March 16 Library Visit
March 17 Scholastic Orders Due
March 18 All day O&A to Tillamook Forest
March 18 Smarter Balanced Assessment Info Session 5:30pm
March 19 Empty Bowls Feast
March 23 - 27 Spring Break
Homework Due Thursday, March 19th
1. Read for at least 20 minutes every night.
2. Complete Reading Response Letter OR Opinion Paragraph Packet
3. Complete at least 30 minutes of math practice*
*Suggested IXL skills for 3rd grade math practice:
F.14 and F.15 Multiplication Facts for 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10
*Suggested IXL skills for 4th grade math practice:
H.1 - H.4 Functions
Upcoming Out and Abouts
This week, we will go to the Tillamook Forestry Center to continue our study of animal biology and migration. Students who ordered school lunch will receive a sack lunch with a sandwich. Please make sure your student is dressed for the weather and prepared to be outside.
Volunteer Opportunities - http://vols.pt/drMimF
We are in need of breakfast donations and library chaperones for the month of April. Cereal for Community Breakfast can be brought in any time. Thank you for your support!
Math Notes
Last week in 3rd grade math, students worked in partners to figure out the cost of a 24 pound turkey, selling for $1.25 per pound. Many students started by trying to add $1.25 24 times, but quickly realized that strategy was too complicated! After using manipulatives, money, number lines or sketches, groups of students were able to work out that 4 pounds would cost $5, which was a much easier number to add or multiply. Then, they made ratio charts for the grocery store that listed the prices of turkeys of various sizes and various amounts of apples ($1.60 per pound), carrots ($1.10 per pound) and potatoes ($0.99 per pound).
Last week fourth grade mathematicians focused on learning/practicing four division strategies: array model, repeated subtraction, grouping, number line. This week we will continue our work solidifying our understanding of these strategies, focus on understanding that division is the inverse of multiplication, and begin work with understanding/memorizing important math vocabulary.
Empty Bowls Feast Info
Thursday, March 19th at United Church of Christ; 5:30 & 6:30pm serving times
Tickets Must Be Purchased by March 17 at FGCS (Suggested Donation: $10)
The Empty Bowls Feast supports the Family Bridge Program, which provides food, shelter and services to families in need. At the feast, you will receive a bowl at the door. Then you’ll fill it with delicious homemade soup, grab some bread and enjoy a meal with members of our wonderful community.
A limited number of handcrafted bowls are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket holders are guaranteed a warm meal. All families are welcome regardless of contribution amount. Tickets are not available at the door. Level 2 and 4 students have been making and glazing bowls in art in preparation for the Empty Bowls Feast. Students in Levels 1 and 3 will be making soup and bread on their Out and About before the Feast. Please contact Erin Morgan, Out and About Teacher, (503)359-4600 ext. 120 to help with cooking. We need help spreading the word about the event, selling tickets, making bowls and helping at the event. Please contact Art Teacher Teresa Perrin (503)359-4600 ext.111, [email protected] to sign up.
Weekly Review
Last week, I read some selections from What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe. This is not a children's book, but I thought the students would enjoy thinking about the questions and hearing informative answers to questions like, "How quickly would the oceans drain if a circular portal 10 meters in radius leading into space were created at the deepest spot in the ocean?" It was also a fun way to talk about features of nonfiction texts, like tables of contents, captions, maps and diagrams.
You may have heard your Plover talking about the class store recently! Last Tuesday was the grand opening and students can use the earnings from their classroom jobs to buy special privileges and passes from the class store. Many students are also interested in starting their own businesses to supplement their income, but we will wait until after spring break to decide how these businesses will work. The Executive Directors and Payroll Department were responsible for coming up with the items available from the class store and setting the prices. Below is the list of items Plovers may currently purchase from the store and they can pool their money with other students to buy some of the larger items!
Show and Tell - $10
Mystery Reader - $25
Beenie Baby Sleepover - $25 per night
Rocking Chair - $50 per day
King or Queen - $50
Morning Meeting Leader - $50
In Class Assignment Pass - $75
Homework Pass - $75 restriction: used only once a month
Extra Recess - $250
Teacher for an Hour - $500
Extra Academic Choice - $550
Pizza Party - $600 once per year
Movie Party- $850 once per year
Communication
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Parents and students can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message on the class phone, come into the classroom before or after school, or call me before 8PM at home.