Important STAAR Test Information

This Tuesday and Wednesday, third graders will take the STAAR math and reading tests respectively.  As a result, no homework will be assigned this week.   Weekly spelling tests will resume next week.

Students may bring one unopened bottle of plain drinking water on test days, as well as 2 pieces of chewing gum and 2 pieces of hard candy.  Please refrain from sending more chewing gum or candy than the requested amount as it can then become a distraction for your child during the test.

New pencils and erasers will be provided to each child for the tests.

Below are some tips on how to prepare your child for the tests on Monday and Tuesday nights:

1)  Get plenty of rest.

2)  Eat a good breakfast. (A free cafeteria breakfast will also be provided to each child on both test days.)

3)  Arrive to school on time.

4)  Encourage your child to have a positive attitude and to do his or her best.

 

Parents are asked to not bring outside food to school for your child’s lunch on test days, as well as not to plan to eat with your child on test days.  All staff are needed to administer these tests and to ensure compliance with the state procedures for STAAR testing.  Your child can either bring a lunch from home or purchase a cafeteria lunch during STAAR testing.  Thank you for your support and understanding.

 

 

 

White T-shirt Reminder

The third grade field day is Tuesday, May 7th.  The third grade teachers are asking each student to please bring a plain white t-shirt to school to tie-dye for field day.  The students will tie-dye the shirts at school and, as a class, we’ll wear them on field day.  Each teacher has chosen a different color for her homeroom.

Please send your child’s white t-shirt to school by Friday, April 19th, if you haven’t already.  This will give us plenty of time to finish each shirt.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Image by psdgraphics.com

 

Unit 25 Spelling List / Week of April 15

Unit 25 Spelling List
Test:  Friday, April 19, 2013

1)  important –  It is important to know the basic math facts.

2)   there –  There is a reason why we need to use soft voices in the classroom.

3)  done –  The cake won’t be done baking for another 20 minutes.

4)  between –  I noticed many differences between my two rat terriers.

5)   first –  First, lightening strikes during a thunderstorm.

6)   second –  Second, thunder is heard because sound travels slower than light.

7)  always –  The tardy bell always rings at eight o’clock.

8)  cut –  Our lawn needs to be cut because the grass is too long.

9)  hand –  Could you use a helping hand?

10)  turn  –  It is good to wait your turn patiently.

11)   something  –  Friendship is something that money can’t buy.

12)  it’s  –  It’s a good thing I found my lunch money!

13)  group  –  Our reading group is discussing Charlotte’s Web.

14)  example  –  Mrs. Johnson wrote the example on the board.

15)  too  –  Our lawn needs to be cut because the grass is too long.

16)  school  –  Our school has a new playground.

17)  face  –  I recognized the girl’s face, but I couldn’t remember her name.

18)   door  –  Someone left the front door open.

19)  white  –  White and pink roses make a pretty flower arrangement.

20)  only  –  I lost my only pencil.

Early Release On April 16

Important Schedule Change

Posted by  on Friday, April 5th 2013

The upcoming Early Release date has changed. We will have our Early Release on Tuesday, April 16th. This will be a training day for teachers. Five professional development classes will begin shortly after your children are dismissed. Because of the scheduled events, we are asking that parents NOT eat lunch with their child on the 16th. Please make note of the times below:

  • Afternoon PreK will meet from 8-11 with the morning class
  • Primary and Intermediate Campuses – 12:00

Unit 24 Spelling List

Unit 24 Spelling List
Test:  Friday, April 12, 2013

1)   another –  Would you like another piece of pizza?

2)   there –  How many days in a month are there?

3)   later  –  The fifth graders eat lunch later than the third graders.

4)  several –  Several flowers bloomed on the same rose bush.

5)  water –  Cool water is good to drink on a hot day.

6)   animals –  Many wild animals live around the lake.

7)  sure –  The boy was sure he knew the answer to the question.

8)  its –  The eagle left its nest.

9)  family –  A new family just moved in to a house in our neighborhood.

10)  turn –  You can turn a disappointment into an opportunity.

11)   often –  I often read a book for a few minutes before bedtime.

12)  once –  I liked to ride my bike once I learned how to use the brakes.

13)  upon –  My cat likes to sit upon the back of a large chair.

14)  work –  I don’t think my skateboard will work with a loose wheel.

15)  it’s –  It’s about time for recess.

16)  a long (2 words) –  It has been a long time since I had an ice cream cone.

17)  up on (2 words) –  He is up on the latest technology.

18)  most –  Most students are helpful to one another.

19)  along –  They sang the song along together.

