Four Winds: Leaves

On Tuesday afternoon, we had our second Four Winds lesson about leaves.  We watched a puppet show and learned about the different parts of leaves.  Then, we went outside to make leaf rubbings and work in small groups to make leaf pictures.  In pairs, we sat with our backs to each other and described our leaves while our partners tried to draw them based on our wonderful descriptions.  Thanks again to Scilla (Eliza's mom), Michelle (Jaden's mom), and Amanda (Selah's mom), our Four Winds volunteers!

Second Grade Math

Second graders have been exploring the features of two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes.  We have been sorting polygons based on the number of sides and learning about their names.  Next, we sorted our four-sided shapes (quadrilaterals) and used a square tile to figure out if they had any right angles.  We determined that rectangles, including squares, have four sides and four right angles.

It has been is fun to look around our classroom and notice all of the 2-D and 3-D shapes that surround us every day.  The best part, however, was when I asked the class if they would like some of my 6-sided crackers.  They happily joined in eating these hexagons and then began to notice their own snack shapes.  Some kids had crackers that were circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.  We also noticed that many of our snack containers and lunch boxes were cylinders and rectangular prisms.  

We worked on filling larger shapes with different numbers of pattern block shapes.  As we worked, we discussed the ratios, such as how a triangle is half of a rhombus and that it takes six triangle pattern blocks to fill a hexagon.

Another day, we played a sorting game with three-dimensional shapes.  Students were given a rectangular or triangular prism and had to look closely to describe its attributes.  Then, they picked an attribute to name when was their turn and the rest of us had to decide whether our shapes matched or didn't match according to the attribute.  We also had fun building with geoblocks and drawing our 3-D sculptures.

As you can probably imagine, we have learned a lot of new vocabulary words as part of our geometry unit, including polygons, angles, vertices, edges, and faces.  We also learned the names for polygons with various numbers of sides, such as triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons.  

Third Grade Math

Tick tock... Telling Time

One of the expectations for third graders is that they learn to tell time to the minute.  In the age of digital clocks and technology, it is often difficult for students to learn to tell time on an analog clock (one with hands).  As with most skills, the more the opportunities students have to practice the more fluent and accurate they will become at using the skill.  You can help your child learn to tell time by practicing at home.  If your child has mastered time to the minute, try asking about elapsed time.  For example, "If it is 3:45 now and we need to leave in 20 minutes, what time will we need to leave?".

Another area that all students can benefit from is practice basic math facts.   Students should be able to orally solve both addition and subtraction problems to 20 in less than 2 seconds by this time in third grade.  Knowledge of basic fact combinations is crucial to being able to move on to more complex problems and concepts.  If you would like additional information or resources to help you practice with your child, please let us know. 

posted by Jenn Fitch

Classroom News

A few quick notes from the second/third grade:

The October homework packet is due back next Friday, November 1st.  Your child may hand it in earlier in the week if he/she finishes before Halloween.  (Something tells me that there will not be much time for homework that night.)  If your child has any questions about assignments, please remind him/her to bring the packet in by Monday or Tuesday to get help.  Also, if your child needs any reading books, just let me know and I will send some home.  Please remind your child to return borrowed books when done so others can read them, too.  Thank you for supporting your child with  completing homework with good quality.

Parent conference confirmation sheets are coming home today.  If I didn't hear from you, I have given you an available time.  Please contact me if the time doesn't work for you and I will let you know what other times are free.  I look forward to meeting with everyone on Monday, November 11th!

Some upcoming events:

Tuesday, October 29th:   Mix It Up Day (at lunchtime) and our next Four Winds lesson
Thursday, November 7th:  Reading to End Racism
Monday, November 11th:  Parent/Teacher Conferences (no school for students)

Have a great weekend!  Stay warm!

Classroom News

Congratulations to our third graders for working hard and finishing up with the NECAP testing this week!  All students did a great job with being flexible with the changes in our daily schedule due to the testing.  Everyone continued to work hard throughout the day.  Nice work, team!

Please look in your child's Friday Folder for a conference sign up sheet.  Parent/teacher conference day is on Monday, November 11th.  I will send home a conference confirmation sheet next week with your scheduled time.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Writing Workshop: "Small Moments"

Over the past few weeks, we have continued working on our "small moments" writing unit, in which we are choosing meaningful stories to tell.  We are learning about using our storytelling voices, rather than just reporting about a list of events.  We have practiced ways to stretch out our stories, telling them "bit by bit".

We are also learning ways to revise our work, thinking not just about adding details, but showing our intent.  I shared several leads (beginnings) to one of my stories and the class guessed what my intent was with each lead.  We talked about how they can use descriptions of the setting, dialogue, and actions to help set the scene for their stories. 

Geography Projects

We have been working in teams over the past few days to create continent posters.  Each team is researching their continent, looking for information about important landmarks and natural features, animals that live there, languages spoken on their continent, and other interesting facts.   They are gathering this information for their poster project, which they will present to the rest of the class.

NECAP Testing

Our third graders will begin NECAP testing tomorrow with Mrs. Fitch and Mrs. Christy.  They will be provided with a special snack before the testing begins.  Our test sessions will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  Next week, the test sessions will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.  All test sessions are from 9:30 to 11:00 am, except for a second test on Thursday from 1:00-2:30 pm.  

Please make sure that your child is getting a good night sleep and a good breakfast.  Also, please help your child get to school on time on those days.

Students have been practicing for the tests during our math and literacy times over the past few weeks.  I have been impressed with their test-taking skills and positive attitudes.

Second graders will not be taking the NECAPs, so they will remain in our classroom with me.  There may be a few changes in our schedule due to specials teachers supervising the NECAP sessions, but otherwise we will follow a normal schedule.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the NECAPs or our schedule during this two week testing period.  Thanks!

Important Reminders

EMES Open House

EMES Open House is tonight from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Members of the PBIS team will be presenting important information in classrooms promptly at 6:00 pm. Then, you are invited to play some fun math games and take a tour around our classroom and hallway area with your child to see his/her Hopes and Dreams sheet and All About Me poster. I look forward to seeing everyone tonight!

Homework

Please remember that homework packets are due back on Thursday, October 3^rd, including 3^rd Grade homework since Friday is hike day.

All School Hike

The All School Hike is this Friday, October 4^th.  Please remind your child to bring a backpack with their lunch and a water bottle.  Students should also wear comfortable shoes and clothing for hiking all day.  If your child needs a bag lunch from the cafeteria, please write me a note or let your child know to sign up with me on Thursday.