Dear Third Grade Families,

This Monday will mark the beginning of ITBS/CogAT Testing. We will test every morning for the duration of this week and next, ending our testing next Thursday. Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep, has a healthy breakfast and arrives to school on time every morning. As always, we plan to put forth our very best efforts.

I have noticed that many students have been having difficulty correctly filling out the bubble sheets that accompany Accelerated Math. This leads to many errors in scoring and missed problems. Please take a moment to go over the bubble sheet with your child as he/she completes the homework. Each bubble should be filled completely without stray marks. Bubble sheets should also be turned in neatly (no rips, tears or bends) with your child’s name clearly written on it. Your help in this is greatly appreciated. It is also good practice, as our ITBS test will use similar bubble sheets as well.

In more news, this week we will wrap up The Keeping Quilt with an in-class “book report” and move on to our next selection, Tomie dePaola’s 26 Fairmount Avenue. Please make sure your child brings in a copy of the book this week as he/she will need it in order to complete the class work.

In addition to ITBS testing, we will be working on the following:

Math: Begin Chapter 3 “Addition and Subtraction.” We will review addition strategies this week in class, however please take time this week to review doubles and doubles plus one facts with your child at home. By third grade, students should know these by heart and be able to recite them with automaticity.

Langauge Arts: Spelling and Vocab. Unit 4, Writer’s Workshop – publishing our “How To” guides.

Social Studies: Landforms, cont.

Science: Forms of Matter – solid, liquid, gas

Religion: “We are God’s Holy People” with a focus on St. Francis and St. Claire

Have a great week!

Mrs. Espinosa