Miss Pellin's Post
January 4th to January 9th

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! School will resume on  Monday, January 4th. 

 The class had a great time bowling at Brunswick Zone and enjoyed E.T. at Ogden 6.  

The Nineteenth Week at School:

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

Social Studies: We will finish our study of chapter 12 by reading about community leaders in chapter 12: lesson 2.  There will not be a test on this chapter.  

Math:  We will study unit 3, module 4 on fractions and decimals.  Look for a study guide to come home.  There will be a unit 3 test in the week of January 11th.  We will also begin division timed tests.  We will start with a divide by 2 timed test on Tuesday, January 12th.  These tests will be very similar to the multiplication tests.  They will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, January 5th will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  

Spelling:  Students will receive a new spelling list and should complete six activities using the new spelling menu.  The test will be on Friday, January 15th.  The activities will also be due on Friday, January 15th.  

ELA: We will continue our unit on traditions.  This week students will read The Keeping Quilt and discuss the traditions in the story.  They will also be reading good fit books/articles on various cultures and traditions in their Daily 5 groups.  December Reading Logs will be due on Monday, January 4th.  A January reading log was sent home today.  Students will also pick out mystery books for our next independent reading contract.  We won't begin the contract packet until the week of January 11th.  Students will also write about their New Year's resolution.  

WIN:  Hi 3rd Grade Families! We are writing with a quick WIN update for you all... Trimester #1 in WIN class focused on Vocabulary Studies and Skills at their level based on their MAP scores. At our last data day, we re-grouped the 3rd grade students based on their MAP score for Informational Text (non-fiction text) Skills. This means that as of today, your student may be switching WIN teachers and most likely will be working in a group with many different students from Trimester #1. Since the students are grouped by skill level, they will work on reading and comprehending Informational Text at their level. Individual teachers may be doing activities that differ from others but fit the ability level of your student. Most classes will work with weekly Scholastic News Readers, online kids news websites, continue vocab work as it relates to informational text, and more. Trimester #3 will be focused on Literature Skills and Comprehension. These activities are in addition to our differentiated Core English Language Arts Curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards that all 3rd grade students participate in.

Things to Remember:

Monday 1/4:  December Reading Logs are due.

Tuesday 1/12: There will be a divide by 2 test.  
Friday 1/15:  There will be a spelling test and 6 activities are due.  It is an early dismissal day!

Miss Pellin's Post
December 14th to December 18th

On Friday, December 18th, the third grade students will watch the movie E.T. at Ogden 6.

Our class will go on a bowling field trip on Thursday, December 17th. Optional: Students can bring $5.00 if they would like to buy a snack at the bowling alley.  If your child chooses to buy a snack, chances are they will not be very hungry at lunch.  Therefore, it is probably a good idea to pack a light lunch.  

The Eighteenth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies:  We will continue the study of local government in chapter 12. There will not be a final test on chapter 12.  Instead students will complete open book, lesson reviews on lesson 1 and 2.  

Math:  We will continue the study of unit 3, module 2 on decimals.  We will only have math on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.  The week we return from break, we will start division timed tests.  Some students still need to pass their mixed multiplication test and should continue to practice their facts each night. 

Spelling: We are taking a break from our conventional spelling lesson with some holiday spelling words.  We will pretest Monday.  If a student gets 0 or 1 wrong, they are exempt from the test (which will be on Thursday). For homework, students can choose to either put the words in ABC or they can write a story with their words.  There will only be one assignment.  This assignment can be done in a google doc or on a lined sheet of paper.  The homework will be due on Thursday, December 17th.

ELA: We will continue our unit on culture.  We will close read Twas the Night Before Christmas.  We will also continue our Daily 5 program.  Due to the large amount of class time, reading contracts will now be due on Friday, December 18th.  Students are aware of this change.  

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 google slide show to present to the class.  They will get to learn about how other countries celebrate this holiday. 

 

Things to Remember:

Thursday 12/17: We will go bowling.  There will be a spelling test and one homework assignment is due.   

Friday 12/18:  We will go to Ogden 6.  Reading contracts are due.  

Miss Pellin's Post
December 7th to December 11th

Our class will go on a bowling field trip on Thursday, December 17th. 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 Seventeenth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies:  There will be a modern day Downers Grove quiz on Wednesday, December 9th.  Then we will study local government in chapter 12 of the social studies textbook.  

