Classroom Update

Here's what's going in in Room 301:

Morning Meeting: Our stuffies have returned from their helium balloon trip to Indonesia. They brought back a Betta Fish Rescue, who the class named Ace of the Seas. Tossing Chunky Monkey continues to be one of our favorite greetings, so we're glad he returned safely.
Math: Our main focus is the connection between fractions, decimals, and percents. Students will apply this knowledge to solve discount number stories and create their own surveys.
Recess: The snow piles are glorious, so please send your child in with appropriate snow gear.
Reading: We are wrapping up our fabulous read aloud, Counting on Grace. Lewis Hine has entered the story and we are reading an excerpt from the book Kids on Strike to learn more about him and the National Labor Committee. While reading this selection, the children are practicing the skills they have learned for reading non-fiction. Partnerships and independent reading are going strong!
Social Studies: Our current unit is Maine's People and Their Role in History. We are reading a variety of non-fiction texts and doing research through different media sources. Our goal is to use this research to not only learn about Maine's people, but to also write a class play.
Writing: The children are writing letters and speeches for this unit. Each piece's intent to is to persuade readers and listeners. Some of the speeches have a project connected to them, so your child may be asking you if they can bring in items to help. Through anecdotes, research, thinking questions, interviews, and repetition, the children are learning the art of persuasive writing.

Important Dates:
3/3 NAEP Testing
3/13 No School for Students- Professional Development Day
3/25 Maine Historical Society/Osher Map Library Trip (permission slip going home next week)
4/15 Portland Museum of Art Trip