Weekly Update-November 18

Announcements

Thank you for coming to Parent Teacher Conferences! Please let me know if you would like to meet again before our next conference in February. 

Our classroom is in need of notebook paper. If you are able to donate any, we would greatly appreciate it!

At each conference, I passed out a green bucket of math manipulative for you to take and keep. I have one extra. If I forgot to give you your kit, please let me know so I can send it home with your third grader.

We had a wonderful time at the symphony on Wednesday! Students loved the Missouri Theater and we even got to sit in the balcony. Our class was split up, so here are just a few pictures. 

The Holiday Open House is quickly approaching! Make sure to mark your calendars for this annual event. Students will perform in the gym, followed by an open house in the classroom. See below for the schedule.

Grade Level	Perform in Gym	Open House in Classroom
5th Grade	11:15 am
Choir	11:35 am	11:55-12:15
3rd Grade	11:55 am	12:15-12:35
4th Grade	12:15 pm	12:35-12:55
2nd Grade	1:05 pm	1:25-1:45
Kindergarten	1:25 pm	1:45-2:05
1st Grade	1:45 pm	2:05-2:25

In the Classroom

In math this week, we started learning about collecting data and representing our findings with a visual. So far, we have learned about tally charts, pictographs, and bar graphs. We will finish this short unit next week with a data project. 

In writing this week, students started our next unit covering non-fiction pieces. They will begin by researching a famous inventor and at least one of their inventions. Students have already chosen their inventor and have begun researching. We hope to have a completed research paper on these inventors to share at the Holiday Open House. 

In reading this week, students studied connections. We discussed how making a connection helps you understand the story better. Here is our anchor chart we are using as we read our independent books. 

We started our first science unit this week! Students learned all about Force. We used dominoes as an example of how a tiny amount of force can cause a big reaction. 

We also started learning about simple machines. Students learned about the inclined plane, wedge, lever, and screw. Be on the lookout for a science project letter next week. 

Upcoming Events

November 23-25-No School, Thanksgiving Break

December 9-Winter Open House

December 20-Winter Room Party 2:15-3:00

December 21-January 3-Winter Break

January 4-School Resumes

January 16-No School, MLK Jr. Day

Weekly Update-November 4 and 10

Announcements

Since we had two short weeks in a row, I am combining the weekly updates.

 Friday folders were not completed this week due to conferences. Weekly Journals were also not completed due to the short week. Both will resume next week, but then not come home over the Thanksgiving holiday break.

All 3rd graders will be taking a field trip to the Missouri Theater on November 16th. We will be seeing a full orchestra perform a symphony! Parent volunteers are not needed for this field trip. We will be leaving Paxton around 11:00 and will return around 1:00. On Monday, the conductor Kirk Trevor, came to talk to students about what to expect. We learned about the history of the baton and even got to practice conducting our fellow third graders in the ABC song!

The Holiday Open House is quickly approaching! Make sure to mark your calendars for this annual event. Students will perform in the gym, followed by an open house in the classroom. See below for the schedule.

Grade Level	Perform in Gym	Open House in Classroom
5th Grade	11:15 am
Choir	11:35 am	11:55-12:15
3rd Grade	11:55 am	12:15-12:35
4th Grade	12:15 pm	12:35-12:55
2nd Grade	1:05 pm	1:25-1:45
Kindergarten	1:25 pm	1:45-2:05
1st Grade	1:45 pm	2:05-2:25

In the Classroom

In math last week, we started our new unit on Time. Students learned how to tell time to the nearest quarter hour, half hour, and minute. We also talked about different units of time and how to switch between them. We also studied elapsed time. Next week, we will move on to our next unit over Data and Graphing.

Students were busy typing their personal narratives last week! As they finished typing, they shared it with me for teacher revisions. Finally, students edited their pieces to get ready for printing. We celebrated our pieces on Thursday!

In reading, we continued talking about self-monitoring when you read. We also worked on reading responses in our notebooks.

In Social Studies last week, we discussed the election process. We did this by voting on a new book for our classroom library. Students were asked to pick four candidates from the book order and then vote for two main choices. 

We held mini debates and then made campaign signs for the two books that represented each party. Finally, students used ballots to vote for their choice. The winner was, Best and Buzzworthy 2017! The book has been ordered and will hopefully be here soon.

Upcoming Events

November 8-No School, Election Day

November 10-Parent Teacher Conferences

November 11-No School, Parent Teacher Conferences

November 16-Field Trip to Missouri Theater

November 23-25-No School, Thanksgiving Break

December 9-Winter Open House

December 20-Winter Room Party 2:15-3:00

December 21-January 3-Winter Break