Monthly Archives: May 2018

Update: May 21

We are finished with our MSTEP and all curriculum assessments for the school year! Yahoo! However, students have the district assessment, called iReady, to complete this week. It is a computer adaptive test that assesses growth in both reading and math. They have been working hard and maintaining a positive attitude. I’m proud of them!

Last week, we completed a fun math activity in partnerships. Students were detectives solving math clues to discover what happened to Professor Gimpy’s “shrinkinator”. Ask your child about it! Below are a few photos. These remaining weeks we will be “stepping up” to some 4th grade math concepts, as well as completing fun activities with our 3rd grade math concepts.

In writing we are drafting and publishing our chapters to our informational books on the same research animal that we are working with in STEM and Art.

We are completing our final unit in social studies: Our State Government. Once we complete this unit, students will be bringing home the All About Michigan Book that we have been adding to throughout the year.

This Friday we will shop the 4th grade Market Day. Items range from 50 cents to $2. These are all items made by the 4th graders to learn about economics. Students are welcome to bring money to shop! Friday is also Celebration Day! The outdoor assembly begins at 11:30. It should last until approximately 12. Then, we will be having lunch and opening the bounce house at 12:15. Clean up will begin at 3. We would love to have you, or another family member, join us if possible. If your child does not have a guest to eat lunch with, I would love to volunteer. Just let me know!

Reminder:

Our trip to John Ball Zoo is on Friday, June 1st. All are welcome! Here, students will be spending a portion of their zoo time sharing their habitat creation, in their groups, with visitors stopping by their displays.

Math Fun:

May 4th

Our last swimming trip is this Tuesday, May 8th. We will again leave Jeffers at 8:50. (There are a few snapshots below. I hope to share more after Tuesday.) Also, our field trip to Connor Bayou is this Thursday. A sack lunch will be needed. I will send a reminder email on Wednesday.

This past week we worked on rounding, adding with the partial sums method, and the traditional algorithm of adding. We are on our last math topic this year! This gives us time to review concepts and take a sneak peek at some 4th grade math.

In our writing, we are writing an All About book on our animals we have been researching. Students have the option of either publishing their “book” in the app, Book Creator, or publishing a paper version.

We are also wrapping up our research unit in reading. Students have been comparing and contrasting animals, developing questions from their research, and developing theories to help answer their questions. There is great thinking going on!

In science, we focused on the parts of the flower and how pollination occurs.

Our MSTEP, State assessment, days are the mornings of May 15 and 16. The 17th will be used if more time is needed.

Check out these AMAZING kids!