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DIANE POWERS Grade 3 J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School Voice Mail: 7228 Email: powersd@madison.k12.ct.us |
Winter 2008 J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School E-mail: powersd@madison.k12.ct.us Voice Mail: 245-6475, Box 7228
School Hours: Start of the day: 8:50 a.m. Dismissal: 3:25 p.m. Please note that a student will be considered tardy if they arrive after 8:50 a.m.
Snacks: Please send in a nutritious snack and/or drink daily. Children may keep water bottles at their desk at all times, if they wish.
Birthday Celebrations: Due to the number of food allergies, food will not be part of the birthday celebrations at school. We will acknowledge each child on or close to their birthday.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
January 26th – Hawaiian Luau February 8th Final Draft of Biography report due February 11th – Biography report presentations begin (Check for details on the Biography Book Report Checklist & Timeline)
Using the F.O.S.S. curriculum, students completed a unit on the properties of water. Students conducted investigations and built explanations via observing, communicating, comparing, and organizing data. We began each investigation with an Inquiry Question(s), which we were able to answer via our hands-on experimentation and observations. Our science lessons were interdisciplinary as we integrated literacy, mathematics, and technology into our lessons. We have read non-fiction texts, wrote about our scientific discovery/reflections in our science notebooks, and utilized technology to enhance our learning.
Recently we began our investigation of Structures of Life via investigating fruit seeds and their properties. Did you know that tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans are fruits? Ask your scientist to explain why.
SOCIAL STUDIES 
Social Studies Topics include:
During our study of Connecticut we visited the Peabody Museum of Natural History. We learned about Connecticut’s wildlife, animal adaptations, and various habitats. We also visited the Scranton Library where we learned about Connecticut’s history and saw historic photographs of Madison. The field trips were a wonderful way to supplement our research of Connecticut’s famous people, landmarks, inventions, and symbols. Students are utilizing their knowledge to make Connecticut brochures to promote and highlight our state’s unique qualities. Our culminating activity, which students are actively engaged, is to design a game board to teach others about our state. Thanks to the PTO for their support in providing the funds for our field trips.
MATHEMATICS
We are utilizing the Growing with Mathematics investigative program. The students are exploring numbers in the context of everyday situations. We are identifying and exploring patterns and looking for number relationships. We have completed our unit on geometry, which the students enjoyed. We learned about polygons and their characteristics. The students enjoyed making pictures out of various polygon shapes. We are completing our investigation of fractions and their features. Students enjoyed sorting their Skittles into colors and calculating the fractions, which each color represented. Then they utilized their graphing skills to illustrate each color, before they consumed the candy. We will begin our study of multiplication, which will be reinforced throughout the remainder of the year. Students are encouraged to practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication math facts at home. Quick recall will assist students to focus on concepts and successfully problem solve.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Our students have numerous opportunities to engage in reading, writing, and spelling activities. During reading time, students are involved in Whole Group Reading Activities, Guided Reading Groups, and Independent Reading. As a class we read Pilgrims, by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce, a non-fiction book about Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. Then students wrote Journal entries as if they were from the Wampanoag village, describing life as a Native American in 1622. Students have been utilizing Nancy Boyles’ comprehension strategies to develop meaningful written responses to literature. The reading groups have been a wonderful opportunity for students to read and discuss books at their Instructional level and utilize CMT strategies for written responses. In narrative writing, students are developing entertaining beginnings via introducing sound, action, dialogue, or thoughts and feelings. Students are working on suspense leading to the main event. We are striving for elaboration of the main event with descriptive details.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
J. Milton Jeffrey’s school is highlighting CARING as an important component for our community. Our first project, as a third grade team, was to collect toiletries to be given to Madison families via the Madison Community Food Service. Thanks to Ann Marie Haigis and Esther McGee who coordinated this effort and all of the families in our class who contributed to this worthy cause.
Our next project will benefit Simply Smiles an organization that provides the necessary surgery to correct cleft palates, in third world countries. Jeffrey students are making book marks, which will be sold at the Hawaiian Luau on January 26th.
Many thanks are extended to Lori Gorman and Sue Shea for their efforts as Room Mothers. They have organized and provided numerous holiday celebrations and activities that our class has thoroughly enjoyed.
Remember to check our classroom and our School website often for news and information! Thank you for helping at home to make this a successful year! Diane Powers and Darlene Maki Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns:
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