week of 2/21

Odds and Ends:

*Valentine's Day: Thank you to everyone for helping make our Valentine's Party a hit! Thank you to Mr. Hoffman, Mrs. Messina, Mrs. Sprandel, Mrs. Veselak, Mrs. Cibulka, and Mrs. Harmon for their hard work! We had a LOVEly time =)

* No School: Mon. 2/20: Happy President's Day!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Wed.2/22: Math: Ch 7 Probability Graded Review

* Fri. 2/24: Prefix/Suffix graded review

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will continue to focus on main idea and detail as we finish our African American Scrapbooks. We will also work on extended responses.

*English: We are working on our partner expository paper. We will also begin one on our own.

*Spelling: We are working on prefixes, root words, and suffixes. There will be a graded review on Fri. 2/24.

*Science: 3...2...1...Blast off! We will begin our study of space!

*Social Studies: Sweet Home Chicago...We will begin our Chicago unit soon!

*Math: We are working on ch 7 Probability. We will take a graded review on ch. 7 on Wed. 2/22. We will begin ch 18: Fractions.

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 2/13

*Happy Valentine's Day! We will be celebrating Valentine's Day with a classroom party on Tues. 2/14 in the afternoon. We know it will be so much fun thanks to all of the parents who are planning it! If your child would like to pass out Valentine's, there are 24 students in our class.

*Book Order: Feb book order is due 2/20. Every online order helps our classroom earn free books! Thanks for your orders!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Tues. 2/14: Valentine's Day Party 1:30-2:20

*Thurs. 2/16: Social Studies: Ch 3 Test

PE: Floor Hockey Test

*Mon. 2/20: No School: President's Day

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will work on reviewing all of the strategies, focusing on main idea and detail, as we research for our African American scrapbooks. We will work on our scrapbooks in class. We will also be working on writing extended responses.

*English: We are working on expository writing. We wrote one paper as a class and students will work with a partner this week to complete their next paper.

*Spelling: We will work on prefix/suffix this week. There will be no spelling list or test this week. The prefix/suffix unit will last into next week. The test will be announced soon!

*Science: We just finished our unit on water and weather. We will begin our next unit on space soon.

*Social Studies: We are finishing up our studies on culture and immigration. The culture day presentations were outstanding and we learned so much about each other's family and culture. Great job to the students on their hard work and preparation. It was a huge success! The ch 3 test will be Thurs. 2/16.

*Math: We are working on ch 22: area, volume, and perimeter. We will take a graded checkpoint on ch 16 (solid figures, net figures ("unfolded" solid figures), edges, faces, vertices(corners)) and ch 22 on Tues. Students will be able to use their notes on this graded review. Next we will begin probability (ch. 7).

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 2/6

Odds and Ends:

Book Order: Feb. book order due 2/20.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tues. 2/7: Science: Ch 9 Test

Thurs. 2/9: Social Studies: Culture day Presentations

Fri. 2/10: Social Studies: Culture Day Presentations
Spelling: List 16 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will work on compare and contrast as we read a Seal Surfer. We will also look at main ideas and details as we work on an African American non fiction book project and scrapbook.

*English: We are working on expository writing.

*Spelling: List 16: homework and test Friday!

*Science: We are wrapping up ch. 9. The test will be Tues. 2/7.

*Social Studies: Hope culture day planning is going well. Please email with any questions or comments! I am looking forward to the presentations on Thurs and Fri.

*Math: We are working on geometry topics. We will combine ch 16 and ch 22 looking at solid figures, perimeter,area,and volume.

Have a great weekend!
Mrs.Olsen

week of 1/30

Here is a picture of when Dr. Tiede came and spoke to our class about being a community leader.
Here are the winners of our classroom and grade level spelling bees! Congrats Matthew and Amogh!
Odds and Ends:

*Cancer Smashers: We extended the fundraiser until Monday! Thank you for your contributions! If you would still like to donate, you can send in your money on Monday or donate online. Way to go!

*School Calendar Update:

Friday, February 17, was originally scheduled as a Teacher Institute-- that is not the case any longer. We will be in school that day.

We do have a Teachers' Institute on Tuesday, March 20.