20)  move –  Have you ever watched a snake move through the grass?

Thank You Parent Volunteers!

I would like to give a very big THANK YOU to all of the parents who helped with our Easter party on Friday.  Thank you especially to Christy Wilkinson and Sonia Trotter for their leadership.  The students were so excited and a good time was had by all.  White Oak is certainly blessed to have such giving and supportive parents.

Unit 23 Spelling List

Test:  Friday, April 5, 2013

1)   their –  Their bikes were left in the yard.

2)   I’m  –  I’m in third grade this year.

3)   others  –  Part of our class drank orange juice while the others drank apple juice.

4)   because  –  I bought a hat because I will be in the sun all day at the ballpark.

5)   try  –  He will try to learn how to snow ski next winter.

6)   said  –  The teacher said to write the weekly homework in our planners.

7)  morning  –  The morning sun is very bright in the summertime.

8)  something  –  We found something shiny on the sandy beach.

9)   car  –  A car is an expensive, but convenient method of transportation.

10)  people  –  Many people enjoy going to a parade.

11)   usually  –  Students who study for their tests usually do very well.

12)  right  –  The meteorologist was right when he predicted rain last weekend.

13)   himself  –  The baby spilled milk all over himself.

14)   didn’t  –  We didn’t leave on time, so we were late to the party.

15)  best  –  The best store sales are often after a holiday.

16)  made  –  The accident I witnessed made me think about safety.

17)  thought  –  We thought the lunch today was exceptionally good.

18)  soon  –  Everyone will go to recess soon.

19)   several  –  I read several books a week.

20)  body  –  The truck was painted in an auto body shop.

Easter Party News!

 

White Oak Intermediate Easter parties will be on Good Friday, March 29, 2013, from 9:30 – 10:30.  Third grade parties will begin in each homeroom at 9:30, in which students will have Easter treats and activities until 10:00.  Third grade parties will continue with an egg hunt on the playground from 10:00 – 10:30.  The third grade teachers will provide Easter pails for each student to collect eggs. 

Please send 12 plastic eggs filled with prizes or store-bought goodies to school with your child as soon as possible (by Wednesday would be great.)  Due to food allergies, please do not include any chocolate, peanut products, or red dye products.

Additionally, a letter went home with your child on Friday from Mrs. Parker.  If you have not seen the letter please ask your child to show it to you.  If you know you will be attending the party, and your driver’s license has already been scanned in the office, please fill out the bottom portion and return it to school by this Wednesday, and the office will have your visitor’s badge pre-printed for you on Friday morning to ease the wait in the office to print badges.

After the party, you may check your child out with his or her homeroom teacher. If your child will be going home with another family, please send a note to school.  This will also be an early release day.

Unit 22 Spelling List: Test Day, Thursday, March 28, 2013

1) would – What would you do if you found twenty dollars?

2) himself – The child rode his bike all by himself.

3) seconds – Sixty seconds equal one minute.

4) seen – A smile is seen as a friendly greeting in most cultures.

5) answer – Please think carefully before you choose the answer.

6) however – However, don’t forget to answer each question.

7) sure – The boy was sure that he did all of his homework.

8) usually – It usually rains a lot in the spring.

9) five – How many minutes are in five hours?

10) always – We always wake up at the same time each morning.

11) it’s – It’s time to eat supper.

12) try – He gave choir a try even though he felt shy about
singing to an audience.

13) there – There are more days in March than in February.

14) kind – What kind of book are you reading tonight?

15) example – The teacher wrote a math problem and solution
on the whiteboard as an example.

16) paper – In the 19th century, students wrote on slates instead
of on paper.

17) number – What is the total number of weeks in one year?

18) money – It is a good idea to save some of your money.

Unit 21 Spelling List

The spelling test for unit 21 is scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2013.

1)  called –  What is a baby tiger called?

2)  learn –  I love to learn something new everyday.

3)  said –  My teacher recorded what I said during my speech.

4)   little –  I enjoy pets when they are little.

5)   ever –  That was my best grade ever.

6)  children –  The children played kickball at recess.

7)   were –  There were many sunny days during our vacation.

8)  play –  What game would you like to play today?

9)   four –  We want to play a game of four-square.

10)   city –  Which city do you want to live in when you grow up?

11)  school –  We are very proud of our school.

12)  there –  There is a pencil box on my desk.

13)  toward –  We headed toward the bleachers before the game.

14)  young –  The young bird fell out of its nest.

15)   point –  What is the point of your persuasive letter?

16)   its –  The cat licked its paw.

17)  which –  It was a story in which the children moved to a new town.

18)   about –  What is the story about?