Here's what we've been working on...
Math
We continue to investigate two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry; last week, we practiced classifying and sorting "mystery collections" of 2D and 3D objects by their various attributes, reviewed different types of angles, and learned how to identify, sketch, and describe acute, obtuse, right, scalene, and isoceles triangles. In another lesson, students manipulated tangram pieces to create various polygons. This week, it's all about quadrilaterals - we are learning how to identify and describe quadrilaterals based on their various attributes, and what qualifies a quadrilateral to be a parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, or trapezoid.
Here's a fun Tangram Math Art video to share with the kids:
If your child needs some review, click here to watch an excellent video from the folks at LearnZillion on how to describe and classify quadrilaterals - key concepts we've been working on in class.
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Writing
We were fortunate to have an author-in-residence for two days of Writer's Workshop lessons - local acclaimed author Rosanne Parry (Written in Stone, Heart of a Shepherd, Second Fiddle) came to our classroom and gave us valuable advice about writing. We learned about how to create a great setting for your story, tips for fleshing out an interesting character, and how the arc of a good story works. Here are Rosanne's tips for brainstorming story settings:
1. List 3 places you’ve lived or visited.
2. List 3 places you’d visit if it were free.
3. List 3 story settings that you’d like to visit.
What dangers or adventures are possible in my setting?
What is unique and interesting about my setting?
Thank you to Mrs. Fisher and Roseanne Parry for hosting the "Family Write Night" as well - hopefully some of you were able to make it out!
Having finished the Chinook Narratives, we've been working on persuasive writing this week as students draft, revise, and edit a response to this controversial Toys R' Us advertisement:
I showed the kids the commercial, and simply asked them what they thought this video was saying about kids and nature. The kids had some interesting discussions and concluded that yes - toys are awesome and fun, but this ad has a problem: it doesn't match up with the love of nature they've come to find through hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, playing, and learning outdoors. They are currently drafting passionate letters to Toys R Us.
Social Studies - Tribal Heritage Night a Success!! (more photos to come, too!)
Last week, though cut short by snow days, was all about preparing for the Tribal Cultural Heritage Education Night. Students worked on native plant posters and reviewed their knowledge of Chinookan lifeways and salmon ecology. Greg Archuleta from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde visited our classroom and taught students Chinuk Wawa (language) basics, traditional paint-making, and dentalium shell necklace-making. The questions the kids had during our closing circle were very earnest and thoughtful! The evening event was quite special as well - we were honored to have Greg Archuleta, David Harrelson (Grand Ronde Cultural Protection Specialist), Sam Robinson (Chair, Chinook Indian Tribe), Eric Bernando (Chinook Language Revitalization Expert), Savannah Ingram (Grand Ronde Veterans Queen), Annette Ingram, and Debi Anderson. What a neat opportunity for the third graders to reinforce their classroom learning alongside members of our school, island, and nearby tribal communities. We had a great turnout, despite our iffy weather - thank you all for coming out!!
Science
We learned more about fish anatomy in a hands-on science lesson where we dissected some rainbow trout in the classroom with our friend James Sterrett from LCREP. Students did a good job with this task. The room was abuzz with learning as kids were methodical with the procedure and inquisitive about the organs and their functions.
Click here for a "virtual" fish dissection kids can do to review their fish anatomy:
http://www.portlandfreeschool.
We also had Mr. Robert Weinman from The Beachwalk Project come and talk to our class about his amazing adventures paddling rivers and oceans both near and far to educate the public about protecting our precious watersheds. The kids were pretty amazed at his stories!
Reminder: Field Study tomorrow (Thursday) morning at Wapato Park - it will be very cold, so please make sure your child is dressed for the weather!
That's all the news for now!
Warm regards,
Asa
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