Mrs. Poulin

FRIDAY IS TEAM SPIRIT DAY!

Hello Everyone,

     So much has been going on in our classroom over the last couple of weeks!

     Our 3rd grade was fortunate to have a special volunteer come to teach us about cartography, better know as maps.  Mr. Carpenter has been a faithful volunteer, sharing his knowledge and practicing "hands on" mapping with the students. This year the children plotted out roadways from a neighboring community.  Our thanks to Dave Carpenter for his continued dedication to our schools.

     In Social Studies, we have been studying our government.  We have learned about the 3 branches of government, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Tomorrow, as part of this unit,  State Representative Gary Connor will be spending an hour with our class doing a fun activity about the branches of government; more specifically the legislative branch.  Rep. Connor came last year as well, and it was one of our favorite activities!  Next week we will be holding a mock election on Tuesday morning.  In preparation , the children will be printing voter registration cards and completing a "President for a day" activity in Computer Lab this week.  The children will be required to show these voter registration cards in order to participate in the election on Tuesday.  We will also watch some election coverage and follow up on Wed. with some exploration into the Electoral College and the election results.  Will our 3rd graders vote as the nation does? Stay tuned! Check out the Homework Links section of the KES for some fun government websites as well!

     In our Writer's Workshop, the children have been working very hard on writing a story about their hero! We will honor our heroes at a "Heroes Celebration" on Friday, November 7, 2008 at 1:00 in the gathering space.  Refreshments will be served follwoing the ceremony.  I hope you all can attend!  I am hoping that my hero will be able to attend this year as well! 

     During our Reader's Workshop last week the kids were introduced to their Reader's Notebooks and we practiced using the first 2 sections: The Reading Log, and Accelerated Readers Quiz folder.  This week I will introduce the Reading Response section.  We are ready to begin our guided reading groups, and our volunteers are spending a lot of time giving the children many opportunities to read aloud.  It really feels like all of the pieces are coming together!

     In math we finished up Unit 2 and are beginning Unit 3.  For the next 2 ½ weeks, we will be working on Measurement. You can help your child at home by reviewing with them how to measure to the nearest ¼ inch and centimeter. Other areas that we will be talking about include perimeter, area, diameter and circumference. For more information, please be sure to read the Family Letter that is coming home this evening.

CONFERENCES: A conference sign-up sheet came home last Thursday.  Spaces are filling up fast, so be sure and send yours back in ASAP.  If you didn't receive one, please let me know and I will send another copy home!  I am looking forward to meeting with all of you!

I think that covers it!  It's hard to believe that November is right around the corner!

Have a great week!

Jen