This week we kicked off our study of our brain! Knowing the amygdala, hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are crucial in understanding how we learn and manage ourselves. We have a choice to either let our instinctual alarm piece (the amygdala) go off in situations and REACT (something very important when we are truly in danger or in need to perform) or to take a calming breath, evaluate that we are in safety, and let our thinking brain (prefrontal cortex) help us make good decisions and RESPOND. Our hippocampus then takes those experiences and assists us in processing that to the long term memory for future reference. If we are aware of the things our brain does, we don't have to be stressed, anxious, or upset over things that aren't really dangerous situations! We can turn on that PFC and use that thinking brain to show grit, resilience, optimism and good decision making. We won't be "flipping our lid" at the slightest discomfort or unexpected situation!
In writing, Second grade has been studying and using different kinds of sentences. With that, we've been developing unique stories. In reading we have continued to analyze text for fluency -- knowing that punctuation, character's expressions, and the font affect how we sound when we read!
Third Grade have been looking at revising and critique -- when we are working on something, it takes more than one draft, and oftentimes a critique from a friend helps us see possibilities we never thought of. Critique needs to be Kind, Helpful, and Specific (KHS), and is often phrased as: "You could..." "Have you thought about...?" We also have come to a critical point in our book where our main character reveals an event that explains why he's struggled with opening up, being confident, and trusting. Powerful reading!!
Writing has taken on a new level for Fourth Grade. we had to analyze three different author's styles, and not only notate what they do, but we had to try it ourselves! They tried a revision strategy called "lifting" where they choose a portion of a previous piece they were working on and take it out, rewrite it on a separate page, and revise from there. Ask your kids about it (and the red Sharpie analogy)! We are seeing change in our character Ally as well, as her new teacher isn't letting her traditional troublemaking ways push him away. We've also gotten a glimpse on her family, which has shed light on some of her struggle as well.
This week in math fourth graders learned abut decimals. We practiced how to read decimals, write them in the word form, tell the fraction, and place value. Have your 4th grader teach you about tenths, hundredths, and how to read the decimal. They can also show you how to place decimals on a number line.
Third graders learned about addition strategies to help them add 3-digit numbers. The Commutative Property of Addition, the Associative Property of Addition, and the Break Apart strategy helped them when adding. Have your 3rd graders teach you about the strategy they like to use.
Second graders learned how to compose and decompose numbers. This is telling the value of each digit in the expanded form. We also compared and ordered numbers using the comparison symbols: greater than, less than, and equal to.
In science, we began our first investigations. We identified the difference between an investigtion and an experiment, made some terrific ABCD diagrams, and practiced accountable talk with our science teams. Some practice with our tools allowed for us to sharpen our observing, measuring, and recording skills!
Second grade started a Leaf Investigation today. We collected data in the form of leaf rubbings and then compared and contrasted our findings. After observing the various types of leaves right here on our campus, we're starting to think about why there are so many differences.
Third grade's focus question: How far will a foam ball roll down a 6 cm high ramp? Like all good scientists, we are conducting multiple trials to achieve the most accurate data possible!
After some initial observation and discussion, fourth graders investigated how a Skittle would react when placed in water. Examining the ingredients led to the discovery that the first two ingredients are sugar, leading many of us to predict that the Skittle would dissolve. Ask your fourth grader about their results!
After five weeks, routines are becoming comfortable, friendships are growing, and smiles are abundant. Hooray!
Happy Weekend,
Your SBLC Three
In writing, Second grade has been studying and using different kinds of sentences. With that, we've been developing unique stories. In reading we have continued to analyze text for fluency -- knowing that punctuation, character's expressions, and the font affect how we sound when we read!
Third Grade have been looking at revising and critique -- when we are working on something, it takes more than one draft, and oftentimes a critique from a friend helps us see possibilities we never thought of. Critique needs to be Kind, Helpful, and Specific (KHS), and is often phrased as: "You could..." "Have you thought about...?" We also have come to a critical point in our book where our main character reveals an event that explains why he's struggled with opening up, being confident, and trusting. Powerful reading!!
Writing has taken on a new level for Fourth Grade. we had to analyze three different author's styles, and not only notate what they do, but we had to try it ourselves! They tried a revision strategy called "lifting" where they choose a portion of a previous piece they were working on and take it out, rewrite it on a separate page, and revise from there. Ask your kids about it (and the red Sharpie analogy)! We are seeing change in our character Ally as well, as her new teacher isn't letting her traditional troublemaking ways push him away. We've also gotten a glimpse on her family, which has shed light on some of her struggle as well.
This week in math fourth graders learned abut decimals. We practiced how to read decimals, write them in the word form, tell the fraction, and place value. Have your 4th grader teach you about tenths, hundredths, and how to read the decimal. They can also show you how to place decimals on a number line.
Third graders learned about addition strategies to help them add 3-digit numbers. The Commutative Property of Addition, the Associative Property of Addition, and the Break Apart strategy helped them when adding. Have your 3rd graders teach you about the strategy they like to use.
Second graders learned how to compose and decompose numbers. This is telling the value of each digit in the expanded form. We also compared and ordered numbers using the comparison symbols: greater than, less than, and equal to.
In science, we began our first investigations. We identified the difference between an investigtion and an experiment, made some terrific ABCD diagrams, and practiced accountable talk with our science teams. Some practice with our tools allowed for us to sharpen our observing, measuring, and recording skills!
Second grade started a Leaf Investigation today. We collected data in the form of leaf rubbings and then compared and contrasted our findings. After observing the various types of leaves right here on our campus, we're starting to think about why there are so many differences.
Third grade's focus question: How far will a foam ball roll down a 6 cm high ramp? Like all good scientists, we are conducting multiple trials to achieve the most accurate data possible!
After some initial observation and discussion, fourth graders investigated how a Skittle would react when placed in water. Examining the ingredients led to the discovery that the first two ingredients are sugar, leading many of us to predict that the Skittle would dissolve. Ask your fourth grader about their results!
Happy Weekend,
Your SBLC Three
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