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

June 1-5

Odds and Ends

*Bowling: We will be bowling for gym on Monday, June 1st from 9-11 am. Please do not plan on buying hot lunch that day. Principal Schultz would prefer students to bring a sack lunch since they often have snacks at the bowling alley and are not very hungry when they return. This way we won't waste the hot lunch.

*Matter Presentation: We will have High Tech, High Touch back to school for another hands-on presentation about matter in the afternoon on Monday, June 1st.

*Chicago: The field trip is all planned...now let's just hope for a nice, sunny day! We will be visiting Chicago on Tuesday, June 2nd. Please send a disposable, sack lunch. You can send $5 for a treat on the pier (ice cream, etc) if you would like. I will send home a note on Monday about dressing for the day on the boat and other details about the trip. This will be a great day in 3rd grade! All chaperons...please meet us at school at 9:00 am. Parents who are meeting us in the city, please plan to meet us at 10:15 at Navy Pier. We will be meeting at the Shoreline ticket window across from McDonald's on the pier. Thanks!

* End of the Year Picnic: We will celebrate the end of the school year with a picnic and field day planned by the PTO on Thursday, June 4th. A hotdog, drink, and chips with be served, along with a frozen treat. If your child would prefer a different lunch, please send in a sack lunch that day. Thanks!

YEARBOOKS: will be handed out to students on June 5th. Any students who did not purchase a yearbook may do so on a first-come-first-serve basis on June 5th; they will go on sale after morning announcements. The cost will be $10.00 and children wishing to purchase should have exact amount. Checks can be made out to Prairieview. There is a limited supply. Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid for at registration. A flyer was sent out on November 13, 2008 and orders were due by Monday, December 1, 2008.

*Summer Birthdays: Any child who celebrates a summer birthday can celebrate with our class next week as we honor all summer birthdays. You may choose any day next week to send in a healthy or non-edible treat if you would like. Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Mon. 6/1: Bowling 9-11

Matter Presentation

*Tues. 6/2: Chicago Field Trip

*Thurs. 6/4: End of the Year Picnic and Field Day

*Fri. 6/5: Last day of 3rd grade.... Summer Begins...Report cards sent home.

Dismissal at 9:30

10 Day Countdown:

Mon 6/1: Clash Day (mis-matched clothing)

Tues. 6/2: Crazy Sock Day

Wed. 6/3: Stuffed Animal Day

Thurs. 6/4: Vacation Outfit Day

Fri. 6/5: Choose your favorite spirit day!

A LOOK AT OUR LAST WEEK

*Reading, English, and Spelling: It was a pleasure to teach each and everyone of you this year. We had a great time reading, writing, and learning together!

Keep reading and writing over the summer!

*Science: We will work on some fun experiments about electricity and magnets this week!

*Social Studies: We will continue to learn and discuss Chicago as we get ready for our field trip.

*Math: Thank you to each student for working so hard this year in math. You all learned so much and I am so proud of you all! Keep practicing your math facts over the summer!

I can't believe the time has gone so fast! Just yesterday it seemed like we were all beginning this journey through 3rd grade together! I am looking forward to making some fun memories this last week with your child! Enjoy the weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

May 25-29

Odds and Ends

*Matter Presentation: We will have a special in school assembly all about matter. This will be in the afternoon on Monday, June 1st. The cost is $6.50 per child. Please send in your money (if you have not yet already) for this fun opportunity!

*Chicago Field Trip: We are all set and ready to go! We will leave on Tuesday, June 2 in the morning and return by 2:00 pm. Your child should bring a disposable sack lunch that day and $5 for ice cream or a special treat on the pier. Just as a reminder, the following parents will be joining us on the bus and boat: Jake's mom, Molly's dad, Clayton's mom, and Makaila's mom. Jacob's mom and Kayla's mom will meet us in the city for the boat ride. It will be an awesome day!

*Bowling: We will be bowling for gym class on Monday, June 1st in the morning. We will be coming back to school for lunch. Mrs. Schultz is requesting that students bring a sack lunch to school on the days that they are going bowling. There is no cost unless you want to send your child with a few dollars for one snack at the snack bar. All permission slips have been returned...wow! Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Mon. 5/25: No School: Enjoy your Memorial Day!

