A big heartfelt thank you to all the family members that were able to join us at the John Ball Zoo today!  I hope you enjoyed seeing the results of the hard work your kids put into their animal research.  I'm super, SUPER proud of them.  Please share with me any photographs that were taken so that I may publish them on our private Facebook page.  


If you have an SLPS issued iPad block and/or charging chord at home, please send them back to school with your child ASAP so we can inventory prior to the last day of school.

Next week Thursday and Friday are half days of school.  Please be sure to arrange pick up time for your child at 11:50.

Short post today.  Only one more coming.  Thanks for keeping yourself informed!!!

Families, thank you so very much for supporting your child's success on the M-Step.  Every child was in attendance on testing days, well rested & fed.  It is such a privilege to teach in this amazing community!!!

These final weeks of school can be a bit of a challenge as routines are often thrown off.  I will do my best to keep you posted on any changes.  Please keep a careful eye on your child's daily planner & contact me with questions at any time.

Next Friday is Celebration Day.  If you are coming & having lunch with us, know that the sign up for a school lunch is now closed.  You're still welcome of course, just bring a sack lunch with you!!!

Here are some talking points from our week:

• How did you feel about your work on the M-Step?
• Do you know your new Just-Right reading level yet?
• What multiplication or division facts are you working on right now?
• What nonfiction text features are in your animal research reports?

Here are some dates for your calendar:

• 5/25 - Celebration Day
• 5/28 - Memorial Day, no school
• 6/1 - John Ball Zoo field trip
• 6/7 & 8 - 11:50 dismissal

Next week Tuesday & Wednesday we will be taking the M-Step.  Your child is already prepared academically to be as successful as he or she can be.  You can help them be successful by making certain they have a good night's sleep the night before & a healthy breakfast the morning of.......as you do every day!  I appreciate your efforts in eliminating disruptions by avoiding appointments, drop offs, etc. on our M-Step days. 

Ever heard of "summer slide?"  It is the decline of academic gains made during a school year that happen over the summer months.  Help your child avoid the summer slide by providing scheduled reading & math time every day over the summer.  Spending 20-30 minutes daily reading any book of choice then 20-30 minutes playing a math game on a device or with math facts can make a huge impact on success in the fall. 

Here are some talking points from our week:

• Can you sing the voyageur song?
• Name something you learning on our field trip to Connor Bayou.
• Show at least TWO ways you can add 3 digit numbers.
• Show at least TWO ways you can subtract 3 digit numbers.
• What things does a plant need to make its own food? 
• How close are you to completing your research writing?

Here are some upcoming dates for your calendars:

• 5/15 & 16 - M-Step
• 5/25 - Celebration Day
• 5/28 - No school, Memorial Day
• 6/7 & 8 - Half days, 11:50 dismissal

Not sure if today is a major holiday in every household, but it sure is in ours.  Happy Star Wars Day (May, the 4th?.....get it?!?!) and may the force be with you all!

Our last swim day for PE is Tuesday, May 8th.  Please help your child remember to bring a swuit and towel that day.

We are heading to Connor Bayou this coming Thursday to experience life as a French fur trader might have 200 years ago.  The kids will be canoeing that day.so be sure they're dressed for the elements.  Thank you to Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Bakale, and Mrs. Botbyl who will chaperoning this Thursday.  Remember we will need more chaperons for our June 1st trip to John Ball Zoo.

M-Step is happening May 15 and 16.  We appreciate your help keeping these school days free of interruptions, appointments, etc.  Make up tests can be difficult for students.

Some talking points from our week:

• Do you have all the research you need for your animal book?
• What is an empathy map (remember, you made one in STEM)?
• Name 3 nonfiction text features you will include in your animal book.
• How far have you come in your Mad Minutes facts?
• What are the 4 main parts of a plant & what are their jobs?

Some important dates for your calendars:

• 5/8 - Swimming at SLFAC
• 5/10 - Filed trip to Connor Bayou
• 5/16 & 17 - M-Step
• 5/25 - Celebration Day
• 5/28 - No school, Memorial Day

The return of sunshine and warm(ish) temps are a mixed blessing to a classroom teacher.  It absolutely brightens the spirits, but it makes young minds a bit unfocused and antsy to be playing outside.  All your support to encourage perseverance for these final weeks of third grade is appreciated.

I am hopeful at least some of you will be attending the annual Shin-Dig this Saturday.  All funds raised will go towards arts education for all SLPS students.
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M-Step testing will take place the mornings of May 15 & 16.  Avoidance of outside appointments during those days is appreciated more than you can possibly know.

We are swimming again this coming Tuesday.  Thanks for helping your child remember to bring a suit and towel.

Here are some talking points from our week:

• Name at least on way NF writers might organize their writing.
• Name something you have learned from each of your animal's subtopics.
• How did you do on your topic 14 math test?
• What are the 3 branches of Michigan's government?
• What was your favorite part of our Earth Weke activities?
• What have you learned about people with autism?

Some upcoming dates for your calendars:

• 4/28 - Shin-Dig
• 5/1 - Swimming at the SLFAC
• 5/1 - Cool School Day at Front Porch
• 5/8 - Swimming at the SLFAC
• 5/15 & 16 - M-Step in the AM

Don't get me wrong, I love a snow day.  But in APRIL?!?! Go home, snow & cold.  You've worn out your welcome.

Students are busily researching for their upcoming PBL (project based learning).  All of their reading, researching, & hard work will culminate in awesome projects that will be publicly displayed at the John Ball Zoo on June 1st.  Everyone is welcome!
 
Third grade classes will be swimming at the SLFAC on Tuesday, April 24th, May 1st & 8th.  Please remember to send your child with a suit and towel.

