Week of Sept. 6-10

Odds and Ends:

*Curriculum Night: Thank you! It was so great to see so many of you at this year's Curriculum Night. If you ever have any questions or comments, please feel free to email or call me. I am looking forward to a wonderful year together with you and your child!

* 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 9/6: No School: Labor Day

Spelling List 2 Pretest

* Thurs. 9/9: Social Studies: Directions Quiz

* Fri. 9/10: Spelling: List 2 Test

Math: Chapter 1 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

* 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, inferencing, 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 pass out a homework packet due Friday. 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 to work through Unit 1: The Sentence. We took a pretest on this chapter so I will be able to cover the material that was new to the students. We will focus on run-on sentences next week. The chapter test will be tentatively scheduled for Wed. 9/15. A review guide will be sent home closer to that date.

* Science: We will begin ch. 9 weather.

*Social Studies: We are working on map skills. We began with the compass rose and directions. A directions quiz will be given on Thurs. 9/9. A study guide will be sent home on Tues.

*Math: We will continue working on Chapter 1: Place Value. The students need to understand numbers and place value up to 6 digits and know how to write in standard and expanded form. We will take a checkpoint (graded) on Wed. to check the student's progress so far in the chapter. If all goes as planned, we will have our first test on Fri. 9/10. Otherwise, the test will be the following Tues. 9/14. A study guide will be sent home either way.

Thank you for checking out our blog this week! Enjoy the long weekend!

~Mrs. Olsen and Miss Galloway

Week of August 30-September 3

Welcome to 3rd Grade!

It has been a pleasure to get to know your children this week! We have had a busy week of getting to know each other and learning about Prairieview School. They have been fantastic! I am really looking forward to a great year with your child!

* Weekly Blog: Each week, I will email you the link to check my blog. I will update what we are learning and upcoming important dates and events. You should also check your child's math teacher's blog. Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments about the blog. This a great way to keep open communication between school and home.

* Curriculum Night: Third Grade curriculum night will be on Tuesday, August 31st at 6:30 pm. Please meet in the multipurpose/lunch room. This will be an informative night to learn more about third grade. Hope to see you there!

*Introducing Miss Galloway: Miss Galloway will be joining us from Benedictine University where she is an Elementary Education major. She will be in our classroom until December. We are so happy to have her in our class!

Important Dates:

Tues. 8/31: Curriculum Night 6: 30pm
Fri. 9/3: Spelling Test List 1

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

Reading: This 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.

English: We will begin with Unit 1, which covers the four types of sentences. We will do daily work with various punctuation lessons as we work on our D.O.L. (Daily Oral Language).

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.

Social Studies: We will begin our maps unit. We will start with directions and the compass rose.

THIS IS FOR MRS. OLSEN'S MATH STUDENTS ONLY!

Math: We will begin with chapter 1. We will work on place value, even and odd numbers, and 3,4,5 digit numbers.

Thank you for visiting my blog! Check here every Friday for updates.
~Mrs. Olsen and Miss Galloway

Week of June 2: Last week of 3rd Grade

Dear Parents and Families of 3rd Graders,

It has been a wonderful year with your child and I am so grateful to have shared 3rd grade with them. Thank you for all of the support this year! I have learned so much from your children. I wish you all a relaxing, fun summer full of laughter, family, friends, and good books=)
Keep in touch!

Mrs. Olsen

Odds and Ends:

Yearbooks: Will be handed out to students on June 2nd. Any students who did not purchase a yearbook may do so on a first-come-first-serve basis on June 2nd; they will go on sale after morning announcements. The cost will be $10.00 and children wishing to purchase should have exact amount. Checks can be made out to Prairieview. There is a limited supply. Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid for at registration. A flyer was sent out on November 12, 2009 and orders were due by Tuesday, December 9, 2009.


UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 5/31: No School: Memorial Day

*Tues. 6/1: Field Day
All School Picnic

*Wed. 6/2: Last Day of School: Dismissal at 9:30. Reports cards will be sent home.

*Thurs. 6/3: First Day of Summer: Enjoy!! =)

Week of 5/24-5/28

Odds and Ends:

*Chicago Field Trip: We will be going to Chicago on Friday, May 28th, rain or shine. We have been on the boat in the rain before. It can get quite chilly, so please make sure your child in prepared with a hoodie, rain jacket, and dress in layers-it is always colder downtown than in the suburbs. The following parents will be meeting us at Navy Pier (Thank you!): I will be sending home a packet of information to review before the trip on Monday.

Mrs. Thiel

Mrs. Crandell

Mr. Burne

Mrs. Meyers

Mrs. McCallion

Mrs. Williams

Mrs. Hougaard

Mrs. Lukacik

Mrs. Peloso

*IMC Materials: All IMC materials were due Friday, May 21st. If you have any at home, please return asap! Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 5/24: Lakeview Band Concert

Social Studies: Chicago History Quiz

*Tues. 5/25: Bowling Field Trip Am

Last Day of Math

* Thurs. 5/27: 2nd Grade Pen Pals Visit

*Fri. 5/28: Chicago Field Trip

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

* Reading: We will continue to work on summarizing and making inferences as we work in literature groups and read mysteries.

