Week of 1/5/15 - 1/9/15

I hope you all have a joyous and healthy holiday. Enjoy your families and keep them close; I know I will. See you all in 2015!!

We will come back in January to MAP testing.  Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a good healthy breakfast & snack.  Our days for testing are shown below.

Also, please make sure your child is coming to school with warm clothing for recess.  Gloves and a hat are a must!!   I've also noticed that supplies are starting to dwindle.  Please ask your child what he/she needs to replenish as we start a new year together.   Thank you!

Coming up this week:

Spelling: Lesson 14.  Cursive HW (for everyone) due Tuesday.  ABC order or 2 challenge activities are due Thursday.   Test for those not on the challenge list will be Friday.  Please make sure homework is done on notebook paper!

Language Arts: We will continue our new unit called Traditions.  We’ll focus on the story The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco.  We will also be starting our new Words of the Week (WOW) ending with a quiz on Friday.   

Social Studies: We will start our new Social Studies unit on local government, chapter 12 in our text book.  An open book, open note review of lesson 1 will occur on Friday, 1/9.

Science:  Chapter 11 on Matter begins this week.   Lesson 1 review (open notes/book) will be on Thursday.

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class: This week we’ll begin Topic 6, More Multiplication facts. We’ll continue our multiplication facts timed tests.  They’re getting more difficult, so perhaps a little practice over break will help?   Wednesday I’ll test on the 9s and Friday on the 3s.   

Important Dates:

12/19 - Visit the Tivoli to see “Miracle on 34th Street”

1/7 - Klacza MAP testing - Reading

1/9 - Klacza MAP testing - Math

1/16 - Early Dismissal (11:00)

1/19 - Martin Luther King’s Birthday (no school)

Have a great holiday break!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 12/15/14 - 12/19/14

Our final week of the 2014 school year is coming up and there are lots of fun things happening around Prairieview!  Check out the Important Dates section at the bottom for details. Today, our Elf on the Shelf is coming to Room 105. I'm sure he will get into lots of trouble next week! Stay tuned...

Please make sure your child brings a lunch from home on Monday if they are planning to buy snacks at the bowling alley.  Typically, the children come back so full from all the food they’ve purchased they skip lunch entirely, and if they’ve signed up for hot lunch, the food goes to waste.  A better idea would be to send a small lunch to school with your child on Monday.  If you have no intention of sending your child with money for snacks, it’s fine to sign up for hot lunch, but let me tell you from experience, there’s lots of sharing going on at the Brunswick Zone!!

Coming up this week:

Spelling: Holiday Words!  Pretest on Monday.  Please check your child’s assignment notebook; homework will be different this week.  

Language Arts: We will continue our new unit called Traditions.  We’ll focus on the story The Night Before Christmas.  

We will take a break from our “Words of the Week.”

Social Studies:  We finished our Downers Grove unit and will soon revisit the textbook to learn about local government.

Science:  We’ll start our new chapter on Matter when we return in 2015.

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class: This week we’ll finish up Topic 5, Multiplication facts. We’ll continue our multiplication facts timed tests.  On Wednesday, we’ll have our Topic 5 test with a pretest on Monday.  

Important Dates:

12/15 - 3rd grade bowling trip

12/16 - Band/Choir concert (10:00 a.m.)

12/16 - Early Dismissal (11:00 - PV) 

12/19 - Visit the Tivoli to see “Miracle on 34th Street”

Have a great  weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 12/8/14 - 12/12/14

We had a marvelous Downers Grove field trip on Tuesday!   I hope my students were able to tell you a thing or two about the history of DG.   Thank you to the chaperones who helped keep everything organized.  

The Christmas season is upon us.  There are lots of fun activities coming up.  Please make sure you’re checking your child’s assignment notebook nightly!!   Also, PV is sponsoring two important drives for the needy:   a non-perishable food drive and a warm clothing drive.   Please check your pantries and closets!   Thank you :)

Coming up this week:

Spelling:  Lesson 13 - Pretest on Monday; Test on Friday.   Remember, cursive worksheet is due on Tuesday.  ABC order is due on Thursday.  Two challenge activities (for those who passed the pretest) are also due on Thursday.  Please make sure your child is using notebook paper for their homework.  Students who pass the pretest do not have to take the Friday test.  

Language Arts: This week, we’ll be starting a new unit called Traditions.   I can’t wait to hear about your own family’s traditions.

