Last Week of Testing

Hello! Our class finished the 3rd grade CSTs on Friday. Whoopeee! Students stayed positive during testing and most of them really tried their best. We have 1 more to go, the CAT-6. We will begin a small portion tomorrow and test Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday will be the last day in class for testing. Any students who need to make up a test will do so later in the week.

This week, we will also begin an animal research report. I will send home a letter Monday explaining the project. They will be making a diorama that includes the habitat as well as a homemade sculpture of their animal. We would like the project to be no larger than a shoe box. Students may be required to find some researh on the internet at home that is easy for them to understand. Most of the writing will be done in class. The report is not required to be type written, but is optional. Any further questions, please email me.

Please send in field trip forms to the Agricultural History Museum. I'm still waiting to receive 9 more. This week I will not send home a weekly report due to testing, but will do so next week. Also, there is no weekly spelling packet this week. Most of the Excel math will be done in class, but a few may take it home for homework.

That's all for now! A big THANK YOU to the parents who donated and got me tickets to the auction. See you Friday.

Testing Week

As most of you know, the time has finally come for the "big test." We have geared up the past few weeks and are ready to do our best. Please ensure that your child gets a good night sleep and eats a nutritional, well-balanced breakfast. My class will begin testing on Tuesday and continue into early next week. Testing will be given in the morning, so if you have any appointments scheduled, please try not to pull out students before lunch time. Also, this can be a very stressful time for some. Take it easy and encourage your child to take their time and try their best. The only homework this week will be Literature Circles as well as the April reading log due on April 30th (Wednesday). The only volunteers I will need for the next 2 weeks are during Lit. Circles. We'll resume back to our normal schedule on Monday, May 12.

Please send in the field trip permission form if you haven't done so.

Thanks and I'll see you at the auction!

Feels Like Summer!

What a gorgeous weekend to be out and about. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. This week, we will begin test prep for the upcoming State Tests in 2 weeks. It looks like we will begin the last week in April. Remember, students really need to focus on memorizing their times tables. I can't stress the importance to learning these facts before entering 4th grade. During testing, students will not have a spelling packet. The only volunteers I will need during that time will be for Literature Circles. I will email parents when the time comes.

I am looking for large pieces of cardboard to use during testing. If anyone has any, please send it in with your child. This will be used as an "office". Also, I've run out of antibacterial wipes, so if you have any extras they would be appreciated. Thanks again for all your support!

Successful Week Back!

Hello all! With our 1st week back from Spring Break, students seemed refreshed and ready to learn. We are on the home stretch and have a lot to squeeze in the next 2 months. I gave a multiplication timed test last week and students are making progress. It is essential for 3rd graders to learn the facts this school year. Please practice at home and in any spare time you may find, driving in the car, before bed, etc.

Weekly reports will go home tomorrow, Monday. I didn't send them home last week due to the holiday. Also, Suzanne will continue to collect money this week for the basket she is putting together for the auction. If you have not yet made a donation, please kindly do so by this Friday. Anything will help!

Upcoming events:
Field trip to the Agricultural History Museum at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on Thursday, May 28. I'm trying to set up a pizza party afterwards with our penpals that same day. Since we'll be in Watsonville, I figured it would be nice to see them one last time before the end of the year. I will send home permission slips in a few weeks. Please let me know if you are interested in chaperoning. This field trip will probably last most of the school day.

Spring is Here!

First of all, I'd like to thank Suzanne and all the other moms who helped organize the fun activities before Spring Break. It was a nice way to kick off the vacation. I can't believe we only have about 2 months until summer. April will be busy as we get geared up for the California State Tests. This time of year always seems to fly by so quickly.

I wanted to send a reminder that the March reading logs will be due on Monday, March 31 (the day we return). If for some reason, you have misplaced the reading log, you may also create your own that your child can turn in.

Also, I have only received about 4 donations for the "auction" gift basket that Mrs. Ziegler is putting together. I know you've already been so generous, but with the budget cuts hitting this year, anything will help.

Thank you again for all you do for Rio del Mar. Have a restful weekend!

Happy St. Patty's Day

I hope you all remember to wear green tomorrow! On that note, please remind your children that Monday is Spirit Day, and even though pinching is playful and fun, students need to be reminded of their boundries. This time of year with spring approaching, students seem to forget the rules. There were quite a few students last week during the 2 assemblies that were talking and not being respectful of the performers. I know an hour can be a long time to sit, but that is no excuse for poor behavior.

On the brighter side, I was so impressed with the amount of work and effort put into the Famous American speeches. Your children truly did a great job and I am so proud of them. Thank you for your patience and support during this process. I think we are all relieved to be done. On Monday, attached to their weekly reports, will be the scoring rubric with the number grade they received and my written notes in the corner.

This week I will send home a spelling packet with frequently misspelled words for homework. These are review words and since it is a short week, students will not have a spelling test. The only homework I am assigning during Spring Break is Lit. Circles. Students should also practice multiplication facts to the 12's.

Have a great week!

Biography Wrapup

I hope you haven't been too overwhelmed listening to your child practice for their presentations this week. Tomorrow, I'll send home a tentative schedule for the days and times students will be presenting. We'll begin Tuesday and hopefully finish up by Friday. If anyone would like to volunteer to video tape, let me know. Please have your child come to school prepared with their prop(s) and note cards(if needed). I'd like them to present in the 1st person as if they are the famous American. Their report should be in 3rd person, but I will accept it either way as some seemed a little confused with the assignment. This is a learning process for both the students and I. I have seen a lot of hard work and excitement that will pay off in the end. Thanks for all of your help ad support at home.

This Thursday morning we have an assembly from 8:00-8:50 during Lit. Circle time. So, Lit. Circles will be after lunch from 12:20-12:40. If you usually volunteer and can make it at that new time, great! Otherwise, don't worry about coming in that day. We'll be back to our normal time next week.

Also, report cards go out this Friday. The Social Studies grade will be based on their current work on biographies, but won't reflect their actual report or presentation grade. I'll send home the scoring rubric with their number grade (from a 1-4)next week.

Hope you are all enjoying your (shortened) day!