*English: We will work on writing personal narratives.

*Spelling: We are done for the year.

*Science: We will work on chapter 5 (how living things depend on each other).

*Social Studies: Sweet home, Chicago! We will take a quiz on the history of Chicago on Monday. We will continue to talk about present day Chicago and discuss some of the neat things we will see on Friday.

*Math: We will have our last day of math on Tues. 5/25. It has been a great year with your students! Remember to keep those math facts sharp over the summer...studying multiplication and division facts to be ready for 4th grade in the fall!

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/17-5/21

Odds and Ends:

*Chicago Field Trip: Money and permission slips were due on Fri. 5/14. Please send this in if you have not already. The following parents will be meeting us in the city as chaperons (Thanks!):

Mrs. Thiel

Mrs. Hougaard

Mrs. Peloso

Mrs. Williams

Mrs. Crandell

Mrs. McCallion

Mrs. Meyers

Mrs. Lukacik

Mr. Burne

Chaperons, if you have not already sent in $7 for your boat ride, please do so asap.

THANK YOU !

Upcoming Events:

* Mon. 4/17: Choir Students: Field Trip

Woodridge Library Talk

*Thurs. 4/20: LV Band Concert 1-2

* Fri. 4/21: Spelling: List 32 Test

Choir Students: Field Trip

A LOOK AHEAD:

*Reading: We will begin a unit on mysteries. We will focus on summarizing and making inferences. The students will work in literature groups to read and discuss their mystery books. This will be our last reading unit of 3rd grade!

*English: We will work on narrative writing. This will be our last writing unit for the year.

*Spelling: We will work on list 32. There will be a test on Friday. This will be the last spelling test of the year!

* Science: We will begin ch. 5, how living things interact with each other.

*Social Studies: We will continue to learn about Chicago. We will focus on the rebuilding of the city after the fire and modern day Chicago as we prepare for our field trip.

*Math: We will continue to work on multiplication with 2 and 3 digit numbers, as well as division with remainders. The final division timed test will be given on Fri. 5/21. Our last day of math will be Tues. 5/25.

Thanks for checking in!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/10-5/14

Odds and Ends:

*Thank you: Thank you to everyone for making Teacher Appreciation Week so wonderful! Each one of you make this the best job in the world! Thanks!

* Chicago Field Trip: A permission slip was sent home this week for our end of the year Chicago field trip, taking place on Friday, May 28th. I already have the following parents as chaperons: Mrs. McCallion, Mrs. Meyers, Mrs. Thiel, Mrs. Hougaard, and Mrs. Crandell. We have room for 5 more. Remember, due to limited space, all chaperons need to provide their own transportation. In the past, parents have carpooled to the city. If you are chosen as a chaperon, please send in $7 to cover the cost of the boat ride. Thanks!


* 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!

*Supplies Needed: We are out of glue sticks and we need some more to get us through to the end of the year. Please send in 1-2 glue sticks with your child on Monday. Thank you!


* Thank you: Thank you to the following families for sending in Cinco De Mayo treats at the last minute: Lukacik Family, Peloso Family, Meyers family, and Williams family. Muchos Gracias!

*Summer School: Summer school enrollment is closing on May 10th. Hurry soon to sign up for some fun, summer classes with your friends! I am teaching "Center Cass on Stage" where we will work on acting with puppets, readers theater, and other fun games. We will even preform a play at the end of the three weeks. Hope you can join! See http://www.ccsdd66.org/ for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Tues. 5/11: Bubble Wonder Assembly

*Thurs. 5/13: Spelling Test List 31

*Fri. 5/14: Early Dismissal

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

* Reading: We are focusing on making inferences and summarizing this week.

We will begin a unit on mysteries!

*English: We are working on persuasive writing in class.

* Spelling: This week we will work on List 31: contractions. Due to early dismissal, the test will be on Thursday.

*Science: The students began studying ecosystems in ch. 4. We will continue to learn about ecosystems this week.

*Social Studies: We will focus on the Great Chicago fire this week.

*Math: Students will be working on ch. 23: extending multiplication. We will work on multiplying by 2 and 3 digit numbers. We will also take a mixed multiplication timed test each day to practice. They will begin counting for a grade on Fri. 5/21.



Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/3-5/7

Odds and Ends:

*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.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Fri. 5/7: Math: 10's division timed test
Spelling: List 30 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will focus on making inferences and summarizing. We will finish our poetry unit. We will begin a novel study next.

*English: We will begin a new unit on persuasive writing.

*Spelling: We will be on list 30, words with the prefix re. We will have a graded test on Friday.

*Science: We will begin our next unit (ch 4) on ecosystems this week!

*Social Studies: Sweet home, Chicago! We will begin our Chicago unit. We will begin by focusing on the history of our great city.

*Math: We will work on patterns (ch. 17) and extend our multiplying skills (ch. 23). We will also focus on 10's multiplication-our timed test will be on Friday.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the warm weather!

