Week of 1/4/16 - 1/8/16

Have a happy and safe holiday with your family! I'll see you in 2016!  Please make sure your child is coming to school with warm clothing for recess.  Gloves and a hat are a must!!   I've also noticed that the children's school supplies are starting to dwindle.  Please ask your child what he/she needs to replenish as we start a new year together.   Thank you!

Student of the Week: We will pick a new student Thursday, January 7th.

"IVAN the Gorilla" Student: We will pick a new student on Tuesday, January 5th.

COMING UP THE WEEK AFTER WINTER BREAK:

Spelling:  New list #7 coming home on Monday, 1/4/16. Spelling Test #7 and the new homework activities "menu" will be due on Friday, 1/15/16.

Reading & Language Arts:  We’re continuing our Culture and Traditions Unit. We're close-reading The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco.  

Your child is working on the Independent Reading Contract #4/Non-Fiction. I've moved the due date back 1 week and lessened the activities (column 1= 4 activities, column 2 = 1 activity, column 3 = 1 activity, column 4 = 1 activity). Your child can show you if you have questions. They will have time in class to work on it when we get back to school. 

The packet and attachments are due Monday January 11th. Also bring back the borrowed non-fiction book on that day.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night! The December Reading Log will be due on Monday, January 4th. Completed reading logs are worth 10 points!

Social Science:  We are reading Chapter 11 in our Science textbooks learning about Properties of Matter.

Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Forsman's Math Class:  We're continuing Unit 4, focusing on mass, liquid volume, and measurement.  There will be a short "Telling Time" checkpoint quiz on Tuesday the 5th.

IMPORTANT DATES:

12/21 - Winter Break begins!

1/4 - School Resumes 2016

1/4 -  December Reading Log are DUE

1/11 - Independent Reading Contract #4/Non-Fiction DUE
1/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35am Prairieview)

1/18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (No School)

Have a Happy Holiday!

- Mrs. Lopez

Week of 12/14/15 - 12/18/15

 Our last week until Winter Break! We have a fun week coming up. 3rd Graders will be bowling for free at Brunswick Zone this Thursday as an extension of their PE Bowling Unit.
If you're child wants a snack at the bowling alley, they may bring $5 (which they will hold themselves). There will be a pizza deal for $3.25 (2 slices of cheese pizza & a 16 oz. drink).
We have made note of the children's bowling shoe sizes, however if Brunswick runs out, the children may wear their gym shoes. *Please have your child wear gym shoes on bowling day. Since 3rd Grade bowls in the morning, we will be back to school by lunchtime (so your child will still eat lunch).

On Friday, we will be taking a whole-school field trip to the Ogden 6 movie theater to see the 1982 family, sci-fi film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial". We will eat lunch at school before we go. There will be no food provided at the theater.

Student of the Week: Daisy is our "Star Student" this week. She will be sharing a poster about herself and her favorite things. We can't wait for her to share! : ) When your child is "Star Student", they will bring home a poster to complete. They can also pick a day to bring in a show-and-tell. We pick a student's name every Thursday.

"IVAN the Gorilla" Student: Aaqil and Oscar have both gotten to take IVAN home and spend some time with him. They write in IVAN's journal how they spent the week together, add a photo or drawing, and share their experiences with the class. IVAN is from the book The One and Only Ivan. It is the true story of a silverback gorilla (told from his point-of-view) who lived most of his life in captivity. We will be reading this book during the 3rd trimester of school.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

Spelling:  We are taking a fun, holiday-themed Spelling Test this week. The students will take a pre-test on Monday 12/14 and a final test on Thursday 12/17. Homework is: put the words in ABC order on a sheet of notebook paper due by Wednesday 12/16.

If they get the pre-test all correct or get 1 wrong on the pre-test, they don't have to take the test on Thursday. : )

Reading & Language Arts:  We’re continuing our Culture and Traditions Unit. We're close-reading The Night Before Christmas and doing a Christmas around the world project.

Each student is presenting/performing their Biography Person Presentation this week. Students should bring in their artifacts/dress up pieces on Monday, December 14th. They will keep them at school until their presentation. I'm hoping we're done by Wednesday. : )

Your child is working on the Independent Reading Contract #4/Non-Fiction. They may take their book home over Winter Break and complete the contract activities packet. The packet and attachments are due Monday January 4th. Also bring back the borrowed non-fiction book on that day.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night! The December Reading Log will be due on Monday, January 4th. Completed reading logs are worth 10 points!

Social Science:  We are reading Chapter 12 in our Social Studies textbooks learning about Local Governments and Communities.

Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Forsman's Math Class:  Completed Unit 3 Tests will be sent home and students have the option to correct problems with errors for 1/2 points. These corrections will be due by Wednesday 12/16.

We're continuing Unit 4, focusing on time and measurement. There will only be 3 days of math this week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

WIN (Whatever I Need/Literacy) Class: Congratulations to my 1st Trimester WIN Class! We won the Flocabulary.com: Week in Rap Jr. Contest!!!!! You all submitted thoughtful statements about "Why Human Rights are Important" earning us a Shout-Out for our school on their website on January 8th. I'm so proud of you and have enjoyed working with each and every one of you. I encourage you to keep using all of the vocabulary words we learned this first trimester in writing and conversation.  : )

IMPORTANT DATES:

12/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35am Prairieview)

12/17 - 3rd Grade Bowling Trip to Brunswick Zone

12/18 - Prairieview Holiday Movie "ET" at Ogden 6 Theater

12/21 - Winter Break begins!

1/4 - School Resumes

1/4 - Independent Reading Contract #4/Non-Fiction AND 

         December Reading Log are DUE

1/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35am Prairieview)

1/18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (No School)

Have a Happy Holiday!

- Mrs. Lopez

Week of 12/7/15 - 12/11/15

ODDS & ENDS:

Only 2 more weeks until Winter Break! Our class is excited to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year.

Student of the Week: Natalie is our "Star Student" this week. She will be sharing a poster about herself and her favorite things. We can't wait for her to share! : ) When your child is "Star Student", they will bring home a poster to complete. They can also pick a day to bring in a show-and-tell. We pick a student's name every Thursday.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

Spelling:   Spelling Test #6 and the new homework activities "menu" will be due on Friday, 12/11.

Reading & Language Arts:  We’ve started our next unit of study on culture and traditions. We’ve listened to, close read, and watched “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and raised a lot of interesting discussion.  We’re starting a new read aloud book which goes along with this unit entitled The Year of the Dog.  In the coming weeks, we’ll also be close reading The Night Before Christmas and doing a Christmas around the world project.

Each student is working on their Biography Person Presentation, using facts about their person and preparing to perform for the class beginning the week of December 14th.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night! The December Reading Log will be due on Monday, January 4th. Completed reading logs are worth 10 points!

Social Science:   We are taking the Modern Day Downers Grove quiz on Tuesday, 12/8. A study guide was sent home. If the students write down notes while studying for the quiz, they may use their notes for the quiz. : ) They may not use their Modern Day Downers Grove packet for the quiz.
Next, we will learn about Local Government.

Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Forsman's Math Class:  We’ll finish Unit 3 this week.  The test will be on Wednesday, 12/9.  The students brought home a pre-assessment/study guide to complete at home.  Monday, I will send home the answer key so they may check their responses.  I’m hoping this will help get them ready for Wednesday’s test since it is in the exact same format.

IMPORTANT DATES:

12/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35am Prairieview)

12/17 - 3rd Grade Bowling Trip to Brunswick Zone

12/18 - Last school day before Winter Break

Have a wonderful weekend!

- Mrs. Lopez

Weeks of 11/23/15 - 12/4/15

ODDS & ENDS:
Welcome to the 2nd Trimester! This blog post will cover the upcoming next 2 weeks.

Our Downers Grove Field Trip is on Tuesday, 11/24/15: We've been studying all about Downers Grove history; the first settlers, interaction with the Native Americans, the Underground Railroad, and how the community grew. 
Now we get to explore first-hand some of these important places in Downers Grove. We will be going with Mrs. Klacza's 3rd Grade Class. The forecast looks sunny, but cold. Please plan to dress your children in weather-appropriate clothing on that day, since we will be outside for part of the time. A winter coat, warm shoes, hat and gloves are recommended!

Student of the Week: No star student this week. We will choose one for our next full week of school.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

Spelling:   No Spelling list this week. Students will get their new lists on Monday, 11/30. Spelling Test #6 and a new homework activities "menu" will be due on Friday, 12/11.

Reading & Language Arts:  We have begun the next Independent Reading Contract #3 - Biography. Students have selected their person/biography to read. Completed contracts will be due by Friday, 12/4 (but students may turn them in earlier than that). There will be a "spin-off" project to this Biography reading, called the Biography Trading Card Presentation. Each student will design a digital Trading Card with facts about their person and then present the information to the class. Directions to come home soon.

We have been learning about Prefix and Suffix meanings in words. Students have completed a related work packet. We will have a Prefix/Suffix Quiz on Tuesday, 11/24.
Students should review the following: PREFIX (dis-, re-, un-) and SUFFIX (-ful, -less, -ly, -ness)

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night! The November Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, December 1st. Completed reading logs are worth 10 points!

Social Science:   We are taking the History of Downers Grove quiz on Monday, 11/23. A study guide was sent home. Students can also review for the quiz by practicing on "Google Classroom Homeroom" taking the Kahoot quiz. If the students write down notes while studying for the quiz, they may use their notes for the quiz. : ) They may not use their History of Downers Grove packet for the quiz.
Next we will learn about Modern Day Downers Grove and Communities.

Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Forsman's Math Class:  We continue Unit 3 with Multi-Digit Subtraction Story Problems. There will be a short checkpoint quiz on Monday, 11/23. The following week, 11/30, we continue with expanded notation and algorithm addition and subtraction.

