December 16, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA After break we will continue our Culture and Traditions Unit. We will br writing a New Year's resolution and reading be reading The Keeping Quilt. We will also continue with literature circles. Don't forget to read for 20 minutes per night. December reading logs are due on January 3rd.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will finish dictionary skills.

SPELLING  A spelling test was given today. New words sorts will go home on Tuesday, Jan. 3rd. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class is working with measurement. We will be investigating liquid volume and then they will have hands on opportunities to estimate mass, liquid volume, and length. They will also be solving measurement-related story problems. There will be a checkpoint quiz on time, Thursday, Jan 5.

Science When we return, students will begin learning about the properties of matter. In our first lesson we will learn what matter is.

Important Dates & Announcements

12/19-1/2 Winter Break
1/3 - December Reading Log due
1/5 - Math Checkpoint quiz on  Time
1/10 - MAPS Reading
1/11 - MAPS Math
1/16 - No School - Martin Luther King's Day

December 9, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Next week we will continue our Culture and Traditions Unit. We will be reading Twas the Night Before Christmas and illustrating what the author wants his reader to visualize in their heads. We will also continue with literature circles. Students will also participate in many fun holiday projects. Don't forget to read for 20 minutes per night. December reading logs are due on January 3rd.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will focus on dictionary skills.

SPELLING  Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, December 16, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class began the unit on Measurement and Fractions. A  pre-test was given on Thursday. Next week we will review telling time, elapsed time, and learn about the difference between mass and weight. Students will be estimating, measuring and comparing mass. 

SOCIAL STUDIES Next we will finish discussing the services our local government provides, then we will learn about community leaders. 

Important Dates & Announcements

***Make sure your child wears/brings gym shoes on Wednesday for the bowling field trip. Thank you!***

12/9 -  Bowling Field Trip and A Christmas Carol Permission Slips due
12/13 - Performance of A Christmas Carol Field Trip
12/14  -  Bowing Field Trip
12/16 - 3 Spelling HW activities due and Test
 1/3 - December Reading Log due

December 2, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Next week we will do a close read on Twas the Night Before Christmas. We will also continue with literature circles. Don't forget to read for 20 minutes per night. December reading logs went home on Thursday.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will focus on quotation marks.

SPELLING  A Spelling test was given today. On Monday, a new sort will go home. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, December 16, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class will have the Unit 3 test on December 7th. A study guide went home on Thursday. It is due on Tuesday, Dec. 6th. Please have your child complete it and then review it with your child. The next unit will be on Measurement and Fractions.

SOCIAL STUDIES The quiz on Modern Day DG will be on Tues, 12/6. Please make sure your child knows the concepts on the study guide. Most of the test is fill in the blank. Next we will be studying local government.

Important Dates & Announcements

12/6  - Modern Day Downers Grove Quiz
12/7  - Unit 3 Math Test 
12/7 - Teacher Institute
12/9 -  Bowling Field Trip and A Christmas Carol Permission Slips due
12/13 - Performance of A Christmas Carol Field Trip
12/14  -  Bowing Field Trip
12/16 - 3 Spelling HW activities due and test

November 18, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Next week we will be finishing up a few Thanksgiving writing projects. The following week our ELA unit will focus on cultures. We will be doing a couple of close reads. We will also begin literature circles during Daily 4 stations. Don't forget to read for 20 minutes per night. November Reading logs our due on December 1st.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will continue pronouns.

SPELLING  A new sort went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, December 2, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class will practice rounding using distance to the nearest ten and hundred. The following week, they will use data to complete calculations with 3 and 4 digit numbers. They will use rounding to help gauge the reasonableness of their answers. The Unit 3 test is scheduled for December 7th.

SOCIAL STUDIES The test on the History of DG will be on Monday, 11/21. Please make sure your child knows the people and concepts on the study guide. Our field trip to tour Downers Grove is on Tuesday. Please make sure your child dresses for the weather. We will be walking around outside for much of the day. We are learning about Modern Day Downers Grove. This week week discussed the importance of the location of DG and its government. 

Important Dates & Announcements

11/21 - History of Downers Grove Test
11/22 - Downers Grove Field Trip - Dress for the weather!
12/1   - November Reading Log Due
12/2   - 3 Spelling HW activities due and test
12/7   - Math Test

November 11, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Next week we will finish working with the skill with cause and effect. Students will be bringing home a turkey to decorate or  "disguise". These are due on Wednesday. A letter with all the specifics went home today. In class we will be writing a paper on how to disguise a turkey. 

