May 7-11 Homework and Tests

There will be NO homework or tests this week due to Terra Nova.

Students will be taking the Terra Nova this week from Monday to Thursday. Parents, please make sure your child gets enough sleep and eats a filling breakfast.

3D Landmark Projects

Students have already received the information below last Friday, March 9.

Third grade has been learning about the USA government in social studies class. As a final project for our government chapter, students will be required to create a 3D project on a famous landmark found in the USA. A landmark is a well- known natural or manmade structure, like the Grand Canyon and Lincoln Memorial. These are visited by thousands of people every year and are important to a country.

Students are encouraged to get creative and use any (non-edible) materials to design their project. For example, they can use popsicle sticks, paint, clay, colored paper, etc. Projects are worth 100 points and will be counted as 1 test grade. Students will complete a report in class about their landmark after reading their information book that was provided to them. Projects are due Monday, April 9th. Students may bring their projects earlier if they are completely done :)

Mustafa- Grand Canyon
Randa- White House

Students will be graded on the following:

Accuracy	20 points	For example, landmarks should look as close as possible to how they are in photographs.
Neatness	20 points	No sloppy work please. These will be displayed for others to see and admire J
Creativity	40 points	The more ways you can creatively display your landmark, the better!
Oral presentation	20 points	On the due date, a short oral presentation will be done by each student to present their project to the class.

Improving Grades and Understanding

I have been asked many times how my students can improve their grades. Of course I want all my students to get excellent grades, but also to really UNDERSTAND what they are learning and why. Below are some ways I suggest students review and check their understanding.

Spelling
1. For words that are harder or longer, write them 5 times each instead of 3 times.

Grammar
1. Understand and remember the rules that are explained or listed in the textbox on top of grammar worksheets.
2. Go over grammar worksheets that have been graded and fix any questions you got wrong.

Vocabulary
1. Study the definitions for vocab. words of the week.
2. Try using new vocab. words while speaking or writing.

Comprehension
1. Read for FUN as much as you can, even if it is 10 minutes everyday. Find books that are INTERESTING to you (students) and that are APPROPRIATE for your reading level/ age.
2. Really understand what you are reading by asking questions and making connections (text to text, self, or world)!
3. If we are learning about POV, main idea, cause and effect, sequence, compare and contrast, or any other comprehension skill in class, try explaining these to others (a family member). One way to check if you understood a concept is to TEACH it to others.
4. Know the different comprehension skills, what they mean, and some keywords. For example, sequence is events listed in order from beginning to end. Keywords for sequence are first, then, next, after, before, finally, years, etc.

Math
1. Know vocab. words for the chapter and what they mean.
2. Learn keywords for the concept. For example, about means to round, how much more means to subtract, product means the answer to multiplication, etc.
3. Do the inverse operation (opposite) to check your work. For example, check your subtraction by adding you answer to the middle number. If it equals the top or larger number, your answer is correct.

Social Studies and Science
1. Know what all the keywords/ vocab. words mean.
2. Look for text features and use them to help you understand what you are reading. For example, headings on a page tell you what the section or page is about.
3. Make connections (text to text, self, or world).
4. Ask yourself questions to see if you really understood what you are reading.
5. Explain/ teach others what you are learning.

Tests

About 2-3 tests will be given each marking period for Math, Science, and Social Studies.

For English Language Arts students will take weekly tests (about 7-8 each marking period) on spelling/vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. At the end of the 1st and 2nd marking periods, I will drop one of the lowest grades in spelling/vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.

In 3rd grade, reading comprehension tests are always given on Thursday. On Friday, students take their spelling/vocabulary and grammar tests on concepts taught that week.

For weeks that are shorter, tests dates may be moved to Mondays of the following week so students have more time to study. They may also have more than 1 test that week. 

If students are absent on test days, they have to be ready to take the tests when they come back to school. Concepts on these tests have been already taught throughout the week and students should study/review to prepare for their tests.
 

*Please check the weekly test schedule regularly for test dates.

*The teacher holds the right to change test dates. Students will be told in advanced if any changes will be made.

* Retakes and extra credit are NOT guaranteed and will be determined by the teacher.

Spelling Homework "Rules"

Homework should be done completely by students. Of course parents can help by explaining, but all answers should come from the students. Just like on classwork, I want students to TRY their best :)

If you (students) want full credit on your spelling sentences:

1. Write in your BEST handwriting. I don't want to struggle to read your AWESOME work!

2. Write the date at the top of the page (9/12/17). Put a "title" on the page. For example, First 10 Sentences, Last 10 Sentences, 3 Times Each.

3. Capitalize and punctuate correctly. The beginning of a sentence should ALWAYS have a capital letter. Add periods, exclamation, or question marks at the END to match your sentence.

4. Spell all the words correctly. There is no reason to spell these words wrong because you can check your "cheat sheet" or paper with the spelling word definitions.

5. Underline the spelling words in your sentences.

6. Write specific sentences with details. If a spelling word is clap, please do NOT just write "I clap my hands." I clap my hands after a great presentation by my classmate is much better. If I can ask a question about your sentence (who, what, where, when, why, how) or add because, that means you didn't write enough details.

7. Check your sentences when you are done. Make sure you spelled your words correctly, added end punctuation to all your sentences, and your sentences make sense.

Get Updates As Soon As Posted

Parents, please follow this blog by email to receive updates sent directly to your email as soon as there is a new post. I will be updating this blog at least twice a week (sometimes more).

Under the About Me section on the right sidebar, you will see a Follow by Email tab. Submit an email address that you frequently check to stay up to date on class news.

Class Dojo

My students and their parents loved using Class Dojo last year, so I am excited to use Class Dojo again with my new students this school year! On this site, students will take ownership of their behavior and performance in my class.

Throughout the week, students can take pride in receiving points for different "skills". Likewise, points can also be taken off for misbehavior or any other issue that a "skill" has been created for. New skills will be added throughout the year.

Class dojo will be used by me (Sr. Sabrina) to determine which students will go in the prize box every Friday. A minimum of 10 points MUST be received by students throughout the week to get a prize. The points will be reset every Monday.

Parents can use Class Dojo to stay in touch with me and to check their child's progress on a more daily/weekly basis. We will still be using this class blog as usual.

All students have received a special code with directions today that parents MUST use to access Class Dojo. Please join us on CD as soon as possible for an even better year inshAllah:)