Hello! Happy Sunday! I have so much to share with you...and I'm sorry it's been so long. Hunker down and enjoy the awesome kids you send to me every day...
LANGUAGE ARTS
In this first quarter we have accomplished so much: reading non-fiction and fiction texts learning to identify the main idea and the detail that support the main idea, practicing answering questions using the text evidence necessary to support the answer, collaborating with writing partners to make our narrative writing that much better, learning vocabulary through Wordly Wise and applying it to rich literature passages, etc! Take a look...
SOCIAL STUDIES
We completed our first unit in social studies where the students learned about latitude and longitude and every other map feature you can think of...we studied big maps, small maps, globes, and then took it further to look at the different regions found all over the world. They each chose a region to research and then chose how they would present their information. For each region they needed to share the geography, climate, natural resources, and landmarks. Most students chose Google Slides to present, however we had a couple posters, an animation on Scratch, and a song! I love the creativity of your kids! Ask to see their presentations...they have them on their Google Drive.
SCIENCE
We have just started a new science unit...Forces and Motion...so far we have explored how the strength of the force affects the motion and we've explored balanced and unbalanced forces...in order to do this we got to play with cars and compete in tug-o-war!! The kids and I are really enjoying this new unit!!
MAKERSPACE
Speaking of creative kids...holy moly...do they LOVE MakerSpace! In case you're not familiar...the concept behind MakerSpace is as easy as the title. A space to make things...and those things can vary as greatly as the kids themselves...in this day and age, our curriculum is very demanding, so there isn't a ton of time for anything else. MakerSpace is an hour that you get to plan your time anyway you choose as long as there is some type of goal involved...that goal can be to use code to create an animation, develop a green screen movie, create something brand new out of cardboard, ribbons, paper plates and more, build a protoype out of legos, explore circuitry, the list goes on and on. For each MakerSpace time there is a required reflection so that they are thinking about what they are doing, why they're doing it, and how they'd do it differently the next time. Take a look at your Makers!
MATH
I have absolutely no pictures of math...sorry...I'm always with a group...and when they're with me we're working on concepts, skills, and problem solving at the instructional table...we use the whiteboard and markers, manipulatives, and our hard working brains to "do math!" While they're not with me, they may be working independently or with a partner practicing a skill or solving word problems, they could be completing an assignment on TenMarks, or they're working on Redbird - the program the Advanced Academics department purchased for magnet students...Redbird is virtual learning...they go through lessons and practice skills that are specifically on the level they need to work on. I will be sharing more of this with you at conferences...
SPEAKING OF CONFERENCES...
Please click on the link below to sign up for a parent/teacher conference...I greatly look forward to sitting and chatting about your child.
EVERYTHING PUMPKIN...
This Tuesday there are "big doings" in our classroom!! Thanks to all who have volunteered their time or supplies for this fun day. First of all...if you've offered to bring a pumpkin, but will not be joining us...send with your child, or feel free to drop in the front office tomorrow or first thing Tuesday am...if you drop it off, please inform the front office it's for our classroom. THANKS! If you're joining us Tuesday am, we will begin promptly at 9:15, so try to arrive around 9:05-9:10...You will be elbow deep in pumpkins, so dress accordingly. It is a very fun morning and we could do it all without your participation! If you're joining us Tuesday afternoon...our party begins promptly at 1:20 pm and we will head outside for the parade at 2pm...students will already be packed up to leave so that we can go straight into dismissal at 2:25pm. If you're planning to take your child home that afternoon after attending the party, there will be a sign out sheet in my classroom...just sign them out and take them with you!
OVERALL...we have had an amazing start to third grade. I adore your kids and consider myself blessed to come to work each day. Thank you for all you're doing on your end to make them successful at school. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
-Mrs. Wills ;-)
P.S. We've met with our buddies TWICE already and have a zillion pictures from that, too...but I had to cut this post somewhere! More to come...
