Week of 11/20

Odds and Ends: 

Thank you to Mrs. Genovese, Mrs. Karchmar, and Mrs. Tomko for chaperoning our Downers Grove field trip. We enjoyed having you along as we explored Downers Grove's historic landmarks.

Today is the end of Trimester 1. What a wonderful first one-third of the year we’ve had!!  Grades will be finalized soon. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your families. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Upcoming Events: 

* Tues. 11/21: Spelling Test and 2 activities due 

*Wed. 11/2-Fri. 11/24: Thanksgiving Break: Enjoy the time with your family

A Look at Next Week: 

*Reading: We are continuing to study myths and context clues and sequencing. We will work on fluency and expression with readers theatre. 

*English: We are working on informational writing as we write about how to disguise a turkey. We will also write persuasive paragraphs to convince the farmers not to eat our turkeys. We will also be working with verbs. 

*Spelling: We will take our test on Tues. 11/21. Students need to complete 2 activities from their menu to turn in on Tues. 

*Science: We are busy learning about plants during our Mystery Science unit on the Power of Flowers. We will continue to learn about vegetables, fruits, and plants as we explore this unit. 

*Social Studies: We had a great field trip exploring all of the places we talked about in class. The students loved seeing the lessons come to life as we visited the historic landmarks around Downers Grove. 

*Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: We are learning many different, efficient strategies to add and subtract multi digit numbers. We will continue to focus on this skill next week. We will take a break from multiplication facts until after break, so please continue to practice all facts at home. Thank you!

I am thankful for all of you!

Mrs. Olsen 

Week of 11/13

Odds and Ends

This week have have our Downers Grove field trip on Thurs. 11/16. Please have your child dress in layers because we do get out and walk around and we will spend some time playing at a park (weather dependent).  Wear a warm coat, hat and mittens/gloves, and good, warm, walking shoes. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

*Wed. 11/15: Disguised Turkeys due

*Thurs. 11/16: Downers Grove Field Trip

*Fri. 11/17: End of 1st trimester
Math: 11's multiplication fast fact 

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will continue our study of myths. We will also explore fluency and expression in readers theatre. We are working on sequencing, cause and effect, and context clues. 

*English: We will be learning more about verbs. We are also working on informational writing as we write "how-to" papers about our disguised turkeys. 

*Spelling: The students will be given a new word list on Mon. Due to the shortened holiday week the following week, 2 activities will be due 11/21. The test will be Tues. 11/21.

*Science: We began our first science unit using Mystery Science. This is very engaging and fun way to explore our science topics. We are doing the "Power of Flowers" and exploring the importance of bees and science fruits vs. science vegetables. 

* Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: We will focus on double digit subtraction strategies and rounding to estimate. We are working on more efficient ways to subtract and use mental math. We will also focus on 11's multiplication facts. 

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Olsen 

Week of 11/6

Odds and Ends: 

Thank you to the wonderful parents who helped make our Halloween Party a "spook"-tacular time for all! Thank you to Mrs. Karchmar, Mrs. Dimitriou, Mr. and Mrs. Wawro, Mrs. Tomko, Mrs. Mottl, Mrs. Corpora, and Mrs. Free for helping donate supplies, plan the party, and help supervise the activities. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Tues. 11/7: PE: Net Games Test

Fri. 11/10: Veteran's Day Assembly
Spelling: 2 activities due and test 
Math: 10's x facts 0-12 test 

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will continue our Tales as Old as Time unit as we focus on Myths. We will work on context clues to discover the meaning to new words and sequencing. We will also work on fluency and expression in reading as we do reader's theatre. 

*English: We will work on "how to" and informational writing as we write different Thanksgiving themed paragraphs. 

*Spelling: We are work on our 5th word list. Due to a short week last week and Halloween, the students only have to do 2 activities this list. Activities and test are due 11/10. 

* Science: We will begin our first Mystery Science unit: The Power of Flowers. We will study plants, fruits, and vegetables, and talk about how traits are passed down from generation to generation. 

*Social Studies: We will take a break from social studies for a bit. Our field trip to DG is 11/16, where students to visit many of the places discussed in class. 

*Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: We are working in unit 3: multi digit addition and subtraction. We will continue to focus on different strategies to help make these problems easier and focus on mental math strategies. We will also focus on 10's multiplication next week. The fast fact test on 10's facts 0-12 will be on Fri. 11/10. 

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Olsen 

Week of 10/31

Odds and Ends: 

Halloween:

1. Our party will take place on Tuesday, October 31st. The room party will go from 1:00-1:50 p.m. Our Prairieview parade will begin at 1:55 p.m.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

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

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

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Fri. 10/27 and Mon. 10/30: No School

Tues. 10/31: Happy Halloween!

Fri. 11/2: Social Studies: Downers Grove History Test
Math: 5's x test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will work on cause and effect and sequencing in guided reading groups.  We are working in book groups in WIN.

