Thousand Island Nature Center

Field Trip

Kaukauna

Thursday, April 25

8:30 AM - 2:45 PM

Arrangements have been made for our third graders to experience an environmental education field trip to the Thousand Island Nature Center in Kaukauna. Students will visit learning stations, all related to the study of birds. They will also take a group hike to view the habitat of birds in this area, including the bald eagles' nest. This field trip is a very good educational extension to our informational writing project on birds and our science curriculum.

Each student should hand carry a healthy bag lunch and a beverage, as we will be eating at the center. We will travel by bus, leaving school at about 8:30 AM and returning at 2:45 PM. Please watch the weather for Thursday and dress appropriately for that day. Wear hiking shoes, too.

Students will be supervised by their classroom teachers and parent volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me. Our bus is full with the students, so volunteers will need to drive to the nature center. Volunteers do not need to pay the $5.00

The cost of the all day experience is $5.00 per student. This covers the entrance fee to the nature center and transportation. This money should be brought to school by Thursday, April 25.

I'm looking forward to sharing the experience at Thousand Island Nature Center with my students. 

Informational Writing

Monday was an exciting day! Each student choose a Wisconsin bird to research. I hope by now your son/daughter has shared the Informational Writing Sheet with you. This sheet explains the process of how the writing will be accomplished. My expectations are also listed on the sheet. If you haven't already, please read this sheet and sign it. I want to thank you ahead of time for your support on this writing.

Start bird watching. Yesterday I saw an indigo bunting at our birdfeeder. The songbirds are starting to return, even if the weather is chilly. Since the leaves are not yet on the trees, bird watching is easier.

Keep talking to your child about their informational writing. Take a trip to the public library. We do provide books from our school library, but it's always educational to find our own resouces. I am providing an article from a website as well. Visit www.allaboutbirds.org.

Social Studies News

Tic-Tac-Toe Activity Choices

Social Studies class is finding the students working on various projects.  The classroom is full of voices using social studies vocabulary. Some students are reading a United States map, some are writing and others are reading nonfiction and fiction books. By now you know that your child has selected 3 of the above projects. Some work time will be given in school, but depending on the project and your child's effort, they probably will need to work on their project at home. I have instructed the students to keep all completed projects in their social studies folder. Anyone contructing a vehicle may bring it in and I will keep it for them. All projects are due Friday, April 12.

Memorizing Spelling Words

At Parent/Teacher conferences I talked with some parents about different ways to study spelling words at home. It is something you should do every night. But how do you keep your son or daughter's enthusiasm? I found a sheet that has 10 different suggestions for studying words. On Monday, March 11, your child will bring this sheet home. It's called "An Activity A Day." You can have your child close their eyes and point at the sheet to see which activity to do. Or grab a pencil and a paperclip. Put the paperclip at the point of the pencil and hold the pencil firmly. You just made a spinner. Now have your child spin the paperclip to see which spelling activity to do that night. Above are two of the activities from the sheet. I hope these ideas help you and your child enjoy studying their spelling words.

FANG'S READING CLUB

      Spring must be near, because the students are now reading to earn a free Timber Rattler ticket. Fang's Reading Club started Friday, February 8 and will continue until Monday, March 18. The third grade is using the Record Sheet to keep track of Fang's Reading Minutes. This way, your children are not doing additional reading time. When your child hands in the Record Sheet on Mondays, I will record the minutes (as I always do) and record who accomplishes the 210 reading minute goal. The Record Sheet handed in this coming Monday, February 18, will be the 1st Base Prize.  It will be up to you and your child to fill in Fang's character and return that to school. Each student has a ball diamond to place Fang on the correct base.

     Spring is coming, so keep on reading!

Back on my Blog

Here's the latest news: 

Our class Valentine Party is this Thursday. Everyone should bring their cards and a Valentine Card Holder to school on Thursday. The party is starting at 9:30. The menu is muffins and fresh fruit. You won't need to pack a healthy snack on Thursday. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our class has Jump Rope for Heart this Friday. The kids will be jumping from 1:45-2:15. They will come home tired! Remember to dress for jumping rope.

Looking Ahead:

Conferences are Wednesday, February 27, Thursday, February 28 and Friday, March 1. Be sure you know when your conference is.

Reading Buddy Day

Our class pairs up with Mrs. Frost's kindergarten class when it's time for Reading Buddies. Today all of the students at Spring Road enjoyed sharing a good book with another class.