Weekly Updates 12/14-12/18

NEWS/EVENTS

• This Family Friday classes 3-509, 3-510, and 3-505 are hosting a Wax Museum! 
  
• If you are traveling before the start of vacation, please email Ms. Bouchard
• Our class is traveling to Circle in the Square to see student performances on January 11th from 12-2. More details to come- all parents are invited!
• We are asking parents to type plays one more time. It would amazing if plays could be typed sometime between December 17th and January 4th. More specifics to come this week.
• Portfolios with recent student work will be sent home on Monday December 21st.

CURRIUCULUM

Reading- This week students will be introduced to new character in a series book clubs. Students will work with these clubs to get to know their characters, study their actions and dialogue, and grow ideas.

Writing- At the end of last week we launched our next writing unit- Baby Literary Essays. We started with flash draft "bootcamp," which involves brainstorming ideas about a text, picking the strongest idea, finding evidence from the text to support it, then rehearse it out loud. After rehearsal students head back to develop a "flash" draft, which is a fast way to get their ideas on paper. More revisions will follow later in the unit. You will notice that this work will creep into reading notebooking as we start to prepare for the development of reading responses.

Math- We are wrapping up our Multiplication/Division unit this week! We are exploring mass and volume word problems using multiplication and division, and will visit centers to review concepts to prepare for the post assessment, which will take place Monday the 21st. Students leaving early for break will make alternative post-assessment arrangements.

Social Studies- We will wrap up United States centers by 12/23.

Word Study Changes

Hi Everyone!

Because of the high number of absences this week we are making some changes to our nightly homework.

We still need to make up last week's spelling test, so I am moving that to Friday. We will start the newest word study sorts next week. The most important assignments that need to be finished are the Biography Wax Museum Posters, and the publishing of informational writing books. So in lieu of word study homework have the kids work on these!

Many thanks for your ongoing support!

Weekly Updates 12/7-12/11

NEWS/UPDATES

• There is a terrible bug going around and we have many students absent this week. If you child is out, please do not worry about missed work. I am keeping track of what has been missed, and once they are well I will meet with each student to catch them up! Rest is the most important thing!
• There is a Curriculum Connection tomorrow from 8-8:45 about the Reading Notebook across grades 3-5.
• Our Family Friday is next Friday December 18th, and classes 509, 510, and 504 are hosting a Wax Museum! An invitation will follow shortly.

HOMEWORK

Monday: Work on biography project in lieu of nightly jotting for 30 minutes, work in finishing publishing informational writing book (if not already complete), Math Property Word Problem Practice

Tuesday: Work on biography project in lieu of nightly jotting for 30 minutes, work in finishing publishing informational writing book (if not already complete), Math Word Problem Practice

Wednesday: Work on biography project in lieu of nightly jotting for 30 minutes, work in finishing publishing informational writing book (if not already complete), Math group HW, sort new words in notebook

Humble: Sort 3

Determined: Sort 27

Ambitious: Sort 25

Thursday: Work on biography project in lieu of nightly jotting for 30 minutes, work in finishing publishing informational writing book (if not already complete), Math group HW, Word Study Menu Option

Friday: Work on biography project in lieu of nightly jotting for 30 minutes, work in finishing publishing informational writing book (if not already complete), Math group HW

CURRICULUM

Reading-This week we are launching our next reading unit- Character Studies! This week students are meeting with new partners and book clubs to identify character traits and examine problems characters face (when reading books in a series).

Writing- This week we are launching our new writing unit- Baby Literary Essays. Today we took the on demand assessment, and throughout the week we will study student mentor pieces and rubrics to better understand the structure.

Math- This week math groups are doing final reviews of the commutative, associative, and distributive properties, in addition to word problem work around multiplication and division. Later in the week we are exploring units of measurement when used in multiplication/division  scenarios.

Social Studies- We are still in the midst of our unit focusing on the culture, land, and economy of the United States.

Wax Museum Guidelines

Weekly Updates 11/30-12/4

NEWS/EVENTS

• Next Wednesday 12/9 there is a curriculum connection for parents about the Reader's Notebook. If you attended literacy night, the material will pretty much be the same. A flier was forwarded today!
• Our next Family Friday is taking place 12/18, and on this day we are hosting a wax museum exhibit for families! Each student has selected a subject and is researching that subject with the plan to represent him/her at the museum. A formal invitation will be emailed next week.

