Upcoming Events
Friday, October 5th: NO SCHOOL for students
Professional Development/Grading Day
Friday, October 12th: NO SCHOOL for students
Statewide Teacher Inservice Day
Thursday, October 18th: NO SCHOOL for students
Goal-Setting Student Conferences
Friday, October 19th: NO SCHOOL for students
Goal-Setting Student Conferences
A little note about comfort: As our weather is getting cooler and rain is often in the forecast, please make sure that your kiddo is properly outfitted with warm (waterproof) layers and appropriate footwear on Monday and Wednesdays when they will be outside for at least part of their day.
How's your homework routine going?
Suggested Weekly Homework:
Reading Homework
Spend at least 20 minutes reading (outside of school) every day.
Reading is on the "honor system" and we ask that you help your kiddo to develop a daily reading routine with good-fit books and a well-lit, comfy reading spot away from distractions. We will talk more about how to encourage and track reading at our "Goal-Setting" conferences in October.
Typing Homework
Level 2 students have typing homework to develop and support important keyboarding skills. Please practice at least 20 minutes per week on: Typing.com
Passwords were sent home at family visits. Please email Ginny if you need help getting into your child's account.
Math homework
It is strongly recommended that your student practice math skills at least 30 minutes (or more) per week.
Our Dreambox math program for homework has started. Passwords and account information were sent home with your kiddo this week.
If you are interested in exploring other ways to practice math at home, take a look at these ideas:
Ideas for math practice:
- 4th graders can get valuable math practice with Khan Academy. Current 4th grade math topics to explore: Addition/Subtraction & Place Value/Rounding
- Online Math Game Sites: ZapZap Math or Prodigy- create your own account!
- Multiplication Facts Practice with a simple dice game. How to Play: Each player takes turns rolling 3 dice. First to break 200 (or 500, etc.) wins. On your turn, you get to choose two dice to add together, then you multiply the sum by the final die. That’s your score for that turn.
- Facts Practice with Free Math Apps: Sushi Monster & Math Hero
- Facts Practice with Purchased Math Apps: Operation Math & Math Vs. Zombies
What's Happening in the Puffin Nest...
This week, we visited the Metro Central Transfer Station to learn more about the path of goods into our garbage and recycling. Students considered the question, "What happens after you set your garbage out at the curb?"
Once back at the school, students got involved in a waste audit. The Puffins sorted and weighed their own lunch garbage to discover how much compost and recycling could be removed from garbage otherwise destined for the landfill. They realized that they are wasting a lot of food every day, and that most of the "garbage" was actually compost and recyclables. Next, they brainstormed ideas for doing a better job with recycling on our O&A lunches.
As we move forward in our project work, students will be reminded that the goods produced, bought and consumed in our communities may one day end up at the transfer station. We will also think about how we can all play a role in making our planet more sustainable by taking simple steps at home, work and school to recover resources and dispose of recyclables in the most responsible way.
Link to Washington County Recycling Guide Here
Next week, Level 2 students will participate in a LEGO engineering lab brought to FGCS by an Intel Outreach program. We will have a special guest teacher facilitate the activity and talk about supply chain (source, make, deliver, reuse).
During Reading Workshop on Thursday, our classroom was transformed into a “Book Tasting” restaurant, and students had the opportunity explore new genres and to discover some treasures amongst the many choices available to them in our classroom library.
Afterwards we reflected about our experience and brainstormed ideas for another “Book Tasting” event in the spring. The kids came up with some great ideas to make this fun activity even better!
Thanks to all the families who generously donated snacks for our event- it was a hit!