December 21, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

December 21, 2017

ELA  In reading, we will continue our study of cultures and traditions. We will be reading Throw Your Tooth on the Roof. It is about tooth traditions around the world.  We will also be reading If I Had an Animal Tooth. Students will be choosing animal teeth and then writing a argumentative piece on why they think the animal teeth they chose are the best to have.  During centers, we will be writing about a New Year's Resolution.  We will also focus on the verb "be". 

Please make sure to read for 2o min during the month. December Reading Logs are due on Monday, Jan 8.

SPELLING  New spelling words will NOT be going home until after the holiday break.  Three items on the menu, 1 from each column, are due on or before Friday, Jan 19th, the day of the test. 

SOCIAL SCIENCE Social Studies:  We’ll be learning about immigration and culture. Our first lesson will be about moving to a new community.  There will be short, open book, open notes graded reviews after each section/lesson in the chapter.  

MATH  Ms. Zurales' math class will be comparing and ordering fractions. The Unit 4 study guide will go home on Friday, 1/12 and due on Wednesday, 1/17. The Unit 4 test will be on Thursday, 1/18. We will also be working to master our multiplication facts on Monday when we return. A practice sheet will go home on Monday and a fact test will be given on Wednesday. The first week back will be the 2's. It's never too early to start practicing. 

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

Some good winter weather rules for PV: With Winter almost upon us, here’s a quick note about recess: Children NEED boots to be in snow- snow pants are not required, but kids should know that if they get their clothes wet, they will be wet for the afternoon.... Snow/ice is not to be thrown for any reason at all. They may roll it, or build with it, but not launch it, etc.

1/8 - Return from Winter Break
1/9 - High Touch High Tech In-school Field Trip
1/10 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Multiplication Facts (2's) Test
1/15 - No School - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/17 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Unit 4 Study Guide due
1/18 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Unit 4 Test 
1/19 - Spelling Menu due and Test

December 15, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

December 15, 2017

ELA  In reading, we will read Twas the Night Before Christmas and illustrate what the author wants his reader to visualize in their heads.

Please make sure to read for 2o min during the month. December Reading Logs are due on Jan 8.

SPELLING  New spelling words will NOT be going home until after the holiday break. 

SOCIAL SCIENCE Science: We continue Mystery Science. A study guide went home today and there will be a test on Wednesday, 12/20, which will cover all 4 mysteries.

MATH  Ms. Zurales' math class will continue with Measurement & Fractions.  We have been solving measurement-related story problems. There will be a checkpoint quiz on measurement on Monday. Next, students will be investigating fractions.

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

Some good winter weather rules for PV: With Winter almost upon us, here’s a quick note about recess: Children NEED boots to be in snow- snow pants are not required, but kids should know that if they get their clothes wet, they will be wet for the afternoon.... Snow/ice is not to be thrown for any reason at all. They may roll it, or build with it, but not launch it, etc.

12/19 - Cinemark Theater - PV Goes to See Wonder

12/20 - 3rd Grade Goes Bowling 

12/21 - Last Day of School before the Winter Break

December 8, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

December 8, 2017

ELA  In reading, we read The Keeping Quilt. This is a story about the importance of keeping family history and traditions through time. We will be making a quilt next week describing our own family tradition. Students should be thinking about a family tradition they celebrate and be able to elaborate on it for Monday. There will be a short quiz on the vocabulary words from the story, on Tuesday. 

Please make sure to read for 2o min, for 20 days during this month.

SPELLING  New spelling words will NOT be going home until after the holiday break. 

SOCIAL SCIENCE Science:  This week we discussed the water cycle and clouds. Our next Science Mystery is on Climate, Geography &  Global Weather Patterns.

MATH  Ms. Zurales' math class will continue with Measurement & Fractions.  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. There will be a checkpoint quiz Tuesday on time. Please practice telling time with your child this weekend!

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

12/19 - Cinemark Theater - PV Goes to See Wonder
12/20 - 3rd Grade Goes Bowling 
12/21 - Last Day of School 

December 1, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

December 1, 2017

ELA  In reading, we will begin a new unit on Cultures and Traditions. We will be answering the question:  How does learning about other cultures impact our thinking? We will be reading the book Hello. This book identifies different languages and ways to say hello. We will also discuss author's purpose.

December Reading Logs went home today. Please make sure to read for 2o min, for 20 days during this month.

SPELLING  Three items on the menu, 1 from each column, are due on Friday, Dec 8th, the day of the test. 

