I hope you enjoyed a terrific Rodeo Vacation! I enjoyed the extra time with my family and getting a few items crossed off the to do list. My three grandchildren and I planted our garden - that was exciting!
Student Council will be holding a school talent show near the end of March. Each class can have three performances try out for the school talent show. The All Star talent show will be this Wednesday afternoon in my classroom. The students who wish to perform must bring everything they need. The only exception will be if a student wishes to play a song on the piano - we can use the school's piano. When our class discussed the talent show, ten to twelve students wanted to audition and perform for our class. I am excited to watch both our class and school talent show.
This week is benchmark testing in reading, writing and math. The testing starts at 9:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is scheduled to last until 11:00, but each child will have as much time as needed to complete each test. Please do your very best to have the students in school during our testing times. The reading test is on Tuesday, then writing on Wednesday and finally math on Thursday. The benchmark will give me information on what topics need more instruction and which students need more assistance.
Our class will continue to read the novel Because of Winn Dixie this week. We have a study guide to complete questions after we finish each chapter. I think the kids are enjoying the story. We will not have vocabulary or spelling words this week.
The third graders will be working on addition and subtraction strategies with three digit numbers. Plus we will be practicing rounding and estimating. Fourth graders will continue to work on multiplication and division strategies. I am planning on giving the unit 8 assessment to the fourth graders on Friday. I do realize this is a week of assessments.
Every chance we get the next couple of weeks we will be doing science. We have the very exciting electricity and magnets unit! The investigations are fun because each student gets their own tools to use. We will be building a variety of circuits, switches and then a flashlight!
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Figueroa
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Homework week of March 2, 2015
Third grade
Monday - First or Third Person, math 17 - 18 and reading log
Tuesday - reading 8 & 9, math 64 and reading log
Wednesday - fact and opinion 13 & 15, math 25 & 26 and reading log
Thursday - point of view 34 & 35, finish math 27 - 29 and reading log
Fourth grade
Monday - First or Third Person, math 51 & 52 and reading log
Tuesday - reading 8 & 9, finish math 53 - 55 and reading log
Wednesday - fact and opinion 13 & 15, finish math evens 362 & 363 and reading log
Thursday - point of view 34 & 35, finish math evens 387 & 379 and reading log
Monday - First or Third Person, math 17 - 18 and reading log
Tuesday - reading 8 & 9, math 64 and reading log
Wednesday - fact and opinion 13 & 15, math 25 & 26 and reading log
Thursday - point of view 34 & 35, finish math 27 - 29 and reading log
Fourth grade
Monday - First or Third Person, math 51 & 52 and reading log
Tuesday - reading 8 & 9, finish math 53 - 55 and reading log
Wednesday - fact and opinion 13 & 15, finish math evens 362 & 363 and reading log
Thursday - point of view 34 & 35, finish math evens 387 & 379 and reading log
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Teacher's note February 23, 2015
I hope the weekend gave us a chance to get everyone healthy again. Last week we had the germs circulating around our room and as many as six kids out sick one day.
I would like to congratulate Mrs. Richardson for being selected as the Soleng Tom teacher of the year! The staff voted for the award. You may want to pat her on the back in congratulations for the wonderful job she is doing!
You should already know that we have Rodeo Vacation on Thursday and Friday - enjoy your break!
Our class will be reading the novel Because of Winn Dixie this short week and next week during ATI testing. I love that book and predict the kids will too! There will not be spelling or vocabulary words the next two weeks.
The fourth graders did a great job presenting their nonfiction book report on Friday. This week the third graders will complete their biography report and present on Wednesday. I will ask for your helping editing on Monday and Tuesday night. We are working on writing text in our own words and organizing a paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting details and a conclusion. The kids have been working on their biography report in class, but I have not had an opportunity to work one on one with each student.
The third grade fraction test will be in Monday's Dragon Folder for you to see. I was pleased with the results for the most part and appreciate your help. The kids have been telling me about your assistance at home - thank you! Now third grade will work on three digit addition and subtraction.
Fourth grade spent last week on multiplication strategies and this week will be division strategies. I will send home a paper showing the three different strategies we will be using. They are using multiplication for division, go with what you know, and the algorithm. Each student will be expected to master the algorithm.
We need to study changes people make to Earth before we move on to Electricity, our final science unit. The kids will be engaged in science reading and writing activities this week. The investigations are more exciting, but we need to complete the informational text too.
