Week of 1/4-1/8 2010

Odds and Ends

*Thank you to everyone for making my holidays merry and bright! I really appreciate the gift cards and will enjoy using them over the break. I wish you all a happy, relaxing, and fun holiday season and see you in 2010!

*Reading Incentive Programs: A note was sent home about the Six Flags Reading program. This is optional, but if your child would like to read for 6 hours by Feb. 19th and record the books and times read, they can earn a free ticket to Six Flags for this summer. There is also another reading program, Ozzie's Reading Club, where you can child can earn a ticket to the Kane County Cougars game. A note will be sent home for this after break. You can use the same reading time for both programs, so READ, READ, READ!

*Spelling Bee: A packet of words to study for this years spelling bee was sent home this week. More information about the dates of the bee will be sent home after break.

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Thurs. 1/7: Math: Ch 5 Time Test

*Fri. 1/8: Spelling: List 16 Test

English: Friendly Letter Graded Review

Math: 4's multiplication timed test

A LOOK AHEAD

*Reading: We will be working on summarizing and sequencing. We will also work on problem/solution, genre, and word work in our ISAT workbooks.

*English: We will be focusing on friendly letter writing. We will learn the 5 parts of a friendly letter, how to address an envelope, and write some letters of our own.

*Spelling: We are going to begin on list 16 when we return from break. These are 1+1+1 words (one vowel, one consonant, and one syllable). There will be a test on Friday.

*Science: We will begin chapter 9 on weather when we return from break. First lesson: the world's water and the water cycle.

*Social Studies: We will continue chapter 3 with lesson 3 on immigration and culture.

*Math: We will continue chapter 5 on time. We will focus on the calendar. There will be a test covering all of the time lessons (6-10) on Thurs. We will also work on 4's multiplication. Keep your multiplication facts sharp by studying them over the break!

Enjoy your family and friends this holiday season. We have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my great students! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

~Mrs. Olsen

Week of 12/14-12/18

Odds and Ends:

*Scholastic Book Order: December book order is due Monday, 12/14.

*Bowling: We will be bowling for gym class on Tues. 12/15. Thank you all for turning in permission slips-we are all accounted for! You may send $3-5 for your child to purchase a treat at the snack bar. We will be coming back for lunch, so we will allow one treat per child. You may want to send a sack lunch that day since your child may not be as hungry.

*Volunteers Needed: If you are interested in helping tie roller skates for the roller skating unit in gym class the 2 weeks following winter break, please contact Ms. Stainman via email at tstainmain@ccsd66.org. Thank you!

* Tivoli Movie: Again-100% of permission slips have been turned in! Thanks! We will enjoy a movie on the last day of school before winter break. We will be eating lunch in the classrooms on Fri. 12/18. Hot lunch will be available or you can send your child with a sack lunch.

*Thank you: Thank you to everyone for donating gifts to our adopted family! We had quite a pile of gifts to be delivered to the family. What a great feeling to know we helped to make their holidays bright!

*Please be advised that as of January 4, 2010 there will be a price increase in the student hot lunch program. The price of hot lunch will be $2.50 per meal.

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Tues. 12/15: Bowling: 9-11 am

Jr. Achievement #4

*Thurs. 12/17: Jr. Achievement: Last Session

Math: Elapsed Time Graded Review

3x Multiplication

*Fri. 12/18

English: Chapter 3 Verbs Test

Holiday Concert Assembly

Tivoli Movie 12-2 pm

WINTER BREAK BEGINS...See you in 2010 =)

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will continue to work on The Mysterious Giant of Barletta next week with an extended response question. We will also work on some holiday projects with The Grinch.

*English: We will finish up our verbs unit.

We will focus on irregular verbs and contractions with not.

A study guide will be sent home Wed.

The final test will be Fri.

*Spelling: This week we will work on a special holiday word list.

The list will come home Monday. As a holiday treat, there will not be a test this week. =)

*Science: When we return from break we will begin our unit on weather.

*Social Studies: We will continue to learn about why people move as we read and

study Chapter 3. We will focus on moving to new communities and learning about new cultures.

*Math: We will work on the second half of chapter 5- Time. We will get through most of the lessons before break. We will take a graded review on elapsed time before break and continue studying time when we return in January. We will work on 3's multiplication. The test will be on Thurs. 12/17, since we will not meet for math on Fri. 12/18.

Enjoy your weekend and stay warm!

Mrs.Olsen

Week of 12/7-12/11

Odds and Ends

*Thank you: It was great to meet with everyone during parent teacher conferences this week! I look forward to a great winter and spring with your children!

*Thank you to Miss Millbrandt for a wonderful few months together and a fabulous job of student teaching! We had a wonderful surprise party for her on Thurs. and celebrated together as she begins her next journey.
Thank you to all of the families who made the day possible!
Thank you to Mrs. Peloso, Mrs. Williams,
Mrs. Hougaard, and Mrs. Burisek for attending the party.
Thank you to all of the families who provided good food, supplies, and games for the party.
We will miss Miss Millbrandt very much!

*Volunteers Needed: I am looking for parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles, friends who would like to come into the classroom to work with the students as we read and write. I am looking for volunteers Monday-Friday from 2:00-2:20. I would be interested in contacting a senior citizen group, church group, or any interested friends or family to work with us in the classroom. Please email me if you are interested or have any contact information for people or groups that may be interested. Thank you!

