Looking ahead to the week of April 30 (Week B)

Students enjoyed their visit from Historic Columbia.  They learned about Antebellum/Civil War era games and reviewed social classes with the artifacts. 

Way to go, Mrs. West's class!  The kids received an "honorable mention" for the door they created for Earth Day!  A friendly competition was held between all BRES classes.  

Hi, families! I hope you all had a great weekend!

"Year of West Laser-Fest:"  Check out the flyer below!

Report cards:  Please review your child's report card with him/her.  It's a good time to reflect and set academic and behavior goals for the final nine weeks!  Please sign and return the report card cover.  You may keep the report card and comments. 

Half day:  Students will have early dismissal Thursday, April 26.  Lunch will be served.  Please be sure to send a note, if your child's transportation changes.  

Looking ahead to next week:  As historians, students will continue studying 20th century changes.  They will not have a traditional test.  They will turn in a booklet, which they will do in class for a grade.  As mathematicians, they will review telling time, with a focus on elapsed time.  We will not be doing Envision or Engage New York for this unit.  As readers, students will begin reviewing for the upcoming state-wide test in May.  As writers, they'll revisit text-dependent analysis writing after reading two passages, instead of one.  They will also complete another mentor sentence study with a focus on subjects and predicates. 

Testing week donations:  If you would like to donate a snack item, breakfast item, juice, or something super sweet, please check out the link below and let Mrs. Fakas know if you have any questions!
Testing Week Donations

SC Ready testing wishes:  Please take a moment to write some encouraging words to our class, in preparation for SC Ready.  We will view your comments the week of testing!  It's Your Time to Shine!

Bookman Blast:  Save the date!

A note from Mrs. O'Connor about testing:  Students in grades 3-5 will participate in the South Carolina College and Career READY Assessments (SC READY) for English Language Arts and Mathematics in May 2018.  Students in grades 4-5 will also take the South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) for Science and Social Studies.

Specific test dates below:

May 15th - ELA/Writing - Grades 3, 4, 5

May 16th - ELA/Reading - Grades 3, 4, 5

May 17th - Mathematics - Grades 3, 4, 5

May 18th - Science - Grade 4 only

May 18th - Social Studies - Grade 5 only

You are so important to your child’s academic success and we know that you want to do everything you can do to ensure he/she does their personal best.  Please read these tips below to help your child with test preparation.

• Encourage your child to do his/her best.
• Make sure your child gets adequate sleep.  A tired child is less able to pay attention or handle the demands of testing.
• Give your child well-balanced meals. Rest, exercise, and eating well are important for test taking.
• Arrive to school on time each day of the test.

• Please do not schedule appointments during testing week.  Students that miss a test would have to complete the test on a scheduled make-up date.

Thank you again for all of your support!  Have a great weekend!  

Looking ahead to the week of April 23 (Week A)

Students enjoyed Field Day!  The showed great sportsmanship and cooperation.  Way to go, "West Warriors!"  We thank the parent volunteers, who made it possible!

Hi, families! I hope you all had a great start to your week!

"Year of West Laser-Fest:"  Check out the flyer below!

Fun in the Sun:  Plan on joining fellow classmates for some fun in the sun at North Spring Park at 2:30 on Sunday, April 22!  

Report cards:  Please review your child's report card with him/her.  It's a good time to reflect and set academic and behavior goals for the final nine weeks!  Please sign and return the report card cover.  You may keep the report card and comments. 

Half day:  Students will have early dismissal Thursday, April 26.  Lunch will be served.  Please be sure to send a note, if your child's transportation changes.  

Looking ahead to next week:  As historians, students will continue studying 20th century changes.  They will not have a traditional test.  They will turn in a booklet, which they will do in class for a grade.  They will also enjoy a visit from Historic Columbia's Traveling Trunk Show (Civil War focus).  As mathematicians, they will kick off a capacity unit.  We will use Envision (Topic 15 - Just lessons 15-1 and 15-2) for this unit.  Students will focus on measuring liquid volume in customary and metric units.  Please check out the family letter below (disregard the portion about mass).  As readers, students will begin reviewing for the upcoming state-wide test in May.  As writers, they'll revisit text-dependent analysis writing and wrap up affixes for the year. 

Perfectly Poetic:  Students will be reading aloud poems Friday, April 20.  They will be assessed on their accuracy, ability to speak at an appropriate rate, their expression/intonation, and phrasing.  We are inviting you to come and listen to students present poems of their choosing Friday, April 20.  We will begin at 11:00, after students return from SAIL.  You're welcome to stay and eat with your child during lunch!  

Bookman Blast:  Save the date!

Another extra credit opportunity:  Please send me an email and in the subject line, answer the following question:  Will you be attending this week's poetry celebration?  You can simply write, "yes" or "no" in the subject line.  Your child will receive a few points extra credit on their poetry read aloud, if you answer the question (even if you're not able to make it!).  Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read our class blog.  

Thank you again for all of your support!  Have a great weekend!  

Looking ahead to the week of April 16 (Week B)

Students enjoyed making butter with Mrs. Nord before break!  This was a great hook for our next unit in social studies, as we will begin studying new century developments in technology!

Hi, families! I hope you all had a wonderful break with your sweet kids!

Field Day:  Please be sure to dress your child appropriately for the weather Friday, April 13.  We will spend much of the day outside.  Students are welcome to wear sunglasses and hats.  They are encouraged to put on sun-screen before leaving their homes that morning.  Students are also welcome to bring a water bottle from home (if they have lost their school water bottle).  We will carry these water bottles around with us during our Field Day stations.  We appreciate all of you, who are able to volunteer!  You make Field Day possible!  

Fun in the Sun:  Plan on joining fellow classmates for some fun in the sun at North Spring Park at 2:30 on Sunday, April 22!  

Report cards:  Please review your child's report card with him/her.  It's a good time to reflect and set academic and behavior goals for the final nine weeks!  Please sign and return the report card cover.  You may keep the report card and comments. 

Congratulations on your extra credit:  Thank you to everyone, who sent me the answer to the last blog post's extra credit question!  Yes, field day is April 13!  Students, of families who responded, will receive a few extra points on their area math test this week.  Be on the lookout for another extra credit question!  You never know when one will pop up!  Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read our class blog.  

Perfectly Poetic:  Students will be reading aloud poems next Friday.  They will be assessed on their accuracy, ability to speak at an appropriate rate, their expression/intonation, and phrasing.  We are inviting you to come and listen to students present poems of their choosing next Friday, April 20.  We will begin at 11:00, after students return from SAIL.  You're welcome to stay and eat with your child during lunch!  

Looking ahead to next week:  As historians, students will begin a study of 20th century changes.  Since this is a short unit, they will not have a traditional test.  They will turn in a booklet, which they will do in class for a grade.  As mathematicians, they will continue studying data analysis.  We will use Envision (Topic 16) for this unit.  Please check out the family letter below.  As readers, students will continue studying appropriate ways of reading poetry.  As writers, they'll study mentor sentences with Mrs. Harrell.  Students will revisit text-dependent analysis writing, as well.  Also, once a week (for the next few weeks), students will break out into differentiated groups for both reading and math sessions.  They will enjoy time with third graders from other classes and work on honing skills, in which they may need extra assistance on, before they test in May. 

Thank you again for all of your support!  Have a great weekend!