Dear Families, March 6th, 2018

We don’t often send home paper newsletters, but felt that there were enough important items that we should make one.

State Testing:  We will start our state testing next week,  March 12- March 23. During this time your child will be in the computer lab for about an hour each day taking the math and reading/writing tests.  The time spent on the test varies by student, but typically takes 5-7 sessions to complete. There is no time limit. You will get the results back in the summer. This does not impact their advancement to 4th grade.  Please make sure they are well rested and well fed on these days. It makes a big difference in their self-esteem when they feel prepared for the day. If you have questions about this process or want information about opting your child out of the tests, please speak with us by Friday the 9th.

Bridges: We are almost finished with our study of Portland’s bridges.  Your child has been assigned a bridge, and has practiced researching and paraphrasing their research about their bridge in preparation for writing their speech.  They do not need to turn in any written work- they just need to be ready to present their speech and model the week after spring break, April 2nd. We know some families struggle with making the model at home, and we tell students they can use the popsicle bridges we will be making March 19th and 20th as their model.  We encourage them to still add something of their own to the model we make in class- maybe paint it, or add piers or cars… if you need ideas, or support, please don’t hesitate to ask with enough time to finish the project. It doesn’t work to ask for help the day it is due.

We still need volunteers to help us with the building days (March 19th and 20th).  See the sign up at the top of the stairs or in your email inboxes. We would like 5 adults in room 201 the whole time we build- 31 kids with hot glue guns at once means we need a lot of adults.  Please sign up for an hour or for the whole day!

Math: We just finished our unit on multiplication, please keep practicing those facts at home!  We are starting a unit on fractions and money. These are great topics to discuss in the kitchen and in the store.  Have your child help count money, balance a bank book, or measure parts of a cup. These are real world applications for what we are doing in class.  

Reading: We just finished a fabulous unit on how to read mystery books, and are starting a unit on reading and character development. Our read aloud is Because of Winn-Dixie.  

Writing: We just finished our unit on persuasive writing by writing letters to the superintendent asking for financial support for our garden program Earth Art Ag.  These letters were from the heart, and very convincing. We are about to start a unit on writing informational texts about topics the students are already experts in: soccer, baking, skateboarding, bugs, dinosaurs, or their bridge.

In terms of social skills we are working on complimenting each other on kind, safe, and responsible actions.  You can practice at home by giving compliments in the same vein and having your child practice noticing when you are being safe, kind, and responsible.  

Please contact us if you have any questions about what is going on.  And thank you for all that you do to support your student at school,

Carolyn Neal and Lisa Van Clock

PS- See you at the Beach Bash Auction on Friday Night.