HOMEWORK

** For this week only, nightly jotting and reading should be geared towards biography subject research and planning.

Monday: Cut out new words for the week. (Humble= Sort #2, Determined = Sort #26, Ambitious = Sort #24), Work on biography research and jots for 30 minutes, Math HW (assigned from group)

Tuesday: Word Study Menu Option, Work on biography research and jots for 30 minutes, Math HW (assigned from group)

Wednesday: Word Study Menu Option, Work on biography research and jots for 30 minutes, Math HW (assigned from group)

Thursday: Glue words into purple workbook and study for spelling test, Work on biography research and jots for 30 minutes, Math HW (assigned from group)

Friday: Any biography projects that are not completed in class must be finalized at home by December 16th.

CURRICULUM

Reading- This week we are continuing to research our biography subjects for the upcoming wax museum and will continue to grow ideas using timelines as a way to reflect on how history impacted subjects.

Writing- This week we are publishing our informational writing books. Students are going through the process of selecting materials needed and taking last steps to achieve writing goals before the unit is over.

Math- This week groups are exploring the distributive property, as well as how knowledge of multiples of 10 and 100 can help solve trickier multiplication problems.

Weekly Updates 11/16-11/20

NEWS/EVENTS

• On Wednesday November 25th  the third grade is performing the Thanksgiving Play! Parents are invited to view the play at 9:30 am that morning!
• On Monday November 23rd we are going on a walking field trip to The Hudson Guild to perform the play for local senior citizens. We will leave at 12:45 and will depart from the security desk. Any parents interested in chaperoning are welcome to join us!
• Last week an important notice was sent home seeking parent help to type up Circle in the Square plays. Please return this form by Wednesday to indicate if you are able to help with this. Many thanks!

HOMEWORK

This week we are officially adding a word study portion to nightly assignments so students can practice words from their spelling lists. Spelling levels were determined based on an initial assessment at the beginning of the year. Please note, each night no more than ten minutes should be dedicated to word study.

Spelling Groups:

Humble: Sort 1

Ambitious: Sort 25

Determined: Sort 23

Monday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete math group HW, sort and write words in word study notebook.

Tuesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete math group HW, select a word study menu option and complete in Word Study Notebook.

Wednesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete math group HW, select a word study menu option and complete in Word Study Notebook.

Thursday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete math group HW, glue words in Purple Word Study Notebook

Friday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete math group HW, study for spelling test on Monday.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we officially launched bend three in our Nonfiction Reading Unit. For the next two week we are shifting gears and using what we know about narrative work to understanding narrative nonfiction texts. Over the course of these two weeks students will research subjects and will eventually focus on one to develop a special project.

Writing: This week we are adding conclusions to our informational books and exploring different ways to add text features to enhance the information presented. We will start to create our actual books next week.

Math: This week we are exploring the inverse relationship between multiplication and division, and using properties (property of zero, commutative property, associative property) to help tackle problems.

Social Studies: We are working on note-taking and are rotating through a variety of US centers.

Weekly Updates 11/9-11/13

NEWS/EVENTS

• It has been so lovely meeting with families over the past week for Parent Teacher Conferences. I look forward to chatting with many of you in the week to come!
• An important video consent form is going home this week to support Ms. Schwartz's work in our reading and writing workshops. She has the opportunity to videotape a minilesson for teachers around the city to use to support reading/writing workshops. Please return this form by Friday. If I do not hear from you, your child will not participate.
• The Third Grade Thanksgiving Play is right around the corner! The show is open to parents on Wednesday November 25th at 9:00.

Homework

Monday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, Math group HW, Practice Play song 2 times (play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfZXTNoAL7g in background to help kids sing along)

Tuesday- Read and jot for 30 minutes tues/wed nights, Math group HW, Practice Play song 4 times (play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfZXTNoAL7g in background to help kids sing along)

Thursday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, Math group HW, Practice Play song 2 times (play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfZXTNoAL7g in background to help kids sing along)

Friday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, Math group HW, Practice Play song 2 times (play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfZXTNoAL7g in background to help kids sing along)

CURRICULUM

Reading- This week readers are starting to consider the author's perspective while reading nonfiction texts. They do this by looking for descriptive words, titles, or phrases that leak the writer's stance.

Writing- This week we are going to work on integrating expert terminology into our informational books, and will start to draft introductions and conclusions for our books. We will continue to balance facts and descriptions.

