KSDK Salutes

We will be on KSDK Salutes!!!  On April 4th, the salutes will air at the end of the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. Following that, they will be posted on the ksdk web site: http://www.ksdk.com/news/salutes/default.aspx 

weekly update March 28-April 1

We will begin MAP testing this week!  We are very excited to show everyone just how smart we are!!  I am very confident that every student will be successful!  As long as we relax, believe in ourselves, and attend school everyday, then I'm sure we will have a positive testing experience.

Students will be able to bring in a snack everyday.  I believe food really helps the brain work :)  Please think of healthy choices.  We will also have specials at 12:55-1:45 for 2 weeks, to work around our testing schedule.

Monday: ( B Day)Sweat's Day...Workin' out for the MAP test!  Dress in your comfy warm up clothes.
Tuesday:  (A Day)  Communication Arts Testing
Wednesday:  (C Day) Communication Arts Testing
Thursday:  (D Day)  Communication Arts Testing & CARDINAL DAY.  Wear your Cardinal gear to celebrate opening day!
Friday:  (A Day)

Reading:  MAP testing
Writing:  MAP testing  and journal writing
Math:  MAP prep - review of concepts, vocabulary, and strategies
Science:  Forms of energy (Quiz on Friday)
Social Studies:  Begin Native American Unit

Weekly Update March 21-25

Welcome Back!  I hope you all enjoyed the much needed spring break! I am so excited to be back to finish the last quarter of third grade.  I know the students will finish strong, if they continue to work hard!  This is what's going on this week:
Monday:  Bird Day! Students will take an online quiz to determine what type of bird they are most like.  Then they will write a few paragraphs describing themselves as that bird.
Thursday:  Conferences from 4pm-8pm  These are not mandatory conferences, only if you feel we need to discuss your child's progress.  If you haven't made an appointment, please do so, if you like.
Friday:  Early Dismissal 11:40

Concepts:
Math- Fractions:  numerator, denominator, part vs. whole
Reading- MAP practice, literal comprehension
Writing- descriptive writing, developing a constructive response, part question-part answer (PQPA), explaining your answer thoroughly
Science- Energy:  kinetic vs. potential
Social Studies- identifying objects on a map

We are really prepping for the MAP test that will begin next week.  Students are practicing the test taking skills they have learned all year.  Please remember to keep encouraging your child and making sure they get a good night's sleep, healthy breakfast, and completing homework.  The Communication Arts MAP will begin next Tuesday March 29th.  We will complete the sessions by Thursday, March 31st.  The following week in April, we will begin the Math portion of the test.  Attendance is crucial, so please make sure your child gets to school on time everyday!

Economic Fun Day!

We have been learning all about economics this quarter.  Students participated in a project where they had to develop a business plan, create eye-catching ads, and make their own products or services to sell.  After all their preparations they set up shop!  Students bought, sold, and traded their items with all of third grade.  We had so much fun watching how real life competition, scarcity, supply, demand, and opportunity cost played out in our little economy.

Weekly Updates

Instead of wasting paper, I am going to use this blog to keep students and parents informed about weekly happenings!  I'm so excited to post news and events.  Also, I will post pictures of my wonderful students learning, so parents can watch their kids in action!

I'm learning so much!

Pictures from this year

Day 1

One of my many hats is that of a 21st century teacher.  In efforts of embracing this role, I have started to BLOG!  I regretted to start one because I feel that I spend so much of my time communicating and interacting with friends and families via the Internet and social networking sites, rather than focus on the face to face interactions that surround me.  However....I feel that this new step is vital and useful when trying to communicate with my classroom friends.  So, here we go!