Weekly Update-Catie's Class

Math

This week, the students became more adept at Base 5 math.  Some parents have been really confused by this, so here’s a quick tutorial:

In Base 5, everything is grouped in fives (as opposed to tens in Base 10).  So, in the number “34” (base five), the 4 represents four ones (which is four) and the 3 represents three fives (which is 15).  So, in Base 10, the number would be 19 (4+15 = 19).  If the number has three digits - for example, 234 - the 2 would represent two groups of 25 (five groups of five) instead of two groups of 100 in Base 10.  Thoroughly confused????

The reason that they are learning to do math in a different base is to reinforce the concept of place value.  Most of the week was spent practicing translating Base 10 numbers into Base 5 numbers (ask your child to do this - you’ll be amazed).  On Thursday, we started comparing it to Base 10 (the system we all use)

Writer’s Workshop

Most of the students finished drafting this week and began revising (changing sentences, reading their piece aloud to identify mistakes), editing (fixing spelling, punctuation, and capitals), and publishing (rewriting the piece in their neatest handwriting).  Not all students will complete the publishing by next Thursday, but all will have a written piece to share.  We will be sharing our first writing pieces at an Author’s Tea on Thursday, November 1st at 9:00 AM in the auditorium. We will enjoy tea and treats after the readings in our classroom.  Parents, friends, and relatives are invited to this event. I would love a few volunteers who are willing to set up our classroom with refreshments right at the beginning of the day. Please e-mail me if interested

Reader’s Workshop

This week we focused on a new type of reading: reading directions.  I began the week by giving the kids a set of directions.  The first step: read the whole set of directions before doing anything.  The final step: do only step one and two and then silently read a book.  Of course, most of the kids didn’t read the whole thing first and they did the other 14 steps before I stopped them to explain.  I used this as a way to explain that people (including myself) don’t often read directions very thoroughly.  I related my own stories of not following directions and regretting it later.  While our third graders are pretty good at following verbal directions, following written ones is new.  Following procedures is actually a big part of our new Common Core reading standards that the state has adopted.  It will play a big role in the state reading test this year.  At home, I encourage you to show your children directions that you have to read and have them read them with you for practice.

Chinook

This week the students began creating characters that will live in our Chinook village.  Their characters are dressed in the way that Chinook villagers would have dressed prior to the arrival of white settlers.  Their characters are also dressed according to their role within the tribe.

Salmon

Our salmon eggs are doing well and should be ready to hatch any moment.  Meanwhile, the kids have been making posters about salmon in small groups.  These posters will be used to teach the class about various aspects of salmon.  They will be on display during the Forest Festival on Dec. 7th.

Dia de los Muertos

Each year my class reads books about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead - Nov. 1 & 2). In honor of this day, I invite students to bring in photos of loved ones (pets and people) that have died.  Each student (if they feel comfortable) can share their photo with the class and talk a little about that special person.  This is a non-religious/non-denominational observance of this holiday.  I think it’s healthy for us to recognize that death is part of life and that most of us have lost people special to us.  If you and your child are interested in doing this, please bring in photos (with a name somewhere on them) during the week of Oct. 29th.  Also, if anyone has day of the dead art or books, please let me know if I can use them that week.  Thanks!

Please sign up for conferences on Doodle. I am still waiting for about 10 families to sign up for a conference slot. Again, the link is :

http://doodle.com/r6sis3bxykkrgewx

Please sign up for an OPEN time slot. Thank you.

Important Things Coming Up...

Oct. 29 - Dia de los Muertos photos can be brought in
Nov. 1 - Author’s Tea
Nov. 6 - Class Picture Day
Nov. 7 - Columbia Children’s Arboretum Field Study

Thanks for sending such observant students to school each day,

Catie