelled with ei on Monday. The final test will be on Thursday, March 11.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are going to complete circle notes this week for lesson 3 of chapter 9 which will explain how other nations helped the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. A test on chapter 9 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16. Students should regularly be reviewing their notes in preparation for this test.

SCIENCE

We are going to create weather stations this week to measure and observe weather conditions. Our exploration will include weather instruments, air masses and different types of weather. After we complete all of our notes on lesson 3 of chapter 11, we are going to have an open book, open note assessment on Monday, March 15. Students should also be regularly reviewing their science notes in preparation of the chapter test which is scheduled for Thursday, March 18.

Have a wonderful week! I can almost feel Spring in the air!

Week of March 1

2010-02-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

ISAT week is upon us. Testing is from 8:45 - 11:30 each day. Attendance is crucial during this week. Please make sure students are eating a well-balanced breakfast and getting plenty of rest. Focusing on tests is much easier when our bellies are full and we aren't tired. Please also send your child with a snack each day if possible.

Spring Conference confirmation forms will be sent home to the parents who have requested a conference; please look for these and return as soon as possible.

Students are also bringing home Naper Settlement field trip forms. These are due back on Friday, March 12.

Because this week is full of tests, no tests in the subject areas will be given.

On Friday, to celebrate our successful testing week, we are going to watch Night of the Twisters which is the novel we just completed to compare the book and the movie. Any snacks or treats you would like to send in to help us celebrate will be appreciated.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will be reviewing all the reading strategies used in reading for preparation during the ISAT's.

In addition to finishing up some of our projects on Night of the Twisters, we will be working on our All About Me projects. These were started earlier in the school year.

We will be decorating our memory books this week so when our cameras are ready to be developed, we can simply add them the photos.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In lesson three of chapter 9, we look at the World Turned Upside Down to determine how the colonists are coping with running their own government.

Have a great week!

Week of February 22

2010-02-19T13:29:00.001-08:00

Parents and students: Next week (March 2, 3, 4 and 5) we will be ISAT testing. Please make sure students are eating a healthy, balanced breakfast and they are getting plenty of sleep during this week. Also, please make every effort to have students in school on the mornings of these dates.

No School on Monday, March 1!

Spring Conference forms went out on Thursday. Please send these back as soon as possible so I can develop my conference schedule. These conferences are held on an "as needed" basis.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Over the next week, we will spend much of our time reviewing. Our review will include fractions, perimeter, area, volume and graphing. In addition, I will be introducing standard units and tools to measure length; conversions; and map interpretation.

No formal assessments are scheduled this week.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Our pretest in spelling on lesson 20 (words ending in -ary) is on Monday; final test is on Thursday.

We will be having writing conferences this week to discuss each student's strengths and areas for improvement.

Night of the Twisters will be wrapping up, but we have some projects to work on, as well as, an extended response. The final test on the novel is on Friday, February 26.

In addition, we will be discussing text structure, figurative language and order of events.

SOCIAL STUDIES

As we continue to discuss the Revolutionary War, we will be assembling Declaration of Independence quiz panels, and working on and sharing our patriot profiles (due Wed. Feb. 24).

Have a great week!

Week of February 15

2010-02-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

This four day has a lot in store!

On Tuesday, our homeroom will get to enjoy the party they earned by collecting $1,000.00 fifth grade dollars. We are going to wear cozy clothes, watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and enjoy some snacks. Congratulations on a job well done!

On Wednesday, 5th grade will get to enjoy a presentation by the "Kids on the Block", which discusses students with disabilities. We also will be meeting with Deputy K. for our 6th week of Too Good For Drugs on Thursday.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will be testing our geometry skills on Wednesday, February 17 after we review on Tuesday. Then, we are going to review and explore measurement, fractions, long division and multiplication. Currently, there won't be any formal assessments or tests for the next two weeks. Much of our time will be spent reviewing to insure students have a solid grasp on the numerous concepts we have covered thus far.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will continue with Night of the Twisters as we rely on the strategies we have been covering this year. There will be a cumulative test at the end of the book, which is currently scheduled for Friday, February 19. I'll keep students posted if this test will be postponed a bit.

We will be focusing on point of view, comparing and contrasting literature, and figurative language this week.

We have also been sharpening our writing skills over the last several weeks as we practice extended responses and expository writing. Students received a prompt they will be primarily working on at school, which provides a chance to win some money!

SOCIAL STUDIES

Chapter 9 focuses on winning the revolution so we will be researching some patriots. Students will get to pick who they would like to focus on for their patriot projects, which I will explain to the students on Tuesday. We will also be practicing our Paul Revere reader's theater.