Also, Friday, May 18, (not Thursday, May 17th) is another Early Dismissal/SIP Day

Upcoming Events:

*Mon. 1/30: Reading: Novel vocabulary quizzes

* Fri. 2/3: Spelling: List 15 Test

A Look at Next Week:

*Reading: We will work on reviewing our strategies this week. We will finish up our novel studies. We will work on extended responses and applying our knowledge about reading strategies to a variety of literature.

*English: We will begin our expository writing unit.

* Spelling: We are on list 15 this week. The test and homework will be on Friday.

*Science: We are learning about types of weather this week. Ask your child about the Cloudy Serenade we sang in class this week!

*Social Studies: Culture day information was sent home last week. Your child's idea worksheet is due on Mon. 1/30. The presentations still be on Th. 2/9 and Fri. 2/10 (depending on what date your child chose). We will continue to study immigration and culture in class. We will focus on Ellis Island and Angel Island this week as we discuss early immigration.

*Math: We will study lines, angles, and shapes this week (ch 14). We will also review past concepts and continue to review multiplication.

Enjoy your weekend!
Mrs.Olsen

Week of 1/23

Odds and Ends

Spelling Bee: Congrats to Matthew and Amogh for winning the 3rd grade spelling bee! They will advance to the district bee, which will take place on Tues, January 24th at 1:00 pm.

Upcoming Events:

*Tues. 1/24: Spelling Bee: District level: 1 pm

*Wed. 1/25: Early Dismissal: 11 am (schedule change: No math, but we have PE and art)

*Fri. 1/27: Spelling: List 14 test
Math: ch 21 checkpoint (metric measurement)

A Look at Next Week:

*Reading: We will work on questioning and review previous strategies this week as we finish up our novel studies. We will also work on extended responses.

*English: We are going to review chapter 5 lessons (punctuation lessons from DOL) and begin an expository writing unit.

*Science: We will continue to work on ch. 9: water cycle and weather. Did your child share his/her water cycle bracelet/key chain with you?

*Social Studies: We began ch 3: a study on culture and immigration. We will be discussing an upcoming culture day project. Information will be coming home soon about this fun project!

*Math: We will be focusing on metric measurement (ch 21) and reviewing multiplication facts. The ch. 21 checkpoint review will take place on Fri. 1/27.

Have a fantastic weekend!
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 12/12

Odds and Ends:

* A great BIG thank you to all of the families who donated to our food drive. We collected several bags of food! It was awesome! Thank you for helping to make someone's holidays a little brighter this year!

*Another BIG thank you to everyone who donated supplies to the classroom for some upcoming activities. Thank you to the following families: Gustafson, Mantri, Cibulka, Chimino, Padavic, Arce, Fragoso, Kalal, Nichols, Veselak, and Cigrand. Please forgive me if I left someone off of the list. Thank you very much! Your supplies will enrich our lessons!

*Holiday Celebration: We will be watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas in lieu of holiday parties on Friday, December 16th. Since the movie is rated PG, a permission slip was sent home with your child today. Please return the permission slip by Wed. 12/14. Thank you to the following families for providing paper goods, treats, and drinks for our celebration: Hoffman, Cibulka, Messina, Sprandel, and Veselak.

*Paper Recycling Bin: Just a FYI: You can put shredded paper in the bin. It is recommended that you put the shredded paper in a bag, so that it does not blow around when the driver services the bin. Paper or plastic bag is fine.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 12/12: Evening Holiday Concert: PV band and choir

Bowling 9-11 am

*Wed. 12/14: English: ch 3 Verbs test

*Thurs. 12/15: Science: ch 11 Matter test

Math: Multiplication Test (6's, 7's, 8's: see below for facts to study)

*Fri. 12/16: Spelling: Winter Words test

Holiday Celebration

12/19-1/4Winter Break: See you next year in 2012~

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will focus on story elements, visualizing, evaluating, and non fiction text features as we read a variety of materials. We will focus on non fiction books this week.

*English: We are finishing up our chapter on verbs. We will work on a study guide this week. The test will be on Wed. 12/14.

*Spelling: We will work with winter words this week. There will not be a pretest. The homework will be due on Friday. Students will take their test on Friday as well.

*Science: We are having a blast in science learning all about matter. We have been doing various labs and experiments. We will do some more next week as well. The final test will be Thurs. 12/15. A study guide was sent home this week.

