March Updates 2025
Week of March 3rd-7th
IAR Testing - March 18-20
End Quarter 3 - March 21st
Spring Break - March 24th-31st
Report Card Pick-Up - April 1st (Book Fair Open to parents/Kids)
Book Fair Class Visit - April 2nd
Please make sure students return all library books before Spring Break!
Reading - This week we spent a lot of time reviewing Figurative Language. I wanted to make sure students are able to identify types of figurative language before we being our new novel after Spring Break. We made flip books that students will be able to reference during our next unit.
Foundational Skills - Students learned to add inflected endings to base words. Sometimes you change the Y to an I.
Writing - We are working on Opinion writing. This unit is fun as it's framed around being guests on an Either/Or podcast. They select one of two animals they would rather be and write reasons and explanations supporting their selection.
Social Studies - We completed Unit 4, Lesson 1 this week. Students learned about the westward expansion and how it affected the Native Nations. They learned about the Transcontinental Railroad, the Battle of Fort Dearborn and other events that shaped our nation.
Week of March 10th-14th
IAR Testing - March 18-20
Library Books due - March 21st
End Quarter 3 - March 21st
Spring Break - March 24th-31st
Report Card Pick-Up - April 1st (Book Fair Open to parents/Kids)
3rd grade Book Fair Class Visit - April 2nd
This week Mr. Goldner and I spent time preparing the 3rd graders for the IAR test. They have never taken this test before and the platform is very different from Star 360. We focused on how to use the platform and tools provided. We also spent time practicing typing a response into a document. There is an extended response component to the IAR Reading test and I want them to feel comfortable typing their response. They are great at writing it on paper and want them to receive credit for their hard work this year!
Foundational Skills - students learned about concrete and abstract compound words. They finished the week with an assessment for Unit 4.
Social Studies - we continued with Unit 4 Lesson 2. Students are learning about why people immigrate to Chicago. They are also learning about Civil Rights leaders like John Lewis and Rosa Parks.
Week of March 17th-21st
Spring Break - March 24th-31st
Report Card Pick-Up - April 1st (Book Fair Open to parents/Kids)
3rd grade Book Fair Class Visit - April 2nd
Please note that both 3rd grade classes will visit the Book Fair as a class on Wednesday, April 2nd. The Book fair will also be open during Report Card Pick-Up on the 1st.
This week's main focus was IAR testing. The kids spent a lot of time focusing and being nice and quiet for their classmates. They did an INCREDIBLE job and should be celebrated! I am not sure when the scores will be finalized but I do know that they worked hard and tried their best. I also think the test is quite challenging and am proud of how they took their time, used their scratch paper and reviewed their questions before submitting their test.
I hope all students get healthy over spring break and and have a nice, relaxing time with family. I look forward to seeing you all on 4/1!