SCIENCE

Our focus on the water cycle and the factors that affect Earth's weather will continue this week as we conduct another investigate to model this.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of February 8

2010-02-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our party is on Friday, the 12th at 1:30. Students get to enjoy one sweet treat and one healthy treat.

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 15 in observance of President's Day.

Our students have earned a class party by collecting $1,000.00 fifth grade dollars!!!! The party will be during the afternoon of the Tuesday, February 16. We are going to watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, enjoy some treats, and wear our 'comfy' clothes to school. Any treats brought in will be very much appreciated.

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our unit on geometry continues with circles, congruence, and lines of symmetry. The test covering the concepts in chapter 18 is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17. Although we are moving forward, we still need to work on fractions; particularly simplifying fractions, converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa, and ordering fractions.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Night of the Twisters, we will continue discussing the characters, connecting, and new vocabulary.

In addition, we will be reviewing graphic organizers, setting, plot and theme.

Our progress in writing is continuing as we move from the focus portion of our expository papers to the support portion.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We began the first steps of our reader's theater on Paul Revere's ride, which we will continue working on throughout the next couple of weeks.

Lesson 3 will be wrapped up today which brings us to the Chapter 8 test scheduled for Thursday, February 11.

SCIENCE

We are going to begin discussing the water cycle in lesson 2 as we begin a hands on activity on the concept on Tuesday. Friday, the students will have an open note, open book quiz covering this lesson.

Week of February 1

2010-01-29T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hi parents and students!

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, February 2 - Teacher Institute Day.

Our District Spelling Bee will be held on Thursday, February 4 at 1:00.

For our Valentine's Day party on Friday, February 12, the only drink that will be allowed will be water per the office.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

The test on Chapter 12 was originally scheduled for Monday, February 1, however, I am pushing this test back to Wednesday, February 3. I would like one more day to review the concepts we have been covering: improper fractions; mixed numbers; simplifying fractions; converting fractions to decimals, decimals to fractions; and equivalent fractions. After our test on Wednesday, we will begin Geometry as we discuss points, lines, angles, and polygons. Students will need to bring their protractors to math this week.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In spelling, lesson 17 is a review of previous lessons. We will be going over the rules we have learned thus far and sharing some tips for hard-to-spell words.

In English, our main focus will be on expository writing. We are going to practice writing leads, conclusions and transitions, as well as, discussing all of the important factors that must be included in an expository essay. This includes focus, support, and organization.

We will also be continuing with Night of the Twisters as we practice the strategies we have been learning.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Colonists are upset and in lesson two we will see how they rebel against Britain. Some concepts we will discuss will be the Committees of Correspondence, the Boston Tea Party, and the Intolerable Acts. We are also going to begin our Reader's Theater on Paul Revere's Ride.

SCIENCE

Our unit on weather will continue this week as we finish up discussing atmosphere and taking an open note/open book quiz on lesson 1 on Wednesday, February 3.

Have a wonderful week!!

Week of January 25

2010-01-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

Hi parents and students! Many of you have brought in money for our Help for Haiti fundraiser - what an example of good character! Thank you!

Reminder: No school on Tuesday, February 2 - Teacher Institute

The upcoming week is busy; hopefully everyone has a restful weekend. Here it is in a nutshell:

MATH

Our class has been focusing on fractions. On Tuesday, January 26, we will have a quiz covering equivalent fractions and simplest form. For the remainder of the week, we will explore mixed numbers; compare and order fractions and mixed numbers; and relate fractions and decimals. As we continue to work through chapter 12, we will review regularly to prepare for the chapter 12 test scheduled for Monday, February 1.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reminder: Bookmark 2 is due on Monday, February 1, to be completed on a book of your choice.

In English, we will review chapter 3 on verbs before our test on Tuesday, January 26. I recommend reviewing some of the lessons over the weekend. We will also focus on writing leads and endings in expository writing.

In spelling, lesson 16 focuses on the silent -h. The test will be on Thursday, January 28.

We will be busy in reading as we practice writing extended responses, continue our book club on Night of the Twister, and review inferences, generalizations, key points, fiction and nonfiction genres.

SOCIAL STUDIES

As we begin "The Road to War", chapter 8, students will be taking notes on key ideas in lesson one covering the trouble over taxes as colonists begin to protest against Britain. We will even hold a simulation of how the colonists felt during this tumultuous time.

