Math
This week, our geometry unit moved into
learning about perimeter. The kids got experience measuring the perimeter
of quadrilaterals on paper and around the classroom. You can reinforce
this vocabulary and concept at home by referring to the perimeter of objects or
rooms, or by including your child in home projects that require measurement.
Several are still a little fuzzy about the concept of perimeter vs. area, which
we will move into next week.
Writer’s
Workshop
In poetry this week, we studied personification
and continued defining what poetry is. These techniques are useful in
both poetry and prose. The kids have really enjoyed exercising their
creativity using these techniques in their poems. They are also creating
beautiful concrete (shape) poems with something they have in common with their
buddy.
Reader’s
Workshop
This week, we continued to dive into
Zorgamazoo, and I’ve again started some guided reading groups. We also read and
talked a lot about Martin Luther King Jr. and other people we call “truth-tellers”.
Science
This week, we continued doing some short
science inquiry experiments. We also began planning for our final science
inquiry for the unit. The students had an opportunity to look through a
variety of science books in order to choose a project that looks interesting.
Once they have found their project, they are to come up with a “testable
question” for their project. We’ll continue these projects over the next
two weeks. Wow-their ideas are so diverse and interesting!
Portland
- A Musical
Our weekly musical rehearsals (Thursdays
10:30-11:30) are now including narrating, acting, and dancing parts. It
is absolutely vital that each child practice his/her parts as much as possible
in coming weeks. All kids (except narrators) are expected to have their
parts fully memorized by the end of January. Narrators should have their
parts mostly memorized so that they can maintain eye contact with the audience.
Make sure that your calendars are marked for Friday, Feb. 22nd at 6:30 pm
for the big performance. Expect e-mails from Rhonda Baker (Josie’s mom)
regarding costumes and other musical related things in the coming weeks.
Columbia
Children’s Arboretum
Our next trip to the arboretum is this
Wednesday. So far, I’ve only received half of the permission slips I sent
out this week. Please return your child’s permission slip this Tuesday so
that we don’t run the risk of anyone not being able to attend the field study.
Please make sure your child brings the following on Wednesday:
* lunch
* backpack
* good walking shoes
* warm clothing (coat, hat, gloves)
Also, we will be leaving school later for this
field study as our Fish and Wildlife expert Jack Morby will be demonstrating
knot tying in our classroom. I will e-mail chaperones separately but please
prepare your students for this. They can still bring all gear upstairs, but we
will not be leaving immediately and will still start our day with Warm Up, Morning
Circle, and Math.
MLK
Jr. Service
The class chose 8 of our musical songs to
preform at Laurelhurst Village on Friday. We made the walk safely in the crisp
sunny air, and 8 of the students wrote up introductions to each of the songs.
They spoke clearly, were flexible (especially with the wild stair alarm), and
reflected thoughtfully. I will take photos of some of the responses and
hopefully upload some of the video from their singing. I can definitely say it
was by far my favorite teaching day this year- I was so proud of each and every
one of them.
Ask
Your Third Grader...
-What is perimeter? How do you find the
perimeter of an object? When would people need to find the perimeter of
something outside of school?
-Tell me what you know about Martin Luther King
Jr. Why do we celebrate a day for him?
-What is your group’s science inquiry project?
Important
Things Coming Up...
Jan. 21st - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no
school)
Jan. 23rd - Columbia Children's Arboretum Field
Study
Feb. 1st - Teacher Planning Day (no school)
Feb. 8th - No School (SES only)
Feb. 18th - President's Day (no school)
Feb. 20th - Late Opening (school starts at
10:40 am)
Feb. 22nd - Portland - A Musical (9:30 am
performance for school and 6:30 pm performance for families)
Thanks for sending such shining students to
school each day,
Catie
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