Hopefully, your week is going as well as ours! We've been very busy preparing for the CRCT. I have every confidence in your children. I expect that everyone will meet third grade expectations. They are more than capable of exceeding those expectations if they stay focused and try their best. We've worked so hard this year. Now it's time to "Show What We Know"! We can do it!
Today, we took a practice Reading CRCT exam. I think students found out first hand what they should expect for next week! Firstly, an hour is an EXTREMELY long time to stay focused. We had a few problems with talking and leaving our seats but were able to work them out. Secondly, one major difference from last year's test: Teachers are not allowed to read ANYTHING for you! Once I've read the instructions, explained the time limits, and we complete one sample question together to make sure students know how and where to bubble, I am not allowed to say anything else. I can't read the questions, help with any of the words, nor answer any questions for students. My job is to ensure everyone is on task and completing his test without cheating. Students must complete all the test questions independently without assistance.
Homework Reminder
Students only homework this week is to read their AR books. Please keep in mind, students are required to complete three "short" books (worth 0.5 points each) and one chapter book (worth at least 1.0 points) each week. Next year's expectation is that students complete two chapter books each week. So, buckle down boys and girls! Read your 20 minutes each night! Third graders read on average 100-120 words per minute. That means you should read between 2,000 - 2,500 words (about 30 pages in a chapter book or all of a "short" book) each night!
- Do your best to arrive to school before the tardy bell at 7:45 a.m.! CRCT testing begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.
- Eat a healthy breakfast! Gilbert's cafeteria serves breakfast each morning from 7:05 - 7:40 a.m.
- Go to bed early to ensure you are well rested! Even I go to bed early during CRCT week. I turn in around 8:30. Try to be in the bed by 9 p.m. at the latest.
- Attendance is extremely important! Especially for third graders. We have field trips scheduled for the week following CRCT. If you are late or miss a day during testing week, you will not be allowed to go on the field trips Monday and Tuesday. You will have to remain at school in order to make up your missed testing. I would hate for anyone to not get to go on our trips. So, let's be sure to be at school every day during testing!!!!