SCIENCE

This Place is a Zoo projects are due on Monday, January 25. After our class has a poster walk to view all of the wonderful posters our class has made, we will begin our unit on weather. First, we will discuss and explore the uneven heating of the earth and then cover the atmosphere while demonstrating atmospheric pressure.

Have a wonderful week!!

Week of January 18

2010-01-15T08:30:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

In observance of Dr. King's birthday, we have NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 18. Enjoy your 3-day weekend!

Reminder: Wednesday is a Monday schedule which means we will not have Art this week. Although the week is short, we have a lot to accomplish. Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will begin chapter 12 on fraction concepts this week. Our lessons will include fraction concepts, equivalent fractions and simplest form. There will only be 3 days of math this week. Next week, we will review these three concepts and quiz on them on Tuesday, January 26.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Spelling, lesson 15 focuses on words that end with ery. The final test will be on Friday, January 22 due to the shortened week. Worksheet 51 is due on Wednesday; worksheet 15 is due on Thursday.

In English, our study of verbs continues as we look at regular and irregular verbs; verb phrases with have; and the difference between teach/learn, let/leave, sit/set and can/may. This will allow us to review the chapter on Monday, January 25 in preparation for the test on Tuesday, January 26. We will also practice writing extended responses as we preview some examples of key ideas and rubrics to critique previously written responses.

In reading, our class will begin The Night of the Twisters as we continue to review and practice all of the strategies we have learned which include previewing and predicting, summarizing, clarifying, inferring and connecting.

Our ISAT prep will include connecting, analogies, main idea and supporting details.

SCIENCE

We are going to spend a majority of our science time working on our "This Place is a Zoo" projects. The final projects will be due on Monday, January 25. This project allows students to study a particular animal's adaptations, interesting facts, symbiotic relationships and habitat.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Chapter 7 Test is on Tuesday, January 19. Students should prepare for this test over the weekend. We will then begin chapter 8 on The Road to War. Topics include the Revolutionary War, and trouble over taxes.

I hope you have a great, long weekend!

Week of January 11

2010-01-08T05:03:00.001-08:00

Our first week after break has passed and we are entering the week of Iowa tests. This is a crucial week to make sure students are getting enough sleep and eating a healthy, balanced breakfast. Please make sure you have two number 2 sharpened pencils and a healthy snack each day.

This week, we will begin Too Good For Drugs with Officer K, which is very exciting. He does an excellent job with our students year after year.

Important dates to remember:

Monday, January 18 - No school in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wednesday, January 20 - Monday schedule (our class will not have Art)

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

Students will have three classes of Math this week and two days of Iowa testing. During our class time, we will explore prime and composite numbers and review for the quiz on Friday, January 15. The quiz is going to cover multiples and Least Common Multiples, divisibility rules, factors and Greatest Common Factors, and prime or composite numbers. This covers chapter 11, lessons 1-4.

Language Arts

Although Iowa testing will take up much of our class time, we will be focusing on English lessons 9 (agreement with be and have) and 10 (contractions). The test on chapter 3, Verbs, is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26.

There will not be a spelling lesson this week.

In reading, we will work on various comprehension strategies with a focus on clarifying.

Science

Students will begin their "This Place is a Zoo" projects on Monday and continue working on these throughout the week. This project will enable them to explore a specific (their choice) animal's biome, adaptations, and way of life. The project will include online research and developing a poster and sign indicating the information they were able to gather on their animal.

Social Studies

Our focus is on the French and Indian war this week, chapter 7 lesson 3. After we complete this lesson, we will review for the test which is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19. This is right after a 3-day weekend; students must remember to bring home their study materials on Friday.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Stay warm and dry!

Week of January 4

2010-01-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

Winter break was fabulous, but it sure feels good to be back! I'm sure all of the students agree with me :) I hope each of you had a restful break filled with loved ones!

Here are some details about the days ahead of us:

Iowa week is next week, January 11 - 14. Our regular studies lighten up a bit during this week to allow students an opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities.

No school on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

We are touching upon dividing by two-digit divisors, multiples and least common denominators, and greatest common factors. We are working from Chapter 11, lessons 1-4. The quiz on this material will be on Friday, January 15.

Language Arts

This week's spelling lesson focuses on the prefixes con, ex, sub and in. The lesson 14 test will be on Thursday, January 7.

In English, our study of verbs continues, particularly on past tense, future tense and subject-verb agreement. There will be a quiz covering lessons 1-8 in chapter 3 on Friday, January 8. The test on verbs is not scheduled until Tuesday, January 26.

