12-6-11

Math test on chapter 5 this Friday.

Next Friday, December 16th, we will have our Christmas party. We will order pizza for lunch and make gingerbread houses. In order for this to be a successful project, every student needs to contribute $3.00 for pizza and either a tub of white unwhipped frosting or a bag or small colorful candy. A letter is going home today (12/6) so that you know what you need to bring in. There is a sign-up sheet on the door for other items needed.

Week of 11-14-11

We are finished with the first chapter on multiplication, which are facts 0-4. Make sure you are practicing at home. We know how to solve problems, and now need to memorize those facts. Flashcards are great.

Religion chapter 5 test on Wednesday.

Reading and Spelling tests this week.

Week of 11-1

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween!

This week in addition to our Spelling and Reading tests at the end of the week, we have a Social Studies chapter 2 test on Friday. Use the study guide and vocabulary chart to know what to study. Vocabulary charts will be collected on Friday and must be complete to earn full credit.

Just a reminder about reading calendars--each student needs to write the title of what he/she reads nightly, and the parent needs to initial. Each day is worth 2 points and will be added into the reading grade.

Week of 10-10

There is a Religion chapter 3 test on Tuesday. Visit www.sadlierreligion.com for a great interactive website to help you study.

There is a Math chapter 2 test next Tuesday.

This week we are working on main idea and supporting details in writing and reading.

Week of 10-3

We are back to our regular schedule now that the ITBS testing is over.

No School on Friday--teachers have an inservice.

On Thursday, students may pay $1 and wear pink to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.

Spelling tests on Wednesday and Thursday.

Reading story test on Thursday.

Religion chapter 3 test NEXT Tuesday!

ITBS testing

This week we begin our ITBS standardized testing. These last for the next two weeks! They are really important because these tests tell us a student's current academic level, along with his/her strengths and weaknesses. It is really important that students do their best to be present on these days. Testing will be done in the morning. Try not to be late on these days. Students need to eat a healthy, low sugar breakfast and get a good night's sleep to be ready to test.

Regular classwork and homework will still be assigned during these next two weeks.

Please see me if you have any concerns or questions.

Book orders were given out with ordering instructions. Friday, 9/23 is the deadline.

Week of 9-12-11

We need empty, clean yogurt containers for paint containers. The short Greek containers work the best (Fage, Oikos, Trader Joes). If your family is eating these, please save those containers, give them a wash, and send them in. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

We have a Social Studies chapter 1 test on Tuesday and a Math chapter 1 test on Wednesday.

Reading test is on Friday and Spelling test will be on Thursday and Friday.

Third graders will be doing the readings this week at the 8:30 school Mass. Join us if you can!

Week of 9-6-11

This week we are learning about author's purpose. Why does an author write? The main 3 reasons can be remembered with the word PIE, which stand for Persuade, Inform, and Entertain.

There will be a reading story test on Thursday and a spelling test on Thursday and Friday.

In math, we are reading and writing numbers up to the hundred-thousands place.

Weekof 8-22-11

Homework will be assigned this week. There will be a spelling test and reading story test on Thursday.


Don't forget--Back to School Night is on this Thursday, Aug. 25th at 7 p.m.

Students may wear blue and gold clothing on Thursday.

No school on Friday--Teachers have an inservice.

Students need to wear P.E. clothes every Monday!

8-15-11

Welcome Back to School!

Books are coming home this week to be covered. Please return the signed portion of the parent letter by Friday.

I look forward to meeting all of the third grade parents at Back To School Night.

Author visit

We have the opportunity to see the author Jon Scieszka next Tuesday, March 1st! He is a very popular children's author. He will be speaking at Crossroads School. We will walk there and be back before lunch. If students want to get a personally autographed book, they will need to order them through Children's Book World, the store who is arranging the talk. Order forms went home today and are due on Thursday, 2/24. Please return the permission slip with both sides filled out ASAP. This is an exciting chance for us!

Week of 2/21

Happy President's Day on Monday. Enjoy the long weekend!

Religion chapter 9 test on Wednesday.

15 out of 20 students received a 93% or better on the last 5 minute multiplication facts test. WOW! I am so proud of this accomplishment! Keep it up 3rd grade! As we are working on our geometry chapter, don't forget to review those facts.

Career Day Pictures

The Santa Monica Public Library children's librarians read a fun book to the third grade. Dr. Edstrom teaches us about being a vet as she shows us a lorikeet and tortise.

Ms. Lipshultz, from the L.A. Zoo, teaches us how to feed the baby giraffe.

Week of 2/7/11

Some upcoming events:

• Valentine's Day is next Monday! This is always a fun day for students. If students wish to bring Valentine cards to exchange, they need to bring one for every student. A class list will be going home on Monday, 2/7.
• Flowergrams are on sale this week for $1.00. Students may purchase a flower with a note to send to a friend or buy one for a parent.
• On Valentine's Day, students may wear free dress with pink, red, and white.
• Multiplication test will be given every Friday from now on. Those students who do not score at a given level which is announced every Friday will have extra multiplication homework. The goal is that the extra homework helps those students who need to keep working on their facts gain speed and accuracy. I have seen a lot of progress already.
• Social Studies chapter test on Friday.
• Math chapter 7 test on Wednesday.

Week of 1/18

• There is a multiplication fact test and a Math chapter 6 test on Friday.
• There is a Religion chapter 5 test on Wednesday.
• Don't forget to work on your Native American project, due Friday, Jan. 28th.

Sample project pictures

Cover, glued to file folder Mini book and 3-D shelter--on right inside of file folder

Inside of file folder--Map goes on left

Native American Project

A Native-American report was assigned 1/10/11.

The project is part of the Social Studies grade, and is due on Friday, 1/28/11 at 8:00 a.m.

Directions and supplies were handed. Students need to research a California tribe, create a small 3-D model of the tribe's shelter (about the size of a 1/2 sheet of paper), write a mini-book, and color the region where the tribe lived. All paper supplies have been handed out in class. Students will need to use their own materials for the home model. The file folder handed out in class is what the cover, map, and house information sheet need to be glued onto. Please come and see me if there are any questions!THERE IS A WONDERFUL SAMPLE IN THE CLASSROOM.