Math- This week mathematicians are exploring the different ways products are interpreted in a multiplication problem. We are creating a running list of strategies to use when calculating. 

Social Studies- We are visiting U.S. centers highlighting the land, culture, economy, and history of our country, and are continuing to work on our jots to support our thinking in the Social Studies notebook.

Weekly Updates 11/2-11/6

NEWS/EVENTS

• There is no school tomorrow (Election Day) and Thursday is a half day due to parent teacher conferences. Dismissal will begin slightly before 11:50 am.
• On the half day the third grade will be practicing for the Thanksgiving play all morning. Students should not bring backpacks to school Thursday.
• If you have not yet signed up for conferences please check out our sign up link at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4babab2aa6fa7-parent2
• Wednesday 3-509 is running the Farm Stand from 8:00-8:50! If students are interested in participating, they must be available during this time. Students taking the bus this morning might miss the opportunity, so please arrange alternative drop offs.
• A big thanks to all parents that came to Math/literacy night last week, and also to families that joined us for a special jotting activity during Family Friday. If you could not come to Math/Literacy night, you can access materials on the PS 11 website at http://ps11chelsea.org/3-5-curriculum-night/

HOMEWORK

Monday- Complete the "Making Groups" math activity and read and jot for 30 minutes

Wednesday- Complete "Arrays on the Farm" HW task for math group, read and jot for 30 minutes

Thursday- Complete the "What's My Product' assignment for math group, read and jot for 30 minutes

Friday- read and jot for 30 minutes both weekend days

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week students are starting to synthesize information as they read nonfiction texts by taking information from two sources and growing an idea from both.

Writing: This week students are working on drafting informational chapters by elaborating with a wide variety of options (facts, examples, quotes, descriptions).

Math: This week we are exploring the idea of creating equal groups within a given number, and representing those groups with arrays.

Weekly Updates 10/26-10/30

NEWS/EVENTS

• Our Parent Teacher Conference sign up is live! Please visit www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0F4BABAB2AA6FA7-parent2  to schedule an appointment.
• This Wednesday we are traveling to Circle in the Square to see Little Red Riding Hood to get a taste for the Theater experience. Student plays will be performed in January on the same stage!
• Come join us this Thursday October 29th for Literacy/Math night from 6:00-7:30. The third grade teachers are posting presentations on third grade math strategies, the writing process, and the reader's notebook.
• Friday is Family Friday! This week we are looking for ways to find the main idea in a nonfiction text. 
• Next Tuesday 11/3 is a non- attendance day for students (Election Day).
• Next Thursday 11/5 is a half day. Dismissal is at 11:50 sharp. We will have third grade play practice all morning- book bags are not necessary that day.

CURRICULUM

Reading- This week students are exploring different ways that they can locate the main idea in a text. Students are also trying out different jotting structures to capture the main idea.

Writing- Last Friday we launched our next writing unit- informational writing! Students have selected a nonfiction topic and have started to develop a table of contents covering all subcategories of their expertise. Then, they write long within that sub-topic.

Math- Tomorrow all math groups are taking the post assessment for unit #1. On Thursday we are launching the next unit- multiplication and division of times tables 0-9.

Social Studies- This week we are exploring different ways to take notes about various landforms that exist in the United States.

Weekly Updates 10/19-10/23

NEWS/EVENTS

• Next week we are visiting Circle in the Square for a performance! Please keep your eyes open for a trip slip in the upcoming days.
• Next Thursday October 29th is Literacy/Math night for the upper grades. Please come visit to learn more about our curriculum!
• Next Friday October 30th is Family Friday.
• All Narrative published pieces are due this Friday. I gave students an hour of class time today to get started. I would like them to finish publishing as part of their homework throughout the week. (publishing= taking all final edits and revision to white lined paper. Published work is done in pencil).

HOMEWORK

• Monday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, math hw assigned by math teacher, published writing is due Friday.
• Tuesday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, math hw assigned by math teacher, published writing is due Friday.
• Wednesday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, math hw assigned by math teacher, published writing is due Friday.
• Thursday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, math hw assigned by math teacher, published writing is due Friday.
• Friday- Read and jot for 30 minutes, math hw assigned by math teacher, published writing is due Friday.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are launching our next unit- Reading to Learn! This nonfiction reading unit focuses on determining main idea and studying different text structures.

