March Newsletter
Test Prep
ELA
Click below to see what was actually on the ELA state exam in previous years.
Here are the passages (both ELA and Math):
2019 – https://www.engageny.org/resource/released-2019-3-8-ela-and-mathematics-state-test-questions
2018 – https://www.engageny.org/resource/released-2018-3-8-ela-and-mathematics-state-test-questions
2017 – https://www.engageny.org/resource/released-2017-3-8-ela-and-mathematics-state-test-questions
2016 – https://www.engageny.org/resource/released-2016-3-8-ela-and-mathematics-state-test-questions
2020 Grade 3 Common Core English Language Arts Test
NYS ELA Exams: Wednesday, March 25th- Thursday, March 26th
The 2020 Grade 3 Common Core English Language Arts Test will consist of two books that are administered over two days.
NEW Changes to the exams:
- Untimed Testing: Students will be able to work at their own pace and as long as they are working productively, they will be allowed as much time as they need to complete the test.
- Decrease in Number of Test Days: Students will take the test for 2 days rather than 3.
ELA Test Design
The chart below illustrates the test design for the 2020 Grade 3 Common Core English Language Arts Test. This chart details the number of passages and the type(s) of questions in each book. Book 1 consists of passages with multiple-choice questions only. Book 2 consists of three passage with 6 short responses and 1 extended response.
ELA Multiple Choice
Multiple-choice questions are designed to assess Common Core Reading and Language Standards. They will ask students to analyze different aspects of a given text, including central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary. Almost all questions, including vocabulary questions, will only be answered correctly if the student comprehends and makes use of the whole passage. For multiple-choice questions, students will select the correct response from four answer choices.
Multiple-choice questions will assess Reading Standards in a range of ways. Some will ask students to analyze aspects of text or vocabulary. Many questions will require students to combine skills. For example, questions may ask students to identify a segment of text that best supports the central idea. To answer correctly, a student must first comprehend the central idea and then show understanding of how that idea is supported. Questions will require more than rote recall or identification. Students will also be required to negotiate plausible, text-based distractors. A distractor is an incorrect response that may appear to be a plausible correct response to a student who has not mastered the skill or concept being tested. Each distractor will require students to comprehend the whole passage.
ELA Short-Response Questions
Short-response questions are designed to assess Common Core Reading and Language Standards. These are single questions in which students use textual evidence to support their own answers to an inferential question. These questions ask the student to make an inference (a claim, position, or conclusion) based on his or her analysis of the passage, and then provide two pieces of text-based evidence to support his or her answer.
The purpose of the short-response questions is to assess a student’s ability to comprehend and analyze text. In responding to these questions, students will be expected to write in complete sentences. Responses should require no more than three to five complete sentences.
ELA Extended-Response Questions
Extended-response questions are designed to assess Writing from Sources. They will focus primarily on Common Core Writing Standards. Extended-response questions will require comprehension and analysis of an individual text. Many extended-response questions will ask students to express a position and support it with text-based details. Extended-response questions allow students to demonstrate their ability to write a coherent essay using textual evidence to support their ideas.
MATH
NYS Math Exams Dates: Wednesday, April 22 – Thursday, April 23
Information on the 2020 Grade 3 Common Core Math Test
The 2020 Grade 3 Common Core Math Test will consist of two books that are administered over two days. Here’s a chart of what standards will be assessed. If you would like to know specifically what each standard means, please visit: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/3/introduction/ (you can click on 3.OA.1 and a detailed explanation will appear).
3rd Grade CCLS Mathematics Standards with Greatest Emphasis on Exam:
3.OA.3 Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division within 100. Using a symbol or letter as the variable for the unknown number.
3.OA.8 Solve problems involving all four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic.
3.NF.3 Develop understanding of fractions as numbers. Being able to compare fractions, and identify simple equivalent fractions. Also, whole number equivalents (e.g., 3/3 = 1, three thirds equal one whole) Use visual models to represent fractions and show fractions on a number line.
3.MD.7 Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition. Tiling to find out the area of a figure. Calculate area using an area model and using the distributive property of multiplication.
NEW Changes to this year’s exams:
- Untimed Testing: Students will be able to work at their own pace and as long as they are working productively, they will be allowed as much time as they need to complete the test.
- Decrease in Number of Test Days: Students will take the exam for two days rather than three.