*Service Project: Listed below are all of the wonderful gifts we received for our adopted family. If you happen to be holiday shopping this weekend and can donate a gift for the family, it is greatly appreciated. All gifts are due to school by Tuesday 12/8. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Thank you to those of you who have already donated!!!!

4 year old boy:
puzzle
book
pencil
crayons
coloring books
Mr. Potato Head
electronic dog
Candyland

11 year old girl:
craft kit
lip gloss
2 bracelets
scrapbook kit
notebook
pajama bottoms
socks

Mom:
candle
bracelet

Grandma:
picture frame
bag

Dad:
pajama bottoms

Family:
Gift card to Ultra Foods
Yahtzee Game

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK :

*Mon. 12/7: Jr. Achievement Day 2

*Tues. 12/8: Science: Chap 1o Space Test
Service Project Gifts are Due

*Thurs. 12/10: Jr. Achievement Day 3
Math: Math Graded Checkpoint on Money

*Fri. 12/11: Reading: The Mysterious Giant of Barletta Vocab quiz
Spelling: List 14 test
Math: 5's and 10's multiplication timed test

*Mon. 12/14: Book Order Due

WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will begin a new strategy focus: making connections. We will use Tomie dePaola's story The Mysterious Giant of Barletta to introduce this strategy. We will explore many more of his books. A vocab. list will be sent home early in the week and the quiz will be on Friday.

*English: We will continue to work on verbs. We will also begin introducing the 6 traits of writing.

*Spelling: We will be on list 14 this week: irregular words past tense. We will have a test on Friday, 12/11.

*Science: We are finishing up our space chapter. We will play a review game on Monday. The final test will be on Tuesday. The next unit....weather!

*Social Studies: We will begin our the next unit: Chapter 3: People move from place to place.

*Math: We will continue to work on money this week, focusing on counting change (The Olsen Classroom Store will be open on Monday to work on this skills!) and adding and subtracting money. We will take a chapter checkpoint on money on Thurs. We will then begin time. We will also work on 5's and 10's times tables: both will be tested on on Friday.

Thank you for checking out my blog this week. Enjoy your long weekend!
Mrs. Olsen

Weeks of 11/23-12/4

Odds and Ends

* Thanksgiving Break: We will enjoy friends, family, and good food for the Thanksgiving break Wed. 11/25-11/27. Classes will resume on Mon. 11/30. Happy Turkey Day!

*Conferences: Parent teacher conferences will be held Mon 11/30, Tues. 12/1, and Wed. 12/2. An email was sent to confirm your date and time. If you have not responded to the email, please do so! Thank you!

Also, sent home today was a green note for you to fill out as a pre-conference form. Please look for it in your child's binder. Please send it back before your scheduled conference date. This will help to address the areas you would like to discuss during your 15 minute conference. Thanks!

*White envelopes: Please don't forget to send in the special note if you have not already! Email me if you have any questions about this! Thanks!

*Tivoli Movie: We will be going to see a special holiday movie on Fri. 12/18 at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. The cost is $3. Please send in $3 and the signed permission slip next week if you have not already. Thank you!

*Character Counts Gives Back! The Prairiview staff and students have a yearly tradition of giving back to the community at this time of year when we have so much to be thankful for. A note was sent home this week about our service project (on green paper). As a class, we have "adopted" a family who has a child with cancer. Due to financial struggles and spending the holidays at the hospital, we are going to help to make their holidays special. Here are the ages of our family:

4 year old boy (cancer patient)
11 year old girl
Mom
Dad

Grandmother

Please send any new, wrapped items (labeled with a sticky note with the name or age of person the gift is for and what it is). We will then collect the items in the classroom and it will be delivered to the family before the holidays. I will keep items we receive posted so we can see what family member needs what and to avoid doubles. Please have your items in by Tuesday, December 8th. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Tues. 11/24: English: DOL Quiz #5
Science: Chapter 10 Lesson 3 Open Book Review

*Wed. 11/25-Fri. 11/27: No School: Happy Thanksgiving!

*Tues. 12/1: Report Cards Sent Home

Social Studies: Downers Grove/Chapter 12 Test

*Thurs. 12/3: Spelling: List 13 Test

*Fri. 12/4: No School

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will focus on point of view and author's purpose as we look at fairy tales and "fractured fairy tales" (familiar stories with twists). We will work on writing familiar fairy tales from a different point of view.

*English: We will work on point of view stories as we write creative stories about Thanksgiving from the turkeys point of view. We will begin chapter 3 on verbs on Mon. 11/30.

*Spelling: There will be no spelling next week due to the holiday. We will begin list 13 on Mon. 11/30 and test on Thurs. 12/3.

*Science: We are working on finishing our space chapter. We will finish learning about planets and constellations. A study guide will be sent home on Mon. 11/30. The final test will be on Tues. 12/8. Our next unit will be weather.

*Social Studies: We are almost done with our Downers Grove/Ch 12 unit. Below is a picture of our visit with Dr. Tiede. He talked to the students about his job as a superintendent. We learned so much-Thanks, Dr.Tiede!

A study guide was sent home today. The final test will be on Tues. 12/1. We will reviewing for the test in class. Our next unit will be ch. 3: immigration and culture.

*Math: We are done with problem solving and t-charts for the moment! The students did a great job on this concept! Way to go! We will begin chapter 5 on Mon. 11/23. We will work on money and then time.

