Miss Pellin's Post
January 5th to January 9th

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! School will resume on  Monday, January 5th.  

Our class will take the reading MAPs testing on January 8th and the math MAPs test on January 13th.  Please talk to your child about trying their best! Also make sure they eat a good breakfast and get plenty of sleep.  Thank you!

The class had a great time at the Tivoli!  

The Eighteenth Week at School:

Science: We will begin the study of matter in chapter 11.  

Social Studies: We will begin the study of chapter 3 on customs and immigration.  Also, we will be celebrating Culture Day on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd.  Each student should be prepared to share something about his or her cultural heritage with the class.  Please take a look at the Culture Day packet which will be sent home on Wednesday, January 7th.  The Culture Day planning sheet which will also be sent home on Wednesday and will be due on Monday, January 12th.  

Math:  We will begin topic 6 on multiplication.  This chapter focuses on multiply by 3, 4, 6, 7, 8.  

Now that we are done with addition and subtraction timed tests, we will move on to multiplication.  Students will start with multiplication by 2's.  They will have 3 minutes to complete 24 problems.  Students will have 5 days to pass each multiplication test which they will take daily.  If they pass in less than 5 days then they will move on to a new fact.  Students should be practicing their facts every night.  

Spelling:

There will not be spelling this week.  Instead we will study prefixes, root words, and suffixes.  

Reading: We will continue our unit on traditions.  This week students will read The Keeping Quilt and discuss the traditions in the story. Students will also receive a weekly words list.  They will be tested on the weekly words on Friday, January 9th.  December Reading Logs will be due on Monday, January 5th.  

English: Students will be writing about their New Year's resolution.  

Things to Remember:

Monday 1/5:  December Reading Logs are due.

Friday 1/9:  There will be a weekly words quiz. 

Monday 1/12:  The Cultural Day Planning Sheet is due.

Miss Pellin's Post
December 15th to December 19th

Our class will go on a bowling field trip on Monday, December 15th. Optional: Students can bring $5.00 if they would like to buy a snack at the bowling alley. Please send your child with a sack lunch on this day.

On Friday, December 19th, the third grade students will watch the movie Miracle on 34th Street at the Tivoli.

The Seventeenth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies:  We will finish the study of local government in chapter 12.  There will be an open book/open packet test on modern day Downers Grove and chapter 12 on Thursday, December 18th.  

We will also start a new unit, holidays around the world.  In this unit, students will work in groups and be given a country.  They will be doing research on that country and then make a poster to present to the class.  They will get to learn about how other countries celebrate this holiday. 

Math:  We will finish the study of topic 5 on multiplication facts using patterns.  Students received a practice test which is due on Wednesday, December 17th.  The topic 5 test will be on Thursday, December 18th.  

Students should continue to study their math facts each night.  

Spelling: This week students will be given a holiday list.  They will write a story using the words on the holiday list.  Their story will be graded.  Students will not be tested on the holiday list.  

Reading:  There will not be a Weekly Words Quiz this week.   We will continue our new unit called Traditions.  We will also be reading a lot of nonfiction text and learn different nonfiction reading strategies.  In addition we will discuss cause and effect.  

English: We will finish the study of verbs in unit 3.  There will be a test on verbs on Friday, December 19th.  

 

Things to Remember:
Monday 12/15: We will go bowling. 

Thursday 12/18: There will be a topic 5 math test and a modern day Downers Grove/Chapter 12 test.  

Friday 12/19:  We will go to the Tivoli.  There will be a verb test.

Miss Pellin's Post
December 8th to December 12th

In the picture above the class is standing in front of Pierce Downers house!  Thank you to all the parents who were chaperones for the Downers Grove field trip!

Our class will go on a bowling field trip on Monday, December 15th. You can send your child with money if they would like to buy a snack at the bowling alley. Please send your child with a sack lunch on this day.

The Sixteenth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies:  We will study local government in chapter 12 and relate it to the Downers Grove government.  

