Spring Break Reading Packet

The students in third grade brought home a Spring Break reading practice packet. If your child doesn’t return the packet, he/she will not receive a color change. However,those who do will receive a reward.

Reading HW-Social Studies

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Math Facts

In order to receive a “1” in the area of Knows Math Facts on the report card, students need to be 100% fluent on their addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts on Xtra Math. At the end of 4th quarter, students need be 100% fluent on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in order to receive a “1” on their report card.

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Reading Reward on March 24th

On Thursday, March 24th, the students who returned quality reading homework were given a choice to make a bunny craft, do jelly bean math, and/or watch a short Dr. Seuss movie. Thank you to all of our hard working third graders who participated and to the parents who made this reward possible by donating supplies and/or volunteering their time!

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Spirit Wear Online Fundraiser

It’s back by popular demand- Arno Spirit sale kickoff was Monday, March 14.  Awesome news- if you purchase from 3/14-3/28, you will get free shipping  so be sure to order your spirit wear now!  The site link is below.

http://arnospiritwear.com/

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M-Step Update

This spring, our students in third through fifth grades will be participating in the statewide assessment, M-STEP.  This year, all of our schools will be testing online on Chromebooks.  In addition to some changes made at the state level regarding testing times and format, our staff is working to familiarize the students with the look and feel of the online format of the M-STEP.  By spending a little time each week, we are hopeful that this will provide our Cougars with the best opportunity to showcase the knowledge and skills they have been developing all year.  Below are the links to the online practice sessions, and student tutorial videos that will be shared with students at school.  Please feel free to check them out so you are familiar with the assessment.  We are asking for your cooperation by reminding your child that he or she has learned many great things to be ready for this test, and that we are confident that each of our students will do his or her best.

M-Step Student Tutorial Videos

M-Step Student Sample Item Sets

 

No Spelling Words This Week

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Reading Reward

Every week, the third graders have reading homework. At the end of the week, the students who return quality work get to participate in a reading reward. On Thursday, March 24th, the Reading Reward will be to make a bunny craft and use jelly beans for a graphing activity (of course, students can eat the jelly beans afterwards!). If students do not want to make the craft or if a child does not celebrate this spring holiday, students will be able to enjoy a short movie instead.

We are looking for parents to help the students with these fun activities.

If a student does not do or complete quality work on their reading homework, he/she will not be participating in this reading reward. He/she will be working on the assignment with a teacher.

Date: 03/24/2016 (Thu.)

Time: 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Location: Cafeteria

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4bacad22a4fd0-reading1

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 Guest Reader-Mr. Liberati

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Recess

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Junior Achievement

Ambiguous Vowels

Vowels that can work alone or together.

This spelling test will be on Thursday, March 17th.

1. Launch

2. Drawn

3. Chalk

4. Gloss

5. Fought

6. Auction

7. Seesaw

8. Bald

9. Strong

10. Cough

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Language Arts

In language arts, we learned about singular possessive nouns. In addition to doing invidual written work, the students also wrote examples of singular possessive nouns on the board.

On Friday, we also introduced plural possessive nouns. We will continue to learn about plural possessive nouns next week.

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Xtra Math 

The students in room 122 do Xtra Math on the computer everyday. At the beginning of each math session, the students are given a progress quiz to assess if they know their math facts fluently (quickly).  The students are considered to know a math fact fluently when they get the answer correct in 3 seconds or less. After the progress quiz, the students practice or “race the teacher” on select math facts.  The Xtra Math program is used to help determine your child’s “Knows Math Facts” grade on his/her report card.

•  If your child is on Division or has finished Division on Xtra Math, he/she will earn a “1” in the area of “Knows Math Facts”.
• If your child is on Multiplication on Xtra Math, your child will earn a “2”  in the area of “Knows Math Facts”.
• If your child is on Subtraction on Xtra Math,  he/she will earn a “3” in the area of “Knows Math Facts”.
• If your child is on Addition on Xtra Math, your child will earn a “4” in the area of “Knows Math Facts”.

Here a few helpful tips to help students do better on Xtra Math:

• Stay focused on the computer screen.
• Don’t go to the bathroom, get a drink, get your snack, etc. during your Xtra Math session.
• Do your best!
• Try to correctly answer as quickly as you can.
• Never guess!
• Do not talk while doing Xtra Math.

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Penny War

The penny war was very fun! Not only did we enjoy the friendly competition but it also gave us real life experiences of counting money. Ms. Yesh’s class may have won the penny war but ALL penny war participants helped our school raise about $2,000 for classroom books. Way to go Caring Cougars!