SOCIAL SCIENCE Science:  We will begin a new unit of Mystery Science, Weather.

MATH  Ms. Zurales' math class will begin Unit 4, Measurement & Fractions.

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

12/5 - SIP Day - Early Dismissal @11am
12/8 - Spelling Menu Items Due and Test

November 17, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

November 17, 2017

ELA  In reading, we will finish up myths. We will also finish up nouns and move on to verbs. 

Please make sure to read for 2o minutes and record your reading in your November log. They are due on 12/1.

SPELLING  New sorts went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) will be due on Tuesday, Nov 21st, the day of the test.  New sorts will go home again on 11/27.

SOCIAL SCIENCE Science:  In our next lesson we will look at similarities in color and shape in fruit. The unit test on Life Cycle, Traits & Heredity will be on 11/30. There will be a vocabulary study guide sent home.  Students should also use their quizzes to study for the test. 

MATH  Ms. Zurales' math class will finish up Unit 3 on 3 Digit Addition and Subtraction. A study guide will go home on 11/28 and will be due on 11/30.The Unit 3 Assessment will be given on 12/1.

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

11/21 - Spelling HW Due and Test
11/30 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class -Math Study Guide Due
12/1 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Unit 3 Assessment

November 10, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

November 10, 2017

ELA  In reading, students will continue reading myths and working with the reading skill sequencing. 

Students will be bringing home a turkey to decorate or  "disguise". These are due on Tuesday. A letter with all the specifics went home today. In class we will be writing a paper on how to disguise a turkey. 

Please make sure to read for 2o minutes and record your reading in your November log.

SPELLING  An assessment was given today. New sorts will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) will be due on Tuesday, Nov 21st, the day of the test.

SOCIAL SCIENCE Science: Our next Lesson will cover Reproduction, Science Fruit or Vegetable. Students will continue discovering how plants reproduce by exploring the process of fruiting.

MATH  Ms. Zurales' math class will practice rounding using distance to the nearest ten and hundred. There will be a work sample done in class on Monday. 

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

Thank you to the following parents for chaperoning our Downers Grove Field Trip:  Mr. Chapman and Mrs. DiGiorgio.  Also, I would like to thank Mr. Oberle for making time to share with us some additional history about Downers Grove. We had so much fun visiting the historical sites!

11/13 - Mrs. Zurales' Math Class - A work sample will be completed
11/14 - Disguised Turkey due
11/21 - Spelling HW Due and Test

November 3, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

November 3, 2017

ELA  In Reading, students will focus on the reading skill sequencing while studying Myths. We will be reading The 12 Gods of Olympus and King Midas. 

November Reading Logs went home this week. Please make sure to log your minutes.

SPELLING  New sorts went home Thursday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) will be due on Friday, Nov 10th,  which is also the day of the test.  

SOCIAL SCIENCE Science will begin this week. Our first Unit is called the Power of Flowers:  Life Cycle, Traits & Heredity. It develops the idea that by studying how plants reproduce and pass on their traits, we humans beings have figured out how to make food plants even more useful to us. 

Reminder:  Our Downers Grove field trip is this coming Thursday. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather as we will be outside walking for some of our tour. Also, if your child did not order pizza, make sure you send a throw away lunch with them.

MATH Students will continue building strategies they learned to solve 3 digit story problems, both addition and subtraction. There will be a checkpoint quiz on Tuesday. 

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

Thank you to the following Halloween party volunteers:  Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Kotel, Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Monreal, Mrs. Vano, and Mr. Chapman. The students had a ton of fun!

11/7 - Mrs. Zurales' Math Class - Rounding & Multi-Digit Addition Checkpoint Quiz
11/9 - Downers Grove Field Trip - Dress for the weather! 
11/10 Veteran's Day Assembly

October 26, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

October 26, 2017

ELA  In Reading, students will wrap up cause and effect. In writer's work shop students will finish editing their argumentative piece in which they are persuading a monster to buy their haunted house. They will be due on Thursday, Nov 2.

October Reading Logs are due on Wednesday, November 1.

SPELLING  We had a spelling test today. New sorts will be introduced next week. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) will be due on Friday, Nov 10th,  which is also the day of the test.  

SOCIAL SCIENCE There will be an assessment over DG on Thursday, Nov 2. Please make sure your child reviews the study guide and learning log. 

MATH We began the unit on Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction. 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.

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.

