Class 216 News
September 16, 2016
This Is Me and What I Believe
Students started presenting this week, and modeled very well for the rest of the class. Carter, Susanna, Owen and Nicholas all came prepared to share about themselves and their beliefs. We learned about interests in cooking and baking, climbing and art. We heard about hopes to travel, learn division, and become an inventor. Beliefs of happiness, risk and more time with family would make the world a better place, according to these students. We were even treated to a violin demonstration. Next week, Nick, Dublin, Jameson and Andrew will present, in that order, Monday-Thursday.
Math Workshop
This week in math workshop, there was an emphasis on the use and understanding of cuisenaire rods. This math tool/resource will prove helpful in conceptual development of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. It is a very efficient and flexible math tool. This week, our focus was mainly on the value of each rod, and using it's value to work with addition. Students ultimately designed their first names using these rods, and added up the value of their name, based on which rods they used to build it. In addition to our cuisenaire rod work, we finished off our week with more origami. Teaching Math With Modular Origami
This coming week, students will begin work on multiplication and the meaning of factors.
Reading Workshop
During reading workshop this week, students continued to develop routines of the reading workshop model. In part, this included the choosing of "just right" books. This essential skill allows students to practice reading skills using text that meets their independent ability level. When students are engaged with text that is "too hard," or "too easy," there is less space for skill development.
Hopes and Dreams
As part of our "This Is Me and What I Believe" presentations, students are charged with identifying hopes for the future. This assignment is coupled with a hopes and dreams art piece we worked on this week. Students traced their hands and then used warm and cool colors to color the inside of their hands and their background. This coming week, they will write their hopes and dreams onto their art, so that we are all aware of each other's goals, and therefore able to better support each other in accomplishing them. The hopes and dreams art will be displayed on our classroom wall throughout the year.
ECO
This coming Tuesday, Class 216 students, as well as students from Ms. Slesar's class, will walk to Hubbard park for a brief visit with Geoff Beyer, director of the Montpelier Parks Commission. Geoff will discuss his role in Hubbard Park, it's mission, and history, all within the context of the same guiding questions for our "This Is Me..." presentations. Geoff has been a remarkable asset to our community, and it is important for students to know about his good work. This introduction sets the stage for an upcoming social studies unit called, "Remarkable People Through History."
On Friday, we will go to Hubbard Park once again for our first ECO Adventure (Educating Children Outdoors) of 3rd grade. This ECO Adventure will balance hiking and development of an ecological concept. More information will come regarding preparedness.
Field Trips
On Friday, September 30th, the 3rd grade class at UES will take a "Hiking Field Trip" to the Groton State Forest. Volunteer guides/chaperones are welcome to attend. See the notice in your child's pack on Monday (or email) for more information.
Additionally, on Thursday, October 6th, 3rd graders will be treated to a cultural performance at Burlington's Flynn Theater. See the attached link for information about the show: Flynn Theater Show
Snack Contributions
It is always nice to have a small, simple snack as an occasional afternoon offering for students. Snacks such as whole grain goldfish, gluten free crackers, ritz crackers and pretzels provide just enough sustenance to carry a child through those waning moments of their school day. If you feel inclined to send in a "community" snack for Class 216, you are welcome to.
Parent Volunteer Needed
The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences 4 Winds science lessons, led by parent volunteers, is a meaningful addition to our school's science programming. Roxi Garland, mother of Class 216 student, Carter, is seeking an additional parent volunteer to assist her in leading monthly lessons. Training is provided. Please contact me if you are interested.
The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences 4-Winds Science lessons are an important part of the UES science programming for students. These lessons are run by parent volunteers on a monthly basis, and include appropriate training in advance (so you do not have to be a nature expert). Roxi Garland, mother of a Class 216 student, has offered to lead these lessons, but is looking for a monthly assistant. Please contact me asap if you are willing and able.
Math Workshop
This week in math workshop, there was an emphasis on the use and understanding of cuisenaire rods. This math tool/resource will prove helpful in conceptual development of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. It is a very efficient and flexible math tool. This week, our focus was mainly on the value of each rod, and using it's value to work with addition. Students ultimately designed their first names using these rods, and added up the value of their name, based on which rods they used to build it. In addition to our cuisenaire rod work, we finished off our week with more origami. Teaching Math With Modular Origami This coming week, students will begin work on multiplication and the meaning of factors.
Reading Workshop
During reading workshop this week, students continued to develop routines of the reading workshop model. In part, this included the choosing of "just right" books. This essential skill allows students to practice reading skills using text that meets their independent ability level. When students are engaged with text that is "too hard," or "too easy," there is less space for skill development.
Hopes and DreamsAs part of our "This Is Me and What I Believe" presentations, students are charged with identifying hopes for the future. This assignment is coupled with a hopes and dreams art piece we worked on this week. Students traced their hands and then used warm and cool colors to color the inside of their hands and their background. This coming week, they will write their hopes and dreams onto their art, so that we are all aware of each other's goals, and therefore able to better support each other in accomplishing them. The hopes and dreams art will be displayed on our classroom wall throughout the year.
ECO
This coming Tuesday, Class 216 students, as well as students from Ms. Slesar's class, will walk to Hubbard park for a brief visit with Geoff Beyer, director of the Montpelier Parks Commission. Geoff will discuss his role in Hubbard Park, it's mission, and history, all within the context of the same guiding questions for our "This Is Me..." presentations. Geoff has been a remarkable asset to our community, and it is important for students to know about his good work. This introduction sets the stage for an upcoming social studies unit called, "Remarkable People Through History."
On Friday, we will go to Hubbard Park once again for our first ECO Adventure (Educating Children Outdoors) of 3rd grade. This ECO Adventure will balance hiking and development of an ecological concept. More information will come regarding preparedness.Field Trips
On Friday, September 30th, the 3rd grade class at UES will take a "Hiking Field Trip" to the Groton State Forest. Volunteer guides/chaperones are welcome to attend. See the notice in your child's pack on Monday (or email) for more information.
Additionally, on Thursday, October 6th, 3rd graders will be treated to a cultural performance at Burlington's Flynn Theater. See the attached link for information about the show: Flynn Theater Show
Snack Contributions
It is always nice to have a small, simple snack as an occasional afternoon offering for students. Snacks such as whole grain goldfish, gluten free crackers, ritz crackers and pretzels provide just enough sustenance to carry a child through those waning moments of their school day. If you feel inclined to send in a "community" snack for Class 216, you are welcome to.Parent Volunteer Needed
The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences 4 Winds science lessons, led by parent volunteers, is a meaningful addition to our school's science programming. Roxi Garland, mother of Class 216 student, Carter, is seeking an additional parent volunteer to assist her in leading monthly lessons. Training is provided. Please contact me if you are interested.
The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences 4-Winds Science lessons are an important part of the UES science programming for students. These lessons are run by parent volunteers on a monthly basis, and include appropriate training in advance (so you do not have to be a nature expert). Roxi Garland, mother of a Class 216 student, has offered to lead these lessons, but is looking for a monthly assistant. Please contact me asap if you are willing and able.
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