*Social Studies: The students are learning about modern day Downers Grove. We will learn more about fun things to do in Downers Grove and businesses that are located here. We will continue learning about Downers Grove and local government when we return from break.

*Math: We began ch. 6: data and graphing. We will study different types of graphs and practice collecting and organizing data. We will also work on week 6 of multiplication: 6's, 7's, and 8's. Your child should study the following facts (as well as review previous facts from weeks 1-5)

6 x 7 = 42, 6 x 8 = 48, 7 x 8 = 56, 7 x 9 = 63, 8 x 9 = 72, and 6 x 9 = 56. Six new facts to learn! What fun!

Enjoy the weekend!
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 12/5

Odds and Ends

*Thank you for meeting me this week for conferences. It was great to share such positive news with each of you about your child! Please remember you can contact me at any time you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you!

*Quilt Presentation: We were very lucky on Thursday to have Mrs. Vanni present on quilt making and the history of quilt making as an extension to our story this week, The Keeping Quilt. The students enjoyed seeing the book come to life through her samples of quilts.

*Holiday Party: We will be having a Grinch themed holiday party on Fri. 12/16 before we head into winter break. I am looking for parents to volunteer to donate treats and drinks for our afternoon. Please email me if you are interested in helping us out! Thank you! More details about our celebration coming soon!

*Scholastic Book Order: I did not send out paper book order forms for this month, but all of the book orders are available online. If you are interested in ordering any books, please submit your order online by Fri. 12/9. If you would like to order any books as a holiday surprise, please let me know via email and I can hold any books for you to pick up in the office. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Wed. 12/7: Math: Ch. 5 Telling Time checkpoint

*Fri. 12/9: Spelling: List 10 Test

Math: Multiplication Test: 4's x

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will focus on evaluating and visualizing this week. We will also focus on features of non-fiction text as we apply our reading strategies to various types of non-fiction materials.

*English: We will focus on ch. 3: Verbs. Please look for your child's learning contract in their English folder next week. We will finish this chapter before winter break. The test will be the following week...TBA.

*Spelling: We will work on list 10 this week. There will be a pretest on Monday. The final test and homework will due on Friday.

*Science: We are busy learning about matter. We will focus on the states of matter this week as well as physical and chemical changes.

*Social Studies: We are beginning to study modern day Downers Grove. This unit is in conjunction with ch. 12 of our textbook: local government. We will continue this unit after winter break.

*Math: We are working on the second half of chapter 5: time. We will have a graded checkpoint on Wed. 12/7. We will begin ch. 6: data and graphing. Our multiplication facts for the week are the 4's. A note will be coming home on Monday. We will be making new flashcards for our multiplication facts i-pod! The facts test will be on Friday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 11/21 and 11/28

Odds and Ends:

I wish you all a relaxing, fun, and happy Thanksgiving break and holiday!
We all have so much to be thankful for.
I am especially thankful for the fabulous students that I am lucky enough to teach this year! Enjoy your friends, feast, and family this holiday season!

*Thank you to Mr. Hoffman, Mrs. Franchi, Mrs. Moy, Mrs. Veselak, Mrs. Cibulka, and Mrs. Messina for chaperoning our Downers Grove Field trip! Despite the chilly weather, we had a very educational and fun day!

* Conferences: An email was sent regarding conference times and dates. If you have not received your conference time, please email me to confirm if the time is still good for your schedule. I am looking forward to meeting with you all to discuss your child's progress in 3rd grade so far! Please remember the conferences last 15 minutes and are back to back, so please try your best to be on time! Thank you!

*Scholastic Book Order: Book order was due today, Fri. 11/18. Please let me know via email if you have a last minute order and I can add it to the order. Thank you!

*Classroom Volunteers: I am looking for additional parent helpers to come in and use a computer to look up books and then label our classroom books with a Lexile score. Please email me for additional details! Thank you!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Tues. 11/22: Part/Whole Analogies Quiz

*Wed. 11/23- Fri. 11/ 25: No School: Happy Turkey Day!

* Mon. 11/28- Wed. 11/30: Conferences: Please review emailed schedule for time and date.

* Tues. 11/29: Math: Ch. 5 Money checkpoint

*Thurs. 12/1: Spelling: list 9 test

*Fri. 12/2: No School

A LOOK AHEAD:

*Reading: We will focus on character traits and problem solution next week. Beginning 11/28, we will begin to focus on author's purpose and point of view.

