Weekly Update #21: February 1st - February 5th

_Announcements:  ​

• 100th Day of School: Monday is the 100th Day of School. The kids are welcome to dress up like they are 100 years old. A flyer went home today giving suggestions for clothing, glasses, gray hair (spray or wig), etc. This is optional.
• Valentine's Day Mail Box and Cards: Please, have your child decorate a bag or box to collect Valentine cards from classmates. Also, bring your valentine cards for classmates too!  A flyer went home (pink) that had all the students names and fun suggestions in how to decorate the Valentines Mail Box. Pinterest is a great resource for fun ideas!!  Bring these items to school on Friday, February 12th. 
• 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 
• 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.  
• 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
• 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 9: Picture Day!
• February 9: Fractions Test - Equivalent fractions and comparing fractions using fraction models (fraction circle, fraction bars, number line). 
• February 11: Science Test - Ecosystems and Food Chains 
• 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, we wrapped up our unit on Traditional Literature this week. I think this was one of the class's favorite genres to explore. The kids loved reading the 25+ books that I had checked out from the library these past 2 weeks. Next week, we will return to Informational Text (Nonfiction reading).  

In Writing, we spent time looking at written work to find revising and editing corrections. There will be a revising and editing test in a week or so. We will continue to practice in class this up coming week. 

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 and comparing fractions (greater than, less than, and equal to).  Our test is on Tuesday. Please, practice online if possible. Comparing fractions and understanding equivalent fractions has been a bit challenging for some students. There are tons of math fraction games under the "math links" tab. Also, do fractions skills on ixl.com. 

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.  Our test is on Thursday.

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.