Tag Archives: MSTEP

Third Grade Update

Hello Families,
Here’s a learning update from third grade:

Writing:
We are working in research clubs and each club is studying an animal. They are in planning out their table of contents and subtopics. Each club member is in charge of writing a chapter or two and the research club will put their book together. Students are working on reading for research and working on organizing information and using different text structures.

Social Studies:
We are beginning to study the Geography of Michigan. We will learn how to use map skills and learn about the natural and human characteristics of Michigan.

Math:
We have started learning about area and perimeter and will move on to learn about characteristics of quadrilaterals.

Math Fact Fluency: We will do our fact fluency pages for only two more Fridays. It has really become evident that many third graders are not practicing multiplication facts and not completely retaining what they have learned. It is very crucial that our third graders are practicing their facts several times a week. This will be very important over the summer as well leading up to fourth grade.

Reading:
During our reading time, students are working on reading for research. They have been using different resources to gather information about their animal. They are learning to take notes so they will be able to write about their subtopic.

MSTEP testing is this week Thursday, May 6 and next Thursday, May 13. It will be important that your child is at school on time and that they have had a healthy breakfast and adequate sleep. If your child seems anxious or worried about this, it will be most helpful if you would remind them to just do their best to show what they know! They hear this from me a lot at school.   🙂

Book Order:
A Scholastic Book Order was sent home last week. This will be the last book order I send home for the year. This would be a great time to purchase books for Summer Reading!
If you plan to order, please place your order online by Friday, May 7. Thank you in advance for your purchases as it allows me to choose free books for our classroom library!

Our next early release day is May 21. Dismissal is at 12:15pm.

Our classroom is in need of some sandwich sized Ziploc bags. If you are able to donate, please send them in with your child. Thanks in advance!

 

Thank you for all your support!

Ms Van Arkel

 

 

Week of January 20, 2020

Here’s what’s happening in our third grade classroom:

Writing: We continue drafting our informational writing. This past week we did some research to include in our writing. We will work on revising and final drafts in the coming weeks.

Math: We have been reviewing measurement, graphing, and elapsed time. Our math test is tomorrow. A review page went home on Friday.

Reading: We have been reading informational texts and last week we started reading narrative nonfiction. We are excited to read biographies and learn more information about a person in history.

Social Studies: We have been studying the economics of Michigan. We are starting to learn about Manufacturing and Agriculture.

Homework Reminder:
Reading and Math Fact Log due every Monday.
Please help your child remember to sign on the days they read and practice facts. This is a great way to build responsibility in your third grader. 

New Homework Starting Wednesday: On Wednesday, your child will have a new homework assignment that they will need to complete on the computer. They will need to get on Clever to access this. You will receive an email explaining this in more detail. Today in class I showed the students how to get on and what they should click to complete their assignment. They may complete the assignment any time between Wednesday, the 22nd and Tuesday, the 28th.

Looking Ahead

January 31: Early Release. 12:15pm dismissal

Feb. 3-4: Winter Break

The M-STEP State testing for grades 3-5 will take place this spring.  I wanted you to have information on the dates in advance so that you can schedule appointments around these testing dates.

The dates for our M-STEP tests are as follows:

  • Grade 3: May 5, 6, 7  (9am-12 pm)

 

We had so much fun making slime on Friday. Thank you for donating supplies!

 

Update: Week of April 22

Here is an update for our week:

EARTH DAY: We celebrated Earth Day today by reading an article and completing some response questions. We also read a story and finished a craft ->see photo below. We talked about ways we can help our EARTH become a better place to live.

Writing/Reading: We are working on reading, researching, and studying a person in history. We are gathering information and will work on writing about this person.

Math: We have started our Fraction unit and we are learning about unit fractions and representing fractions on a number line.
Continue practicing math facts on MobyMax.

Social Studies: We are learning about the Government of Michigan.

Field Trip: A note went home today about a field trip to Meijer Gardens. The cost is $2.00 per student. Please send the form and money to school (in an envelope labeled with your child’s name) by May 3. We are allowed 4 chaperones per class. If you are interested in attending, please note this on the form and 4 chaperones will be randomly chosen.

REMINDER: As the weather gets nice, please let me know if your child will be riding their bike home. It is helpful to know if there is a change in end of day transportation.

MSTEP Testing starts next Tuesday:

Grade 3 – April 30 – May 2

IMPORTANT TESTING DAY TIPS:
  1. Get plenty of sleep.

  2. Arrive to school on time.

  3. Bring:  2 healthy snacks and a water bottle.

  4. Remind your child that all of our learning all year long has prepared us for these tests.  This is our opportunity to show what we know!

