SAT (Standardized Achievement Test) schedule
Monday, 26 April to Friday, 30 April
Monday
9:00am SAT Word Study Skills
10:50am SAT Reading Vocabulary
Tuesday
8:30am SAT Math test (Problem Solving)
10:30am SAT Listening
Wednesday
8:30am SAT Math Test (Mathematics Procedures)
10:30am SAT Reading Comprehension
Thursday
8:30am SAT Language
10:00am SAT Spelling
Friday
8:30 SAT Science
Revised Homework Program
It has been decided to revise the current homework plan in order for children to complete activities that were taught during the day’s class sessions. This new homework will be predominantly paper based and should hopefully give parents a better understanding of what is being covered in class. Please have a look at the following overview
Monday
Math focus – Accelerated Math or work from the Practice Workbook/Textbook.
Tuesday
Spelling focus – Children to complete the activities in the Spelling Workbook for this week’s spelling unit. The spelling test will continue on Friday. Those children who have chosen to complete the Spelling Challenge are to also complete this.
Wednesday
Grammar focus – extension work to be completed in Houghton Mifflin grammar workbook.
Thursday
Reading focus – Activities will be based on what the guided reading group was focusing on during the day’s Reading session.
Friday/Weekend
Current Events – Children are to find an article in a newspaper, identify the main idea and state three facts about the article. They will present this in their Oral Language buddy groups on Monday morning.
How this affects the original homework program
Mathletics tasks will continue to be set for work to be done in class and at home. However, this is no longer a requirement for the regular homework schedule. Likewise, children will be encouraged to write and comment on a post for our Grade 3 Writing Blog, but this is no longer a homework requirement. The Reading log will continue as a way for children to track what they have been reading. Extra homework tied to Inquiry and which may involve research, may also be sent home during the week.
Where homework will be recorded
The agenda will be used more frequently as a means to communicate homework between home and school. At the end of each day/specific subject, the children will write the homework in their agenda for that evening. If work is to be done in a textbook/workbook, the page number will be recorded and the WALT (We are Learning To) intention. I will sign my name beside where they recorded their homework to verify that I have seen them correctly write in their homework. If parents wish to also sign the agenda each evening upon the homework being completed and/or write a note concerning the homework, please feel free to use the agenda in this way.
Homework expectations
The homework must be completed each night and handed in the following morning, with the exception of the Spelling work as more work is expected to be completed in the book. The completed work in the spelling workbook must be handed in on Thursday morning. If homework is not able to be completed, a note needs to be written and signed by the child’s parent explaining the situation. Any child who does not complete their homework and no valid reason given, will be required to miss out on their free time/recess to complete their homework. A new homework sticker chart will be created and children will be given a sticker each day if they complete their homework. Children who complete all their homework during the week and for the rest of the school year, will be given a reward.
Weekly Update
So we’re into our last grading period for the 2009/2010 year! This block we will be looking at writing research reports, improving our Visual Art skills, doing novel studies, presenting dramas in chapel, going on field trips, and enjoying our last few months together.A look at this week:Math– Children are developing their understanding of fractions. They are learning the meaning of the denominator and numerator, identifying parts of a whole and begining to see equivalent fractions.Reading – This week the children start novel studies in their guided reading groups. We are particularly focusing on the author Kate DiCamilo. Most work will be done in class but the novel may on occasion be brought home so children can complete the reading.Writing – Children are introduced to features of a research report, they choose a topic (country) they would like to research, brainstorm some possible questions and start to research their chosen country. The majority of this work will be done in class. A deadline for these reports is yet to be set, but will probably be about mid May.Standardized Achievement Tests– Children will be sitting these tests next week (26 – 30 April). They will be doing one to two tests a day before lunch time. Practice SATs have been done in class and some extra practice tests have been sent home for homework this week. If you would like to give your child extra SAT practice, please take a look at this site for online and printable test options. Grade 3 Test Prep.Drama – At the end of the last grading period, the class was split into four groups to rehearse four different plays. The children did an excellent job with these plays and we are looking forward to presenting them in chapel. Chapel is from 8:20am – 9:00am every Monday. The plays will be presented at some stage during the chapel service. These are the dates we have been given:The Lyin’ King (Telling the Truth) May 3. Amos, Mason and JamesKnights of the Square Table (Prejudice) May 10. Sara, Abigail, Heidi and ShennellThe Sword Drill (Practicing what you Preach) May 10. Liam, Olivia and Nasim
The Greatest (Serving Others) May 24th. Allan, Jessica, Dinara and John
As you can see we have a very busy and fun week/final grading period!