Weekly Update

Dear Families,

This week was filled with wonderful learning opportunities as the students continued to explore their critical thinking skills in literacy, social science and mathematics.

Our 3rd grade mathematicians finished their work in fractions with an end-of-the-unit assessment on Thursday. In this unit on fractions, the students have been exposed to complex thinking about fractions as equal part of various wholes. They learned to divide individual pieces, such as brownies and squares, into equal parts, but they also learned that wholes can also consist of parts of many smaller parts, such as in a whole class and a bag of apples. Fraction parts always indicate the equal parts of whatever whole you start with, regardless of size and shape. This concept can be challenging. The students also learned to write the fractions as mathematical representations in equations. Please visit our classroom digital portfolio for examples of actual lessons as we post smartboard lessons on-line (Click here). After the break the students will begin a brief study of probability and then move on to geometry. The students will perform two more Vermont state portfolio assessments in these areas before the end of the school year.

In social science, the students continued their research on Colonial America. This week, the students conducted their own independent research online for the first time. With the help of Mrs. Hoeppner, who is pursuing her teaching license in Technology Integration, the students accessed our classroom’s pre-linked search engines and learned how to cite and save images on-line (Click here for pre-linked search engines). The students not only learned how to cite their sources appropriately, but they also learned why it is important to cite them. We performed several skits in class and conducted several discussions on this topic. Please ask your child to explain why it is important to cite authors, illustrators and photographers on-line. The students did an amazing job and it is incredibly encouraging to see young students working so independently and confidently on-line. Nice job!

In literacy, the students fine-tuned their procedural writing skills. Please read the procedural writing examples sent home this week. Please note the introduction. The students learned about the importance of a poignant question and hook to start off the procedural writing piece. Hopefully, this procedure will serve as resources for your child as he/she prepares for out Science Fair on May 26th . All students should return their Experiment Question Forms to their parents this week. I met individually with all students to fine-tune the testable questions. Some students have some changes on their charts, some do not. If your child did not return the slip to you this week, please let me know as soon as possible and I will return it to you. I encourage students to start testing and experimenting next week, before actual writing begins. Only trough repeated testing, will your child discover some valid data. Thank you.

We have no school next week as we have our Spring break. The students return on Monday 3rd. I hope you all enjoy this time together and get a chance to relax. I will check my e-mail and voice-mail periodically in case you need to reach me.
I will miss the kids!
Have a great vacation!
Regards,

Maria McCormack