Ms. Ramsay is The Big Banana!

We loved having Ms. Ramsay as this week's Big Banana!  We learned so much about our wonderful IRT, her family and her interests.  One of our favorite parts of her shares this week was the heartfelt letters her sons wrote to her.  One of her sons invited the class to get up and dance with his mom!  The children danced along to "Happy" around the room with Ms. Ramsay.  The children were thrilled when I told them Ms. Ramsay is going to be our proctor for Monday's EOG test.  So many Douglas staff members cheering us on!!  :)  :)  :)

Test-Taking Tips for Students and Parents

Test-Taking Tips for Students:

1.  Read everything!  (Title, introduction, italics, and subtitles)

2.  Read the question carefully.  Read all the choices and choose the best answer.  Look for key words in the question.  Be sure you understand what is being asked.  Use all the information given.

3.  Never leave an answer blank.  It is better to make an educated guess than leave a question blank.

4.  When unsure of an answer, eliminate choices you know are wrong.

5.  If you do not know the answer, but do know the process, try working back from the answer choices.

6.  If you cannot solve a problem, go to the next one and return to the skipped problem later.  Be sure to skip the number on your answer sheet.

7.  Check your place to be sure you mark the answer number that goes with the question number.

8.  Check you answer to see if it makes sense.  Work problems out on paper or in your booklet.  Double, even triple check your computations.  Refer back to reading selections to find proof of your answer choice.

9.  Keep an eye on the time.  If you finish before the testing session is over, start at the beginning.  Reread selections, questions and choices.  Check answers and think again about the questions you thought were hardest.

10.  Always remember: you are an EOG Superstar!!

Parents, How You Can Help Get Your Child Ready for the EOG's:

Research shows students do best on tests when they receive lots of encouragement from parents and teachers and develop a positive attitude.  Remember to stay positive even if you feel a bit worried.  Here are some things you can say that may be helpful:

• You are going to do just fine because you worked hard and behaved well at school this year.
• Mrs. Moskauski made sure you have been taught everything on the EOG.  There should be no surprises.
• You do not need to get every question correct to get a big score.
• I know you will do a great job.
• Do our class dance with your child and say "You are an EOG Superstar"!!

To Prepare for Test Days:

• Get your child to bed in time to get a good night's sleep.
• Make sure they have a calm morning at home on test days.
• Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast.
• Make sure they are wearing comfortable clothes that are suitable for the day's climate.

End of Year Celebrations!

Dear Parents,

            We are having an end of the year 3^rd grade celebration/pizza party. We are asking for $3 from each child.  If you’d like to donate more, that would be awesome!  Please only send in cash (exact change is appreciated), no checks.  I’d like to collect all the money by next Thursday, June 5th.  Thank you!!

            Our grade level pizza party for teachers and students will be on Wednesday, June 11^th from 12-2:30.  Please remind your child to bring a beach towel or blanket to lay out for our pizza picnic.  Our sign up to donate for the parties will be sent soon. If you signed up to donate anything, please send those items in by Tuesday June 10^th.

            We are also going to have a third grade end of year social for our class family on Tuesday, June 10^th from 10:00 to 11:00 (right after the PBIS awards assembly).  Parents are invited to attend. 

            I would be grateful for your help in donating food items for our celebrations.  Here is a link to a sign up for donations.  Thank you so much parents for your continuous support and generosity!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094DA4AD2A1-endofyear

            I have enjoyed teaching your children so much this year! They are an incredible group of funny, caring, smart students.  They are hard working and loving to one another.  I am so thankful to have had such a great year with them and they are truly a class of students I won’t forget!  I also appreciate the support and kindness each of you has shown me this year as parents and family members.  Thank you for everything!

                                                                                   

Sincerely,

                                                                                                            Melissa Moskauski

PS- If you student is planning on being absent this week or next please send me a note so I can have their “end of the year surprise” ready early!!

Moskauski Minutes

Parent Homework: Parents your help is needed!  This is your child's first experience with the EOG's and I would love your help in making it memorable!  Please write your child a letter of encouragement (a little love note!) that I can put on your child's desk on the morning of the EOG's.  Write whatever you think would help your child relax and put a smile on their face (for example: a special message, a joke, add a drawing, etc.).  Please place it in a sealed envelope and have it turned in to me by this Thursday.  This will be something so special for the children and help them go into the EOG's knowing they have their biggest cheerleaders right there with them!  The children will save their letters for their third grade time capsules.  Thank you so much for your support!

Performance Tomorrow: Join us in watching the chorus, drama and dance clubs in the school musical tomorrow at 9:30.  Wit, Isabella and Sebastian are performing and Ella Wood will be dancing!! 

Art and Science Expo Tomorrow:  The Expo is a showcase of student work and activities - showing how our Douglas students have learned about science through the arts this year. Parents, stop by in The Media Center tomorrow to see our hard work!

Media Center Books:All school Media Center books were due today.  Please help your child check at home for any misplaced books.

Scholastic Book Orders: Our last Scholastic Book Order for the year is due tomorrow.  There are many wonderful and inexpensive books that you can purchase for summer reading.  If you have not yet used the free book coupon I gave the children, this is your last opportunity!

Community Service: Fourth quarter community service is due on Monday, June 9th.  Check out this link for some great service projects in the triangle:

http://www.carolinaparent.com/articlemain.php?Volunteer-and-Community-Service-Opportunities-in-the-Triangle-3086

Ice Cream Party: Thank you parents for signing up for donations to our multiplication ice cream party!  This is such a tremendous help to me!  You have been so wonderful and supportive, and I greatly appreciate your generosity!  The children are so excited to celebrate!

