• Classroom Updates and Announcements

    Hello room 13 families,

    We hope you had a nice weekend and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather!

    There is just one more week before we begin state testing. Testing will begin on Tuesday, April 29.  We'll test each morning from approximately 8:30-9:45 AM.  Testing lasts 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, with all testing taking place in the morning.  It's important for the kids to get a good night's sleep, to eat a filling breakfast before testing, and to come to school with their fully charged iPads and earbuds or headphones. We will finish up the last of our spelling and vocabulary units this week, so homework will be light during testing weeks. Also, please note that classes cannot be interrupted during the state test. If students are tardy, they will need to wait in the office until recess, and students cannot be called out of class to go home early during testing time.  If you'd like to see what the upcoming CAASPP test questions might look like, you can use these Practice Tests. Log in as a guest, choose grade 3, pick Smarter Balanced Practice Tests, and then choose a test you'd like to preview. The kids can take these practice tests at home as well.

    We have been studying biographies in reading workshop, and the kids are excited to start an at-home project this week.  We will go over all the particulars in class on Monday, and will send home detailed directions for the project, which will be due Friday, May 9.  Your signature will be required on the project direction sheet. The kids have had ample time to read at least one biography in class, so they can get started right away on the project, which they'll complete mostly at home.  

    We will finish up our study of chapter 11 on area and perimeter in math and have a test on Thursday, April 24.  The kids will complete a chapter review in class on Wednesday.  They should bring it home on Wednesday to use as a study tool for the test.

    The kids will get their results from their latest multiplication fact test and will share them with you on Seesaw on Tuesday.  Results should be available by Tuesday afternoon.  You can always request a printed copy of their latest test.  Just let us know.  As a reminder, by now, the expectation is that the kids have their facts fairly well memorized. If they don't, please support them with daily practice at home.  Thank you.

    Our next spirit day is this Wednesday and it is Stuffed Animal Day!  The kids are invited to bring one stuffed animal to class.  It should fit on their desk and be school-appropriate (no sound effects that could be distracting to other learners, please). 

    Thank you so much for all the shoe donations that have come in the last two weeks! The kids are really proud of what they accomplished in collecting so many pairs of shoes that will help others. We will be busy preparing the shoes for delivery to Soles 4 Souls in the next couple of weeks. Our project will be showcased at the FSD Fest, which is the district showcase featuring different projects from all the schools in the district. We will need a few students to help showcase our service project at the event on Saturday, May 17. There are events going on all day at the FSD Fest, but the Innovation Experience, where schools will showcase projects, will take place from 9:30-10:45 AM. Please click HERE to find out more about the FSD Fest in general, and do let us know if your child would like to attend the FSD Fest and help showcase and talk about our project to attendees! All the 3rd grade teachers will be there.

    The kids are really excited to start reading through our play script for our class play! It's called "Munchkin Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Oz." The play is all about problem-solving and getting along with others, and its characters are based on those from The Wizard of Oz. All students will be part of the production. We will cast parts soon. All children will receive a part, but they might not receive the part they want. We emphasize in class that ALL the parts are important and that we work as a team to put on the play. If your child does receive a part that has more lines, they will be expected to be diligent and responsible in memorizing and practicing their lines. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 27. The play will be held in our classroom and will begin at 10:30 AM. It's usually standing room only! *If you know you'll be traveling that day or week, please let us know. Thank you.

    OCC GATE is offering a free virtual Family GATE Night this Thursday, April 24, from 6:00-7:00 PM. Dr. Sandra Kaplan will be speaking on the power of play. Learn more and register HERE.

    Yearbooks are on sale! Please see the flyer attached to this week's Sunday email for details.

    Looking Ahead:

    Angels Night May 9 More information is on the flyer attached to our weekly emails

    Open House: Thursday, May 15 from 6:00-7:30 PM. Come see your child's wonderful work!

    Third Grade Awards Ceremony: Thursday, May 22 at 1:30 in the MPR. All students will receive an award. *Give yourself plenty of time to find parking. It can be very busy around the school during award ceremonies.

    Class Play: "Munchkin Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Oz" Tuesday, May 27 in our classroom from 10:30-11:15 AM.

    3rd Grade Field Day and Pizza Lunch: Wednesday, May 28. Field Day will begin at 8:30 AM. Lunch will be at 11:30. More details coming soon!

    Last Day of School:  Friday, May 30  *Report Cards Go Home

    Daily Homework and Announcements

    Have a great week!

     

    Kindest Regards,

    Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Valenzuela

  • Welcome to 3rd Grade GATE!

  • Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Valenzuela

    Your teachers!  Mrs. Valenzuela and Mrs. Lewis

     

  • Learning Highlights

    English Language Arts: We will continue our informational reading workshop, and will move into opinion writing this trimester.  The kids are looking forward to typing their informational pieces into Book Creator. We'll share the final products with you when we finish@!

    Math:  We are studying area and perimeter in chapter 11. .The children should be working at home to master their multiplication tables to ten.  10-15 minutes of practice daily is recommended.

    Science: We will continue our earth science unit and study weather

    Social Emotional Learning:  We are working in Unit 4:  Problem Solving

Classroom Resources