3E is a busy place. There’s lots of reading, writing, problem solving and research going on.  There’s also lots of cooperation, working through challenges, kind support and encouragement.  More and more children are taking responsibility for their learning choices. They are better able to focus in the morning and get tasks done.  It is a fun place to be

Animal Awesomeness Continues

On Monday I was still thinking of how proud I felt about the great work The Good Deed Club had done. They had all worked together to create an incredible fun family night with a real purpose.  On Monday they counted the donations and found they had raised $700.09 for the World Wildlife Fund. They drew out the names for each raffle item and discovered they knew each of the winners.  That was exciting too – a great fun to deliver around the school.

As part of morning meeting we collected favorite memories and important lessons learned through project. When we put them altogether it was clear that The Good Deed Club had learned many important life-lessons about perseverance, collaboration, cooperation, effort and fun.  Using the Top 10 format most of the children created a blog post sharing what was important to them.  Emily wrote and submitted an article with photographs to the Hampton Union.  We hope it will be published, but we don’t know for sure.  The energy from that work remains with us as we wonder about what The Good Deed Club might want to do next.

The Parade of the States Is Coming!

This week the children read two or three different books about their chosen states.  They began to create lists for each type of wonder they are looking for.  From this gathering of ideas, they’ll choose a state symbol, a state hero, a manmade landmark, a natural wonder and a state celebration/festival/tradition.  Wonders 6 and 7 are their choice.  They may also choose to only research five.

At this point we are hoping to gather information about two wonders each week so the research portion of the project should be done the week we return from vacation.  That is when the details about float building will be sent home to you.  The children will create a blueprint and once approved, will be receive a building permit. That will be the signal at home that they’ve met all the criteria and are ready to build.

Over the weekend I will create a blog post highlighting floats from years past so that if this is your first time with the Parade of the States Project you have a clearer idea of what the project entails.  The children have seen these already.  Many have begun brainstorming ideas and dreaming.

At this part in the process, it is fun to hear the children say things like, “At first I didn’t want to learn about ________ , but the more I read, I realize it is really cool” “Did you know…?” they ask, and I course I don’t.  Learning about our country is pretty interesting.

Fractions and Equivalence

We’ve been exploring fractions and division in all kinds of ways.  We’ve cut shapes apart.  We’ve sorted shapes into different sized groups.  We’ve explored fractions on a number line as if we are measuring with a ruler.  This is really stretching their thinking and they are feeling frustrated.  It’s hard for them to realize that both the number of groups and the size of the groups matter.  Fractions have to be even in size.  They’ll understand this with time and practice.  Please encourage your children to be patient and remind them that this new, challenging thinking is growing their brains.  Sometimes learning feels tough.

Fables

Everyone has completed a first revised draft of his or her fable.  We’ve been practicing ways of giving positive and constructive feedback. We’ve read a couple original fables that students have written in past years.  It’s been fun to notice the intentional decisions these authors had made and we ‘re trying to do the same.  Next week we’ll be naming our collection and working to plan and create illustrations that will highlight the most important idea in our fable.

Bits and Pieces –

• Happy Birthday today Derek.
• Most of the children have posted their magnet books and wrote about Animal Awesomeness.  If you have a chance leave them a comment.  They’ll be grateful and proud.  Thanks!
• We have a challenge with Mr. Caron on Monday, April 16.
• We’re really into Winterhouse.  There are so many different twists and turns in the mystery.  We can’t wait to see how the pieces all go together.
• We’ve read some more about Earth Day and more about why conservation matters.  We are all trying to be mindful of using only what we need and reducing waste as much as possible.
• State testing for Grade 3 will be May 8^th, 9^th, and 10^thin the morning as the school day begins.
• We are going to see a performance of School House Rock Jr. at the Palace Theater in Manchester. It’s a morning performance.  We’ll becoming back to have lunch in our classroom. We are not certain we’ll be back in time for school lunches.  More details will follow.
• The 3^rdgrade celebration of our country, The Parade of the States, will be on Thursday, May 24^thstarting at 4:45 and going no later than 6:30.