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/23 - PV Roller Skating Party
11/24 - 3rd Grade Downers Grove Field Trip (Lopez & Klacza's Classes)
11/25-11/27 - Thanksgiving Break (no school)
12/17 - 3rd Grade Bowling Trip to Brunswick Zone
12/18 - Last school day before Winter Break

May you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving together!!!

- Mrs. Lopez

Week of 11/16/15 - 11/20/15

ODDS & ENDS:
The end of our 1st Trimester in 3rd Grade is coming up quickly on Friday 11/20/15. The year has flown by so far!

Our Upcoming Downers Grove Field Trip: Thank you for turning in your field trip permission slips and Giordano's Pizza lunch $. Our field trip is on Tuesday, 11/24/15. We will be going with Mrs. Klacza's 3rd Grade Class. Please plan to dress your children in weather-appropriate clothing on that day, since we will be outside for part of the time.

Student of the Week: Nedas is our "Star Student" this week. He will be sharing a poster about himself and his favorite things. We can't wait for him to share! : ) When your child is "Star Student", they will bring home a poster to complete. They can also pick a day to bring in a show-and-tell. We pick a student's name every Thursday.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

Spelling:   Spelling test #5 is on Friday, 11/20. The 8 spelling activities "menu" & work are also due on Friday, 11/20. Parents, please remember to check the work and initial the 8 activities your child completes on the menu.

Reading & Language Arts:  We will begin the next Independent Reading Contract #3 - Non-Fiction (a Biography). I am putting together a list of important/historical individuals (based off books we have in our school library) to assist our students in finding a biography. They may also find a biography book at your own local library. They just need to make sure it's at their reading level. Due date to be announced. 

There will be a "spin-off" project to this Biography reading, called the Biography Trading Card Presentation. Each student will design a digital Trading Card with facts about their person and then present the information to the class. Directions to come home soon.

We are also starting our next persuasive writing piece, Turkey in Disguise! The students brought home their "turkey body" to disguise this weekend. Use what you've got at home; no need to go out and buy craft items. I've seen feathers, beads, googly eyes, cloth, construction paper, and just plain old crayons to decorate their turkeys. They need to bring back their disguised turkey by Tuesday, 11/17. We will draft and edit our persuasive letter to the farmer this week in class.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night! The November Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, December 1st. Completed reading logs are worth 10 points!

Social Science:   We continue learning about The History of Downers Grove, Israel Blodget, The Underground Railroad and other historical sites in Downers Grove. There will be a quiz (TBA) when we finish the packet. Watch for a study guide to come home this week.

Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Forsman's Math Class:  We continue Unit 3 with Multi-Digit Subtraction. Students use problem strings, investigations, and class forums to explore and analyze different subtraction strategies, focusing on finding the difference and removal. We will be using number lines.

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/17 - Lifetouch Picture retakes

11/20 - End of 1st Trimester
11/23 - PV Roller Skating Party
11/24 - 3rd Grade Downers Grove Field Trip (Lopez & Klacza's Classes)
11/25-11/27 - Thanksgiving Break (no school)

Have a great weekend!!!

- Mrs. Lopez

Week of 11/9/15 - 11/13/15

ODDS & ENDS:
Thank you, parents, for meeting with me this week!

11/11/15 is Veteran's Day - If you have a veteran in your family or friend circle, please refer him/her to Principal Pagel. We would love to celebrate our Veterans on Wednesday.

Student of the Week: Emily is our "Star Student" this week. She will be sharing a poster about herself and her favorite things. We can't wait for her to share! : ) When your child is "Star Student", they will bring home a poster to complete. They can also pick a day to bring in a show-and-tell. We pick a student's name every Thursday.


COMING UP THIS WEEK:

Spelling:   New spelling lists will be coming home this week. The 8 homework activities' due date and test will be on Friday 11/20.

Reading & Language Arts:  We are continuing our unit of study, “Tales as Old as Time.” Students are continuing their Fiction #2 Read to Self books and working on the corresponding Independent Reading Contract. Many have already turned theirs in. The due date is Friday 11/13.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night! The new November Reading Log has been sent home. Completed reading logs are worth 10 points!

Social Science:   We continue our Downers Grove unit this week. There will be a short quiz when we are done reading, highlighting, and discussing.  We’ll be focusing on modern day Downers Grove very soon.  A test combining the history and modern day will follow once we have wrapped up both packets.

Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Forsman's Math Class:  We.re continuing Unit 3: Multi-Digit Addition & Subtraction! We will use tools like Base-10 blocks & Number lines and number concepts like Standard form & Expanded form. The checkpoint quiz will be on Thursday 11/12.

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/6 - Conferences (no school)

11/9 - Teacher Institute Day (no school)
11/20 - End of 1st Trimester
11/24 - 3rd Grade Downers Grove Field Trip (Lopez & Klacza's Classes)
11/25-11/27 - Thanksgiving Break (no school)

Have a great long weekend!!!

- Mrs. Lopez