We will be exploring the writer's craft this week including similes, metaphors, and synonyms, through various styles of writing.

Social Studies

The Fight for a Continent is our topic of study right now as we discuss how the Spanish moved north. We will also discuss the French's exploration of the Mississippi this week as we prepare for the chapter 7 test scheduled for Tuesday, January 19.

Science

This is my favorite week in Science!!! We will be dissecting owl pellets after we discover the Barn Owl's way of life. An open note quiz on what we've been discussing will be on Thursday, January 7 so keep all of your notes!

Have a wonderful week!

Week of December 21 (First day of Winter)

2009-12-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

To think we haven't even begun winter yet!!! Brrrrr!!!

Thank you for all of the generous gifts brought in for the family we are helping to have a joyous holiday this year.

Being the week before break, it is quite busy:

Thursday morning, we are going bowling. Usually, I ask students not to sign up for hot lunch that day, as most of us visit the snack bar. I recommend bringing a sack lunch that day and if students get hungry later in the day, they can eat what they have brought.

Friday morning, we get to listen to the band perform the Holiday Concert! I'm excited! Then, we are off to the Tivoli to watch Unaccompanied Minors.

We still have to remain focused, however, because we have important tests coming up this week:

We have a Social Studies test on Chapter 6 on Tuesday. Also, there is a P.E. written test on Bowling.

We have a Science test on Chapter 6 on Thursday.

Our spelling list will consist of holiday words and will be on Wednesday this week.

In MATH, we are reviewing many of the concepts covered thus far, as well as, introducing others we may see on the Iowa or ISAT tests. Keep practicing those math facts!

Have a warm, restful weekend!

Week of December 7

2009-12-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

Parents, it was wonderful to spend some time with you this past week. It's no wonder this is such a great group of students.

Tuesday will be the last day we are collecting for our family this holiday season; I did some shopping this weekend.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

Students will be taking the Chapter 6 test on Tuesday, December 8. I feel they are more than ready for this test. Then, we will be spending some time problem solving and preparing for the ISATs so students are successful in taking the test.

Language Arts

Our writing practice continues, lesson 13 will be tested in spelling and our study of verbs progresses.

Social Studies

Benjamin Franklin time line is due on Monday, December 7. This week, we will be looking at everyday life in the colonies.

Science

We just quizzed on lesson 1 of energy and ecosystems, this leads us to lesson 2. No tests or quizzes are scheduled this week.

Have a wonderful week!!

Week of November 30

2009-11-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

Parents, I'm looking forward to meeting with you this week! It is my goal not to exceed our allotted time to ensure all appointments run according to schedule, as I know your time is valuable.

Please remember there is no school on Friday, December 4. (I cannot believe December is here already!)

The upcoming week has a lot in store:

Math

Our work with decimals continues this week as we round, add, subtract and estimate. Chapter 6 is short, with our test scheduled for Tuesday, December 8.

Language Arts

Our lesson in spelling focuses on the suffix -ous. The final test is on Thursday, December 3.

In English and reading, we will be focusing on improving our writing skills through practicing our extended responses on Jacob's Rescue and Hana's Suitcase, two novels we've been reading about the Holocaust.

Reading logs are due on Monday!

Science

After we share our storyboards on Monday, our focus will be on symbiosis. A quiz on lesson one is scheduled for Thursday, December 3.

Social Studies

Ben Franklin will be our focus this week. Students will be illustrating one of his proverbs from the Poor Richard's Almanac and making a timeline of his life. The timeline will be due on Monday, December 7.

Enjoy your week!

2009-11-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hi parents and students! This upcoming week is a short one due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We only have school on Monday and Tuesday.

I sent an informational sheet home with students regarding our holiday service project. Any help you can offer the family we have been assigned will be greatly appreciated. Students were able to come up with excellent, inexpensive gift ideas!

Since our week is so short, I will keep my post short and sweet:

My Math group will be preparing for the ISAT with some extended responses, as well as, their multiplication and division facts.

My homeroom has an English test on Tuesday, November 24 on chapter 2 (nouns). There will not be a spelling test, however, there will be spelling homework.
For trimester 2, due dates have been selected for each bookmark the students are handing in, along with their reading projects. Bookmark 1 is due on Monday, 12/14 which must be on a nonfiction book. The reading project is due on Friday, 2/26.

********Signed Reading Logs are due on Monday, November 30************

The storyboard students are creating in science to show how a population of animals adapts to an unknown item is due on Monday, November 30.

Have a wonderful week! I am thankful for all of you!