We will start a new unit, holidays around the world.  In this unit, students will work in groups and be given a country.  They will be doing research on that country and then make a poster to present to the class.  They will get to learn about how other countries celebrate this holiday. 

Math:  We will continue the study of topic 5 on multiplication facts using patterns.  This week we will focus on the study of the factors 0, 1, and 10.  We will also study patterns for facts and problem solving. 

Students will also take a timed test on subtraction on Friday, December 12th.  They will need to complete 30 problems in 3 minutes.  They will take practice tests leading up to Friday, December 12th.

Spelling: This week in spelling we will work on List 13.  There will be a pretest on Monday, December 8th.  The final test will be on Friday, December 12th.

Reading:  There will be a Weekly Words Quiz on Friday, December 12th.   We will continue our new unit called Traditions.  We will also be reading a lot of nonfiction text and learn different nonfiction reading strategies.

English: We will continue the study of verbs in unit 3.

Things to Remember:

Friday 12/12: We will have a spelling test and a weekly words quiz.  There will be a subtraction timed test. 

Monday 12/15: We will go bowling.

Contact Information: 

E-Mail address: mpellin@ccsd66.org

Voice mail: (630)783-5065

Miss Pellin's Post
December 1st to December 5th

Happy Thanksgiving!!  There will not be school from Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28th due to Thanksgiving. 

Downers Grove Field Trip:  We will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our Social Studies unit about our city on Thursday, December 4th from 9 am to 2 pm.  Everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch). If you would like, though it is not necessary, students can also bring $5-$10 in cash on the day of the field trip. Your student can spend this money at the downtown Downers Grove shops. Thank you!

The Fifteenth Week of 2014 at School: 

Science: We will finish the study of chapter 9. Students can choose to either take the chapter 9 test on Wednesday, December 3rd or Friday, December 5th.  

Social Studies: We will finish the study of Modern Day Downers Grove.  Then we will read chapter 12 on local government.  

Math: This week we will begin the study of topic 5 on multiplication facts using patterns.  This week we will focus on the study of 2, 5, and 9 as factors.

Students will also take a timed test on subtraction on Friday, December 12th.  They will need to complete 30 problems in 3 minutes.  They will take practice tests leading up to Friday, December 12th.  

Spelling: This week in spelling we will work on List 12.  There will be a pretest on Monday, December 1st.  The final test will be on Friday, December 5th.

Reading: The November reading logs will be due on Monday, December 1st.  There will be a Weekly Words Quiz on Friday, December 5th.   We finished our first unit, Standing up for What you Believe In.  We will begin a new unit called Traditions.  We will be reading a lot of nonfiction text and learn different nonfiction reading strategies.  

English: We will begin the study of verbs in unit 3.





Things to Remember:
Monday 12/1: November reading logs are due.  
Wednesday 12/3:  Students can choose to take the chapter 9 science test.
Thursday 12/4: We will go on our Downers Grove field trip.
Friday 12/5: There will be a weekly words quiz and a spelling test.  Students can choose to take the chapter 9 science test.

Contact Information: 
E-Mail address: mpellin@ccsd66.org 
Voice mail: (630)783-5065

Miss Pellin's Post
November 24th- November 28th

Happy Thanksgiving!!  There will not be school from Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28th due to Thanksgiving. 

Downers Grove Field Trip:  We will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our Social Studies unit about our city on Thursday, December 4th from 9 am to 2 pm.  Everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch). If you would like, though it is not necessary, students can also bring $5-$10 in cash on the day of the field trip. Your student can spend this money at the downtown Downers Grove shops. Please send in the permission slip by November 24th.  Thank you!

The Fourteenth Week of 2014 at School: 

Science: We will continue the study of chapter 9, lesson 3 on weather.  Students will receive a chapter 9 study guide this week.  There will be a chapter 9 test on Wednesday, December 3rd.  

Social Studies: We will continue the study of modern day Downers Grove.     