We’re continuing “Words of the Week” on Monday.   A short quiz will take place on Friday.  There will also be a D.O.L. quiz on Friday.  The study guide will go home on Monday.

Social Studies:  We finished our Downers Grove unit and will soon revisit the textbook to learn about local government.

Science:  Rather than start a new chapter before Christmas break, I thought we might do some fun experiments instead.   We’ll be using our skills of predicting and inferring to help us with our Tuesday experiment.  

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class: This week we’ll continue Topic 5, Multiplication facts.  Students should be practicing their math facts because we’ll be starting those dreaded “timed” tests on Monday.   There are great ways to practice using your computer.   Multiplication.com, xtramath, etc.   Flash cards are also great!   Make it a game to see how fast they can flip through a series of cards.  This is a smart group of 3rd graders and I anticipate lots of success!!  I’m looking at 12/17 as our Topic 5 test date.

Important Dates:

12/15 - 3rd grade bowling trip

12/16 - Early Dismissal (11:00 - PV)

12/19 - Last day of school before holiday break

Have a great  weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 11/24/14 - 11/28/14 and 12/1/14 - 12/5/14

We are approaching Thanksgiving week and the end of trimester 1 and all I can say is, “really???”    Where has the first trimester gone?   I am amazed at the progress these children have made.   They came in as scared second graders and now they are confident, hard working third graders.   I couldn't be prouder!!

December 2 is our Downers Grove field trip.   Please make sure your permission slip and $7.00 is returned by Tuesday, 11/25.  Children should dress warmly as some of this trip is outdoors.   You may send some money along (on December 2) for shopping; we suggest $5.00-$8.00 at the most!   Comfortable shoes are a must as well!!

I’m going to give you all a rundown of what’s happening for the next two weeks, since we won’t be here next Friday.   Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  Relax and enjoy your families.

Coming up this week and the following week:

Spelling:  No spelling next week.  Week of 12/1:  Lesson 12 - Pretest on Monday; Test on Friday.   Remember, cursive worksheet is due on Tuesday.  ABC order is due on Thursday.  Two challenge activities (for those who passed the pretest) are also due on Thursday.  Please make sure your child is using notebook paper for their homework.  Students who pass the pretest do not have to take the Friday test.  

Language Arts:  I hope you all enjoyed reading or hearing about The One and Only Ivan.

We are officially done with our unit, Standing Up for What you Believe In.   We’ll be starting a new unit after the break called Traditions.   I can’t wait to hear about your own family’s traditions.

We’re continuing “Words of the Week” on Monday, 12/1.   A short quiz will take place on Friday, 12/5.  

Social Studies:   We are reading about modern day Downers Grove. Our field trip is on Tuesday 12/2.   Can’t wait!!   Please check your child’s assignment notebook for upcoming quizzes, etc.  

Science:  The test for chapter 9 will be on Tuesday, 11/25.  We will review on Monday.  No science the week of 12/1.

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  Topic test 4 will be returned on Monday.   Students will be going to the lab for some fun math games on Tuesday.  The following week we’ll begin Topic 5, Multiplication facts.  Students should be practicing their math facts soon because we’ll be taking those dreaded “timed” tests, probably starting the week of 12/8.   There are great ways to practice using your computer.   Multiplication.com, xtramath, etc.   Flash cards are also great!   Make it a game to see how fast they can flip through a series of cards.  This is a smart group of 3rd graders and I anticipate lots of success!!

Important Dates:

11/26 - 11/28   Thanksgiving Break

12/2 - Downers Grove field trip (Klacza/Olsen only)

12/15 - 3rd grade bowling trip

12/19 - Last day of school before holiday break

Have a great  Thanksgiving break!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 11/17/14 - 11/21/14

We are so lucky to have Amy Logan, author of A Girl with a Cape, come to visit us today.  We have been working hard on spreading kindness throughout our school and our homes.  Have you noticed?  

There is a permission slip coming home today for our Downers Grove field trip on December 2.  I will be contacting parents about chaperoning very soon.  

My son’s wedding in Washington was wonderful and I’m just now feeling back to “normal.”   Thank you for all the kind congrats :)

Coming up this week:

Spelling:  Lesson 11 - Pretest on Monday; Test on Friday.   Remember, cursive worksheet is due on Tuesday.  ABC order is due on Thursday.  Two challenge activities (for those who passed the pretest) are also due on Thursday.  Please make sure your child is using notebook paper for their homework.  Students who pass the pretest do not have to take the Friday test.  

