Can
it be June already? I am feeling so many mixed emotions about the last
three weeks of school. It has been such an incredibly awesome
experience to have the chance to get to know your children and to guide
them in their learning. I will truly treasure this time I have had with
them. That being said, there are 90 plus hours of learning that are
still available to us before the school year ends. We will fill them
with a lot of exciting, interactive learning experiences.
The
class as a whole really benefits from a daily morning meeting time. It
is a time to share, to interact, to get to know each other, to be
greeted and welcomed each day, and to problem solve. We spoke today
about working hard over these last few weeks to really be understanding
and respectful of each others’ learning styles. So when one student
finishes an assignment, I am expecting he/she will choose to continue to
extend their learning with available choices vs. socially distracting
others who are still working. I know you are thinking - why do this
with only three weeks left? We have actually been working on this goal
the entire semester. However, we will be having a lot of independent
explorations and small group explorations, so I am challenging kids to
do their best to stay focused and respectful.
Math
Our
math unit is exploring measurement - length, weight, and capacity using
both the standard and metric systems. We will also be supplementing the
unit with a lot of problem solving and reviewing/strengthening of
skills that need more practice. I have identified links to IXL for
students on Edmodo. They will be practicing these in class and at home.
Science
In
science we will be learning about magnets and electricity. I have
posted some links to sites for kids to begin interacting with these
topics. This will be a fun, hands-on unit.
Writing
Students
are wrapping up individual creative writing pieces. They are certainly
welcome to continue writing over the summer and posting it in google
docs. I will be happy to create a summer writing link for each student.
We will integrate some descriptive writing into our science unit.
Reading
We celebrated the completion of our class read aloud Owl in the Shower by
dissecting owl pellets. We learned so much about owls and reinforced
concepts about interdependence from our biomes unit. Reading groups are
finishing up their books this week. I have enjoyed reading
individually with students and having small group time discussions.
Students have been connecting to and responding to reading with written
responses. They get excited when it is reading group time. Ask them
about the books they are reading. They may want to continue reading
more books from these series. I also hope to work with students to
generate some summer reading lists in order to promote reading
throughout the summer months. It is so important!
Homework
This
week students will have homework each night. Much of it is technology
based. My purpose is to remind students about all of the great learning
resources they can tap into over the summer months. I am also having
students review all of the sound alike words we have learned in third
grade. I compiled a list of words and definitions for them to be
studying and interacting with over the next two weeks. They will be
drawing pictures to go along with the words to help them to better
remember when to use specific homophones. We will play sparkle. They
will complete practice worksheets. Finally, students will bring home
the culminating project from our Hampton Falls history unit. They are
to share the many projects they have created and the information they
have learned with you. They are to reflect upon the learning experience
and gather feedback from you. This is due back on Friday.
Homework assignments for this week:
- Sound alike words worksheet due Tuesday.
- Sound alike word/picture sheet (written by students) due Friday.
- Padlet.com entry focusing on our synthesizing information (new comprehension strategy where original thoughts when reading expand as students encounter new information) from our read aloud Owl in the Shower must be done by Wednesday. If they are unsure, they can jot down a sentence or idea and show it to me Tuesday for feedback/guidance.
- Hampton Falls multi-page reflection/parent feedback packet due Friday.
I
hope that you have found this final trimester experience with me to be a
positive one. I would appreciate any feedback you have. I also hope
to have some type of year-end celebration in our classroom before
year-end to recognize each child’s achievements and to look forward to
grade four and to help students decide what their goals may be.
As always, please feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you.
Jill Berry
