Newsletter for January 27, 2017

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
Students started on new spelling features this week. I also reviewed plural noun rules for adding -s and -es (when we add a syllable) before getting into tricky plurals (e.g., fish, moose, goose, man, woman, mouse, ox, foot, tooth, child, person, etc.). I have just introduced possessive nouns and will work on that for a while yet. There is generally some confusion between apostrophes commas as well. Students will learn we use apostrophes for possession and contractions and commas for pauses and lists.

Reading Workshop
We began learning how we can use context clues to help us make an educated guess as to the meaning of unfamiliar words when reading. Context clues include the words and phrases that come before and after the unfamiliar word, as well as punctuation, grammar and beginning phonemes.

Students also began making first person journal/diary entries as the lead character in our read aloud. The initial responses are much more like summaries, but we will move into adding emotions and descriptive language to develop comprehension.

I would love to have some volunteers Monday through Friday from noon till 1 to work with readers. You do not need any training or experience teaching reading. You will simply help ensure students are reading appropriately leveled texts and are engaged in their reading. Please email if you are able to help.

Writing Workshop
I attempted a two text response, but believe the class needs more structure and modeling so we will continue with single text response writing for a while longer.

Math Workshop
Students made flash cards and are working to memorize them. We worked on the commutative, distributive and associative properties in multiplication.

Science
All students have workable problems at this point. Mrs. Hemmelgarn, our library media specialist, led a lesson on researching problems and solutions using Google and Amazon, and search terms. We used our devices to begin researching during science and shared our problems and initial solutions. Peer feedback is an important part of this process. Students should keep their white Invention Convention packet in their homework folder so they can have it at home and school to record ideas as they come. Students should complete their research and the first three pages of their Invention Convention packet by next Friday, February 3rd.

Guidance 
From Ms. O'Keefe...

"I was in your child's class this week, focusing on Decision Making and Goal Setting. We talked about how they make decisions all day, every day. We talked about there are many options to each decision, and they all have different outcomes/consequences. We looked at a decision making model (see below) and used some examples to work through. We applied making good decisions to goal setting. With the new year here, I challenged them to set a goal, like a resolution, that they can work toward. Attached is a sheet we worked on in class. I encourage you to revisit this with them and even set a family goal together!

1. Identify the decision
2. Brainstorm Options 
3. Predict the outcome (positive or negative outcome/"consequence?" Who will it effect?) 
4. Decide on a solution and Act
5. Outcome/Consequence - remember, you need to accept responsibility for your decisions."

Important Dates & Reminders

Testing dates are in bold. I will highlight changes and new dates in red.

A Days: No specials 

B Days: Music and PE

C Days: Art

D Days: Library

E Days: Music and PE

January 30 State of Schools at UAHS 5 - 8pm

February 3 - Invention Convention Research Due
February 6 - 10 Boxtop Collection Days

February 6 - March 31 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment

Feburary 10 - Ohio Wildlife Center donations due
February 14 - Ohio Wildlife Center visit
February 20 No School for Students & Staff:  President's Day

March 1 - Early Dismissal 1pm

March 9 - 3rd Grade Musical
March 10 - Invention Convention 10:30-11:00 Cafeteria/Multipurpose Room

March 10 - Town Hall Meeting1:45 PM

March 10 - End of second Trimester

March 13 - 17 Spring Break - No School 

March 20 - No School for students - Teacher Workday 

March 28 - Progress Reports Home Today  

April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 

April 6 Spring Picture Day          

April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14  No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday     

April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair        

April 28  KID FEST 5 - 8pm

May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 22 Field Day             

May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am

May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester     
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm  

Newsletter for January 20, 2017

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
Students finished their most recent word study features. We will be progressing to our next units of study on Monday. I also introduced contractions.

Reading Workshop
I introduced summaries this week and the class quickly progressed. I ask them to provide the who and what (sequence of events) using bullets and time references (first, next, then, after a bit, the next day, finally, in the end, etc.). Students are also learning to take notes as they hear or read a story to support their summary.

Writing Workshop
Students are continuing to improve writing opinion pieces supported by the text. We are doing a lot of partner sharing to develop reflection and revision skills. We also finished our pen pal letters and mailed them to London. We will FaceTime our pen pals in early February.

Math Workshop 
Students are performing multi-digit multiplication using the partial products algorithm and the traditional algorithm. They are doing multi-step story problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and are showing their work with standard algorithms and pictures (drawing groups and arrays). I encourage the students to "check" their work by solving each problem at least two different ways. We are also solving multi-digit multiplication with missing factors, no easy feat for third graders. The obvious difference between those who are successful and those who struggle is math fact mastery.