Test Design
In Grade 3, students are required to apply mathematical understandings and mathematical practices gained in the classroom in order to answer three types of questions: multiple-choice, short-response, and extended-response. Book 1 consists of multiple-choice questions. Book 2 consists of multiple choice, short-response, and extended-response questions. The chart below provides a description of the 2020 Grade 3 Test Design.
Multiple Choice
Multiple-choice questions are designed to assess CCLS for Mathematics. Mathematics multiple-choice questions will mainly be used to assess standard algorithms and conceptual standards. Multiple-choice questions incorporate both Standards and Standards for Mathematical Practices, some in real-world applications. Many multiple-choice questions require students to complete multiple steps. Likewise, many of these questions are linked to more than one standard, drawing on the simultaneous application of multiple skills and concepts. Within answer choices, distractors will all be based on plausible missteps. A distractor is an incorrect response that may appear to be a plausible correct response to a student who has not mastered the skill or concept being tested.
Short-Response Questions
Short-response questions require students to complete a task and show their work. Like multiple-choice questions, short-response questions will often require multiple steps, the application of multiple mathematics skills, and real-world applications. Many of the short-response questions will cover conceptual and application standards. Below is the 2-point rubric used to score short-response questions.
Extended-Response Questions
Extended-response questions ask students to show their work in completing two or more tasks or a more extensive problem. Extended-response questions allow students to show their understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual understanding, and application. Extended-response questions may also assess student reasoning and the ability to critique the arguments of others. Below is the 3-point rubric used to score extended-response questions.
Welcome to Class 3-306!
This year, third grade residency is the Metropolitan Opera. Educators from the Metropolitan Opera will be visiting our classrooms on Thursdays to teach students about operas. Through this residency, students will learn theatre related vocabulary. It is also interdisciplinary with our social studies curriculum. Students will learn about different parts of the country and world through the theatric world. The culmination of the resedency is an opera written by the students and performed in front of the families of class 3-306.
Dear Families,
Welcome to Third Grade! My name is Kelly Plater and I look forward to being your child’s teacher for what I know will be an exciting and learning-filled year. We have a very challenging year ahead of us filled with many worthwhile lessons and experiences. I know that if we work together that we all have a successful and rewarding year.
Please take some time to familiarize yourselves with certain procedures that we need to follow as well as supplies your child will need to bring to school.
Supplies:
Your child will need the following supplies for school. I know many of you have already purchased them, but this may help you fill in any gaps (If you pre-ordered supplies for your child last spring, I have received them already in the classroom and will distribute them in class).
Please make sure your child has their supplies in school by this Monday, September 9th.
1. 5 100ct marble composition books
2. 6 plastic folders with bottom pockets- red, blue, yellow, green, purple and orange
3. 2 packages of glue sticks
4. 1 pair of scissors
5. 2 boxes of pencils
6. 1 pack of erasers
7. 2 packs of Post-it notes
8. 1 pack of dry erase markers (4 markers)
9. Two rolls of paper towels
10. Two boxes of tissues
11. One container of Disinfecting Wet Wipes
Guidelines and Procedures:
Your cooperation for the following will be greatly appreciated.
- School hours - 8:20am to 2:40pm Monday through Friday
- If your child is being picked up by another adult (play date, etc) I must have a written note from you. If I do not have a note, I will not be able to release your child. Please make sure all babysitters are aware of this rule. This is for your child’s safety and there can be no exceptions.
- Homework is given every night. Please make sure that homework is completed neatly and a parent or guardian checks it. Your child must write his or her full name and date on all written H.W.
- Absentee notices are required for all absences.
- If your child has any allergies, illnesses, or ailments, notify the school and/or school nurse as well as myself.
Communication:
If you need to speak to me during the day or would like to set up an appointment, please leave a message with the office, write me a note or email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. The office phone number is 212-678-2829 and my email address is kplater@ps166.org
You will be kept up to date throughout the school year via my class website, class306.educatorpages.com. On the website you will receive updates on our units of study, find copies of the homework packets, and field trip details. It is meant as a resource of information and a place to download/print documents if they are lost.
Attached to this letter you will find a general permission slip for neighborhood trips, and an information form. Please do your best to fill them out and return them with your child by Monday, September 9th (as soon as possible would be greatly appreciated).
I am very excited about the 2019-2020 school year and look forward to working with all of you!
Warmly,
Kelly Plater
Back To School Night Power Point:
Important Dates:
November 14th - Half Day, Parent Teacher Conferences
November 28-29th- No School- Happy Thanksgiving!