Grab a Snack and a Drink...it's Going to be a LONG Post!

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.

https://ptcfast.com/schools/ues

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...

What a Great First Week...

Thank YOU so much for sending me such great kids! I have 22 respectful, task oriented students and I cannot wait for the upcoming weeks and months!

This week while I took pictures, I tried not to capture everyone's faces as I didn't have the signed permissions I needed yet. I'm pleased to say everyone is cleared for pictures now, so next time I post, we will be looking at their lovely smiles!

The first couple weeks are a mish-mash of establishing routines, infusing curriculum, and instilling a love a learning...we had a such a great start with all of that!

Take a look...

We spent lots of time this past week building a classroom community...with over half the class being new to UES, we needed to spend time getting to know each other better. We did this in many different ways...we shared All About Me bags with each other, participated in a Scavenger Hunt of interests, and played with "Fortune Tellers" full of questions to ask each other.

Another way we worked on building a classroom community is we developed our own "kindgom's" rules! We read the book, The Kingdom with No Rules, No Laws, and No King and then got into small groups to develop our own rules! The end result looks like a total mess, but what's so cool about it is that when you dissect it...it's a ton of statements that can all be categorized into FOUR main rules: 

be respectful

be kind

be safe

be fair

Take a peek...

This week we read a book called My Name is Sangoel, about a boy from Sudan who comes to the United States and no one pronounces his name correctly. His name was from his Dinka tribe and was so very important to him. Sangoel figures out a way to teach those around him how to pronounce his name by designing a t-shirt with a picture of a SUN and a soccer GOAL...from then on kids and adults know how to pronounce his name. 

So we decided to do the same...our name pronunciations are hanging in the classroom (you can see them Tuesday night!), but here are just a few of the creative ways that your kids came up with pictures and symbols and words to help others pronounce their names.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend with your families, and I'm looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday night for Back to School Night...it starts at 6:45 and there are three 20 minutes sessions...each session is exactly the same, but this allows parents an opportunity to see various classrooms if they have more than one child attending UES.

If you have any questions in the meanwhile, please shoot me an email

karen.wills@fcps.org

'til next time...

You must be on the back of your scavenger hunt if you're sitting here reading my blog!

You must be on the back of your scavenger hunt if you're sitting here reading my blog!

GOOD JOB!!

If you brought your supplies, don't forget to unpack them and put them in your desk!  I am really excited for the upcoming year and so glad you're in my class!

Have a great weekend and enjoy your families...

oh, and take a pink strip of paper with the blog address...

when you get home tell your parents to add it to their bookmarks or favorites, OK?

Welcome to the New School Year!

This is the place where I will post information every month about the goings on in our classroom. I am guessing that since you found this blog, you have received my letter!!  If not, you should be getting it any day now. I am so excited for the upcoming year...we are going to have a great time together while stretching and growing our brains!!

I hope to get a chance to meet you all on Thursday, August 31st from 3-4 pm at our Open House. Feel free to bring your school supplies and put them in your desk that afternoon...it will make the backpack a lot lighter Monday morning!!  

If you'd like to communicate with me BEFORE the 31st...maybe you'd like me to know what name you like to be called, or you'd like to tell me something interesting about your summer, or maybe you just have a question...please feel free to email me...karen.wills@fcps.org!

Enjoy the rest of your summer break...I will see you VERY soon!

Wanna know what Alex, Taylor, and Meibelle have been up to???

Take a look...

Alex has been doing lots of sightseeing with his siblings. He visited Independence Halk and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. 

They all went to Atlantic City, Great Falls, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

 

Taylor spent a wonderful, relaxing time at the beach in the Outer Banks!

 

And Meibelle had a great vacation to Ohio where she did a lot of different fun things!

HOW'S YOUR SUMMER!?!!?

Hey there, everyone!!  I will be switching this blog over to my new class in about two weeks...you have until then to send me some pix of what you have been up to this summer. I've heard from Meibelle...she and her family enjoyed some yummy Baskin-Robbins ice cream together...take a look!

Wanna know what I've been doing? I worked for four weeks writing FCPS Science curriculum for the upcoming year, but just last week I went to the beach with my whole family...and I'm headed back there this Monday! Here's a picture of me trying paddle boarding for the first time! (Also in the picture is Kate who is kayaking, my daughter-in-law, Kim, and my two grandsons, Evan and Tripp.)

Back row: Robert, Connor, Kim, me, Mr. Wills

Front row: Kate, Evan, Tripp

I said my whole family, however, Jake wasn't with us...he had to stay behind for baseball...we sure did miss him, but he's having a great summer season!!

I can't believe August will be here before you know it!  I hope you are enjoying your families. I sure am enjoying mine! I miss you and look forward to seeing you at the Open House or on the first day of school!

So...now it's YOUR TURN!!  I need to hear from you!  Send me pictures!!

Love,

Mrs. Wills