Read to Succeed

The third grade at Skinner North will be participating in a "Read to Succeed" program.  A reading log will be sent home Friday.  Information about the program is explained below:

Your child’s class is participating in an exciting program that encourages students in grades K through 6 to read for fun. Read to Succeed is a free program sponsored by Six Flags Theme Parks. Every student who completes six hours of recreational reading before the  deadline noted is eligible for a free admission ticket valid at participating Six Flags Theme Parks. Students will develop a greater appreciation for books when they see that you think reading is important too. You are sure to have fun as you investigate the world of reading together! 

Here’s what you need to know: 

• Only students in grades K through 6 are eligible to participate. 
• Review the attached reading log. Your child should use this sheet to record what and how long he/she reads. 
• Your child must complete six hours, or 360 minutes, of recreational reading. 
• Please initial each entry and then sign the reading log to verify that the six hours of reading has been completed. 
• Your child can read books, magazines, newspapers, or comic books. Reading for homework or a class assignment does NOT count. 
• Students can read silently, aloud, or with an adult—you can read to your child, or your child can read to you. 
• Remind your child to return the reading log to his/her teacher by the date on the log. 
• Late entries will NOT be accepted. 

About the Tickets 

• Tickets will be awarded to students by their teacher/coordinator. 
• The ticket is valid for admission on select dates only during the 2014 season. Valid dates will be printed on the tickets. 
• Tickets are valid for students in grades K-6 only and are not valid for anyone over the age of 13. No exceptions. 
• Each ticket is valid for one free admission only. 
• Tickets are not for resale and are nontransferable. 
• They cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. 

Change Drive - Endangered Animal Adoption

After all students finished presenting their persuasive animal ads, the classroom voted and chose Ireland's animal - the Amur Leopard - as the endangered animal our classroom will "symbolically adopt."

To raise money for the adoption, our classroom will be holding a Change Drive.  If you have any spare change around the house, please have your child bring it in for the drive!  Thanks!

Chicago History ABC Book Covers - Wordle

Today in class students began creating the final step of their Chicago History ABC book covers - making the actual Wordle.  Many students wanted to print their Wordle at home so that it was in color (not required!).  We will be doing final prints of the Wordles (printed in black and white) in class on Friday.  Listed below are the directions in case your child wants to do so:

Part 2 - Wordle

1.     Highlight over the entire list of words, and click Copy

2.     Go to http://www.wordle.net/

3.     Click Create (located on the top menu)

4.     In the text box, click Paste (this should paste your words in from Microsoft Word)

5.     Click Go

6.     Then you can customize your own Wordle by using the menu at the top (Edit, Language, Font, Layout, Color)

7.     When your Wordle is complete, click "File" in the left hand corner and then "Print" (don't click the Print button on the Wordle screen!)

8.      Don’t forget to put your name on it! 

Report Cards

Report cards will be passed out today.  Please look for them in your child's green homework folder!

A Sneak Peek At Another SHORT Week ...

Hope you all are staying warm!

Social Studies/Morning Work:  Students will finish creating their Wordle covers for their Chicago ABC books on Wednesday, and then spend Thursday and Friday morning creating math extended responses.  

Reading: In reading this week, students will analyze the characters and the conflicts in fables, folktales, and myths.  They will use the characters' traits to name them as a protagonist or an antagonist in the story.  And finally, they will recognize characteristics common to myths and legends in order to distinguish them from other genres. Next week we will begin comparing and contrasting characters, themes, and conflicts within and across texts.  

Writing:  Students will continue working on extended reading responses this week.  Lessons will focus on using transition words in their topic sentences, varying the structure of their topic sentences, and elaborating our thinking about the text.  

Math:  Lessons 5.9: Powers of 10 and 5.10: Rounding & Reporting Numbers will be instructed on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday students will complete a differentiated/tiered problem solving activity related to real-world multiplication application.

Science:  Students will continue to uncover the key question, "How are sedimentary rocks formed?"  Key vocabulary will include sedimentary rock, erosion, and pressure.  Then, on Friday, students will begin to explore how metamorphic rocks are formed.  

Important News & Information: 

• Friday, 1/31: Quarter 3 Project information will be passed out
• Because we are now in Quarter 3, students will have P.E. both on Wednesdays and Fridays

IXL Shout-Outs!

A special shout-out goes to the following students for logging in an hour or more of IXL practice last week.  Way to go above and beyond practicing all of the skills you're learning in the classroom!  

Great Job! - Isaiah, Harry, Julia, Kevin, Maha, Joseph, Rohan, & Kaleb

Math Homework Tonight

Instead of Study Links tonight, today I assigned for students to complete at least 10 minutes (minimum!) of IXL practice.  Students wrote down skill 4D10 to complete - but working on 4D11 and/or 4D12 would be acceptable too!