Report Card Time and Literacy/Tech Night!

Well, it is that time again.  REPORT CARD TIME!!!!  The students are bringing home their report cards for the third quarter.  I still can't believe we are in our last quarter of the year.  (tear, tear)  It makes me sad to think that this great bunch of students will be leaving me soon.

Your child has seen his/her report card already.  I believe it is important for them to take some ownership in the report cards so they have already looked through and previewed their own report cards.  As in the past, parents must sign and return the envelope in which your third grade child brought his/her report card home in.  This is for me to know that the report card made it home and parents have had a chance to look it over. If you have any questions about your child's report card, feel free to contact me, but your students should be able to explain his/her grades the best.

Quick comment about literacy report cards......we are just wrapping up theme 4 next week.  Because of this, I did not complete theme 4 yet on the report card.  Students are still working on many components and strategies in theme 4 that I did not want to complete that part of the report card until we are done with the whole theme.  Just wanted to get that stated.

I send everyone's science and math assessments home last week (except one person who was absent and needed to finish).  If you did not see your child's assessment, please ask them about it.

Just a reminder that our Crestwood Elementary Literacy and Tech Open House is tomorrow night.  Students will be able to show you a few of the technology and literacy activities that we do in the classroom.  There is also a "free will" soup dinner being served from 5-7.  The menu includes chili or potato soup, rolls, and beverages.  It sounds like it is going to be a gorgeous night outside so take a stroll up to the elementary / jr. high and let your child showcase his/her classroom.  Hope to see all of you tomorrow night!!!

A reminder to keep working on multiplication facts at home for the Walking Taco Party.  We have been running out of time to assess them lately, as we are so busy, but I did do a bunch last week and many students have a LONG ways to go.  Please keep working on them at home so your child can participate in the Walking Taco party at the end of April.  Today we talked about "Fact Power" - they know what it means.  Ask them about it.  :)

Last comment involves sending a jacket along with your child.  Yes, I know it is beautiful outside and I am as guilty as the students in not wanting to wear a jacket.  Please remember that many students stand outside before school starts in the morning and it is chilly.  A jacket is needed during this time of the day.  Students know they must wear a jacket until it reaches 65 degrees - a school policy.   They can always keep that jacket in their locker if it warms up by noon or afternoon recess, but I would rather they not be cold outside in the morning.

Enjoy the beautiful week!

So Much To do. . .So Little Time

I am so excited to hear many students talk about their costumes and materials for their biography project!!! Hopefully that is a good sign that things are getting done at home. Yeah!!! I needed to make a comment about due dates. I was not thinking when I said that their notes were due April 2nd. We don't have school that day. . . .so.. . . your child can return his/her notes and books on Thursday, April 1st, or Monday, April 5th. Either one is fine. We will then start preparing for the presentations and a note will be sent home about when to have costumes and props at school. Right now, I am thinking that the costumes should be to school on Monday, April 12th. That is what we are aiming for. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email or phone. Thanks for your help with the project and I am anxious to see and hear what every one is learning.

This week we will be putting up a new book review on our blog pages. These book reviews will be videocast so hopefully we will have them up and running by the weekend for everyone to show their extended families. I would also appreciate any comments you, the parents, post for each child as well as that gives them more of an understanding of what and who their audience is.

A note was sent home today about MAPs testing starting next Tuesday. Please do not stress your child out as we have not talked about it yet. This Thursday, I will talk to the students about it in a calm way. On Monday, we will look at our old scores, individually of course, and set goals for the new set of tests. I have no doubt there will be improvement in all areas for all kids, which is what we want to see. Again, please do not stress your child out. It is another set of tests that we will try our best on and move on. I just wanted to call attention to the note that was sent home today.

Many students have been busy at home working through math concepts on my web page. That is outstanding! I am so impressed with the dedication many students are showing. To build in the area of reading, I will be putting some reading activities on my web page as well. I am going to try to post them tonight. It would be great if your child would try some of these sites as well to continue building his/her reading skills and strategies. We all know that students love to be on the computer, so take advantage of that time by having them do something productive and learning in a creative way. I have talked to the students about this and shown some of the activities for them to try.

In conclusion, I am sending home your child's science quiz from last week. Many students did wonderful, some did fine, and a few could have done better. Please take some time to look at your child's quiz and discuss with them the importance of using the study guides sent home (as their was one sent home 4 days before the quiz). Congrats to those who worked hard and studied! I am proud of you.

Report cards will be sent home tomorrow! The students are anxious to see them!
Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine!