Welcome to 3rd Grade!

Hello.

 Welcome to my classroom blog! 

You can check in here weekly for updates, important dates, and other classroom and school news. We have had an amazing first first days together. The students are getting the classroom routine down and seem like they have been here for weeks already: ) I am really looking forward to a fun and learning filled year!

Hooray! We are in 3rd grade!!! 

ODDS AND ENDS:

* No School Mon. 9/2: Happy Labor Day Weekend! Enjoy summer's last hurrah!

* Curriculum Night: We hope to see you all at this year's curriculum night, Wed. 9/4 at 6:30-7:30 pm. Principal Schultz will be going over some important grade and school level information and then you will have a chance to meet your child's math and homeroom teacher and learn more about the upcoming school year.  This event is not for the children to attend. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

*Mon. 9/2: No School

*Tues. 9/3: MAPs testing: Math

*Wed. 9/4: Begin first day of math
Curriculum Night: 6:30-7:30 pm

*Thurs. 9/5: MAPs testing: Reading

*Fri. 9/6: Spelling: List 2 test (we start with list 2)

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will begin with an overview of the reading strategies we will focus on during the year with some fun activities and read alouds. We will begin Daily 5. 

*English: We will begin ch. 1: the Sentence. We will have a pretest to assess prior information.  Your child will have a learning contract that will tailor the lessons to his/her knowledge base. We will also begin DOL (Daily Oral Language) as we practice punctuation skills in every day writing. 

* Spelling: We will begin with list 2. We begin each week with a pretest. If your child gets 2 or less wrong, they will be in the challenge list. If they get more than 2 incorrect, they will be in the book group. Both groups have homework for the week that reinforce a common spelling rule.  The test will be on Friday. The students who were in the challenge group can take their pretest grade for their final grade or retake the test to try for 100%. Those in the book group will take the test on Friday for their final grade. A sheet outlining the spelling procedures will be sent home Tues. 

*Social Studies: We will begin our Maps unit this week, focusing on directions and using a compass rose. 

* Math: We will begin Math on Wed. We will meet again briefly on Thurs (due to our MAPs testing schedule, we had to make some minor adjustments this week). We will then begin meeting daily from 10-11 the following week. 

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a great long weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Happy Summer!

Thank you all for a wonderful year and so many great memories! I can't believe the year is over. I am so proud of the growth of each student and how much responsibility and independence they gained.  They learned so much and hope they had a fun time doing so! Please enjoy this picture taken on the last day of school. 

We are ready for summer!!!

I will send out an email later this summer for a summer outing at a local park, probably McCollum in Downers Grove. I invite the students and parents to come see each other and I'll bring Liam and some cool treats. I will probably have it from 10-noon. Date to be announced! 

Also, I encourage the students to use our classroom blog to share the books they are reading this summer. They can write about the book and recommend it to their peers. I will write the first post with directions on how and what to share. I will also write a post about the book I am currently reading, The One and Only Ivan, so you can see an example of the type of posts you can write.  The link to the class blog is on the side bar of this blog. If your child can't remember their password, please email me and I will email you the password. 

Thank you again for making this a great school year! I will miss each of the students and hope to see you all this summer and in the fall! Enjoy every moment of your summers! 

Mrs.Olsen 

Week of 6/3

Can you believe it's already here...summer is just around the corner! What a great year it has been. This time is always bittersweet for me....I'm sad to say good bye, but know the students have grown so much and are ready for the next step.  We will enjoy our last days together!

Mon: Games 8:15-9:15

End of Year School Picnic  

In the interest of ensuring that all students remain safe while having fun during the school picnic, gym shoes will be the only acceptable foot wear of the day.  Little toes and feet cannot play when bruised and abraded. If feet are not in proper attire, students will not be allowed to participate in outdoor activities.  Thank you.

 

Picnic Lunch: Hotdogs and drinks served

Afternoon: Assemblies: Rope Warriors, PBIS Recognition

Tues: Regular Day: )

Wed: Last Day: Release at 9:30 am.

Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/28

Odds and Ends:

*End of the Year Picnic: The picnic will take place on Mon. 6/2.  For safety concerns, children will NOT be able to participate in the field games wearing flip flops. Please have your child wear gym shoes or have shoes to change into. Thank you for your participation!
Also, lunch will be served at this picnic. If your child does not eat hot dogs or would like more than one hot dog, please send a sack lunch that day. Thank you!

*Bowling Field Trip: We will go bowling Fri. 5/31 am. Since the students are able to purchase snacks at the bowling alley, it is advised that they do not sign up for a hot lunch since we come right back to school and head to the lunch room and often students are not hungry enough to finish their lunch and it goes to waste. Please send a sack lunch that day that your child can take home if they do not finish it.
Thank you for your cooperation!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 5/27: No School: Memorial Day

*Tues.5/28: Local Public Libraries visit to discuss summer reading programs

*Wed. 5/29: Science: Inquiry Chapter Test (open book )
4th and 5th Grade Talent Show
Project Challenge Charity Walk: 3:30-5:00

*Thurs. 5/30: Box Top Winning Award: Pizza Party

*Fri. 5/31: Math: Ch. 24 Test
Bowling Field Trip 9-11

*Mon. 6/3: Picnic, Field Day, Assembly

*Wed. 6/4: Last day of 3rd grade! Dismissal at 9:30!

