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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Beautiful Weekend

Hello all!  Wasn't it a beautiful weekend?  I hope that you enjoyed time outdoors, as I am sure many of the students in this class did!  It sounds like reality will hit by mid-week when it is supposed to cool down and rain.  Happy Spring!

On Friday, we had many of our students from our class participate in the "Kid Wind Challenge."  They were to build a wind turbine out of different materials and test the amount of energy and power it generated in a wind tunnel.  The students that participated from our class were Tyler, Ashley, Chance, Hunter, Dylan, Jenaya, Cole, Hope, Ethan, Garret, Cameron, and Jay.  To our surprise, we had 3 teams  rank in the top ten of all the wind turbines built.  These teams generated high amounts of power and energy.  The teams were Ashley and Ethan, Tyler and Garret, and Cole, Hope, and Chance.  Congratulations on your accomplishments!

Your child is bringing home a WEEK long homework assignment for Story Jumper.  Your child is expected to work on Story Jumper 3 times this week.  Please see the sheet and help your child complete the assignment.  The sheet needs to be returned on Friday, May 3rd.  Thanks!

Thanks for all the help with your child's simple machine car!  The students absolutely LOVED racing the cars down the inclined plane and racing for speed and distance.  Cole had the fastest car while Nicole's car went the furthest distance.  Later this week, your child will be bringing home an assessment sheet of their car.  Please look this over and contact me with any questions.  Thanks!

Have a great week!  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns!  Thank you!

Sincerely,
Mrs. McCarville

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Busy Week Ahead....


Hello, hello!  We are nearing the end of April, but unfortunately, it feels like March!  Hopefully this week will not be as wet as last week was.  

This week, all third graders will be taking a field trip for Arbor Day.  On Thursday, April 25th, we will be traveling to the Nature Center in Vernon Springs where the students will be going through several “stations” and will learn many things about nature and wildlife.  Students will not need to bring their own lunch that day, as the school will be supplying the sack lunches.  The field trip will be from 10AM to 2PM, so please see that your child wears pants, tennis shoes, and a coat.  The Nature Center has asked that the students not wear shorts or capris because we may be outside in taller grasses.  If you have any questions, please ask.  Thank you!

KidWind is coming to Cresco!  On Friday, April 26th, our 3rd grade students will be participating in various KidWind activities.  Students will determine how a generator works, generate human power, move a sail car, and test how fast wind is.  Students will also be given the opportunity to build a wind turbine and test the speed of its blades.  Students that enter this challenge will be given a box of blade materials.  They can then build the best set of blades they can and enter them into the instant blade design competition.  Blades will be tested in our wind tunnel.  Students should use what they have learned from our KidWind days so they can apply that knowledge during this challenge.  Not all students have chosen to participate in the competition as this was optional.  I will keep you posted on the results of the day.  How fun! 

Hopefully your child had fun creating his/her simple machines car.  Many of you questioned if the ramp/inclined plane counted as a second simple machine for the car.  The inclined plane was NOT counted as a simple machine as the simple machines needed to be included in or on the car.  We are racing the cars Monday afternoon to see which car can run the fastest and the one that can go the longest distance before stopping.  Then we will race against the other 3rd graders at a later date.  Sounds fun!

As stated last week: Not only does your child have Book Clubs assignments, he/she also has an assignment of publishing his/her draft from writing.  We are publishing our stories on a website titled "Story Jumper."  Your child has a login card for school and also has a login card for home.  YOUR CHILD IS BRINGING HOME ANOTHER COPY OF HIS/HER LOGIN CARD.  You will need to help set up his/her account at home.  I am expecting your child to work on his/her story throughout the next few weeks AT HOME.  MAPS, or MISIC, testing will continue for the next few weeks and we will not have access to a classroom set of laptops for several weeks.  Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to work on the books at school, so students will have to work on them at home.  If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, he/she can come in to the classroom before school at 8:00 AM and work on it during that time.  Your child will have to let me know if he/she is coming in before that morning, so I can plan on him/her being there.  PLEASE SEE THAT YOUR CHILD IS WORKING ON THIS AT HOME, ALONG WITH THE BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENTS.  BEGINNING NEXT WEEK, I WILL HAVE PARENTS SIGN OFF ON AN ASSIGNMENT SHEET TO INDICATE THAT YOUR CHILD IS MAKING PROGRESS ON HIS/HER BOOK.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.  Thanks!

Lastly, there will be a 3-hour early dismissal on Wednesday, April 24th, due to teacher in-service.  Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM, so please plan accordingly.  Thanks!

