Our final week has been filled with reading, writing, portfolio building, poster making and problem solving. It has also been filled with talking, a bit of unkindness and little effort by a few. The class is tired and ready for vacation, and yet, we still have final writing and math assessment to complete. It would be great if everyone in the class would rally and continue to put forth his or her best effort.
The end of something always brings a mix of emotions. The class is anxious about the transition and many of them are unsure whether to be happy or sad. Please help your child consider how he or she would like to end the year. It’s been a great one. We’ve done some wonderful things together, built some lasting memories and learned lots together. Let’s try to leave on a happy note. Kindness always matters to everyone
Portfolio Preparations
This week we’ve put our reflections, photographs and work samples into our portfolios. The class has been pleased to realize how much they have grown and changed. They’ve become neater and more efficient. They’ve become more thoughtful and surer of what they know and understand. Most of the class is reading for meaning and connections now. They’re excited to feel able to write for different purposes and proud of what they’ve learned in math. Make sure to read their “The Important Things About 3rdGrade” posts on their blogs. They feel as though they’ve accomplished lots. They have! They are looking forward to sharing their portfolios with you on Monday.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – or Just Stop…
Many in the class have completed their posters about plastic. We are hoping that once school is over, that we’ll be able to find places to hang the posters throughout the community. It is surprising to realize how full of plastic our lives are – it’s everywhere! We hope the class will keep noticing and keep trying to make a personal difference.
This week at lunch many of the children have broken their habit of drinking with a straw. They’ve brought their water bottles to lunch, rather than using a Styrofoam cup. It is challenging to reduce plastic use, but we’ll do it if we all try.
Bits and Pieces –
We finished Zorgamazoo. It was a great ending, though a little bit sad. It may have been our second favorite chapter read-aloud. We’ve started Emily’s Fortune. We think we can get it done.- We met with the 4thGrade teachers on Thursday. Some present 4thgraders told us what they found fun and different about this year from last. They talked about homework, and learning challenges, field trips and fun projects. We toured the classrooms and it seemed as though everyone left feeling ready for his/her first year upstairs.
We’re nearly finished with all the cursive capital letters. We’re challenging ourselves to write full sentences in cursive. It is a fun challenge.
