Progress reports come home this week in your child's Wednesday folder.

Multiplication Timed Quizzes
After Thanksgiving we will begin taking timed multiplication quizzes twice a week.  The purpose of these quizzes are to motivate the students to practice their multiplication facts nightly.  Here are a few points regarding the quizzes:

• We will take them every Tuesday and Thursday
• Quizzes will be graded THAT DAY or the NEXT and sent home immediately
• Your child will have one minute to complete 22 problems on one fact.  A "passing" score is at least 20/22.  Once your child passes one fact, they move on to the next one.
• Third graders are required to be able to fluently state the facts 0-10 by the END of the year.
• We take the quizzes in the following order:  0s & 1s (together), 10, 5, 2, 4, 8, 3, 6, 9, 7, 11, 12
• If your child has extenuating circumstances that will not allow them to pass the quizzes in one minute, then I will allow them extra time.  This is something I do on an as needed basis.
• These quizzes are not part of your child's grades, they are purely a motivation to practice!

Here's the best part.  Once EVERY child passes facts 0-10, we will have an ice cream party with lots of toppings!  I find that this mind set encourages the children to practice with one another, and encourage one another, rather than compete.

So how can you help your child be successful with multiplication?  Practice, practice, practice.  Please invest in some flash cards (the Dollar Tree is my favorite place to pick them up), or have your child create them on index cards, utilize the Xtra Math program, create quizzes for your child.  If you "google" multiplication games you will find a plethora of online resources as well.  

Please remember that multiplication is the most important skill that I want your child to leave my classroom mastering this year.  It is the focus of this quarter, but beginning in third quarter we are applying the skill rather than practicing it.  

Solar System

We are winding down our unit on the solar system.  Our test will be next Monday, November 25.  I sent home a "study guide" in last week's Wednesday folder.  I am not requiring the students to actually study at home, but it was sent home as more of a parent resource.

Dates to Remember:

11/19  Mrs. Olynick out in the AM

11/20  Progress Reports come home

11/27-11/29  No School for Thanksgiving Holiday

12/3 & 12/4  IOWA Testing (for students who qualify)

12/11  Science is Fun- in school field trip

12/18  Positivity Project Awards  (Look for invites coming soon if your child is nominated)

12/23-1/24  Track 4 Track Out

1/25/2020  Track 4 Returns to School