Please contact me with any questions or concerns!  Thank you!

Have a fantastic week!
Mrs. McCarville

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Where is Spring?

Hello to all!  Another week has passed and we are already at mid-April!  Unfortunately, it does not FEEL like April, so we are hoping for a Spring warm-up soon!

Last week, we began taking the MAPS, or MISIC, tests.  This week on Monday and Tuesday, we are planning on finishing the MAPS tests.  Please see that your child is getting a good night’s rest and having breakfast at home OR at school, so he/she is ready for the tests this week.  Also, like the Iowa Tests, please assure your child that these tests are important and it is important that he/she tries his/her best on the tests.  Your child is also aware of his/her score from the MAPS tests in the fall and has set goals of where he/she would like to score in the spring.  He/She brought home his/her goal sheet on Wednesday last week and I am hoping that it was shared with you.  The students seem to put more effort in to the tests when they are aware of their scores and can create a goal that they are trying to reach.  Ask your child about his/her tests.  Ask your child how he/she is doing on the tests.  Ask him/her how much effort is being put forth.  Just ask!  


Your child is bringing home an assignment for science.  We are finishing up our "Force and Motion"unit in science, and rather than having a test over the information that was learned, we are asking your child to show what he/she has learned in a different way.  Your child will be creating a car using at least two simple machines and then we will have a race to see which car will run the fastest on an inclined plane.  Please see the additional information being sent home about this assignment. 


Later this week, your child will be bringing home a poem to practice for "Poem in a Pocket Day" on Friday.  "Poem in a Pocket Day" takes place on Thursday, April 18th, but we are planning on celebrating it on Friday.  "Poem in a Pocket Day" is where you select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers (yes, even adults do this!), family, and friends.  Your child will be selecting a poem that he/she would like to share with our class on Friday.  We will share and exchange the poems on Friday.  Your child will not have to bring a poem from home, rather will choose one from school, bring the poem home to practice, and be prepared to share it on Friday.  Please listen to your child read this poem to you!  For more information about this day, please click the link below.

                                                               Poem in Your Pocket Day Information

Continue to ask your child about his/her assignments for Book Clubs.  Last week, the class as a whole was much more responsible about completing Book Clubs assignments and bringing his/her materials to class.  However, some students are reading some of his/her assignment but not fully completing it.  PLEASE CHECK OVER YOUR CHILD'S BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT HE/SHE IS READING WHAT WAS ASSIGNED.  CHECK EVERY FRIDAY AND MONDAY, AS THOSE ARE THE DAYS BOOK CLUBS ARE ASSIGNED.  YOUR CHILD IS ALSO TO BE WRITING THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE POST-IT NOTES THAT I HAVE PROVIDED THEM.  IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE POST-ITS, THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT.  STUDENTS MUST DO AT LEAST 3 POST-ITS EVERY ASSIGNMENT!  IF HE/SHE RUNS OUT OF POST-ITS, PLEASE REPLACE WITH POST-ITS OR OTHER PAPER FROM HOME.  If your child misplaced any of the information sheets and you would like a copy, please let me know so I can give you another copy.  Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!


Not only does your child have Book Clubs assignments, he/she also has an assignment of publishing his/her draft from writing.  We are publishing our stories on a website titled "Story Jumper."  Your child has a login card for school and also has a login card for home.  Your child should have brought home his/her login card.  You will need to help set up his/her account at home.  I am expecting your child to work on his/her story throughout the next few weeks AT HOME.  MAPS, or MISIC, testing will continue for the next few weeks and we will not have access to a classroom set of laptops for several weeks.  Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to work on the books at school, so students will have to work on them at home.  If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, he/she can come in to the classroom before school at 8:00 AM and work on it during that time.  Your child will have to let me know if he/she is coming in before that morning, so I can plan on him/her being there.  PLEASE SEE THAT YOUR CHILD IS WORKING ON THIS AT HOME, ALONG WITH THE BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENTS.  IF NECESSARY, I WILL HAVE PARENTS SIGN OFF ON AN ASSIGNMENT SHEET TO INDICATE THAT YOUR CHILD IS MAKING PROGRESS ON HIS/HER BOOK.  If your child has lost his card to login, please contact me so I can give him/her another one.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.  Thanks!

Please contact me with any questions or concerns!  Thank you!

Have a fantastic week!
Mrs. McCarville

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Finally Warming Up

Happy Monday, everyone!  I hope you enjoyed the somewhat mild weekend!  Hopefully the warm weather stays and melts what is left of the snow!

