Dear Families,
Well, I am glad to be back in the classroom finally! My shoulder is healing well, but I did recently hyper-extend my knee; talk about the walking wounded!!
I appreciate your support and help in the next few weeks. Remember if you have time Wednesday mornings are a great time to stop by, the kids are in art and I could use help wiping down desks, sharpening pencils, and hanging student work.
This month students are working on the 3rd grade Portland bridge project. It is a great time of learning teamwork, problem solving, and researching the city's bridges. All in preparation for their own bridge building and speech due in March. Mrs. Van Clack will have more information on the expectations for this project coming home soon.
We continue to work on multiplication and division this quarter. Memorization of basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication basic facts is important. If they can practice with flashcards frequently that would be good for them. Also, if they can access the internet, they can do Freckle Math; if an adult has time to sit with them, even for 15 minutes, and talk through the problems, that would be really helpful.
In reading we are continuing look at non-fiction books and their text features, as well as beginning to look at biographies. We are drafting opinion papers and supporting our opinions with evidence or specific reasons. Continue to encourage your child to read every night at home, as that is part of the school's homework expectation.
Keep Thursday, February 21st, in mind, as we are so excited to have our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) night at Grout. It will be in conjunction with our kindergarten round-up. Come as a family and check out the hands on activities in the gym and cafeteria. We will be there from 6:00-7:30pm.
Our Grout community continues to focus on kindness. We are participating in a coin drive for Pennies for Patients, students came home with information and a coin box for this project.
Information regarding our Valentines' Day activities will be coming home on Monday the 4th.
As always I appreciate working with you in helping your child to be successful.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Neal
