Monday, May 1st, 2017

Spelling, Unit 29: Contractions

*Students will need to use the apostrophe in the correct place in order to have the word marked correctly on Friday’s test.

Diamond List

  1. must’ve
  2. I’ve
  3. we’ll
  4. you’ll
  5. they’ll
  6. she’ll
  7. we’ve
  8. I’ve
  9. he’ll
  10. should’ve
  11. won’t
  12. who’ll
  13. might’ve
  14. you’ve
  15. that’ll

Circle List

  1. must’ve
  2. I’ve
  3. we’ll
  4. you’ll
  5. they’ll
  6. she’ll
  7. we’ve
  8. I’ll
  9. he’d
  10. she’d
  11. you’d
  12. they’ve

Square List

  1. we’d
  2. who’ve
  3. it’ll
  4. it’d
  5. who’d
  6. how’d
  7. would’ve
  8. could’ve
  9. they’d
  10. he’ll
  11. should’ve
  12. won’t
  13. who’ll
  14. might’ve
  15. you’ve
  16. that’ll

Fidget Spinners and Toys

Please keep fidget spinners and all other toys at home. These items are a distraction in the classroom. Thank you for your help in this matter.

May PBIS Reward

On Wednesday, May 3rd, students who have had 3 or less color changes in the month of April will get to participate in the April PBIS Reward. The reward is electronics. Students may bring in their electronic devices to play school appropriate games.

Barney Park

On Thursday, May 4th, we will be walking to and playing at the Barney Park to celebrate Ms. Massey’s last day. We will leave Arno at 2pm and return about 3:15pm.

A permission slip will go home on Monday. There is no fee for this field trip.

Ms. Massey, our student teacher, will have her last day in our classroom on Thursday, May 4th. However, she will still be around Arno school as she will be a guest teacher in various classrooms.

Greenfield Village

On Tuesday, June 6th, the third grade classes will be going on a field trip to Greenfield Village. The cost is $10. Chaperones are welcome and encouraged. However, all chaperones will need to meet us there.

A hard copy of the field trip home will be sent home on Monday. Please click on the link below for more information.

Greenfield Village

NWEA / MAP Assessments

On Monday, May 8th, Arno’s third graders will be taking their Math Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. On Wednesday, May 10th, Arno’s third graders will be taking their Reading Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. These tests are not timed and students can take as long as they need. Please encourage your child to try their best, take their time, and read all parts of the questions and answers. We will be taking these tests in the morning. Please do your best to make sure your child is on time and has eaten breakfast.

We will not be able to have parent volunteers on these days. Thank you for understanding.

Reading Groups

M-STEP

The State of Michigan’s standardized test is called the M-STEP. In third grade, students take 3 M-STEP tests: English Language Arts CAT (Computer Adaptive Test), Math CAT (Computer Adaptive Test), and a Math Performance Task. All tests will be done on a chromebook in the classroom.

  • Monday, May 15th: English Language Arts CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)- It covers four areas: reading, writing, listening, and research. This test will adapt based on student answers but all the questions will be third grade questions. The test will not ask below or above grade level questions.
  • Wednesday: May 17th: Math CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)- It covers four areas: concepts and procedures, problem solving, communicating reasoning, and modeling and data analysis. This test will adapt based on student answers but all the questions will be third grade questions. The test will not ask below or above grade level questions.
  • Monday, May 22nd: Math Performance Task-A Performance Task (PT) is a multi-item task and it is designed to assess student understanding of mathematics.

We will not be able to have parent volunteers on the above days. Thank you for understanding.

Helpful M-STEP Tutorial Videos: http://assets.drcedirect.com/States/MI/Tutorials/Student/20160317/MStep/index.html

M-STEP Practice Link: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/

Take Your Child to Work Day

On Thursday, April 27th, a few students went to work with their parents. Below are pictures of Samantha’s day at work with her mom. Thank you for sharing!

Homework Helper

  • Finish any unfinished classwork
  • Work on Weekly Assessment Practice Homework Packet
  • Practice Spelling Words (Test on Friday)
  • Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
  • Read!

 

Monday, April 24th, 2017

Spelling, Unit 28: Suffixes (ed and ing)

(Applies to words that have one syllable). When a short vowel is followed by one consonant at the end of the root word, double the last consonant and add (ed) or (ing).

Diamond Group

  1. stopped
  2. digging
  3. rubbed
  4. sitting
  5. planned
  6. wrapping
  7. sledding
  8. dropped
  9. scrubbing
  10. hopped
  11. putting
  12. tripped
  13. swimming
  14. spotted
  15. running

Circle Group

  1. stopped
  2. stopping
  3. nodding
  4. sitting
  5. planned
  6. chopping
  7. batting
  8. dropped
  9. putting
  10. tripped
  11. swimming
  12. running

Square Group

  1. grabbed
  2. digging
  3. rubbed
  4. jogging
  5. knitting
  6. wrapping
  7. sledding
  8. skipped
  9. scrubbing
  10. hopped
  11. hugged
  12. planning
  13. shopping
  14. spotted
  15. spinning
  16. wrapped

Social Studies Chapter 6 Test-100% Club

Congratulations to Marie, Grace, and Ramona for earning 100% on their Chapter 6 Social Studies Test! We are currently on Chapter 7, which is about Michigan’s Government.