We will also begin multiplication timed tests, starting with 2's. A packet outlining our schedule will be sent home. We will focus on a times tables each week, working up to 12 and then mixed facts tests. Every Friday will be a timed test for a grade (10 points) . If your child does not pass, retakes will be offered the following week (1 point deducted each day of retake).

Gobble, Gobble!
We are so thankful for each and every student.

You make our days special and bright!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving break!

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Yearbook Update

Yearbook:

Now's the time to place your orders. Yearbooks are $10.00 and the deadline for your orders is Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Please make checks payable to Lifetouch. Please make sure your student's name, teacher's name and grade level are marked on the order form. If you have multiple students, please fill out one for each child. Yearbook order forms went home with your child on November 12th and there are a few extra envelopes available; please try not to lose them. If your child loses it, you can send an envelope with the following information on it: student's name, teacher's name and grade level along with a check made payable to Lifetouch for $10.00. It is very important that you put the information on the envelope; Lifetouch does not know who your child's teacher is.

Prairieview Yearbook orders are not paid for at registration!

Week of 11/16- 11/20

Odds and Ends

*YEARBOOK: Now’s the time to place your orders. Yearbooks are $10.00 and the deadline for your orders is Tuesday, December 1, 2009. No orders will be accepted after that date. Please make checks payable to Lifetouch. Please make sure your student’s name, teacher’s name and grade level are marked on the order form. If you have multiply students, please fill out one for each child. Yearbook order forms went home with your child on November 12th and there a few extra envelopes available; please try not to lose them. If your child loses it, you can send an envelope with the following information on it: student’s name, teacher’s name and grade level along with a check made payable to Lifetouch for $10.00. It is very important that you put the information on the envelope; Lifetouch does not know who your child’s teacher is.

Prairieview Yearbook orders are not paid at registration!

*Scholastic: November Book order is due Fri. 11/20. Please order online so our classroom can earn free books!

*Special White envelopes: Please remember to have your child complete the activity and return the white envelope by Fri. 11/20. Please email me if you have any questions!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Tues. 11/17: English: Ch 2 Nouns Test

*Wed. 11/18: Reading: The Keeping Quilt Comprehension and Vocabulary Quiz

*Thurs. 11/19: Picture Retakes

*Fri. 11/20: Spelling: List 12 Test

Math: Problem Solving: Make A Table and t-chart Quiz

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will continue working on our new strategy: self-questioning. We will read The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco and talk about author's viewpoint and how point of view can change the story. There will be a comprehension and vocabulary quiz on this story on Wed. 11/18. Please study the 10 vocabulary words given to your child this week.

*English: We are finishing up ch 2 on nouns. There will be a cumulative graded test on Tuesday, 11/17. We will do some Thanksgiving poetry writing and point of view writing for the next few days. Your child will write a creative story about how Thanksgiving feels from the turkey's point of view!

*Spelling: We will be on list 12 this week. This week's rule is adding ed to make past tense verbs.

There will be a test on Friday.

*Science: We are busy working on planets. Ask your child about the special way remembering the order of the planets: My Very Special Mother Just Served Us Nachos! The end of the unit test is scheduled for Tues. 12/8. This is a lengthy unit, so we will continue to review the topics we talked about earlier in the chapter: moon phases, seasons, etc.

*Social Studies: We had a great trip on our field trip to Downers Grove! It was awesome for the students to see their lessons come alive as we visited the places we talked about in class. We will continue to discuss modern day Downers Grove and talk about local government using chapter 12 in the textbook. The end of the unit test is scheduled for Tues. 12/1.

*Math: The students are busy learning about writing t-charts and solving word problems. This is a tricky concept that we will revisit throughout the year. Please use the in class samples when completing homework each night. The problems and sample t-charts are very similar to the problems sent home for homework and will help out tremendously when working on these at home. The quiz on this unit is on Fri. 11/20. They will have to solve 3 problems (one problem for each type of table discussed in class) and then choose one problem to write a t-chart on. They will be able to use some of their samples done in class to help them.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week of 11/9-11/13

Odds and Ends

*Downers Grove Field Trip: We will take our Downers Grove Field trip on Tuesday, 11/10. Please have your child dress appropriately for walking outside. We will take a bus tour that makes stops where we get off of the bus and walk. We will also be walking around downtown Downers Grove. Please wear gym shoes, long pants, and layers on top in case they get warm/cold. If your child did not want pizza, please remember to send them with a sack lunch! Also, if you would like to send your child to school with $5-8 to buy something downtown, please do so on Tuesday.

Thank you to the following parents for volunteering to join us: Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Burne, Mrs. Crandell, Mrs. Lukacik, Mrs. Hougaard, and Mrs. Burisek. Please be at school by 9:00 am. We will board the buses at 9:15. Thanks!

Any parents would would like to meet us for lunch can meet us at Giordano's Pizza on Main Street in Downers Grove at 11:45.

*Scholastic Book Order: November book order is due Fri. 11/20. If you would like to save any books as gifts, please email me and I won't send the book home. I will keep it for you to pick up in the office. Thanks!

