I can't believe it's Thursday again already!  The week has been very full, and it has all been wonderful. The students are starting to feel comfortable with our classroom routines and expectations, and we are all getting to know each other quite well. We are still spending a good amount of time reviewing expectations and playing games to learn about working together, but we have also started some academics.  I do my best to take it slowly -- we are all so rushed in life, and I want the students to feel more joy and less pressure!

I know you have all seen the math letter that came home so you know a little bit about what we are doing in math. Both grade levels have started a multiplication unit. Third graders are learning that multiplication is the same thing as EQUAL GROUPS, and I am already seeing a lot of "ah has" happening! Fourth graders are reviewing multiplication concepts and making arrays to show dimensions and area. They are learning about prime and composite and square numbers.   During Menu time, they are practicing their math facts, completing a tune-up "windowpane" sheet, and playing Prodigy Math.  They seem to be enjoying this a lot!

During reading time, we are still learning about how we choose books, where we record what we are reading, and how we stop to jot our thoughts. We are spending about 30 - 45 minutes a day reading quietly, and I am astounded daily that this class loves to read!  We will begin our first true fiction reading unit, as well as our first narrative writing unit, the week after next.

Finally, we have started our first science unit which is about energy. So far the students have learned what energy is, what some possible ways are to store it, and what "stored energy" (or potential energy) means. We had a lot of fun making rubber band racers, and we will actually race them tomorrow!  Then we will spend some time modifying thing as a fun engineering challenge.

Thank you to all of you for sending in permission slips and money. We are excited about our trip to the Maritime Museum next week. We have added an additional field trip next Friday -- we will be walking down to the park behind the Red Mill to begin our tree study, thanks to Josh Halman. We will be choosing some trees to observe over the course of the year, learning about how to identify them, how they change, and much more! Assuming we have good weather, we will leave at around 9:00 and be back in time to have our pictures taken at 11:00. I'd love to have some extra adults to help! If you are interested in joining us, and if you have filled out a volunteer form in the past 5 years, let me know. Feel free to check in with the office if you are unsure whether your forms are on file.

Next week's sharing theme is "something shiny." Many students are forgetting to bring their sharing in on their sharing day. Please try to help them remembers. No one HAS to share every week, but sharing from time to time is really good for their confidence and helps us learn to listen and speak to each other respectfully. Of course, the theme is only a suggestion, and the students can share something different if they want.

I think that's all for this week! As always, feel free to email or call me with any questions. This class rocks!