Forces in Motion

We had a great presentation called "Forces in Motion" from Ms. Pavlicek and Mr. Musselman on Friday! We learned about Galileo and Isaac Newton.  We learned words like force, orbit, gravity, locomotion, magnetism, friction and many more.  What a great show. Another big THANK YOU to the Burlington Science Center!!!

Hour of Code

This week is Computer Science Education Week. The hallmark event of the week is "Hour of Code"; trying to get every student to code for an hour. It was the goal of our technology education team to expose students to a little Computer Science, and the logical thinking that goes with it.
Our class participated in Hour of Code today in the computer lab.  It was an amazing and fun learning experience.  Many children were interested in continuing at home.  If you would like to try it yourself go to learn.code.org.

Focus on Frogs

Students spent the afternoon researching frogs.  Their job was to find basic frog facts (characteristics, habitat, diet) by reading the book Those Fabulous Frogs.  With a partner, they had to read the book and pull out important facts.  We tried to find the difference between "basic facts" and "interesting facts." For example, a basic fact is: Frogs have strong back legs to help them jump.  An interesting fact is: A frog can jump more than 20 times the length of its body.

Milo

We have a new visitor in room 212! Milo is an American Toad from the Burlington Science Center.  He is here to help us learn about amphibians.  He joined us for morning meeting today.  Here are some pictures of the students getting a closer look.

A time to give thanks

This time of year is a great time to think about everything you are thankful for. Your children wrote thoughtful and lovely papers about things they are thankful for this year. I have them hung up for now, but they will bring them home for Thanksgiving to share with you.

Have a happy and healthy holiday! See you all next week at our parent/ teacher conference.

Dreidel Game

We learned about some Hanukkah traditions today.  We read a wonderful story The Magic Dreidels.  We colored a menorah to help decorate our class.  Then we learned to play the dreidel game.  Hanukkah starts next week. Happy holidays!!!

Field Trip

Our field trip to the Science Discovery Museum in Acton is tomorrow (Thursday!) Please remember to send your child in with a bagged lunch, drink, and a separate snack.  We will not be back in time to buy lunch from the cafeteria.
Chaperones, please come to our classroom by 8:45.  The buses will be leaving at 9:00.  You should be able to ride the bus with us on this trip.
Look for pictures from our trip soon!

Summarizing

Comprehension strategy of the month:

Summarizing

A summary is a brief statement that contains all the important ideas of a text.  Summarizing is a great skill to have and a great strategy to practice at home.  It can be as easy as asking, "What was your book about?"

Helpful Hints

Fiction:

Can you retell the story? 

Tell me the story in your own words.

What happened in the beginning, middle, and the end?

Who were the characters?

What was the setting?

What was the problem and solution to the problem?

**Try to have your child retell the story in order of how it happened.  Students often want to tell you the end first, since it is the last thing they read.  Prompt them to start at the beginning!**

Non Fiction:

What was the text teaching you?

What was the main idea? 

List a few details about the main idea.

Maps & Globes

This week, we have started learning about maps and globes, we have also focused on where we live.  We started with our street and moved outward to town, state, country, continent, and world.  Next week we will move onto the compass rose and the seven continents.

Happy Halloween!

Monster Writing

Our monster writing activity was a huge success.  I was amazed at how well they came out.  These monsters are displayed in the hallway to the cafeteria.  If you are in the building, definitely go take a peek!  Here are some pictures of our monster display.  

Halloween Parade

Our Francis Wyman Halloween parade will be taking place on Thursday October 31st at 1:55 pm.  All parents are welcome to come view the parade in the gym.  We hope to see you there!
If you are willing to volunteer, I may need some help getting costumes on in the classroom.  Please email or call me if you are available to help out in the room @1:35 pm.  Thanks!

Monster Making

On Friday, we started our first creative writing activity.  Before we could start writing, the students had to design a monster.  By rolling a die, the student found out how to design the body, eyes, nose, mouth, arms, legs, and hair.  Once we finished the design process, students had to start brainstorming ideas about their monster.  What is his or her name, where does your monster live, what does he or she eat, etc...

Here are some pictures from the design process.  Can't wait to see the finished product!