May each of you have a wonderful Rodeo Break!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
I would like to congratulate Mrs. Richardson for being selected as the Soleng Tom teacher of the year! The staff voted for the award. You may want to pat her on the back in congratulations for the wonderful job she is doing!
You should already know that we have Rodeo Vacation on Thursday and Friday - enjoy your break!
Our class will be reading the novel Because of Winn Dixie this short week and next week during ATI testing. I love that book and predict the kids will too! There will not be spelling or vocabulary words the next two weeks.
The fourth graders did a great job presenting their nonfiction book report on Friday. This week the third graders will complete their biography report and present on Wednesday. I will ask for your helping editing on Monday and Tuesday night. We are working on writing text in our own words and organizing a paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting details and a conclusion. The kids have been working on their biography report in class, but I have not had an opportunity to work one on one with each student.
The third grade fraction test will be in Monday's Dragon Folder for you to see. I was pleased with the results for the most part and appreciate your help. The kids have been telling me about your assistance at home - thank you! Now third grade will work on three digit addition and subtraction.
Fourth grade spent last week on multiplication strategies and this week will be division strategies. I will send home a paper showing the three different strategies we will be using. They are using multiplication for division, go with what you know, and the algorithm. Each student will be expected to master the algorithm.
We need to study changes people make to Earth before we move on to Electricity, our final science unit. The kids will be engaged in science reading and writing activities this week. The investigations are more exciting, but we need to complete the informational text too.
May each of you have a wonderful Rodeo Break!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of February 23, 2015
Third Grade
Monday - work on biography report, finish math 1-5 and reading log
Tuesday - finish biography report, math 8 & 9 and reading log
Wednesday - Enjoy your Rodeo Vacation!
Fourth Grade
Monday - analogies 23 & 24, math 39 & 40 and reading log
Tuesday - reading 25 & 26, math 45 & 46 and reading log
Wednesday - Enjoy your Rodeo Vacation!
Monday - work on biography report, finish math 1-5 and reading log
Tuesday - finish biography report, math 8 & 9 and reading log
Wednesday - Enjoy your Rodeo Vacation!
Fourth Grade
Monday - analogies 23 & 24, math 39 & 40 and reading log
Tuesday - reading 25 & 26, math 45 & 46 and reading log
Wednesday - Enjoy your Rodeo Vacation!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Teacher's Note February 16, 2015
We just enjoyed a very exciting and successful week! The Spell-a-thon surpassed their goal of earning $30,000 and we have five limo riders in our class! The Hug-a-grams sells went very well and the kids seemed to love selling on Wednesday. That was definitely real life math problems! $1,322 were deposited into the PTSA account to pay for track expenses, buy reference sources for the classrooms and make a donation to The Community Food Bank. Thank you to all the parents who helped with the Spell-a-thon or Hug-a-grams - you are a major reason for our success!
The Literature Parade on Friday was super cute! Our class looked great and had a favorite book in hand. My personal favorite was the preschool classes dressed up as 101 Dalmatians - they were darling!
This week both grades will be working on the final copy of their project. Third grade will be producing their biography project and fourth grade their nonfiction book report. The students will most likely ask you to edit their paragraphs. The fourth grade book report is due on this Friday, February 20th. The third grade biography project will be due next Wednesday, February 25th. Students may hand in their assignment before the due date.
Arizona's birthday is February 14th and we are going to celebrate it on Monday afternoon with special activities. The kids will rotate to different classes to learn about the 5 Cs in Arizona, the counties and county seats, and complete an Arizona art project! It should be great learning opportunities!
Third grade will continue to study fractions this week and then take a unit test on Friday. The specific topics for this week are fractions and decimals that are equal, equivalent fractions and placing fractions on a number line. You are always welcome to review with your son or daughter, the students and I love your assistance.
Fourth grade will spend the week understanding multiplication and estimating multi digit multiplication. The kids will be required to master two multiplication strategies and one has to be the standard algorithm. A copy of 3 of the strategies will be sent home in Monday's Dragon Folder. Once we have conquered multiplication we will move on to multi digit division.
May I encourage you to join the Soleng Tom PTSA if you have not already done so. An enrollment form will be in the Dragon Folder. You will not have to attend any meetings. I honestly believe we have the one of the best, if not The Best PTSA in the whole state of Arizona.
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Figueroa
The Literature Parade on Friday was super cute! Our class looked great and had a favorite book in hand. My personal favorite was the preschool classes dressed up as 101 Dalmatians - they were darling!