Week of November 16

2009-11-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hi parents and students! This is the last full week before our Thanksgiving break. Next week, we are off of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Reminders: The Skating party is on Tuesday, November 17. All seats have been filled for this event.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Our work with decimals will continue. Originally, I had the test scheduled for Thursday, November 19. There is a chance this will be postponed to Friday, November 20. I will keep the students updated.

Language Arts

Students will continue inferring this week, as well as, finishing up their Jacob's Rescue summary journal. We will also be sharing our reading projects. In English, our work with nouns continues. Spelling will bring us to lesson 11.

Science

We will begin chapter 6 on ecosystems and change this week.

Social Studies

Our trade fair is on Wednesday and I'm really looking forward to seeing the items students have made for this fun event!

Have a great week!

Week of November 9

2009-11-06T12:10:00.001-08:00

Just a few reminders: There is no school on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veteran's Day.

Picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, November 19.

Reading projects are due no later than Tuesday, November 17.

Reading logs are now to be filled out nightly to document time spent reading. Parent signatures for the first week are due on Monday.

Please return the conference forms that were sent home with my homeroom as soon as possible.

The field trip to Robert Crown went exceptionally well today. I am thankful for such a mature and kind group of students!!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

Students will be reviewing for part two of the math test (which includes lessons 5 - 8 of chapter 4) on Monday. The test will be on Tuesday. Then we will begin decimals.

Language Arts

In addition to predicting, summarizing and visualizing, we will add inferencing to our strategy list for becoming better readers. On the 13th we will begin sharing our reading projects with the class.

English continues with nouns. In spelling, we will test on lesson 10 on Friday since we are off on Wednesday.

Social Studies

We will begin chapter 6 this week which is on life in the English colonies. Students will be able to start their Trade Fair projects in school.

Science

Our chapter 5 test is on Tuesday and on Thursday, we will participate in a Lima bean activity.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of November 2

2009-10-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hi parents and students! I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween! Looking forward to hearing all of the fun trick-or-treating stories!

Just a reminder that we are going to Robert Crown on Friday, November 6. Please send students with a sack lunch that day.

Book projects are due Friday, November 13!!

There is no school on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veteran's Day.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week, we will cover functions and inequalities. Our chapter 4 test will be taken in two parts. Part one will be on Thursday, November 5. Part two will be on Tuesday, November 10.

Language Arts

As we continue with visualizing, students will write their own Tall Tales this week.

In English, we will begin our noun unit as we continue practicing our writing. The spelling lesson 9 is also on the writing process.

Social Studies

We will be reviewing on Monday to prepare for our test on Tuesday, November 3.

Science

Our class will be looking at food webs more closely in addition to the nitrogen cycle as we prepare for our test scheduled for Tuesday, November 10.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Week of October 26

2009-10-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

As the leaves fall along with the temperatures, we look forward to Halloween. Please remember that our costumes cannot include any fake weapons or blood and should be appropriate for school. Our party begins at 12:30 on Thursday with the parade followed by pumpkin decorating and snack in our classroom.

Junior Achievement began in our room last week and will continue until November 16. Mr. Blocker really enlightens our students on the economy and basic business practices.

Remember, there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 30.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

We will continue working with numeric and algebraic expressions, solving equations and learning about functions this week.

Language Arts

Our spelling list is on Halloween words this week with the test on Wednesday.

In English, we will be wrapping up and reviewing chapter 5 so we can test on Thursday.

In reading, our class will continue with Tall Tales and studying characterization, setting, and plot. In addition, we will be having a lot of fun with idioms.

STUDENTS, YOU SHOULD BE DONE WITH YOUR ROUGH DRAFT OF YOUR READING RESPONSE WEB AND GETTING STARTED ON YOUR FINAL DRAFT. THIS IS DUE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 13.

Social Studies

We are hoping to test on Chapter 5 on Wednesday - we'll see if we can get all of our absent students caught up.

Science

Our focus this week is on food webs. We will not be testing until November 10.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of October 19

2009-10-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder we have an early dismissal on Wednesday, October 21.

Also, there will be specific instructions coming home about our Halloween celebration. Keep thinking about how you are going to decorate your pumpkin.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

Students have been practicing writing numerical and algebraic expressions, finding the value of the expressions and dabbling in a little mean, median and mode. This upcoming week, we will be discussing the properties and taking a quiz on what we've learned on Wednesday, October 21.

Language Arts

In spelling, we will be taking the lesson 8 test, which is a cumulative test on lessons 1-7. This test requires students to pick out a misspelled word from a group of five words. This sounds easy but is really quite a challenge. Review the lessons we've covered so far to refresh your memory.