*Special White Envelopes: Please remember to have those turned in by 11/20. Email me if you have any questions!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Mon. 11/9: English : DOL 4 Quiz

* Tues. 11/10: Downers Grove Field Trip

*Wed. 11/11: NO SCHOOL: Veteran's Day

*Thurs. 11/12: Lakeview Character Counts Assembly

*Thurs. 11/19: Picture Retakes (have a check/order or your photo packet for retakes)

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will begin a new strategy, self-questioning. This skill teaches students the importance of asking "thin" (literal) and "thick" (inferential) questions as they read to monitor their understanding and connect with the text. We will combine this skill with visualizing, clarifying, and predicting-all things great readers do! We will begin with the story The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

*English: Next week in English, we will be continuing our study on nouns. We will do many activities with proper nouns, and common nouns. Monday we will have a D.O.L quiz. The quiz will test the students on abbreviations of Months and titles of names (Mr., Miss, Mrs.). They will also be tested on putting commas where appropriate in a series.

Mrs. Cuzzone says thank you for helping your students with their Proper/Common Nouns picture assignment this week. They turned out great, and really helped the children recognize the difference between proper and common nouns.

*Spelling: Due to the field trip and shortened week, there will be no spelling this week. We will use that time to catch up in science and social studies.

*Science: We are on our last lesson for space! Next week we will be learning about the planets, and what order they are in. We will also learn about the inner and outer planets. Students will be exploring similarities and differences between the planets.

*Social Studies: We are finished learning about the history of Downers Grove, and now we will start looking at modern day Downers Grove and the local government. On Tuesday we will be going to Downers Grove to to see all the fun things we have been learning about!

*Math: We are finished with subtraction! Next week we will begin working on problem solving and T-charts. A pink packet will be sent home on Monday explaining what T-charts are and what we use them for. Each day in class your child will receive worksheets on how to do the problems; they will be stapled to the child's homework for guidance.

Week of 11/2 -11/6

Enjoy some photos from our Matter Matters Presentation. We were watching dry ice create a witches' brew! Spooky!

Odds and Ends

*Thank you to the following parents for making our Halloween party a blast! We appreciate your time and energy to make our party so much fun!

Mrs. Hougaard

Mrs. Peloso
Mrs. Lukacik

Mrs. McCallion

Mrs. Crandell

*Picture Retakes: The date for picture retakes has changed to November 19th, instead of November 5th. If you would like your child to retake their photo or if you missed ordering photos the first time, please send in the photo packet (coming soon) or check and order with your child on November 19th. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Fri. 10/30: No School: Teacher Institute

*Tues. 11/3: Math: Chapter 4 Test

*Fri. 11/4: Spelling: List 11 Test

Reading: Cause and Effect Graded Review
Social Studies: Downers Grove History Quiz

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will begin a new skill focus this week as we focus on cause and effect. We will read a variety of books as we discuss cause and effect. There will be a graded review of this skill on Friday.

*English: The student's descriptive writing about haunted houses was "spook-tacular!" The students really enjoyed applying all that they learned about descriptive writing into this creative activity. We will begin a new unit on Nouns next week.

*Spelling: We will work on list 11 next week. The focus is on double consonants in the middle of words. The students will have a test on Friday.

*Science: We will continue to work on space and begin studying the planets in the solar system.

*Social Studies: We will continue our study of Downers Grove as we explore the Underground Railroad and the historic Tivoli Theatre. The quiz covering the history of Downers Grove is scheduled for Friday, November 6th. A study guide was sent home with your child today.

*Math: We will be finishing chapter 4 subtraction this week. The test is Tuesday, 11/3. We will begin problem solving: make a table. This will be an introduction to writing t-charts: a skill that has the students write what they did and why as they solve a word problem. Look for a packet coming home next week explaining this skill. We will also be begin taking subtraction timed tests for a grade on Monday. Any retakes after Monday will result in a one point deduction.

Thank you for checking out our blog. Have a spooky, safe, and FUN Halloween!!

~Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week of 10/26-10/30

Odds and Ends

*Downers Grove Field Trip: Please send in your child's permission slip and money for this trip, if you have not already. We are set to go on November 10th. I have 6 chaperons, so thank you to Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Hougaard, Mrs. Burisek, Mrs. Burne, Mrs. Lukacik, and Mrs. Crandell for volunteering to help. If you would like to meet us at Giordano's for lunch, you may meet us at the restaurant in Main Street at 11:45.

* Recycling: Our class is helping out the environment and Prairieview School in a very responsible and caring way! We have continued the recycling program that my class started last year. Each Tuesday, we go to each classroom to collect plastic bottles, cans, and other non-paper recyclables that the students and teachers have been putting into special boxes. Then Mrs. Olsen takes the large garbage bags full of recycling home to recycle. Each week we save two huge garbage bags full of recyclables from going into the landfill. Way to go!

*Picture Retakes: If you would like to have your child retake their school photo OR missed ordering photos the first time around, we will have photo retakes on November 5th. If you want to retake, please send a check and order form with your child OR the old photo packet to turn in for retakes. Thanks!

* Blank Books: Please send in $2 if you would like me to purchase a blank book for your child. If you went to Let's Learn or The Chalkboard, please send the book in with your child so I know who has one. Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

* Thurs. 10/29: Spelling: List 10 Test

Halloween Festivities: Parade 12: 30

Classroom Party/Pumpkin Decorating 1:00-1:30

All School Assembly 1:30-2:15

*Fri. 10/30: No School: Teacher Institute Day

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

*Thurs. 11/5 : Photo Retakes

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will continue to work on fact and opinion and clarifying this week. We will also so some spooky partner reading activities to build fluency. Also, please send in a 3 ring binder. I still have many students who have not yet brought one in. Thanks!

