Is it really February?!? With this splendid and surprising weather, we’ve been trying to get outside as much as possible! Indoors our out, our learning has been in full swing.
**Reminder to Grade 3 families about the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) standardized test is this coming Monday, Feb. 27 and Tuesday, Feb.28.
Day 1 will focus on Mathematical Literacy and a Writing Task.
Day 2 will focus on Reading and another Writing Task.
Please be sure to arrive to school ON TIME at 8:10am. Here is how your can help your learner on the mornings of:
- Ensure that they get plenty of sleep. No homework and early to bed! (STRICT orders from Gaby!)
- Ensure that they eat a full, balanced breakfast! (balanced protein/carb intake :) )
- Empower them to know that they have everything they need to be successful. Only thing they need to do is read directions carefully.
In Grade 2
Math Workshop: 2nd graders continued on with the geometry unit this week. We looked at features of shapes, such as vertices, edges, and faces, and looked at how shapes are similar and different. It was impressive to see how quickly students learned this concept and applied it in their work. This week, students will continue on with geometry concepts, such as congruency, and will also work on some fact fluency as we wrap up our geometry unit by the end of the week.
Readers’ and Writers’ Workshop: This week, we wrapped up our character traits unit in reading workshop. Students put on display their strong understanding of character traits by inferring and predicting in both group and independent reading. The next unit will be reading nonfiction, which will tie in nicely to our current writing workshop unit, nonfiction writing. In writing workshop, students have made tons of progress in writing their “all about” books. Students brainstormed ideas, completed graphic organizers, formulated research questions, and have started to answer their own questions through further research and reading. This unit has given students a great opportunity to show off their knowledge, and their passion for their subjects has really shown through. We are excited to read every students “all about” book in the coming weeks!
In Grade 3
Math Workshop: This week we introduced the new topic of Measurement. We discussed different units of measurement and tools for measurement. We then explored measuring with a variety of non-standard measuring tools all over the building after making our own predictions of what those measurements might be. We created, in our math journal, a table to show our predictions and actual measurements as well as the chosen tool. We also explored measuring using inches. Each student got a blank paper ruler to label every ¼ of an inch. We practiced measuring items to the nearest whole, half, and quarter of an inch as well as when to round up or down. While fun, it was clear that everyone feels comfortable knowing which items make sense to measure with a ruler! The following day we split up into groups and took turns measuring each other’s standing height and seated height using tape measures. There was so much discrepancy between measurements! How can 2 different people get differing measurements of the same person using the same tool? What would cause this? We discussed how to get a most accurate reading, then came to a consensus on everyone’s heights. Following this, we created a line plot chart that shows the seated and standing heights (to the nearest inch) in the class.
Dreambox:
In Readers’ Workshop, making inferences is still front in center! We continued to model how readers can infer through the actions that take place in the story, not just through dialogue. We also paid careful attention to the settings of the books we are reading in class. We did a quick jot down on a class chart of where the story is taking place, and a few words that describe it. We also put a little sticky on the pages where we read the setting being “fleshed out”.
In Writers’ Workshop: we continued working on our writing craft by adding meaningful dialogue with appropriate punctuation to our pieces. Our characters are nicely developed and are moving the story forward. We began talking about ways to flesh out our settings so that our readers can really feel the importance of where our story takes place and how our setting is important to the story itself, and even spent time outdoors writing for inspiration. Would Caden’s storyline in the forest be the same if it were to take place in Kai’s setting of Chile? How does the setting you choose affect what happens in your story? These are all careful decisions writers make.
In our 2/3 learning community
IB Unit Inquiry: We learned last week what our global partner school in Nicaragua says is their greatest problem with water. They have their water service cut on a regular basis because there is not enough clean water for their community. Our children were able to contrast that with what we decided was our greatest problem here in New Jersey - people wasting water. This week each child will work with a partner to design something that could be 3D printed that would help our friends in Nicaragua. We are looking forward to see what they design.
Important Dates and Reminders:
February 27, Monday - ISA Testing (Grades 3, 4 & 5)
February 28, Tuesday - ISA Testing (Grades 3, 4 & 5)
March 1, Wednesday - ISA Testing (Grades 3, 4 & 5)
March 2, Pizza Thursday
March 3, Focus Friday - 12:00 Dismissal
March 4, Saturday - Annie Jr. Dress Rehearsal 12:00-4:00pm
March 6, Monday - PJS Spirit Day, Student Commendations and March Birthdays
March 7, Tuesday - Dr. Ciano (ECP Dentist Presentation @ 9:00 am)
March 10 & 11, Friday & Saturday - Annie Jr. Play @ 7:00pm - Tickets available.
March 14, Tuesday - PJSPA Meeting @ 7:00pm
March 16, Pizza Thursday
March 20 - April 2 - Spring Recess
April 3, Monday - Classes Resume