Weekly News 11/22

Happy Friday! It's been a week of deepening our thinking, challenging ourselves and engaging in meaningful conversations about our learning.  We are wrapping up our Great Bay inquiry by choosing a way to share our knowledge about why the Great Bay is worth protecting and what we can do to help.  We spent time looking at a lot of data (see pictures below!) and interpreting the information about the natural and man made ways the bay has changed.  A highlight was having Abigail Lyons, a Great Bay expert, come in to answer all of our unanswered questions about the bay. 

In reading, students are about halfway done with book groups and we've shifted the format a little bit.  We noticed that the conversations falling a little flat so we began using a simple T-chart labeled "text" and "thinking".  After a lot of modeling and guided practice students used this format to reflect on each section of reading to think of two parts of the book that they had some deep thinking they wanted to share.  We had a discussion after our first meetings using these T-charts and the feedback was that the conversations were deeper, longer and more focused.  So, we will continue using this format!

In writing, we are wrapping up our narrative writing unit by focusing heavily on revising, editing and peer feedback.  Students are starting to meet with peers to give feedback on how to incorporate the lessons into their writing and students are practicing going back to their writing after receiving feedback.  Teachers have been meeting with students throughout the process and we will do one final conference after the peer feedback session.  Soon, you will see these stories on Seesaw.  These stories will not be "perfect" but reflective of the student's learning and growth throughout this unit.  All students' stories have progressed from the beginning of the unit!

In third grade math we have been focusing on several strategies for adding and subtracting three digit numbers.  Students have been exposed to and practiced using an open number line, using expanded form and traditional addition and subtraction.  Students are able to use any strategy they feel comfortable with to add and subtract.  Up next, we will be applying these strategies in problem solving. 

After reviewing addition and subtraction strategies, the 4th graders have been working on applying those skills to problem solving.  This we sorted word problems based on whether you should add or subtract to solve.  This helped up tune in to key words like "combined," "how much more," and "total." Students then worked to solve word problems that involved more than 1 step and compare strategies with a partner.  We finished the week by doing some real world math using data tied to our Great Bay inquiry.  Students looked at data about the number of volunteer hours people spent in 2015 and 2016.  They used the data to ask questions and got busy solving!

Upcoming:
Book fair- both classes will be visiting the book fair on Wednesday, December 4th

It's the season to reflect on what we are grateful for and we want to share that we are grateful for our students, our families and our amazing SMS community.  We feel so fortunate to love our jobs and to spend time with your children every day.  We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving next week!