*English: We will continue to work on descriptive writing as we write our haunted house paragraphs. Next up...nouns!

*Spelling: We will work on list 10. This list focuses on words ending in double consonants. A list will be sent home Monday and the students will take a graded test on Thursday.

*Science: Students will learn about solar and lunar eclipses this week.

*Social Studies: We will continue to explore the history of Downers Grove. Next up...Underground Railroad.

*Math: We will continue to work with ch 4 subtraction. We will focus on subtracting across zeros and problem solving. The test is scheduled for Tues. 11/3. We will also begin taking the subtraction timed test for a grade on Mon. 11/2.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

10/19-10/23

Odds and Ends

*Scholastic Order: October book order is due Friday, October 23rd. Please place your order online so we can earn extra classroom books!

*Binders: Please be sure to help your child clean out the "keep at home" section of the binder each night. Many students are carrying around too many papers, making it hard to keep their binders organized. Thank you for your help!

* 2 Supplies Needed:

1. Blank Book: We will be using blank books for writing. If you would like to purchase one, please go to Let's Learn or the Chalkboard. If you would like me to order one for you, please send in $2 before November 1st. If you have already purchased one, please send it in to school so I can keep track of those students who still need books. Thank you!

2. 3 ring binders: We are still waiting for many students to bring in a new or old 3 ring binder. Any color or design is fine! We will use these to make reading/writing portfolios. Thank you!

*Downers Grove Field Trip: A permission slip will be sent home Monday for our upcoming field trip on Tuesday, November 10th. If you are interested in chaperoning the trip, please email me or fill out the bottom portion of the permission slip. Volunteers will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis. The trip will be from 9 am - 2 pm. Parents who are unable to chaperon can meet us for lunch at Giordano's in downtown Downers Grove at 11:45 am. Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Tues. 10/20: English: DOL #3 Quiz: Book Titles and Introductory Words

* Thurs. 10/22: Reading: Seal Surfer Vocab Quiz

*Fri. 10/23: Spelling: Analogy Test

Scholastic Book Order Due

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

Reading: Next week the students will be reading Seal Surfer. Monday the students will receive a list of vocabulary words that correspond with the story. On Thursday they will have a quiz over the words.

English: The students will continue working on descriptive writing. Towards the end of the week the students will receive a rubric for a descriptive paragraph they will write. We will be writing the paragraph in class and present them the following week. The students will also take a DOL #3 quiz. The quiz will cover book titles and introductory words. A study guide was sent home Friday.

Spelling: Next week we will be taking a week off of spelling and work on analogies. The students will receive a packet on Monday, and each day we will do an activity in class. On Friday, they will have a quiz on analogies.

Science: The students have been learning about moon phases in Science this week. Next week, we will continue with moon phases and learn about solar/lunar eclipses.

Social Studies: We started learning about Downers Grove this week and who founded Downers Grove. We will continue learning about the history/government next week and the weeks following.

Math: In Math, the students began subtraction. We will continue with estimating, regrouping, and subtracting across zeros. The students will start practicing subtraction mad minutes next week.

Enjoy the weekend and sunshine (hopefully!) =)

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week of October 13- 16

Odds and Ends

*Scholastic Book Order: October book orders are due Friday, 10/23. Please order online to help our class earn free books!

*Third Grade Intramural Games will be starting for all third graders in November. Permission slips are now available through the PE department. If your child is interested in this before school activity, please have them bring a permission slip home. Thanks!

* 3 ring binders: Many students still need to bring in a 3 ring binder to school to be used as a reading portfolio. The binder can be new or used and be any design or color. Thanks!

* Supplies: Can you please send in 1 blank book by November 1st? You can purchase this book at Let's Learn (near Home Run Inn Pizza on 75th and Lemont) or The Chalkboard (near Cheeseburger in Paradise on Butterfield and Finley).

OR

You can send in $2 to school and I will order a book for your child.

Size is 6.375" x 8.125" Lined Portrait Bare Book (1/2 page with lines is not, but not required). Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Mon. 10/12: No School: Columbus Day

*Tues: 10/13: English: Mystery Object activity due

*Fri. 10/16: Reading: Night of the Pufflings Comprehension Quiz
Spelling: List 8 Review Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will continue to work on the theme of clarifying. On Tuesday we will finish reading the story Night of the Pufflings. On Wednesday and Thursday we will work on an extended response with the story. There will be a comprehension quiz on the story on Friday.

*English: In English we have been working on descriptive writing. We will continue with this theme by working on good sentence starters and main idea sentences. The students have been working with sensory words and color words. An activity was sent home today that will be due Tuesday. In the activity the students will pick an object and describe it only using sensory words. They will share their activity on Tuesday for the class to guess the object.

*Spelling: Next week we will be working on spelling list 8. This is a review week so there will not be a list to study from this week. Instead, your child will be responsible for reviewing the spellings rules we have been learning since the beginning of the year (list 1-7). We will review these rules in class on Monday. We will also take a practice test on Monday. This practice test will be in your child's binder. It will look like the test they are going to take on Friday. To reinforce the spelling rules, we will be completing workbook pages throughout the week.