Writing: Today students started to publish their narratives. Final published work is due Friday. We are launching informational writing tomorrow! We will start by studying student mentor pieces.

Math: We will wrap up our first unit this week reviewing strategies for solving multi-step problems and calculating elapsed time. Students will engage in review centers and will take the post assessment Friday or Monday.

Social Studies: We will wrap up our first Social Studies unit, exploring maps, by participating in a map reading performance task. Later in the week we are launching United States centers.

Weekly Updates 10/12-10/16

NEWS/EVENTS

• IMPORTANT: This Wednesday October 14th is the rescheduled date for our trip to Stoneledge Farm. Please drop students off to PS 11 no later than 7:45 am. We are aiming for an 8:00 am departure. We are expected back at PS 11 at 5:00 pm. Please make sure that all individuals arriving for pick-up are on blue cards. Students that attend afterschool until 6:00 will be dismissed to afterschool.
• This week we are officially starting our residency with Circle in the Square! We will meet with actors every Tuesday and Thursday.
• We have another field trip over the horizon on October 27th- we are visiting Circle in the Square. Keep your eyes open for permission slips this week.
• On Thursday October 29th grades 3-5 teachers are hosting Literacy/Math night. Please come to learn more about our curriculum.
• 3-509's picture day is scheduled for this Thursday, October 15th at 10:20 am.

CURRICULUM

Reading: Now that students are assigned to the right "Just Right" books after weeks of running record assessments, we are spending the last few days of our first reading unit thinking about author's purpose and deeper questions that texts trigger. By the end of this week we will start jotting in reading notebooks!

Writing: This week we are walking through the revision and editing portions of the writing process. Students will use checklists and meet with partners to discuss their writing. We will start publishing their narrative pieces by the end of the week.

Math: This week math groups are continuing to review regrouping (especially while subtracting and across zeroes). Groups will also start to investigate multistep word problems, and will use bar modeling as a strategy to identify operations needed in a given problem.

Social Studies: This week we are launching our next Social Studies Unit- the United States. Students will visit centers featuring artifacts, maps, readings, sounds, and photographs that capture our own country.

Weekly Updates 10/5-10/9

NEWS/EVENTS

• Our rescheduled trip to the farm is Wednesday October 14th. If you are interested in chaperoning, please email Ms. Bouchard. We still have room for one more chaperone.
• Next week we start our residency with Circle in the Square!
• Our class newsletter for October is up on the PS 11 website.
• We are starting differentiated math groups tomorrow!
• We are asking students to make sure that they are jotting in addition to reading each night. For now, we are using post-its to do this. At the end of next week we are introducing reading notebooks!
  

Homework:

Monday: Read and jot for 30 minutes.

Tuesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Math HW assigned by math group.

Wednesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Math HW assigned by math group.

Thursday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Math HW assigned by math group.

Friday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Math HW assigned by math group.

CURRICULUM:

Reading: This week we are moving into bend three of our current reading unit, which focuses on ways to challenge more complicated texts. We will study context clues and figurative language to determine meaning.

Writing: This week we are learning sophisticated ways to revise and organize our writing by paragraphing, integrating different types of details, and using various forms of punctuation (including punctuating dialogue).

Math: Starting tomorrow students will be switching to differentiated math groups. Ms. Lampf, Ms. Mackenzie, and I studied student preassessment data and grouped students by areas of needs. This week all groups will explore regrouping.

Social Studies: This is our last week of map review. We are studying different types of maps and how they are used.

Weekly Updates 9/28-9/29

NEWS/EVENTS

• WEDNESDAY'S FARM TRIP HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14th! It is supposed to rain (heavily) in Cairo this week, and we decided not to take the chance. We are sending home an updated permission slip tomorrow and ask to have them returned by this upcoming Friday.
• A big thanks to all families for joining us last Friday for Family Friday. We had a great time.
• A big thanks to Colette and Amanda for volunteering to be our class parents!
• Sorry for swimming confusion last week- our FIRST official day in the pool is this Friday first period. Please encourage students not to be late!

HOMEWORK

Monday: Read for 30 minutes and update reading plan, complete workbook pages 19-22

Tuesday: Read for 30 minutes and update reading plan, comple the "Rounding to the Nearest 10" Worksheet

Wednesday: Read for 30 minutes, complete workbook pages 27-30

Thursday: Read for 30 minutes, complete workbook pages 37-38

Friday: Read for 30 minutes and update reading plan each day over the weekend

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are starting to work more closely with reading partnerships and small groups to help reach our goals.

