Map-Making 101

This week, third graders at Francis Wyman have been learning how to read and create maps.  Each class has been rotating around the third grade classes to make a part of their Burlington map.
In Mrs. O'Neill's class: Each student has a chance to design their own compass rose.  Students have been learning about the cardinal directions and how to use them when looking at a map.
In Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Zani's classes:  Students are working to create the map's legend and scale.  We have also been practice using a legend or scale to help us better understand the map we are reading.
In Mrs. Boucher's class: Students are writing the title to the map (neatly) and adding the bordering city/ towns.
In Mrs. Goguen's Class: Students are adding the landmarks and geographical features to the map.

Next week our cartographers will finish up the coloring and put the map together.  We will also have our Burlington Historical Tour field trip next week to go see some of the landmarks from the map.

Come back soon to see pictures of the finshed product!

Sorry, no photos of the "construction," too busy to take pics!

****Reminders****
Field trip Friday October 7th
Contact me for a conference time for December 1st
Join our Remind App, text this number: 81010  type this message: @e3ef29

Learning about Burlington: Then, & Now

This week, students have been reading and talking about the town we live in, Burlington.  While reading Burlington: Then and Now, we have had some great discussions and shared some great knowledge about what Burlington is like now and what it was like in the 1800s.  During the reading, students have been learning how to highlight important information, TTQA answers (Turn the Question Around,) and how to take and organize notes.  Our essential question is "How has Burlington changed since 1799?"
The excitement to learn Burlington history is brewing in 216!

Writing facts and questions

Sharing ideas

Interesting facts

Questions we still have

Highlighting important information

We can even learn about Burlington now

Lots of facts from Burlington history

What we already knew about Burlington

Violin Demonstration

Mrs. Canzano came to Francis Wyman to talk about 3rd grade violin lessons.  This is an optional activity offered to our third graders.  You should receive a packet in folders on Thursday with any information you would need to join.  Please have a conversation with your child about the violin lessons tonight!  Her contact information is in the packet and she will answer any of your questions as well.

Mrs. Canzano displaying her violin.

She was taking requests!

Our class listening and wondering if violin is for them.

Kindness isn't Weird!

This week we have continued to build our classroom and school community.  Kindness has been a theme for the week.  I have been reading some great books which have brought up conversations about kindness, respect, and bullying.  What we have learned from these books is that a little kindness goes a long way!
Ask your child about Louisa and Mrs. Ruler tonight!

A great book that helped us remember to act kind toward others.

Another great book to help deal with bullies (hopefully we won't need this.)

Our acts of kindness wall is growing already!

FW Falcons S.O.A.R.

This week we have spent A LOT of time going over the new school-wide positive behavior plan.  Our new motto is Francis Wyman Falcons S.O.A.R.  Throughout the week, students have traveled around the school learning the expectations for behavior.  Students are trying to "earn their wings" by displaying expected behavior in the hallways, buses, bus lines, cafeteria, classrooms, playground, and bathroom.  Ask your child this weekend about the S.O.A.R. expectations.

Listening to the cafeteria expectations.

Sitting quietly and listening with eyes and ears!

Mrs. Logan and our new SOAR signs.

Our class demonstrating how to walk into the cafeteria.

Mrs. Christiansen explaining hallway expectations.

Third graders listening well.

Our new school psychologist, Mr. Polland.

Discussing bathroom expectations.

Welcome to Third Grade!

It has been an exciting and busy start to the 2016-2017 school year.  Our class has been busy getting to know new faces and new school routines.  I think we are going to have a fabulous year with this great group of children!
One activity we did on the first day was "People Bingo."  Students had to go around the room asking questions.  If the student answered yes, they could fill in a box on their Bingo card.  We learned a lot about each other like who had a cat, who was born in a different state, who had a pool, and places people had traveled.

We had our first assembly about the new school-wide behavior plan.  Our new acronym is S.O.A.R  Francis Wyman Falcons are SOARing into a new school year!
S- Self Control
O-Outstanding Effort
A-Acts of Kindness
R- Respect

The beginning of the year is a great time for me to read some of my favorite stories.  Here are some of the books we have read so far.

This summer I went to a workshop on creating a "Mindful Classroom."  As part of this, we have been learning about how our brains work, practicing different breathing activities, and listening to the sounds around us.  All of these efforts are to help the students and myself become more "mindful" of themselves and others.  Here is one of the books I read.  You may have also seen the hand-out in folders too.  Ask your child about it at home!