*Tues. 5/26: Slipper Day

*Wed. 5/27: Crazy Hair Day

*Thurs. 5/28: Sports Day

Social Studies: Chicago History Quiz

Reading; Mystery Vocabulary Quiz

*Fri. 5/29: Munchies and Movie: We will watch a movie in class. Please send in a treat for your child to enjoy...no nuts please!

Reading: Fluency Poem Reading

*Mon. 6/1: Clash Day

Bowling AM

PM: Matter presentation

*Tues. 6/2: Chicago Field Trip!!

Crazy Sock Day

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We are continuing to work in literature circles as we work as "reading detectives" on our mystery case file. We are practicing applying all of our reading strategies as we solve mysteries. We will have a quiz on mystery vocab. words on Thurs. 5/28. Our last day of reading will be Fri. 5/29.

*English: We are busy working on our final narrative, which we will turn into a picture story book. We are also learning about pronouns.

*Spelling: We are done with spelling for 3rd grade. Way to go! We were lucky to have Principal Schultz give us our last spelling test. What fun!

*Science: Students are learning about heat, sound, and light in chapter 14. Be sure to review the vocabulary on their vocab. flashcard ring in their binder.

*Social Studies: We have learned a lot about the Chicago fire and rebuilding of Chicago after the fire. We will have a history quiz on Thurs. 5/28. A study guide was sent home this week.

*Math: We will spend our last days together learning about probability and data. We will continue to practice mixed division each day, so practice those facts each night. Our last day of math will be Fri. 5/29.

Spring is here! Enjoy the weather and long weekend! Here is a picture of my twin nephews that I will be visiting this weekend!

~The Proud Aunt, Mrs. Olsen =)

May 18- May 22

Odds and Ends

*Scholastic Book Order: Last one of the year! Orders due on Wed. 5/20. You can also order online!

*High Tech- High Touch: A note will be sent home next week about an in-school assembly about matter. This is the same company that did "Goo, Glob, and Guts" with the students earlier in the year. They will be coming on Monday, June 1. The cost is $6.50 per child. Please send in the money by Fri. 5/22. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Mon. 5/18: 2nd Grade Pen Pals visit from Ide

*Mon-Fri: Math: Mixed Divisions Timed Tests: Begin counting towards grade on Friday 5/22.

*Fri. 5/22: Spelling: List 27 Test

*Mon. 5/25: No School: Memorial Day

*Mon. 6/1: Bowling with Gym class AM

*Tues. 6/2: Chicago Field Trip

*Thurs. 6/4: Field Day and Picnic

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK

*Reading: We will begin mystery literature circles as we put together all of the strategies we have learned this year to the test! Each day your child will have assigned reading to do in their mystery book as well as a literature "job" assignment sheet. If they do not finish it in class, it will be sent home as homework. Each child is responsible to keep up with the reading and be ready to share their job sheet each day so they can share in the learning and discussion with their book group. Thanks for helping your child "keep on track". =)

*English: We will work on our last narrative writing project.

*Spelling: We will be on list 27 next week. There will be a pretest on Monday. The packet and test will be on Friday.

*Science: We finished the chapter on matter. We will begin chapter 14: Heat, Light, and Sound. We will not have time to complete this chapter with a final test, so we will have a small, open book reviews. This will be our last chapter for the year!

*Social Studies: We are continuing to learn about Chicago's interesting history. We will take a Chicago history quiz on Thurs. 5/28. This will be our last social studies unit in 3rd grade.

*Math: The students are busy learning about decimals (ch. 19). This is a difficult concept for the students. Please continue to review ones , tenths, and hundredths place with your child. We will have our ch. 19 test on Tues. 5/19. This will be our last chapter test in math. We will finish up the year with a review of probability and data and multiplication and division. We will also be working on mixed division timed tests. We will take one each day next week. If your child passes before Friday, they are done! If they do not pass before Friday, they will retake each day of the following week (graded the same way as current retakes of timed tests). Thanks for your help studying these facts!

Thank you for reading my blog~ Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Olsen