Dear Parents,
On Monday, Terry Wolkowicz from the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra visited grades 3-5 to present Resourceful Composer, Resourceful Planet. This year the program explored how the compositional techniques of Beethoven served to model ways to reduce plastic pollution. Like Beethoven, we should reuse, repurpose, recycle, and reduce! Beethoven created beautiful symphonies from small amounts of musical material. Ms. Wolkowicz connected his work with the need to reduce plastic pollution on the planet. Students used magnifying glasses to look at plastic film, pellets, fragments, and lines found in the ocean. On March 4th, we will attend the annual Young People's Concert at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford. CURRICULUM Math Our class started the concept of division. Using arrays to divide into smaller parts helps students understand the main concept. Knowing multiplication facts, also helps students with mental division. This chapter also extends to division with remainders. While students begin the chapter dividing in the horizonal form, we also move into dividing vertically (long division). Reading In our chapters this week, Sadako has enteted the hospital realizing that she has the atom bomb disease. Together we did some cause and effect. Students branstormed effects for: "Because the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima"... and "Because Sadako was in the hospital... We also discussed feelings and emotions that Sadako might be having, and why. Students then used these ideas to write a journal entry in the first person as Sadako. Reading Logs Students are continuing to do a very nice job answering questions and following specific directions in their letters. Our genre book wall is quickly growing! So far, graphic novels and fantasy are in the lead. Language Arts This week we have continued our work with adjectives. In our spelling book, students spent time doing synonyms, alliteration, riddles and dividing words into syllables. Social Studies In our mix-it-up groups this week, we looked at a very special festival in Japan that celebrates children. Kodomo-no-hi, Children's Day, (formally known as Boys' Day) celebrates the health and happiness of boys and girls in Japan. On May 5th, banners shaped like carp are flown outside of their homes. They often have a banner representing a family crest, then a black carp for the father, red for the mother, and various colors for each child. Carp represent strength and courage. They eat special foods and participate in different activities, such as taking a hot soak in a tub with iris leaves. Since this holiday includes girls, we also added information about Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) held on March 3rd. On that day, girls participate in tea ceremonies and display dolls passed down from relatives that symbolize the Imperial Court. Our students designed paper carp kites. E.R.B.s This week we discussed the ERBs and worked on some test taking strategies. We will begin the test on Monday morning. Please try to have your child at school by 7:55 to give him/her enough time to settle in before we begin. Do not hesitate to e-mail me with any questions about the test. Field Trip On Wednesday February 27, the third grade will be going to the Boston Children's Museum for a special program relating to our study of Japan. Students will visit a traditional house from Kyoto and participate in activites about a typical day in the life of a child in Japan. Then they will learn about the ancient art of suminagashi (paper marbling). We will be leaving at 8:15 to ensure a timely arrival in Boston. I have a ticket for one parent, so if you are interested in going, please send me an e-mail by Feb. 15th. I will put all names into a hat and pick one lucky winner. Other parents are welcome to also come along, but will need to purchase a ticket. Parents Diversity Group Colin Martin will be hosting a parent diversity group in his classroom ( room 33 in lower Stites) on Friday February 8th from 8:15-9:00. All are welcome to come and join the conversation about diversity. Student Led Conferences My schedule for student led conferences is on my classroom door. Please sign up for a day/time. The after school program is available during conference times. Band Of Friends On Wednesday February 6, the Band of Friends will be singing at All School Meeting. We hope you can be there! I hope everyone has a great weekend. I know that most people are looking forward to the Super Bowl game on Sunday, so I expect a lot of sleepy eyes on Monday! Sincerely, Gayle UPCOMING DATES Monday-Friday Feb. 4-8 ERBs Wed. Feb. 13, Thurs. Feb. 14, (noon dismissal), Fri. Feb. 15-(no school) Student Led Conferences Monday Feb. 18- no school- President's Day Friday Feb. 22- FriendsFest in the evening (see link below) Wed. Feb. 27-field trip to BCM 8:15-2:00 Mon. March 4- grades 3-5 to Zeiterion Theater March 9- March 24- Spring Break Thursday March 28- Third Grade Culmination Presentation http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07efyce2iif820a4d9&llr=df8gwxlab
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