Writing
In writing workshop we're focusing on opinion writing. This includes writing a clear opinion statement that is supported with relevant reasons and evidence. Recently, we've been revisiting Red Clover Nominee books from the last four years and considering which books students felt were really worthy of the award. We've focused on the particular structure of writing opinion pieces, and supplying enough evidence to convince readers. During the next couple of weeks will continue to refine this writing work by elaborating and adding more voice to strengthen pieces.
For this particular unit, students are now being given the choice to use their chromebooks and write on Google Docs, or use pencil and paper. We're learning more about the Google domain and it's advantages for revising and editing, but it is also important to still offer some student choice, as keyboarding is still challenging for many. Any time that you can find at home for your child to practice keyboarding is truly beneficial.
Reading and Discovery
We'll be wrapping up our mystery unit in the next week or so. Students have done a great job reading a variety of mysteries and concentrating on being great reading detectives. They've become more adept at picking out clues, identifying suspects, and reading on "high alert" for suspicious characters and events. Students have learned what "red herrings" are and have made great progress identifying key and fake clues, sometimes even identifying some solutions before they are revealed in the text. Students have also become detectives in Discovery class. They are realizing the importance of close observation and have conducted investigations with both lip and fingerprints. We may just have some budding forensic scientists in our midst!
Spelling/Grammar
We've continued to work on parts of speech. This week we've focused on verbs and verb tenses. We've concentrated on the fact that verbs need to change in their spelling to indicate present, past and future tenses.
SBAC: Our third grade students will be participating in their first SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) assessments in early May. The testing window for 3rd grade will be May 2nd-May10th. We will be doing assessment preparation with students during our Reteach block beginning April 9th. It is important for third graders to participate in practice tests so that they can learn the computer navigation skills necessary for these online assessments. Both Mrs. Christiano and Mrs. Christy will be working with students on this prep, as well as when doing the actual assessments in May.
Upcoming and Ongoing Special Events
- Monday, April 2: All school assembly for East Montpelier's very own Olympian Liz Stephen. Students are invited to wear red, white and blue in celebration of Liz's accomplishments as she retires from her professional skiing career.
- Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6: Student Led Conferences-you should have received your confirmation time in last week's Friday Folder. Let us know if you're not sure of your time.
- March 27-April 12:The EMES Student Leadership Team is sponsoring a Food Drive to Benefit the East Montpelier and Calais Food Shelf located at The Old Brick Church. A collection box will be located in each classroom as well as along the hallways of EMES. Helpful items include:
- Canned meat, soup, and vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Whole grain cereals
- Olive and Canola oil
- Pasta and pasta sauces
- Tuna
- Healthy snacks like granola bars, nuts and dried fruit
- April 15-22: WCSU Spring Break
Other Reminders
- The playground is wet and muddy, indoor and outdoor shoes are really a necessity until things melt and dry up!
- Sharing after break involves two important literacy assignments, the writing of an opinion piece and the sharing of a mystery book. Students should be preparing now so they have plenty of time to do this work well. Support materials have been sent home.
