Welcome, May!

Arbor Day was a great success!  Fortunately, they were able to adjust the schedule at the Nature Center so we had a great experience.  We had a gorgeous day and learned a lot.  We also received trees so hopefully your child will get an opportunity to plant his/her tree.  Happy Planting!

Your child is bringing his/her last "Math Fact Study Log" sheet this Monday.  We have several students that have passed all of the multiplication facts.  I would like to congratulate Landen for being the first in the class to pass and receive the gumball machine.  Woot, woot, Landen!  Even if your child has passed all the multiplication facts, I am asking your child to practice the facts at least 3 times this week.  When your child practices the facts, please initial the days practiced on the log sheet.  Your child should know what fact families he/she should be working on.  The order we will test on the fact families are as follows: 0, 1, 2, 10, 5, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9.  THIS IS HOMEWORK AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE. Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!

Last week, we celebrated "Poem in a Pocket Day."  "Poem in a Pocket Day" took place on Thursday, April 24th.  "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 selected a poem that he/she shared with our class on their own blog page.  Please go onto our class blog page and read the poem your child (and others) shared.  For more information about this day, please click the link below.
      Poem in Your Pocket Day Information

Have a great week!  Please contact me with any questions/concerns.

Mrs. McCarville

Busy Week Ahead of Us

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their Spring Break!  Now we have 6 weeks to fit A LOT in before the end of the year!  We also have quite a busy week ahead of us!  We have MISIC, or MAPS, testing and we also have a field trip to the Nature Center for Arbor Day.  Busy, busy!

Beginning tomorrow, and finishing on Wednesday and Friday, we are planning on taking the spring MISIC, or 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 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 TODAY 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.  You will also see your child's fall score and the goal that your child set for each test.   Please contact me with any questions about the goals.  Thanks!

This week, all third graders will be taking a field trip for Arbor Day.  On Thursday, April 24th, 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 we are asking that your child dress in layers as it will be cooler in the morning.  Please see that your child wears pants, tennis shoes, and a coat/sweatshirt.  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!

Your child will continue to bring home a "Math Fact Study Log" sheet this Monday.  Again, I am asking your child to practice his/her multiplication facts at least 3 times per week.  When your child practices the facts, please initial the days practiced on the log sheet.  Your child should know what fact families he/she should be working on.  The order we will test on the fact families are as follows: 0, 1, 2, 10, 5, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9.  Your child will bring home a "Math Fact Study Log" sheet every MONDAY and will need to return the previous log sheet the following MONDAY. THIS IS HOMEWORK AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE.  Please continue to have your child practice these facts and sign the sheet until further notice. Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!

Lastly, there will be a 3-hour early out on Wednesday, April 23rd, due to teacher inservice.  Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM, so please plan accordingly.  

Have a great week!
Mrs. McCarville

Shortened Week

Well it is official!  We are halfway through the month of April and yes, it did snow last night.  Winter will not give up.  Please see that your child is still dressing for those colder days as many have not been wearing coats to school!   BRRR!  I have told the class to "dress in layers" as the mornings are much cooler than the afternoons.

Your child has been taking home a "Math Fact Study Log" sheet every Monday.  I have typically been sending the sheet every Monday.  However, I will NOT send the facts this week.  While your child should be practicing, I am not sending the sheet due to our "Spring Break" weekend.  I will send the sheet again NEXT MONDAY.  Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!

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.  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.  One change for Book Clubs this week is that the reading assigned for tonight, needs to be completed by THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH (due to the 3 day weekend).  Thursday's assignment will need to be completed by MONDAY, APRIL 21ST.  Please contact me with any questions.  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 next week we are planning on taking the spring MAPS tests.  We are taking the first test next Tuesday, one on Wednesday, and the last one on Friday. 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 NEXT MONDAY 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. 

Later this week, I will be sending your child's Unit 6 assessment in math.  Please look over the test with your child and discuss the test with him/her.  Look over the questions that were missed and ask your child to solve the missed questions.  Please sign the sheet attached to the test to indicate that you have looked over the test and discussed the missed problems.  Finally, please have your child return the sheet to me.  THIS IS HOMEWORK!  Some of the students are receiving a review packet.  Your child IS EXPECTED to complete the packet at home with help from you.  Your child does NOT need to return the packet, but your child DOES need to complete it.  If you would like for your child to turn it into me, I would be more than willing to check it over and let your child know how he/she did.  If you have any questions when the tests go home today, please contact me.  Thank you!

Lastly, there is no school on Friday, April 18th, due to "Spring Break."  Enjoy!

Mrs. McCarville

Chatty Day

Unfortunately, we had a rather chatty afternoon today.  We ended our science early and will finish it during our recess tomorrow.  What a bummer!  It is apparent that suckers need to be taken away a bit earlier and more parent contact sheets need to be filled out.  As an idea, ask your child how he/she is behaving in class.  Is he/she talking to friends and not listening?  Is he/she showing Cadet Pride?  Ask your child and see what he/she says.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for 3C!

Busy Week Ahead

Well we finally had a warmer weekend!  The class is ready for nice days to get outside and burn some energy!  Spring needs to come and STAY!

On Thursday, 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 will be bringing home his/her login card TODAY.  You will need to help set up his/her account at home.  If possible, please have your child work on his/her story throughout AT HOME.  This is not mandatory but some students have shown interest in showing his/her story to parents or possibly work on it at home.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.  Thanks!

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!


Today, I am sending home your child's book order.  Your child is bringing home several different flyers for you and your child to look at.  The book order should have a due date (MONDAY, APRIL 14TH) and an online code (GQLKG) that you can use when ordering.  It is your choice to order online or to send a check or cash to school with your child.  If you choose to send book orders to school, please make checks payable to "Scholastic Book Clubs" and not to me.  Again, please see the flyers for the due date and class activation code (for ordering online). Thank you and Happy Reading!

Lastly, there will be a 3-hour early dismissal on Wednesday, April 9th, due to teacher in-service.  Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM, so please plan accordingly.

Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. McCarville