3rd Grade Newsletter
October 25, 2018
Mark your Calendar
October 31st: Field Trip to the Perot Museum
November 1st: Reflections Project Due (optional)
November 5th - 9th: Book Fair in the Barksdale Library
November 8th: Barksdale's Annual Pajama Party 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Field Trip Information
Third Grade is excited about our upcoming field trip to the Perot Museum of Science and Nature.
It is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31st. Students will depart from Barksdale at 9:15 am and return at 2:15 pm.
Please remember to pack a sack lunch for your child to take to the museum. All items including the drink MUST be disposable.
Students should wear Barksdale spirit wear or a red, white or blue shirt.
Spring 2018 TELPAS Results
Students in Texas who are designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP) were assessed in the Spring for progress in learning the English language using the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS). This assessment system measures proficiency levels in reading, listening, writing, and speaking. TELPAS is administered to all LEP students - including LEP students who do not participate in a bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) program because of parental denial.
To access the results of the Spring 2018 TELPAS:
· Go to the Texas Assessment Data Portal http://texasassessment.com
· Click on Find My Access Code in the purple box.
· The parent/guardian will then be prompted to enter in:
§ Student’s First Name
§ Social Security Number or S-Number (State issued ID Number)
§ Date of Birth
· Use this Access Code to log in and see assessment history for a student.
If you have questions, please contact the Campus Testing Coordinator:
Stacey Rodriguez
Bluebonnet Award Program Information
Beginning in third grade, the boys and girls are invited to read books nominated for the annual Bluebonnet Award. Mrs. Edwards, our librarian, sent home a blue form at the beginning of the year for the students to track the books they have read. Students who read at least five books on the list are invited to vote for their favorite book in January. As we work hard to encourage students to read each year, we find the nominated books are often some of the best newer books on the market.
The Bluebonnet Award Program includes books for students in third – eighth grades. In recent years, due to the rise in popularity of teen literature, there are an increasing number of books on the list geared more toward middle school students. Therefore, we feel a need to encourage you to preview many of the books before your child reads them.
We have complied our own version of the list below. The first section includes pictures books that are fine for all third grade students. The second and third sections list books that depending on your child’s reading level, should be appropriate. Please note that we have not had a chance to read all of the books yet, but from what we have heard and read, they should be okay.
Many of those books are recommended for 9 – 12 year olds. Some of them will be totally fine. Others may have content that you feel is inappropriate for your child. You will be the best judge. For example, sometimes the books might have creatures and images that could be too creepy for some children. Others could be about relationships that some children are not mature enough to understand.
The fourth section has two books listed. From what we understand, the books are recommended for 5th graders and up, and they are not appropriate for third graders.
Some parents often turn to a few different sources to determine the appropriateness of books, movies, apps, and video games. At the bottom of this message we have provided some of the online resources we turn to most often. Sometimes we simply search the title of the book plus the word appropriate, and we get the information we are trying to find.
We love books, and we will continue to work hard to encourage your child to read this year. Hopefully we will all discover some great new books along the way.
Picture Books – Appropriate for all levels
- Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle
- Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee
- Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
- Grandpa’s Hal-La-Loo-Ya Hambone by Joe Hayes
- Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay A. Haring
- Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero by Patricia McCormick
- Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness by Donna Bowman
Chapter Books – Should be appropriate for many third graders
- Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
- The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough
- Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
- The Harlem Charade by Natasha Tarpley
- Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
- How to Avoid Extinction by Paul Acampora
- Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King
- Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres
- The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee and Matthew J. Gilbert
- Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors
Books – May be better suited to mature third grade readers. Parents may want to research or preview the books first.
- Slider by Pete Hautman
Book recommended for Grade 5 and up
- Refugee by Alan Gratz
- Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh
Resources for appropriate content for children:
-Common Sense Media (our favorite)
-Scholastic.com reviews
-Amazon.com reviews
-Barnes and Noble.com reviews
-Google search with the word appropriate attached to it
Collin County Poetry Contest
The 48th Annual Collin County Poetry Contest is now accepting entries. Students are invited to enter. There is no fee. The contest is sponsored by McKinney’s Mockingbird Chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas. Details are attached.
We will teach a poetry unit later this year, but the contest entry date often comes before we complete the unit. We wanted to let you know now in case your child is interested in participating.
Did you know that a third grade from Barksdale won first place two years ago? Your child could be next!
Winners are chosen from each grade level. Entries must be postmarked by February 1, 2019. Student winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and HM) will receive certificates at our award ceremony in April of 2019. Entry rules and other details are on our website at www.mockingbirdpoetry.org .
Please contact Beth Ayers if you have any questions.
Collin County Poetry Contest
Phone: 214-641-3092
Email: beth.ayers55@gmail.com