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