Science
Please see the previous post regarding the Invention Convention.

Important Dates & Reminders

Testing dates are in bold. I will highlight changes and new dates in red.

A Days: No specials 

B Days: Music and PE

C Days: Art

D Days: Library

E Days: Music and PE

January 25 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

January 30 State of Schools at UAHS 5 - 8pm

February 6 - 10 Boxtop Collection Days

February 6 - March 31 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
Feburary 10 - Ohio Wildlife Center donations due
February 14 - Ohio Wildlife Center visit
February 20 No School for Students & Staff:  President's Day

March 1 - Early Dismissal 1pm

March 9 - 3rd Grade Musical
March 10 - Invention Convention 10:30-11:00 Cafeteria/Multipurpose Room

March 10 - Town Hall Meeting1:45 PM

March 10 - End of second Trimester

March 13 - 17 Spring Break - No School 

March 20 - No School for students - Teacher Workday 

March 28 - Progress Reports Home Today  

April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 

April 6 Spring Picture Day          

April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14  No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday     

April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair        

April 28  KID FEST 5 - 8pm

May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 24 Field Day             

May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am

May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester     
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm  

Invention Convention

INVENTION CONVENTION TIME

This post provides you with a calendar for the Invention Convention and some helpful advice for those of you who are new to it. We will try to do the majority of work at school, but there will be some work to do at home, primarily presentation boards and prototypes. I have intentionally built in some extra time for students who may fall behind or have exceptionally busy extracurricular lives. My hope is that students will do a little at a time so they can really think and reflect on the process, rather than having a stressful, "just get it done" experience. This is also an early introduction to time management. 

All 3rd grade students will be participating in Windermere's Invention Convention.

This project will require some homework. I have attempted to detail all important steps and deadlines.

List of Problems - Due January 20 Identify three common, everyday problems. This homework sheet was sent home last week. Students viewed two videos on inventing, emphasizing starting with the problem first.

Click to visit video.

Click to visit video.

I am looking for problems third graders can solve, not robots or time machines;) They will inevitably think of inventions without focusing on the problems first. A good rule of thumb is if they anticipate needing to use electricity, focus on simpler problems. Although, I did have a student use MIT's app builder for children to design a phone application that turns off your cellphone as you approach an intersection, so the sky is the limit as long as the student understands and can clearly explain their problem and solution. Each student is a different learner and I expect to see a wide range of projects. 

Invention Convention Packets - Due February 27 Students will begin to fill in their packet as soon as this Friday, January 20th. However, the packet is intended to document their entire process and may not be completed until students have finished all other steps of the process. With guidance from me and peers, students will select one of their problems and develop at least one solution. I am not concerned with spelling or other forms of convention, just ideas and creativity. Students will need their packet for their presentations and they will also help with their presentation boards. One of the most important parts of the packet is the opportunity to make improvements. I'm encouraging students to think about using recycled materials for the construction of their invention.

Research - Due February 3 Students will begin researching their projects at school using their iPads with guidance from Mrs. Hemmelgarn, our library media specialist, and me. Students will learn about search terms and how to learn if their solution already exists. If it does, they may be able to modify and improve existing solutions and still use their problem.

Presentation Boards - Due February 27 Presentation boards are 3 panel display boards and can be purchased at United Art & Education or most office supply stores. Purchasing the optional headers is a great way to highlight the name of your young inventor's solution and they help steady the display boards. If you have financial hardship, please contact me and I will look into providing a display board for your student. We will plan these in advance to limit mistakes and keep costs down. Creativity and organization are the keys to a successful presentation board. Encourage your student to take a few photos as they go through the process of testing and building prototypes and even of their problem. These can be helpful with their presentation board.

Students use their Invention Convention packet, to design and construct their display board. The display board is intended as an aid for presenting. Please do not use poster board as it is hard for the students to talk, hold their student journals, and model their solution with their prototype.

(click to enlarge)

Write your student's and their teacher's name 

on the backof their display board so it is easily visible. 

Here are several display board examples. While these don't follow all of the requirements for the board above, they will give you and your student some ideas. I have shared many different examples with your student so they should be familiar with this step. Anything on their board should be securely attached so it won't fall off. Text should be large and easily visible.. Encourage your student to be creative and have fun! The more of their personality that comes through, the better!

Students can use a computer or markers. Photos of their process are also encouraged, especially if they are able to try their prototype.

