September 12-16

MAP testing is complete!  This was a new experience for these kiddos.  They had to learn very quickly that when we take an important test online, that the room needs to stay quiet for over an hour.  It was quite the challenge for many of them, but they all did GREAT!  I will have final results from the MAP tests for you at parent conferences in October.

Reading
We are back on track with our Rigby reading this week.  The students will take their Theme 2 test on Friday.  We will spend the week working on vocabulary and asking questions. 

I am planning on beginning reading groups this week as well.

Spelling
We will resume with spelling this week.  The Rigby word list contains a "consonant blend" pattern. (ex. gr-, sl-), and the Challenge list contains the prefix "mono-" which means 'one'.

Writing
The class is moving into the publishing stage of their stories. They should be completed by the end of the week.  I will also be introducing how to write showing a sequence of events.
In memory of Sept. 11th, the class will be writing letters today to firemen to thank them for being such brave and heroic citizens.  Some local firemen will be coming to visit the 3rd graders later this week so that they can learn more about what it takes to be a fireman.
Grammar focus this week will be subjects and predicates.

Math
We will be completing Topic 2 this week with a test on Friday. 
This week in math the students will be learning about:
   *Estimating Differences
   * Making sense of addition and subtraction equations
   * Problem solving
   * Reveiw for Test

Science
We will be having our Solar Cookout this Friday (weather permitting).  We will be assembling the cookers on Thursday afternoon.  See the attached flyer for more details.  We still need another volunteer to help that afternoon and quite a few more items to be donated. 
If the weather is uncooperative on Friday, we will have the actual cookout on Monday.  Bottom line is...we need a sunshiny day!

Social Studies
We are continuing to learn about communities and will be building 3-dimensional rural, suburban and urban communities this week.  We are planning a community walk next week down to our local McDonalds.  Look for a permission slip form to come home for that event.

Have a great week!