*Science: We will be continuing the space unit. Lesson 2 focuses on the MOON. We will learn:

4 phases of the moon

lunar eclipse

solar eclipse

*Social Studies: We are done with hemispheres and our map unit. Next up: community focus on DOWNERS GROVE. This unit includes a field trip to downtown Downers Grove and historic stops throughout the community. More information coming soon!

We will study:

where is Downers Grove on the map?

History

Pierce Downer and other important people

Local Government

*Math: We will begin Chapter 4: subtraction. Students will learn about fact families, estimating differences, and two-digit regrouping. We will also begin subtraction timed tests. We will spend about 2 weeks practicing them in class before they begin to count as a grade. If your child did not pass addition timed tests today, they will be retaking the test next week. Each day of retaking is one point is deducted from their score of 10 points (example : 9 points Monday, 8 points Tuesday, etc).

Thanks for checking out our blog. Have a wonderful LONG weekend!

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

October 5 - 9

Odds and Ends

* Matter Presentation: We will have a special in-school presentation about matter on Thurs. 10/29. This will be in the morning before any Halloween activities. Please send in $6.50 with your child if you have not already. Thank-you!

*Book order: October book orders have been sent home. If you are interested, please send in a check or purchase online (online purchases help our classroom earn free books!). All orders are due Fri. Oct. 23rd.

*Dictionaries: Thank you to the Rotary Club of Darien who donated brand new dictionaries to each of the third graders. We have enjoyed looking through them and learning so many new words and facts. The dictionaries go very well with our class read aloud, Frindle. Ask your child what this story is about and how it connects to their new dictionary!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Wed. 10/7: Social Studies: Hemisphere Quiz

*Thurs. 10/8: Reading: Vocab. Graded Review

*Fri. 10/9: Spelling: List 7 Test

Math: Chapter 3 Test

Addition Timed Tests: Begin for grade

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will begin a new strategy: clarifying. We will read a non-fiction story called The Night of the Pufflings. We will focus on fact and opinion. Look for 7 new vocabulary words to review...we will take a graded review on these words on Thurs. 10/8.

*English: We will begin a unit on descriptive writing. We will also begin DOL #3- book titles and introductory words.

*Spelling: We will work on list 7 this week. The focus for the week is irregular plural nouns. We will have a pretest on Monday. If your child misses one or less words on the pretest, they will be given an alternative spelling list for the week that follows the same rule. They will have different activities to do for the week, due on Friday. The test for both lists will be on Friday.

*Science: The students are busy learning about the reason the seasons! Vocab focus: axis, rotation, and revolution.

*Social Studies: We will spend a few days reviewing hemispheres. A study guide will be sent home on Monday. Please review this concept at home for a graded quiz on Wed. 10/8.

*Math: Students are busy working on greater number addition and estimating sums. Please remind your child to estimate a sum using mental math or paper and pencil before solving the problem to make sure their answer is reasonable. We will have the chapter 3 test on Friday, 10/9. We will also practice timed addition tests each day this week. They will begin counting for a grade on Friday, 10/9. If your child passes on Friday, they will receive the full 10 points. For each day after Friday, a point will be deducted for retakes.

Thank you for checking out our weekly blog!

Enjoy your weekend and try to stay dry!

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week of September 28 - October 2

Odds and Ends

*Thank you to the Kulpinkski, Scehovic, and Thiel Family for donating supplies for our Johnny Appleseed celebration! The students had an "apple"-solutely great day!

*Box Tops: Please continue to send in box tops to our classroom for our school wide contest and collection! Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

* Tues. 9/29: Social Studies: Continents and Oceans Quiz

*Fri. 10/2: Spelling List 6 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We are focusing on predictions again this week. We will also work on prefixes, suffixes, and compound words. Our next strategy focus will be clarifying.

*English: The students are finishing up their 5 paragraph essays-wow! They have done an outstanding job writing these 5 paragraph papers! We will write final drafts of the paper and share them with our classmates later this week. Next up...NOUNS!

*Spelling: This week we will focus on list 6, words that follow the rule: "change the y to an i and add es" when making them plural. There will be a graded test on Friday.

*Science: 3...2...1....Blast off! We are beginning our space unit on Monday! We will be busy exploring Earth, the moon, and our solar system. If you have any books on this topic at home that you would like to share with our classroom for this unit, please send them in. Make sure your name is on the book so we can return it to you! Thanks!

*Social Studies: We will be finishing up our study of continents and oceans with a graded review on Tuesday, 9/29. Your child should be able to locate and name all 7 continents and 4 oceans. They will not be responsible for spelling the word from memory-we will have a word bank on the review. Next unit...hemispheres!

*Math: We will begin chapter 3 on Monday. This will focus on addition. We will also begin timed tests for addition facts. Please send some time each night reviewing these facts, especially the tricky ones! We will have a week of practice tests before they begin counting for a grade. Please be on the look out for information coming home next week. Thanks !

Fall is here! Enjoy your weekend!

~Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt~

Week of September 21 -25

Odds and Ends

*Early Dismissal: We will have early dismissal on Tuesday, 9/22. Students will be dismissed at 11:00 am.

* Johnny Appleseed Celebration: A note will be sent home this week about our classroom celebration in honor of Johnny Appleseed on Friday, 9/25. Your child will need to bring in a cored, peeled, and sliced apple in a Ziploc baggie on Friday to be used to make homemade applesauce. Thank you to those of you who offered to send in supplies! You can send them in anytime next week.

