Week of 10/3

Odds and Ends:

*Magazine Drive: A BIG thank you to everyone who participated in our fundraiser. Our class was the 3rd top selling classroom! WOW!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 10/3: Spelling:List 6 Pretest

*Wed. 10/5: English: DOL #2 Quiz
Math: Ch. 4 Test

*Fri. 10/7: Spelling: List 6 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading:We will focus on the reading strategy inferencing. The students will use basal reading stories, supplemental short stories, and possibly novels to extend their practice of understanding what they read. Students will learn new vocabulary words from stories they are reading. We will also continue to work on an extended response where we use ideas from the text combined with our own ideas to answer a question.

*English: We will finish our ME essays and share our bags and paper next week. We will begin a new writing unit on descriptive writing.

*Spelling: We will work on list 6. Pretest on Monday and homework and final test on Friday. Keep up the outstanding work!

*Social Studies: We will continue our map skills unit with hemispheres.

*Science: The students worked in cooperative groups to create amazing ecosystem dioramas! We will continue our study of ecosystems this week.

*Math: We are finishing up subtraction in ch. 4. The test is scheduled for Wed. 10/5. Next up: Chapter 1: place value! We will continue to practice our subtraction timed tests next week.

Have a fabulous FALL weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 9/26-9/30

Odds and Ends:

*Johnny Appleseed's Birthday: We will celebrate Johnny Appleseed's birthday on Monday, Sept. 26th. A note was sent home with your child about bringing a PEELED, CORED, and SLICED apple to class in a baggie or container on Monday. We will use it to make homemade applesauce. Thank you to the following families for donating our supplies for Monday's celebration:The Nichols family for spoons, the Messina family for bowls, and the Cigrand family for juice! Thanks!

*Magazine Drive: Turn in dates for this week: Tues. 9/27 and Thurs. 9/30.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 9/26: Johnny Appleseed's Birthday: Send in a peeled, cored, and sliced apple to school!

Spelling: List 5 pretest

*Fri. Spelling: List 5 test

September Reading 30 minutes calendar due: 20 days signed for full credit! You can also turn this in on Monday, 10/3.

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading:Next week we will continue to highlight summarizing and sequencing using materials differentiated for our classroom's various reading levels, and will be extending our knowledge through written responses. We will also assess our third graders on their ability to sequence events from text.

*English: We will work on learning about the 6 traits of writing. We will begin our 5 paragraph essay this week and present the finished product by the end of the week. Your child should be completing the ME bag at home by bringing in 3 items that represent their life and personality to school in their brown paper bag (we started decorating the bags in class on Friday). These items are due on Monday.

*Spelling: This week we will focus on list 5. Pretest will be Monday. Homework and test will be on Friday.

*Social Studies: We will focus on hemispheres, the equator, prime meridian, and poles this week.

*Science: We will continue to work on ch. 4 ecosystems this week.

*Math: We will work on ch. 4 subtraction this week. We will also begin subtraction timed tests. They will be handled in the same way as we did addition. We will spend several days practicing the tests before they are counted as a grade.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 9/19-9/23

Odds and Ends:

*Magazine Drive: Your child received a magazine drive packet this week. If you want to participate in this school fundraiser, the turn in dates are Tues. 9/20, Tues. 9/27, and Thurs. 9/29.

*PE - Soccer test "next" Thursday (study guides will go home Monday)

Intramural Games Permission slips will be sent home on Monday. They are due back by Friday. More information can be found on the PE website.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 9/19: Spelling: List 4 Pretest

*Tues. 9/20: Math: Ch 3 Test

*Thurs. 9/22: Social Studies: Continents and Oceans Quiz

English: DOL #1 Graded Review

*Fri. 9/23: Spelling: List 4 Test

Scholastic Book Orders due: order online or send in check and order to the classroom

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading:Now we will start to put the reading strategies we have learned to great use while reading various types of literature. We will always be reviewing/using all of the strategies, but for the coming weeks we will highly focus on the strategies of sequencing and summarizing. The students will use basal reading stories, supplemental short stories, and possibly novels to extend their practice of understanding what they read. As a third grade we are really highlighting oral and written responses to what was read and will integrate this throughout. We will also work on an extended response where we use ideas from the text combined with our own ideas to answer a question.