Math:  We will continue studying unit 3, module 2 on comparing, composing, and decomposing fractions and mixed numbers.  Then we will study unit 3, module 3 on decimals.   On Tuesday, December 8th students will take a mixed multiplication test on facts from 0-9.  Students will get 3 minutes to complete 50 problems.  Students have received practice tests.  

Spelling: The "Words Their Way" spelling menu/homework has changed for Trimester 2.  Students should complete 6 activities and the assignments should be stapled to the homework menu.  The homework is due on Friday, December 11th.  The test will also take place on that date.  

ELA: We will continue our new unit titled, What is Culture?  Our class will read Year of the Dog which addresses culture and traditions.  Students will continue to work on our non-fiction book contracts.  The contracts will be due on or before Monday, January 4th.

We will also start a new unit, holidays around the world.  In this unit, students will work in groups and complete research on how other countries celebrate certain holidays. 

Things to Remember:

Tuesday 12/8: There will be a mixed multiplication test.  
Wednesday 12/9: There will be a modern day Downers Grove quiz.

Friday 12/11: There will be a spelling test and the 6 activities are due.  

Thursday 12/17: We will go bowling.

Contact Information: 

E-Mail address: mpellin@ccsd66.org

Voice mail: (630)783-5065

Miss Pellin's Post
November 23rd - December 4th

Happy Thanksgiving!!  There will not be school from Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th due to Thanksgiving. 

This blog will cover the two days next week and the following week!

The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Week of 2015 at School: 
Science: We will focus on social studies.  

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

Math:  We will finish unit 3, module 1 on equivalent fractions.  Then we will begin unit 3, module 2 on comparing, composing, and decomposing fractions and mixed numbers.  Students will also take a multiplication by 12 test on Tuesday, November 24th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.  On Tuesday, December 8th students will take a mixed multiplication test.  I will send home practice tests beforehand.  

Spelling: The "Words Their Way" spelling menu/homework has changed for Trimester 2!!  Please check it out on  Monday, November 30th, when your child brings it home.  I am requiring only 6 activities over the 2 week time period, but they are lengthier.  The assignments should be stapled to the homework menu.  The next due date for homework is Friday, December 11th.  The test will also take place on that date.  There will not be spelling next week.  

ELA: On Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th our students will be presenting their "Biography Person Pouch" to the class.  They will be reading their information from the trading card.  The directions were given out this past Monday. Students should be practicing their presentation and should also bring in artifacts (in a pouch/bag) and could choose to wear some type of costume to represent their biography person.  I will be grading the students on how they present their trading card and how well they "become" their person.  There will also be a prefix/suffix quiz on Tuesday, November 24th.  

In the week of November 30th, we will begin a new unit titled, What is Culture?  We'll introduce this unit with a close read of the song "Circle of Life" from the Lion King.  

Biography book contracts are due on or before Tuesday, December 1st.  Next month, we will be reading non-fiction books.  November reading logs will also be due Tuesday, December 1st.  

Things to Remember:
Monday 11/23: There will be biography presentations. 
Tuesday 11/24: There will be a multiplication by 12 test and biography presentations.  There will also be a prefix/suffix quiz.  
Wednesday 11/25: No School
Thursday 11/26: No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday 11/27: No School

Tuesday 12/1:  Biography contract packets and November reading logs are due.

Miss Pellin's Post
November 16th to November 20th 



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 Wednesday, November 18th from 9 am to 1 pm.  We will go on our tour of Downers Grove and stop at various places such Pierce Downers house, which is pictured above.  Then we will go to the Downers Grove museum.  Next, everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch).  Please send the permission slip to school with your child on Monday, if you have not already done so.  Thank you!

The end of the first trimester will be on Friday, November 20th.  

The Thirteenth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies: We will finish the studying the history of Downers Grove.  There will be a Downers Grove history quiz on Friday, November 20th.  Students will receive a study guide on Monday, 

Math:  We will continue unit 3, module 1 on fractions.  Students will also take a multiplication by 11 test on Tuesday, November 17th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   

Spelling: Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Friday, November 20th.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Friday, November 20th.  

ELA:  This week we will work on our biographies unit.  Students will begin filling out a planning packet in order to create a trading card on the person they read about.  I will give students explicit instructions on their presentation for their biography person on Monday, November 16th.  Students will put their instructions in their homework pocket of their binder.  They will read their final product from their trading card to the class for their presentations which will be on Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th.  Students will need to have a costume and/or artifacts as well.  We will work on this in class, but practice will be necessary at home.  