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes per night.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will begin pronouns.

SPELLING  A test was given today. A new sort will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, December 2, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class  will continue building strategies they learned to solve 3 digit story problems, both addition and subtraction. They will be completing a work sample on Tuesday and a checkpoint quiz on Thursday. 

SOCIAL STUDIES We will finish our learning packet on the history of Downers Grove early next week.  The test on the History of DG will be on Monday, 11/21. A study guide will be going home on Monday. Next, we will be learning about Modern Day Downers Grove. 

Important Dates & Announcement

We will be going on a field trip to Downers Grove History Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 22. We will be gone for the entire day. I am looking for 1 more volunteer. Please email me   and let me know if you are interested! Thanks in advance for volunteering! 

Permissions slips for the Downers Grove Field Trip were due today. If you have not sent your child's in, please do so on Monday!

11/11 - Field Trip Permission Slip due
11/21 - History of Downers Grove Test
11/22 - Downers Grove Field Trip
12/2  -  3 Spelling HW activities due and test

November 4, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Next week we will be working with cause and effect. Also, on Friday our classroom activities will focus on the meaning and significance of Veteran's Day. We will be making cards for our Veterans. We will continue Daily 4 stations, which include Lexia and Raz-Kids. November Reading Logs went home this week. Don't forget to read for 20 minutes per night.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will finish adverbs.

SPELLING  A new sort went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, November 11, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class will develop new strategies and adjust some of the strategies they learned to solve 3 digit story problems, both addition and subtraction.

SOCIAL STUDIES We will continue to learn about the history of Downers Grove, specifically, the underground railroad.

Important Dates & Announcement

We will be going on a field trip to Downers Grove History Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 22. We will be gone for the entire day. I am looking for 2 volunteers. Please email me by Friday, Nov. 4th if you are interested. I will put all names in a hat. I will let you know by Wednesday, Nov. 9th who is chosen. Thanks in advance for volunteering! 

Permissions slips for the Downers Grove Field Trip went home today. Please return them by Friday, November 11.

Thank you to our Halloween party volunteers: Mrs. Rizzo, Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Kasai and The Howard Family. Whether you helped with the activities and/or sent in snacks, it was appreciated! The students had a great time.

11/11 - Field Trip Permission Slip due
11/11 - 3 Spelling Activities due and Test
11/11 - Veteran's Day Assembly

October 28, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Students finished writing their argumentative piece in which they are persuading their audience to buy their haunted house. Next week we will be working on finding evidence to answer questions from a text. We will continue Daily 4 stations, which include Lexia and Raz-Kids. October Reading Logs are due on Tuesday!

LANGUAGE ARTS We will focus adverbs.

SPELLING Students took an assessment today. A new sort will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, November 11, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class took the Unit 2 assessment today. A pretest on Unit 3 will be given on Monday. Next, students will be introduced to the concepts of rounding 2 and 3 digit numbers to nearest ten and the nearest hundred. They will develop new strategies and adjust some of the strategies they learned to solve 3 digit story problems.

SOCIAL STUDIES We will continue to learn about the history of Downers Grove. We will learn about Chief Waubonsee and Israel Blodgett.

Important Dates & Announcement

Please send your child's costume in a bag, clearly marked with their name. No weapons are allowed. Make sure it is easy to get on and off. Students will be changing in the classroom, boys in one room, girls in another.

Conferences are being held on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. There are still a few spots open. Please make sure to sign up. I look forward to meeting you!

We will be going on a field trip to Downers Grove History Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 22. We will be gone for the entire day. I am looking for 2 volunteers. Please email me by Friday, Nov. 4th if you are interested. I will put all names in a hat. I will let you know by Wednesday, Nov. 9th who is chosen. Thanks in advance for volunteering!

10/31 Halloween Party (1:10-2:10) & Parade (2:10)
11/1   October Reading Log due & Parent/Teacher Conferences
11/2 Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 21, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA In writer's work shop students will continue the argumentative writing unit. They are writing an argumentative piece in which they are persuading their audience to buy their haunted house. We will continue Daily 4 stations, which include Lexia and Raz-Kids. Please make sure your child is reading and filling out their October Reading Log.

LANGUAGE ARTS We will continue with verb tenses.

SPELLING A new sort went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, October 28, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class will explore how knowing their times 10 facts can help them multiply by 5, 6 and 9. They will study the multiplication table and look for patterns they see among the basic multiplication facts. Students will also be solving story problems with graphs and multiple operations. The Unit 2 test will be on Friday, October 28th. A study guide will be going home on Tuesday. This will help them prepare for the test. Please make sure your child completes this, and review it with them.

