August 25, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Third Grade News

Happy Friday everyone! We had a terrific first week in 3rd grade! We really got to know each other. I am looking forward to a wonderful year with my new students!

Families, please make sure you check my blog weekly. I will send an email with the link every Friday. Today your child will be bringing home "Extra! Extra" Read all about Me!" poster. These will be due back to me next Friday, September 1, or earlier. 

Just a reminder: Please label all envelopes sent in with your child's name, their grade, what is in the envelope, and my name.

Picture day is Wednesday, August 30.

Curriculum Night for parents only is Wednesday, August 30th, at 6:30. See you then!

We’ll be MAP testing on Tuesday (Math) and Thursday (ELA).  

Let's make it a great year!

Next Week:
   

Social Studies  We will study directions. Students will learn about cardinal and intermediate directions.  

Spelling We are continuing the spelling series Words Your Way.  Fortunately, the students have worked with this program in 2nd grade.  I took an inventory today. Students will be working with patterns they struggle with during Word Work in Daily 5. We’ll officially start the “menu homework” after Labor Day weekend.

English Language Arts We’ll be starting our year focusing on various reading skills using fun literature.  This week our books will be Chrysanthemum, Recess Queen, and If you Give a Mouse a Cookie.  The skills studied will be character traits, theme, and cause and effect.

On Thursday, students will be bringing home their September reading log. They are expected to read for 20 days, 20 minutes each day.  I know many read more than that. This log will be part of their grade.

Ms. Zurales' Math Class Please check Power school for your child's math teacher (we do switch for Math). We will start Math on Monday . Students will be taking a pretest next week to see what they know!

Important Dates & Announcement

8/29 MAPS Math Testing
8/30 Picture Day
8/30 Curriculum Night 6:30-8pm
8/31 MAPS ELA Testing
9/1   Read All About Me Poster due
9/1   F & P Testing
9/4   Labor Day - No School
9/27 Early dismissal

May 19, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA We will continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. As we read the novel, students are completing a packet that addresses multiple reading skills. We have also begun gather information to write an opinion paper on whether or not animals should be kept in zoo. Next week we will fill out the graphic organizer and write the paper.

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes each night and fill out the May Log. It is due on June 1st.

SPELLING  Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, May 26, which is the day of the test.

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class - We will finish the unit on Fractions with a test on Thursday. The study guide is due on Wednesday. 

Science  We began a new unit - Animals Through Time, Habitats, Heredity, & Change Over Time. In this unit students will develop an appreciation for how animals and the places they live are not constant. In our activities next week students are prompted to examine animal teeth and figure out what the animal ate. They will also try to outrun a dinosaur by taking larger steps than the dinosaur took by using a number line and calculating the stride length of their classmates.

Important Dates & Announcements

5/24 - 2nd Grade Pen Pals come to PV
5/25 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Fractions Unit test
5/26 - Spelling HW due and Test
5/31 - Bowling Trip - Wear gym shoes! 
6/1   - May Reading Log due & Field Days

May 12, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA We will continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. As we read the novel, students are completing a packet that addresses multiple reading skills.

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes each night and fill out the May Log. It is due on June 1st.

SPELLING  The last spelling list will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, May 26, which is the day of the test.

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class - We will start the week discussing equivalent fractions. After that, 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 Thursday.

Science  Next week student will continue our study of ecosystems. We will discuss how ecosystems change. The Chapter 4 test on Ecosystems is scheduled for Friday, May 19. A study guide will be coming home today. 

Important Dates & Announcements

5/17 - Bowling Trip Form due and PE Test
5/18 - Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Fractions Checkpoint Quiz
5/26 - Spelling HW due and Test
5/19 - Science Test on Ecosystems
5/24 - 2nd Grade Pen Pals come to PV
5/31 - Bowling Trip - Wear gym shoes! 
6/1   - May Reading Log due

May 5, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA We will continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. As we read the novel, students are completing a packet that addresses multiple reading skills.