This week both grades will be working on the final copy of their project. Third grade will be producing their biography project and fourth grade their nonfiction book report. The students will most likely ask you to edit their paragraphs. The fourth grade book report is due on this Friday, February 20th. The third grade biography project will be due next Wednesday, February 25th. Students may hand in their assignment before the due date.
Arizona's birthday is February 14th and we are going to celebrate it on Monday afternoon with special activities. The kids will rotate to different classes to learn about the 5 Cs in Arizona, the counties and county seats, and complete an Arizona art project! It should be great learning opportunities!
Third grade will continue to study fractions this week and then take a unit test on Friday. The specific topics for this week are fractions and decimals that are equal, equivalent fractions and placing fractions on a number line. You are always welcome to review with your son or daughter, the students and I love your assistance.
Fourth grade will spend the week understanding multiplication and estimating multi digit multiplication. The kids will be required to master two multiplication strategies and one has to be the standard algorithm. A copy of 3 of the strategies will be sent home in Monday's Dragon Folder. Once we have conquered multiplication we will move on to multi digit division.
May I encourage you to join the Soleng Tom PTSA if you have not already done so. An enrollment form will be in the Dragon Folder. You will not have to attend any meetings. I honestly believe we have the one of the best, if not The Best PTSA in the whole state of Arizona.
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of February 16, 2015
Third Grade
Monday - vocabulary page 16, math 50 and reading log
Tuesday - language 17 & 18, math 55 and reading log
Wednesday - Main Ideas 14 & 15, math 56, and reading log
Thursday - study spelling, math study guide and reading log
Fourth Grade
Monday - vocabulary 86 & 87, math 21 & 22 and reading log
Tuesday - spelling 73 & 75, math 25 & 26 and reading log
Wednesday - Main Ideas 14 & 15, math 29 & 30 and reading log
Thursday - finish nonfiction book report, finish math 31 - 33, and reading log
Monday - vocabulary page 16, math 50 and reading log
Tuesday - language 17 & 18, math 55 and reading log
Wednesday - Main Ideas 14 & 15, math 56, and reading log
Thursday - study spelling, math study guide and reading log
Fourth Grade
Monday - vocabulary 86 & 87, math 21 & 22 and reading log
Tuesday - spelling 73 & 75, math 25 & 26 and reading log
Wednesday - Main Ideas 14 & 15, math 29 & 30 and reading log
Thursday - finish nonfiction book report, finish math 31 - 33, and reading log
Third Grade Spelling: Lon Po Po
1. pulled
2. begged
3. hugged
4. silly
5. correct
6. latter
7. matter
8. supper
9. common
10. lesson
11. collect
12. setting
13. bottles
14. different
15. jelly
Bonus words
latch
dusk
cunning
embraced
tender
brittle
delighted
2. begged
3. hugged
4. silly
5. correct
6. latter
7. matter
8. supper
9. common
10. lesson
11. collect
12. setting
13. bottles
14. different
15. jelly
Bonus words
latch
dusk
cunning
embraced
tender
brittle
delighted
Fourth Grade Spelling: One Grain of Rice
1. addition
2. sadness
3. lovable
4. endless
5. handful
6. plentiful
7. breathless
8. happiness
9. solution
10. careful
11. function
12. stillness
13. information
14. celebration
15. capable
16. available
17. believable
18. careless
19. reusable
20. forgiveness
Bonus words
decreed
famine
implored
trickle
plentifully
2. sadness
3. lovable
4. endless
5. handful
6. plentiful
7. breathless
8. happiness
9. solution
10. careful
11. function
12. stillness
13. information
14. celebration
15. capable
16. available
17. believable
18. careless
19. reusable
20. forgiveness
Bonus words
decreed
famine
implored
trickle
plentifully
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Teacher's note February 9, 2015
Unfortunately, we had a communication mistake and did not go on our field trip last Friday. Our plans were to go on Friday and Sweetwater Wetlands thought we were coming on Thursday. Oops! We rescheduled the field trip for Wednesday, March 25.
Thursday and Friday are early release days for parent teacher conferences. The students will be dismissed at 11:40. Please discuss with your son or daughter if you want them to eat lunch at school or at home. If you want an appointment to talk with me just let me know. I will be contacting the parents that I think a conference would be beneficial to the student.
The Spell-a-thon pledges are due this Tuesday by 5:00 to be considered for prizes. I know we already have one limo rider in our class and I hope more students join her. We have a fabulous PTSA and I would like to encourage each family to support their fundraiser.
