We are almost there!

 Important Dates

May 20 – Elem. NHS Movie Event

May 23 - Reading EOG

May 24 - Math EOG

May 30 - Memorial Day - No School

June 3 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL/ Early Release

Hello Families!!!

It is sad to say that our school year ends in only 16 days. I am so PROUD of each and every student, which I have had the pleasure to teach. They have worked so hard and have given me their very best.  I know we are on the last stretch, but I am asking the kids to stay with me for a little while longer. We need to stay focused on the remainder of the year and I need your assistance with this. Please keep your child coming to school, limit the amount of time that they are pulled out, and to stay positive. I can't wait to celebrate our year with the Luau/awards and really can use your help in getting there.

In the beginning of the year, I made it a point to say that I do not talk about the EOG's until the end of the year. I make it my personal teaching mission to teach them all of our standards without teaching them how to take this test. Now that we are approaching the end, I HAVE been talking about them because it is time. I don't want it to become a big and scary event. We have covered everything that a third grader should know. Now it is a matter of putting it together into a series of passages with questions. Once we took our practice EOG test, I have made sure to talk about it on a daily basis. Not to scare them, rather to help them understand the test and the process.

We have been working on centers and games to keep our knowledge fresh! I have been meeting with students in small groups, breaking up passages and questions to give them a better understanding of testing concepts. It has been amazing to see their growth and what they are capable of doing. We have also been playing games, such as, jeopardy and visiting different learning sites to keep them motivated and engaged. They have been enjoying this process immensely. It is so encouraging to find little notes from them on their worksheets telling me how much they are enjoying the centers.

One of the strategies that we have covered in small groups is our EOG STEPS. This may seem like a lot of work; however, this is a method to build reading comprehension, such that they fully and correctly answer the questions. Here are the steps that we have been following, which has been included in our homework for the last 2 weeks:

EOG STEPS

1. Break up the passage

2. Number the paragraphs

3. Circle the title

4. Read the questions/change if you are able/QAR

5. Read the passage/one word or phrase to summarize each paragraph

6. Answer the questions (make sure to highlight for proof or evidence)

Many of my students have expressed how much this strategy has helped them. I am so excited to see all of their hard work pay off in building confidence! Although this is considered the "BIG TEST", I have also stressed that this is only one test out of the whole year. It does not define them as a student, nor does it show how hard they have worked. They have all blossomed as independent learners. I love each and every one of my students. They are amazing and I know they will grow into awesome adults. This test does not show that. I take each and every one of them and look at their personal growth. Where they started at the beginning of the year and where they have ended. 

Please keep reading your emails as we have some awesome events coming up soon. I hope you are all able to join us. Mrs. Cade has been sending emails, so if you have not been receiving them, please let me know. I can check to see if you are on our third grade email list. I also sent home the EOG parent letter this week. If you can please send that in as soon as you are done, I would really appreciate it! 

Thank you for ALL that you do and for sharing your amazing children with me. Remember, only 16 more days!!!!

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Atkisson