May 13, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

May 13, 2016

ELA  This week we looked at story elements: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution, and applied it to The One and Only Ivan. We will continue this next week with a short story. In class during Daily 5, students will continue reading stories based on their reading level with Raz Kids and then take a short quiz online. 

Spelling  New words will be introduced and will go home on Tuesday. Please make sure your child has completed the 6 homework activities by Friday, May 27 , which is also the day of the test.

Math There will be a Unit 7 Test on Wednesday next week. A study guide went home today. Please make sure your child completes it and it is returned on Tuesday. We will go over it on Tuesday to review for the test.

We will begin Unit 8: Bridge Design & Construction using data collection and analysis.
A unit summary sheet will come home next week. For the remainder of the month, students will be researching, designing and constructing model bridges. Therefore, I'm reaching out to families for material donations. We are in need of:

• uncooked spaghetti or linguini noodles
• round toothpicks
• paper towel tubes
• toilet paper tubes
• straws
• foil
• newspapers
• manila file folders
• fishing line
• cotton string
• copper wire
• rubber bands
• yarn
• marshmallows
• gumdrops
• tape
• paper clips
• twist ties (like from the grocery store, produce section)

Please email me at szurales@ccsd66.org if you can donate any items. Thank you!!!

Science Next week we will continue our study of ecosystems. Student will complete their model of an ecosystem and make a pet rock for the animal they chose.

Important Announcements

Our class was the Box Top Pizza Winner for 3rd Grade! We had 2,277 box tops! Thanks to everyone who collected and sent in box tops. I will let you know the exact date of the Pizza party when I am contacted. 

Dates To Remember

MAY 18 - Math - Unit 7 Test
MAY 30 - Memorial Day - N0 School
MAY 31 - Bowling Field Trip
JUN 1 - May Reading Log due
JUN 3 - Last Day

May 6, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

May 6, 2016

ELA  We will finish writing letters to our second grade pen pals. Instead of book reports, students have a RAZ kids account. In class during Daily 5, students are reading a story and then taking a short quiz online. 

Spelling  Please make sure your child has completed the 6 homework activities by Friday, May 13, which is also the day of the test.

Math Next week students will have the opportunity to apply some of the things they've learned about fractions to contexts involving a new number line game, division and data collection. There will be a short Fraction Checkpoint quiz on Wednesday. There will be a X12 Facts quiz on Friday.

Science Next week student will explore the topic: What are some types of ecosystems?

Important Announcements

On Thursday we will be going on a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium. Please make sure your child brings a throw away lunch with a beverage.

Dates To Remember

MAY 11 - Fraction Checkpoint Quiz
MAY12 - Field Trip to The Shedd Aquarium
MAY 13 - X12 Facts Quiz
MAY 13 - SIP Day - Early Dismissal
MAY 30 - Memorial Day - N0 School
MAY 31 - Bowling Field Trip
JUN 1 - May Reading Log due
JUN 3 - Last Day

April 29, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

April 29, 2016

ELA  We will be be writing an opinion paper next week. We will also begin writing letters to our second grade pen pals. Instead of book reports, students have a RAZ kids account. In class during Daily 5, students read a story and then take a short quiz online. May Reading Logs went home today. On Friday, students will be taking the MAPS Reading Test.

Spelling  New words will be introduced and will go home on Monday. Please make sure your child has completed the 6 homework activities by Friday, May 13, which is also the day of the test.

Math Next week students will return to fractions. They will be introduced to 3 new ways to model, compare and generate equivalent fractions: a 12 inch ruler, a 12 foot strip of adding machine tape, and tiles in an egg carton subdivided with one or more pieces of yarn. On Thursday, students will be taking the MAPS Math Test. There will be a X11 Facts quiz on Friday.

Science Next week student will explore the topics: What Are Ecosystems? and What Are Some Types of Ecosystems? They will read and learn about the parts of an ecosystem, about different types of ecosystems and how they support plant and animal life.

Important Announcements

Thank you a ton Ashlyn's Grandma for helping level our classroom books!

Dates To Remember

MAY 5 - Jr. Achievement begins
MAY 5 - MAPS MATH - Charge Chromebooks
MAY 6 - MAPS READING - Charge Chromebooks
MAY 6 - X11 Facts Quiz
MAY12 - Field Trip to The Shedd Aquarium
MAY 13 - SIP Day - Early Dismissal
MAY 30 - Memorial Day - N0 School

April 22, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

April 22, 2016

ELA  We enjoyed The One and Only Ivan.  Next week we will be working on a character trait project about Ivan. April Reading Logs are due on Friday, April 29th. 

Spelling  Please make sure your child has completed the 6 homework activities by Friday, April 29, which is also the day of the test.

Math Next week students will continue their work with multiplication as they explore and discuss 1 by 2 digit arrays and add to their collection of multiplication strategies. There will be a Multiplication & Division checkpoint quiz on Tuesday. There will also be a X9 Facts Quiz on Friday.

Science Next week we will learn about how Earth's motion causes the seasons and the cycle of day and night.

Important Announcements

I could use a few more volunteers to help me organize my classroom library to align with Fountas & Pinnell's reading levels.  If you have some extra time to give, please email me. You can come in when it is convenient for you. This can me done over the next several weeks. Thank you Mrs. Rerucha! 