Classroom Wish List: We are completely out of extra pencils!  If you are able to donate any yellow, number 2 pencils--we would be so grateful!

Calendar of Events:

Wednesday, May 28th: chorus and drama musical at 9:30 (Come and cheer on Ella Wood, Isabella, Sebastian and Wit!), last Scholastic book order of the year due

Thursday, May 29th: Parent EOG encouragement letters due

Friday, May 30th: Multiplication ice cream party

Monday, June 2nd: Language Arts EOG (End of Grade Test)

Tuesday, June 3rd: Math EOG

Friday, June 6th: Third Grade Read to Achieve Test

Monday, June 9th: Fourth quarter community service due

Tuesday, June 10th: PBIS assembly for fourth quarter award winners at 9:30 (rescheduled date!)

Wednesday, June 11th: Third grade picnic from 12 to 2:30

Thursday, June 12th: Last day of school

Have a wonderful week!

Ms. Bazemore, Our Big Banana and Math Game Pics

The children loved having Ms. Bazemore as the Big Banana!  She fostered great class conversation this week about various topics including the EOG's, college aspirations and career goals.  The children enjoyed learning all about Ms. Bazemore's family and interests.  Below is a picture of Ms. Bazemore showing the class a video of Mr. and Ms. Bazemore shag dancing!  Super cool!!

We are playing a lot of fun math review games to prepare for the EOG's.  The children are ready and excited for the big day!!  Here we are playing a game where the children had to solve problems, prove their answers and defend their answers to their classmates. 

Moskauski Minutes

Good afternoon and happy Monday!  Here are a few notes for the week.  Have a wonderful week!

Parents Your Help is Needed:This is your child's first experience with the EOG's and I would love your help in making it memorable!  Please write your child a letter of encouragement (a little love note!) that I can put on your child's desk on the morning of the EOG's.  Write whatever you think would help your child relax and put a smile on their face (for example: a special message, a joke, add a drawing, etc.).  Please place it in a sealed envelope and have it turned in to me by Thursday, May 29th.  This will be something so special for your child and help them to go into the EOG's knowing they have their biggest cheerleaders right there with them!  The children will save their letters for their third grade time capsules. Thank you so much for your support!

Curriculum Notes:
Math: Tomorrow we will be having an end-of-unit test in math on measurement.  This concludes all of the content needed to be taught to prepare the students for the End of Grade tests.  We will spend the next few weeks to review and prepare for the EOG's.  Please have your child access the EOG websites on our blog for some fun review practice!
The children have done a wonderful job working on their multiplication facts.  A big thank you goes out to Ms. Brown for helping me with quizzing the students.  The children are ready to celebrate their hard work with their multiplication sundae party!  Donations of ice cream items would be greatly appreciated.  I will send out an email sign-up soon.  Thank you in advance!  :)
Reading: By the end of this week I should be finished with Mclass testing.  I have been so, so, so proud of the childrens' growth in their reading!!  Thank you parents for all of your support at home with reading with your child and practicing together the reading strategies we have learned in class.  MClass results will be coming home soon.
Parents, please continue to make sure your child is alternating their nightly reading with fiction and non-fiction text.  In class we are working on building our reading stamina by having mini reading marathons. We are reading a variety of text during Daily 5 to help build our endurance and concentration.
Writing: The children will continue to work on drafting their individual research projects.  We will also be making collaborative group posters on our states.  We will be putting together a third grade wall of posters so we can learn about all fifty states!
Social Studies: The children are working with Mr. Otto about economics and natural resources.

Calendar of Events:

Monday, May 26th: School holiday

Tuesday, May 27th: All Media Center books and magazines due back to school after Memorial Day weekend
Wednesday, May 28th: chorus and drama musical at 9:30 (Come and cheer on Sebastian, Isabella and Wit!), last Scholastic Book orders of the year due
Thursday, May 29th: Parent EOG encouragement letters due
Friday, May 30th: Multiplication Ice Cream Party (More information to come!)
Monday, June 2nd: Language Arts EOG (End of Grade test)

Tuesday, June 3rd: Math EOG
Thursday, June 5th: Third Grade Read to Achieve Testing

Friday, June 6th: PBIS assembly for fourth quarter award winners

Monday, June 9th: Fourth quarter community service due
Tuesday, June 10th: Third grade EOG make-ups
Wednesday, June 11th: Third grade picnic from 12 to 2:30 (More information to come!)
Thursday, June 12th: Last day of school

Dr. Spivey, the Big Banana!

Dr. Spivey is our "Big Banana Star Student"!!  Each day this week she has come to be with our class during morning meeting and participated in all of the Big Banana special activities and shares.  We have enjoyed learning all about Dr. Spivey, her family, hobbies, and interests.  These pictures are of her special share today where she told us all about earning her doctorate degree.  Ask your child to share some of the fun facts we have learned about Dr. Spivey this week!  

Field Day Photos

Class Notes and Reminders...

Our class had over 100 pounds of donations for the Spring Backpack Buddies food drive!  Way to go families!  I am so incredibly proud of our class!  We won the school contest, and will be celebrating tomorrow with a popcorn party, pajamas and a stuffed animal!  :)

Tonight is Literacy Night from 6 to 7:30.  Wear PJ's, bring a stuffed animal to cuddle, and hear stories read by Douglas teachers.  Cookies and milk will be served.  

This Saturday is the Garden Project from 9 to 12.  It is not too late to sign up!

Field Day has been postponed until Monday.  Third grade has field day from 12:30 to 2.  Please make sure your child wears sneakers and comfortable clothing.  Your child may bring a water bottle, but please label it with your child's name.  

Have a Terrific Thursday!  :)

Melissa