Zing… another week gone.  It has been full and busy.  I have to compliment the class. Most of the children have been focused and independent in their work – reading, writing, math, research, science, social studies and friendship.  We have a great deal to organize and accomplish with portfolios and United States projects going on at once and most of the children have risen to the occasion.  They are focused and really working hard.

As you know it can be challenging to get projects of this magnitude done to meet the deadlines. Each person has a different way of approaching the work – even with the same guidelines –  and have a different idea of what it means to work hard and manage behavior.  Most of the children have been reflective and task oriented.  Those who are done with their state research and writing have continued independently reading and writing and researching on their own.  I have appreciated their independence and effort.  Several of the children have also been writing reviews of the  books they have recently completed reading to post on the blog.   If you have a moment, leave them a comment.  They would love to know you have noticed their work.  You can easily find these student book reviews by clicking on the student work and posts tag on the sidebar of the blog.

Habits for success are something we have worked to identify and pay attention to so they could be  grown all year. You can see them in practice throughout our room.   Talk to your child to get a sense of how well they feel they are doing following through with expectations, respecting the rights and needs of their friends (not talking to others when they are working) and doing quality work they are proud of.  I’m sure they will be harder on themselves than we would be.  Very few of the students have needed redirection.  The room has been a constant buzz of work and effort.

Again… how are the floats going?

The children are talking about what they are doing and what they are gathering and building. Some of them are worried because they haven’t begun the work.  Please let us know if you need support or supplies.  Most of the children seem excited.  Please review the size criteria.  Some of the children feel they have massive platforms and are concerned they are too big.   If you have questions or need to clarify any confusions please do not hesitate to write a note or an email.  Please bring the floats to school Tuesday after school or Wednesday morning.  Thank you so much for your help with all of this.

Here is the schedule for the Grade 3 Parade of the States and National Parks on Wednesday, June 12 Please plan on being at the school 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time as we will begin right at 5:00.  Here’s our plan for the Parade of the States:

• • 5:00- 5:15 Recorder concert and state song in the gym.
• • 5:15 The children will go to their floats in the hall and ready themselves for the parade.  We hope you will go to the cafeteria to read their work  and see their maps as we assemble.  We will let you know when to move to the bleachers in the gym.
• • 5:25-6:15 The students will enter in the order the states ratified the Constitution
• • 6:15  At the conclusion of the parade the class will sing America the Beautiful – we hope you will join us.  This will let you know the parade is over.
• • 6:15 – 6:30 Time for families to look closely at the floats and for the children to share the choices they made to represent their states.
• • 6:30 Thank you for coming – the children will take their floats, maps and Wonder books with them

Your children also have a reminder about their portfolio shares and student-led conferences in their communication folders.  They are looking forward to sharing with you nest week.

Have a wonderful weekend!