Language Arts:  This week, we’ll finish reading the novel The One and Only Ivan.  We’re doing some “cloze” reading with the novel, particularly focusing on the parts that fit in with our theme of Standing Up for What You Believe in!!   We also read the book Sit-In.  This, too, fits in nicely with our theme.

We’re continuing Words of the Week on Monday.   A short quiz will take place on Friday.  We’ve also begun a new set of D.O.L. practice work.  We’re focusing on month abbreviations and commas in a series.   Look for the study guide Monday; quiz will occur on Friday.

Social Studies:  We finished reading about the history of Downers Grove.  There will be a short test on Tuesday.  The students may use their yellow packet during the test.  We will then read about modern day Downers Grove.  The study guide went home yesterday.

Science:  We’ll continue chapter 9 this week on the water cycle.   The open book/notes graded review for lesson 3 will occur on Thursday.   The test for chapter 9 will be on Tuesday, 11/25.  We will review the day before.  

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class: Topic 4, which is the beginning of the multiplication unit, contains only 5 lessons and we are speeding through them.  I’m planning a topic test for Friday, 11/21.  We’ll “pretest” on Thursday.  We won’t start topic 5 until after the Thanksgiving break.

Important Dates:

11/26 - 11/28   Thanksgiving Break

12/2 - Downers Grove field trip (Klacza/Olsen only)

Have a great  weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 11/10/14 - 11/14/14

Greetings! I wanted to let you know that I won't be available to answer emails or phone calls starting tomorrow morning through Monday. I'll be back on Tuesday. We have a wonderful sub for our students, so everything should run smoothly!! If your child needs to be picked up early or there is any issue whatsoever, please contact the office and they will be happy to help.

Stay warm this weekend!!   

Coming up this week:

Spelling:  Lesson 10 - Pretest on Monday; Test on Friday.   Remember, cursive worksheet is due on Tuesday.  ABC order is due on Thursday.  Two challenge activities (for those who passed the pretest) are also due on Thursday.  Please make sure your child is using notebook paper for their homework.  Students who pass the pretest do not have to take the Friday test.  

Language Arts:  This week, we’ll continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan.  We’re doing some “cloze” reading with the novel, particularly focusing on the parts that fit in with our theme of Standing Up for What You Believe in!!   Ask your child how we “cloze” read!!   

Please check your child’s assignment notebook nightly regarding homework.

We’re starting Words of the Week again on Monday.   A short quiz will take place on Friday.  We’ll also begin a new set of D.O.L. practice work, which will begin on Tuesday.   We’re focusing on month abbreviations and commas in a series.   

Social Studies:  We will continue reading about the history of Downers Grove.  

Science:  We’ll continue chapter 9 this week on the water cycle.   The open book/notes graded review for lesson 2 will occur on Wednesday.  

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  The students should be prepared for their Topic 3 test on Monday.  Hopefully, they’ve all taken a text book home to help them study.  We’ll then move on to Topic 4, Multiplication!!

Important Dates:

11/26 - 11/28   Thanksgiving Break

Have a great  weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 11/3/14 - 11/7/14

I enjoyed sitting down with you all and discussing your fabulous children.  Conference week is tiring, but always interesting and enlightening.

I want to thank the parents who have organized and will run our Halloween party today.   Thank you, also,  to those who will be bringing in yummy treats like sweets and candy!!!   Happy Halloween everyone!   Can’t believe we had some of the “white stuff” falling!  

My son will be getting married in the Seattle area on November 8; therefore, I'll be out of school on Friday and the following Monday. They grow up so fast!! Sniff.....

Coming up this week:

Spelling:  No spelling due to the shortened week.

Language Arts:  This week, we’ll continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan.  Many students have already finished it and I know many of you at home have read it with your children.  What did you think?   I absolutely love the ending.  

Please check your child’s assignment notebook nightly regarding homework.  We’ll continue to work with antonyms, homophones, and adjectives as part of our “Daily 5.”   

We’ll take a break from our WOW words; however, our DOL quiz will be on Wednesday!

Social Studies:  We will continue reading about the history of Downers Grove.  

Science:  We’ll continue chapter 9 this week on the water cycle.  There will be  a graded review (open book/notes) on lesson 2 on Wednesday.   Then, on to lesson 2!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  This week we’ll continue Topic 3: Using place value to add and subtract.  We’ll finish up Wednesday and Thursday and have a pre-test on Friday.   The following Monday, November 10, the students will take the Topic 3 test.

