Mrs. Alexander's 3rd Grade Class

We are hitting multiplication facts really hard in math right now.  Starting Monday, January 28th,  Multiplication Madness will begin!  Please start drilling and multiplying the multiplication facts with your students this week.  The students are expected to drill their math facts at home along with learning strategies at school.  The students have to pass off their 0′s to 12′s for a required grade. Every student will be given 10 problems to pass off in one minute. Multiplication facts are a huge part of the third grade math core curriculum. The students will have to spend time at home working on these facts in order to pass them off in the time table we have set.  The students will have the opportunity to pass off their multiplication facts as many times as they can before the celebration.  We will focus on one fact a week, I will let you know what facts we are working on each week.  Our Multiplication Madness Banana Split Celebration will take place on Thursday, March 28th from 2:00-3:00.  

Each part of the Banana Split is one of the multiplication facts that needs to be passed off.  You will get that part of the Banana Split ONLY if you pass off that actual fact.
0′s – Placemat
1′s- Napkin
2′s – Bowl
3′s – Spoon
4′s – Banana
5′s – Scoop of Strawberry Ice Cream
6′s – Scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream
7′s – Sprinkles
8′s – Strawberry topping
9′s – Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
10′s – Chocolate Fudge topping
11′s – Whipped Cream
12′s – Cherry on Top!!!

                                      The time is always right to do what is right.
                                                        ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.        
This Week:
1/21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
1/22: 
1/23: 
1/24: Library
1/25: Early Release, Dollar Dress Down 

Classroom Information:
More dates have been added to this list. Please update your calendars with the following events:

January 29th & 31st- Parent-Teacher Conferences (Please Sign up if you haven’t)
February 4th- Multiplication Madness Kickoff
February 18th- NO SCHOOL: President’s Day
February 27th- Field Trip to the Living Planet Aquarium
March 28th- Multiplication Madness Celebration
April 1st-5th – Spring Break
April 10th- Field Trip to the Museum of Curiosity
May 23rd @ 1:30- Mrs. Alexander’s 3rd grade Class Play

FIELD TRIPS: Permission Slips will be coming home with your child this week. Be on the lookout!


Math in Class
In Math we are taking two-step word problems further by creating equations involving unknowns and using all four operations to solve. We are continuing our focus on learning our x7 facts. Please continue to practice these facts using the Twinkle, Twinkle tune.  Encourage your child to teach you the other songs that we’ve learned as well (I’ve listed them below). Practicing at home is very helpful!
x2- Jingle Bells
x3- Happy Birthday
x4- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
x6- Frosty the Snowman
x7- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star




















Language Arts in Class
We continue studying the expository text “Big Ideas From Nature”. Our essential question, What ideas can we get from nature?, has sparked great conversation in class. We’ve learned that walking canes designed to help the blind were inspired by the echolocation used by bats and dolphins. We’ve also learned how shark skin has led to advancements in swimsuits and that bees’ vision is inspiring auto makers to develop safer cars.  Our comprehension skill that we will be focusing on is main idea and supporting detail, and our strategy is summarizing.


Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

Work hard. Be kind.

                                      A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
                                                               ~ William Arthur Ward                                                                                                                                                          
This Week:
1/14: STEM
1/15: Acadience assessments (DIBELS)
1/16: Acadience assessments (DIBELS)
1/17: Library
1/18: Early Release, Spirit Day


Classroom Information:
We have so many important dates coming up. Please make note of the following events:

January 21st- NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 29th & 31st- Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 4th- Multiplication Madness Kickoff
February 18th- NO SCHOOL: President’s Day
March 28th- Multiplication Madness Celebration

FIELD TRIPS: More information will be available as we get a bit closer
February 27th- Living Planet Aquarium (bus field trip) 
April 10th- Museum of Curiosity (Frontrunner) ***Due to Museum restrictions, we are limited in the number of parents that accompany us. The first 10 parents that contact me through email or BLOOMZ message will be signed up to attend***
aalexander@questac.org
BLOOMZ app class code: B4AW7S


Math in Class
In Math we will be modeling two-step word problems using all four operations. The multiplication fact we are focusing on this week is x7. The fun song we use to help remember our multiples of seven is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  Encourage your child to teach you the other songs that we’ve learned as well (I’ve listed them below). Practicing at home is very helpful!
x2- Jingle Bells
x3- Happy Birthday
x4- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
x6- Frosty the Snowman
x7- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star



Language Arts in Class
The main story we will be reading is this week is , “Big Ideas From Nature” which is an expository text and our essential question is: What ideas can we get from nature?  Our comprehension skill that we will be focusing on is main idea and supporting detail, and our strategy is summarizing.


Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

Work hard. Be kind.

                  Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their                                                            echoes are truly endless
                                                                                       ~ Mother Teresa                                                                                                                                                             
Important Dates:
1/7: STEM
1/8: 
1/9: 
1/10: Library
1/11: Early Release, Spirit Day


Classroom Information:
We are back in the swing of things and it feels good! It is always challenging to keep up with our daily pace after a break, so I have been encouraging everyone to get plenty of rest and have a healthy breakfast before school. 

Math in Class
In Math we will be focusing on solving one-step word problems with multiplication and division. Using fun songs, we have also been learning our multiplication facts. We will begin timed tests on multiplication facts through 12 soon. Practicing at home is very helpful!

Language Arts in Class
The main story we will be reading is this week is , “Earth” which is an expository text and our essential question is: What do we know about Earth and its neighbors?  Our comprehension skill that we will be focusing on is main ideas and supporting detail, and our strategy is summarizing.


Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

Work hard. Be kind.

      Strive for PROGRESS, not PERFECTION                                                                                 

Important Dates:
1/2: Welcome Back!
1/3: Library
1/4: Early Release, Spirit Day


Classroom Information:
Welcome back, and HAPPY 2019! I hope you all had a wonderful and restful break. It’s time to get back to work, and I am so excited for all of the fun to come. 

Math in Class
In Math we will be focusing on solving one-step word problems with multiplication and division


Language Arts in Class
The main story we will be reading is this week is , “Earth” which is an expository text and our essential question is: What do we know about Earth and its neighbors?  Our comprehension skill that we will be focusing on is main ideas and supporting detail, and our strategy is summarizing.


Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

                                           It’s the most wonderful time of the year!                                                          

Important Dates:
12/10: STEM (in classroom), Tulip presentation from Thanksgiving Pointe
12/11: 
12/12: Pancakes and PJs
12/13: Library, Choir Performance
12/14: Grinch Party, Classroom Celebration, Early Release
12/17-1/1: Winter Break
1/2: Welcome Back!!!

Classroom Information:
What a week we have in front of us! We have a number of fun activities sprinkled throughout the week that we are looking forward to, as well as a great deal of work to be accomplished. Needless to say, we will be moving at a pretty quick pace. 

Classroom Celebration
We will be having hot (warm) cocoa in class on Friday as part of our classroom celebration. If, for any reason, your child cannot have hot cocoa or the toppings, please let me know via email so that I can make other arrangements for them.

Please have your child bring in a small, wrapped gift for the White Elephant exchange. Remember that this does not need to be anything fancy or expensive, just something that your child would appreciate receiving. If you need any assistance with this, please do not hesitate to send me a BLOOMZ message or email! 

Thank you to those of you who have signed up to help with our classroom celebration, and thank you to those who have sent in items. I am still in need of someone to set up a table for our cocoa buffet and a few people to help make green-sugared popcorn. I need enough popcorn for each student to have a lunch-size paper bag full. If anyone is in need of a recipe, I have an exceptionally simple one to share.

Math in Class
This week we will use place value to multiply. Take a look at the Family Letter below to see how we will be implementing our knowledge. 
  
Language Arts in Class
This week we will be doing a book study on The Polar Express. We are going to be putting all of the comprehension skills and strategies that we have learned to work as we read this beloved story. We are also putting the final touches on our informational essay about reindeer.


Homework:
Please, please, pretty please continue to read throughout the break. And, have the most relaxing and memorable holiday!

Work hard. Be kind.

                                               “Don’t limit a child to your own learning,                                                                            for he was born in another time.”
                                                               – Rabindranath Tagore                                                                           

Important Dates:
12/03: STEM Lab
12/04: 
12/05: 
12/06: Library
12/07: Early Release, Spirit Day

Classroom Information:
I cannot believe we only have 2 short weeks left before we go on Christmas break (December 17-January 1). We have SO much to accomplish that these next few days will fly by. On Friday, December 14th we will have our 3rd grade Grinch Party, as well as a small classroom celebration.  There is a BLOOMZ post with more information on how we celebrate in 3rd grade! For our classroom celebration each student will need to bring a small wrapped gift for a white elephant gift exchange by Thursday, December 13th. This does not have to be anything big or expensive, it should just be something that your child would enjoy receiving. 

Math in Class
This week we will continue working on addition and subtraction using place value.

Language Arts in Class
We are diving deeper into our study on landmarks, and will continue focus on main ideas and supporting detail. As well as continuing our study on landmarks, we are also working on informational writing. We are learning all about caribou and how they are equipped to live in their environment.

