Evaluating Our Paintbrushes

Today most students tested their paintbrushes.  In addition to just trying them to see what design was created, they also painted-in a sign for the classroom.

Mr. Luxon Not At School on Tuesday
I will out of the classroom on Tuesday (tomorrow).  I was not able to tell the students that there would be a visiting teacher coming in my place, please tell them.

Please Send In Extra Clothes
Please send in a gallon ziploc bag with spare clothes in it this week.  This is useful not just for bathroom accidents but also in cases of bloody noses or muddy falls.  Write your child's name on the bag (i.e.  "Mary Jackson - Change of Clothes").  Students can keep the clothing in their backpacks which is good if they go to any after school classes.  If you would prefer for me to keep the bag in the classroom email me and I will pull it out and keep it in the classroom.

October 31st Family Read-In
Please join us on October 31st for a Room K-3 family read-in at 2:30 PM!  Students and parents will read non-fiction books about pumpkins, non-fiction books about autumn, and some 'scary' stories.  If you would like to join us and read to a small group of kids please email our Room K-3 room parent at the address I provided over email.  I have a lot of books to share but if you would like to bring a favorite from home that is fine too.  If you do not want to read but still want to join us that is possible too.  Younger siblings are welcome to come as well.  While we read the kids will enjoy snacking on healthy items like popcorn and carrot sticks.  If you are interested in bringing some simple popcorn, carrot sticks, or something similar let our Room K-3 room parent know when you email.  Please do not send in any cookies, candies, or other sweets, save that for trick-or-treating later in the evening.

Conferences
It was great meeting you last week.  Thank you for coming in!

Curriculum Overview
Science - This week students will test the paintbrushes they designed and constructed last week.  Many students tried out their paintbrushes today, others will test later in the week.

STEAM Project - Last week students began learning about what a community is.  They began to see that they are part of the Ann Arbor community.  This week I will ask them to think more about who they are as individuals and what their role in our community is.  Eventually we will see that just like we have the community in Ann Arbor we also have a smaller school community.  Our overall goal is for students to learn about all the people at A2STEAM.  The questions driving our learning are "What is a community?  How can we teach visitors about the A2STEAM community?"

Reading - Students are identifying the characters in fiction books.  We will also be discussing the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.

Writing - Students have been writing stories from their lives and taken responsibility for keeping their writing organized in their writing folder.

Math - We are building and counting numbers up to 12.  Ask your students about the game 'Build a City'.

Word Study - This week we will think about fonts and see the different ways in which the letter 'b' and 'd' are written in books.

Designing Paintbrushes

Students are designing paintbrushes that can paint in a unique way. 
Students drew different designs on paper last week, some students began the building stage today.

October 31st Family Read-In
This is Repeated from Last Week: You are welcome to join us on October 31st for a Room K-3 family read-in at 2:30 PM!  Students and parents will read non-fiction books about pumpkins, non-fiction books about autumn, and some 'scary' stories.  If you would like to join us and read to a small group of kids please email our Room K-3 room parent at the address I provided over email.  I have a lot of books to share but if you would like to bring a favorite from home that is fine too.  If you do not want to read but still want to join us that is possible too.  Younger siblings are welcome to come as well.  While we read the kids will enjoy snacking on healthy items like popcorn and carrot sticks.  If you are interested in bringing some simple popcorn, carrot sticks, or something similar let our Room K-3 room parent know when you email.  Please do not send in any cookies, candies, or other sweets, save that for trick-or-treating later in the evening.

No Costumes on Halloween Please
This is Repeated from Last Week Too: For families new to Ann Arbor STEAM please be advised that students do not wear costumes to school on Halloween.  Also, as I wrote above, please do not send in any cookies, candies, or other sweets, save that for trick-or-treating later in the evening.

Sharing Bag
I will start to send home a sharing bag with students who want to bring in something to share with the class.  The bag is blue and has a white STEAM logo on it.  It also has a yellow tag that reads 'Room K-3 Sharing Bag'.  When your child brings home the bag they can choose up to three things to place in it to share with the class (no more than three please).  Anything your child chooses to share must be able to fit into the bag.

Bring in Extra Clothes
In class we have been having some bathroom accidents.  I will make sure the students know all their available bathroom choices when they are at there special classes and at recess.  I would also like every family to send in a gallon ziploc bag with spare clothes in it.  This is useful not just for bathroom accidents but also in cases of bloody noses or muddy falls.  Write your child's name on the bag (i.e.  "Mary Jackson - Change of Clothes").  Students can keep the clothing in their backpacks which is good if they go to any after school classes.  If you would prefer for me to keep the bag in the classroom just write 'Please keep in the Classroom' on the label too.

Snacks
If you haven't already, please bring in some group snacks for the class.  You can use the fresh snack calendar or bring in crackers like: Cheddar Goldfish, Wheat Thin Originals, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies.

Conferences
Thank you for signing up, you can review your times on the document I sent out today over email.  If you need to bring your students to the conference that is okay.  We can set them up on an iPad while we talk, or have them play outside.

