Norris News
4/17/14 – 4/23/14
Dear Parents,
Homework – Homework will be slightly different over the next Four Weeks. Your child still needs to read, work IXL, and continue to memorize his/her multiplication table. However, I will not be sending home the spelling and vocabulary lists. Instead, I have officially assigned the Science Fair – Scientific Method project. Your child will have FOUR weeks to complete the “wonder” experiment, create a display board, and prepare an oral presentation for the class. Specific instructions can be found on the left hand side of my web site and I have a sample display board in the classroom for you to look at. Take a breath…… this is a very interesting project, your child will like it, you get to take pictures of your child and your child gets to shine in class! Plus, you have FOUR weeks to complete it. Go ahead and read the instructions and please feel free to ask if your “wonder” experiment idea is a good one.
Here are a few important dates where attendance will be extra important.
Thursday, April 24th – CBAC Pre-Test
Friday, April 25th-Classroom preparation of the third grade performace portion of the CBAC
Monday, April 28th – Friday, May 2nd CBAC Testing 9:35-10:20 each day in the 500 computer lab.
(Times and dates may change if needed)
Students who are absent or need additional time will be placed in a “make up” environment as needed.
April 23 – Talent Show Auditions – See the Talent Show hosts for more information.
Yearbook – Have you made your year book purchase?
AR – Our “raised” AR goal is 2935 books, read and passed with 80% or higher at a third grade level or above. Can we do it?
Open House – May 29th from 6:00 – 7:00. Please plan to attend. We are trying to make it an amazing affair. I will stay open a little longer for parents as necessary.
Repeated Information After this point…….
Home Review and Support – Many assessments were taken, reviewed and sent home recently. No matter what your child scored, please find the time to go over the missed concepts. The extra support from you is sometimes
all a child needs to get a clear understanding. You are an amazing gift to your child.
Shout Outs – In an effort to redirect and motivate our efforts back to our year’s goals, we have spent a great deal of time talking about goals this week. In this spirit, I thought I would just highlight a few students to keep the ball rolling again! We are really doing a great job and I know we can accomplish even more.
AR IRP – Jon, Adithi, and Chris have all read 14 OR MORE full length books and passed the corresponding AR quiz!!!!!! This is so important in terms of developing vocabulary, being able to identify the important components of good literature, recognizing interesting characters and problem/solutions, getting familiar with a variety of genres, and maybe most importantly, helping/requiring students to ease from the picture chapter books and into real reading……… the stamina and focus required in fourth grade and beyond will be manageable if this transition is made. Congratulations to each of you! I’d also like to encourage Andrew, who seems “on fire” as he’s completed his 12th AR IRP! “Go get em, Andrew!”
IXL – As previously noted, Devin and Quynh have already mastered all 233/233 IXL third grade standards. You all know, from your own child’s journey, how incredible this is. I’m so proud of them both. The following students are either leading the pack in terms of standards mastered or have recently recommitted themselves to IXL and have done great work this last reporting period. They are as follows:
Chris 193/233 mastered in 61 hours 39 minutes.
Jordyn 151/233 mastered in 71 hours and 51 minutes
Jon 144/233 mastered in 79 hours and 6 minutes
Adithi 142/233 mastered in 62 hours and 32 minutes
Matthew 128 mastered in 72 hours and 7 minutes.
What incredible dedication and consistent effort!!!!!!!! Several students have set SMART goals for break and I’m so excited to see their happy faces back at school. Students are so proud to come back having accomplished an academic goal. Please, just be certain your child sets a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timebound) so it’s a positive experience.
Writing – We’ve moved into expository writing with our space research paper and it was initially a struggle for some students. The following students have made remarkable progress in three short topics that include, galaxies, solar systems, and stars. I’m so proud of Brianna, Aaron, Connor, Quynh, Mason, Aiden, Isaac, Sage, Neel, Raquel, Karla, Trinity, Jordyn, Blake, and Tyler. Impressive!!!!!!!
Multiplication- Five Minute Math Club – Multiplication
Chris and Devin have advanced to their 11’s fact tables!!!!!! Who will win the challenge and what will he choose as his reward?????
Accelerated Reader - Oh my goodness! I got a bit behind checking our progress and merely stuck with the AR weekly requirements. Well, our goal was to read and pass 3rd grade leveled books with 80% or higher 2,161 books. This is one more book than last year’s class of 2,160 books. Hahahahah, we’ve already read and passed 2,6666 books with an average passing score of 82.2% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you say, “I owe them a PIZZA PARTY!!!!!!!!”
The class has agreed to celebrate and then raise their goals to last year’s classes’ second goal of 2,936 books read and passed at 3rd grade level of above with 80% or higher average passing score. Can we do it??????????????????????????????????????????????
Fastmath–
The following students have FINISHED Fastmath completing Division 0-12: Devin, Jordyn.
Andrew and Chris are working diligently working to finish! Go get em!!!!!!!!!!
Remember, if your child is not on a Shout Out list, today, it does not mean they are not doing beautifully. This list includes each categories leaders or students who have made tremendous progress and in no way is a statement that your child is not performing well. My hope is that you will celebrate their success with me, encourage them, and where necessary help your child work to his/her potential. Keep it positive!
Repeated notes from this point on…….
Test/Quizzes/classwork – Remember to place them all in a safe place at home so you can review them with your child as time permits. It’s very important that you praise and support your child’s efforts on a consistent basis.
PTA - Thank you for joining PTA. It’s not too late to become a member. Keep sending in those box tops.
Web Site - You only need to check my web site on Thursday or Friday. Each Thursday or Friday, please read and respond to Norris News, start our new vocabulary and spelling, and print or write up a new reading log for the week. Some of you may also elect to print the vocabulary Thinking Maps and 2 - 100 problem math fact worksheets as well. I will not update the site repeatedly throughout the week so there is no need to check it repeatedly.
Check your child’s backpack every night. Give positive feedback or support where needed. Please spend extra time supporting and correcting missed concepts on weekly tests.
UQIA – on weekly comprehension test means – Use Question in Answer. It’s required and your child will get half credit just for copying the question into the answer. Our master at this is Justin!!!! Go Justin.
CS – means write your response in a complete sentence. (Subject/Predicate, capital, and some kind of end mark)
Vocabulary (Back) – support your child if they are continuing to miss the dictionary skills found on the back of each vocabulary test. For some reason, some students just have a really hard time and may need repeated one-on-one instruction.
Homework Summary – There is new spelling and vocabulary this week. Your child’s pre-tests went home today or you can check the web site.
Every Day – read and log it, multiplication facts, IXL
As Needed with pre-tests – vocabulary, spelling, other activities
Ticket To Read – Read and pass one passage with 80% or above
If your child does not have internet access for any reason, he/she must come to school and use one of ours. Six computers are available before school, after school, recess, and lunch.
If your child needs something printed, just have them ask. Remember, a printer is not necessary. Simply work the 6 study areas in ways that do not require a printer. (Or ask me.)
***** Now begin to look at your child’s study methods and activities and compare them to quiz and test scores. If your child is not being successful, change the method of study. It’s a wonderful gift to learn how to learn!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Norris