What's Happening in Room 8?

It's hard to believe we are already into the month of October, but we are busy, busy, busy in the classroom, and things are rolling right along!

We have just finished one of my favorite books, Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  This book is such a wonderful way to discuss issues around learning differences, the meaning of friendship, bullying, and how important it is to persevere, even when things are the most challenging.  I have been reading this book aloud daily for the last several weeks, and the kids have been so incredibly thoughtful about the characters and their unique experiences.

The Global Read Aloud 2017 has just begun and I will be reading, The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown.  The Global Read Aloud is a wonderful way to celebrate reading and literature with our peers but also with students and classrooms in other parts of the world.  I'm looking forward to finding some creative ways to share our thoughts about this new book.

If you'd like to learn more about Global Read Aloud, check out the links below.

https://theglobalreadaloud.com/2017/04/07/and-the-winners-are-global-read-aloud-choices-2017-gra17/

https://pernillesripp.com/global-collaboration/the-global-read-aloud/

All students are officially set up with their Google accounts and now have access to many exciting apps in the Google Suite.  This past week, students went into our Google Classroom to watch a Scholastic News video on 3-D printers, and then read aloud a related article called, "Paw Prints."  Students then commented on both through our Google Classroom and shared their thinking with the group.

We have finished our first personal narrative in writing this week as well.  Be looking for a copy of your child's story to come home in next Friday's Folder.  

This week we will be starting Chapter 3 in math, "Addition Up to 10,000."  It will be important for all students to be brushing up on their addition facts up to 20.  They should be comfortable ten combinations, doubles, and near doubles.  Please have your child continue to practice as part of their nightly homework.  In this next chapter, students will be adding larger numbers and working with regrouping.

We have begun our Inspire Science Program, and students seem excited about Unit 1, Motion and Forces.  We have already completed our first inquiry activity, and this week we will be working with wind-up toys to measure an object's speed.  Students will work in small groups to measure the distance that their wind-up toy travels in 30 seconds and 60 seconds.  They will then use a meterstick to measure the distance and graph their results.  I'll be posting some fun videos through the week, so stay tuned!

Classroom News

Good afternoon!

Students in Room 8 now have the ability to access IXL Math from home!  All they need to do is go to the link below, and then type in their username and password.

Login information is the same for all students:
username:  first name, last name (no spaces) 609  EXAMPLE:  buffyjohnson609
password: sps

https://www.ixl.com/signin/tritownschool

This is a wonderful way for students to get additional practice with math concepts at home, and they can work at their own pace.  Please be sure to have your child access the Third Grade standards.

Also, are you ever wondering how to get your child to talk to you about their school day?  This can often feel impossible.  Your conversations might go something like this.....

Parent:  So ____________, how was your school day?

Child:  Fine.

Parent:  What did you do?

Child:  Nothing.

Parent:  What did you learn?

Child:  I don't remember.

This can be frustrating!  Please check out the link below for 50 wonderful conversation starters that are almost guaranteed to help you have a productive conversation with your children about school!

https://herviewfromhome.com/50-questions-to-ask-your-kids-instead-of-asking-how-was-your-day/

Typing Fun at Home!

Dear Parents,
Our Digital Learning Specialist, Samantha Kosakowski, has recommended a wonderful new site where students can practice their typing skills at home.  It is free to register, and they will have access to the Dance Mat Typing program that we use at school as well.  This is a wonderful way for students to get more practice with the home row.  Encourage your child to hold their fingers in the correct position at all times, and you'll be surprised at how quickly they increase their skills!

https://www.typedojo.com/