Go Cubs =)

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 4/26-4/30

Odds and Ends:

*Meteorology Madness: We will be learning all about weather in our hands-on, in-school field trip on Friday, 4/30. What fun!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Tues. 4/27: Social Studies: Ancient Egypt Test

*Wed. 4/28: Reading: Poetry Vocab. Review

* Fri. 4/30: Meteorology Madness

Math: Ch. 6 Data Test

9's division timed test

Spelling: List 29 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading and English: We will continue to work on monitoring and questioning. We will focus on poetry and Shel Silverstein this week. We will review the vocabulary words for poetry this week and take a short graded review on Wed. We have been discussing these words and using them daily for the last two weeks. We will also be writing our friendly letters to our 2nd grade pen pals this week. They will be coming for a visit the last week in May.

*Spelling: This week we will be on list 29. This list focuses on words with the prefix un. There will be a test on Friday.

*Science: We will take a break from science this week. Our next unit will be Energy.

*Social Studies: We will review Ancient Egypt on Mon. The graded review will be on Tues. Our next unit will be Chicago.

*Math: We are continuing to learn about data and graphing in chapter 6. The students are working in cooperative groups to come up with a survey question, survey the class and make a tally graph, and then turn the information into a bar graph. We will finish these up next week. There will be a short graded review on chapter 6 on Fri. We will also focus on 9's division this week.

Thank you and enjoy the weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 4/19-4/23

Odds and Ends:

*Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House! It was a huge success and the students were so proud to so off their classroom and hard work!
It was great to see so many families in our classroom.
Thanks!



UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Thurs. 4/22: Early Dismissal 11:00 am

* Fri. 2/23: Spelling: List 28 Test
Book Orders Due

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:



*Reading: We will focus on monitoring and questioning this week. We are working on a poetry unit where the students are reading and writing poetry. The students will receive a poem on Monday. They are to practice reading the poem each night, focusing on fluency (good pace, expression, and rhythm) as they read. We will be sharing the poems out loud on Friday during our poetry cafe. Your child will receive a fluency grade based on their reading. A rubric will be attached to the poem on Monday. Thanks!

*English: We will be writing poetry this week.

*Spelling: This week we are on list 28: words with silent letters. There will be a test on Fri.

*Science: We will take a brief break from science this week as we focus on Social Studies.

*Social Studies: We will continue to work on Tut's Mummy. We will read, act out, and discuss the discovery of King Tut's tomb by Howard Carter. The final Egypt test is scheduled for Tues. 4/27. A study guide will be sent home.

*Math: We will begin ch. 6: data and graphing this week. We will learn about the different types of graphs and work in groups to collect data and make a bar graph. We will also work on 8's division this week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 4/12-4/16

Odds and Ends:

*Scholastic Book Order: An April book order will be sent home soon. Please make your orders online so our classroom can earn free books! Thanks!

*School Supplies: Many of the children are running out of necessary school supplies- Please ask them what they are short on-pencils, dry erase markers, glue sticks, or scissors. We still have 2 months left of school and we are low on supplies! Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Mon. 4/12: English: Ch. 6 Pronoun Test

Reading: Biography Presentations Begin (see schedule below)
Chicago Baseball Team Spirit Day: Wear your favorite team-Cubs or Sox?

*Tues. 4/13: Reading: Day 2 of Biography Presentations

*Wed. 4/14: Math: Geometry Projects Due (please turn in rubric with project-Thanks!)

*Thurs. 4/15: Science: Ch 11. Test
Open House 6:30-8:00

*Fri. 4/16: Egypt Unwrapped
Math: 7's Division Timed Test
Ch. 7 Probability Review
Spelling: List 26 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will focus on monitoring and questioning this week as we work on biographies and poetry. The students will present their biography scrapbooks. The scrapbooks are completed and the students will read them to the class. They will need to dress up or bring a prop to represent their biography person. The presentation schedule is listed below: (they will not necessarily present in this order)

Mon. 4/12:

Tommy
Kelcie
Kate
Richie
Frank
Jacob
Esther
Andrew
Elise
Gianna

Tues. 4/13:
Alegria
Nora
Dane
Matthew
Sarah
Bobbi
Hamza
Ranesha
Kristina
Stephanie
Ryan

*English: We will work on a poetry unit. Students will write a variety of different types of poetry.

*Spelling: This week we will work on list 26, a review week. We will review lists 19-25. The review test will be on Friday.

*Science: We are finishing up chapter 11. We will review vocabulary and key concepts in class. The test is schedule for Thurs. 4/15. A study guide (half sheet) was sent home this week. Please study a little each night to prepare for the test.

*Social Studies: The students are learning about King Tut and the discovery of his tomb. Egypt Unwrapped will be a fun in class field trip taking place on Fri. 4/16. We will have many hand's on activities to learn more about Egypt.

*Math: We will begin ch. 7 Probability. This is a quick review of probability. The test will be on Fri. 4/16. We will also work on ch. 6: Data and Graphing. We will also work on 7's division and have a timed test on Friday.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Mrs. Olsen