Math Update

Congratulations to Grant for earning 100% on the Chapter 17 Math Test on Lines and Angles. This test was made up of ALL 4th grade questions! Very Impressive, Grant!!

Congratulations to Kallee, Marie, Cloey, Wyatt, Ben, Jayden, Jake, Kylee, Braylin, Matthew, Samantha, Mallory, and Grant for scoring 100% or better on their Chapter 18 Math Test on 2-Dimensional Shapes!

The Chapter 19 Math Test on Area and Perimeter will take place on Monday, April 24th.

Also, starting on Monday, we will begin to review third grade math concepts.

M-STEP Preparation

In addition to the Weekly Homework Packets, students have been exploring the online tools that are available for use during the testing sessions. We are also in the process of familiarizing the students with the layout of both the MSTEP interface and types of questions (drag and drop, multiple choice, short answer, click on the sentence within the passage, performance tasks, etc.) they will need to complete.

You are probably wondering What can we, as parents, do to help ease the stress of the test and help my child do his/her best in an effort to be successful? Well, you can start by reinforcing reasonable bedtimes and healthy breakfasts. Also, students are less stressed when they feel prepared. So, please encourage your child to access the following practice links at home.

MSTEP Online Tools Training

https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/

Daddy-Daughter Dance Pictures

I have never worked a Daddy-Daughter Dance and I was VERY impressed with this event! The girls were beautiful, the dads were on the dance floor, the decor was pefect, the DJ played great music, and everyone seemed to have fun filled night! I am sorry that I was unable to get a picture of all the girls in our class. IT WAS BUSY! Please feel free to send me pictures and I will gladly upload them to the blog. Thank you for your understanding!

Homework Helper

  • Finish any unfinished classwork
  • Work on Weekly Assessment Practice Homework Packet
  • Practice Spelling Words (Test on Friday)
  • Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
  • Read!

Monday, April 17th, 2017

Spelling, Unit 27: Drop the silent e and add “ing”

Diamond List

  1. coming
  2. skating
  3. taking
  4. giving
  5. choosing
  6. smiling
  7. baking
  8. sliding
  9. changing
  10. waving
  11. leaving
  12. making
  13. hoping
  14. trading
  15. having

Circle List

  1. coming
  2. saving
  3. taking
  4. giving
  5. living
  6. driving
  7. baking
  8. grading
  9. changing
  10. leaving
  11. making
  12. having

Square List

  1. bouncing
  2. skating
  3. loving
  4. facing
  5. choosing
  6. smiling
  7. curving
  8. sliding
  9. becoming
  10. waving
  11. weaving
  12. dancing
  13. hoping
  14. handwriting
  15. rising
  16. trading

Math Update

Last week, students took the Chapter 17 test on Angles and Lines. The concepts covered in this chapter are considered 4th grade math standards. Therefore, all the questions on the test were 4th grade questions. This test had all extra credit questions!

The Chapter 18 Math Test on 2-Dimensional Shapes will be on Monday, April 17th.

Also, on Monday, April 17th, our class will begin Chapter 19. Chapter 19 is about Area and Perimeter.

Grammar Scoot!

On Wednesday, April 12th, the students tested their knowledge of subject-verb agreement by participating in a grammar scoot. There was 24 subject-verb agreement questions around the room. Each student had 30 seconds to read and answer the question before “scooting” to the next questions. The students really enjoyed this review activity. Afterwards, we reviewed the answer to each question.

March Super Cougar

Congratulations to Marie for being our March Super Cougar! Marie is responsible, respectful, and safe. She goes above and beyond in each of these 3 areas. Way to go, Marie!

Reading

On Thursday, April 13th, the students in room 122 partner read an Easter/Bunny book and had to write a summary on it. This was a great way to incorporate the holiday and still meet some of our learning goals!

Assessment Practice Homework Packet

Every Monday, your child should bring home an Assessment Practice Homework Packet. This assignment requires your child to read short passages and answer questions that are Common Core based, review vocabulary words that will most likely be on the M-STEP test, and review phonics. Similar questions will appear on the M-STEP. Your child will need to complete the assigned reading and answer the questions in complete sentences. The packet is due back by the following Monday. If your child doesn’t return the reading homework by Monday, he/she will not participate in the reward. Quality is very important. Third graders are expected to be writing in complete sentences with capital letters and end marks

If a child complete the packet and leave it at home, he/she will not be able to participate in the Monday reward.

If you child forgets the packet at home or doesn’t complete the packet, he/she will not receive a color change. However, your child will work on the packet instead of earning a reward.

