Week 29

Students enjoyed fire roasted Hot Dogs during ECO on Wednesday.

Week 29 was a buzz at the Elmore School. The students seem to have a renewed sense of energy as spring begins to reawaken the earth and all its creatures. Like the tale of the Tortoise and the Hare, I'm reminded that the end of the school year feels like a race to the finish, but a slow and steady pace will give us the best end to the school year. I am reflecting on how to slow our pace while continuing on our course to the finish line.

This week we began our persuasive writing unit with a focus on writing about a collection. Students are sharing their opinions about their collection and then giving reasons and details to support their opinion. One things we have discovered is that no matter what genre we are writing, the format is the same: Introduction (hook), a body with evidence (reasons) and details, and a conclusion. Next week we will be writing book reviews. In preparation for typing responses on their SBAC tests in May, third graders have been using Google Docs to type their texts.

In Math all students have circled back to place value work. Level 1 students are using ten frames, place value blocks and place value discs tell a number within 100 and how many more (ones) to make the next ten. They ended the week with comparing numbers within 100 and finding the difference between the two numbers. Level 2 students are using place value disks to add hundreds, tens, and ones, to find the sum of two numbers. Level 3 students used place value discs and place value blocks to model expanded form with 4 and 5 digit numbers with a focus on each digits quality, place value, and total value. We ended the week with rounding numbers to the nearest ten.

This week during ECO students continued exploring with concepts of force and motion as some students used an ancient spear throwing device, known as an Atlatl, to throw long darts. Other students explored with balance as they played "Over the Seesaw Bridge", balancing two small stones on a mini seesaw. The next time we have ECO we will switch groups so all students have an opportunity to do both activities. During forest-choice students enjoyed roasting hot dogs over the fire.

Constructing Seesaw bridges

Students use force as they learn how to use and Atlatl to throw darts.

Friday, April 8th is a half day with dismissal at 12:00, therefore we will not have Hot Lunch next week. Lunch will be served before dismissal and school lunch will be available on Friday. Please email me your lunch requests for the week. Option are: Chef Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, Turkey and cheese Sandwich, PB & J sandwich. Lunch includes, milk and a fruit (sandwiches include a cheese stick and fruit/veggie).

Thank you to the Dryden's and the Sargent's for providing us with two delicious Hot lunches this week!

As the end of the school year nears, I will be working with Lindsey Waldman to arrange transition activities for 3rd graders moving to MES next year (and for students moving from MES to Elmore). These will take place closer to the end of the school year. Stay tuned for details to come.

Library is Wednesday, April 6 this week.
April break is April 18-22.
Field trip to the Montshire Museum: Monday, May 16 @ 8:15 - 2:30
SBAC testing for 3rd grade will take place May 18, 19, 24, and 26. There will be make days for students who miss a test, but please try not to schedule any appointments for these dates.
Last Day of School: Tuesday, June 14, 2022

These students are working together to make a friendship bracelet by using pendulums and a pattern of movement to weave the strings together during forest-choice.