Newsletter for May 5, 2017

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
The current units of study are complex, introducing multiple word features, so I have extended these units and have broken them down into smaller lessons to focus on individual features. 

We are also continuing to work on our cursive. We have learned lower-case i, u, w, t and j as they all build off of the i shape. 

Reading Workshop
I assessed all of our students using the Developmental Reading Assessment. This is a fantastic diagnostic assessment that looks at engagement, fluency, and comprehension. I will include your student's results in their final progress report. I am very pleased with the results. Students have made a lot of meaningful growth. 

The greatest challenge, as we head into summer reading, is exposing students to a wide variety of genres and getting them to explore books beyond their familiarity, while ensuring they are reading just right books, which may seem easy to them, but are ideal for independent reading (without help). Students tend to find a series or genre and stick with it, but just like having a diverse and healthy diet, I try to get students to read different genres. 

Writing Workshop
Students are continuing to write letters to each other. This has been a great authentic writing exercise. With a meaningful audience, I'm seeing students produce more and they are writing some very insightful and heartwarming letters. 

We continue to celebrate what we are grateful for each day in our Gratitude Notebooks. I have seen students develop more awareness of kind acts, both given and received. 

We are continuing with our play writing for reader's theater. The biggest challenges are balancing the speaking roles (including the narrator) and relying on our voices and lines, rather than props and acting. This is a very challenging project, but they are doing a fine job. Students are also learning how to work together and how to divide a project into smaller, achievable goals.

Math Workshop
I am revisiting fractions as they are the most challenging math concept we learn in third grade. We are using fractions to solve story problems (e.g., 2/3 of 24 students have freckles. How many students have freckles?), adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. The entry point for any fraction problem is the denominator as it tells us how many equal groups our whole is shared into. We will continue with fractions for the remainder of the year. 

I cannot stress the importance of mastering fact fluency enough in preparing for fourth grade. It will really make a world of difference and I strongly recommend mastering them over the summer if your student is not achieving in all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).

ScienceStudents continued sharing what they observed and learned from our year-long Tree Trek using Book Creator, an app on their iPads. 

We are also coming to the end of our design challenge with our fifth grade friends. Student groups will be randomly drawn over the next three meetings to try their marble runs. The group that uses all of their materials, keeps them all on the table and has the slowest time will get to do the ice bucket challenge on the teachers - very motivating. 

Important Dates & Reminders

I will highlight changes and new dates in red.

A Days: No specials (Science, Social Studies, Technology rotation)

B Days: Music and PE

C Days: Art

D Days: Library

E Days: Music and PE

Mrs. Hemelgarn led our Lunch Lady Day celebrations at Windermere by serenading Francie. 

May 9th through 11th - students will eat in the classroom due to the 5th grade musical.
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment

May 18 - Device collection - Students should bring their device with the protective case on, keyboard, charging "brick," and power chord. You do not need to return your carrying case. Devices will be inspected and fines may be assessed if there are damages. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

May 22 - Field Day, Please apply sunscreen before your student arrives at school and feel free to send students with water bottles, old athletic shoes that can get wet, and swimsuits under their clothing. This will be a fun, but hot day. Please click on the following link to volunteer for one of our sessions: AM 8:30-11:05 or PM 11:30-2:30.
  

May 26 - Town Hall Meeting 8:25am

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