Miss Wagner and Mrs Sovcik

This year is off to a bang! The Big Bang to be precise. We have begun our social studies and science at the very beginning of everything. Through our studies of the start of the universe, we shall be learning about maps and map making, the theory of continental drift, land features and formations on Earth. The rise of life on Earth from single cell organisms to huge beasts will be part of our studies. At the end of October or the beginning of November, the children, through art, will present the Big Bang through the rise of mammals. We will let you know the date so that you can join us on our journey through time. We are so happy to welcome our newest classmate Luca, along with Faith, Gabriella and Cole to our school this year. Ruza, Hannah, and Sophia have joined us from E2 as well. We are so happy to have so many new children joining E-3.

Ghost Ranch Update: Parent questionnaires have been completed with 100% student participation in this event, as well as many parents. Ghost Ranch has been contacted to finalize the dates. We should have a definite answer and signed contract within a few weeks. Our November newsletter will have more information for you. Thank you all for your prompt responses.

In order to meet the individual needs of all the students, we have four math and four reading groups this year. This means that each child has two work cycles on Monday and Wednesday during which most children should be able to finish their math and reading work in class. Any work not completed will need to be completed at home. In writing we are moving from poetry to paragraph formation with supporting details. Our goal is for students to be able to write a well-constructed five paragraph essay with supporting details. We look for the application of spelling rules and grammatical structures in all written work.

Our first book report is upon us. We went to the Santa Fe Public Library on September 28, and chose books about animals. Through these books the children will have an opportunity to study personification. The reading of the book needs to be completed by October 14. The book report is due on October 24, when we will begin class presentations. These presentations allow students to share their reading, practice speaking in front of a group and also to gather ideas of books they might want to read. The instruction for the book report and the form on which to do it will be sent home. Please ask your child to share this information with you.

As part of our social studies and science, we are going to the Albuquerque Natural History Museum on Wednesday, October 12th. Please look for the field trip permission slip to come home for your signature. We must have it signed and returned to the classroom teachers in order for your child to participate in the trip. The children will need to bring a lunch (no microwaveable foods) and any utensils they will need. Disposable containers are the easiest
for the children to manage. We will leave school at 8:30 am and return about 2:45pm.

E3 Spanish A:

We will review clothing and start on regular -ar, -ir and -er verb conjugation. Please encourage your child to review the vocabulary in their work books. We will play Pictionary/charades with all of the vocabulary from the fall in December.

E3 Spanish B:

We are studying words for household items. Please have your child practice pointing to objects around the house and saying them in Spanish. We will be reviewing clothing and members of the family. We we sing toda la famila and act out a shopping trip for clothes. Please encourage your child to review the vocabulary in their work books. We will play Pictionary/charades with all of the vocabulary from the fall in December. E3 Spanish C: We will learn weather words, seasons, and family members. We we sing toda la famila and act out a shopping trip for clothes.

E3 Art:

Our project for all of October is the recycled art fashion show. Some students have chosen to create recycled sculptures instead of clothing. The fashion show is at 7pm, Friday
November, 11th. Students who are models will need to be there at 4:30 for a rehearsal stage walk. We will have a dress rehearsal at Desert Montessori at 2:30 on Wednesday, November 9th. We need a lot more recycled art supplies, please help us out! I will be offering extra work time after school on Wednesday, October 12th, 19th, and 26th from
3-4pm. 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.

Mark Your Calendars

October 12 Field trip to the Natural History Museum

October 14 Sarbjot’s Birthday; Complete the reading of the book for the book report

October 24 Completed book report due

October 27 School Photos; Begin class presentation of book report

October 31 No school