*English: We will work on 6 +1 traits of writing this week as we apply it to our own writing. We will work on 5 paragraph essays soon. We have also begun DOL (Daily Oral Language). We practice "editing" incorrect sentences as we learn about convention rules. A study guide will be sent home on Monday for the quiz on Thurs.

*Spelling: We will work on list 4 words this week. There will be a pretest on Monday. The final test will be on Friday and homework will be due on Friday.

*Social Studies: We will continue to work on continents and oceans. The students did research in the computer lab on a specific continent and will be sharing their facts with the group this week. The graded review on the location and spelling of the continents and oceans will be on Thurs. 9/22. We will study hemispheres next.

*Science: We will begin ch 4: ecosystems later this week.

*Math: We will be finishing up ch. 3 this week. We will work on addition word problems and review concepts. The ch. 3 test will be Tuesday. We will continue to practice addition timed tests this week. They will begin to count for a grade on Friday 9/23.

Have a beautiful fall weekend together with your family!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 9/12

Odds and Ends:

*Science textbook now available online: Our class is signed up and ready to go. Please go to www.thinkcentral.com. Click on science and health. Then click HSP science. Choose Illinois and Center Cass District 66 and Prairieview School. The user name is your student's code when using parent connect. I will email you the password to use. Please let me know if you need any additional help viewing our textbook online!

*Thank you to all of the families who have donated items for our classroom! It is much appreciated!

*Scholastic Book Order: September book orders were sent home this week. The order is due online or to the classroom (please send CHECK only if not ordering online..NO CASH) by Friday, 9/23. Our class earns free books when you order safely online. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 9/12: Magazine Drive Kick off: Look for information packets coming home Monday.

Spelling: List 3 Pretest

*Thurs. 9/15: English: Ch. 1: The Sentence Test

Band Concert

*Fri. 9/16: Spelling: List 3 Test

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: Next week we will continue to teach the students how to utilize the essential reading strategies. In our classes we will demonstrate how the application of these strategies will maximize student comprehension of a range of literary materials.

*English: We will focus on subject and predicate this week, as well as run-on sentences. The final ch. 1 test will be Thurs. 9/15. A study guide was sent home today. Your child can bring home his/her textbook any night before the test to study, as long as they bring the book back each school day.

*Spelling: This week we will work on list 3: more short vowel words. There will be a pretest on Monday and a final test on Friday. Each group will be given 3 homework assignments that will be due on Friday.

*Social Studies: We have finished up our lessons on directions and the compass rose. Ask your child about the fun scavenger hunt we had around school this week. We will begin our study on continents and oceans this week.

*Science: Coming soon!

*Math: We will continue to work on addition, focusing on adding greater numbers and regrouping. We will also continue to work on our addition facts. Keep practicing them at home! The ch. 3 test is tentatively scheduled for Mon. 9/19.

Have a wonderful fall weekend!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of Sept. 6-9

Odds and Ends

*Curriculum Night: It was so great to see so many of you at Thursday night's Curriculum Night. Thank you for sharing your night with us as we went over 3rd grade with you. If were unable to come, I will send any notes home with your child today. I will also sign you up for a conference time and notify you of that date as is gets closer. If it does not work for you, we can reschedule. Thank you!

*Donations: If you took a hand off of our "Give us a Hand" board at open house or curriculum night, thank you for your donations. You can send in your chosen item at any time. Thank you for "Giving Us A HAND!"

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 9/5: No School: Labor Day

*Tues. 9/6: Spelling: Pretest List 2

* Thurs. 9/8: MAPS testing: Reading

*Fri. 9/9: Spelling: List 2 Test

Social Studies: Directions Quiz

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: The third grade starts off our reading curriculum by teaching the students to use various reading strategies. We model the use of these strategies while reading high interest picture books to the class. We then will spend the year extending the use of these strategies while reading a variety of literary materials to aid in comprehension. This coming week, we will learn about predicting, inferring, and visualizing.

*English: We will focus on ch 1: The sentence. We will work on subjects and predicates. We will also begin DOL (Daily Oral Language) as we focus on conventions and fixing incorrect sentences.

*Spelling: We will work on list 2: short vowel words. There will be a pretest on Tuesday and the test will be on Friday. Due to the shortened week, your child will have 2 homework assignments due Friday.