Math: Students should complete the topic 4 practice test by Monday, November 24th.  There will be a topic 4 test on Tuesday, November 25th.  

Spelling: There will not be spelling this week.

Reading: We will read non fiction Thanksgiving stories and students will answer comprehension questions.  

English: Students will read their turkey disguise stories to the class.  They will also be tested on nouns on Monday, November 24th or Tuesday, November 25th.  It is their choice.  




Things to Remember:
Monday 11/24:  Students have the option to take their noun test.  
Tuesday 11/25: Students have the option to take their noun test.  There will be a topic 4 test.  
Wednesday 11/26: No School
Thursday 11/27: No School
Friday 11/28: No School

Miss Pellin's Post
November 17th to November 21st 

The third grade students enjoyed listening to author, Amy Logan, read her book A Girl with a Cape!



Downers Grove Field Trip:  We will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our Social Studies unit about our city on Thursday, December 4th from 9 am to 2 pm.  Everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch). If you would like, though it is not necessary, students can also bring $5-$10 in cash on the day of the field trip. Your student can spend this money at the downtown Downers Grove shops. Please send in the permission slip by November 24th.  Thank you!

The Thirteenth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will study weather in chapter 9, lesson 3.  

Social Studies: We will read about Modern Day Downers Grove.  

Math:  This week we will begin topic 4 on the meaning of multiplication. Students will learn about how repeated addition and arrays show multiplication sentences.  

Students will also take a timed test on addition on Friday, 21st.  They will need to complete 30 problems in 3 minutes.  They will take practice tests leading up to Friday.  

Spelling: This week in spelling we will work on List 11.  There will be a pretest on Monday, November 17th.  The final test will be on Friday, November 21st.

Reading:  Students will read about the first Thanksgiving and answer comprehension questions.  We will also discuss point of view when reading about what turkeys eat for Thanksgiving.    There will not be a weekly words quiz this week.  

English: Students will write a persuasive paper from a turkey's point of view.  They will have to convince a farmer to let them escape!  Students should turn in their disguised turkey on Wednesday, November 19th.  We will also continue our study of nouns.  


Things to Remember:
Wednesday 11/19:  Students' disguised turkey is due.  
Friday 11/21: There will be a spelling test and a timed addition test.  

Miss Pellin's Post
November 10th to November 14th 


Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans Day.  Mr. Conley, a veteran, will come to speak to third grade students!   We will also make cards and some students are choosing to bring in some of their Halloween candy to send to the soldiers.  

The Twelfth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will continue to study of chapter 9.  This week we will focus on weather in lesson 3.  Look for a study guide to come home.  There will be a test in the week of November 17th.  

Social Studies: We will finish our study of the history of Downers Grove.  There will be a history of Downers Grove quiz on Friday, November 14th.  Students will receive a study guide on Monday.  

Math:  This week we will finish the study of topic 3.  There will be a topic 3 test on Thursday, November 13th. A practice topic 3 test was sent home today, November 10th.  The practice test is due on Wednesday, November 12.  There was also a study guide sent home that includes page numbers from their textbook.  There are extra problems students can practice on these pages.  

Spelling:  This week in spelling we will work on List 10.  There will be a pretest on Monday, November 10th.  The final test will be on Friday, November 14th.

Reading:  This week will focus on small group learning.  All students will be working with The One and Only Ivan, but as we learn new skills and strategies, students will be engaged with their own text.  We will also read non-fiction text and work on finding main ideas and details.  

English: This week we will continue the study of nouns in unit 2.  


Things to Remember:
Tuesday 11/11: Today is Veterans Day. 
Thursday 11/13:  There will be a topic 3 math test.
Friday 11/14: There will be a Downers Grove History quiz and a spelling test.

Miss Pellin's Post
November 3rd to November 7th

We had a boo-tiful time at our Halloween Party and Halloween Parade. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it possible. 

There will not be school on Monday, November 3rd or Tuesday, November 4th.  Please plan accordingly.  

