Designing Paintbrushes

After studying different kinds of paintbrushes, students drew up possible new paintbrush designs and then constructed one of their ideas.

Hello, keep sending in those warm snow clothes.  This week is Spirit Week and there is no school on Friday.

School-Wide Spirit Week Is This Week
This final week before winter break is a school-wide spirit week planned by the student council.  Here is the rundown:

Monday, December 19th - Hat Day or Crazy Hair Day, your choice!

Tuesday, December 20th - Students Dress Like Teachers/Teachers Dress Like Students!

Wednesday December 21st - Pajama Day - Again!  Your students were really well-behaved with their stuffed animals last Friday, so I am happy to do this again.

Thursday December 22nd - Sweater Day.  The student council didn't want to call it holiday sweater, or funky sweater, just sweater. 


Curriculum Overview
Science - We have been studying the design, structure, and function of different paintbrushes (visit the Room K-3 Photo Gallery and our twitter feed to more).  Last week students constructed a paintbrush.  This week they will evaluate their model by painting with the brush they created.

Reading -  We have been reading fairy tales as part of our Project Lead the Way unit on structure and function.  Ask your students about The Three Bears, and the The Little Red Hen.  This week we will also read Gingerbread Man fairy tales and compare and contrast different versions.

Writing - This week students will attempt to write and type a sentence about their paintbrush into Seesaw.

Math - This week we will learn about weight.  We also have been playing greater than and less than poker.

Word Study - This week we are studying the -ing word family (ring, sing, swing).  We will also examine how -ing can be used as a suffix.

I’ll Huff and I’ll Puff

After constructing model houses using bricks, sticks, straw, and clay, we evaluated the sturdiness of each house (the fan is on high!).

Warm Clothes
To help us focus on our schoolwork we go outside for recess each and everyday to take breaks.  The only days we will stay in will be when the temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, which does not happen often.  Make sure your kids come to school with, gloves, hats, boots, and all the clothes they need to stay warm.  Lunch recess in particular is over 20 minutes long.  If you have extra gloves and hats that can be donated to the class as spares, feel free to bring them in.

School Wide Spirit Week Starts on Monday, December 19th
The final week before winter break is a school-wide spirit week planned by the student council.  Here is the rundown:

Monday, December 19th - Hat Day or Crazy Hair Day, your choice!

Tuesday, December 20th - Students Dress Like Teachers/Teachers Dress Like Students Day!

Wednesday December 21st - Pajama Day - Again!  Your students were really well-behaved with their stuffed animals last Friday, so I am happy to do this again.

Thursday December 22nd - Sweater Day.  The student council didn't want to call it holiday sweater, or ugly sweater, just sweater.  That one's easy.

Curriculum Overview
Science - We have been studying the design, structure, and function, of different paintbrushes.  Students will design their own paintbrush this week.  Last week we also learned about how snow and snowflakes form from water vapor that freezes.  In January we will begin a unit on weather officially but the lesson on snow seemed apt to cover now.

Reading -  We have been reading fairy tales as part of our Project Lead the Way unit on structure and function.  As we continue to read fairy tales we will also look at the literary aspects of a fairy tale: animals take the roles of people, there are often three characters who work together in some way, there is usually a villain causing problems, and there is often a strong author's message or something to be learned.  Ask your students about The Three Little Pigs, and the The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Writing - Students are writing about the different experiences they have with our Project Lead The Way unit on structure and function.  This week they will sketch out and write a proposal for the paintbrush they would like to design.  When we are not writing about science we will list out kind words (please, thank you, excuse me) and compose pieces recording some of the acts of kindness in our classroom.

Math - This week we will develop a foundation for fractions by looking at the different shapes that be made when you break up a hexagon.  For instance, a hexagon can be divided into 6 equilateral triangles.

Word Study - This week we are studying the -ing word family (ring, sing, swing).  We will also examine how -ing can be used as a suffix.

Constructing Houses

After reading the Three Little Pigs students worked to construct houses that can withstand wind.  Find more photos in the photo gallery.

Home Reading Book Bags
Tomorrow I will send home, with each student, a blue and clear baggie of home reading books. These are simple books that are matched to your child’s reading level.  The goal should be that your child reads the books for 5 to 10 minutes each night, 5 nights a week.  You should be there to help them read and they should point to the words as they read.  Bring the books back on Monday for a new set.

Boots
Thank you last week for sending in shoes when your child wears boots to school in the morning.  It helps in class and especially when students visit Ms. Lewit in the gym. 

Book Fair
Thanks for coming to our book fair.  Your purchases raised $6,000 for our school!

Curriculum Overview

Science - After reading The Three Little Pigs students began using different materials to build a model of a house that can withstand wind.  This week we will evaluate the houses we built by exposing them to a high-powered fan.  We will also design and use our own paintbrush.

Reading -  We have been reading fairy tales as part of our Project Lead the Way unit on structure and function.  As we read we will also look at the literacy aspects of a fairy tale: animals take the roles of people, there are often three characters who work together in some way, and there is usually a villain causing problems.

Writing - Students are writing about the different experiences they have with our Project Lead The Way unit on structure and function.  They will be sketching and writing about the beanstalk they build, as well as the house they construct.  When we are not writing about science we will list out kind words (please, thank you, excuse me) and compose pieces recording some of the acts of kindness in our classroom.

Math - Even though I had planned to do it last week, this week the students will survey the class and make a graph showing the favorite colors of their classmates.  We will also develop a foundation for fractions by looking at the different ways to break up a hexagon.

Word Study - We are learning how to read and write simple 3 letter words.  This week we will look at the -ug word family.

This is the book bag that went home with students today.