*Scholastic Book Order: September book order is due on Friday, 9/25. You can put your order on line or send in a check. Thank you!

*Lunch Bunch: A note will be sent home Monday about a new program at school called Lunch Bunch. Your child can participate in book discussions with our library aide, Mrs. Walsh-Rock, during lunch. Please send in the form if you are interested in this fun, educational activity.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* Tues. 9/22: Early Dismissal 11 am

Reading: Mulan Comprehension Check

* Wed. 9/23: Reading: Mulan Vocabulary Graded Review

*Thurs. 9/24: Science: Inquiry Test

*Fri. 9/25: Johnny Appleseed's Birthday

Spelling: List 5 test

Math: Chapter 2 Test

Character Counts Assembly

Boy Scout Presentation for boys

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We are focusing on predictions this week as we read and learn about Mulan. We will continue to talk about Mulan. We will have a graded comprehension check on Tuesday and a vocabulary quiz on Wed. covering the 7 words we have been practicing in class.

*English: We will work on 5 paragraph essays next week. We are going to write about a favorite topic - ourselves! Your child will be required to bring in 3 items that describe themselves. A note and bag will be sent home on Monday with more information.

*Spelling: We will work on list 5, plural words ending in y + s. A graded test will be given on Friday. Please be sure to review and study spelling words each night.

*Science: We are finishing up our inquiry unit. We have been busy learning about the scientific method. We will apply what we have learned next week with an experiment. The students will take an open book, open note test on Thursday, 9/24. Look for a study guide coming home early next week.

*Social Studies: The students have been working on continents and oceans. Ask your child about the continent family tree and the songs we have been singing in class! What fun! We will continue with continents and oceans next week. A quiz on this material is tentatively set for Tues. 9/29.

*Math: Students are focusing on rounding to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000. We will take the chapter 2 test on Friday, 9/25. Next week we will begin practicing timed addition tests. Please study addition facts weekly with games, flashcards, websites, etc. See below for links to some cool internet addition games!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week of September 14-18

Odds and Ends

*Scholastic Book Order: September book orders were sent home this week. If you are interested in ordering, you can order online or send in a check. The directions were sent home, but please email if you have any questions. All orders are due by Friday, September 25th.

*Johnny Appleseed's Birthday! We will be celebrating this American legend's birthday on Friday, September 25th (his actual birthday is on the 26th). In Johnny's honor, we will be making homemade applesauce and having a little birthday celebration. We are in need of the following items:

- 24 bowls

- 24 spoons

- 24 100% apple juice boxes OR 24 cups with 100% apple juice bottles.

Please email me if you are interested in donating any of the items. We won't need them until the 25th, but you can send them in with your child starting the 21st. Thank you in advance for your help!

*Magazine Drive: Information was sent home with your child today about this school wide fundraiser. Thank you for your help!

*Donations: I am looking for an old tape recorder to use during reading class. I need one that has the ability to record voices. If you have one that you don't use anymore, I would love to put it to good use! Thank you!

*Thank you to all of the families who have been donating to our Goodie Ticket store. I really appreciate your help and the students love to earn tickets to receive the cool prizes!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Mon. 9/14: Math: Chapter 1 Test

*Wed. 9/16: Social Studies: Directions Quiz

*Thurs. 9/17: English: Subject/Predicate/Run-on Sentence Graded Review

*Fri. 9/18: Spelling: List 4 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will begin predicting next week with the story Mulan. We will also do word work with new vocabulary words. Please remember to send in a 3 ringed binder (any size, any design, new or old) to school to be used as your child's reading portfolio. Thank you!

*English: We will continue to work on Unit 1: The Sentence. We will spend more time reviewing subject and predicate (ask your child about Mr. Morton!) and run-on sentences. There will be a graded review on Thursday. We will model the first unit test on Friday, which will not be taken for a grade. We will show students to steps to completing an English test. Our next unit will be a writing unit on 5 paragraph essays.

*Spelling: Next week is list 4, plural words ending in s or es. There will be a graded test on Friday.

*Science: We are continuing to learn about inquiry skills. We will focus on the scientific method next week. You can access our textbook online. Please go to http://www.thinkcentral.com/. The login is the same id number used for gradebook (7 digits, including the leading zero). I will let your child know the password next week.

*Social Studies: Never Eat Soggy Waffles! The students have been busy practicing the cardinal and intermediate directions. We will have a graded quiz on Wed. 9/16. The next unit will be continents and oceans.

*Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: Due to assemblies, we had to push our chapter 1 test to Monday 9/14. We will begin chapter 2 next week. We will focus on rounding, comparing, and ordering numbers.

Thank you for reading our blog this week. We hope you have a fantastic weekend!

~Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week of September 7-11

Odds and Ends

* Curriculum Night: It was so great to see so many of you at Curriculum Night! I know that you all have busy schedules and I am so happy that you were able to come learn more about your child's year in 3rd grade. I know we are going to have a great year together. We are off to an incredible start! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments as the year continues.

*Classroom collection: We are always collecting soup labels and box tops.We can work towards a classroom party!

*Donations needed: In our classroom we take a lot of photos for our end of the year memory books. If you would like to help out, please send in disposable cameras and film. I also need volunteers to take the film to be processed. Thank you in advance for your help!

