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

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

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

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

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT DATES:

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

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

- Mrs. Lopez

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

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

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

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

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/17 - Lifetouch Picture retakes

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

Have a great weekend!!!

- Mrs. Lopez

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

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

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

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


COMING UP THIS WEEK:

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/6 - Conferences (no school)

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

Have a great long weekend!!!

- Mrs. Lopez