April 26th!

Hello Grade 3 Community!

It was a really fantastic week here in third grade! I have been so thankful for these kiddos, their positive attitude, their HUGE growth (are you noticing how much your child is changing right now?) and their energy and enthusiasm for learning.

We launched our new units of algebra and the Kids in the Know safety program this week. We wrapped up the first bend in our fairy tale writing unit and the students are proud of the very creative adaptations they wrote (they really are incredible). Our field trip to Alexander Wilderness Nature Reserve was AWESOME! We had a perfect day and the kiddos worked hard on multiplication and division representation. It was really fun to have our class lead the way with division as Mrs. Goruk's group is just starting that unit - such a fun leadership opportunity for our class.

In the tank we have had our other large spiked apple top snail (Moonlight) pass away. Very sad news as the other snails began to eat her. Although, very important learning as it connects to living systems. I need to ask you and put this out there ... are any of you interested in taking some guppies home this year? We have a plentiful amount of fish and I would be happy to share them in June. If you'd like one or two (or more) and would want to set up a little tank at home please let me know! I would also be able to set you up with living plants, snails and substrate. If you go with living plants and soil you never need to clean the tank - it is very low maintenance AND you would have your own little expert there to care for it! Tanks are very inexpensive on Facebook marketplace too! Please let me know if you are interested.

Next week we will be continuing on with our learning! Our plants are germinating and growing so stay tuned for our plant sale details. The kiddos have yet to plan a date! We are also looking for more plastic recycling containers (like sour cream containers, etc.) to transplant some of our plants into bigger pots. Another bag of soil would also be fantastic if anyone has some extra at home!

Thanks so much for supporting us and the initiatives of the kids. It has been amazing to see their ownership of this project. I have shared little necessary tidbits of information about the growing process but the students have been entirely responsible for the growth and care of their seedlings. What a joy to see them come in every morning and get right to caring for their plants. The conversations and discoveries along the way have been very rich and meaningful learning (also, in my opinion, VERY important life skills)!

Nothing too out of the ordinary for next week! We will be celebrating Leo's birthday on Monday at 11:00 with a birthday circle. Murakami's if you'd like to join us or bring a snack, let me know! Other than that we will be rocking and rolling along into MAY!

Thanks again, and keep in touch!

Ms. M