*Also, we started our Goodie Ticket Turn-In each Friday, where students can turn in their earned tickets for prizes. We are always in need of toys (little stuffed animals, notebooks, pens, pencils, stickers, etc) for the prize box! Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

* Mon. 9/7: No School: Labor Day

*Thurs. 9/10: Mrs. Olsen's Math Class: Chapter 1 Test

*Fri. 9/11: Spelling: List 3 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will continue with visualization next week. We will focus on character, setting, and plot. Please send in a 3-ringed binder (1 inch) with your child next week. We will be using them to make reading portfolios. The binders can be new or used and can be any color or design. Thank you!

*English: We have been busy learning about the 4 types of sentences. Next week we will focus on subject and predicate. This can be a tricky concept for students, so please be sure to review each night.

*Spelling: We will be on List 3, words that are spelled with ou. A pyramid spelling sheet will be sent home Tuesday and due on Thursday. The test will be on Friday. Keep up the good work!

*Science: We are learning about inquiry tools and skills. We will focus on the skills scientist use to conduct experiments. Ask your child about the inquiry tools we explored in class!

*Social Studies: We will begin our map skills unit next week. We will focus on cardinal and intermediate directions and the compass rose.

MRS. OLSEN'S MATH CLASS ONLY:

*We are going to finish chapter 1 next week. We will spend Monday and Tuesday reviewing and finishing up lesson 6. The chapter 1 test will be on Thursday 9/10. Your child will be taking home their math textbook next week each night to study. We will begin chapter 2 on Friday.

Thank you for checking out our blog this week!

Enjoy the LONG weekend and beautiful weather!

~Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

Week August 31- September 4

Welcome to 3rd Grade!
We have had a great first week in 3rd grade together. Miss Millbrandt and I have REALLY enjoyed meeting and learning so much about your child.

We have had fun getting to know each other.
We know this is going to be a fantastic year!

* Curriculum Night: Third Grade curriculum night will be on Tuesday, September 1st at 6:30 pm. A note will be sent home with your child on Monday with his/her homeroom and math teacher and room numbers listed. 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 Millbrandt!

Miss Millbrandt will be joining us from Loyola University where she is an Elementary Education major. She will be in our classroom until December. Miss Millbrandt is a former student of District 66 and is very excited to be coming back to teach here! We are so happy to have her in our class!

Thank you for checking out my weekly blog. Here you will find out what we are learning in class, what important dates you should know about, and other classroom happenings. If your child has me for homeroom (reading, english, social studies, science, or spelling) or math, you can check here to find out what we are doing in class. Thanks!

Important Dates:

Tues 9/1: 3rd Grade Curriculum Night 6:30 pm

Fri. 9/4: Spelling Test: List 2

Reading: Dogzilla Vocabulary Quiz

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

Reading: We will begin our reading curriculum on Monday. This year we will focus on various reading strategies and skills using the basal reader and various novels. The first focus is on visualization and story elements using the fun story Dogzilla.

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: We will begin with List 2, words with a silent oa. A practice page will be sent home on Monday for homework and will be due Wednesday. We will have a graded test on Friday.

Science: We will work on chapter 1 Inquiry. We will learn how scientists conduct an experiment and what tools they use. We will also focus on the features of a non-fiction text as we use our textbook.

Social Studies: We will begin our maps unit soon. 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 Millbrandt

Welcome To Mrs. Olsen's Room

Welcome to Mrs. Olsen and Miss Milbrandt's

3rd Grade Classroom!!!!!

We are really looking forward to a great year with each of you in 3rd grade! Miss Millbrandt (your student teacher for the fall) and I can't wait to meet you on Monday, August 24th for Prairieview's Open House from 9-11 am.

Please bring your school supplies and a big smile!

This is our weekly newsletter blog site. I will email you each Friday when I post my weekly newsletter. I will also email you when any changes are made during the week. Please check here often to see what's coming up and what to expect in our classroom.

Looking for copy parent volunteer! I am looking for a copy parent to volunteer his/her time each week for an hour to help with copying and stapling. This will be a weekly duty, so it can be shared with more than one parent. It will be the same time slot each week. Please let me know if you are available to help and we can find a time that works! Thank you in advance for your help-it makes our school year run smoothly! Please email me at eolsen@ccsd66.org

Upcoming Events

Mon. 8/24: Open House 9-11 am

Tues. 8/25: First Day of 3rd Grade

A LOOK AT OUR WEEK

*Reading/English: We will spend our first week together learning about each other, what it means to be a good friend, and how we can work as a team!

*Spelling: We will get started with List 1. We will work on activities during the week and the first spelling test will be on Friday 8/28. A study list will be sent home on Tuesday.

*Science: We will begin with an introductory unit on science tools and the scientific method. We will be doing some fun experiments with bubbles!

*Social Studies: In the next few weeks, we will start a unit on map skills.

*Math: We will begin math on Thurs. 8/27.

We can't wait to meet you and

start our learning adventure together!

Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday!

Best,

Mrs. Olsen and Miss Millbrandt

June 6, 2009: Last Day of 3rd Grade

To My Wonderful Students and Families,

Thank-you for all of your support and cooperation throughout this school year! I had a great time getting to know each of you better and learning so much from you! Each student is my teacher...I learn so much from them each year! I am thankful for all of you. I can't believe how fast the school year has flown by and it seems like it was Open House just yesterday!

Have a fun, safe summer and be sure to read, practice math facts, and above all...

HAVE FUN!!!!

Best,

Mrs.Olsen