News from Mrs. Fisher's Classroom

We have had a wonderful school year so far. Our kiddos have been working hard to achieve success. As I am sure many of you may know our school motto this year is "Lead the pack, excellence is a habit". One of our first steps to achieving this is focusing on accuracy. Striving for accuracy is defined by Habits of Mind a book by Authur L. Costa, as: Checking for errors; Measuring at least twice; Nurturing a desire for exactness, fidelity & craftsmanship. This school year we will continue to help students to strive for accuracy in their work. A great book on this topic can be found here: http://www.habitsofmindinstitute.org/shop/raising-caring-capable-kids/

Our skills continue to build in math as we explore our new series. Students are learning about place value, rounding and how to compare numbers. We have just begun to delve into Chapter two which explores the concepts of addition, subtraction and estimation. 

In Social Studies students are learning about regions, resources and how the land impacts the way we live. Students will have a test on Chapter 1 on Monday 9/22.

Our science unit is about magnifiers and micro-organisms. Our special order of micro- organisms are on the way. Students will explore the characteristics of magnifiers as we use our microscopes to focus on the tiniest creatures. 

We are on our third story in reading. We are currently reading an excerpt from the Little House on the Prairie  series called By the Shores of Silver Lake. Students are learning to focus on the details in the story to help improve comprehension. Students will have a test on this story next week. 

We are just about ready to finish our stories in writing. Students have been working tirelessly on develop brilliant fictional stories inspired by small moments and experiences from their own lives. I am so thrilled and filled with anticipation with what our students have created. I love how students are making connections between developing their stories and the authors craft they see in the stories they read.

Students are getting the routine of WTW. Each day I work with a small group of students to give a test on the previous weeks word sort and introduce a new sort for the next week. Each group's rotation takes approximately 5 days. 

Students are loving the opportunity to explore their personal style as they earn privileges with Class Dojo points. 

 This student is enjoying wearing a hat. 😊

Class Dojo is great for student behavior and a communication tool for parents. 

Important papers are sent home each Friday in your student's Friday Folder. Please check and have your child return the folder to school on Monday. Students are working on developing portfolios that they will present to you during conferences so some papers may be saved to be kept in the portfolio. 

With a few exceptions for make-ups, most students have completed their MAP testing for fall. Scores will be shared with you soon. Your child's 3rd grade ISAT scores will be sent home this Friday in Friday Folders. 

I loved having the opportunity to meet some of you during our Curriculum Night. Thanks to all who were able to come out.