Author Visit

We were so lucky to have Kathleen Dragan, the author of Rickshaw Reggie, visit our classroom today and present her awesome book!  You can still get a copy of the book on her website if you're interested: https://rickshawreggie.com

SEL for Parents

This week, we will focus on letting go. Letting go is not easy for parents. Our fears often get in the way of allowing children to grow through normal developmental stages. Trying to stop a preadolescent from hanging out with friends, or a teenager from talking on the phone too much, is similar to trying to stop a toddler from walking because he/she might hurt him/herself. If our goal is to empower our kids and help them grown, these "Five Steps to Letting Go" can help. Note: Letting go is not something you need to tell your child you are doing. This is a process you can continue to work on in your own quiet moments. 

1. Think of an area where you are having a hard time letting go with one of your kids (an area where you know in your heart you are holding on too tight)

2. What are the issues?

a. Yours (usually your fears)

b. Theirs (usually what they want)

3. Are you willing to let go? There is not point in going on to the next two steps if you are not willing to let go.

4. What is a small step you could take to let go? Be specific.

5. When would you be willing to start your small step of letting go, and how long are you willing to do it even though it may be a little uncomfortable for you?

Dreikur's words can help "A bruised knee can mend, but bruised courage lasts a lifetime"

This Week in Our Classroom

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Below you will find an overview of what to expect this week in our classroom.  

Literacy:  Last week we began our Perspectives unit in reading.  To begin the unit, students studied different points of view and the effect the point of view has on the plot.  This week, we'll learn how  perspectives can contribute to the mood of the story.  Later in the week, students will begin a novel study with The Sign of the Beaver.  We will study two characters closely and notice how their perspectives differ throughout a series of events.  Students will read the novel and complete response activities to analyze the different perspectives.  Additionally, students will be responsible for learning eight new vocabulary words. 

In the writing block, we'll practice writing in response to prompts to prepare for our upcoming state tests.  This preparation is brief and will review citing evidence and explaining our thinking clearly. Two days a week will also be spent working on our passion projects.  

Social Studies:  Tomorrow we have a special author, Kathleen Dragan, coming to present to our class on Chicago's neighborhoods.  She will present her book, Rickshaw Reggie.  We'll continue to learn about the different components of a neighborhood community throughout the week.  Then, students will vote on a neighborhood they'd be interested in studying in depth.  More information to come on this!  

Math: We began Unit 6 in math this week.  I cannot stress enough the importance of fact fluency.  Please make sure your child has his/her multiplication facts memorized.  The unit provides division strategies and lessons on angles in geometry.  Please expect corresponding Home Links daily. 

Important Dates: 

Thursday, March 21st K-2 Magic Show from 9-9:45

Thursday, March 21st Literacy Night and Character Parade

Friday, March 22nd Third Grade is leading the school-wide morning meeting 9am

Thursday March 28th 30 BT Check In (22 books & Project)

SEL for Parents

This week's focus is on natural consequences. "A natural consequence is anything that happens naturally, with no adult interference. When you stand in the rain, you get wet. When you don't eat, you get hungry. When you forget your coat, you get cold. No piggybacking allowed. Adults piggyback when they lecture, scold, say "I told you so", or anything else that adds more blame, shame or pain than the child might experience naturally from the experience. Piggybacking actually lessens the learning that can occur from experiencing a natural consequence because the child stops processing the experience and focuses on absorbing or defending against the blame, shame, and pain. Instead of piggybacking, show empathy and understanding for what the child is experiencing. " I'll bet it was hard to..." When it seems appropriate, rather than patronizing, you could add, " I love you and have faith in you to handle this." It can be difficult for parents to be supportive without rescuing or overprotecting, but it is one of the most encouraging things you can do to help your children develop perceptions of capability." 

Jane Nelsen, Ed.D

A Sneak Peek into Our Week....

I hope you had a great weekend.  Below you will find an overview of our week ahead.

Progress Reports went home Friday. Please sign and return. If you have a question about your child's progress report, please check on Parent Portal and ask your child first, then feel free to email me.

Illinois Assessment of Readiness Parent Letter -  As mentioned in the Skinner North March newsletter, third grade students will take the IAR, a state-wide assessment in the areas of Math and English Language Arts.  Third grade will test April 1st-4th. This test is replacing the PARCC test.

Literacy Night & Character Parade - Literacy Night is Thursday, March 21 from 3:45-5:15.  We will also have a character parade that day, similar to our vocabulary parade.

Literacy: We'll begin our Perspectives unit in reading this week. Students will learn to differentiate between 1st and 3rd person perspectives. They will study how the perspective of the book affects the plot development. During the writing block, students will continue working on a passion project we started earlier in the year. Additionally, students will record their digital rock stories.

Math: Today (Monday), we'll review for our unit 5 assessment. Tuesday students will take the assessment and then we'll jump right into unit 6 on Wednesday. Unit 6 will focus on division strategies and more in-depth study of angles.

Science/Social Studies: We've condensed our final science investigation in order to save some time. Last week we studied natural resources and renewable vs. non-renewable resources. Students will take a final extra credit quiz today in science. The points received on the quiz will be applied as extra credit to a previous science test. Our next social studies unit, Chicago Today, focuses on how communities work together to meet the needs of citizens. Students will study Chicago neighborhoods and what makes each neighborhood unique.

SAVE THE DATES

LITERACY NIGHT IS THURSDAY, MARCH 21ST. 

S.T.E.A.M. NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY MAY 1ST.

SEL Tips and Helpful Suggestions

Many parents complain that their kids don't listen. One way to motivate cooperation is through the use of curiosity questions. Using questioning, when we are calm and rational, and truly listening to kids' answers, provides a valuable model for good listening. Modeling good listening teaches kids more about listening and cooperation than a traditional lecture about what happened, why it happened, and how they should feel. Here are some examples below. 

• What would help you remember to bring what you need to be prepared for class? 
• What is your plan for getting your homework done and turned in on time?
• What will you wear so you will feel warm outside?
• How can you and your brother solve this problem?
• What words can you say so I can hear you?
• What will happen to laundry that isn't in the hamper?
• What could we do to solve this problem respectfully?
• What happened?
• What were you trying to accomplish?
• How do you feel about what happened?
• What did you learn from this experience?
• What ideas do you have to fix what happened?
• What solutions will help you experience a different outcome in the future?

~From Mrs. Kearns