Half Day For Students This Wednesday
Wednesday, October 24th, will be a half-day for students.  Students will be dismissed at 12:52 PM.

Curriculum Overview
Science - This week students are taking what they learned about structure and function and using that knowledge to design a paintbrush that can paint in a unique way.  Students have drawn their paintbrush designs, some students have begun the actual building phase.

Reading - Students are identifying the characters in fiction books.  We will also be discussing the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.

Writing - Students have been writing stories from their lives and taken responsibility for keeping their writing organized in their writing folder.

Math - We are building and counting numbers up to 12.  Ask your students about the game 'Build a City'.

Word Study - This week we will think about fonts and see the different ways in which the letter 't' and 'j' are written in books.

I forgot to post this photo a couple weeks ago.  We tested the houses the students designed to see how well they were able to withstand wind.  The fan is on high.

Join us on October 31st

This past week we finished writing our classroom agreement.  More information on SeeSaw.

October 31st Family Read-In
You are welcome to join us on October 31st for a Room K-3 family read-in at 2:30 PM!  Students and parents will read non-fiction books about pumpkins, non-fiction books about autumn, and some 'scary' stories.  If you would like to join us and read to a small group of kids please email our Room K-3 room parent at the address I provided over email.  I have a lot of books to share but if you would like to bring a favorite from home that is fine too.  If you do not want to read but still want to join us that is possible too!  Younger siblings are welcome to come as well.  While we read the kids will enjoy snacking on healthy items like popcorn and carrot sticks.  If you are interested in bringing some simple popcorn, carrot sticks, or something similar let our Room K-3 room parent know when you email.  Please do not send in any cookies, candies, or other sweets, save that for trick-or-treating later in the evening.

No Costumes on Halloween Please
For families new to Ann Arbor STEAM please be advised that students do not wear costumes to school on Halloween.  Also, as I wrote above, please do not send in any cookies, candies, or other sweets, save that for trick-or-treating later in the evening.

Conferences
Thank you for signing up, you can review your times on the document I sent out today over email.

Half Day For Students Next Wednesday
Wednesday, October 24th, will be a half-day for students.  Students will be dismissed at 12:52 PM.

Farmers' Market for Kids Coming To A2STEAM
This Thursday, as part of the Healthy Foods Initiative, we will be having a farmers' for kids on our playground.  Students will get a chance to choose one or two pieces of healthy produce.  Look for that produce to come home with students on Thursday.

Fall Festival
The A2STEAM Fall Festival is this Friday.  More information can be found here.

Curriculum Overview
Science - This week students are taking what they learned about structure and function and using that knowledge to design a paintbrush that can paint in a unique way.  More information to come through SeeSaw.

Reading - Students will be identifying the characters in fiction books.  Ask your kids about A Letter To Amy, Tikki Tikki Tembo, and Snowy Day.  We will also be discussing the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.

Writing - We will be doing some writing around our Project Lead The Way unit on structure and function. Students will be writing about their experience building houses and will plan out different designs for a unique paintbrush.

Math - We will be studying graphs and working with numbers up to 12.

Word Study - This week we will study the spelling of our names and look for similarities in our names like matching beginning sounds and spelling patterns.  We will also be sorting word pictures into different categories.

Family Reading Event on October 31st

To celebrate a good behavior milestone we had a 'Spark Party' where students made and flew paper airplanes. We will earn other 'Spark Parties'
throughout the year where students will get to do things like: make bracelets, bounce bouncy balls, or bring in stuffed animals to school.

October 31st Family Reading Event
I am working with our room parent to put together a fun reading event in class on the afternoon of the 31st, around 2:30 PM.  More details to come.

Another Half Day For Students Coming Up
Wednesday, October 24th, will be a half-day for students.  Students will be dismissed early at 12:52 PM.  We will still have lunch at school.  The buses will run like they do on a normal school day just earlier.  Aftercare, will not be in session.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Over email I sent out a sign up for late October Parent/Teacher conferences. Please sign up. if you can't find the time you need, no problem, just email me.

Curriculum Overview
Science - We are working on a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) module on structure and function.  Last week we read The Three Little Pigs and students began building houses that can withstand wind.  Towards the end of this week students will begin to imagine and build a unique kind of paintbrush that serves a specific function--more information to come over SeeSaw.

Reading - This week students will begin identifying the characters in fiction books.  Ask your kids about A Letter To Amy.

Writing - We will be doing some writing around our Project Lead The Way unit on structure and function. 

Math - At the beginning of the week we will study hexagons.  Later in the week we will make some simple graphs showing data about ourselves (like our birth months) and our classroom.

Word Study - This week we will study the spelling of our names and look for similarities in our names like matching beginning sounds and spelling patterns.  We will also begin sorting word pictures into different categories.

We have been reading simple books with patterned text.  We are practicing pointing to words as we read them.

I often have students read together in partners.