SCIENCE   The Water Cycle Chapter study guide went home on Wednesday. The Chapter Test is Tuesday, October 25. Students will NOT be able to use their books or notes. 

SOCIAL STUDIES We will begin studying the history of Downers Grove.

Important Dates & Announcement

If you child would like to be part of the Prairieview PE Bulletin board, please take an "action" picture of your child showing some type of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY that they are involved in outside of school.  Please get these in as soon as possible.  I will accept pictures as they come in.  Any questions?  Please contact me at tcushing@ccsd66.org  Thanks!

10/25 Science Chapter Test - The Water Cycle
10/26 Early Dismissal
10/28 Spelling Activities due & Test
10/28 Math Unit 2 Test
10/31 Halloween Party (1:10-2:10) & Parade (2:10)
11/1   October Reading Log due

October 14, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA In writer's work shop students will continue the argumentative writing unit. They will learn about the importance of word choice in making an argument more descriptive, powerful, and persuasive to their audience. At the end of the week students will begin writing an argumentative piece in which they will be persuading their audience to buy their haunted house. In reading workshop we will continue with Myths. We will read Pandora's Box and about Demeter and Persephony. Please make sure your child is reading and filling out their October Reading Log.

LANGUAGE ARTS The focus will be on verb tenses.

SPELLING Students took a spelling test today. A new sort will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, October 28, which is also the date of the test. 

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class will continue exploring the various multiplication strategies.

SCIENCE  We will continue "What Is Weather?" We will learn how to measure weather, and how to predict it. A study guide for The Water Cycle Chapter will be going home on Wednesday. The Chapter Test is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25. Students will NOT be able to use their books or notes. 

Important Dates & Announcement

If you child would like to be part of the Prairieview PE Bulletin board, please take an "action" picture of your child showing some type of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY that they are involved in outside of school.  Please get these in as soon as possible.  I will accept pictures as they come in.  Any questions?  Please contact me at tcushing@ccsd66.org  Thanks!

10/25 Science Chapter Test - The Water Cycle
10/26 Early Dismissal
10/31 Halloween Party (1:10-2:10) & Parade (2:10)

October 7, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA In writer's work shop students will peer edit their Cinderella fractured fairy tale.
 Next, we will begin a writing unit on argumentative writing. Next week activities will focus on descriptive writing. In reading workshop we will be studying Myths. We will also continue Daily 4.  

Language Arts The focus will be on verbs: action, helping and linking.

Spelling  A new sort went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, October 14, which is also the date of the test. 

Math Ms. Zurales' math class began Unit 2, An Introduction to Multiplication.  Students are working on solving multiplication problems with products involving situations with measurement. They are also working with the addition strategies of repeated addition and skip counting, and the multiplication strategies of doubling, doubling and halving and using partial products. There will be a multiplication checkpoint quiz on Wednesday.

Science  We will discuss "What Is Weather?" We will learn about what causes weather, how to measure weather, and how to predict it.

Important Dates & Announcement

If you child would like to be part of the Prairieview PE Bulletin board, please take an "action" picture of your child showing some type of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY that they are involved in outside of school.  Please get these in as soon as possible.  I will accept pictures as they come in.  Any questions?  Please contact me at tcushing@ccsd66.org  Thanks!

10/12 - Ms. Zurales' Math - Multiplication Checkpoint Quiz
10/14 - Spelling Test and 3 HW activities are due

September 30, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA This week we focused on Fairy Tales. We read Disney's Cinderella and Prince Cinders, a fractured fairy tale. We compared and contrasted the two stories. Next week we will continue Writer's Workshop. Students will complete a story map and then write a Cinderella fractured fairy tale of their own. We will also continue Daily 4.

Language Arts The focus this week was on "What is an adjective?" Next week students will study comparative and superlative adjectives.

Spelling  Students took a spelling test today. A new sort is coming home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on October 14, which is also the date of the next test. 

Math Ms. Zurales' math class will begin Unit 2, An Introduction to Multiplication.

Science  We began studying the Water Cycle this week. We discussed where water is found on Earth. Next week we will focus on the what the water cycle is. 

Important Dates & Announcement

10/3 September reading log is due
10/4 Picture Day
10/14 Spelling Test and 3 HW activities are due

September 30, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA This week we focused on Fairy Tales. We read Disney's Cinderella and Prince Cinders, a fractured fairy tale. We compared and contrasted the two stories. Next week students will complete a story map and then write a Cinderella fractured fairy tale of their own. 

