Simple Machine in Structures

Dear Class 3-203 Families,

Starting on May 17 (tomorrow), our class will be participating in an architecture program called "Simple Machine in Structures" from Kidspire.

Simple Machine in Structures

In "Simple Machine in Structures", each student will construct an architectural structure that has a simple but appropriately integrated working simple machine.  Students will plan and design an observation tower and construct a working elevator.  This Common Core integrated program will enrich students' study of simple machines, force, gravity, and geometry.  They will apply problem solving skills involving measurement and 3d model construction.  Students will explore ways of creating form within a set of parameters, and develop spatial and motor skills.

This program will have six sessions with a culminating event at the last session which is scheduled on June 6, 2016.  The fee per student is $20.00.

*** Please make checks payable to: Kidspire LLC or you can send in cash.  Please send your money in ASAP.  

Thank you

P.S.- As of today, I have only received money from 10 families.

May Newsletter

Dates to Remember:

• May- Mosl exam, sometime in the next week or so
• May 12: Evening Parent Engagement (No individual conferences at this time- Mainly speaking about expectations for 4th grade)
• May 19: International Night- Please consider coming to support our school in this wonderful event.  I will be attending.  Hope to see you there!
• May 20: Career Day
• May 26: Awards Night 
• May 30: Memorial Day- School closed!

Trips:

•  May 26- Audubon
  
  
  Number of chaperones: Riya, Andrew B., Kagan, Jack
  Fee: Free
  Parents please meet at 9:15.
• May 31- New York Botanical Garden

         Number of chaperons: 4- Liam, Preston, Ashfi and Brianna  (Please let me know if you are unable to                attend, that way I can find a new chaperon)

         Fee: $5.00

         Parents please meet at 9:15.

• June 1- Mets Game at Citi Field  

- If you do not want your child attending the trip, that is completely fine.  Please let me know.  I already am aware of a few children not attending.

- Just note, if your child does not attend, they will be placed in another classroom for the day and assigned work to complete from me.  However your child normally goes home, that is how they will do so on this day.

- If you have any other questions regarding the trip, please let me know.

 Number of chaperons: the more the better... so far we have ( Prajusha, Olivia, Riya, Chiara, Ashfi, Farhin, Olam, Alemu, Preston, Brianna, Alex, Andrew Smith, Kagan, Nicole, and Audrey---- all these parents are paid for as well.)

What We Are Learning- Including Goals May/June:

Reading:

• Having collaborative conversations by using text evidence to support ideas.
• Using context clues to figure out new vocabulary.
• Using graphic organizers to sort, classify, and organize information.
• Analyze character relationships and setting by focusing on character actions, thoughts and feelings.
• Interpret the theme by using details from the text.

Writing:

• Finishing baby literary essays by stating your claim.
• Working on writing Opinion essays- practice for the MOSL exam
• Improving mechanics (spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar)
• Continuing to work on 3rd grade grammar.

Math: 

• Review of 3rd grade material and getting ready for 4th grade
• Collaborative in-class projects

Science:

• Finishing up Simple Machines
• Beginning Plant and Animal Adaptations

Social Studies:

• Studying Europe
• South America

Spring Break Homework

I hope everyone has a wonderful spring break!!

Homework is as follows (optional):

1. Reading Log

2. i-ready- Math and ELA lessons

3. Science- Please try your best to work on the machine brains mini project however, we will finish working on them in class when we get back.

- Here is a link to somemore information about the machine brain... http://thomaselementaryart.blogspot.com/2012/02/machine-brains-by-3rd-grade.html 

4. ELA- Please write a baby literary essay that consists of at least 5 paragraphs based on a book that you are currently reading.  Use text evidence to support each idea in your body paragraphs.

Ms. Sullivan

Noetic Learning Contest

I know that this is last minute, but please sign and return the permission slip as soon as possible.  The test date will be this Wednesday and scores need to be submitted by Thursday.  

Attached is information about the test and the website.  Also, attached is the permission slip which I will be sending home with the children tomorrow. 





