Hi wonderful Parents and Followers,

It's hard to believe it is already the sixth week of school! We are rolling along, and as usual, this week will be a busy one.

Reading/LA/SS

In addition to taking the CogAT tests, we will be reviewing reading and writing skills taught so far. Students will apply their writing skills to write an original paper with their ideas on how to prevent a real-life problem from happening again. 

Math

Estimation is the name of the game. Students will learn the importance of estimating to ensure reasonable calculations, and different strategies for doing so. We will continue to hone our addition skills and strategies.

Science

Students will design wearable technology to solve a real-world problem. Be sure to ask your child what he/she comes up with, it is bound to be interesting and creative :-). 

Have a wonderful week!

Just a few reminders...

1. Please keep bringing in pictures of your family to add to our Classroom Family Tree.  Your child is part of my family this year and we want to celebrate and acknowledge everyone in the classroom.  Every family is unique and so special to me.  I want to model and teach your child how special each one of them are and that our families don't all have to be the same.   You will get your pictures back at the end of the year.  You could also just email a picture and I will be happy to print it off for you.  It can be one picture or a couple pictures if your family is spread out.  

2.  Please bring snacks for your child! I have had a few parents donate snacks for our classroom. Thank you! Thank you! Your child is working so hard all day and their little brains really need good nutrition to sustain them throughout the day.  This is also for breakfast as well.  I know many of us are in a hurry in the mornings but we offer free breakfast here at school from 7:00-7:30.  You can also bring a water bottle to keep in the classroom.  No juice or gatorade. 

3.  The classroom is still a little chilly if your child is wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt.  I wish I was able to change our temperature in our classroom but the district has it set for us.  Many times when I am teaching, I see students with arms inside their shirts.  It is really hard to work when you can't write with your arms. :) Just a little sweater they can keep in the classroom or their locker.  We are still going outside for recess and I know it is very hot.  Shorts and t-shirts are still good to wear.  I just want the students to be comfortable while they are working.  

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me anytime. 

Thanks! :) 

Mrs. Stigers 

amanda.stigers@pisd.edu   

Cogat...What's That??

Parents, Next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (September 26th-28th), students will participate in the CogAT Test.This is a "Cognitive Abilities Test" and will be administered to every student. Check out the link below for further explanation...

http://www.pisd.edu/parents/assessment.accountability/cogat.shtml

The test will take place from 8:00-9:00 in the morning. This evaluation is segregated from the STAAR Test, and is just a different measure of each student's abilities. Students test in 3rd grade for the first time. We use this for a baseline of how they best learn and attain new information. 

No Pressure/No Stress... Students will just do their best!

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

CogAT 9/26, 9/27, 9/28

8:00-9:00

Language Arts
We are learning how to identify the main idea and details in non-fiction reading. We are also learning to write our own expository paragraphs with topic sentences to introduce the main idea, and supporting details that tell more about the topic.

Math
We are learning more about addition and subtraction, which will build into multi-step problem solving over the next couple of weeks.

Science
Science tools rule! We are learning about a variety of science tools and their uses.

Check out this fun vocabulary building station 😊

Mrs. Stigers 

Hi Parents and followers!

We hope that you had a wonderful time on your three day weekend. We in third grade are doing great! Students are still learning the routines and are working very hard. Please remember to sign their agendas EVERY night Monday- Thursday, as well as checking for letters from the school, or daily math homework.

I know that it is still pretty warm outside and the students will be going outside for recess each day.  However, it is very chilly in our classroom and I can not adjust the temperature. Your child is welcome to bring a light jacket, a hoody, or a sweater to keep in the classroom and their lockers to use each day.  Many of the students are not able to work due to the fact that their arms are inside their shirts for warmth.  

Please keep bringing in family photos you would like to add to our family tree in our classroom.  You will receive your pictures back at the end of the year.  But I want your child to know that we are all family this year and I care about them as well has all of you. You may bring in more than one photos and they do not have to professionally done.  Just something your child can share with the class and know that we are a community.     

Math: In Math we are still working on place value and the order of number. In third grade, we go up to the 100,000s place, so make sure to work with them at home on those larger numbers. This is a game I like to play with my class, and can easily be adapted for home. It's called Cows and Bulls.

Language Arts: This week, we are switching to Main Idea and Detail. As well as, capitalization and punctuation in a sentence. During their nightly reading, please have them write a sentence on describing the details of the story. Make sure to check for the beginning of the sentence capital letter and an end of the sentence punctuation mark.

Science: This will be our last week on Healthy bodies, so please help us drive it home. Germs, teeth, healthy eating, sleep, and exercise are all topics we are going over.

Upcoming events:

September 11th- Start of Science MAP testing 

September 13: Chipotle Night for PTA (15th and 75)

September 14th – WATCHDOG Dad’s Pizza dinner and General Meeting 5pm

Mrs. Stigers