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will work in guided reading groups and literature circles. Please turn in the May Reading calendars on Fri. 5/31.

*English: We will work on quick writes. We will also work on persuasive and expository writing prompts and format.

*Spelling: There will be no spelling test this week. We will continue to practice frequently misspelled words.

* Social Studies: We will continue to explore Ancient Egypt.

*Science: We will continue to review the scientific method. The test is scheduled for Wed. 5/29. The students will be able to use their books during this test.

*Math: We will continue to practice long division. The ch. 24 test is set for Fri. 5/31. A study guide will be sent home. Please send in your child's math textbook by Fri. 5/31. Thank you!

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

Mrs. Olsen

Math homework help-long division

Here is a video to help with your long division homework! Try your best- I know it's tricky and we'll be practicing this more tomorrow! ( sorry about the background noise-it was Liam's music)

Week of 5/20

Odds and Ends:

HELPING  HANDS  WALK  FOR  CHARITY

Bring your family and friends to have fun at the Helping Hands Walk for Charity on Wednesday, May 29 from 3:30-5:00 at Prairieview. The cost will be 5 dollars per family or 2 dollars per person. You will also be able to play fun activities and games throughout 5 stations for 1 dollar each. All money will go toward three charities: The Homeless Shelter for Veterans, The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and The Chicago Zoological Society.  A sign-up sheet will be sent home soon. Thanks!

*Scholastic Book Order: Final order for the year! Order forms were sent home Thurs of this week. The orders were originally due Mon. 5/20, but I pushed it back a few days...Please have all orders online or sent to school by Wed. 5/22 so I can submit them and get the books delivered before the end of the school year. Online orders are preferred since they speed up the process and we earn free books with every online order...parents earn a free book choice, too! Thank you for your orders and thank you to Mrs. Falotico for preparing our order forms each month to be sent home! I really appreciate it!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Tues. 5/21: Lakeview Choir Concert
2nd Grade Pen Pals visit

*Wed. 5/22: Are You an Egypt Expert? Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will work in guided reading groups and literature circles as we write and discuss what we are reading. We will  be applying all of our strategies to these discussions and writing assignments.  Way to go on the cereal box reports! They were amazing and now on display in the IMC for all students and teachers to enjoy!

* English: We will work on writing poetry, as well as writing persuasive and expository essays.

*Spelling: We have been working hard on frequently misspelled words. We are going to apply our spelling practice into our writing. There will be no more spelling tests for the year! We will work on spelling strategies for the rest of the year.

* Social Studies: We will focus on the death and discovery of King Tut. We will explore and learn more about Egyptian Gods and mummification.

*Science: We will focus on the steps on the scientific method as we preform experiments in class.

*Math: We are busy working on chapter 24. We will focus on long division next week. The test will be announced soon. We are also working on practicing mixed division facts. Keep practicing all multiplication and division facts at home! Thanks!


Check out these videos I made on how to do estimated quotients and homework help for this weekend!

First video shows how to make compatible numbers with a 2 digit dividend: (wait a few seconds before numbers will show up!)


 This video shows how to do an estimated quotient using a 3 digit number....


 Enjoy the sunshine this weekend!
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/13

Odds and Ends:

Thank you all for the sweet cards and gifts for teacher appreciation! I appreciate such thoughtful, sweet students and families!

* Scholastic Book Order will be sent home soon It  is easy to order online and the orders are available online now!  The orders will have to be placed quickly in order for the books to arrive before the end of the school year. Please have your orders placed online or in the classroom by Mon. 5/20. Thanks!

*Book Worm Angels: Thank you so much for all of the donations to our book drive. We have received so many books already. We will continue to collect books for another week.  Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Wed. 5/15: Cereal Box Book Reports due and presentations begin!

*Fri. 5/17: Early Dismissal at 11:00 am
Spelling: Test : Frequently mis spelled words

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

* Reading: We will work in small groups to read and analyze poetry. We will continue to work with figurative language as we read poems and try to apply these devices as we write poems. Our Good Fit Book Celebrations will begin on Wed. 5/15 when the cereal box reports are due. I can't wait to see the clever projects come in!  Don't forget to have your child read 20 min each night...the May calendar is due May 31st.

*English: We will work on writing poetry.

* Spelling: We will continue our study of frequently mis spelled words. We will be adding more word cards to our "got it " envelopes and add new words to our "practicing" envelope. Any words missed on this week's test will become words for the following week's spelling list.

*Social Studies: We will continue our study of Ancient Egypt. We will focus on mummification, the life of King Tut and Cleopatra, and hieroglyphics. Look for a Egyptian vocab sheet coming home..quiz to be announced!

* Science: We will continue to learn about the scientific method. We will work on lesson 2.