Dear Parent or Guardian:
We are pleased to tell you that your child has been selected to participate in the Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC). NLMC is a national math contest given by Noetic Learning.  The purpose of the contest is to inspire young student interest in math and convey the message ‘It is COOL to be good at math!’ to students.  
The NLMC contest will take place on April 20, 2016. Students will be given 45 minutes to solve 20 math problems. The top 10% of students will be rewarded and the top 50% of students will be recognized on Noetic Learning’s web site.
Visit the web site (http://www.noetic-learning.com/mathcontest) for additional information about the Noetic Learning Math Contest and for sample contest problems.
We are excited that our school will be participating in the Noetic Learning Math Contest, and we are pleased that your child has been selected. We know that P.S. 85's students will help us to show what P.S. 85 students know and can do!
The participation is voluntary. And we do need your permission to release your student’s name to Noetic Learning.  Attached is a permission slip. Please return it by April 20, 2016.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sullivan

NLMC Team Leader

Noetic Learning Math Contest

Name Release Permission

Student Name_________________________________

Teacher Name____________Ms. Sullivan_____________________

Noetic Learning will recognize the contest winners by publishing the top 10% of students (name, score, school and state ) and the top 50% of students (name, school and state)  on its web site: http://www.noetic-learning.com. It is a great honor for your child to be recognized in a national math contest. However, we understand if you don’t wish your child’s name to be displayed. In that case, your teacher will assign a code name to your child, such as, ‘student 04’, and enter him/her as ‘student 04’ in the contest.

___ I grant permission to publish my child’s name on Noetic Learning’s web site.

___ I don’t grant permission to publish my child’s name on Noetic Learning’s web site.   

Parent Name _________________________________

Parent Signature _________________________________

Date _________________________________

April Newsletter

Hello 3-203,

I am trying something new... Here it goes!

Dates to Remember:

• April 5-7: NYS ELA Exam
• April 13- 15: NYS Math Exam
• April 20: Awards Night (Students will be posted soon)
• April 22: Earth Day!
• April 25- 29: Spring Recess- School is closed
•  April 21 at 11:00 AM. Class trip to Cooper Hewitt
  Process Lab: Designing a Story Workshop
  Number of chaperones: Kayla (Dad), Rafa (Dad), and Kagan
  Fee: Complimentary, with generous support from Target
  Parents please meet at 9:15.

* Due date for permission slips are due tomorrow, April 14!!!  I am still missing 10 as of today.
Thank you.

What We Are Learning- Including Goals:

Reading:

• Having collaborative conversations by using text evidence to support ideas.
• Using context clues to figure out new vocabulary.
• Using graphic organizers to sort, classify, and organize information.
• Analyze character relationships and setting by focusing on character actions, thoughts and feelings.
• Interpret the theme by using details from the text.

Writing:

• Writing baby literary essays by stating your claim.
• Improving mechanics (spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar)
• Continuing to work on 3rd grade grammar.

After we are finished with the baby literary essays, we will be working on Opinion Writing.

Math: 

• Geometry and 3 dimensional shapes

Science:

• Finishing up Energy
• Beginning Simple Machines
• Also working on our class science fair project

Social Studies:

• Finishing up Asia
• Beginning Europe

Testing Workshop

Please join us for a workshop on…

NEW YORK STATE STANDARDIZED TESTS

When:  Tuesday, March 15, 2016 during  Parent Engagement  2:35-3:10pm

Where: Room 203

Who:  Parents/Guardians of Grade 3 students

Upcoming Trips for March and April

March

Monday, March 21, 9:30 am - 1:00PM

NY Historical Society

History  of Technology

Chaperones: Please let me know by email or note if you would like to be a chaperon for this trip...  We are allowed up to 4. I've only heard from one parent so far, Joy's mom, that would like to chaperon.  I need at least 1 more to be able to attend the trip.  

Chaperones please arrive by 9:15am.

April

Thursday, April 21, 9:30 am - 1:00PM

Cooper Hewitt

Chaperones: 

Chaperones please arrive by 9:15am.