In English, students will continue writing correctly with commas, quotation marks, abbreviations and titles. We plan to do some creative Halloween writing as well.

We will continue writing our summary journals for Jacob's Rescue but we will also add another strategy to our list: Visualizing. This strategy is best practiced with tall tales, which is the genre we plan to focus on.

Social Studies

As we finish up chapter 5 and the 13 colonies, we will be preparing for the test which is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.

Science

Our leaf projects turned out really cool! Next, we'll be talking about energy and how it passes through an ecosystem, as well as, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week of October 12

2009-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Important News:

There is no school on Monday, October 12 in observance of Columbus Day.

On Friday, October 16, our class will have a pizza party to celebrate the 126 magazine sales we made, putting us in first place! That afternoon, we will also have the Mario Cart assembly with the top four classes.

Students need to bring their cleaned, dried and pressed leaves by Thursday, October 15 in order to do our leaf project on Friday.

Halloween Notes: The format has changed a bit from previous years. After the school-wide parade, our class will be decorating pumpkins, listening to a scary story and having a treat in our classroom. Students are encouraged to bring the supplies they will need to decorate their pumpkin.

Permission slips for Robert Crowne will be going home on Tuesday. There is also a parent night regarding the topic of discussion scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

We will begin algebra on Wednesday but will continue to review multiplication and division. Please do not stop practicing your math facts!

Language Arts

The spelling pretest on lesson 7 (soft and hard g) will be on Tuesday. The final test is on Thursday.

In reading we will be writing our summary journals for Jacob's Rescue and continue choosing a word of the week to present on Friday.

We will be writing a lot in English to practice our comma use and using quotations.

Social Studies

Our discussion of the original 13 colonies will continue as we read about the Pilgrims.

Science

Our vocabulary game boards will be completed this week as we discuss photosynthesis and plant life.

Have a wonderful, long weekend!!

Week of October 5

2009-10-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Hi parents and students! I am so impressed with how many magazine sales our class made! We came in first place! I'm so proud to be a part of such a hard working, motiviated group...Thank you for all of your efforts!

Here is our upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We are going to begin dividing this week! Please don't forget to continue practicing those math facts, however. The lesson is very short and we will be testing on this skill on Friday, October 9.

Language Arts

Our spelling lesson this week is on plurals formed with es, lesson 6. The posttest is on Thursday.

In english, we will focus on the importance of commas in our writing.

We will be starting a new novel this week, Jacob's Rescue, to continue our summarizing and predicting skills. We will also continue our focus on synonyms and antonyms.

For our vocabulary word of the week, students may be asking their parents for an example of how to use their word in a sentence. You may want to keep those dictionaries close - the words they choose are usually really good ones!

Social Studies

We're going to be taking a close look at the New European Colonies this week.

Science

As we begin chapter 5 on energy and ecosystems, we will be doing an activity which will require leaves of various shapes and sizes. Further directions will be given to the students this week.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of September 28

2009-09-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Reminder: Picture Day is Thursday, October 1.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

We will continue practicing and reviewing multi-digit multiplication to prepare for our Chapter 2 Test scheduled for Thursday, October 1. Don't forget to continue practicing those math facts at home! The deadline for passing all the number is on Wednesday!

Language Arts

Our class will be finishing up The Wish Giver this week and I will model how to correctly complete a Story Web. Each student will be responsible for completing one Story Web this trimester on a book of their choice. We are going to continue using context clues and affixes to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. We will also begin Chapter 2 in English which is on parts of speech.

Social Studies

We are beginning Chapter 5 on the struggle to found colonies. We'll be discussing the Battle of the Spanish Armada and Jamestown. The students will also be completing a scroll book on the Lost Colony of Roanoke. This is what we will need brown paper shopping bags for.

Science

Our test on "Getting Ready for Science" is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of September 21

2009-09-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

Reminders: Tuesday, September 22 is an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed at 11:00 A.M.

Magazine Turn in is on Friday, September 25.

As students begin taking tests, I wanted to remind parents tests will not be sent home. All grades are posted on parent connect. Tests that have received grade of a D or less will be sent home requesting parent signature. If there is a specific test you would like to see to go over with your child, please let me know and I will send it home. I am requesting all tests to be returned the next school day.

A note from the library:
Join us for Lunch in the Library
On October 8, the IMC is the place to be! Come talk about books while we munch on lunch with other readers. Bring a chapter book you really enjoyed reading, and tell us about it! You'll also hear about other great books you might like to read. If you're getting hot lunch that day, just get your lunch first and then join us.