Thank you parents for sending in $2 for your child to attend our Connor Bayou field trip on May 10th.  We are all set for chaperons for this trip.  If you have not sent in your child's money yet, PLEASE do so by Tuesday 4/24.  If you are not able to send in $2 for your child, please just email me privately.  

Here are some talking points from our week:

• A gram is about this same weaght as what?  How about a kilogram?
• How many milliliters does it take to make a full liter?
• When doing research, what is the FIRST thing you do with your books?
• What jobs are part of Michigan's executive branch of government?  Do you know the names of any of these members?
• Did you like the autism book we Mrs. O read in the "jungle?"

Here are some important upcoming dates:

• ​4/24, 5/1 & 8 - swimming at SLFAC
• 5/10 - Filed trip to Connor Bayou
• 5/15 &16 - MStep (Please avoid out of school appointments on these days)
• 5/25 - Jeffers Celebration Day
• 6?1 - JB Zoo field trip

What a treat it has been to FINALLY see the sun!!!

We have wrapped up our study of fictional characters & are gearing up for our final reading unit of the year.......research clubs.  This will culminate in a trip to the John Ball Zoo on June 1st.  All are welcome to join us, so save the date.

Today students finished the fractions chapters in math.  This can be a tough concept for 8-9 year olds, but most did remarkably well on their test.  Way to show grit!!!

Your child might be bringing home their fairy tale to work on over the weekend.  On Tuesday of next week we will be meeting with the kindergarten classes to read them our stories.  

Here are some talking points from our week:

• Tell me about your fairy tale.  Are you PROUD of the work you've done on it?
• What do you think of The One & Only Ivan?  Which character is your favorite?  Why?
• How many AR tests did you pass this week?
• What was your score on your chapter 13 math test?
• What did Deputy Smoes teach you about safety this week?
• Tell me your favorite part about the magic assembly.

Some dates for your calendars:

• 3/26 - Last day to bring books in for book swap
• 3/30-4/6 - Spring break
• 4/10 - No school
• 5/10 - Field trip to connor Bayou
• 6/1 - JB Zoo visit

To quote a Facebook post:  It's like winter is really mad, keeps storming out of the room, and then coming back yelling "AND ANOTHER THING.....!"  Everyone, think warm thoughts!!!

Summer might seem like a long way off, but it will be here before we know it!  This allows kids more opportunities to enrich their lives becuase learning never ends.  Knowing camps fill up quickly, I'm sharing some that have been recommended to me as highly worthwhile.  It's never too early to at least check out!

1. Ottawa County Parks Program  
2. Hope College Science Camps
3. Muskegon Community College WINGS 
4. Kendall College of Art & Design Summer Youth Studies

Some talking points from our week:

• How many fairy tale drafts have you completed? 
• Which one are you making into a published, illustrated story?
• How are the words reduce, reuse, recycle similar?  How are they different?
• Why is it important for humans to reduce the amount of energy we use?
• Do you have any books you can donate to the book swap?
• What do you notice when comparing fractions with the same numerator? 
• What do you notice when comparing fractions with the same denominator?

Some upcoming dates for you calendars:

• 3/19 - Magic assembly during school
• 3/21 - World Down Syndrome Awareness Day; Rock Your Socks
• 3/30-4/6 - Spring Break
• 4/10 - No school (teacher PD)
• 4/12 - Lumberjack visit during school

It was delightful to meet with all of you at your child's conference last week.  Thank you for supporting your child's education with your participation.  I'd have a much harder job without such wonderful parents!!!

Thank you for staying updated on our fun March is Reading Month activities via the calendar.  Kids had fun reading with flashlights today!  I hope your child is enjoying Stuart Little, as well.

Until this late winter weather finally surrenders to spring, it's a good idea to send your child with winter outdoor clothing........just in case!!!

Topic 12 math test scores are being sent home today.  Lots of success stories and reasons to celebrate.  Fractions are tricky, but these kiddos persevered!!!

Some talking points from our week:

• Can you describe how two book characters are silimar to one another? How are they different?  Can you show evidence in your books?
• What are the traits of the main character in your favorite adapted fairy tale?
• Name at least 2 reasons why should we limit our use of plastic, glass, and paper    
• In a fraction, what does a denominator represent?  A numerator?

Some important upcoming dates:

• 3/30 - 4/8 - Spring break 2018
• 4/10 - No school, teacher PD
• 4/12 - 3rd grade lumberjack visit

I am looking forward to meeting with all of you next week at your scheduled parent-teacher conference.  If you have not yet scheduled a time, please do so ASAP.  The link will close at 4PM Friday the 23rd.
Due to our upcoming conferences, Thursday & Friday of next week are half days of school.  Students will be dismissed at 11:50 AM.
Book Fair will take place during conferences.  All proceeds benefit the Jeffers library.  A book is a GREAT way to reward a student for a good conference (hint, hint).  We will go to the fair as a class next Friday.
If you ordered endangered species t-shirts, they were delivered to your child today & should have been brought home.  Please check with your child when they get home!

Here are some talking points from our week:

• Name one of the fairy tales you're adapting for writing.
• Describe a main character's journey on the story mountain.
• What would be the unit fraction of something cut into 3 pieces?  5 pieces? 8?
• What does a numerator represent in a fraction?  How about a denominator?
• What is the difference between renewable and NONrenewable resources?  
• Name an example of a renewable resource.  Name a NONrenewable resource.

Here are some upcoming dates for your calendar:

• 2/26 - Honors choir concert
• 2/28 - PT conferences 5-8:00
• 3/1 - PT conferences 1-4:00 & 5-8:00
• 3/1 & 2 - 11:50 student dismissal
• 3/5 - Report cards emailed home