- Online Elsa England Library Information: Note from our librarian...
One of the BEST features of our new online Library Catalog is that students, parents, and teachers are able to remotely view their Library Account online! Students and parents inquire frequently about the status of a certain book; whether it has been turned in, or whether their account is clear. The attached How-To guide allows students and/or their parents to look at their current library account at ANY time, just by entering their student ID number as both the username and the password (note: do not type an "s" before the ID number, like students do when logging in to the computers). How-To-Guides. This is a much more efficient system for library account inquiries, rather than waiting for an email response from our busy library staff :) - Wobble Chair: Wiggly kiddos need the wobble chair. This new innovative chair allows kids to wiggle and release excess energy while they work. Watch this video of a teacher who uses the Wobble Chair in her classroom. Video Interested in buying one for your child that can be used this year in 3rd grade and moved on up to 4th and 5th grade? Check out Really Good Stuff website for the best prices. A bit more expensive is the Hokki Stool (same concept) available at Discount School Supply. For taller students, I would recommend the 18" chair.
- Souper Bowl of Caring: The 4th grade Hunger Heroes are taking on local hunger needs for their PBL project. Please, bring in nonperishable food items (cans, boxes) to school. Last day is February 5th.
- Scholastic Book Orders: Our kids love to read! Scholastic book orders can be placed anytime. Just click on the link! Class code: NP79X Link: Scholastic Books. Thank you to Lucas's parents for placing a book order. This helps us to earn points to buy FREE books! Thank you!
- Six Flags Reading Program: Flyer with reading log went home in Thursday folders yesterday about this super fun way for kids to be rewarded for all their amazing reading they do at home. Complete the reading log on the back of the flyer by February 21st and return it to school no later than February 22nd (last day).
- STAAR Ready prep tests (late Feb and early March) and STAAR tests (mid-May): They are just around the corner. Want to help prepare your child at home? Suggestions for math: Xtramath, timed quizzes, ixl.com, and khan academy are excellent online resources your child has access to. The links to these sites can be found under the "Math Links" tab. Suggestions for reading: reading comprehension passages with questions. Check out the "Reading Links" tab for tons of great online resources. Check out this link for test questions from 2015, 2014 and 2013. STAAR Test Questions
- Unusual Reading Spot Contest: Does your kiddo love to read in fun and unusual spots? Check into this fun contest! Get contest rules and info by clicking here - The 4th Annual Unusual Reading Spot Contest
- Home Access Updated: I will continue to post grades weekly into Home Access. Please, check this regularly to stay on top of your kiddos performance in class. I will forewarn you that second semester can be more challenging as we prepare these kiddos for 4th grade. Expectations on graded work will increase. Home Access Link
- Wish Lists: If you are able and wanting to contribute other resources to our learning, go to my other wish list on Amazon. "Mrs. Lilleboe's Wish List" to find my classroom wish list. Thank you!
- Xtramath & Timed Quizzes- Get those math facts down....and fast with Xtramath and timed quizzes! Find links to these sites under the "Math Links" tab and other great math websites!! Keep up the good work!
Upcoming Dates:
- February 3: Early Release Day @ 12:45pm
- February 5: Spirit Assembly in the morning
- February 5: Traditional Tales Reading Test
- February 12: 3rd Grade Valentine's Day Party @ 1:30pm (bring your valentines for your classmates)
- February 15: No School - President's Day
- March 8: Economics Fair
In Reading, our new unit is Traditional Tales (legends, fables, folktales and myths). We will begin the unit reading some of our favorites like Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. Then, we'll dive in and read some tales that we may not be so familiar with. We'll approach the reading material using a few reading strategies: compare/contrast, cause/effect, themes (lesson/morals), sequence of events, etc. Some of the essential questions that will be answered are:
- What skills and strategies help me read for understanding and meaning?
- What elements set folktales, fables, legends, and myths apart from realistic fiction?
- How can my understanding of fiction help me comprehend folktales, fables, legends, and myths?
- How do characters, plot, and setting work together in this story?
- How is the setting similar and different to setting in other stories of this genre?
- How can understanding the theme support my comprehension of this story?
- What can I learn from mentor writers as I gather ideas and compose imaginative stories?
- How do writers use the writing process as they compose imaginative stories?
Our Traditional Tales response this week using Padlet. Click here to see our Padlet.
In Writing, we started and completed our PBL project using our research notefacts. Kids created either a magazine/newspaper article or a Google slide show. We also wrote letters to the LRCA about "Saving Brushy Creek Trail". The letters are amazing and so powerful. I'm very proud of our kiddos and their strong voices!!
In Math, we are back in to the thick of it with fractions. We reviewed fractions units using fraction bricks, fraction circles and fraction bars. We also learned about equivalent fractions. There are tons of fraction skills on ixl.com for further practice at home. Click on the math links tab for the ixl.com link.
In Science, we started our new unit, Ecosystems (habitats, food chains, adaptations, populations, etc). There are oodles of Brainpop videos on ecosystems. Review these videos and do the quizzes for fun to brush up! Ecosystem Videos Login username: elsaengland password: leopards
In Social Studies, we started our Economics Unit. We learned about "needs" and "wants" and their differences. Information about the Economics Fair will be going home on Monday. The kids will need to start working at home on a product they would like to sell at the Economics Fair. The Fair is March 8th.