Chex Mix~December Kindness Project!

CHEX MIX KINDNESS PROJECT

CC~3 Community Service Project

For many years the students in our classes have completed a community service project during the holidays.  The project is THE WORLD newspaper’s “SANTA PROJECT”.  This project collects money and buys new coats, hats, boots, and mittens for Central Vermont children.  This year, we will once again, make and sell “Chex Mix” as a fundraiser for this project.  We will make the mix on Thursday, December 14th and sell it on Friday, December 15th to students, staff and families of EMES.  The cost will be $1.00 per bag.

In order for this project to be a success we are asking families for donations of mix supplies.  It is truly amazing and fun for the kids to see all the great contributions we receive each year.  We need many, many boxes of cereal it can be Chex or a generic variety, it doesn’t matter the brand!  We cannot accept any nuts or products that contain any honey-nut ingredients.  Please check ingredients before sending in contributions, pretzels can be especially tricky!  Following is a list of types of cereals, etc. we can use:

• Wheat Chex                                    Goldfish style crackers
• Corn chex                                        Cheez-it style crackers
• Rice chex                                        Small pretzels-check labels!
• Cheerios (no honey nut)                    Mini melba toast                   

We will supply the spices, butter and baggies for the project.  Please send in your donations by Wednesday, December 13th so we can plan accordingly.

Thank you for your generosity in this important event.  We know how expensive groceries are, so we really appreciate your help in teaching this important lesson of giving to our students.

Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us with any questions!  If you can help bake or bag the mix the afternoon of Thursday,December 14h, please let us know.  THANK YOU!!

Sincerely,

Christine Christiano

Kathy Christy

Updates and Happy Thanksgiving!

 Although we've only had two days this week, we've been busy in CC~3! We  finished up our USA state posters and have shared them with each other as well as our first and second grade friends.  After our Thanksgiving break we will be launching new units of study in discovery and literacy.

Our discovery (aka science and social studies) topic will be "Processes that Change and Shape the Earth".  This study will include exploring erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.

In literacy we will be focusing on both non-fiction reading and writing.  Our reading unit is entitled, "Reading to Learn: Grasping Main Ideas and Text Structures".  There are several focal points of this unit.  First, we'll focus on recognizing how non-fiction texts are organized and structured.  Then, we'll look at similarities and differences of non-fiction text written in expository versus narrative form. Finally, we'll be concentrating on main ideas in a variety of non-fiction texts and how they are supported with details and evidence.

Our writing unit is entitled: "The Art of Information Writing".  This is a really fun unit for students as they shift from writing as storytellers to teachers of information.  The unit will obviously have many connections to our simultaneous reading unit.  Major goals of this unit include: writing well structured pieces that include chapters of subtopics, writing from the point of view of an expert, including text features that support teaching and doing a bit of research to enhance topics.

We wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great long weekend!  We are truly thankful to work in such an amazing school, with children and families that are so supportive and kind.  We hope you have fabulous family celebrations with loved ones.

Outdoor Gear & Recorders for Music Class!

Wet, cold, muddy weather is here.  It is critically important for students to have the proper outdoor gear, especially a different pair of shoes for indoors.  If this is a hardship for your family please let us know and we'll do our best to get the proper clothing and footwear your child needs. Many students are coming outside on cold recess days without proper coats, hats, mittens/gloves, etc.  Thanks for helping us keep your child healthy and safe.

Below, please find a copy of the information Ms. Gelfon sent home with 3rd graders on Tuesday, November 14th.  It is a timely note, with a November 21st deadline.  Thanks! 

EMES Music

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As part of the 3rd grade music curriculum, students at EMES learn to play the recorder. Learning recorder is an exciting part of the 3rd grade music curriculum, and gives students a chance to experience instrumental playing in an ensemble setting.  The fine motor and cognitive skills learned through playing the recorder prepare students to play a band instrument 4th grade, if they so desire.

If your child has a recorder already at home, that is great!  If your child needs to purchase a recorder, please send the filled-out slip below and a check for $6.75 made payable to Ellis Music Company. Slips and checks should be brought in to Miss Gelfon by November 21st

Thank you in advance for your support!  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Samantha Gelfon

Music Teacher, East Montpelier Elementary School

sgelfon@u32.org

Child’s Name (first and last):  _______________________________________

Color Option (check one):    ___  Blue        ____ Green      ____Pink     ___Tan

Please have your child return this slip to Miss Gelfon no later than November 21st.  Also, please do not forget to make checks for $6.75 payable to Ellis Music Company.  Thank you!

It’s SHOW TIME!

Students have been having a grand time preparing for Thursday’s EMES CIRCUS!  We hope you'll all be able to join us at U-32 on this Thursday, November 16, 2017.  The show will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Students need to arrive at the U-32 gymnasium no earlier than 5:45 p.m. (we aren't able to access the space until then).  We are requesting that students wear dark, comfy bottoms and solid color tee shirts for the show.  If your child does not have a solid tee shirt, it's fine to just wear one inside out!  It promises to be a GREAT SHOW!  Please email us at kchristy@u32 and cchristiano@u32.org if you have any questions.  See you Thursday!

Updates for the week!

We hope all families have regained power from our recent storm, we know it was a challenging week for many of you!  Monday's storm and missed day of school caught us all by surprise, that was followed up by Halloween, Wednesday's field trip, and Friday's special Harvest Feast, it was quite a week!

Our field trip to the Mill Stone in Barre was an incredible experience for all of us!  We were so proud of all of the kids and their willingness to challenge themselves by setting a goal and persevering to meet it. A huge thank you to Mr. Blanchard for his planning and expertise and to all the family members that came along as drivers and chaperones.  It was a fabulous day!

Literacy Updates
We're currently focusing on navigating non-fiction (informational text) in reader's and writer's workshop.  This work is also connected to our global studies curriculum.  Students are currently learning about the regions of the USA, and also choosing a state of interest to research.

We're really paying attention to text features and how they help us navigate informational text.  For example, this week a major mini-lesson was to "Rev up our minds" before reading non-fiction.  This means to ask ourselves the important question "What do I think this text will be about?" We also focus on revving up by reading text features. This includes reading the table of contents, headings, sub headings, pictures, captions, diagrams, charts, etc.  to help us warm up for the more complex reading ahead.  Student enthusiasm and engagement has been high in this work.

Please encourage your child to do a variety of reading at home.  Reading non-fiction is extremely important to creating a well balanced reader.  It's always wonderful for kids to read and explore non-fiction magazines as well.  Reading recipes, catalogs and even cereal boxes are great practices!  Here are a few pictures of books and links to some popular non-fiction series and/or sites for third graders.
Who Was? What Was? Where Is? Series
National Geographic Kids Website
National Wildlife Federation/Ranger Rick Site
Ben's Guide to the USA Site

The Circus is coming!  

This week begins our EMES Circus residency!  On Thursday, November 16th EMES students will be performing at U-32 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  We'll fill you in on any more information you may need as the residency gets going. 

Reminders:

• It's getting chilly and wet on the playground.  Please help your child remember proper clothing.  Leaving a pair of indoor shoes in lockers is a huge help!
• Homework~Some students are struggling to remember their share day and/or being prepared for sharing.  The sharing calendar link is right here on the upper right hand corner of our blog page.  
• Is your child reading independently 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week?  Students are always welcome to borrow books from our extensive classroom library as well as the EMES library.
• We look forward to meeting with all of you at conferences on Thursday evening  and Friday.  Remember, there is no school for students on Friday, November 10th!

 Enjoy the rest of your weekend!