Newsletter for March 2, 2018

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
We continued our study of the -aw sound, made by -au (e.g., caught) generally used in the beginning or middle of a word and -aw (e.g., straw) generally found at the end of a word, or when followed by k, l, and n sounds (e.g., squawk, crawl, dawn).

Reading Workshop 
I spent most of the week continuing our informational text study and assessing students for growth with the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). I assessed students in fiction and will end the year with informational DRAs in May. I will share the results of these assessments on your student's upcoming progress reports, available March 27th. I've been very pleased with the class' growth across engagement, fluency, and comprehension.

Writing Workshop
We are using multiple passages in writing, comparing and contrasting them. This has been hard for the class, but will become easier with practice. I am encouraging them to write about one passage in a paragraph and then write about the second passage in a second paragraph. This should help them focus their writing and keep it organized. I am also emphasizing using evidence from the text in our own words.

Math
I've been busy exploring online math programs that are meaningful and have settled on Kahn Academy. I'll be studying it over spring break and will begin assigning it for homework. Not only will it give students valuable experience working online, but will allow for differentiated homework based on student mastery of standards. I will teach students how to use it at school before assigning it for homework and will send home student login information.

We started fractions this week, probably my favorite standards to teach. Students are learning that the denominator represents the the total number of units in the whole or the one. The numerator represents the number of units being considered (e.g., pieces of pizza eaten, cookies left, students still eating at a lunch table, etc. ).

Students are also learning three important equivalent relationships: one, one-half, and zero. When the numerator and the denominator are the same, the fraction is equal to one (e.g., 4/4 = 1). When the numerator is half the value of the denominator, the fraction is equal to one-half (e.g., 2/4 = 1/2). When the numerator is zero, the fraction is equal to zero (e.g., 0/5 = 0).

We are also starting to explore improper fractions, when the numerator is greater than the denominator (e.g., 7/4) and mixed number fractions, when we have a whole number and a fraction (e.g., 1 3/4).

I don't plan to introduce anything more next week, but will continue to review this content.

Science - Invention Convention
I was blown away by students' boards this year. As an entire grade, this is the greatest collection of inventions and presentation boards I've ever seen. I cannot wait for you to see the assembled work next Friday.

Completed boards and prototypes are due next Tuesday, March 6th. Prototypes should be demonstration models or mock ups of student inventions. They do not have to be fully functioning, but instead will be used for demonstration purposes. They should be no larger than a paper box (a little smaller than a laundry basket). 

The Invention Convention will be March 9th from 10-10:30. Families are invited to see the amazing inventions these young students have generated. Just a heads up, if you are planning taking your student out for a celebratory lunch (and to take their presentation board and prototype home), please sign them out. School policy does not allow you to take classmates with you unless you have written permission from that other student's parent(s).  

Important Dates & Reminders

March 2018

There will not be a newsletter next week. I hope you have a relaxing and/or adventurous spring break!

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

17 & 18 Spring 3rd Grade State of Ohio Reading Assessment (AIR)

24 & 25 Spring 3rd Grade State of Ohio Math Assessment - Students need headphones.

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