Next week we will also be working on a writing project pertaining to Thanksgiving.  Today you will see a bare turkey coming home.  Students need to "disguise" him so the farmer lets him go!  Students should bring back their disguised turkeys on Tuesday, November 17th.  It is not necessary to buy any crafty items, just use what you have at home.  I've seen feathers, beads, googly eyes, cloth, construction paper, and just plain old crayons used.  We will complete the writing portion of this project in class.

Things to Remember:
Tuesday 11/16:  Turkey disguises are due.  There will be a multiplication by 11 test.
Friday 11/20: The 8 spelling activities are due and there will be a spelling test.  Also, there will be a Downers Grove history quiz.  

Miss Pellin's Post
November 9th to November 13th 


Wednesday, November 11th is Veterans Day.  The students have already started making cards to honor our veterans.

I really enjoyed meeting with each of you for conferences.  It was so nice to sit down and talk with you about your child.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.  

There will not be school on Friday, November 6th or Monday, November 9th.  Please plan accordingly.

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 Wednesday, November 18th from 9 am to 1 pm.  We will go on our tour of Downers Grove and stop at various places such Pierce Downers house.  Then we will go to the Downers Grove museum.  Next, everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch).  After lunch, we will return to school.  I will send home a permission slip on Tuesday, November 10th. I will need two chaperones.  Please email me if you are interested in coming by Monday, November 9th.  Thank you!

The Twelfth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies: We will continue studying the history of Downers Grove.  

Math:  There will be a unit 2 test on Wednesday, November 11th.  The study guide should be completed by Tuesday, November 10th.  Then we will begin unit 3, module 1 on fractions.  Students will also take a multiplication by 10 test on Tuesday, November 10th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, November 10th will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  

Spelling: Students will be given a new word sort.  Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Friday, November 20th.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Friday, November 20th.  

ELA:  We will finish the study of myths.  Then we will begin our biography unit.  This goes along nicely with the book your child picked out for their contract work.  There will be a project and presentation coming up as well.   


Things to Remember:
Monday 11/9: There will be no school due to a Teacher Institute day.   
Tuesday 11/10:  Math unit 2 study guides are due.  There will be a multiplication by 10 test.
Wednesday 11/11: Today is Veterans Day. There will be a unit 2 math test.  

Miss Pellin's Post
November 2nd to November 5th

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

There will not be school on Friday, November 6th.  Please plan accordingly.  

Conferences are geared toward meeting with students' homeroom teacher.  I look forward to meeting with you on Monday, November 2nd, Tuesday, November 3rd, and  Wednesday, November 4th!  

If anyone has a veteran in their family, we are inviting veterans to come into PV on Veteran's Day, 11/11, to say the Pledge of Allegiance with our students.  If you do, please let me or Mr. Pagel know.

We are also looking for a parent representative to help our PBIS team by organizing various charitable events throughout the school year.  Let me know if you are interested and I'll connect you with the appropriate people.  


The Eleventh Week of 2015 at School:
Science: We will focus on social studies this week.   

Social Studies: We will begin learning about the history of Downers Grove.  Students will learn about the founder of Downers Grove, Pierce Downer.  

Math:  We will begin the study of unit 2, module 4 on division with remainders.  Look for a study guide to come home this week.  We will finish the study of unit 2 and there will be a test in the week of November 9th.  Students will take a multiplication by 9 test on Tuesday, November 3rd.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, November 3rd will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  

Spelling:  Students were given their list of words along with a homework sheet with a list of activities.    Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Thursday, November 5th.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Thursday, November 5th.  

ELA:  We will continue the study of myths and our Daily 5 program.  Fiction reading contracts will be due on Tuesday, November 3rd.  Students can work on their reading contract packet both at school and at home.  October reading logs will be due on Monday, November 2nd.  On Monday, students will receive their November reading logs.  We will begin to study nouns this week and identify them in our writing.  




Things to Remember:Monday 11/2:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  October reading logs are due.
Tuesday 11/3:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  Reading contracts are due.

Wednesday 11/4:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  
Thursday 11/5:  There will be a spelling test and the 8 activities are due.  
Friday 11/6:  There will be no school.

Miss Pellin's Post
October 26th to October 30th

 

The classroom Halloween Party will go from 1:10-2:10 p.m. and then the parade will begin. 