*Social Studies: We will continue to work on map skills as we focus on cardinal and intermediate directions and the compass rose. We will have a short quiz on these skills on Friday 9/9. Look for a study guide coming home on Tuesday.

*Science: We will begin our science unit on ecosystems soon!

*Math: We will work on ch 3 Addition. We will begin practicing our addition timed tests (mad minutes). I wanted to make a correction to something I shared with you at curriculum night. For each trimester, homework will be worth 5 points TOTAL (rather than 1o points). After the three "free" late assignments, a late slip will be given for each late assignment, resulting in 1 point deducted per assignment. If your child never has any late slips, they will keep the 5 points. Thank you!

Enjoy the long weekend with your summer as we say good bye to summer and hello to fall!

Mrs. Olsen

Welcome Back Week of 8/29

Hello and Welcome to 3rd Grade!

We have had a great start to our new year together!

I am enjoying getting to know each student better and

I am looking forward to a wonderful year together!

It was nice to meet so many of you at Open House.
I am looking forward to seeing you again at our Curriculum Night next Thursday.

Please visit here each week to know what's happening in our busy classroom!

*Binders: Your child organized their binder this week at school. The binder, along with an assignment notebook, will come back and forth from home to school each day. Please make it a routine to check and sign the assignment notebook each day and empty out the "take home" folder in the binder. All other papers remain in the designated folders. Homework and important notes that need to be returned to school will be put in the "homework" section of the binder. Thank you for your help and cooperation with this important organization system!

Lunch bags: Please make sure your child has his/her first and last name on his/her lunch bag. This helps us keep track of it during the school year. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 8/29: Spelling: Pretest List 1

Music Class

*Tues. 8/30: IMC class

*Wed. 8/31: Art Class

*Thurs. 9/1: 3rd Grade Curriculum Night 6:30-7:30 pm

*Fri. 9/2: Spelling: List 1 Graded Test

IMC Book check out

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

* Reading: We will be reading books about great character traits and practicing our reading strategies this week. We will be doing fun activities as we build a recipe for a successful year together!

*English: We will begin ch. 1: The sentence. I will be pretesting the students to gain a better understanding of their prior knowledge that will help me plan the chapter to meet their needs.

*Spelling: List 1: We will focus on back to school words. There will be a pretest on Monday and a graded test on Friday. On Monday, look for a yellow sheet of paper explaining our spelling procedure in your child's binder. Your child will receive homework for the week that is due on Friday.

* Social Studies: We will begin our map skills unit on directions, continents and oceans, and hemispheres.

*Science: We will learn about our textbook with a textbook mapping activity.

*Math: We will meet together with our math students on Thurs. 9/1.

Enjoy your weekend together!
Mrs. Olsen

Last week of 3rd Grade!

It's hard to believe the year is over! What an amazing year we have all had! Thank you all for teaching me many new things this year. As you are my students, you are also my teachers. We learned so much from each other!

This is a bittersweet time of year for us all... bitter because good byes are always hard for me. I will miss you all. I like to say "See you later!" and I hope to see each of you in the future to hear about 4th grade and beyond! Sweet because the summer is a chance to relax, have fun, play with friends and family, and enjoy the sunshine! I wish each of you a safe, fun, and relaxing summer. Don't forget to read lots of good books!

**UPCOMING EVENTS:**

Monday, 6/6: Picnic and Field Day
We will play field games from 8:30-10:00 am.

Lunch will be provided for the students.

12;30: Sky Dogz presentation

1:30 All school assembly

Tuesday, 6/7: Dismissal at 9:30.
Report cards sent home.

Thank you again and have a beautiful summer! I know I will be enjoying every second with my own little ray of "son"shine...Liam =)

Best,
Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/31-6/3

Odds and Ends:

*It's hard to believe the last days of third grade are here! I am looking forward to enjoying our last days together and getting ready to send 4th graders out into the world!

*Summer Birthdays: If your child celebrates a summer birthday, she/he can choose any of the remaining school days to celebrate their birthday at school. Please remember, no sugary treats. Thank you!

*The raffle for Japan has just begun. A letter was sent home on Wednesday, with the list of raffle items and raffle tickets. If you wish to participate, just fill in the tickets, put them in an envelope with the money, and return it to your classroom teacher. All tickets must be turned in by June 3rd. We will have the raffle at the all school assembly on June 6th. Thank you so much for your support.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Mon. 5/30: No school: Happy Memorial Day!

