Week of 1/4/16 - 1/8/16

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 2016!!

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 the week after the Holiday Break:

Spelling:    I am requiring only 6 activities over the 2 week time period, but they are lengthier.   Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.” The next due date for homework is 1/15.  The test will also take place on that date.   Please note, I will be giving a word inventory on the 4th.  Your child may be changing groups!   

Reading & Language Arts:  We’re continuing our culture and traditions unit.  We’re close reading The Keeping Quilt. by Patricia Polacco.  

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!  A January Log will be coming home today.  December Logs are due on January 4.

Non fiction books are being read for our next independent reading contract.  I’ve lightened the load for December.  Please note that they are due on or before 1/4/16.  Many students have already handed theirs in, good move!!

WIN:  Hi 3rd Grade Families!  We are writing with a quick WIN update for you all... Trimester #1 in WIN class focused on Vocabulary Studies and Skills at their level based on their MAP scores.  At our last data day, we re-grouped the 3rd grade students based on their MAP score for Informational Text (non-fiction text) Skills.  This means that as of today, your student may be switching WIN teachers and most likely will be working in a group with many different students from Trimester #1.  Since the students are grouped by skill level, they will work on reading and comprehending Informational Text at their level.  Individual teachers may be doing activities that differ from others but fit the ability level of your student.  Most classes will work with weekly Scholastic News Readers, online kids news websites, continue vocab work as it relates to informational text, and more.  Trimester #3 will be focused on Literature Skills and Comprehension.  These activities are in addition to our differentiated Core English Language Arts Curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards that all 3rd grade students participate in.  

Social Studies:  We’ll read and take notes on Lesson 2 (Communities) after the holiday break.  There will be a graded review (open book/notes) on Thursday.  

Science:   We’ll be studying Matter starting the week of 1/11.  Woohoooo!!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We’re continuing Unit 4, focusing this week on mass, liquid volume, and measurement.  There will be a short checkpoint quiz on Tuesday the 5th.  I’ll review before giving it :)

Important Dates:

12/18 - Last day before holiday break/Seeing E.T. at the Ogden 6 Theater!

Jan. 4 - Back to School!  2016

1/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35)

1/18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Bday - day off!

Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Week of 12/14/15 - 12/18/15

It’s been a great week in Room 105!  I have noticed some of the children are not wearing warm coats to school.  We do go out to recess and it gets cold out there!  Please send hats and gloves along with winter coats please.  

We have a really crazy, fun-filled week coming up.  This will be the third graders’ first time at Brunswick Bowl.  If your child would like to buy snacks, that is a-ok with me.  However, please make sure your child only brings about $5 since they are truly there to bowl, not just eat!  Also, chances are they won't be very hungry upon arrival back to school. Therefore, it's probably a good idea to send a light lunch from home that day.  

On Friday, we’ll take another field trip to see E.T. at the Ogden 6 theaters.  There will be no food provided at the movie.  We’ll eat lunch in the classroom before we leave.  It should be fun!  

Coming up this week:

Spelling:  We are taking a break from our conventional spelling lesson with some holiday spelling words!  Words are coming home on Monday.  We will pretest on Monday and if a student gets 0 or 1 wrong, they are exempt from the test (which will be on Thursday.)   Homework is simple.  Put the words in ABC order on a sheet of notebook paper.  That will be due Tuesday.  

Reading & Language Arts:  We’re continuing our culture and traditions unit.  We’re close reading The Night Before Christmas and doing a little Christmas around the world project.   Students are making a poster on the country they’ve been assigned and presenting to the class in the coming week.  Don’t worry, this is totally done at school.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!

Non fiction books are being read for our next independent reading contract.  I’ve lightened the load for December.  Please note that they are due on or before 1/4/16.  

Social Studies: We’re piggybacking off of our Downers Grove unit with a chapter on communities in our social studies textbook.  However, with all the festivities going on, we’ll read and take notes on Lesson 2 after the holiday break.

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We’re continuing Unit 4, focusing this week on time and measurement.  There will only be 3 days of math this week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  

Important Dates:

12/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35 PV)

12/17 - 3rd grade bowling trip

12/18 - Ogden 6 to see E.T.

Jan. 4 - Back to School!  2016

1/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35)

1/18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Bday - day off!

Have a great weekend!