Dates To Remember

APR 26 - Multiplication & Division Checkpoint Quiz
APR 28 - Spring Open House & Book Fair 6:30-8pm
APR 29 - Spelling Test and Homework Due
APR 29 - April Reading Log Due
APR 29 - X9 Facts Quiz
MAY12 - Field Trip to The Shedd Aquarium
MAY 13 - SIP Day - Early Dismissal

April 15, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

April 15, 2016

ELA  PARCC Math testing is next week. We are enjoying The One and Only Ivan.  Students should continue to read for 20 minutes per night and log it in the April Reading Log.

Spelling  Students had a spelling test today. On Monday they will receive new words. Please make sure you initial the box on the menu that the work has been completed. Homework will be due on the test day, Friday, April 29th.

Math Next week we will be PARCC testing during Math.

Social Studies The Chicago Test 2 will be on Monday, April 18. Make sure your child has completed and studies the study guide.

Science This week we began learning about the solar system. Next week we will research facts about the planets.

Important Announcements

Please make sure your child's chromebook is charged every night and they have their earbuds. PARCC Math Testing is next week! Thank YOU!

PE Parent Helpers Needed:
Mrs. Cushing is looking for parent helpers for her tennis unit.  This would involve tossing tennis balls to students.  If you are willing and able to help at all during the month of April, please contact Mrs. Cushing at tcushing@ccsd66.org

I am looking for more volunteers to help me organize my classroom library to align with Fountas & Pinnell's reading levels.  If you have some extra time to give, please email me. You can come in when it is convenient for you. This can me done over the next several weeks. Thank you!    

Dates To Remember

APR 18 - Chicago Test 2

APR 19,20,21,22 PARCC Testing - Math
APR 22 - Shedd Aquarium Permission Slip and $4.oo due

APR 28 - Spring Open House & Book Fair 6:30-8pm

April 8, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

April 8, 2016

ELA  PARCC testing is next week. We will continue reading The One and Only Ivan.  April Reading Logs went home on Monday. 

Spelling  Students should be completing 6 activities at home. Please make sure you initial the box on the menu that the work has been completed. Homework is due on the test day, Friday, April 15th.

Math Students took the Unit 6 assessment today. Next week we will begin Unit 7, Multiplication Beyond the Basics. In this unit, students will solidify their understandings of multiplication and extend their thinking beyond the basic facts into 1 and 2 digit multiplication. There will be a X8 Fact Test on Friday.

Social Studies We will continue our study on Chicago, the World's Fair. A study guide for Chicago, Test 2 will go home next week. The Chicago Test 2 will be on Monday, April 18.

Important Announcements

Please make sure your child's chromebook is charged every night and they have their earbuds. PARCC Testing is next week! Thank YOU!

PE Parent Helpers Needed:
Mrs. Cushing is looking for parent helpers for her tennis unit.  This would involve tossing tennis balls to students.  If you are willing and able to help at all during the month of April, please contact Mrs. Cushing at tcushing@ccsd66.org

I am looking for more volunteers to help me organize my classroom library to align with Fountas & Pinnell's reading levels.  If you have some extra time to give, please email me. You can come in when it is convenient for you. This can me done over the next several weeks. Thank you!  Thank you Mrs. Wawro!   

Dates To Remember

APR 12,14,15 PARCC Testing - ELA
APR 13 - Early Dismissal
APR 15 - X8 Facts Test
APR 19,20,21,22 PARCC Testing - Math
APR 15 - Spelling Homework due and Test
APR 18 - Chicago Test 2

APR 28 - Spring Open House & Book Fair

March 25, 2016

Ms. Zurales' 3rd Grade News

March 25, 2016

ELA  We are reading The One and Only Ivan, in class. We will continue completing activities throughout the coming weeks that go along with this book.  March Reading Logs are due on Monday, April 4. 

Spelling  Students will receive new words on Monday when we return. They are to complete 6 activities at the end of the 2 week period. Please make sure you initial the box on the menu that the work has been completed. Homework will be due on the test day, Friday, April 15th.

Math When we return, we will finish up Unit 6, Geometry. We will be working with perimeter problems and fractions on geoboards. A study guide will go home on Monday, April 4 for Unit 6. It is due on Thursday. Please make sure your child completes all the problems. We will go over it and review for the test on Thursday. The Unit 6 test will be on Friday, April 8.

Social Studies We will continue our study on The Chicago Fire, rebuilding the city. 

Important Announcements

PE Parent Helpers Needed:
Mrs. Cushing is looking for parent helpers for her tennis unit.  This would involve tossing tennis balls to students.  If you are willing and able to help at all during the month of April, please contact Mrs. Cushing at tcushing@ccsd66.org

I am looking for more volunteers to help me organize my classroom library to align with Fountas & Pinnell's reading levels.  If you have some extra time to give, please email me. You can come in when it is convenient for you. This can me done over the next several weeks. Thank you!  Thank you Mrs. Mesker's mom!   

Dates To Remember

MAR 25 - APR 3 Spring Break

APR 13 - Early Dismissal

APR 28 - Spring Open House & Book Fair