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