Week of 12/7/15 - 12/11/15

The classroom is all decorated for Christmas; there are only 2 more weeks before our holiday break!   Where did the time go?  I can tell the children are starting to get very excited, as am I!   However, we still have 2 complete weeks of learning before 2016 - let’s do this!!

Coming up this week:

Spelling:    Spelling homework is due on or before Friday, 12/11.  There will also be a test on 15 of the words.  Please note that the homework is changed a bit for trimester 2.  Students only have to complete 6 activities.  

Reading & Language Arts:  We’ve started our next unit of study on culture and traditions. We’ve listened to, close read, and watched “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and raised a lot of interesting discussion.  We’re starting a new read aloud book which goes along with this unit entitled The Year of the Dog.  In the coming weeks, we’ll also be close reading The Night Before Christmas and doing a Christmas around the world project.   

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!

Non fiction books are being read for our next independent reading contract.  I’ve lightened the load for December.  Please note that they are due on or before 1/4/16.  

Social Studies: We’re piggybacking off of our Downers Grove unit with a chapter on Local Government in our Social Studies textbook.  We’ll start reading chapter 12 on Monday.  There will be a Lesson 1 review on Thursday.  Students are able to use their book and notes for all lesson reviews.

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We’ll finish Unit 3 this week.  The test will be on Wednesday, 12/9.  Today, the students are bringing home a pre-assessment/study guide to complete at home.  Monday, I will send home the answer key so they may check their responses.  I’m hoping this will help get them ready for Wednesday’s test since it is in the exact same format.

Important Dates:

12/15 - Early Dismissal (11:35 PV)

12/17 - 3rd grade bowling trip

12/18 - Last day before holiday break!

Have a great weekend!

Weeks of 11/23/15 and 12/4/15

Welcome to Trimester 2!!   This blog will cover the 2 days next week and also the following full week.  We’ll be going on our field trip to learn more about Downers Grove on Tuesday.  The forecast looks sunny but cold.  Some of the tour is outdoors so please make sure your child is dressed accordingly.  A winter coat, good shoes, hat, and gloves are a must!   

Happy Thanksgiving a little early!  May this time with your family and friends be joyful and filling :)

Coming up this week:

Spelling:    Big news!!!  The pink “Words Their Way” spelling menu/spelling work is changed.  Please check it out on Monday, 11/30, when your child brings it home.  I am requiring only 6 activities over the 2 week time period, but they are lengthier.   Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.” The next due date for homework is 12/11.  The test will also take place on that date.   NO SPELLING NEXT WEEK!!

Reading & Language Arts:  Monday our students will be presenting their "Biography Person Pouch" presentation to the class.  They will be reading their information from the trading card we made yesterday.  The directions were given out a few days ago.  Students should be practicing their reading and should also bring in artifacts (in a pouch/bag) and, perhaps, wear some type of costume to represent their bio person.  It should be fun!   I will be grading the children on how they present their trading card and how well they “become” their person.  

The week of 11/30 we're on to our new unit, What is Culture? We'll introduce the unit with a close read of the song "Circle of Life" from the Lion King.

Biography book contracts are due on or before 11/30.   Please remember students only have to do 2 tasks in each column.  Next month, we'll be reading non-fiction books.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!

Social Studies: We will finish our Downers Grove unit the week of 11/30.  There will be a short test on DG history and modern day DG on Thursday, 12/3.  There will be a study guide coming home on 11/30, but they may not use it for the test. It's strictly to help the children study at home.

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We continue Unit 3 this week, focusing on 3 digit subtraction story problems.  There will be a  short checkpoint quiz on Monday, 11/23.  A study guide (with practice problems) is going home today.  We’ll then continue the unit the week of 11/30 with expanded notation and algorithm addition and subtraction.  I’m looking at Wednesday, 12/9, as the test date for Unit 3.  

Important Dates:

11/22 - Downers Grove Field Trip (Klacza/Lopez)

11/23-11/25 - Days off for Thanksgiving

12/17 - 3rd grade bowling trip

12/18 - Last day before holiday break!

Have a great weekend!

Week of 11/16/15 - 11/20/15

We are coming very close to the end of Trimester one.  This year is truly flying by.  Our Downers Grove field trip is a week from Tuesday.  Please make sure your child dresses for the weather.   It should be fun!

