As I shared with the class earlier today, the famous artist, Salvador Dali, reminds us with his melting clock, that time is truly a strange thing. Some minutes, hours, or days seem to drag on while others fly by quickly. I equate this to the time and effort we spend on a task - if we're focused, time flies. But if we're not - then the task seems to have no end. Thankfully, I'm not the only one who felt this was an incredibly fast week.
As I look back, it all began with Orange Shirt day. Happily almost everyone of our students remembered to wear orange in support of Phyllis's story who had her new orange shirt taken away. We wore orange to remind us how "every child matters."
A look back at our week:
Language Arts - we are now fully immersed in our rounds of Daily Five. Students are selecting a variety of literacy activities and practicing their skills while I meet with individual students. Students have been engaged in a couple of different writing assignments: we wrote about our memories and how important our memories are to keep safe like Shi-Shi-etko, and, we wrote our first penpal letters to students in Shanghai China. Pretty exciting! Also, please note that I started sending home reading books home on Tuesday and each Tuesday, they are to exchange the books. YOur help with this is appreciated. Not all students will be expected to participate in the home reading program, but all students ARE expected to be reading at home. Finally, the Learning Commons is now officially open and we will have book exchanges each and every Monday morning.
Math - we started working with Math Centers this week. This provides me a chance to work with everyone (once fully operational). We are currently working on review as we wrap up our Data collection and representation. We will begin looking at patterning towards the end of next week.
Science ROCKS! - we've looked closely at the Rock Cycle and have spent some time looking at some online resources. Please check out the Scholastic Study Jams found at: http://www.2learn.ca/kids/ click on science, grade 3, rocks and minerals to access these wonderful resources.
Our current read aloud is Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. This is a novel about difference, and how we should not only embrace it, but welcome difference and learn from it - not fear it. This is a cute little story with great characters centered around serious subject matter... a great entry point for looking at our Social Studies global perspective.
Next week:
No classes Monday - Happy Thanksgiving!
First Fun Lunch next Wednesday Oct. 10th - McDonald's. Please remember, we have snack twice daily.
Stuffy Day is next Thursday Oct. 11th
Parent Teacher Interviews are fast approaching - Oct. 25th and 26th.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