The Eleventh Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will continue the study of the water cycle in chapter 9, lesson 2.   

Social Studies: We will continue learning about the history of Downers Grove.  Students will learn about the role Pierce Downer and Israel Blodgett played in the underground railroad.  Look for a study guide to come home this week for a history of Downers Grove quiz.  The quiz will be in the week of November 10th.  

Math: Students will continue the study of topic 3.  Students will learn how to find the value of variables.    

Spelling: There will not be spelling this week.

Reading:  This week will focus on small group learning.  All students will be working with The One and Only Ivan, but as we learn new skills and strategies, students will be engaged with their own text.  One area of focus will be finding character traits along with evidence to support the character traits.  

English:  We will begin the study of nouns in unit 2.  Students will learn about common and proper nouns.  




Things to Remember:
Monday 11/3:  There will not be school due to Parent/Teacher conferences.
Tuesday 11/4: There will not be school due to a Teacher Institute Day.

Contact Information:
E-Mail address: mpellin@ccsd66.org
Voice mail: (630)783-5065 

Miss Pellin's Post
October 27th to October 31st

 

Halloween: 

Please keep in mind the following guidelines when helping your child pick out a Halloween costume:

1. We only have 15 minutes for costume changes. Please make sure your child can change into his/her costume easily and by themselves. If the costume can be worn over their clothes, then both the time to change and the chances of losing any clothes is minimized.

2. If the costume involves make up, please apply it before your child comes to school. If you send your child in with make up, then your child has to be able to apply it themselves. 

3. Please do not send any weapons (guns, swords, etc.) as part of the costume. Save those for trick-or-treating.

4. We will not have time to change back into our clothes for dismissal. Your child will wear their costume home.

Conferences:  I look forward to meeting with each of you on Monday, October 27th and Tuesday, October 28th for conferences!  

The class had a great time at Brookfield Zoo!  Thank you volunteers!

The Tenth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will continue the study of chapter 9: lesson 2 on water cycles.  We will do an experiment where students can view different phases of the water cycle.  

Social Studies: We will continue to study the history of Downers Grove.  Students will learn about the Potawatomi tribe and Chief Waubonsee.

Math:  The study of topic 3 is under way.  Students will review three digit subtraction and subtracting across zeros.  

Spelling: Students will be given Halloween words this week.  There will not be a pretest.  A packet with two activities will be due on Thursday, October 30th.  The test will also be on Thursday, October 30th due to Halloween.  

Reading:  This week will focus on small group learning.  All students will be working with The One and Only Ivan, but as we learn new skills and strategies, students will be engaged with their own text.  
In addition, we will continue studying a word or two a day.  On Friday students will be tested on the four words we will have studied Monday-Thursday.     The October Reading Log is due on Friday, October 31st.  

English:  The final draft of the persuasive haunted house paragraph will be due on Wednesday, October 29th.  Then we will begin the study of nouns in Unit 2.  





Things to Remember:
Monday 10/27:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  
Tuesday 10/28:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  
Thursday 10/30:  We will have a spelling test.
Friday 10/31: We will have a vocabulary quiz and the October reading log is due. Happy Halloween!  We will have our parade and party!



Contact Information:
E-Mail address: mpellin@ccsd66.org
Voice mail: (630)783-5065

Miss Pellin's Post
October 20th - October 24th 

Halloween:

1. We only have 15 minutes for costume changes. Please make sure your child can change into his/her costume easily and by themselves. If the costume can be worn over their clothes, then both the time to change and the chances of losing any clothes is minimized.

2. If the costume involves make up, please apply it before your child comes to school. If you send your child in with make up, then your child has to be able to apply it themselves. 