Return by April 17th

Return by April 24th

Return by May 1st

Homework Helper

  • Finish any unfinished classwork
  • Return Yellow Reading Book 
  • Work on Weekly Assessment Practice Homework Packet (see above for an electronic copy)
  • Practice Spelling Words (Test on Friday)
  • Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
  • Read!

Monday, April 10th, 2017

Spelling, Unit 26: Double Consonants

Diamond List

  1. carry
  2. bunny
  3. happy
  4. muddy
  5. berry
  6. furry
  7. puppy
  8. sorry
  9. merry
  10. jelly
  11. hurry
  12. pretty
  13. cherry
  14. worry
  15. funny

Circle List

  1. carry
  2. penny
  3. happy
  4. messy
  5. glossy
  6. fluffy
  7. puppy
  8. sorry
  9. hurry
  10. pretty
  11. worry
  12. funny

Square List

  1. woolly
  2. bunny
  3. shaggy
  4. muddy
  5. berry
  6. furry
  7. lobby
  8. holly
  9. merry
  10. jelly
  11. fuzzy
  12. witty
  13. cherry
  14. unhappy
  15. silly
  16. ferry

March is Reading Month-Guest Reader

On Monday, March 27th, Dr. Sokol stopped in our classroom to read to us! Dr. Sokol is the Director of Special Education for Allen Park Public Schools.

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Book & Cook

On Wednesday, March 29th, we read the book, The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza, and then we made easy english muffin pizzas. The students really enjoyed our weekly Book & Cooks during the month of March.

Reading Board Games

On Thursday, March 30th, we had our final reading board game time for March is Reading Month. Thank you to all the middle school and high school volunteers that helped us play our reading board games.

Math

Congratulations to Hunter, Kallee, and Hailey for earning 100% on their chapter 15 math test on measurement.

Congratulations to Jayden, Sam, Gabby, Rosie, Cloey, Mallory, Matthew, Kylee, Xaiver, Grant, Aaron, Wyatt, Kellen, Ben, Alex, Jake, Ramona, Bella, Marie, and Sammy for earning 100% or higher on the Chapter 16 math test on Time and Temperature. If a math test question is above third grade, it is an extra credit question.

On Tuesday, April 11th, students in room 122 will be tested on Chapter 17: Angles and Lines. For more information on Chapter 17, please click on the link below describing the chapter. The Home/School connection page was sent home the week before Spring Break.

Please have your child practice the geometry module on Front Row Math in order to help prepare them for this math test. Thank You!

Chapter17

March is Reading Month

Room 122 enjoyed all of our March is Reading Month activities. The month started with decorating our classroom door and ended with watching The BFG at the Allen Park Center for the Arts. I hope all of the reading activities have encouraged your child to become a lifelong reader.

M-STEP

The State of Michigan’s standardized test is called the M-STEP. In third grade, students take 3 M-STEP tests: English Language Arts CAT (Computer Adaptive Test), Math CAT (Computer Adaptive Test), and a Math Performance Task. All tests will be done on a chromebook in the classroom.

  • Monday, May 15th: English Language Arts CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)- It covers four claims: reading, writing, listening, and research. This test will adapt based on student answers but all the questions will be third grade questions. The test will not ask below or above grade level questions.
  • Wednesday: May 17th: Math CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)- It covers four claims: concepts and procedures, problem solving, communicating reasoning, and modeling and data analysis. This test will adapt based on student answers but all the questions will be third grade questions. The test will not ask below or above grade level questions.
  • Monday, May 22nd: Math Performance Task-A Performance Task (PT) is a multi-item task and it is designed to assess student understanding of mathematics.

Helpful M-STEP Tutorial Videos: http://assets.drcedirect.com/States/MI/Tutorials/Student/20160317/MStep/index.html

M-STEP Practice Link: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/

M-STEP Prep Homework

On Thursday, April 13th, our homework format will change. All of the third graders will be get a homework packet for the week. Each day, there will be homework listed. As the child’s parent/guardian, please review and check your child’s homework for the day and then sign indicating you have checked and reviewed the homework with your child.

Yellow Reading Book-Please Return

When your child’s finishes reading On Granddaddy’s Farm, please remind your child to return their yellow reading book since we have finished the book. Thank You!

Social Studies

Room 122 finished reading and discussing chapter 6 in our Meet Michigan textbook. Chapter 6 was about Michigan Today and Tomorrow. If a child did not finish his/her chapter 6 open book test, it was sent home for homework. If your child took their test home as an open book take home test, please remind him/her to return it on Monday, April 10th. Please & Thank You!

Homework Helper

  • Finish any unfinished classwork
  • Weekly Reading Story: Read On Granddaddy’s Farm and complete 10 Comprehension Questions (Due Thursday, 4/13): On Granddaddy’s Farm
  • Weekly Math: Lesson 55: Equal Parts of a Whole (Due Thursday, 4/13): Lesson 55 Equal Parts of a Whole
  • Practice Spelling Words (Test on Friday)
  • Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
  • Read!