 

 

Update: Week of April 15

Here is an update for our week ahead:

MATH: We will be reviewing for our math test and will have the test tomorrow, Tuesday. A review will come home tonight. This test will cover geometry, classifying quadrilaterals, area, and perimeter. We will be moving to fractions next.

READING and WRITING:  We are working on our biography research. Your child has chosen the person who they will read about, research, and write about. We will be working on this over the next few weeks. Last week, a bright yellow paper went home explaining how to help your child gather more information and sources for their research. Please start to send this information in with your child this week. Thanks!

Math Practice Page: This Wednesday will be our last weekly practice page. I explained to the class that this does not mean we stop practicing multiplication and division facts! Math facts should still be practiced using flashcards and/or MobyMax. It is so crucial that this is consistent especially through the summer months so your third grader is prepared for fourth grade math.

Reading Log: Book- It reading logs are done for the year. Again, this does not mean that reading practice stops. The hope is that your third grader is starting to develop a habit and routine of becoming an independent reader. Please help them to make 20 minutes of reading part of their daily routine. Consistent reading will be helpful in building reading skills!

Scholastic Book Order: book order packets went home last week. If you plan to order, please place your order online by Wednesday, April 17. Thanks!! 

MSTEP TESTING:
Grade 5 – April 16 – 25

Grade 4 – May 7 – 16

Grade 3 – April 30 – May 2

IMPORTANT TESTING DAY TIPS:
  1. Get plenty of sleep.

  2. Arrive to school on time.

  3. Bring:  2 healthy snacks and a water bottle.

  4. Remind your child that all of our learning all year long has prepared us for these tests.  This is our opportunity to show what we know!

 

Hudsonville Public Schools 19th Annual  Student Art Show!!

The Reception for Georgetown Artists is on Monday, April 22 from 5:30 – 7:30

The show is open on weekdays from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM from April 22 – May 1

Stop in to view all of the amazing art Hudsonville students have done! There is a lot of talent to check out!!

 

 

Update: Week of April 8

I hope you all had a great spring break and you enjoyed some rest and fun with family and friends!

Here’s an update for our week ahead:

Writing: We are working on responding to a text in writing and we are practicing using strategies so that we can write a clear and complete response. We are also practicing typing out our writing.

Math: We will be finishing up learning about area and perimeter and will be doing some test review at the end of the week. We will plan to have our test next Tuesday, April 16. Please help your child to continue working on multiplication facts at home. We will be nearing the end of our weekly practice pages in the coming weeks.

Reading: We continue to read and study biographies. This week,  your child will be choosing the person that they will read, research, and present. There will be a note coming home in the next week about how you can help your child gather information.

COMING UP:
EARLY RELEASE: this Friday, April 12. Dismissal is at 12:15.

M STEP Testing Dates:
The M-STEP State testing for grades 3-5 will take place this spring. Please avoid all doctors appointments and vacation days on the dates that your child is scheduled to participate in the state wide M-STEP testing.  Thank you for your attention to these dates.

NOTE: If your child is ill, we will administer the tests on make-up dates.  Do not send your child to school ill. We ask only that you avoid late arrivals, doctor appointments and vacation days on the dates listed below.

Grade 5 – April 16 – 25

Grade 4 – May 7 – 16

**Grade 3 – April 30 – May 2

IMPORTANT TESTING DAY TIPS:
  1. Get plenty of sleep

  2. Arrive to school on time.

  3. Bring:  2 healthy snacks and a water bottle.

  4. Remind your child that all of our learning all year long has prepared us for these tests.  This is our opportunity to show what we know and do our very best! Remind your child do use their Growth Mindset skills we have learned in 3rd grade!

Have a great week! 🙂

 

 

 

Week of April 30

  • We will not have a homework packet consistently for the remainder of the school year. At this point in the year we are focusing on other areas and gearing up for MSTEP. If a homework page is sent home, I will let you know. The expectation is that students continue with weekly work of reading and math practice by way of flashcards, math apps, practice pages, moby max, etc.
  • Multiplication Fluency Practice: We will have our practice page this Friday. Please ask your third grader what facts they should be practicing so they can continue to make progress!
  • MobyMax as homework practice:  This is the last day for the MobyMax contest. Students can earn 1 point for each question they answer correctly within a lesson topic that is passed. Top 5 students in our class earn a prize and the next 25 will earn a smaller prize. Please use this as homework practice.
    Third graders will need to log onto Clever to access MobyMax. Let me know if you have forgotten how to do this. There is a link on the right side of the blog under AT HOME links.  I will also continue to have all kids practice fluency here at school.
  • We go to library on Friday. Please remind your third grader to bring back their books so they can get new ones.
  • Biography research homework: Please help your third grader look up a picture of the person they are researching. They should print it off and bring it to school this week. If you do not have a printer at home, please let me know. Thanks!
  • AS A REMINDER: Third grade M-STEP testing begins this week.
     It is important that students get an adequate amount of sleep and a healthy breakfast before school. Also, provide extra nutritional snacks on the testing days, along with a water bottle. Thank you!