*English: We will work on creative writing as we write a short story about Thanksgiving from the turkey's point of view. We will also be starting ch 3. verbs when we return from break.

*Spelling: We will begin list 9 on 11/28. The graded test and homework will due Thurs. 12/1.

*Science: We will continue to work on ch. 11: matter.

*Social Studies: We have finished our Downers Grove history unit. We will focus on present day Downers Grove and ch. 12 on local government.

*Math: We will continue to focus on ch. 5: money. We will take a money checkpoint on Tues. 11/29 and then move onto the second half of ch. 5: Time. Look for a note about our next multiplication facts coming home before break. Thanks for all of your hard work studying the facts. Did your child share their "multiplication" I-pod with you? We will "download" new songs (facts) each week to study and learn! What fun!!

Thanks for checking out our blog this week!

Happy Turkey Day!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 11/14

Odds and Ends:

*Scholastic Book Order: November book order is due Fri. 11/18. Your online book orders help the classroom earn free books...THANK YOU!

*Downers Grove Field Trip: We are set to go Thurs. Nov. 17th. Please remember to send your child with $5-8 on the day of the trip for downtown DG shopping if you would like to. Watch the weather forecast for the day and dress appropriately! We will walking around outside!

*Conferences: The fall conferences will be held the week after Thanksgiving break for homeroom parents. I sent out an email with the dates and times of the conferences. Please let me know if you have not received this conference confirmation email. Thank you! I am looking forward to meeting with you all to discuss your child's progress.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Fri. 11/11: No school: Veterans Day

*Tues. 11/15: Synonym/Antonym Test

*Wed. 11/16: Social Studies: History of DG review

English: Ch 2 Nouns test

Storyteller Assembly

*Thurs. 11/17: Downers Grove Field Trip

*Fri. 11/18: Math: 5's multiplication test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will continue to look at character traits, identify problems and solutions, and predict, summarize, and make inferences we read our good fit book buddy books! We are will also continue to work on synonym and antonym analogies. The quiz will be on Tues. 11/15. Then we will begin part/whole analogies.

*English: We are completing our ch. 2 nouns unit. We will take the test on Wed. 11/16. Look for a study guide coming home Monday.

*Spelling: There is no spelling this week.

*Science: We are working on ch.11: Matter. Please ask your child about the objects they need for the physical properties posters we will be making.

*Social Studies: We are finishing up our history portion of our Downers Grove unit. We will have a short graded review on Wed. 11/16. Then we will begin to study modern day Downers Grove.

*Math: We are beginning ch. 5: money and time. Please look in your child's binder for a note about what coins they should bring to school to help us practice counting out change. We will also work on 5's this week in multiplication: only 4 new facts to memorize this week!

Have a wonderful, long weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 11/7

Odds and Ends

*Downers Grove Field Trip: We are all set to go on Thurs. 11/17. I will be contacting those parents who I will need as chaperons. Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered! I wish I could invite you all, but if you are not contacted by me either by email or phone, you can always meet us for lunch at Giordano's.

*Scholastic Book Order: November book order is due 11/18. Thank you for ordering each month...we are earning books for our classroom library with each online order!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Thurs. 11/10: Math: 2's multiplication quiz

*Fri. 11/11: No School: Veterans Day

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will be focusing on story elements (plot, setting, problem/solution) and character traits as we read a variety of literature and novels.

*English: We started our new unit: ch 2: Nouns. Please look for your child's pretest and learning contract in their English folder to see what skills we will focus on this unit.

*Spelling: We will take a break from the traditional list for the next few weeks as we focus on analogies. We will begin with synonym/antonym analogies and then move to part/whole analogies. There will be a quiz on each type of analogy to be announced. Look in your child's assignment notebook to see when the quiz will take place.

*Science: We began ch 11: Matter.

*Social Studies: We are busy learning about the history of Downers Grove. We have learned about the early settlers in this area and will learn about how the town grew into what we know today.

*Math: We will be working on problem solving this week. We will focus on the strategy of making a table to solve the problem. We will also introduce writing t-charts, where the students writes what they did and why they did it to solve the problem. We will also start a new week of multiplication: the two's! Look for a note coming home with the facts your child will need to memorize this week.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Olsen