Success in the Savanna, 3/22

 Dear Parents/Students:

         There has been so much energy and spirit in the classroom this week that it can only mean one thing:  spring break is here!   We have ended the week on a good note with the completion of a couple of units in science and social studies.  We also took a quarterly assessment in math and (mostly) finished a writing piece tied to our study of the Mali civilization.  Overall, it was a busy and productive week.  We have all earned some time off to rest and relax.

        

         In regards to pending work, please remind your child that his or her draft cards for the Wax Museum project are due in the classroom on Tuesday, April 2.  I’m hoping that they have already completed at least a portion of these.   Although these are only the first/rough draft, cards that are well done (neat, detailed, organized) may be accepted as final cards.  This determination will be made during conferences with the students when they return on Tuesday.

         Look for two field trip permission forms coming home just after break.  Third grade classes will be visiting Arcadia Farm in Alexandria on April 11 and 12.  We will also be attending a show at the Imagination Stage in Bethesda on April 25.  Chaperones will be needed for both trips although there is a limit to the number of adults that can accompany us to the farm.  Further details about this and the upcoming trips will be sent just after our return. 

         Thank you to the many parents who volunteered at this week’s Book Fair, Young Author’s Night, and more.  Tuckahoe is really blessed to have a devoted community of parents.  We are never short handed for helpers and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

         I am sending home optional work packs with all students and encouraging at least partial completion of these.  Additionally, all students should be reading daily and practicing math facts:  multiplication and division.    If possible, have your child do an extra journal letter to get ahead in the process!

It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the third quarter.  We’ve come so far since September.  I applaud all my students and families for their hard work this year.  Have a great break and I look forward to seeing you all in April.

                                                               Sincerely,

                                                               Ms. Coffman

Ancient Mali Link

http://africa.mrdonn.org/mali.html

Success in Savanna, 3/15

Dear Parents:

          WOW!!!! What changeable weather we have had this past week.  The kids enjoyed seeing the results of the downpour on Tuesday by watching the water flow down our streambed.  We were able to see the wonder of the water cycle and the power of running water.  Erosion of the playground and field was happening before our very eyes.  We all welcomed blue skies on Wednesday and Thursday but agreed we are not ready for a lot more cold weather.  Hopefully warmer days are ahead of us.

          There is lots going on in the classroom and I’m sure that the students are staying busy at home too.  With our biography project underway, my readers should be busy reading their selections and taking notes.  We have practiced this process with a short biography of Jacques Cousteau and the children all have sample note cards that can be used as a model for the cards they will be preparing at home.  Although the number of note cards is truly contingent upon the book selection and the child, I would expect each child to have somewhere between 6 – 10 cards plus at least one bibliography card.  We will be making the bibliography cards in class next week so please have your child hold onto their reading material for this purpose. 

          In other content areas, we are wrapping up a short unit on linear measurement and have created both yardsticks and metersticks for a variety of measuring activities.  We will begin our unit on fractions next week.  In social studies, we continue to learn about the ancient civilization of Mali and have recently studied about the lives and contributions of Sundiata and Mansa Musa.  In science, we are “knee deep” in the water cycle – my hope is to conclude this short unit with a small, class project next week.  If possible, we will also conclude our social studies unit before we get away for spring break.  As writers and readers, we are practicing as small reading groups for our first literature circle assignments coming just after our return from spring break. 

On Tuesday we began our AFAC garden.  We began our lettuces for this project and have them under grow lights.  We will be monitoring the plant’s progress and hopefully will be able to get them into the ground outside just after spring break.  If the weather is favorable next Tuesday we will go outside and plant chard in our beds.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

As you know next week is our annual Book Fair and Young Author’s Night.  The class will be visiting the Book Fair on Monday to browse the selections.  Please review the flyer that was sent home on Wednesday for Book Fair hours as well as the “Donuts with Dad” information. Young Author’s Night will be on Wednesday evening from 6:30-9:00.  Please encourage your child to consider reading – I have several products that I have returned that are most suitable for this event.  Please contact Maggie Debelius at madebelius@yahoo.com with any questions you might have.  You can sign your child up directly at: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040F4EABA92D6-tuckahoe/916222.  This sign up is protected by an access code.  When prompted, enter the code "Tuckahoe" for access.  If you and your child decide to participate in this activity, please let me know as well.

With the spring sports starting up, I would like to ask for soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and softball schedules.  I know games are a couple of weeks away, but I would appreciate schedules when you get them.  Lastly, please be sure to look over the upcoming activities and mark your calendars accordingly.

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

                                                                             Sincerely

                                                                             Ms. Coffman

Upcoming Events

Friday March 15- Disco Dance- 6:30-9:00pm

Monday March 18-22- Book Fair- See flyer sent home on Wednesday

Monday March 25-Friday March 29- Spring Break

Monday April 1- Teacher Work Day- No School for Students

Tuesday April 2- School Re-opens for Students

Wednesday April 10- Full Day of School

  -Wax Museum Presentation 2-3 pm

Thursday April 11- Field Trip to Acadia Farm- Information to follow

Wednesday April 24- Full Day of School

Thursday April 25- Imagination Stage Field Trip- Information to follow.