January 24th, 2014

Happy Friday!!  It has been a great week at Hawthorn.  The only thing that could make it better would be warmer temperatures, but it looks like we'll have to wait a little longer for that. 

This week, we continued to work in our book clubs, analyzing characters and theme.  Theme can be a very challenging idea for 8 and 9 year olds. Theme is the central message the author is trying to teach. We often present it as a life lesson the character learns.

Lately, I have been trying to stress that getting smarter is hard work, but we mustn't give up.  Encourage your child to persevere through complex problems.  Ask them questions about their reading or to explain their thinking/process in math. Continued exposure to this type of thinking will make students less likely to throw in the towel when things get hard.

In Social Studies, we have wrapped up our work on significant individuals: Martin Luther King Jr.  Please ask your child what they've learned about MLK's work and the civil rights movement.  They should be able to tell you what a boycott is and that MLK promoted nonviolent action to make change. 


 

 



In Math, we are continuing our work with multiplication.  Please dedicate some time at home to practice the memorization of these facts.  There are many websites students can visit that will help with this. Multiplication.com is one I've used in the past.  Also, there is an app called SPLASH Math that you can download on to a tablet for practice. 

 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for the following events:

 

1/31- Donuts with Dad (blue fliers have been sent home)(7:45-8:30)

 

2/13- 3rd Grade Symphony Field Trip (9-12)

 

Finally, I wanted to share a cute little video clip of Mrs. Miller's, our new counselor's, lesson this week.  She has been working with the students on steps they can take to avoid having overly emotional reactions.  With all of the cold weather, it is nice to get the kids up and moving during class time.  Enjoy!

 



 



Happy 2014!!

Hi Everyone,
I'm sorry it has been so long since I've written.  We've been plenty busy around here!!

New Year Resolutions

Last week we spent a lot of time reviewing our progress and establishing goals for the new year.  Your child thought about academic and personal goals they had for themselves and made a plan to help them be more successful.  Of course, every resolution needs a little "New Year Bling" to dress it up.  Below is a sample of our resolutions:

Our New Year Resolution Display

ELA

This week we have begun studying book series.  Students have chosen a book to read and have been organized into "book clubs".  Each day they are reading a chapter during class and then meeting with their "club" members to discuss what they've learned in the chapter. We are primarily focusing on characters and how they change through the course of a series and how they stay the same. 

In writing, we have begun our unit on Persuasive Speech writing!  We have only had two lessons, so far, but I sense sharing opinions and trying to persuade others will be highly motivating to this group of kiddos.  (I've already heard the beginning of a "class pet" argument.)  YIKES!

Math

We are continuing to work on multiplication.  This week we've worked to notice patterns within multiples.  A lot of the students are struggling to remember their multiples of 9.  Have you noticed the digits of multiples of 9 always equal 9, when they are added together?

18(1+8=9)      27(2+7=9)      36(3+6=9)     45(4+5=9)     54(5+4=9)     63     72     81     90



 I shared a tip with the class:  To find the product of a 9s fact, first, look at the other factor (not the 9).  In the tens place of your answer you will write the digit that comes before that other factor.  Next, think "what plus this equals nine". That missing addend will be the digit you write in the ones place.  Knowing what number partners equal 9 will help greatly.  (See below for an example:)

An example of the little tip I explained above

The "partners" that equal nine

Our classroom hundred chart we studied to find patterns

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for the following events:

1/18- PTA Mercury Gymnastics Night (6:30-8)

1/20- No School MLK Day

1/31- Donuts with Dad for Watch Dogs (7:45-8:30)

2/13- 3rd Grade Symphony Field Trip (9-12)



If you are interested in attending the field trip, please write a note in your child's planner.  Because of the number of seats allotted, we will only be able to take 2 parents per classroom.  We will be drawing names next Wednesday.