Important Dates & Announcements

Halloween Costumes:  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.

10/27 - No School
10/31 - Halloween Party and Parade(1:50, weather permitting)
11/1 - October Reading Log Due
11/9 - Downers Grove Field Trip

October 20, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

October 20, 2017

There are still fall parent-teacher conference dates open (Math conferences will be in the spring). They will be held on:

Monday, October 23 from 3:00pm - 4:15pm

Tuesday, October 24 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday, October 25 from 3:00pm - 4:45pm

Please click the link below to view my online sign up sheet:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4aa4af22a5f85-october12

ELA  In Reading, students will focus on cause and effect. 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 learned how to write a good hook this week. We will be describing 3 rooms and writing a closing next week.

Don't forget to read for 20 days (20 min each day) and record it in the October Reading Log.

SPELLING New sorts went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) will be due on Thursday, 10/26, which is also the day of the test.  

SOCIAL SCIENCE We will continue to study the history of Downers Grove. Students will learn about The Underground Railroad and Prince Pond. There will be an assessment over DG when we are finished with our learning log. A study guide will go home next week. The exact date of the assessment has not yet been determined.

MATH A study guide for Unit 2 went home on Thursday. It will be due the Monday, Oct 23. The Unit test is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 24. Our next unit will be Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction.

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.

Important Dates & Announcement

10/23 - Conference Week
10/23 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Study Guide Due 
10/24 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Unit 2 Test
10/27 - No School
10/31 - Halloween Party and Parade
11/1 - October Reading Log Due
11/9 - Downers Grove Field Trip

October 13, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

October 13, 2017

There are still fall parent-teacher conference dates open (Math conferences will be in the spring). They will be held on:

Monday, October 23 from 3:00pm - 4:15pm

Tuesday, October 24 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday, October 25 from 3:00pm - 4:45pm

Please click the link below to view my online sign up sheet:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4aa4af22a5f85-october12

ELA  In Reading, students will focus on character traits. In writer's work shop students will continue the argumentative writing unit. They will be writing an argumentative piece in which they are persuading their audience to buy their haunted house.

Don't forget to read for 20 days (20 min each day) and record it in the October Reading Log.

SPELLING A We had a spelling assessment today. New sorts will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) will be due on 10/26, which is also the day of the test.  

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

MATH  Students will identify and label types of multiplication facts in a Multiplication Table. There will be a short work sample assessment on Tuesday. A study guide for Unit 2 will go home on Thursday. It will be due the Monday, Oct 23. The Unit test is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 24.

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.

Important Dates & Announcement

10/17 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Work Sample Assessment
10/20 - Downers Grove Permission Slip Due
10/23 - Ms. Zurales' Mach Class - Study Guide Due
10/24 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Unit 2 Test
11/1 - October Reading Log Due
11/9 - Downers Grove Field Trip

October 6, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

October 6, 2017

ELA  During Reading next week, we will finish themes. In writer's work shop we began the argumentative writing unit. Our activities will continue to focus on descriptive writing. Students are learning the importance of word choice in making an argument more descriptive, powerful, and persuasive to their audience.

Don't forget to read for 20 days (20 min each day) and record it in the October Reading Log.

SPELLING A new sort went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on 10/13, which is also the day of the test.  

SOCIAL SCIENCE We will continue to learn about the history of Downers Grove. Students will learn about the Potawatomi Indians and Chief Waubonsee.

MATH We 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. They will learn to multiply with arrays and number lines. There will be a multiplication checkpoint quiz on Tuesday.

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.

Important Dates & Announcement

10/9 - Columbus Day - No School
10/10 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Multiplication Checkpoint Quiz
10/13 - Spelling HW Due and Test

September 29, 2017

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

September 29, 2017

ELA  The focus will be on comparing/contrasting themes, setting and plot from books in a series by reading MORTY THE MEANIE and MORTY and the TWICE FIT MICE. During Reading students are enjoying station time. Students will finish editing their personal narratives on a small moment. By the end of the week, students will participate in visualization activities in preparation for argumentative writing. 

September Reading Logs are due on Monday. The October Log is going home today.

SPELLING An assessment was given today. A new sort will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on 10/13, which is also the day of the test.  

SOCIAL SCIENCE We will begin to study the history of Downers Grove.

MATH We began Unit 2, An Introduction to Multiplication.

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.

Important Dates & Announcement

10/2 September Reading Log Due
10/3 Fall Picture Re-take Day