COFFEE HOUSE IN ROOM 21.

May 29, 2015
The last hour of the last day of school is set aside for our annual poetry reading.  Kids dress in black, sport a beret and look very "beat generation".  We will snap our fingers instead of applaud (you'll find out why when you join us!)
Parents are invited to attend.  This is a celebration of our year as writers and a wonderful way to teach and learn until the last bell rings.
This week we are finishing up our I Am From poems and next week we'll start to practice reciting them in front of an audience.  We'll have a craft project and then on the last day of school, we'll turn the classroom into a very hip cafe, low lights, jazz music.  Get the idea?
We'll start at 2:00 and stay until the last poem is shared.
This is fun, be there or be square.
Valerie McKenzie

Date Change for SBAC Math Performance Task

Due to the Rose Show on the 29th we will postpone the Math Performance Task until the following week, starting either Monday or Tuesday.  Please try to have your student in class on Monday, June 1st.  We need full attendance to present the pre-lesson.  Then we can take the test Tuesday and Wednesday.  This test has been taking less time than the others, hooray!  We'll all be glad to see the testing window close.  Kids have worked so hard and I am so impressed by their stamina and willingness to try.
I've cancelled spelling tests for the rest of the year, lots of research says that with spelling tests, the gain is short lived.  The best way to learn to spell is to read and write!  Today, kids took at least 10 of the current spelling words and, either wrote sentences or wove them into a short story.  These kids can write!  They have a strong understanding of story arc and are providing details for the reader.  I was so impressed!!!
Enjoy your three day weekend.
Valerie

Field Trip Tomorrow!!

Tomorrow we go downtown as a grade level to see the play, Ramona Quimby.  We will leave at 8:50 in order to be there for the 9:45 performance.
Volunteers, please be here at 8:35 so we can make the mad dash for the theater!

Also, I am out of Clorox-type disinfectant wipes.  Please, if you have an extra floating around send it to school!
Thanks,
Valerie

Oh, the presentations are great!  Kids have really practiced.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

This week in Room 21

Dear Families,
We'll have another jam-packed week in third grade.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday kids have signed up for an oral presentation.  They have chosen either their Egg Drop Presentation or their Biography assignment.  Below is the list of when the kids signed up for their report.  If this time is NOT going to work for your family, please let me know.  I was just hoping to squeeze them in before we start Math testing next week.
Wednesday:  Abby, Maggie, Jack I., Bennett and Oliver
Thursday:  Natasha, Grace, Nina, Jaden, Henri, Allie, William and Orion
Friday:  Finley, Eleanor, Ricky, Jack F., Carolyn, Hunter, Clark and Ava.
That's not everyone but I'll talk with those kids this week and get them on the schedule.

Wednesday at 8:45 in the cafeteria is our Volunteer Celebration.  I couldn't do this job without the help of so many volunteers!  Writing Workshop -Lisa F. and Lisa E., Sarah, and Pam.  Jr. Great Books - Tammy and Lisa F., Homework Envelopes - Caty.  Field Trips Galore, Math group- Mary. Art classes, etc, etc.  Please let us thank you.

In the writing workshop kids are starting a poem about color based on the poems of Mary O'Neill.  We immersed ourselves in color on Friday and today we'll act like a paint company and name the colors we created.  Good fun!

Enjoy your day and thanks for all your support,
Valerie McKenzie

Thank you!!

Here's what I wrote on a small thank you card posted at my doorway:

Dear Students and Families,
     Thank you so much for the lovely appreciations this week.  I've received flowers, home-baked goodies, even google slide shows lovingly created by students.  The gift basket of wonderful delicacies and opportunities is greatly appreciated.
     I love my job, I love my students.  Thank you for your kindnesses.
                                        Love to all,
                                        Valerie McKenzie

Math SBAC Testing Schedule

Thought I'd send out a heads' up for the Math Assessments in May.
We will be testing for the short answer, multiple choice math assessment May 18 and 19.
The Math Performance task is scheduled for May 29.
All our times are scheduled for the morning so it is important that kids have a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast and are in their seats at 8:45.
All things considered, testing has gone really well.  Kids seem relaxed and dedicated.  Three cheers for them!
This Thursday and Friday, we'll be finishing up the last few kids who haven't finished the English Language Arts Performance Task.  Half-way through!

This week in Room 21

Dear Families,
I'm back after a couple days of a cold/flu.  Fun times!  Sounds like the kids were great while I was gone, that always feels good.

This week we'll finish up the essay writing Performance Task of the Smarter Balanced Test.  Good!

For homework, I'm sending home some Math games around liquid measurements (standard not metric) and probability.  They reflect the work we've been doing in class.  Also, I want kids to finish up their Egg Drop Presentations and I'll go over that with them today.

We are, also, finishing up our Biography Lap Books this week.

In third grade, we have several work samples to evaluate and submit to the district.  We have:

• A writing sample, we usually use the narrative they wrote in class about Egg Drop Day.
• A scientific inquiry, guess what we'll use...
• A math problem solving sample, working on it.

AND

• A speaking sample.

For the speaking sample, I thought I would let kids choose between their Biography project and their Egg Drop presentation.  Both lend themselves to oral presentations.  For the bio, kids could dress up as their subject and talk about their life and work and for the Egg Drop kids can use their presentation as a visual aid, they can dress up as a scientist/engineer for this one, too.  The keys to the oral presentation are eye contact, content and NOT reading the text.  I will work with them in class on these key points but this is homework.  They will need you to practice on!  Talk with them about it, I hope to know which they will do by the end of the week and we'll start scheduling them for next week. Thanks and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great week!

Valerie

vmckenzie@pps.net