Weekly Update

STEM Challenges

This week students worked together to problem solve two STEM Challenges.  Students used a variety of materials such as straws, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, clothes pins, paper plates and cups.  On Monday, students worked to create shelter in the Protect-A-Pilgrim challenge.  The shelters had to have a way for the pilgrims to enter and exit.  They also had to be resistant to damage from wind, rain and snow.  Students noticed that the strongest shelters were smaller and more compact, where as the roomiest shelters may not have been resistant to all of the weather elements. 

On Tuesday, students created Turkey Transporters using many of the same materials plus string.  Students had to help their turkey travel a pre-set distance safely and quickly.  Most students chose to create a zip line type path for travel.  After timing each group and discussing the results, it was concluded that the safest trip for the turkey had the slowest travel time.  The quicker the time, the harsher the stop at the end of the zip line.

Math

Students recently finished Unit 2 of our Math Expressions curriculum.  Tests were uploaded into each child's OneNote Math folder and were sent home this week.  Unit 3 will challenge students to work more with measurements, clocks and graphs.  This week we took some time to play math games that students have learned throughout the year. 

Reading and Writing

Students have transitioned over to non-fiction reading and information writing units of study.  Our recent writing has included drafting on a variety of topics students consider themselves experts on.  Soon each student will pick one of their expert topics to focus on and take through the writing process with the new informational writing techniques we will learn.  We will read several mentor texts to help guide our understanding of non-fiction writing.

Weekly Update

All-Star of the Week
Luca was our awesome all-star last week!  On Monday he shared several pictures of himself and his family, a soccer ball signed by his team, a special Star Wars blanket, and a dog that made funny sounds.  The students loved the dog.  They also enjoyed listening to Luca read aloud his Spiderman book.  Luca received a sweet letter from his parents and enjoyed a special lunch with them on his birthday.

Math Workshop
We practiced solving two-step word problems.  We also practiced identifying the first step question, which is still tricky for most students.  As students solve the two-step word problems, they are expected to write one equation, which includes two operations, such as (7+2)x3=m; m=27 units.  Your child took a math quiz as well.  This quiz will go home tomorrow.  We will wrap up Unit 2 this week and take the Unit 2 Test on Thursday.

Writing Workshop
Students worked really hard to finish up their first published personal narrative last week.  They spent a lot of time making revisions to their personal narrative draft to make sure it included everything we've taught from the third grade writing checklist.  After revisions, students rewrote their narratives in their very best handwriting.  Students' published narratives include illustrations which they spent time coloring.  You can look for your child's narrative hanging in the hall when you come for parent-teacher conferences this week.

The Best Part of Me
After listening to a read aloud of The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald, students chose the best part of themselves.  First, they completed a graphic organizer which helped them record ideas for their best part.  Next, students wrote a paragraph describing their best part.  Finally, students took a close-up picture of their best part to go with their writing.  You can check these out on display in the hall when you come in for your conference this week.

Student Council Election Week

Student Council
The results are in!  Students have campaigned all week with posters hung around the room, and gave motivational speeches explaining their beliefs and future goals for the Hill School Student Council of 2016-2017.  All candidates should feel incredibly proud of their efforts and accomplishments in this years race.  We are proud to announce the Student Council winners for Room 13's All Stars are Will and Lourdes, with alternates Yaseen and Mariana.  Congratulations to the winners and all participants for a fine election season!  Below are pictures showcasing the poster campaigning, all student council candidates, winning speeches and voting process. 

 

Writing

As students prepare for their final drafts of their chosen personal narrative, they work with partners to help in the revision process.  Students worked in writing partnerships to help build strong lead sentences, organize their story using paragraphs, and work towards creating a meaningful and memorable ending. 

 

Reading

Students pushed their thinking to a new level this week as we focused our attention on stop and think 'thick' comprehension questions within our reading.  We worked to create How and Why questions that require us to use our knowledge of the characters and storyline in our response.  Students also learned to consider the authors purpose with regard to different aspects of the text.  Using our recent class read aloud, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, students practiced considering the authors purpose in a Visible Thinking routine called Chalk Talk.  Students rotated around the room reading and responding to questions about why they thought the author wrote certain parts of Edward Tulane's journey.  This activity allowed students to voice their thoughts freely and respond to others thoughts that were also shared.