* Tues. 5/31: Talent Show by 4th and 5th grade students

Science: Inquiry Test

*Fri. 6/3: Last day of reading and math

Raffle tickets due

*Mon. 6/6: Field Day and picnic

*Tues. 6/7: Last day of 3rd grade. Report cards sent home. Dismissal at 9:30 am. HAPPY SUMMER!!!

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will be finishing up our novels and doing some activities about the books. Please make sure your child has their literature circle packets completed and ready to be turned in on Tues. and the books completed by Wed. Thank you!

*Spelling: We are all done with spelling for the year.

*English: We will continue to work on descriptive writing as we write our super hero stories.

*Science: We will take our inquiry test on Tues. You can view and study the textbook at www.thinkcentral.com. You need to use the same user name/number as you use for parent connect. Your child should know the password (or you can email me for it!).

*Social Studies: We will work on map making for the end of the year.

*Math: We will focus on revisiting some concepts from earlier in the year such as subtracting across zeros, fractions, and multiplying greater numbers. We will work on mixed division as well.

Thank you and enjoy the warm weather and long weekend together!

Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/23

Odds and Ends:

Walk for Japan: Join us as we raise money for a great cause and get exercise! The walk will be on Tues. 5/24. Look for a note coming home today with more details about the walk.

*Life Saving Grams: Wed. 5/25 is the last day to send them!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Tues. 5/24: Walk for Japan

*Wed. 5/25: Bowling AM (please send your child with a sack lunch if they would normally get hot lunch-Thanks!)

*Thurs. 5/26: Visit with 2nd Grade Pen Pals

*Fri. 5/27: Social Studies: Ch 9 Test
Spelling: list 26 Test
Book order due

*Mon. 5/30: No School

A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will be revisiting all of the reading strategies covered this year as we work in literature circles. Ask your child what novel they chose!

*English: We will work with creative writing as we write superhero stories.

*Spelling: We will work on list 26: frequently misspelled words. There will be pretest Monday and a final test on Friday. This will be our last spelling list of the year! Homework will be using all 20 words in sentences (written in cursive) and abc order (also in cursive).

*Social Studies: We will finish up ch 9 on the economy. A study guide was sent home this week. The test is scheduled for Fri. 5/27. We will work on map skills next.

*Science: We will continue to work on inquiry. The test is tentatively scheduled for Tues. 5/31.

*Math: We will work on 7 division next week. We will also work on reviewing some tricky concepts from earlier in the year including rounding, subtracting across zeros, fractions, probability, multiplying greater numbers, and division. There will be a simple long division review on Mon. 5/23.

Thanks and have a SUPER weekend!


Mrs. Olsen

Week of 5/16-5/20

Hello All! I'm back! It's great to be back with the students and see how much they have grown in the last 3 months! I enjoyed my maternity leave with my sweet baby boy Liam and I know Miss Millbrandt did an outstanding job. Thank you all for your support and cooperation during my leave.

* Walk for Japan: Join us as we raise money for an important cause! Tuesday, May 24th, from3:30-5;00 there will be a fundraiser to raise money for the earthquake victims of Japan. The cost is $2 for individuals and $5 for families. Please contact Mrs. Cavoto or Mrs. Sulima with any questions.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mon. 5/16: Choir Concert 9 am
Jr. Achievement #2

Thurs. 5.19: Jr. Achievement #3

Fri. 5/20: Spelling Test list 25


A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK:

*Reading: We will continue to practice fluency and expression with readers' theater. We will also be reviewing all of our reading strategies as we work in literature circles reading new novels.

*English: We will continue to work with creative writing as we combine expository and descriptive writing.

*Spelling: We will be focusing on frequently misspelled words for the rest of the year. Some of these words may be repeated from earlier in the year, but they are the high frequency words for third grade so we want to practice using them. There will be a pretest on Monday and a final test on Friday.

*Social Studies: We will work on ch 9: economy. We are talking about goods and services and making a budget. Ask your child about your classroom budget.

*Science: We will work on the inquiry chapter lesson 2 and 3. We are learning about the skills scientists use and the scientific method.

*Math: The students will work on division (simple long division with and without remainders). We will also work with 6's division with the test on Friday. We will work on solving word problems as well.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Olsen