I am really excited about our language arts opportunities this week. Both grades will be working on reading and writing projects. Third grade will be writing notes from their biography book to prepare a biography report. Fourth grade will be given a packet to build a sandwich book report on their nonfiction book. I will explain the project in detail to the kids on Monday and give them papers to complete their project. Both grades are working on writing information in their own words and not copying sentences from the book. It is very likely that you will be asked to edit a few paragraphs this week.
The fourth grade took their fraction test last Thursday and I was pleased with the results. Now we are working on double digit times double digit multiplication. Knowing those multiplication facts will really pay off now. I will teach the array method, then the partial product and finally the algorithm. The different strategies are to help the kids know why the algorithm works. A paper will be sent home to show the different strategies and so you can see what in the world we are doing. :)
My third graders will continue the fractions unit as they see if a fraction is more or less than half, share money equally and use a calculator to show decimals. We will also be reviewing telling time and determining elapsed time.
On Wednesday our class will work at the Hug-a-gram sells. That opportunity is loaded with real life math lessons and fun!
Science should be very exciting this week. Monday the kids will use a boiled egg as a model to show plate movement and Tuesday we do a Stream Studies investigation that ends with a flood! Oh my, that is always exciting!
Friday will be a thrilling day! We will have our annual literacy parade and a valentines exchange. I can't wait to see what characters the kids dress up as. Each child will hold a book as we parade around the campus as a character from that book. After the parade, the students will have an opportunity to hand out valentines. I posted a list of names to help the students prepare valentines. I will give the students a bag for all their cards. If they want something more attractive than a bag, they can bring it from home.
Thanks for taking the time to read this note.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Figueroa
Thursday and Friday are early release days for parent teacher conferences. The students will be dismissed at 11:40. Please discuss with your son or daughter if you want them to eat lunch at school or at home. If you want an appointment to talk with me just let me know. I will be contacting the parents that I think a conference would be beneficial to the student.
The Spell-a-thon pledges are due this Tuesday by 5:00 to be considered for prizes. I know we already have one limo rider in our class and I hope more students join her. We have a fabulous PTSA and I would like to encourage each family to support their fundraiser.
I am really excited about our language arts opportunities this week. Both grades will be working on reading and writing projects. Third grade will be writing notes from their biography book to prepare a biography report. Fourth grade will be given a packet to build a sandwich book report on their nonfiction book. I will explain the project in detail to the kids on Monday and give them papers to complete their project. Both grades are working on writing information in their own words and not copying sentences from the book. It is very likely that you will be asked to edit a few paragraphs this week.
The fourth grade took their fraction test last Thursday and I was pleased with the results. Now we are working on double digit times double digit multiplication. Knowing those multiplication facts will really pay off now. I will teach the array method, then the partial product and finally the algorithm. The different strategies are to help the kids know why the algorithm works. A paper will be sent home to show the different strategies and so you can see what in the world we are doing. :)
My third graders will continue the fractions unit as they see if a fraction is more or less than half, share money equally and use a calculator to show decimals. We will also be reviewing telling time and determining elapsed time.
On Wednesday our class will work at the Hug-a-gram sells. That opportunity is loaded with real life math lessons and fun!
Science should be very exciting this week. Monday the kids will use a boiled egg as a model to show plate movement and Tuesday we do a Stream Studies investigation that ends with a flood! Oh my, that is always exciting!
Friday will be a thrilling day! We will have our annual literacy parade and a valentines exchange. I can't wait to see what characters the kids dress up as. Each child will hold a book as we parade around the campus as a character from that book. After the parade, the students will have an opportunity to hand out valentines. I posted a list of names to help the students prepare valentines. I will give the students a bag for all their cards. If they want something more attractive than a bag, they can bring it from home.
