Newsletter for January 12, 2017

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! I cannot believe we are already half-way through this school year. The class was sleepy this week, but we still packed in a lot of learning. We are starting several exciting initiatives: African American research projects, Invention Convention, Livingston Collaboration, and 100 Acts of Kindness. You can read more about each below.

Word Study

Mrs. Jackson - Orton Gillingham Specialist

Ms. Westlake - Interpreter

My former 3rd grade teaching partner and Orton Gillingham (OG) Specialist (OG is an intervention reading program), Mrs. Jackson, visited this week to share the history of the English language and syllable division rules. I'm hoping to have her back soon. The English language is incredibly complex as it is an amalgamation of many different languages. I always think it is helpful for students to understand why we have rules and exceptions for both reading (decoding) and writing (encoding). Mrs. Jackson is a masterful teacher and possesses an incomparable breadth of knowledge on reading and phonics.

I introduced diphthongs (a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another) -oi (e.g., soil, toil, etc.) and -oy (e.g., soy, annoy, etc.). Students will learn that generally -oi comes in the middle of syllables while -oy comes at the ends of syllables.

I am also introducing prefixes, suffixes and bases. I find this unit is incredibly beneficial and helps students with decoding unfamiliar words immensely. I have only begun to introduce this, so don't be alarmed if your student is still unfamiliar with these terms and understandings.

Reading

I am introducing non-fiction/informational texts and we are going to begin our first research projects. I invited students to write down "all of the famous Americans you can think of, anyone who has helped to shape our country, but no entertainers (athletes, musicians, artists, actors/actresses)." After two minutes the class had generated a list of 30 unique Americans. The list included six African Americans and seven women. We then had a great discussion on why it would be very important to study these often marginalized, yet quintessential American groups (African Americans and women). In honor of Dr. King's holiday on Monday and Black History Month, we will use this as our platform to begin learning how to read and research informational texts. Students will eventually produce a research project on a famous African American, focusing on how that individual shaped or contributed to American culture. I will also share several picture book read-alouds.

The first was the biography of Henry Box Brown. This is the amazing story of Henry Brown and how he literally "mailed" himself to freedom. We had an amazing conversation before, during and after this book. You should all be very proud of your students. They are an insightful and empathetic group.

Writing
We are focusing on response to text. Students will read a single text and respond to it with three specific types of writing: opinion, narrative and expository. We will move from single sources to two passages to challenge students to synthesize multiple sources. I expect students to be using correct convention.

Math
I reviewed perimeter with the class and introduced area. I also taught students their 3's. Students should be using their strong mastery of doubles (from addition and multiplication) and adding one more group. We are nearly done introducing multiplication facts and I fully expect to be done by the end of the month.

I also introduced addition and subtraction with decimals.

Finally, I reviewed associative, commutative and distributive properties of addition and multiplication.

Science

I formally kicked off our Windermere Invention Convention, which will culminate in a celebration of student work on Friday, March 9th, the last day of school prior to spring break (see important dates and reminders).

What do you need to know?
1. Student inventions should be student driven. It is completely OK for them to come up with an idea that you, the adult, know there is already a great solution for. Many students will come up with problems that there are already solutions to. However, if they were unaware of the solution, then we consider it to be a valid student identified problem and solution.
2. This learning opportunity is all about the process, versus the final product.
3. There will be some key due dates that students (and families) should follow. The third grade team will not be giving homework some of these weeks to support students and families' busy schedules.
4. Parents can help, but should prompt and ask questions, rather than do the work or drive it. Again - these are student ideas.

Key dates:
January 29: Students need three different problems. Students should start looking for simple, common, everyday problems now. This can be a great conversation over meals with the entire family. I will steer students away from "inventions" and "solutions" initially and focus on problems. I will also steer them away from overly complex problems that they probably cannot realistically solve. I shared a whole host of examples today to get them thinking.

February 5: Students should have three different solutions to their problem. The ideas can be variations, but each should add something different and meaningful.

February 12 & 20: Students share and receive feedback and finalize their problems.

February 27: Presentation board and prototype plans due. I will send home resources, inspiration and guidelines in advance.

March 6: Presentation boards and prototypes due. Students will practice presenting skills.

March 9: Invention Convention Celebration

Livingston STEM Partnership

On January 22nd, Windermere's 3rd Grade will host our partner STEM school, Livingston Elementary. Students will engage in multiple hands on science learning opportunities, including design and communication challenges, film canister rockets (states of matter), and terrariums (plant science).

I would like to thank the Upper Arlington Rotary for their generous funding and support and Stori Rex, Windermere parent, for her tireless efforts and energy. This day has taken four months of planning and is sure to be a great science experience. We will visit Livingston on May 11th.

100 Acts of Kindness

Mrs. Meyer, Windermere's Teacher of the Year, shared this great idea. 

We challenge YOU and your kids/family/students, etc. to accomplish 100 Acts of Kindness between January 15th and February 14th. Do you think you can do it? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is our inspiration for this challenge, which is why we always kick it off on the MLK Jr. Holiday weekend. Dr. King taught about the importance of showing love and being kind... even when it is hard and even when people aren't necessarily being kind to you. Dr. King taught that LOVE can drive out hate.

As we honor Dr. King along with many other great leaders who have taught about showing love and kindness, we encourage you to join us and SPREAD KINDNESS. Spread it in your homes, your neighborhoods, and your communities. Do small acts of kindness together with your families and students and see how these simple acts make a big difference in the lives of other people... and in you!

No act of kindness is too small. I am sending home a chart today for your student to track their acts of kindness along with many examples. 

Important Dates & Reminders

January 2018

15 No School for Staff or Students:  Martin Luther King’s Birthday

18 PT Conferences grade 1-5 (students are dismissed at 11:05)
22 STEM Exchange with Livingston (UA Rotary providing pizza)

February 2018

5  State of the Schools at UAHS 5-8 p.m.

5-9 Collection Days for “Box Tops for Education”
8 Third Grade Musical 7pm Wear GREEN!
11-14 Ohio Wildlife Center donation drive
14 Ohio Wildlife Center

19 No School Staff or Students:  Presidents’ Day

28 Early Release 1:00 (NO LIFT)

March 2018

5 Spring Pictures

9 End of Second Trimester
9 Invention Convention 10-10:30am in the Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria. Families are invited to help us celebrate student inventions and then take your student (and their materials) to lunch.
12-16  Spring Break

19 No School for Students:  Teacher Grading Day

27 Progress Reports available online

30  Good Friday:  No School for Students or Staff

April 2018

4  Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Windermere 11-12 in lounge

May 2018

April 30-May 4  Scholastic Book Fair

4 KidFest, 5-8 p.m.

8  NO School for students or certified staff - Ohio Primary Elections
11 Science field trip to Livingston Elementary

21  Field Day

28 No School Staff:  Memorial Day

30  Last Day for Students

30 End of third trimester