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.