Writing: Today students committed to a piece of writing that they would like to see taken through the entire writing process. Later this week we will explore various strong leads and envision ways to hook our readers, and we will also engage in some goal setting for the unit using our on demand writing piece and teacher feedback.

Math: This week we are reviewing how to round to the nearest 10 and 100. Our hope is to start new math groups by next Monday, 10/5. More information on the way.

Social Studies: This week we are reviewing map reading skills and using hemispheres, lines of longitude and latitude, and a compass to determine directionality.

Bus Routines

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for all of your help and support as we work to establish dismissal routines with the kids. With all of the days off, it has been very confusing.

A quick note regarding bus routines and procedures:

• If your child is assigned a bus route on any given day, they will always be sent to the bus group at the end of the day. If children are being picked up by parents and students are not taking the bus on a given day, they will meet by the ramp of the big yard (and picked up DIRECTLY from the bus line).
• The only time I will dismiss bus students is if bus children are attending after school.

Thank you for your help with this, and see you Friday!

Harvesting Sage

Today we had the opportunity to harvest sage for the PS 11 Cafeteria! Here is the recipe we tried out...

Weekly Updates

NEWS/EVENTS

• Tomorrow we have a special opportunity to prepare sage for the PS 11 cafeteria from 9-9:30. If you are interested in joining us to help, please email me!
• Next week on Wednesday, September 30th we are going to Stoneledge Farm. William and David will be joining us as chaperones! If you are interested in volunteering for a trip there will be other opportunities throughout the year.
• This Friday September 25th is Family Friday. I will be sending a note with further details in the next few days with more specifics.
• If you have not returned Welcome Packets please do so ASAP.
• This Friday is 3-509's first day of swim class. Please send swim materials to school that day-towel, bathing suit, etc.
• Our weekly special schedule is the following:
• Monday: Computer
• Tuesday: Music
• Wednesday: Science
• Thursday: Science
• Friday: Gym (swim)
• *****IMPORTANT: Photo consent forms MUST be returned to PS 11. We have many events this year where students might be photographed. If you have not filled out a form please do so ASAP.

HOMEWORK

Monday: Read for at least 30 minutes, Workbook 3A p.5-8

Tuesday: Read for at least 30 minutes, Workbook 3A p. 11-14

Friday: Read for at least 30 minutes, Workbook 3A p. 15-16

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are continuing to work on goal setting, building reading habits, and increasing stamina. We are also learning about ways to share ideas with others.

Writing: This week we are generating ideas for our writing pieces by making lists and then writing long about those ideas.

Math: This week students will use place value as a means to compare, order, and rank numbers.

Social Studies: We are continuing to learn about continents and major bodies of water.

Meet Laura Schwartz

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to introduce Laura Schwartz, our fabulous intern from Teacher's College. She has put together a brief introduction to our class for our blog:

I could not be more excited to begin my internship with Ms. Bouchard and her exceptional 3^rd graders. I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at Columbia University Teacher’s College where I am studying to be a Literacy Specialist. Prior to my studies, I worked for 4 years in a public, bilingual school in Washington, DC. I taught first grade in their Dual Language program. I speak both English and Spanish, but I am constantly trying to add new languages to my repertoire. My favorite book is The Little Prince and I love hiking, camping and the outdoors. In my free time I am also trying to learn how to play the ukulele! Thank you for welcoming me into the classroom!

Weekly Updates 9/16-9/18

NEWS/EVENTS

• On Wednesday September 30th we are traveling upstate to visit Stoneledge Farm. Please have students return permission slips by next week. Please email me if you are interested in chaperoning.
• Please fill out the Important Information Survey for my records.
• Please let me know your child's t-shirt size by Friday. Fill out the T-Shirt Size Survey.
• Return Welcome Folders as soon as possible.
• Please email me if you are interested in being a class parent.
• Our first Family Friday is next Friday, September 25th from 8:50-9:35 am.

Homework

This week I am asking students to continue to read for 30 minutes each night. We are also decorating writing notebooks on Friday- please send students in with pictures that inspire them as writers (people, places, things).

