March 23, 2018

Announcements

I hope everyone has a wonderful Spring Break! I am looking forward to relaxing and seeing friends and family back in Illinois.

Friday folders and Weekly Journals were not completed this week. They will both resume after Spring Break.

As we will be MAP testing sometime in April or early May, please check with your third grader about earbuds. There is a section of the test where they will need to listen to audio and answer questions. We have some headphones here, but most students prefer using their own earbuds. 

Our class is in need of 2 liter, clear bottles for an upcoming science project. We won't be needing the bottles until April, but we need quite a few. If you could start collecting them for our class, you can send them in with your third grader so we have them for our project. Thank you in advance!

In the Classroom

We finished Unit 7 this week, which was very focused on fractions. Students learned how to find fractions of collections on Monday. We assessed on Wednesday and did some additional fraction activities the rest of the week. We will begin Unit 8 after Spring Break.

Students finished typing their opinion pieces this week. We also did teacher and partner revisions. Finally, we celebrated on Friday! We will begin our poetry unit when we return. Be on the lookout for a Poetry Breakfast sometime next month!

We were visited by Mrs. Zapata three times this week, as she finished up her lessons. Students learned how to read nutrition labels, and about Vitamins A, C, and calcium. Students got a treat of spinach, cheese, and plums on Monday.

On Wednesday, students studied the nutrition labels brought from home. They did such a fabulous job learning about serving sizes and daily value percentages!

In our other health curriculum, we discussed why it is important to eat a variety of foods. Students drew the foods they eat the most often, and we learned what food groups are represented or are missing. We assessed over Health on Thursday and will begin our Ecosystems unit when we return. 

Upcoming Events

Spring Break-March 26-30

Make-up field trip to Planetarium-April 2

Early Dismissal-April 11

Paxton Keeley Color Run-April 27

March 16, 2018

Announcements

Please join us for Paxton Keeley’s Annual Multicultural Night March 20th!                     

Congratulations to Josey Sadewhite for earning our Paxton Pride award this week!

Our class is in need of 2 liter, clear bottles for an upcoming science project. We won't be needing the bottles until April, but we need quite a few. If you could start collecting them for our class, you can send them in with your third grader so we have them for our project. Thank you in advance!

We are in need of #2 pencils. Please check with your third grader to see if they could use some more. Our class would also appreciate any donations for students who are out. Thank you!

We had counselor this week with Mrs. Roof! Mrs. Roof is filling in for Mrs. Davison after she had her baby in January.

In the Classroom

We have continuing our study of fractions this week. Students used a variety of tools to find equivalent fractions and to do comparisons. We used fraction circles, number lines, and fraction strips this week. We also solved word problems that included fractions. We will assess over this unit next week.

Students began drafting their opinion pieces this week. We used a graphic organizer on Monday to choose our topic, create a strong thesis, pick three reasons, and brainstorm details and examples. On Tuesday, we began typing our pieces. We will hopefully finish these pieces next week before leaving for Spring Break.

In reading this week, students studied the skills of inferring. We used a book about marionettes to practice this skills as a class.

In Health this week, we learned about our body defenses. Students studied skin, mucus, earwax, white blood cells, and more to identify how they help us fight off viruses. We also made a health habit flip book to discuss how to prevent getting these diseases in the first place. When Mrs. Zapata was here on Wednesday, students learned all about fats and protein. They did a taste test between fried chips and baked chips.

Upcoming Events

Comet Culture Night-March 20

Spring Break-March 26-30

Make-up field trip to Planetarium-April 2

Early Dismissal-April 11

March 9, 2018

Announcements

Please join us for Paxton Keeley’s Annual Multicultural Night March 20th!                       
6:00-6:10        PTA Meeting
6:10-6:30        Choir and Recorder Concert   
6:30-7:30        MU World Percussion Ensemble
7:30-8:00        Browse display tables

Look for upcoming information about this fun event!

Our class is in need of 2 liter, clear bottles for an upcoming science project. We won't be needing the bottles until April, but we need quite a few. If you could start collecting them for our class, you can send them in with your third grader so we have them for our project. Thank you in advance!

Weekly Journals were not completed this week due to practice MAP testing on Friday.

The week before Spring Break will be spirit week! Here are the themes for each day:

Another reminder will come home next week.

In the Classroom

In math this week, students focused on fractions. We made our own fraction strips that we used to compare and find equivalent fractions. We also used a number line to discuss fractions that are equal to, less than, and greater than 1. 

In writing this week, students continued creating opinion pieces in their writer's notebooks. We learned how to create a strong thesis that shows confidence in our opinions. We also learned how to address our audience to engage them in our pieces. Next week, students will be asked to pick a piece to take through the publishing process. 

This week, students used a story on RAZ Kids to practice summarizing. 

Mrs. Zapata joined us on Wednesday to discuss physical activity. Students learned how to incorporate aerobic and muscle strengthening into their lives, as well as everyday activities. We even practiced some of these activities in the classroom!

Mrs. Zapata also brought cous cous for the class to try.

In Health this week, students learned all about germs. We studied the difference between bacteria and viruses and even got to see some pictures through a microscope. We also practiced hand washing techniques since it is the best way to get rid of those germs. 

Upcoming Events

Spring Pictures-March 15

Comet Culture Night-March 20

Spring Break-March 26-30

Make-up field trip to Planetarium-April 2

Early Dismissal-April 11

March 2, 2018

Announcements

Third grade was given the opportunity to take a practice session of the math and language arts MAP test. While the actual test will not be until later on in the year, this practice test will mimic the real one, including giving us student scores that will help guide our preparation for the MAP test. Students will be taking the math portion on Monday morning next week, and the language arts portion on Friday.

Our field trip to the Planetarium at Rock Bridge High School has been rescheduled for Monday, April 2nd. We will still be leaving at 9:00 and will return before lunch. Again, no parent volunteers are needed for this field trip.

Our class is in need of 2 liter, clear bottles for an upcoming science project. We won't be needing the bottles until April, but we need quite a few. If you could start collecting them for our class, you can send them in with your third grader so we have them for our project. Thank you in advance!

In the Classroom

In math this week, we studied volume, practiced solving complex word problems, and learned about comparing fractions using fraction strips. Students particularly enjoyed the messy process of figuring out the volume of an assortment of containers using milliliter and liter measuring tools.

In writing this week, we started generating topics for our opinion pieces. One day, we focused on finding problems in our lives, thinking of possible solutions, and turning the solution into a thesis statement. We also spent a day talking about amazing people and things in our lives. We wrote pieces persuading others to agree that these things and people are wonderful! Next week, we will work on developing strong thesis statements and acknowledging counterclaims. 

In reading this week, we used picture books to practice summarizing. We had to think back to the beginning of the year when we studied story elements to make sure we included main characters, the problem/solution, and major plot events. 

We finished out Economics unit this week with an assessment on Wednesday. We also began our next unit which is Health. We had a special guest, Mrs. Zapata, come on Wednesday to talk to us about food safety and nutrients. Mrs. Zapata will be joining us every Wednesday until Spring Break to teach us about nutrition. Students also played a game of disease charades! We learned what the words disease and symptom meant, and students had to act out clues to find their matching disease partner.

Upcoming Events

Spring Pictures-March 15

Comet Culture Night-March 20

Spring Break-March 26-30