October 16, 2016

CLASS 216 NEWS

October 16, 2016

Good-Bye, This Is Me and What I Believe!

Our final students presented last week for This Is Me and What I Believe.  I was consistently impressed throughout the unit with each student's level of preparation and presentation.  Additionally, the follow up writing paragraphs became increasingly better, with use of transition vocabulary and elaboration all embedded within a well structured paragraph. Students will self-select two pieces of writing from their books this coming week to be assessed, based on a writing rubric which evaluates writing structure, content and neatness.

Hello, Remarkable People Through History Unit!

Now that our work related to This Is Me and What I Believe is over, we will make a natural transition into learning about people other than those in Class 216.  Instead, students will engage in a social studies unit that will integrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  Our new unit, titled "Remarkable People Through History," revolves around a genre of text called, narrative non-fiction.  Essentially, the books students interact with are biographies of remarkable individuals, told in narrative style (story).  This genre will make history sound like a story, rather than a bunch of facts.  Students will think deeply about the struggles and challenges individuals through history have faced and what that tells us about the time period in which they lived.  They will consider WHY these people are so remarkable, and what impact they had on the world.  Already, we have heard two books about remarkable people - one about "Peg Leg Bates," and the other about Annie Edson Taylor.

  

Veteran's Day Parade

It is somewhat of a tradition at UES for 3rd grade students to participate in Montpelier's Veteran's Day Parade.  Also, 3rd graders research someone who has served in the armed forces, and create a Veteran VIP poster, to carry during the parade.  Part of the preparation for this project will be done at home, so please be on the lookout for the assignment.

Parent-Teacher Conference Dates

On November 3rd and 4th, we will have the opportunity to meet and discuss your child's work, well-being and progress at school.  Be on the lookout for info regarding conference times.

ECO Hiking Adventure -Insect Hotels

This past week, we took an ECO Hiking Adventure to Hubbard park, where our main activity was building "Insect Hotels."  Our ECO lesson, before we set off on our adventure, was based on the question, Where do insects go during the cold months?  We learned that different insects do different things - migrate, hibernate (dormant phase), die, overwinter as larva, egg, pupa, nymph.  Many insects dwell in tight spaces, with protective covering.  Students got creative with their "insect hotels," as they created mini spaces for insects to retreat to during the winter, fully equipped with diving boards, living rooms, decks, bedrooms, etc.  Take a look at a few. Our next ECO date is Friday, October 21st.