3. Please do not send any weapons (guns, swords, etc.) as part of the costume. Save those for trick-or-treating.

4. We will not have time to change back into our clothes for dismissal. Your child will wear their costume home.

Zoo Field Trip:

On Friday, October 24th, our class will be visiting the zoo!  Please keep an eye on the weather so you can dress your student accordingly.  A sack lunch is needed and we will not be purchasing anything from the gift shop or the various snack vendors, so no money is needed for this field trip.  I will be sending a folder of information home for chaperones on Monday!  

The Ninth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: We will continue the study of weather in chapter 9, lessons 1 and 2.  Students are learning about where water is found on earth.  Did you know that only 3% of water found on earth is fresh water?  Students will also learn about the water cycle.  

Social Studies: We will study the history of Downers Grove.  Students will learn about how Downers Grove received its name.  

Spelling: This week students will study list 8.  There will be a pretest on Monday, October 20th.  The final test will be on Thursday, October 23rd due to our zoo field trip.  

Reading: This week will focus on small group learning.  All students will be working with The One and Only Ivan, but as we learn new skills and strategies, students will be engaged with their own text.  
In addition, we will continue studying a word or two a day.  On Friday students will be tested on the four words we will have studied Monday-Thursday.   

English:  We will continue our persuasive, descriptive writing unit.  Students will write a paper persuading the movie director to buy their haunted house! 

Math: This week we will continue the study of topic 3 on using place value to add and subtract.  Students will also continue to work on math fluency.  Please continue to work on math fluency at home using xtra math or other various games and apps.  




Things to Remember:
Thursday 10/23:  There will be a spelling test.  
Friday 10/24:  There will be a weekly vocabulary quiz and we will go to the zoo!

Miss Pellin's Post
October 13th - October 17th 

Remember Monday, October 13th is Columbus Day and there will be no school.  Please plan accordingly.

Halloween: 

The Halloween parade and party will be on October 31st.  

Please keep in mind the following guidelines when helping your child pick out a Halloween costume:

1. We only have 15 minutes for costume changes. Please make sure your child can change into his/her costume easily and by themselves. If the costume can be worn over their clothes, then both the time to change and the chances of losing any clothes is minimized.

2. If the costume involves make up, please apply it before your child comes to school. If you send your child in with make up, then your child has to be able to apply it themselves. 

3. Please do not send any weapons (guns, swords, etc.) as part of the costume. Save those for trick-or-treating.

4. We will not have time to change back into our clothes for dismissal. Your child will wear their costume home.

On Thursday, October 16th there will be a book fair and taffy apple sale.  If you would like to volunteer to help at the book fair place sign up using the link below.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F044AA9A622A13-prairieview1/12780975

The Eighth Week of 2014 at School:

Science: This week we will begin the study of chapter 9 on the water cycle.    

Social Studies: Students will have the option to take the hemisphere quiz on Wednesday, October 15th or Thursday, October 16th.  Then we will begin the study of Downers Grove.  

Spelling:  This week we will study list 8.  There will be a pretest on Tuesday, October 14th and a final test on Friday, October 17th.  

Reading:   This week we will continue our Daily 5 program of guided reading groups, listen to reading, word work, work on writing, and read to self.  Students will continue reading The One and Only Ivan.  We will read Night of the Pufflings.  Students will write an expended reading response related to the story.  We will discuss how this book relates to the story Two Days in May.   In addition, we will continue studying a word or two a day.  On Friday students will be tested on the four words we will have studied Tuesday-Thursday.   

English: We are going to work on descriptive writing with a persuasive flare as we prepare to write a haunted house story.  The students will try to convince others to buy their haunted house! 

Math: Students should complete their topic 2 practice test by Tuesday, October 14th.  There will be a topic 2 test on Wednesday, October 15th.  Then we will begin the study of topic 3 on using place value to add and subtract.  


Things to Remember:
Monday 10/13:  There is no school today.
Wednesday 10/15: There will be a topic 2 math test.  Students have the option to take their hemisphere quiz. 
Thursday 10/16:  The book fair is tonight.  Students have the option to take their hemisphere quiz.
Friday 10/17:  There will be a spelling test and a vocabulary quiz.