Miss Grogan and Mr. McCalla

We are off to a great school year and the students have shown much energy and academic excellence this first month. Iam very pleased to teach such a wonderful and creative group of children. I am also thrilled to work with Mr.McCalla, a supportive and enthusiastic teaching assistant. In social studies, we have been working on our map skills with the Montessori continent puzzles and learning games. In addition, we will study landforms and physical features. Soon we will begin our exciting study of explorers. During science, our lessons have focused on weather observations, the water cycle, cloud identification and wild weather, as well as the writing of storm stories. Students will also create their own weather instruments/projects to present to class during a special science class. As part of our language arts lessons, students have been split into various spelling and grammar groups as well as literature study groups. One reading group is currently reading A Dog’s Life by Ann M. Martin. The second group is reading Vera B. Williams A Chair for My Mother and have read a variety of other short fiction pieces. Our third group just started Catwings by Vera B. Williams. All reading groups continue to discuss setting, characters and plot while reading, learning new vocabulary and focusing on comprehension skills.

In addition, the students have been learning parts of speech during grammar lessons, are editing and using dictionary skills, and are studying various spelling rules (word families, patterns, definitions…) through our multisensory approach to teaching English. In writing, the students have learned how to write paragraphs, autobiographies, letters and fantasy stories. As students work in different groups, they are able to receive personal attention, receive the necessary editing skills/assistance and are provided with positive feedback in order to create successful pieces of writing. Throughout the year, we will continue to write during workshops in which brainstorming, drafting and proofreading will be accompanied by editing and author’s circle (sharing). As part of our morning math, all children work onchallenging two and three part word problems, difficult patterns, as well as time and calendar problems. Then students are spit into math groups where they complete problems with partners or individually. Currently, we are learning addition with larger numbers, subtraction, place value with math works, games, and multiplication methods/skills (patterns, arrays, groupings…). The third graders are continuing multiplication and division work and place value to the millions. Critical thinking skills are developed through enrichment math.

E2 Spanish A:

We will learn weather words, seasons, and family members.

E2 Spanish B:

We will study clothing , colors, shapes, and body parts. We we sing toda la famila and act out a shopping trip for clothes.

E2 Art:

We will have our Art in Nature field trip on October 4th from 9-12 am. Please return your permission slips. We studied the work of Andy Goldsworthy and will practice using natural materials to make an art piece at the school. We will document the students’ art works with photography. An after-school program with clay begins in November. I’m offering a camp on the teacher in-service days, October 31st and November 1st. Sign-up is on the Art room door.