October 19, 2015

   October 19, 2015


Dear Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the four day weekend.  It is hard to believe that we have already had our first  snow! As the weather turns colder, students need to remember to bring extra layers, hats, mittens and boots to school for outdoor recess.

We have been hard at work in the classroom.  We have almost completed our introductory multiplication unit.  Students are being introduced to strategies to help them learn their multiplication and division facts.  Everyone has been hard at work with our daily fact practice.  Please remind your child to take a few minutes to practice his/her math fact at home in the evening.  It is  an expectation that third graders will be fluent with their multiplication and division facts by the end of third grader.

Phoenix practicing his 4s.

In literacy, we are in the middle of the book Wonder.  We have spent a lot of time taking about character and character traits.  Students are completing their book club books and will be working on book summaries and inner and outer trait portraits over the next couple of weeks.

Ask your child to tell you all about Auggie and his sister Via!

The 3/4 literacy class is hosting Claire, a Middlebury College Student intern learning about elementary literacy education.  She will be in our classroom observing and helping out on Monday and Tuesdays from 1:00-2:20, until the middle of December.

Jameson, with our Middlebury College Intern, Claire.

The third graders are loving writing!  Students are in the middle of publishing their second personal narrative.  Some days, some of the kids can't get enough writing.  Several kids asked to bring their writing outside and continued to write during our afternoon break!

Natalie and Holly writing away.

Luke adding details to his story.

Jameson and Thomas focusing on a "seed idea."

Emma Cait and Sienna adding dialog to their narrative.

Sienna and Sophia continuing their writing during break.

Meredith so excited about writing, she is doing it outside!

We can't seem to stop writing!

We have been having a wonderful time with our Pre-K buddies.  Last week, we went on an outdoor scavenger hunt with them.

What items are on the list?

Luke knows where the Oak Tree is.

Natalie and her buddy looking hard.

What else can we find?

The bag is getting full!

What did we find?

Emma and her buddy examining a leaf.

Please make sure third graders have permission forms for our school trip to Castleton College for the Toying With Science program.  Buses will leave school at 9:05 and return by lunch at 12:00.  Here is a little information about the performer.

It has been said that GARRY KRINSKY resembles a living cartoon with his animated movement and non-stop energy. Garry was an original member of the Boston Buffoons, co-founder of the Patchwork Players, and a member of The Wright Bros., a New England vaudeville troupe. Since 1978, Garry has brought his high energy and experience to thousands of schools, theaters and festivals. He has also performed on live television, including the NBC Today Show. In 1995, Garry created his Toying with Science program and has since been touring it across the U.S. and Canada to rave reviews. Garry is a very physical entertainer.

It is time to start thinking about goal setting conferences.  On Monday, your third grader will be bringing home a note with a list of times for the fall goal setting conference.  I will be doing conference after school on October 27 and 29.  I will also be doing conferences on the evening of Thursday, November 5 and the morning of November 6.  Please choose the three best times for you on the form and then I will get back to you with the exact date and time of your conference.  Your child is welcome to attend the fall conferences, but he/she does not have to.  I look forward to getting together with you and talking to you about your learners beginning of the year assessments and progress to date.