Week of April 29th through May 3rd, 2019

Due to ISAT testing there will not be a spelling list or test this week.  

Reading/ELA:

• Grammar:  Simple and Compound Sentences
• Informational Writing unit.
• We read the biography on Helen Keller and students have chosen a biography they are interested in reading about.  This will be done in class.  
• Vocabulary focus: Review for test 

Math:

          Topic 16:  Perimeter

• Monday:  Understand Perimeter 
• Homework will be on Monday evening this week. Homework is due the following morning. Five points will be added in the grade book for homework returned and completed.  Students who forget their homework can log on to enVision which is a link on the right side of this blog page. The homework that would have been on the page is on the website.  I will list the lesson number below under homework.   

Science: How Can We Predict When It's Going to Rain?

• Social Studies:  Transportation Routes in a Town

Character Education Focus:  

• Our April focus is on Citizenship. 

Homework:

• Math homework:
• Monday:  Lesson 16-1 Understand Perimeter

• Reading 
•  Homework-20 minutes minimum per evening.  Put minutes on reading calendar which will be due the first week of October.  Reading homework requirement is 400 minutes per month for 100% in grade book.  Starting with the October reading calendar, students who read at least 400 minutes for the month and turn it in the first week of November will receive a free personal pizza coupon for Pizza Hut in addition to their grade.
• March  Reading Calendars were due Monday, April 1st, 2019. Please turn in March reading minutes. March is the last month for the Pizza Hut Book It program.

➤State Testing information:
     Third grade will begin their ISAT testing on April 24h and complete the testing by May 2nd.
Here is the schedule we will follow:
               *April 24th (Wednesday): ELA CAT Test.--Completed
               * April 25th ( Thursday): ELA PT Test --Completed
               * May 1st (Wednesday):  Math PT Test
               *May 2nd (Thursday): Math CAT Test

HELPFUL INFORMATION

CAT (Computer Adaptive Test) means that the test will adapt to how the child is answering questions so that it will provide a measure of the child's understanding of third grade standards, somewhat like below, average, above average.
 PT (Performance Task) means students will answer a set of questions that are centered on a common theme or problem.
➦If you have further questions about ISAT you can go to this site for helpful information for parents: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/

 We need your help and here's why and how: 
     ** The testing information is very important to teachers and the state but we want our kids not to worry that this test measures them as a person so please support and encourage them to do their best and show what they know and that's it.  It will not be the determining factor of promotion to fourth grade.
     **Please have them get a good night's sleep the night before each test.  I know this can be hard with sports and other things going on but it is super important to their stamina during testing.
     **Snacks- I think the biggest thing the kids look forward to with testing is getting to have some snacks with them to munch on as they test.  The school will provide a cheese stick, mints and crackers and I will buy some mint gum and fruit snacks as well. You can send snacks with your child also but we ask that they are not just sugar or liquid as the sugar won't help the body regulate and attend and the liquid could spill and ruin chrome books.
     **I am so proud of the kids and I am looking forward to seeing how much they have grown and learned this year! I will be there to cheer them on and make this a stress free experience! 

Science Fair:
    I sent home the science fair packet before Spring Break as a guide to help you help your child with their science fair project.  The packet does not need to be turned in, only your child's finished science fair project covering the scientific process.  Projects can not be stored so please do not send to school until Friday, May 16th.  

• Projects are worth 100 points and each student is expected to do one and present it in class.  Grading will be 100% for doing the project and presenting or 0% for no project.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Dates to remember:

• ISAT Testing-Math: Wednesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 2nd.
• NO SCHOOL: Friday, May 10th. 
• Starting in May:  Sharing Days, schedule will be sent in emails.
• Science Fair:  May 16th 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm in high school gym for grades 2nd through 5th.  Every student needs to make their own project at home.
• Wednesday, May 22nd:  Field Day
• Friday, May 24th:  Last day of School:  Early release at 1:45 pm