Language Arts The focus this week was on "What is an adjective?" Next week students will study comparative and superlative adjectives.

Spelling  Students took a spelling test today. A new sort is coming home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on October 14, which is also the date of the next test. 

Math Ms. Zurales' math class will begin Unit 2, An Introduction to Multiplication.

Science  We began studying the Water Cycle this week. 

Important Dates & Announcement

September 16, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

Monday, September 26th is Johnny Appleseed’s birthday. We will be having a celebration! A letter will be coming home on Monday. Please send a peeled, cored, and sliced apple with your child on Monday, September 26th to be used to make applesauce for the class.   If you can donate  bowls, spoons, and juice boxes please email me. We will need 24 of each for our class. Thank you!!

ELA Next week we will focus on the moral of the story by reading The Tortoise and the Hare. During Reading students are enjoying station time. We've added Lexia to our stations this week. This is a computer program that helps students build their phonics skills. Ask them to show it to you on their chromebook.

Spelling  Students took their first spelling test today. They were given 15 words to spell correctly. They also had to write 2 sentences using any 2 of their words. A new sort is coming home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on 9/30, which is also the date of the next test. 

Math Ms. Zurales' math class will be focusing on 2 digit addition problems. The Unit 1 test date is scheduled for 9/29.

Social Studies The continents and oceans test will be on Thursday. There is a study guide in your child's homework pocket. Students will need to identify where each continent and ocean is on a map. There will be a word bank.  

Important Dates & Announcement

9/22 Continent and OceanTest
9/26 Johnny Appleseed Day
9/27 SIP DAY - Early Dismissal
9/30 Spelling Homework due
9/30 Spelling Test

September 9, 2016

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA Next week in Writer's Workshop we will be editing, rehearsing, and writing discovery drafts. In Reader's Workshop we will continue reading folktales. 

Language Arts The focus will be on plural nouns, proper and common nouns, and abstract nouns.

Spelling  On 9/6 look your child's spelling sort came home. Students are being asked to choose 3 activities, one from each column, from the Spelling Homework sheet. This will help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please place the activity in their spelling folder and initial the activity square. All 3 activities should be attached to the Spelling Homework Sheet and turned in on Friday, September 16, which is the day of the test.

Math There will be a short checkpoint quiz on addition and subtraction. Next week students will begin adding 2 digit numbers. If your child should forget their Student Book or their Home Connections workbook at school, they can go into my google math classroom from a home computer and print the page they will need to complete for homework. 

Social Studies We are learning about the 7 continents and the 5 oceans. By the end of this unit, students will learn to spell the 7 continents and 5 oceans and where they are located. A study guide will be going home on Thursday. The tentative date for the test in Thursday, September 22.

Important Dates & Announcement

9/12 Math - Checkpoint Quiz on addition and subtraction

9/12 Magazine Drive Kickoff 

9/16 Spelling Homework Activities due - all 3

9/16 Spelling Test

9/27 SIP DAY - Early Dismissal

September 2, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

September 2, 2016

I was so happy to see many of  you at Curriculum Night! If you missed or would like to revisit the presentation, click on the following link:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l_n3sKS5JbBnEGyHQwQFxQbimiarA5KCvDKO9Ds0t8E/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=5000

Here's what is going on next week:

ELA This week we began Writer's Workshop. We are learning how to write personal narratives with independence. We also started a unit on Folktales, Fairy-tales, Fables, and Myths. Students will recount stories and determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. Next week we will begin rotations for Daily 4.

Language Arts The focus will be on quotation marks. 

Spelling  On 9/6 look for your child's spelling sort to come home. Students are being asked to choose 3 activities, one from each column, from the Spelling Homework sheet. This will help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please place the activity in their spelling folder and initial the activity square. All 3 activities should be attached to the Spelling Homework Sheet and turned in on Friday, September 16, which is the day of the assessment.

Math We had a great first week in math. Next week we will be working with the addition and subtraction tables.

Social Studies Students have been learning about directions, cardinal and intermediate. There will be a quiz on Wednesday, September 7. A study guide went home on Thursday. Next we will be learning about the 7 continents and the oceans. By the end of this unit, students will learn to spell the 7 continents and 5 oceans and where they are located.

Important Dates & Announcement

9/5 Labor Day - No School
9/7 Directions Quiz
9/9 F & P Testing
9/27 SIP DAY - Early Dismissal