- Think Through Math Program: We have started a new and exciting math program...Think Through Math (TTM). A parent letter with your child's log in and password information (Star card) was sent home yesterday in Thursday folders. This is fun and motivating way to do math online! Ask you child to log in and show you all the cool things this program offers!!! The link to Think Through Math is under the "Math Links" tab on this website.
- Calling on Field Trip Volunteers! Our Field Trip is booked! The whole 3rd grade will be going on the same day to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center on Friday, February 26th. We will have a picnic lunch on the grounds of the center. Kids will need to bring a sack lunch, water bottle and snack. Volunteers are needed! You will need to complete the volunteer background check. Click here for information on background checks. The cost of the field trip for students will be covered. Volunteers will need to bring their own entrance fee $10.00 and provide their own transportation. Please, let me know if you are interested in volunteering!
- Spring Scholastic Book Orders: Spring book order forms are here! Check out the order form that was in yesterday's Thursday folder. Get a jump on next year's Blue Bonnet Books. Four of next year's blue bonnet books are available through Scholastic! These books are listed on our class wish list, just log into Scholastic to see. Just click on the link! Class code: NP79X Link: Scholastic Books.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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 15: No School - President's Day
- February 17: Economics Fair Project - Check in
- February 22: Six Flag Reading Program - Reading log is due!!
- February 26: 3rd Grade Field Trip - Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
- March 8: Economics Fair (all 35 - 40 products due)
In Reading, we started back up with Informational (nonfiction) text. We read a PBL related article "City Critters" in Scholastic News. We got a chance to visit the library and check in and out books (we were unable to last week due to early release day). We are also going back and reviewing various reading strategies (ways in which we can comprehend what we read) using informational text. Last but not least, Mr. Weiler came in as a special guest teacher and taught us how to create a Powtoon. We will create a Powtoon next week relating to our PBL project for the morning announcements!
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. Along with revising and editing, we will go back and review some writing conventions. This week we reviewed and practiced "Conjunctions" and "Adverbs" in our Write Source Books. We will also began writing our Informational writing piece. This will be on an endangered animal from the habitat in which each student has researched. We selected our endangered animal and began completing a graphic organizer (main topic and subtopics). This will be an ongoing writing piece for the next couple of weeks.
In Math, we are back in to the thick of it with multiplication and division! This time our focus will be on 3's, 6's, 7's and 9's facts. Kids can build up these math facts by going to www.multiplication.com. We also started a new fun and exciting math program called Think Through Math! This awesome individualized math program can be done at home as well as school. Log in information was sent home yesterday in Thursday folders.
In Science, we wrapped up our Ecosystems and Food Chains unit with a test yesterday. We will continue to work on our PBL project and begin our next unit, Weather and Water Cycles this upcoming week.
In Social Studies, we are in deep into our Economics Unit. We learned about "goods" and "services" and their differences. Information about the Economics Fair went home earlier this week. Ask your child about the Economics Fair Check Sheet (with due dates). This sheet is in your child's Passport folder. The kids will need to start working on their product at home. The Fair is March 8th.