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 are geared toward meeting with students' homeroom teacher.  I look forward to meeting with you on Monday, November 2nd, Tuesday, November 3rd, and  Wednesday, November 4th!  

The Tenth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: There will be a chapter 9 science test on Thursday, October 29th.  

Social Studies: We will begin studying the history of Downers Grove.  

Math:  We will continue the study of unit 2, module 3 on multiplication stories and strategies.  They will take a multiplication by 8 test on Tuesday, October 27th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, October 27th will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  

Spelling:  Students will be given a new word sort.  Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Thursday, November 5th.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Thursday, November 5th.  

ELA:  We will begin the study of myths.  Students will also continue to edit and type their haunted house paper.  Fiction reading contracts will be due on Tuesday, November 3rd.  Students can  work on their reading contract packet both at school and at home.  October reading logs will be due on Monday, November 2nd.  We will continue our Daily 5 program.  






Things to Remember:
Thursday 10/29:  There will be a chapter 9 science test.
Friday 10/30: Happy Halloween!  We will have our party and parade!

Monday 11/2:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  October reading logs are due.
Tuesday 11/3:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  Reading contracts are due.

Wednesday 11/4:  There will be parent/teacher conferences.  
Thursday 11/5:  There will be a spelling test and the 8 activities are due.  
Friday 11/6:  There will be no school.

Miss Pellin's Post
October 19th - October 23rd 

Conferences for students' homeroom teacher will be held in the first week of November.  Sign ups will be coming out soon.

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.

P.E.:
Please sign your child's Physical Fitness page.  This should be in their Homework pocket of their binder.

The Ninth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will finish studying the water cycle in chapter 9, lesson 2.  Then we will study weather in chapter 9, lesson 3.  Look for a study guide to come home this week.  There will be a test in the week of October 26th.  

The students watched the water cycle in progress during a class experiment.  First, the water evaporated when it was boiled.  Ice cubes were placed in the pie pan in order to cool down the air.  This caused the water vapor  to condense on the bottom of the pie pan. As the condensed water started to build up, it fell like precipitation.  

Social Studies: We will focus on science.  

Spelling:  We will continue our Ways Their Way program.  Students were given their list of words along with a homework sheet with a list of activities.    Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Friday, October 23rd.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Friday, October 23rd.  

ELA:    This week we will focus on reading a complex text describing a monster.  Students will also work on writing a paper persuading a movie director to buy their haunted house! They will continue the Daily 5 reading program.  During the read to self station, students will work on their Independent Reading Contract.  

Math: We will continue the study of unit 2, module 2 on arrays and ratio tables.  Students will use base ten blocks, the distributive property, and ratio tables to solve multiplication problems.   They will take a multiplication by 7 test on Tuesday, October 20th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, October 20th will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  

Things to Remember:

Tuesday 10/20: There will be a multiplication by 7 test.
Friday 10/23:  There will be a spelling test and the 8 spelling activities are due. 

Miss Pellin's Post
October 12th - October 16th 

Remember Monday, October 12th is Columbus Day and there will be no school.  Please plan accordingly.

Halloween: 

The Halloween parade and party will be on October 30th.  

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 15th there will be a book fair and taffy apple sale from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The Eighth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will continue the study of the water cycle in chapter 9, lesson 2.  Ask your child to show you hand motions for the water cycle.  We will also conduct an experiment where we can see the water cycle in motion.  

Social Studies: We will focus on science.  

Spelling:  Students will be given a new word sort.  Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Friday, October 23rd.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Friday, October 23rd.  

ELA:  We will continue our study of fables.  We have "close" watched The Tortoise and the Hare Disney video using three levels of questioning and we will compare this video with the Super Bowl commercial featuring The Tortoise and the Hare.  We will also continue our Daily 5 program.  In your child's reading folder you will find their graded fiction reading contract.  Feel free to look at the graded rubric, but then please place the packet back in the reading folder.  This packet will be added to each child's portfolio.  For 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 a movie director to buy their haunted house!

Math: We will continue the study of unit 2, module 1 on building multiplication arrays.  Students will use linear measurements such as decimeters to calculate the area of arrays.  Students will take a multiplication by 6 test on Tuesday, October 13th.  They will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, October 13th will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  


Things to Remember:
Monday 10/12:  There is no school today.
Tuesday 10/13: There will be a multiplication by 6 test.
Thursday 10/15:  The book fair and taffy apple sale is tonight from 6:30-8:00.