Curriculum

Reading- This week we are focusing on establishing reading routines such as:

• What the environment should feel like
• What tools/materials do we need
• How to find a "just right" book
• How to set goals

Writing- This week we are building tools that will inspire us to write stories. We are also decorating writing notebooks on Friday- please send students in with pictures that inspire them as writers (people, places, things). We are also annotating strong writing noticed in a student mentor text and are marking up things we love with the help of our Narrative Writing Rubric.

Math- We are reviewing the various ways we can represent numbers (standard, expanded, written, pictures) as well as place value. We are also taking final preassessments.

Social Studies- We are applying for jobs in our own class community. We are also started to look at map reading skills such as identifying bodies of water and continents.

Our First PS 11 Farm Stand Date is Wednesday September 16th from 8:00 am -8:45 am!

Hello Parents of 3-509!

Next Wednesday September 16th is our first class opportunity to man the PS 11 farm stand. Our time slot is from 8:00-8:45, but today when we met with Ms. Debbie she said students could arrive as early as 7:50.

Here are more details...

• Miss Debbie meets our class by the tent in front of the school.
• Students will learn the ropes of selling local farm produce from Stoneledge Farm.
• Students will be sent directly to our classroom once our scheduled time has ended.
• If your child takes the bus, he/she may miss farm stand time. To ensure the most time, arrange an alternate drop off for that morning.
• Students may arrive to participate any time between 8-8:45. The earlier they arrive, the more time they will have.

Thanks for your support, and have a great weekend!

Aimee Bouchard

Child T-Shirt Size

Hi Everyone!

It was wonderful to meet many of you this morning. I meant to collect -shirt size information for the kids...would you mind filling out this 5 second survey by next Wednesday to help me collect this information?

T-Shirt Sizing Information

Thank you!

Welcome, Students and Families!

Dear Parents and Students,

I am thrilled to work with you this year. I love the excitement of September, the feeling of embarking on an exciting journey. When I originally created this blog, the words of the famous German writer and statesman Johann Wolfgang Goethe inspired me to create a name that captured the essence of the work we do throughout the year. The following quote touches upon the sense of risk-taking and grit that we encourage at P.S. 11:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." 

Welcome to 3-509! I can't wait to see where boldness takes us this year.

On a side note, families please take a moment to complete the "Important Information" Google form for my records. It will help tremendously! Thank you.

Weekly Updates 6/15-6/19

NEWS/UPDATES

• This Wednesday June 17th from 8:50-9:30 our class is having a parent, student, and teacher end of the year party. We would love to get together as a community one more time before the end of the year.
• This Friday The PS 11 End of Year Potluck is taking place from 6-7:30 in the big yard. This year teachers will be leading "stepping up" tables with student ambassadors ready to discuss new grades. Be sure to visit 4th grade tables for more information about next year.
• On Monday June 22nd the entire third grade is going to Prospect Park for a day of games and picnics. Any parents that are available are welcome to join us. We will leave at 9:40 sharp from the lobby. If your child needs a school lunch please indicate this by tomorrow.
• Portfolios have a new release date- Monday June 22nd! Please expect to see bring yellow bags with portfolio contents and report cards sent home next Monday.
• June 25th is meet your new teacher day.
• Our last day of school is Friday June 26th. This is a half day for students. Dismissal will take place at 11:50.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are acknowledging that our Social Issues books often have multiple issues present, and that it is important to challenge texts by reflecting on our own beliefs and asking questions like, "Am I okay with how this group is represented?" and "Does this fit with what I have seen in the world?"

Writing: This week students are developing drafts of an adaptation on the original Cinderella. As they do this they are looking to make a character, setting, or motivation change, and reveal the domino effect that change has in our stories. We will also have a chance to try this out with other fairy tales we know by heart.

Math: This week we are continuing to explore shapes, specifically parallel and perpendicular lines. We will examine the relationship between these types of lines and angles.

Social Studies: We will continue to read and study Folk Tales around the world to help us further enhance our Fairy Tale adaptations in writing.

End of Year Celebration Confirmed

Hi Everyone,

I just received confirmation that our end of the year celebration will take place Wednesday June 17th from 8:50-9:30. The kids loved the cafe theme from our last Family Friday, so we might set up something similarly with coffee and a few treats. Please come by if you are free!