Thanks for taking the time to read this note.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of February 9, 2015
Third Grade
Monday - reading comprehension 24 & 25, math 45 and reading log
Tuesday - Main idea 21 & 22, page 26 & 27 and reading log
Wednesday - Southeast Region, math 31 & 32 and reading log
Thursday - math 35 & 36 and reading log
Fourth Grade
Monday - Reading comprehension 24 & 25, math 7 & 8 and reading log
Tuesday - main idea 21 & 22, math 11 & 12 and reading log
Wednesday - Southeast Region, math 14 - 16 and reading log
Thursday - finish math 17 & 18 and reading log
Monday - reading comprehension 24 & 25, math 45 and reading log
Tuesday - Main idea 21 & 22, page 26 & 27 and reading log
Wednesday - Southeast Region, math 31 & 32 and reading log
Thursday - math 35 & 36 and reading log
Fourth Grade
Monday - Reading comprehension 24 & 25, math 7 & 8 and reading log
Tuesday - main idea 21 & 22, math 11 & 12 and reading log
Wednesday - Southeast Region, math 14 - 16 and reading log
Thursday - finish math 17 & 18 and reading log
All Star Class List
Arthur
Sophia
Jade
Gabe
Danitza
Mariah
Peyton
Sam
Treasure
Kaitlyn
Madi
Joseph
Caroline
Cailyn
Cady
Audrey
James
Sasha
Jenna
Ethan
Danny
Tyler
Caitlin
Emily
Dominic
Caden
Arianna
Sophia
Jade
Gabe
Danitza
Mariah
Peyton
Sam
Treasure
Kaitlyn
Madi
Joseph
Caroline
Cailyn
Cady
Audrey
James
Sasha
Jenna
Ethan
Danny
Tyler
Caitlin
Emily
Dominic
Caden
Arianna
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Teacher's Note February 2, 2015
Thank you for making the special effort to attend Night at the Museum on Tuesday. It was exciting to see the students showing and describing their work to family members. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with many of you.
The Spell-a-thon tests were graded and returned to the students on Thursday. Hopefully you have seen the tests and know the results. Now the students can find sponsors and collect the money. All donations need to be turned in by February 10th to be eligible for prizes. Good luck!
We are excited about our field trip to Sweetwater on Friday. Mrs. Gregory's, Mrs. Hall's and my class will ride on buses. We do have more than enough chaperones for this field trip. I will verify that we can take all the adults that volunteered and send a note home to the parents that wanted to go on this field trip. Once again, thanks for your support!
Our All Stars have earned 50 points and voted to have a Technology Day. I am planning the Technology Day on Friday. We will take the spelling tests and use our electronic devices until the buses arrive. Once we return from the field trip the students will have more time to use their electronics. The students will leave their technology locked in our class while we are on the field trip. Please sign and return the permission form that will be in the Dragon Folder if you will allow your son or daughter to bring a device to school.
Parent teacher conferences will be held next week on February 12th and 13th. I believe the students will be dismissed at 11:17. Please make plans for what the students will do after school on these early release days. It will not be necessary to meet with everyone during these conferences. I will contact the parents that I would like to discuss your son's or daughter's progress. You can contact me if you have a topic that you would like to discuss and we will schedule a conference.
Also on February 13 is the Soleng Tom Literacy Parade - it is a wonderful tradition! Each student and teacher dresses up as character from a book and parades all around the campus with the book in hand. The kids are super cute! You may want to start planning what character to be this year.
Both third and fourth graders will be studying fractions this week. 4th grade will multiple fractions and third grade will share brownies fairly and compare fractions.
Our sincerest condolences go to Mrs. Saavedra with the passing of her mother.
I hope each of us has a wonderful week full of learning opportunities.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
The Spell-a-thon tests were graded and returned to the students on Thursday. Hopefully you have seen the tests and know the results. Now the students can find sponsors and collect the money. All donations need to be turned in by February 10th to be eligible for prizes. Good luck!
We are excited about our field trip to Sweetwater on Friday. Mrs. Gregory's, Mrs. Hall's and my class will ride on buses. We do have more than enough chaperones for this field trip. I will verify that we can take all the adults that volunteered and send a note home to the parents that wanted to go on this field trip. Once again, thanks for your support!
Our All Stars have earned 50 points and voted to have a Technology Day. I am planning the Technology Day on Friday. We will take the spelling tests and use our electronic devices until the buses arrive. Once we return from the field trip the students will have more time to use their electronics. The students will leave their technology locked in our class while we are on the field trip. Please sign and return the permission form that will be in the Dragon Folder if you will allow your son or daughter to bring a device to school.
Parent teacher conferences will be held next week on February 12th and 13th. I believe the students will be dismissed at 11:17. Please make plans for what the students will do after school on these early release days. It will not be necessary to meet with everyone during these conferences. I will contact the parents that I would like to discuss your son's or daughter's progress. You can contact me if you have a topic that you would like to discuss and we will schedule a conference.
Also on February 13 is the Soleng Tom Literacy Parade - it is a wonderful tradition! Each student and teacher dresses up as character from a book and parades all around the campus with the book in hand. The kids are super cute! You may want to start planning what character to be this year.
Both third and fourth graders will be studying fractions this week. 4th grade will multiple fractions and third grade will share brownies fairly and compare fractions.
Our sincerest condolences go to Mrs. Saavedra with the passing of her mother.
I hope each of us has a wonderful week full of learning opportunities.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
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