* Math: We are working on ch. 24: division with remainders. We will continue to practice this and work on long division as well. We will begin to practice our mixed division facts. The tests will begin next week. More information coming soon!

Enjoy your weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!

Mrs.Olsen

Week of 5/6

Odds and Ends: 

* Bookworm Angels: We are collecting gently used or new books for needy schools. Please send in any books to school for the next two weeks. Thank you for your help!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

* Wed. 5/8: Reading: Check in on Good Fit Book Celebrations

* Thurs. 5/9: Wheel of Wisdom assembly

* Fri. 5/10: Math: 9's division timed test
Pronoun enrichment due

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will continue to work on poetry.  We will write and read poetry as we continue to talk about the figurative language that poets use. Your child has selected a poem to perform for the class during our poetry celebration. Please have your child practice reading this poem with good fluency and expression. A fluency rubric has been sent home.  We are planning on sharing these poems on Fri. 5/10.

*English: We will work on writing poetry during English. We will also focus on reviewing parts of speech.  Any Pronoun enrichment your child is working on will be due on Fri. 5/10.

*Spelling: We will focus on frequently mis spelled words and vocabulary words from our Good Fit books. More info coming soon!

* Social Studies: We will continue our study of Ancient Egypt. We will focus on mummies and pyramids.

*Science: We will begin our chapter on the scientific method.

*Math: We will continue to work on our multiplication and division fact families. We will also begin ch. 24 on learn division with remainders. We will work on long division as well.  We will also focus on our 9's division facts. A timed test will be on Fri. 5/10.

Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 4/29

Odds and Ends:

*Thank you for everyone who made it out to our Spring Open House! The students were so excited to share their classroom and show off their hard work. It was great to see everyone!

*Helping Hand Grams: Have your child send a helping hand gram to a friend or teacher to cheer them up for 25 cents a gram while they help to raise money for charity! Ask your child about these grams!

*Thank you to all of the families that donated glue sticks to the classroom. It is so great to have such generous, helpful parents! Thanks!!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Tues. 4/30: MAPs Testing Reading

*Wed. 5/1: English: Pronouns Test

*Thurs. 5/2: Math: Ch. 23 Test

*Fri. 5/3: MAPs Testing Math
Spelling: List 25 Test
Math: 8's division timed test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will continue to work on our poetry unit. Please review the 6 vocabulary words that go with this unit. We will have a short graded review on the vocab on Tues. 4/30.  Your child should be working on reading their Good Fit Book for their cereal box project.

*English: We will be wrapping up our ch. 6 pronouns unit. The test is schedule for Wed. 5/1.

*Spelling: We will work on list 26 this week.

*Social Studies: We will be finishing our Chicago unit. There is not a cumulative test. We will begin our next unit on Ancient Egypt.

*Science: We have completed our space mission and graduated Space Academy! Hooray! We will begin our next unit on the scientific method very soon!

*Math: We have been working hard on multiplying greater numbers. We need to keep practicing our math facts so that these more challenging problems are not as frustrating. We will have a test on ch. 23 on  Thurs.  5/2. Look for a study guide coming home on Mon. We will begin ch. 24 dividing greater numbers this week. We will also focus on 8's division facts with a test on Fri.

Have a great weekend ! Enjoy the WARM weather (finally!)

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 4/22

Odds and Ends: 

* Open House has been reschedule for Tues. 4/23 from 6:30-8:00. Hope to see you there! Wear your Chicago Sports gear to support the 3rd grade Chicago theme!

*Donations Needed: We are almost all out of glue sticks. Any donation of glue sticks would be greatly appreciated!!! Also, at this time of year, many students start running out of supplies. Please ask your child if they have enough pencils, Dry Erase markers, and a pair of scissors to get them through the year. Any of these supplies can be used in 4th grade too!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 4/22: Earth Day: Wear your Earth Day shirt or wear green. Try to pack a waste free lunch!

*Tues. 4/23: Open House

*Thurs. 4/25: Social Studies: Chicago Quiz III Open book

*Fri. 4/26: Science: Ch. 10 Space Test
Math: 7's division test
Spelling: list 24 test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will focus on poetry, figurative language, and fluency and expression next week during our poetry unit. We will be reading and writing poetry. We will also select a good fit book to be used for a book project. Look for more information coming soon!

*English: We will work on our pronouns unit.

*Spelling: Next up: List 24! Business as usual: Mon: pretest, Thurs: homework due, Fri: test!

*Social Studies: We will be wrapping up our unit on Chicago in the upcoming week. The final open book quiz is Thurs. Look for a study guide that was sent home this week. We will finish our Chicago travel brochures. Please ask your child to see their rough draft so you can help them look over their work for the brochure.

*Science:  The students have almost successfully graduated from the Olsen Space Academy! We are working on the last unit, which focuses on the sun, planets, and stars. We made giant trading cards about each planet. So cool!

*Math: We will continue to work on multiplying greater numbers (ch. 23). We will also focus on 7's division facts this week. The test will be on Fri. 5/26.

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Olsen