Coming up this week:

Spelling:   The pink “Words Their Way” spelling menu/spelling work is due on or before Friday 11/20.   Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.”  Next trimester we will be using a new menu of tasks.

Reading & Language Arts:  This week we will work on our biographies unit. Students have been using a planning packet to eventually create a trading card.  Explicit directions are in your child’s homework pocket.  They will be presenting as their “biography person” on Monday, 11/23.  This does not have to be memorized, simply read from their final product, the trading card.  However, a costume and/or artifacts are necessary.  Most of this work will be done at school, but practice will be necessary at home :)

Next week we will also be working on a very quick writing project pertaining to Thanksgiving.  Today you will see a bare turkey coming home.  Students need to “disguise” him so the farmer leaves him alone!!!   These will be due on or before Tuesday.  Students will then write a short persuasive writing piece convincing the farmer that they are not really turkeys!!   I will explain this project to the children today.  It’s not necessary to buy any crafty items, just use what you have at home.  I’ve seen feathers, beads, googly eyes, cloth, construction paper, and just plain old crayons used.  

Biography book contracts are due by 11/30.   Please remember students only have to do 2 tasks in each column.  

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!

Social Studies: We continue our Downers Grove unit this week.  A quiz will cover Downers Grove history on Tuesday.  I’ve told the students that they may use their study guides (with notes on it) during the quiz but NOT the packets.  

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We continue Unit 3 this week, focusing on 3 digit subtraction story problems.  There will be a  checkpoint quiz on Monday, 11/23.

Important Dates:

11/22 - Downers Grove Field Trip (Klacza/Lopez)

11/23-11/25 - Days off for Thanksgiving

Have a great weekend!

Week of 11/9/15 - 11/13/15

Thank you, parents, for meeting with me this week.  I loved sitting down and having honest conversations about your children.  Please remember that if there is anything you have a question or concern about, I’m only an email away.

Remember, if you have a veteran in your family or friend circle, please refer him/her to Mr. Pagel. Enjoy your long weekend everyone!

Coming up this week:

Spelling:   The pink “Words Their Way” spelling menu/spelling work is due on Friday 11/20.   Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.”  

Reading & Language Arts:  This week we will begin our biographies unit.  This goes along nicely with the book your child picked out for their contract work.  There will be a project and presentation coming up.  I’ll keep you posted!

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!  November logs have gone home.

Social Studies: We continue our Downers Grove unit this week. There will be a short quiz when we are done reading, highlighting, and discussing.  We’ll be focusing on modern day Downers Grove very soon.  A test combining the history and modern day will follow once we have wrapped up both packets.  

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We continue Unit 3 this week, focusing on 3 digit story problems, both addition and subtraction.   Our first checkpoint quiz for this new unit will be on Thursday, November 12.

Important Dates:

11/6 - Conferences (no school)

11/9 - Teacher Institute (no school)

11/24 - Downers Grove Field Trip (Klacza/Lopez)

11/25-27 - Days off for Thanksgiving

Have a great LONG weekend!

Week of 11/2/15 - 11/6/15

Happy Halloween everyone!   I look forward to our party and parade later today.  Thank you to all the moms/dads who worked so hard to put together our classroom party: from food, beverages, and paper goods to games!!  The children are very excited!!  Enjoy the actual day trick or treating tomorrow.  I hear rain is in the forecast.   Booooooo….

Conferences will be held this coming week November 2 - 4.  I look forward to sitting down with each of you and discussing your fabulous children.  

If anyone has a veteran in their family, we are inviting veterans to come into PV on Veteran's Day, 11/11, to say the Pledge of Allegiance with our students. If you do, please let me or Mr. Pagel know.

We are also looking for a parent representative to help our PBIS team by organizing various charitable events throughout the school year. Let me know if you are interested and I'll connect you with the appropriate people.

Coming up this week:

Spelling:   The pink “Words Their Way” spelling menu/spelling work is due on Friday, November 5.  Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.”  

Reading & Language Arts:  We are continuing “Tales as Old as Time.”  This week, we’re finishing up myths.

Students will be choosing a new “good fit” book on Monday.  Biographies will be the next genre for the Independent Reading Contract.  Those will be distributed on Tuesday.

