March 12 Laura @ Literacy Workshop - Teri will sub
March 17 Library Visit
March 21 Book Orders Due
March 24 - 28 No School - Spring Break
Homework Due Thursday, March 13th - More details posted on the Homework Page
1. Read for at least 30 minutes per day.
2. Complete your Reading Response Letter to Laura
3. 3rd Graders complete pages 46, 47 & 48 in Math Practice Book
4th Graders complete pages 45, 46 & 47 in Math Practice Book
Upcoming Out and Abouts
This week, we will have an In & About to continue working on our folk tale plays and stories. Next week will be our last week with Theatre In The Grove.
Volunteer Opportunities - Sign up on our VolunteerSpot page: http://vols.pt/drMimF
All spots for March breakfast donations and library chaperones are full! Thank you for your support!
Math Notes
Last week, 3rd graders reflected on what they've learned so far about multiplication and how they've grown as mathematicians. Students worked independently to solve two challenging, multi-step problems. Then, they completed a written reflection for their portfolios about either a challenge they encountered while working on the problem or a strength they were able to demonstrate on the assignment. We reviewed the problems together and discussed different strategies - like repeated addition, skip counting, or doubling and halving - that could be used to solve each problem. Students will continue to practice these strategies and explore new relationships in our next multiplication project, The Big Dinner, which uses the context of preparing a meal to highlight real-world applications of multiplication and division.
Last week in fourth grade math students continued their study of fractions. Fourth grade mathematicians began solving a Context for Learning problem regarding dividing sandwiches for a field trip. We also began using fraction manipulatives (egg cartons) in order to help students understand fractions more concretely. Over the course of our fraction unit, students will learn: to draw pictures to show fractions, write numbers to name pictures of fractions, identify equivalent fractions, identify which of two fractions is greater, solve problems involving division with remainders, divide 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers, solve story problems about fractions and dividing whole numbers. For more information regarding this unit of study, please visit: http://bridges1.mathlearningcenter.org/media/Parents/UnitIntros/B4Unit3Parents.pdf
Weekly Review
Last week, the Plovers were (mostly) excited to begin cursive handwriting practice! Returning 4th graders were quickly able to pick up where they left off last year in their workbooks. New Plovers completed some simple warm-up activities and a couple mini-lessons, and then they were ready to get to work in their new books! Many students will be able to work at their own pace and practice independently. Students who need more support to learn proper letter formation will meet with me for short lessons and activities before moving into independent practice. To learn more about our cursive handwriting curriculum, Handwriting Without Tears, please visit their parent information page: http://www.hwtears.com/hwt/parents
In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday and Read Across America Day, Level 2 had a special day devoted to reading. We started our day with some quiet time to read to ourselves or our stuffed toys! Then, the Puffins joined us to listen to Rick read Oh The Places You Will Go! In Math, 3rd and 4th graders listened to a math story and then had some time to read math books with a partner. In the afternoon, there was more time to read independently or with a friend and we listened to a Dr. Seuss audio book together. Some Plovers even stayed in from recess so they could have even more time to read! At the end of the day, each Plover made a Cat In The Hat-style top hat and each stripe represented one book they read! Altogether, we read over 200 books!