Week 24: MidWinter Break

  

As part of Our Science unit, Balancing Forces, our dedicated scientists had to solve the Floating Paperclip Challenge. They were challenged to find a way to make a paperclip float using two pieces of cardboard, magnets, a cup, 8 inches of string and the paperclip. Afterwards, they made diagrams to record their experiments.

After we return from the MidWinter Recess, here's some of what we are doing next:

• Our students will start a new Math unit. Chapter 8 (Understand Fractions) will focus on having students learn the basic concepts of fractions and how these numbers are represented. This unit can be challenging since our children have only worked with whole numbers. It is important to remember that it will take time for students to get use to representing amounts less than one and comparing the amount to a whole. Here are some links to help prepare your child:

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/identify-equal-parts

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/fracTut1.htm

• In Writing, we will also conclude our mini unit on Poetry. Students have written their own poems the past two weeks in preparation to submit an entry in the school's annual published anthology. Afterwards, we will focus on English Language Arts review to help our students prepare for the New York State English Language Arts Test. 
• In Reading, we will continue to work on nonfiction texts, focusing on Narrative nonfiction. This includes historical accounts and biographies. Students will use the chronological structure to help them determine the meaning of the overall text. We will also begin to look at Nonfiction as it appears in the New York State English Language Arts Test and apply strategies we have learned to help us read these texts.
• We have spent the last weeks focusing on celebrations in Chinese culture and learning about the geography of this country. Next we will learn about the daily life of people living in China. Check out the film from our trip to Chen Dance Center this week.
• We are also heading to the Armory on Tuesday.

Have a wonderful weekend and a relaxing MidWinter Recess!