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!  October Reading Logs are Due on Monday.  November logs will be going home on Monday as well.   

Social Studies: We continue our Downers Grove unit this week.

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class: We begin Unit 3 this week.  We’ll focus on rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.  Our first checkpoint quiz for this new unit will be on November 11.

Important Dates:

10/30 - Halloween parade & party

11/6 - Conferences (no school)

11/9 - Teacher Institute (no school)

11/22 - Downers Grove Field Trip

11/23-11/25 - Days off for Thanksgiving

Have a great SPOOKY weekend!

Week of 10/26/15 - 10/30/15

Friday is the Halloween party/parade.  I can’t wait to see what our party moms have in store for us!   The party will begin around 1:10; the parade will follow at 2:10.  Hopefully the weather is nice so we can walk around outside. Costumes need to be brought in a bag on Friday.  We will change in the classroom (boys and girls will be separated.)   Please make sure your child’s costume can easily be worn over their clothes.  No weapons please!!  

Conferences will be held November 2 - 4.   Most of you have already signed up, yay!   If you haven’t already grabbed a slot, do so quickly!!   

Coming up this week:

Spelling:   The pink “Words Their Way” spelling menu/spelling work is due on Friday, November 5.  Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.”  

Reading & Language Arts:  We are continuing “Tales as Old as Time.”  This week, we’re focusing on myths.  We’ll also be continuing/finishing our writing project, a “Haunted House for Sale” story.  The children are persuading a movie director to buy their haunted house for a scary movie!!   I’m hoping to see good, descriptive language throughout the piece.  

Students are actively reading their good fit books during Read to Self.  The entire book must be read before continuing the rest of the Independent Reading Contract.  The October contract and activities will be due on Friday, October 30.   Please make sure your child is bringing that book to and from school every day!

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!  October Reading Logs are Due on November 2.

Social Studies: We started our Downers Grove unit this week.  Ask your child about Pierce Downer!

Science:   We’re on hiatus!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  This week, we’ll finish our multiplication chapter, focusing on multiplication strategies.  Our final test for this unit will be on Friday, October 30.   On Monday, a pre assessment will be coming home for students to complete.  On Tuesday, I’ll send home the answer key so students can check their answers.  The test will look very much like the pre-assessment.  

Important Dates:

10/30 - Halloween parade & party

11/6 - Conferences (no school)

11/9 - Teacher Institute (no school)

Have a great weekend!

Week of 10/19/15 - 10/23/15

October is flying by and before you know it, Halloween will be here!  I’ve sent emails to those parents who signed up to host our party on the 30th.  I hope the preparations are going well.  Conferences for home room students’ parents will be held the first week of November.  Sign ups will be coming out soon.  Enjoy the brisk Autumn weather this weekend!

Coming up this week:

Spelling:   The pink “Words Their Way” spelling menu/spelling work is due on Friday, October 23.  Student work should be written on a sheet of notebook paper and everything stapled to the pink “menu.”  The students will also be tested on 15 of the words in their “sorts.”  Please refer to the pink letter I am sending home today for more details.  Starting next week, I won’t be sending home the explanation letters.  

Reading & Language Arts:  We are continuing “Tales as Old as Time.”  This week, we’re focusing on complex text using a short monster piece.  We’ll also be continuing our writing project, a haunted house for sale story.  The children are persuading a movie director to buy their haunted house for a scary movie!!   I’m hoping to see good, descriptive language throughout the piece.

Students are actively reading their good fit books during Read to Self.  The entire book must be read before continuing the rest of the Independent Reading Contract.  The October contract and activities will be due on October 30.  

Keep reading for 20 minutes a night!

Social Studies: We’ll be starting our Downers Grove unit this week.  

Science:   The final test for chapter 9 will take place on Tuesday.  On Monday, we’ll play a science review game.  I’ve told the students I take the questions right from the test during the game, so they really need to listen CAREFULLY!!   Hopefully, your child brings his/her textbook home to reread and study. They can stay home til after the test.

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We’ll continue our multiplication chapter, focusing on multiplication strategies.  I’ll be grading a work sample Tuesday.  Please make sure you’re checking your child’s grades on line!  

Important Dates:

10/30 - Halloween parade & party

11/6 - Conferences (no school)

11/9 - Teacher Institute (no school)

Have a great weekend!