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Welcome Back!

We hope you all had a wonderful winter break! It was a great time to rest and relax, but we are so happy to be back at school!

This week, we spent our time reflecting and goal setting, ready to take on the second half of the year.

In reading, second and third grade have been studying genres, specifically nonfiction. We are analyzing each of the text features and finding how if we are careful, we can learn a great deal before we even dive into the article! Third grade has added signposts to their nonfiction reading, which have been helpful in guiding our margin notes. So far, they have been looking at Numbers and Statistics closely, as well as coming at the article with a Questioning Stance, knowing the facts presented have been placed there because they fit the author's purpose. Fourth Grade is finishing their novel, and are processing what they want the final step in their character vignette, their message in a bottle, to say.

Fourth grade mathematicians continue to develop their understanding of fractions. We're almost finished with our equivalent fraction number line and have moved both fractions and decimals along the number line on our back cabinets as our thinking grows and changes. 3rd and 4th grade have been reviewing computation strategies for subtraction and multiplication this week, knowing that we all benefit from some review after a few weeks off.  2nd grade has explored some new mental math strategies using number talks for multidigit subtraction and are showing a wide variety of pathways for calculating.  One of our second graders reflected on his growth over the past 9 weeks by writing that he "used to count with his fingers" but "now my mind."  I loved that thoughtful reflection on how we are moving as mathematicians from a concrete to an abstract understanding.  Such big work!

SBLC scientists reviewed features and characteristics for different types of energy and then showed what they know in an Energy Assessment. It was exciting to identify all of the ways energy affects our lives and transforms from one type of energy to another. We celebrated growth as scientists, noticing improvement in our accuracy, diagrams, and knowledge of the scientific process.

Tonight your child has their portfolios to review over the weekend. They have completed reflection papers in each notebook, and there is a page for you to respond as well. We have instructed the kids to be the ones who bring their work to you, as well as the ones who sit down with you to share their learning. We find that this is essential in developing communication skills, solidifying learning, and filling in background information for you as you look at the work products. 

Happy Cozy Weekend!
Team SBLC

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