Changing Weather:
The weather is getting cooler and we are bound to have some rainy and snowy days. Please make sure that your child comes to school prepared for the weather of the day. Snow boots, coats, rain jackets, and gloves are helpful to have on hand during these colder months. I have a few knit hats and pairs of gloves that were donated to our class. If your child needs some, please send me an email, BLOOMZ message, or have your child tell me and I will get them whatever they need.

Lost Coat?
Our Lost & Found is overflowing! If your child has brought a coat, hat, gloves to school and they have disappeared they could, very well, be in the lost & found bin in the lobby. Please remind your child to take a look, and I promise to give them a reminder as well.

Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

                                                     Strive for PROGRESS, not PERFECTION                                                                                 

Important Dates:
11/26: STEM Lab
11/27: 
11/28: 
11/29: Library
11/30: Early Release, Spirit Day

Classroom Information:
Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. We have 15 school days until Winter Break and these are generally some of the most difficult. Anticipating the long break makes it difficult for students to stay focused. While I’ll be reviewing our classroom procedures, I ask that you encourage your child to do their best for the next 3 weeks.
We will also be having our class Grinch Party on Friday, December 14th. We will be having a small White Elephant gift exchange. More details to come!

Math in Class
This week we will be working on addition and subtraction using place value.


Language Arts in Class
The main story we will be reading is this week is , “A Mountain of History” which is an expository text and our essential question is: How do landmarks help us understand our country’s history?  Our comprehension skill that we will be focusing on is main ideas and supporting detail

Changing Weather:
The weather is getting cooler and we are bound to have some rainy and snowy days. Please make sure that your child comes to school prepared for the weather of the day. Snow boots, coats, rain jackets, and gloves are helpful to have on hand during these colder months.

Lost Coat?
Our Lost & Found is overflowing! If your child has brought a coat, hat, gloves to school and they have disappeared they could, very well, be in the lost & found bin in the lobby. Please remind your child to take a look, and I promise to give them a reminder as well.

Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

                                                 Children must be taught HOW to think, not WHAT to think.
                                                                                 -Margaret Mead

Important Dates:
11/12: STEM Lab
11/13: 
11/14: 
11/15: Library
11/16: Early Release, Spirit Day

NO school next week (11/19-23): THANKSGIVING BREAK
Have a safe and restful week, and I look forward to seeing you on November 26th.

We will miss you, sweet Mollie!
One of the hardest things for a teacher to do is to say farewell to a student. Our smart, creative, kind, helpful, funny, and sweet Mollie has moved to Oregon with her family. As hard as we tried to hold on to her, we just couldn’t convince her parents to let her finish out the year with us. We wish her a fun, exciting, and adventurous journey. Thanks for being an amazing friend, and part of our 3rd Grade Quest family.Classroom Information:
On Friday, we had our very first Mastery raffle. Students have been working hard on their individualized learning path on iReady. For every lesson or quiz that is completed with a Mastery level of 3 or 4 (80% and up), they earn a raffle ticket. At the end of each week we hold a drawing for a fun prize. All tickets will then go into an end-of-year drawing. This is being done in each 3rd grade classroom, and we hope that it will be a fun motivator for students to put their best effort into each and every lesson.

Changing Weather:
The weather is getting cooler and we are bound to have some rainy and snowy days. Please make sure that your child comes to school prepared for the weather of the day. Snow boots, coats, rain jackets, and gloves are helpful to have on hand during these colder months.

Lost Coat?
Our Lost & Found is overflowing! If your child has brought a coat, hat, gloves to school and they have disappeared they could, very well, be in the lost & found bin in the lobby. Please remind your child to take a look, and I promise to give them a reminder as well.

Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

Work hard. Be kind.

                                                    The secret in education lies in respecting the student
                                                                  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Important Dates:
11/05: STEM Lab
11/06: 
11/07: 
11/08: Library
11/09: Early Release, Spirit Day
November 19-23 THANKSGIVING BREAK

Classroom Information:
We continue to work hard, move forward, and strive for mastery. Below, you can see a simplified explanation of how mastery is measured. It is important that students know that achieving a 3 is a great accomplishment. Effort and persistence will lead to success!



Changing Weather:
The weather is getting cooler and we are bound to have some rainy and snowy days. Please make sure that your child comes to school prepared for the weather of the day. Snow boots, coats, rain jackets, and gloves are helpful to have on hand during these colder months.

Homework:
No surprises! 20 minutes of reading every night and Reflex. Please make sure that your child gets a green light in Reflex AT LEAST 3 times during the week. If doing Reflex at home is not possible at times, please send me an email or Bloomz message so that I can arrange for your child to have an opportunity to get it completed at school.

Work hard. Be kind