Today and tomorrow are the last days of MEAP testing for ¾ students. We will be back to our normal schedule on Thursday! I am so proud of our class! Great job MEAPing everyone.
A BIG thank you to all of those who helped level our books. We only have 5 bags left to be leveled. That is amazing!
I am looking for a book order volunteer. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email me at sb07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us The position includes organizing the book order forms to go home with students, placing the orders online and via phone, and sorting books to go home with the students upon arrival. It is super easy to place the orders online. You can decide how often book orders are placed…monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or whenever you choose. You can tailor it to your needs. The kids love this opportunity, and we just need a volunteer!
MEAP: During the next two weeks, your child will be taking the MEAP test. 3rd graders take Reading and Math. 4th graders take Reading, Writing, and Math. Remember the following:
• Early bedtime—get at least 10 hours of sleep!
• Healthy, big breakfast (NO food or drinks are allowed in MEAP rooms)
• Pack at least two healthy snacks and a great reading book.
• Get to school on time—testing begins by 8:30 every day.
• Do not take your child out of school for appointments.
This year our students will be given their “Fountas and Pinnell” reading level. They will understand that this level will help them choose books that are just right for them. Students will be encouraged to read books at a variety of levels and challenge themselves throughout the year.
In order to help each child make the best reading choices for themselves, I am taking on the task of leveling my entire classroom library. This is a huge undertaking and I cannot do it without your help!
If you would like to help in this effort, please email me so we can coordinate a time for you to pick up a bag (or two!) of books. You can take them home to level them and then bring them back. The directions for this process are below.
Thank you for your time and effort. I greatly appreciate everyone’s help! I know that this hard work will make a big difference for our students!!! If you have any questions, please email me at any time.
For each book, please follow the steps below:
1. Go to www.booksource.com/Departments/Leveled-Reading.aspx and type in the name of the book you are looking for. Once you have searched for the book, you will often need to scroll down to find the level. Levels are A-Z. You will also want to look for the book’s genre.
2. Now go to www.bookwizard.scholastic.com to search for the book again to ensure that both sites agree on the book’s level. Once you have searched for the book, you will need to click on the title and look for “guided reading” in order to find the level.
3. Once you have found the book’s level and genre, you can write the level inside the front cover of the book.
What if the websites list two different levels?
Every once in a while this will happen. You have two options:
If the sites list the book as being one letter apart (example: L and M), please place both levels on the inside cover.
a. If the sites list the book as more than one letter apart, choose the middle letter as the reading level.
b. If the sites list the book as 6th -8th grade reading level, label the book as Z+.
Subjects taught today:
Language Arts: Today we took the MEAP test.
Science: Today we took the MEAP test.
Math: (3rd):
Co-curricular class: Art and Swim
Here’s What We Have for You:
We are now swimming!
Please bring headphones to class for Monday.
Please bring 2 chapter books to class this week and next.
We MEAP this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
3rd Grade Math:
Study addition/subtraction facts for 15 minutes.
How to take online tests:
Go to my blog http://www.butzinbcs.blogspot.com/
Scroll down to “Places to Go and Explore”
Click on 3rd grade online MATH TEST site!
Find your name and log in using your school password (this is in on a sticker in your planner)
Or, log into your school email and click on the emails (with a link) that have been sent to you.
3rd Grade End of Year Fact Expectations:
Students should have quick mental recall of the following number of facts by the end of the year: 30 addition/30 subtraction facts in 2 mins and 50 division/50 multiplication facts in 3 mins
4th Grade Math:
Tonight’s homework is JP 49-51 SL 2.9 (two sides) and three online tests. The kids have my permission to use any method of subtraction they want, but I am encouraging them to use the traditional method that you and I grew up with! This homework is all due Wednesday. The codes for the online tests are JPGB3948, YLZV2338, and DVWR2836.
Science:
Please continue to collect and bring in 2 ltr. clear soda bottles. We have enough for the Land and Water science unit. However, we will need lots more (approx. 30 bottles) for the ecosystems unit, which is taught later on in the year. Wash out the bottle. Remove the label. Keep the cap on.
Spanish:
4th grade go to: http://kron11.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/
3rd grade go to: http://geisler10.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/home">http://geisler10.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/home
Please make sure your child has a good book with him/her each day! We usually have 15 minutes of silent reading time each day!
Please check your child's Blue Take Home Folder each day to check for mail, homework, and important information.
PLEASE INITIAL YOUR CHILD’S PLANNER EACH NIGHT SO I KNOW YOU ARE AWARE OF THE HOMEWORK AND EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM!
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILD TO BRING SHARPENED PENCILS TO SCHOOL EACH DAY! PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CHILD WITH A PERSONAL PENCIL SHARPENER TO KEEP IN HIS/HER BINDER!!!
PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD WITH A WATER BOTTLE!!! This helps a lot, so he/she does not have to leave the room when thirsty! Your child is also welcome to keep healthy snacks in our classroom to eat any time!
