9/14/17

Dear Families,

We have been very busy the last few weeks working to build our classroom community.  We have participated in a variety of teambuilding scenarios to work on skills that include:  communication, compromise, helping each other, paying attention to the needs of the group, creative problem solving, and the ability to ask for help when it’s needed.  These activities are fun, but the main goal is for students to internalize the strategies they used working together in games, and apply it in the classroom.  We have also been spending time learning more about our classmates, by sharing the amazing memory boxes that each student brought in to share.  

Students will begin MAP testing next week.  The results of these assessments provide teachers with information on each student in regards to their reading and math development.  This information will allow Ms. Figdor and I to deliver content at a level that aligns with each student’s needs.  Students will be taking the math assessment on Monday with Ms. Figdor, and the reading section with me on Wednesday.  If you have any questions about this new tool please let me know.  

We have had an amazing first learning experience in science this week.  Each student was asked to make a prediction about what they think would happen to a gummy bear when left in cold water overnight.  Every single student predicted that their gummy bear would dissolve in water, based on a similar experiment we did last year with Gobstoppers.  What we found is that they actually absorbed water, and some even tripled in size!!  We took the experiment even further by changing the liquid, or the gummy animal used.  Choices included corn syrup, milk, water, gummy worms, and sour gummy worms.  After a process of elimination we decided that it was the water being absorbed, regardless of the object placed in it.  

Students will be coming home each week with Friday Letters.  These letters will help you know what your child has been up to at school during the week.  The will come home on Fridays (naturally) so be on the lookout for them!  

Upcoming Dates:

¾ Open House 9/26 from  5:30-6:30

Picture Day- 9/22

¾ Team Building Day at Dac Rowe- 10/2

Have a great week,

Mr. G