Prototypes - Due March 6 Students will build a representative (does not have to be a fully operational) prototype. If the technology already exists for part of their prototype, they can simply mock it up (e.g., a garage door opener can be replicated from cardboard). Prototypes must be no larger than a paper box (approximately 20" x 12" x 12") and may not use chord dependent electricity. They may use batteries.

We will begin them at school. Mrs. Hemmelgarn, our library media specialist, is creating a build-it zone in the library and is stocking it with great materials, funded by our generous PTO. Students will start work on their prototypes at school. Prototypes can be non-working models. They do not have to function, but will be used to help explain solutions during presentations.

Presentation Practice - February 27 and March 6 Students will practice presenting with an emphasis on presentation skills and responding to questions. I encourage you to engage your student in discussions about their problem, process and invention. Have them practice at home, especially if they are quiet or anxious. It will be loud and a bit chaotic on the morning of the Invention Convention. A little preparation will go a long way.

Invention Convention - March 10  Students will present their inventions to families in the Windermere Multi-Purpose Room/Cafeteria from 10:00 till 10:45. Families are encouraged to help us celebrate student inventions and interview students on their invention process. In the past, many families have opted to take their student (and their materials) to lunch after the presentations. This is a great way to celebrate and to make sure display boards and prototypes go home before spring break.

The most common question I receive is, "How much should parents help?" It is important to note that while we may have some inspiring outliers, these should be student directed problems and solutions. As much as we want to help them (and you can), the ideas and solutions should be theirs. You can ask questions and let them arrive at their own conclusions. The Invention Convention is all about the process, rather than the end product.

Most importantly, this project should be student led and adult supported. 

This is NOT parent work. You may help your student by encouraging them to think about their invention. You can even help them assemble their boards and prototypes, but students must be able to explain their work and demonstrate understanding of every step of the process. We are not looking for robots or technologically bound solutions, but simple and achievable solutions to problems that impact many people. The real benefit of this project is the student learning. We want our future leaders to see they can identify and solve others' problems.

You can probably help most by having them plan and do a little work daily so they don't have to cram the night before their materials are due.

Newsletter for January 6, 2017

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
I administered the Developmnetal Spelling Assessment to measure student growth and ensure students were in the appropriate group. I'm very pleased with the progress they've made. I will share results with you soon.

Students are working on building vocabulary. During independent reading, students are looking for one interesting word each day, which they record on a post-it note on their table. As they read throughout the week they make tally marks to keep track of how many times they read that word, building awareness through intentional practice. I am also encouraging students to use these new words in their writing and speaking.

Reading
Students are beginning to compare and contrast two articles. Our process is to read each article independently and highlight important vocabulary words that help explain the article, are key terms in the article or are confusing words. Next students answer standard fairly straight forward questions (who, what, where, when, and why). These first steps are intended to get students to think more deeply about what they are reading. Lastly, they must identify how the two articles are related and write a short essay comparing and contrasting the articles. These paired articles are one of the most challenging reading (and writing) skills they will learn this year so we will take it slowly, increasing the text complexity and length as we practice over time.

I administered the STAR Reading Test.

Writing
Students are revisiting narratives as we draft pen pal letters using our iPads. (Thank you for always reminding your student to charge their iPads at night.)

Math
I am reviewing key math concepts learned throughout the first half of the year and I will assess these areas next week in anticipation of the interim progress reports. This also gives me a great opportunity to dig deeper into what students may not have mastered so we can revisit content.

I administered the STAR Math Test.

Important Dates & Reminders

Testing dates are in bold. I will highlight changes and new dates in red.

A Days: No specials 

B Days: Music and PE

C Days: Art

D Days: Library

E Days: Music and PE

January 10 Student Group Activity Photos (e.g., Recycling Team, Orchestra, etc.)

January 13 Town Hall Meeting 12:30pm

January 16 No School for Students & Staff:  MLK Day

January 18 Interim Progress Reports Sent Home

January 25 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

January 30 State of Schools at UAHS 5 - 8pm

February 6 - 10 Boxtop Collection Days

February 6 - March 31 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
February 20 No School for Students & Staff:  President's Day

March 1 Early Dismissal 1pm

March 9 3rd Grade Musical

March 10 Town Hall Meeting1:45 PM

March 10 End of second Trimester

March 13 - 17 Spring Break - No School 

March 20 No School for students - Teacher Workday 

March 28 Progress Reports Home Today  

April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 

April 6 Spring Picture Day          

April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14  No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday     

April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair        

April 28  KID FEST 5 - 8pm

May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 24 Field Day             

May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am

May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester     
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm