As I look at the weather forecast for the rest of this week, I worry about missing more school! 

As the news outlets erupt with more and more news from around the country, our students have more and more questions about what is happening.  Third graders hear a surprising amount of media coverage, and don't always know how to interpret it.  Please make sure you are talking with your child about what is going on, and explain what you believe and understand.  

To help you with that process, I have made a new page on our website listing the questions students are asking me.  My goal is to update that page weekly with the questions being asked.  

Also know that this week, coincidentally, our reading curriculum asks us to teach that there is bias in non-fiction texts.  We are practicing reading behind the text to understand what the author's opinion is, and to then be able to form our own opinions.

If you have questions for me please feel free to e-mail, call, or come in person.

Phew! What a month we've had!  

I hope the weather falls into a normal pattern for us.  I have been missing the students and am itching to get back to routine.  

Math: We are starting our unit on multiplication.  Please please please practice those math facts at home!  One big indicator for math success is whether or not a student knows their multiplication facts.  A great way to get kids to practice is to have them make their own flashcards.  Please let me know if you need note cards or paper to make flashcards with.

Writing: We have been trying to finish publishing our informational books.  This week we will try to finish typing them.  Our next unit is on persuasive writing- be ready for students to practice their persuasive skills on you!

Reading: We are part way into our unit on reading informational texts.  Students are practicing becoming experts on different topics and talking about and synthesizing their learning from reading. 

Social Studies: We have started our bridge unit!!!!  We are so exited to start learning about Portland's Bridges.  I will send home information about the individual projects and expectations around that in a couple of weeks.  They won't be due until after spring break.  Please start to talk to you student about the bridges you use.  And when you are downtown notice the bridges and how they are each built at unique times in history with unique constraints and problems. 

Garden: This month we have the opportunity to have Ms. Moore, our garden teacher, here each Tuesday.  She is leading the students in lessons where we read a multi-cultural version of Cinderella, taste food from that region of the world, and discuss the plants and food from that region.  At the end of the unit, we'll make plans for our spring garden based on the foods we've tasted this month.  Watch for recipes to head home each week in January!