On Friday, your child was introduced to a website that we are going to publish our writing on.  It is titled "Story Jumper."  Your child has a login card for school and also has a login card for home.  Your child should have brought home his/her login card on Friday.  You will need to help set up his/her account at home.  I am expecting your child to work on his/her story throughout the next few weeks AT HOME.  MAPS, or MISIC, testing will begin this week and we will not have access to a classroom set of laptops for several weeks.  Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to work on the books at school, so students will have to work on them at home.  If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, he/she can come in to the classroom before school at 8:00 AM and work on it during that time.  Your child will have to let me know if he/she is coming in before that morning, so I can plan on him/her being there.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.  Thanks!


We have only finished the Iowa Tests a couple of weeks ago, and it is time to start talking about the MAPS, or MISIC tests.  Later this week, and Monday and Tuesday next week, we are planning on taking the spring MAPS tests.  We are taking the first test on Thursday and will take the other tests on the following Monday and Tuesday.  Please see that your child is getting a good night’s rest and having breakfast at home OR at school, so he/she is ready for the tests next week.  Also, like the Iowa Testing, please assure your child that these tests are important and it is important that he/she tries his/her best on the tests.  Your child is also aware of his/her score from the MAPS tests in the fall and has set goals of where he/she would like to score in the spring.  I will send home a copy of your child's goal sheet on Wednesday so you can discuss the importance of the tests with your child.  On his/her goal sheet, you will notice the average score for the spring, so you are aware of the "average score" for 3rd graders.  Please contact me with any questions. 


Yet another reminder about homework: Book Clubs are assigned every Monday and Friday.  Hopefully your child showed you the information sheets or explained how Book Clubs are organized.  Please remember to check that your child is completing his or her Book Club assignments.  BOOK CLUB READING IS TO TAKE PLACE AT HOME.  YOUR CHILD IS TO READ THE AMOUNT OF READING THE GROUP DECIDED ON AT HOME.  YOUR CHILD IS ALSO TO BE WRITING THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE POST-IT NOTES THAT I HAVE PROVIDED THEM.  IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE POST-ITS, THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT.  STUDENTS MUST DO AT LEAST 3 POST-ITS EVERY ASSIGNMENT!  Again, whatever your child is assigned on Friday, will be discussed on Monday.  Whatever your child is assigned on Monday, will be discussed on Friday.  Your child should have plenty of time to complete his or her reading for the next time the Book Club meets.  THIS IS HOMEWORK TO BE COMPLETED AT HOME.  IF YOUR CHILD MISPLACED ANY OF THE INFORMATION SHEETS AND YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN GIVE YOU ANOTHER COPY!  Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!

Lastly, there will be a 3-hour early dismissal on Wednesday, April 10th, due to teacher in-service.  Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM, so please plan accordingly.

Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. McCarville

Monday, April 1, 2013

April Warm Up?


We have officially started the month of April!  Wow!  Can you believe we are down to only two months left of this school year?!  Hasn't time flown by?  We still have A LOT of work to do before we end the year!

Book Clubs are in full force.  Hopefully your child showed you the information sheets or explained how Book Clubs are organized.  Please remember to check that your child is completing his or her Book Club assignments.  BOOK CLUB READING IS TO TAKE PLACE AT HOME.  YOUR CHILD IS TO READ THE AMOUNT OF READING THE GROUP DECIDED ON AT HOME.  YOUR CHILD IS ALSO TO BE WRITING THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE POST-IT NOTES THAT I HAVE PROVIDED THEM.  IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE POST-ITS, THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT.  Again, whatever your child is assigned on Friday, will be discussed on Monday.  Whatever your child is assigned on Monday, will be discussed on Friday.  Your child should have plenty of time to complete his or her reading for the next time the Book Club meets.  THIS IS HOMEWORK TO BE COMPLETED AT HOME.  Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!


I apologize for the mix-ups on the book orders last week.  I was planning on sending the book orders on Monday, but they did not get sent until Thursday.  Because they were not sent home until Thursday, book orders will now be due Friday, April 5th.  I would prefer that you send the book orders with the exact amount of money for it, but I can send back change if needed.  If you are writing a check, those can be made payable to either “Scholastic Book Club” or myself.  If you would like a FREE book for your child and a FREE book for the classroom, you can use the link on the top of the blog and order directly from the site.  Now that is a perk!  Thanks!

Your child is bringing home his or her math test.  There is a note attached to the top of your child's math test.  Please read over the note, look over the test with your child, sign the attached note, and send the note back with your child.  If your child has a review packet attached to the test, please see that your child is completing the review packet at home to review the skills that were missed on the test.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks a bunch!

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. McCarville