MATH

Our class has been working very hard and our tests scores prove it! We just took the Chapter 1 test and the grades have been posted to parent connect. I was very pleased! This week, we will be multiplying by multi-digit numbers. I cannot stress how important it is to be practicing math facts regularly. Students who struggle with their multiplication tables will have some difficulty with this chapter. A quiz covering patterns in multiplication, estimating products and multiplying by 1-digit numbers is scheduled for Tuesday.

Language Arts

On Tuesday, our class will be testing on Chapter 1 in English: The Sentence. Students have been given "How to Study" sheets and have a chance to earn 2 points toward their tests if they list the three or more ways they have studied and parents sign off.

In Reading, we will continue focusing on summarizing and predicting as we read The Wish Giver. Our focus will also be on synonyms and antonyms.

In Spelling, lesson 4 covers prefixes and base words. The test is on Thursday.

Social Studies

We will be discussing life in New Spain now that the Aztecs have been conquered. This lesson concludes Chapter 4 - the test is scheduled for Friday, September 25.

Science

We will be practicing the scientific method this week to prepare for our test scheduled for Wednesday, September 30.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of September 14

2009-09-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

Hopefully students are practicing their math facts nightly. All facts must be passed by September 30. On Wednesday, September 16, chapter 1 test is scheduled. Then, we will start getting into multiplication in chapter 2.

Language Arts

Our class will continue with predicting as we begin summarizing this week. Much of our practice will come from the novel we are reading, The Wish Giver.

In English, students need to bring a picture in by Wednesday for an activity we will use to review for our chapter 1 test scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.

We will cover Spelling lesson 3 on the suffix -er/singular possessives. Pretest is on Monday, posttest is on Thursday.

Social Studies

We'll be discovering more about the Aztecs this week and how the Spanish Founded New Spain.

Science

We will be discussing classifiying and the inquiry skills scientists use.

Have a wonderful week!

Week of September 7

2009-09-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

We have finished our first full week of school and we are in the full swing of things!

Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

Also, because our class has P.E. first thing in the morning, shoes and socks get very wet from the morning dew. If possible, it would be helpful to send in an extra pair of shoes/socks until the weather becomes too cold to go outside.

I was happy to see many parents at Curriculum Night; I know it was a difficult night to come out for many families. Thanks for taking the time to visit your child's classroom!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

MATH

This week we will be preparing for our test on Chapter 1 scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, by learning how to estimate using compatible numbers, adding whole numbers and subtracting whole numbers.

Remember, practicing your facts nightly will help you pass the math fact tests.

Language Arts

We will be focusing on the suffix able in Spelling. The pretest is on Tuesday and the post test is scheduled for Thursday.

In English, we will continue focusing on the sentence, covering simple subjects and predicates, and subjects in imperatives. We find many fun ways to practice what we learn, so I am going to ask students to bring in a photo you don't mind keeping at school for a while. We are going to use these photos for a project.

Predicting is still our focus in reading and we will apply this strategy as we begin our first book club on The Wish Giver. Students will also begin choosing their vocabulary words to add to our vocab "wall".

Science

We will continue discussing the tools scientists use to prepare for the quiz on this scheduled for Friday, September 11.

Social Studies

We are going to get into the mind of Columbus as we write letters back home telling of our voyages. Then, we will begin discussing the Aztecs. In addition, we will review longitude and latitude.

Have a wonderful, long weekend!

Ms. Stetka

Week of August 31

2009-08-28T14:01:00.001-07:00

We made it through our first week of school! This has been a very fun-filled week of getting to know my caring, respectful and bright students. I am looking forward to spending this year with all of you!

Just a reminder that Curriculum Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 3 from 6:30 - 7:30.

Also, there is no school on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Hopefully the weather will warm up so we can have some summer-end BBQ's!

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Math

This week in Math, our class will be discussing place value up to the billions; how to write numbers in standard, word and numeric form; and estimating sums and differences. Students know math fact tests begin on Monday so hopefully they are refreshing their memories over the weekend. On Friday, we will quiz over the first 4 lessons of chapter 1.

Language Arts

Our reading group is going to begin predicting with various stories, including the one we are reading for read aloud, Touching Spirit Bear. Once we've mastered this reading strategy, we will continue adding strategies to our wealth of knowledge. Hopefully students are spending a minimum of 20 minutes reading each evening.

In English, students will determine the differences between fragments and complete sentences by writing both for various prompts presented in class. We are also going to refresh our memories on the 4 types of sentences.

Spelling pretest on lesson 1 is on Monday. This lesson covers final silent e words and suffixes. The post test is on Thursday, September 3. I will explain our spelling and reading program in detail on curriculum night.

Science

The activities planned in science this week will cover the tools scientists use in their field.

Social Studies

After acclimating ourselves with the social studies text book, we are going to begin chapter 4 on the voyages of Columbus. We will also practice finding the main idea of paragraphs as we discuss the Columbian Exchange.

Have a wonderful week!

Ms. Stetka

Welcome Back!

2009-08-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hello parents and students!

We are getting down to the last moments of summer; I sure hope it was an enjoyable and relaxing one! I am very much looking forward to meeting all of you at Open House on Monday between 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Please bring your supplies and the questionaire I mailed earlier this month.

Enjoy your weekend!

Ms. Stetka

Weeks of May 18 and May 25

2009-05-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of upcoming dates to remember:

Monday 5/18 - Students go to Lakeview in the afternoon for information regarding next year.
That evening, parents are invited to attend Lakeview's Open House starting at 6:30.
Thursday 5/21 is an all school concert at 1:15.
On Friday, 5/22 Ginger Zee from NBC channel 5 is coming to talk to fifth grade! A note went home asking students to view one of Ginger's reports this weekend during the morning or evening news casts. We are really excited to have her!

There is no school on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.
Tuesday, we are going to attend a presentation by Indian Prairie Library.
Wednesday, May 27 - Robert Crown
Thursday, May 28, 5th Grade Celebration from 12:45 - 2:15.
On Friday, May 29, Bowling

Although the days are winding down, we still have work to do. Summer break begins on June 5 and I intend to work until then.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Homeroom

In Science, students are going to finish their "This Place is a Zoo" projects and turn them in on Wednesday, May 20. Then we will begin our unit on owl pellets and get a chance to dissect them!

In Social Studies, students have a test on Chapter 11 on Thursday, May 21.

Math

Students will be assessed on decimal multiplication and division this week. Then, we will begin multiplying fractions and mixed numbers.

Language Arts

We will begin our final book club on Monday, May 18, which will take us to the end of the year in reading.

In English, we will be testing on adverbs and prepositions on Friday, 5/22.

In Spelling, our last test will be on Friday, 5/22 on lesson 30.

Have a great two weeks!

Week of May 11

2009-05-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Our PTO made sure that Teacher Appreciation Week was amazing. Thank you so much for your hard work, time and wonderful gifts! Many students showed their appreciation as well - thank you!

This Monday evening, the cadet band is performing at Lakeview at 7:00 P.M.
Next Monday evening, the 18th, Lakeview is hosting an Open House for 5th students during the school day and for 5th grade parents at 6:30 P.M. This is a good time to familiarize yourself with the junior high setting.
Staley the Bear is coming to visit Prairieview on Tuesday!
We will also have the opportunity to attend Lakeview's dress rehearsal of "Guys and Dolls" on Thursday afternoon.

Here is the upcoming week in a nutshell:

Homeroom

In Social Studies, we will be discussing Lewis and Clark and the War of 1812. The test on Chapter 11 is scheduled for Thursday, May 21.

"This Place is a Zoo" projects in Science will be our main focus over the next two weeks or so.

Math

After learning volume, we are going to review perimeter and area so we can take our test on Wednesday, May 13.

Language Arts

In Spelling, we will be testing on Lesson 29.

Our adverb unit begins on Monday in English. In Reading, we have finished our Jackdaw projects and our Poetry books. We will continue working in our various book clubs and on vocabulary.

Have a great week!

Week of May 4

2009-04-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we only have 24 days of school left. Although it doesn't sound like much time, we have much to accomplish.

Robert Crown Center permission slips will go home on Monday and are due back as soon as possible.

Homeroom

In Science, we are going to have an open note/book quiz on lesson 1 of chapter 6 on Monday. Then, we will begin a project on animals in their habitat to discover true symbiosis, adaptation, and competition.

In Social Studies, we we begin our Thomas Jefferson autobiography booklets and continuing to discuss our newly formed government.

Math

We will test on perimeter and measurement on Tuesday, May 5. Then, our class will begin exploring area.

Language Arts

Our class began another book club so all students have assigned reading nightly. Our poetry books are due on Wednesday, May 6.

Students will be sharing their Jackdaw projects on Monday, May 4.

An English test on Pronouns is on Tuesday, May 5.

Have a great week!