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March is Reading Month

Many exciting events are going on this month due to our celebration of READING! Remember to have our students return their reading logs every Monday.

Reading Log 3-5

Week 2 Reading Log

Wear It Wednesday:

Wednesday, March 16th: “Be a word” day! Wear a word pinned to the front of your shirt. Pin the definition on the back.

Culminating Read-a-thon:

~Monday, March 21st: As a celebration to end March is Reading Month wear your school-appropriate pajamas and bring in your favorite book.

Fun Friday-Reading with Lightsabers:

Friday Reading Games:

 

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 Field Trip-Sap to Syrup

On Tuesday, March 8th, our class went on a field trip to the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center.  As students gathered around the sugar stove, we discussed the process of sap collection, evaporation, and the final product of maple syrup. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup? The students even tasted the real thing!

Next, we explored the woods to identify Sugar Maple trees by looking for the 3 B’s: bark, branches, and buds. The process of sap collection was explored further on the trails. Habitats of ducks, raccoons, frogs, snakes, geese and other birds were discussed.

Here are some snapshots from our adventure…

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Homework Helper

• Finish any unfinished classwork
• Read Fables Short Stories and answer the comprehension questions in complete sentences (Due Thursday) Fables
• Study weekly spelling words (Test Thursday)
• Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
• Do Front Row Math Session, Reading Story, and Writing (Students should write at least 5 sentences.)
• Complete 3 Headsprout reading episodes throughout the week
• Weekly Math Homework-Multiplication & Division(Due by Thursday)Multiplication & Division

Spelling Words: Diphthongs (vowel teams)

1. allow

2. grouch

3. tough

4. shook

5. smooth

6. boiler

7. joyful

8. pounce

9. gloomy

10. shower

A diphthong is one vowel sound formed by the combination of two vowel sounds.

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Environmental Interpretive Center

The third grade classes will be taking a field trip to the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center. Due to scheduling, each class will be going on this trip separately. Our class is scheduled to go on Tuesday, March 8th. We will eat lunch early, leave Arno at 11:40, and return to Arno around 1:50.

We will be learning how to identify different types of trees, how to tap syrup from maple trees, and activities related to this experience. This field trip does require a hike through the woods, so please send your child to school with winter snow boots, winter coat, hats, gloves, and scarves.

Chaperones: If you are riding the bus, please arrive at Arno by 11:30. If you are driving yourself and meeting us at University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center, please meet us there at noon. Below is a map to help direct you to parking and our final destination.

EIC Directions

Please click on the video to see how syrup is made:

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March is Reading Month

Many exciting events going on this month due to our celebration of READING! In addition to many of the information sent home, I am attaching a link for the student reading log. This log is to be turned in every Monday in March for a special prize. Third graders are encouraged to read 100 minutes/week, but I know they can read more than that. All they need is a good book! Don’t forget to check the other flyers that went home for other important dates in March.

Reading Log 3-5

Week 2 Reading Log

Every Wednesday during March is “Wear it Wednesdays!”

Wednesday, March 9th: Wear a t-shirt with words or a phrase on it.

Wednesday, March 16th: “Be a word” day! Wear a word pinned to the front of your shirt. Pin the definition on the back.

Fun Fridays Reading Activities – Get Involved!

~Friday, March 11th: Light Saber Day- Bring in a flashlight and your favorite book to school.

Culminating Read-a-thon:

~Monday, March 21st: As a celebration to end March is Reading Month wear your school-appropriate pajamas and bring in your favorite book.

Guest Reader-Mrs. Sheldon!

Door Decorating:

Wear it Wednesday-Wear a Hat with Words:

Friday Reading Games:

On Fridays in March, the third graders will be playing reading board games with parents/guardians. We still have a few volunteer spots available next week to play with and “run” the games to ensure that the kids are playing correctly. Not only will this be fun, but the kids will be learning valuable reading strategies.  If you would like to volunteer, please click on the link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4bacad22a4fd0-reading    Thank You to the parents that volunteered their time this week!

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Homework Helper

• Finish any unfinished classwork
• Read Realistic Fiction Short Stories and answer the comprehension questions in complete sentences (Due Friday) Realistic Fiction
• Study weekly spelling words (Test Friday)
• Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
• Do Front Row Math Session, Reading Story, and Writing (Students should write at least 5 sentences.)
• Complete 3 Headsprout reading episodes throughout the week
• Weekly Math Homework-Multiplication (Due by Friday)Multiplication