Week of April 9

  • Homework this week is Homework 5-2 and Homework 5-3. This is  due next Monday April 16.
  • Multiplication Fluency Practice: We will have our practice page this Friday. Please ask your third grader what facts they should be practicing so they can continue to make progress!
  • MobyMax should be practiced regularly at home. Third graders will need to log onto Clever to access MobyMax. Let me know if you have forgotten how to do this. There is a link on the right side of the blog under AT HOME links.  I will also continue to have all kids practice fluency here at school.
  • The Math Test will be coming home this week. This was a very tricky test on area and perimeter and geometry concepts. If your child struggled with parts of the test, I encourage you to review those concepts at home. We will continue to review and reteach at different time in the classroom through the remainder of the school year.
  • This Friday, April 13 is a half day. Dismissal is at 12:15pm.
  • AS A REMINDER:
    Grades 3-5 have been preparing for the state test (M-STEP).  This is a required test and it will take place in the weeks immediately following spring break.
    Please make sure you look ahead on your family calendar (Gr 3,4,5) to make sure that your child is at school on the days listed.   Please change any appointments so they do not occur the mornings of testing.
    Also, provide extra nutritional snacks on the testing days, along with a water bottle — and adequate sleep during the testing period.
    Testing takes place between 9-12 on these dates:
    • Grade 5  April 10, 11, 12, 17
    • Grade 4  May 8, 9, 10
    • Grade 3  April  24, 25, 26

 

Update: Week of March 5

  • Homework this week is Homework 4-13/Homework 4-15. It should be coming home today and is due next Monday March 12.
  • Multiplication Fluency Practice: A practice page will come home today. This was completed on Friday. Attached to this practice page will be a note saying NOT YET or GOT IT! This lets you and your third grader know what facts should be practiced for this Friday. Your third grader keeps track of their progress here at school so they know exactly what facts to practice. Please help your third grader practice their facts this week.
  • MobyMax should be practiced regularly at home. You will need to log onto Clever to access MobyMax. Let me know if you have forgotten how to do this. There is a link on the right side of the blog under AT HOME links.  I will also continue to have all kids practice fluency here at school
  • We have been reviewing for our math test. A review page will come home tonight. Our math test will be tomorrow. It will cover word problems.
  • Conference appointment slips went home last week. I look forward to meeting with you either Monday, March 12 or Wednesday March 14!
  • AS A REMINDER:
    Grades 3-5 have been preparing for the state test (M-STEP).  This is a required test and it will take place in the weeks immediately following spring break.
    Please make sure you look ahead on your family calendar (Gr 3,4,5) to make sure that your child is at school on the days listed.   Please change any appointments so they do not occur the mornings of testing.
    Also, provide extra nutritional snacks on the testing days, along with a water bottle — and adequate sleep during the testing period.
    Testing takes place between 9-12 on these dates:
    • Grade 5  April 10, 11, 12, 17
    • Grade 4  May 8, 9, 10
    • Grade 3  April  24, 25, 26

 

Reminders:

M-STEP testing starts tomorrow. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast will be extra important this week! We will not have a homework packet, but daily reading and math fact practice should continue.

Look for information to come home this week regarding the biography project. May 26 will be our biography museum celebration.

Thank you!  🙂

Dates to Remember!

Parents,
I want to make sure you are aware of some important dates coming up:

May 2-5: M-STEP testing for 3rd grade
**It will be important for students to get enough sleep and a healthy breakfast in the
morning.

May 12:  Early Release  12:15 dismissal

May 23:  Field trip to DeGraaf Nature Center
**A note was sent home about this a few weeks ago. Be sure to send in $1 by May 19.

May 26:  Biography Presentations
**Students will be presenting their biography research in the form of a museum.

As it nears the end of the year, we want to make sure the daily routines of reading and practicing multiplication facts continues. Keeping that routine through the school year will help continue practice through the summer months too.
Thank you!!

Ms Van Arkel   🙂