Follow an astronaut!

A friend of Nash's dad is an astronaut who is on his way to the International Space Station.  You can follow him...

https://twitter.com/astro_reid

If you have any questions you'd like to ask him, let me know!  Wouldn't it be cool to communicate with someone in space!

Thanks to Nash and his family for sharing this twitter account with us.

Fourth Quarter News!

MATH	We are wrapping up our study of measurement.  It’s always helpful to reinforce these skills at home.  Students should be able to estimate and find length (metric and customary), volume (metric and customary), and mass (metric) or weight (customary).   We are beginning our study of probability and data collection.  We will be collecting, organizing and displaying data.  Students will be using bar graphs, pictographs, and line plots.  Students will learn that statistics is about asking and answer questions in our world.  They will conduct probability experiments and use mathematical language to communicate their findings.
SCIENCE	We are beginning to study soil and have some interesting projects in the works.  Stay tuned.  Students may ask to bring in some compostable items from home including coffee grounds or egg shells as we get our compost started.   We will also be studying cycles including seasons, day and night, phases of the moon (first quarter, full, last [third] quarter, new), tides and life cycles.  At home you can get outside as a family and observe the moon each night.  If you can get down to the beach and observe differences in high and low tides it would certainly reinforce our discussions in class!
LANGUAGE ARTS	We are continuing our focus on writing.  The best practice for writing at home is for students to use writing in meaningful ways.  Have your child make the shopping list as you dictate.  Have your child keep a journal and set aside daily journaling time to reflect on the day.  This might be a fun practice to start as a family.  Children can write thank you notes or letters to family members or find a pen pal.  Writing should be meaningful and fun! As you know, we are working on a novel study.  Students chose books to read and formed their own groups based on reading level and interest.  Books include Wonder, Hatchet, Number The Stars, The Toy Inventor, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.   We are also beginning a unit on poetry. Students should always have a great book on hand to enjoy on their own!

Explorers

We had Brain Trek visit today to teach a hands on interactive lesson about explorers. Students got to dress up and act out the discovery of land for their sponsor countries! Students came with a great deal of knowledge about explorers and are excited to learn more! 

European explorers

Christopher Columbus 

Ponce de Leon

Jacques Cartier

Christopher Newport

Explorers Unit

We are getting ready to begin a unit on mapping and exploration. I have been wanting to set up a geocache for our class since the begining of the year, but I haven't quite gotten it off the ground. I am wondering if any parents have experience geocaching, or orienteering? I would like to set it up for one of our Saturday make up days in March or April so we can get outside in the courtyard! Let me know if you are interested in helping!

Fractions in Room 8

We are studying fractions in Math.  Students will

• name and write fractions and mixed numbers to include halves, thirds, fourths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths as represented by a model
• model fractions and mixed numbers to include halves, thirds, fourths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths and write the fractions' names
• compare fractions with words and symbols <, >, = having like and unlike denominators
• add and subtract proper fractions with like denominators

Any real world conversation or experiences using fractions will support our classroom learning.  Doubling or halving recipes, and equating fractions to money or time are all hands on ways to apply math to the world around us!  Have fun!

Invitation to view the Rube Goldberg project

Dear Parents,

We wanted to let you know our schedule for working on the Rube Goldberg project in case you would like to drop by and check on the progress the students are making.  We have found that this project requires a great deal of patience, team work and collaboration, and creative thinking.  For the most part, the students have agreed to follow Destination Imagination rules of operation.  In other words, they want to do it themselves without adult help!  So if you do drop by, which we hope you can, be in the mindset of asking questions only!  

Monday 2:00-2:45

Tuesday 2:00-2:45

Wednesday 1:00-1:15

Thursday 12:15-1:00

Friday 10:00-10:30

Rube Goldberg Takes Over Room 8

Thank you to Mrs. Restrepo for helping to sort through all the goodies sent in by third graders to build our Rube Goldberg!

One of the groups getting started!

What is the difference between an inclined plane and a wedge?  This solidified our understanding!