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November Begins!

We have had a wonderful first week of November! Our classes have been actively creating opportunities to be leaders in making Kiker a positive place where kids are treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.

In project time, we developed a plan for the cafeteria. We admitted that there was a problem with noise and opportunity for unkind words during this time -- the first step. Next, we brainstormed ways to use our time more positively and productively. We also are taking advantage of our multiage component -- we have trios of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders -- "families" that sit together at tables. With our families, we either play a cooperative game, doodle, or draw. We are number one having fun, but the results are a quieter space, more chance to meet others, and good communication skills practice. We hope to see this become successful so that we can share with others at Kiker. We'd love this to make our cafeteria a nicer place to eat AND promote kindness.

We wrapped up our week with one of our favorite SBLC traditions: Breakfast and the Paper. Students really enjoyed beginning the day with some nonfiction reading and a morning snack!



In reading, Fourth finished Fish in a Tree. We celebrated our character's success, and how she used her struggle to reach out to another character in a similar situation. We've been working hard on expository writing and sentence structure as well. We are getting ready to start A Long Walk to Water.

Speaking of Long Walk to Water, Third Grade is finding ways to go deep with their comprehension. We've been summarizing and analyzing along the way, and on the edge of our seats. Our narratives are in revision stages as well.

Second Grade is refining summaries, and enjoying our Kevin Henkes study. We are experts at his style, using that knowledge to understand his books. We've been working on letter form, and doing great!

In math this week fourth graders wrote word problems about fractions. They also learned how to convert an improper fraction to a mixed number and  how to convert the mixed number into an improper fractions. The week ended with Sunshine math.

Third graders enjoyed playing multiplication games called Cover 50 and Count & Compare. We also had a project designing candy boxes for  6, 12, and 24 candies. First they used tiles as pretend candie to design their boxes. Then they used graph paper to draw and cut out their designs. They ended the project writing a letter to Lammes Candies and explaining what they learned.



Second graders learned about odd and even numbers this week. We also learned how to break apart 3 digit numbers then add them. Next we added 3 digit numbers with regrouping in the ones and tens. The week ended with Sunshine math.

In science we wrapped up our matter unit and finished some projects that were in the works. 

In social studies, second graders identified government services and how they benefit communities. Third graders researched and described Austin landmarks, and fourth graders applied their knowledge of Texas symbols to create some great set design for their upcoming play. 

Speaking of important upcoming events, Veterans Day is next week and Kiker would love to honor our heroes. If you have a family member who served and would like to recognize them on Kiker's Wall of Honor, please decorate a red or blue piece of construction paper with their name, rank, date of birth, date of death (if deceased) and a photo. Include your name or family name by having the title say "<your name/family name> honors <veteran's name>." Feel free to add any other information you would like. You may send these in with students or turn them directly into the office by Monday, November 9.

Happy Weekend,
SBLC Team

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