*Spelling: We will start a new word sort this week. The test and 3 menu activities will be due on 11/10.

*English: We are working on descriptive and persuasive writing as we finish up our haunted house paper.  We are also working on nouns (possessive, plural, and abstract nouns).

* Social Studies: We are wrapping up our Downers Grove History unit. A study guide was sent home this week for the quiz on Fri. 11/2. A great way to study is to re read and review the Downers Grove packet storied in your child's Social Studies folder in their binder. We will play a review game in class next week as well.

*Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: We are beginning a new unit, Unit 3: Multi Digit Addition and Subtraction. We will also continue to work on fast facts for multiplication, focusing on our 5's facts. A graded, timed test will be given on Fri. 11/2 on 5's facts. Next up will be 10's facts. I went over some good study strategies for multiplication facts this week: ask your child about some of the fun ways they can practice.

Have a great, LONG weekend as we get ready for Halloween!

Best,
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 10/23

Odds and Ends: 

Conferences will continue next week. I am looking forward to meeting with you. When you arrive for your scheduled appt., please knock on the door or peek in at your start time so I can stay on schedule. The 15 minute blocks can pass quickly, so it helps if you keep me on track! Thank you!

Halloween:

1. Our party will take place on Tuesday, October 31st. The room party will go from 1:00-1:50 p.m. Our Prairieview parade will begin at 1:55 p.m.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

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

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

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

*Wed. 10/25: Math: Unit 2 Test

*Thurs. 10/26: Spelling test and homework due

*Fri. 10/27 and Mon. 10/30: No School

*Tues. 10/31: Halloween Classroom Parties and Parade

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will continue to explore theme, main idea, cause and effect, and context clues as we read a variety of texts. 

*Spelling: 3 activities and test will be due on Thurs. 10/26. Please check in with your child to make sure they are on track with their spelling activities. A good goal would be to have 2 completed and one more to work on next week. 

*English: We are working on descriptive writing and putting all we have learned about sensory words, color words, adjectives, and similes to work as we write a descriptive and persuasive paper about a haunted house. 

* Social Sciences: We are busy learning about the history of Downers Grove. Ask your child what they know about Pierce Downer, the Potowatomi Tribe, and Chief Waubonsee and Black Hawk. 

*Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: We are busy learning about multiplication and different strategies to help us solve multiplication problems. A practice test/study guide was sent home yesterday and is due Tues. The test will be on Wed. 10/26.  We will continue to review and practice in class. We will do some Halloween themed math activities and then start Unit 3: Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction.

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Olsen  

Week of 10/16

Odds and Ends: 

Conferences: Hopefully you received an email containing a link to sign up for Fall Conferences. If not, please let me know. I am looking forward to meeting with you to discuss your child's progress and goals. Thanks! 

Halloween:

1. Our party will take place on Tuesday, October 31st. The room party will go from 1:00-1:50 p.m. Our Prairieview parade will begin at 1:55 p.m.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

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

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

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

*10/20: Math: Subtraction Fast Facts
Downers Grove permission slips due

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK: 

*Reading: We will continue to work on Unit 1 as we focus on theme, main idea, and cause and effect. We are working on finding the text evidence to support our answers and thinking. 

*Spelling: We will work on our new word lists. The list and menu will be sent home on Monday. The test and 3 spelling activities will be due on Thurs. 10/26. 

*English: We are continuing our descriptive writing unit- Halloween and fall are a great time of year to practicing using interesting adjectives to describe things! We will work on a persuasive writing activity where we describe a haunted house. We will work with color words, sensory words, and similes.  We are also learning about adjectives and nouns. 

*Social Sciences: We are continuing our unit of study on the history of Downers Grove. Thank you for those of you who have turned in the permission slips. They are due by Fri. 10/20. As soon as I have all of the slips turned in,  I will choose the chaperons. We have a lot of interested parents, which is great, but I will have to select names from a hat to be fair. I will keep you posted!

We are also practicing our phone numbers and addresses. I will send home a form on Monday for you to help your child complete. I will be "quizzing" students on this information late next week and early the following week, so please have your child memorize and practice this important information. Thanks! 

*Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: We are busy working on multiplication, focusing on arrays and strategies to solve equations.  The test is tentatively scheduled for Wed. 10/25.  A study test will be sent home next week. We will also focus on subtraction fast facts next week. Your child should be ready to pass them by Fri. 10/20.  After they pass, they will move onto multiplication, starting with 2's, then 5's, 10's, 3's, 4's, 6's, 7's, 8's, 9's, 11's, and 12's. Look in their assignment notebook to see what fact your child should be practicing. Don't forget to use Xtra Math to help practice fact fluency. 

Have a beautiful weekend and GO CUBBIES!!!!!

Mrs. Olsen