Important Dates:

10/31 - Halloween parade & party

11/3 - Day off (for Conferences)

11/4 - Teacher Institute (no school for students)

Have a great  4-day weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 10/27/14 - 10/31/14

As you probably already know, we are celebrating our first marble party today!   The children have cleaned out the marble jar by behaving beautifully and getting compliments from me and other teachers in the building.  Hurray!!!

Our Zoo trip was wonderful! I'm sure your child told you all about it!!

Halloween is Friday already!! There will be a costume parade at 1:15 around the school (weather permitting) and parties will start at 1:30. I hope you can all come and see the parade – just stand out front and you'll see us!! Students should carry in their costumes on Friday. They cannot wear their costumes to school. Remember, we only have a short time to change and we will be changing in the classroom (one class for boys, another for girls). Please make sure their costumes are suitable for this. Trips to the bathroom are not allowed in order to change. No weapons of any kind are allowed.

Enjoy the beautiful Autumn weekend!   

Coming up the week:

Spelling: Halloween words – Pretest Monday, Test Friday (unless your child passes the pretest.)  All homework is due on Thursday. It will be different this week.  You will see the packet that comes home on Monday.  No challenge activities; everyone doing the same homework.

Language Arts:  This week, we’ll continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. Please check your child’s assignment notebook nightly regarding homework.  We’ll also study antonyms, homophones, and adjectives as part of our “Daily 5.”   

Our English test for chapter 2 (Nouns) will be on Monday, 10/27.  We will then focus on writing our haunted house description.

We will also continue with our WOW words and our DOL.   A short WOW quiz will be on Friday, 10/24.   The DOL quiz will occur on Wednesday, 10/29.  There will be a study guide coming home mid-week for the DOL quiz.   Students should be bringing home their spirals with the WOW words on Thursday.  

Social Studies:  We will continue reading about the history of Downers Grove.  

Science:  We’ll start chapter 9 this week on the water cycle.  

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  This week we’ll continue Topic 3: Using place value to add and subtract.  This is a long chapter so I’ve been giving lots of short assessments to make sure the children understand each and every lesson.   The test date has not yet been determined, but it will most likely be on 11/10.   

Important Dates:

10/31 - Halloween parade & party

10/27 - Conference week (homeroom students)

11/3 - Day off (for Conferences)

11/4 - Teacher Institute (no school for students)

Have a great weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 10/20/14 - 10/24/14

What a beautiful Fall day we are having today!   I’ve seen the weather forecast for Tuesday and it looks like it will be cool but clear for our Brookfield Zoo field trip.  Please make sure your child is dressed accordingly and wearing comfy shoes.  Also, he/she will need that fully disposable lunch.

Please choose a conference time for the week of 10/27.   I sent a link and many of you have already signed up, so thank you!    I will re-send it today to those who haven’t had a chance to sign up yet.

Coming up the week:

Spelling: Lesson 9 – Pretest Monday, Test Friday (unless your child passes the pretest.)  All homework is due on Thursday. Students that are using the “challenge” list will choose 2 activities (please refer to “All About Spelling”) and students using the "regular" words will be putting the words in ABC order. ALL students will practice their cursive with a sheet that will come home after every pretest.  This homework needs to be completed by the next day.  Please make sure your child uses notebook paper for all written homework.  We have a lot here at school; students are welcome to take some home whenever they need it!

Language Arts:  This week, we’ll continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. Please check your child’s assignment notebook nightly regarding homework.  We will also be reading the short story Night of the Pufflings.  This also ties in with our theme of “Standing Up for What you Believe In.”

We will finish unit 2 in English on Nouns.  Our test for this chapter will be on Monday, 10/27.  

We will also continue with our WOW words and our daily DOL.   Short quizzes will occur in both on Friday, 10/24.   There will be a study guide coming home early in the week for the DOL quiz. Students should be bringing home their spirals with the WOW words on Thursday.  

Social Studies:  We will continue reading about the history of Downers Grove.   Ask your child who founded Downers Grove!!   

Science:  We need a break!!   Let’s take one. Chapter 9 is coming up!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  This week we’ll continue Topic 3: Using place value to add and subtract.  There will be a short quiz on Thursday and no Math on Tuesday or Friday due to Zoo field trips.   

Important Dates:

10/21 - Brookfield Zoo field trip

10/31 - Halloween parade & party

10/27 - Conference week (homeroom students)

11/3 - Day off

11/4 - Teacher Institute (no school for students)

Have a great weekend!   Mrs. Klacza