We are writing pen pal letters to 2nd graders. We will finish our final copy on Monday. 

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes each night and fill out the May Log. 

SPELLING  New words went home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, May 12, which is the day of the test.

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class - Students will be introduced to three new ways to model, compare, and generate equivalent fractions:  a 12 inch ruler, a 12 foot long strip of adding machine tape, and tiles in an egg carton. 

Science  Next week student will continue our study of ecosystems. We will look at how living things survive in an ecosystem.

Social Studies  On Monday, students will take the final Chicago quiz. Your child should review the study guide to prepare. 

Important Dates & Announcements

We are MAPS testing on Monday and Tuesday! Please make sure your child charges their chromebook, gets a good night of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast!

On Thursday, we will be going to the Brookfield Zoo. Please make sure you pack your child a throw-away lunch and drink. We will be gone for the entire day. Make sure your child is dressed for the weather.

5/8 Chicago Quiz
5/8 MAPS Math
5/9 MAPS Reading
5/11 Zoo Field Trip - Bring a throw-away lunch and drink

5/12 SIP Day - Early dismissal - Spelling HW due and Test

April 28, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA We will continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. As we read the novel, students are completing a packet that addresses multiple reading skills.

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes each night and fill out the April Log. It is due on Monday, May 1st.

SPELLING  New words will go home on Monday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, May 12, which is the day of the test.

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class - Students will take a Multiplication and Division checkpoint on Monday. Throughout the week, students will work with multiplication ans they explore and discuss 1 by 2 digit arrays and add to their collection of multiplication strategies. Students will be making multiplication posters to help develop their understanding.

Science Next week student will continue our study of ecosystems. We will learn about different types of ecosystems.

Social Studies  Students will continue reading about Chicago. We will learn about Multicultural Chicago and its skyscrapers. 

Important Dates & Announcements

5/1 April Reading Log due
5/1 Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Multiplication & Division Checkpoint
5/8 MAPS Math
5/9 MAPS Reading
5/11 Zoo Field Trip - Bring a throw-away lunch

5/12 Spelling HW due and Test

April 21, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA  We will continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. As we read the novel, students are completing a packet that addresses multiple reading skills.

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes each night and fill out the April Log. It is due on Monday, May 1st.

SPELLING  Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, April 28, which is the day of the test.

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class - we will begin Unit 7, Multiplication & Fractions. Students will work with multiplication beyond the basic facts. They will solve two-step story problems that involve multiplication, as well as addition and subtraction. We will explore strategies for multiplying single digits by 11 and 12.

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.

Social Studies  Students will continue reading about Chicago. We will learn about Chicago's media and entertainment.

Important Dates & Announcements

4/27 Open House and Book Fair 6:30-8pm
4/28 Spelling HW due and Test
5/1 April Reading Log due
5/1 Ms. Zurales' Math Class - Multiplication & Division Checkpoint

April 13, 2017

Ms. Zurales' Class News

ELA  We will continue reading the novel The One and Only Ivan. As we read the novel, students are completing a packet that addresses multiple reading skills.

Don't forget to read for 20 minutes each night and fill out the April Log.

SPELLING  New word sorts will go home on Tuesday. Homework (3 items on the menu, 1 from each column) is due on Friday, April 28, which is the day of the test.

MATH Ms. Zurales' math class - will finish Unit 6, focusing on shapes and fractions. The study guide for Unit 6 is due Wednesday, April 19. The Unit 6 test will be Thursday, April 20th.

Social Studies  Students will continue reading about Chicago. We will learn about Chicago's museums, sports and entertainment.

Important Dates & Announcements

4/19 Ms. Zurales' math class - Unit 6 Study Guide due
4/20 Ms. Zurales' math class - Unit 6 Test
4/21 Earth Day Celebration - Wear blue and green
4/28 Spelling HW due and Test