Dear Families,
This will be the final newsletter of the year. I cannot adequately express how grateful I am to work with your students. This has been a fantastic year, full of learning and growth for all, including me. I look forward to following your student's progress over the coming years and seeing the many friendly faces in the Windermere community. I hope everyone has a safe, fun and enriching summer. It has been a real pleasure to serve your family this year.
Important Dates and Reminders
Windermere celebrated the retirement of our principal, Mr. Steve Scarpitti. After 35 years of serving students, families and staff Mr. Scarpitti is retiring. He has touched so many in our community as a teacher, mentor and friend. He will be missed and has left an indelible legacy at Windermere and throughout Upper Arlington. Good luck with retirement "Scarpy!"
From the cafeteria...
"Beginning Monday, May 13th, if your child has a negative lunch balance and wants to buy a lunch, he/she will be served a cheese sandwich, fruit or vegetable and a milk for the regular cost of a hot plate lunch ($2.75)."
All library materials are due Wednesday, May 29th. Students must either return or pay for missing library materials before they can receive their final progress report. Please contact Mrs. Hastings for replacement costs at khastings@uaschools.org. The Uppper Arlington Public Library will be here next week to share their summer reading program. With three branches they are easily accessible and offer many interesting opportunities.
Our remaining Walking Wednesdays is May 29th.
May 29, 2013: Field Days
Please contact Mr. Moore if you are able to volunteer at adammoore@uaschools.org.
Apply sunscreen before students arrive.
Send water bottles with name on it.
Wear a hat.
Wear a swimsuit under athletic clothing.
Wear old running shoes. Crocs and flip flops are not suitable for Field Day.
I'll be passing out moustaches for "Team Hudson" and will try to get a team photo in the morning.
Please contact Mr. Moore if you are able to volunteer at adammoore@uaschools.org.
Apply sunscreen before students arrive.
Send water bottles with name on it.
Wear a hat.
Wear a swimsuit under athletic clothing.
Wear old running shoes. Crocs and flip flops are not suitable for Field Day.
I'll be passing out moustaches for "Team Hudson" and will try to get a team photo in the morning.
I will be showing Fantastic Mr. Fox on the last days of school to celebrate our hard work. This Roald Dahl classic will be our final read aloud of the year. Permission slips for viewing the film will be sent home this week. Please return them by Friday, May 31st.
I'd like to thank all of the volunteers who have helped our class throughout the school year, including the end of year party. The camping theme is right up my alley. From field trips to science experiments, I could not have done it without your help. Thank you to the Jack family for their generous donation of delicious Panzera's pizza for our last day of school!
I'd like to thank all of the volunteers who have helped our class throughout the school year, including the end of year party. The camping theme is right up my alley. From field trips to science experiments, I could not have done it without your help. Thank you to the Jack family for their generous donation of delicious Panzera's pizza for our last day of school!
What We Learned This Week
Research
Students have nearly completed their animal research. They have used Venn diagrams to compare and contrast two animals across: classification, life cycle, habitat, food web, and adaptations/defense mechanisms. This has been challenging for students and has taken them far beyond the traditional animal research report. Students used non-fiction informational texts that have supported our understanding of non-fiction text features (table of contents, index, text boxes, charts, graphs, etc.) Students also utilized iPads to research questions they developed throughout their research and missing information they were unable to find in their books. Finally students are constructing summary statements for each Venn diagram that shares what their animals have in common and how they contrast. I used many different hands on experiences to immerse students in classification and food web. This has been challenging but infinitely rewarding to watch.
Reading
During the last two weeks I assessed each student using the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), Reading A to Z leveled books, RCBM and MAZE to determine their independent fluency and comprehension levels in fiction and non-fiction.
Writing
Students completed their final writing for me, a "survival guide" for third grade in the form of a friendly letter addressed to next year's third graders. The class as a whole have really progressed in their writing. I learn a lot from students about my teaching as well as they share their observations on what they enjoyed most, what was hardest and advice for "surviving" third grade. Science is usually a big hit with students while homework is often seen as "a lot more." There is NO homework for the remaining days of school. I will compile their observations and suggestions into a single letter that will greet next year's class.
Math
We reviewed all priority mathematics concepts and assessed student knowledge this week as well.
Have a great summer! Gone pickin' :)
Students have nearly completed their animal research. They have used Venn diagrams to compare and contrast two animals across: classification, life cycle, habitat, food web, and adaptations/defense mechanisms. This has been challenging for students and has taken them far beyond the traditional animal research report. Students used non-fiction informational texts that have supported our understanding of non-fiction text features (table of contents, index, text boxes, charts, graphs, etc.) Students also utilized iPads to research questions they developed throughout their research and missing information they were unable to find in their books. Finally students are constructing summary statements for each Venn diagram that shares what their animals have in common and how they contrast. I used many different hands on experiences to immerse students in classification and food web. This has been challenging but infinitely rewarding to watch.
Reading
During the last two weeks I assessed each student using the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), Reading A to Z leveled books, RCBM and MAZE to determine their independent fluency and comprehension levels in fiction and non-fiction.
Writing
Students completed their final writing for me, a "survival guide" for third grade in the form of a friendly letter addressed to next year's third graders. The class as a whole have really progressed in their writing. I learn a lot from students about my teaching as well as they share their observations on what they enjoyed most, what was hardest and advice for "surviving" third grade. Science is usually a big hit with students while homework is often seen as "a lot more." There is NO homework for the remaining days of school. I will compile their observations and suggestions into a single letter that will greet next year's class.
Math
We reviewed all priority mathematics concepts and assessed student knowledge this week as well.
Have a great summer! Gone pickin' :)
