The End is Near!

The end of the school year is fast approaching. Here are some dates etc.to keep in mind for the next couple of weeks.
1. I am canceling all homework for the week with the exception of the reading log. So there will be no math or spelling, but there will be a reading log, due Monday the 25th.
2. GT Expo will be this Tuesday, the 20th from 1:30 to 2:30.
3. Third grade field day will be the 21st. Students need to come dressed to play outside. That means sneakers and a hat. A water bottle would also be a good idea.
4. Monday the 26th is a school day. This will make up for the second ice day we had back in February.
5. Our awards ceremony will be the 27th at 8:30. Students may wear "Sunday best" clothes or their regular school uniform.
6. On the 28th students will take all of their belongings home. Please make sure your child has a bag sufficient size to take everything away.
7. This Wednesday I will send home a note regarding the last day party.

It has been a great year and I thank you all for the support you've given me and the class.

Stanford and Thank You

Next week the students will take their final round of testing for the school year. That's right, it's time for Stanford testing. Most of the students will be familiar with this test as they have taken it every year that they have been in Houston ISD. The third grade level is a bit different in that less of the test is read to them. Each sub section of the test has a time limit that they will need to be mindful of. If you have any questions about the test, please let me know. Like with STAAR testing, it will be important that the students are here on time and ready to work.

I would like to thank all you for the outpouring of gifts for teacher appreciation week. I am truly overwhelmed by your generosity. Thank you for everything, most particularly for the privilege of working everyday with your wonderful children. I will miss each and every one of them next year. They are a great group of students. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

STAAR Wars and other news

The STAAR test is practically upon us. Next Tuesday, students will take the math portion, and on Wednesday, the reading. It is imperative that students arrive on time. They need to be well rested and have a good breakfast. They will have an uninterrupted block of 4 hours to complete each test, and it is my expectation that they use most of that time. Breaks are allowed, but the clock does not stop. We will be discussing test procedures in class over the next few days. Obviously, I do not want the children to stress, but a passing score on the STAAR tests is a promotion standard, so they must take the test seriously. I expect them to use all of the strategies they have learned this year. They know that they are to show work for every problem, and when they finish they are to go back and check that work to be sure that it is correct. I am seeing an uptick in careless mistakes on the practices we are doing. I know they will all do their best and achieve at the highest level. If you have any questions about the test, please contact me.

You probably heard that we have started gardening over the last week. We did some clean up work in the habitat where we will be working to install a butterfly garden. The class also assembled a raised garden bed and planted some vegetables. Below are some pictures.

No Graded Work This Week

There will be no graded work this week. It will go home next Wednesday as usual. Thank you.

STAAR release test results

Today, your child will bring home a note containing the scores they earned on the Math and Reading STAAR practice tests we took this week.This is the actual test taken by last year's third graders, which was made public by the Texas Education Agency. I am using this information to plan targeted instruction for each child's particular areas of need. If you have any questions or would like to have a conference to discuss your child's performance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please sign and return the slip with your child tomorrow. Thank you.

Important Dates

Tomorrow and Wednesday, the third graders will be taking a STAAR practice test. The third grade team will be simulating actual test conditions in order to prepare the students for the actual tests which they will take on April 22nd and 23rd. They will be held to a 4 hour time limit, the desks will be spread out so that they are not too close to another student, and one of the other 3rd grade teachers will be monitoring the test. (HISD does not allow teachers above 2nd grade to test their own students.) It is extremely important that the students be here and on time these next 2 days. The results of these practice tests will be used to design review lessons and activities for the next 3 weeks leading up to the real testing. Please talk to your child tonight about the importance of taking these practice tests seriously.Thank you for all you do.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

We made it! Spring break is finally here. I hope everyone enjoys a well deserved rest. I am definitely in need of a few days off. I have not assigned any homework for the break. HOWEVER, I certainly hope that everyone will read and continue to work on TTM while they are off. When we return, there will be exactly 4 weeks before the STAAR testing begins. That time will include a great deal of review and practice, so it is vital that everyone be here every day, on time. 

Have a great break!