Crew News 2.2.12

Expedition Guest Speaker

The Power of Leading a 3rd Grade Drum Circle

Crew Learning Expedition: Expert groups presented their learning of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks this week. We had Ms. Gillian (who most kids know from working in the library) come talk to us about her work in geotechnical engineering. She brought her tools that she uses to dig and classify rocks, samples of rocks, and gave us more information about the rock cycle. What a treat!  HINTS AT HOME: What new facts have you learned about rocks this week?

Writing: Students are doing great work with practicing writing to a prompt. We have talked a lot about making sure a paragraph is focused, having a variety of sentence beginnings, and making sure a paragraph shows all the great thing they know as third grade writers. HINTS AT HOME: How is writing to a prompt different than other kinds of writing? What do you think about when you write a paragraph?

Math:This next unit is exploring multiplication. We have looked at square products, what facts we need to continue studying, and parenthesis. HINTS AT HOME: Keep practicing multiplication! :)

Language/Reading Workshop:Since formal standardized testing is not something that is familiar to third graders, we are taking some time to do a testing-taking genre study. We have been talking about the upcoming TCAP test, looking at samples of what it will look like, doing practices, and discussing strategies. This will help remove any anxiety for taking the state assessment, and allow them to show their great critical thinking skills! HINTS AT HOME: What strategies do you use when you do the practice tests?

Spelling: Here is the spelling list for this week. Everyone is on the same list this week, so we can master these homophones.

 

Save the Date:

Third grades will be taking the state standardized testing "TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program" for the first time this year. The Reading Assessment will be given February 13 and 15th. The Writing and Math Assessment will be given March 5th-9th.  

*Please do your best to have students attend these days! 

 

Valentine's Day Party: We will be having a Vday Party on 2/14 from 9-9:55. Marianne will be coordinating breakfast foods, fruit, and juice. Stay tuned for her email!

Please have students decorate a shoebox, bag, or a container that can be brought to school on this day. There will be no time during school to decorate it.

In previous years, I have found that these celebrations are more meaningful when Valentines are thoughtful. I encourage home-made Valentines, and but store-bought Valentines can be personalized and work too. Please have students make enough Valentines for all of our crew (25). Here is a list of names: Anthony, Blayne, Camille, Dagan, Dylan, Ethan, Gillian, Hal, Haven, Ian, Isabella, Joshua, Keegan, Leah, Madelyn, Nikki, Marissa, Mason, Max, Nicole, Olivia, Shelby, Tayler, Tessa, & Vinnie.

 

 

Feb 13 & 15: Reading TCAP Assessment 

Feb 14: Valentine's Day Party 

Feb 16: Fieldwork at Garden of the Gods
Feb 29-Mar 1: Winter Voyage 

Mar 5-9: Writing & Math Assessment