Weekly Updates 6/8-6/12

NEWS/EVENTS

• 3-509 is leading the farm stand from 8:00-8:30 this Wednesday June 10th! Students interested in participating should arrive within this time frame on Wednesday. This is our last farm stand day of the year.
• On Wednesday we are also harvesting some plants from 9:00-9:30. If you are interested in joining us, send me an email! We would love a volunteer or two to join us.
• Tomorrow is a half day. Dismissal is at 11:50 am.
• This Friday is Family Friday, but the theme is Enrichment Celebrations. Parents will visit enrichment clusters students have attended for the past 10 weeks.
• Because of the 5th grade graduation on June 18th, we know have a tentative end of the year class party scheduled for Wednesday June 17th. I will confirm this as soon as possible. We would love to gather as a group (parents and students) once last time before the end of the year.
• Next Monday June 15th is a half day.
• On Monday June 22nd the entire grade is going to Prospect Park in Brooklyn for a Picnic. Permission slips will be distributed this week.

Homework:

1) Monday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Reading response due Friday. "Which Shape?" math activity, cut out words.

Ambitious: Sort 42

Humble: Sort 35

Determined: Sort 30

Courageous: Sort 19

2) Tuesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, "Score it" math activity, reading response due Friday. Farm stand tomorrow from 8-8:30!

3) Wednesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, "Quadrilateral Riddles" math activity, reading response due Friday. 

4) Thursday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, reading response due Friday. Field day is tomorrow!

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week in Social Issues book clubs students are identifying obstacles and issues students face, and are looking at crucial scenes and consider what they teach us.

Writing: This week we are diving into Fairy Tale adaptations! After familiarizing ourselves with the original version of Cinderella, we will spend then upcoming days looking at adaptations, older student examples, and various digital versions of the tale before we start our own.

Math: This week we are continuing to study different shapes, and are sorting them by sides, angles, and other attributes. 

Social Studies: We are visiting Folk Tales around the world centers.

Weekly Updates 6/1-6/5

NEWS/EVENTS

• Thursday June 4th is a non-attendance day for students. 
• We have two clerical half days coming up- Tuesday June 9th and Monday June 15th
• June 12th is field day AND our last family Friday (enrichment celebration themed)
• We are looking to secure a date for our class end of the year party. Although it has not yet been approved, Thursday June 18th from 9:00-9:30 is a tentative option. We will email the group when this is confirmed!
• I am still waiting to receive several portfolios. PLEASE send these back, as we are adding new pieces over the course of the next week. Portfolios will go home on June 15th.

Homework:

***Due to the shortness of this week there will be no word work for HW

Monday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Angle HW. A reading response is due Friday.

Tuesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. "What Makes a Shape" HW. A reading response is due Friday.

Wednesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes. Right Angle HW. A reading response is due Friday.

Friday: Read and jot for 30 minutes Saturday and Sunday. 

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are launching our final reading unit of the year- Social Issues Book Clubs. Students will explore different issues that kids in society, and will meet with clubs to plan, discuss, and debate readings. 

Writing: This week we are publishing our Countries Around the World books using a wide variety of text feature and paper choices. Friday we are launching our last writing unit of the year- Fairy Tale Adaptations.

Math: Today we launched our last math unit of the year- Geometry and Shapes. During this unit students will learn about attributes of shapes such as line segments, points, vertices, angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, and other attributes. We will focus on various types of quadrilaterals.

Social Studies: We are continuing to read folk tales from around the world, and will start to visit centers this week highlighting artifacts, images, and other cultural differences.

Weekly Updates 5/18-5/22

NEWS/EVENTS

• Poetry night will take place tomorrow from 6:15-7:45! Please come by to support our class nominated poet Alua, and see some of the poetry work of 3-509.
• We are going to Stoneledge Farm on May 27th! Dee Dee and Vanessa will be joining us as chaperones. I will send out an email with more specifics this Friday, but plan to have the kids arrive to school no later than 7:45 because we will leave at 8:00 am sharp. We hope to arrive back at P.S. 11 at 5:00 pm.
• There is no school Monday May 25th, as we are observing Memorial Day.

HOMEWORK:

Monday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, sort words in word study notebook, finish researching country (if you haven't done so). A Reading Response is due Friday.

Tuesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, Line Plot HW, Reading Response is due Friday.

Wednesday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, Word Study Menu Option, Line Plot HW, Reading Response is due Friday.

Thursday: Read and jot for 30 minutes, glue and study words, Line Plot HW, Reading Response is due Friday.

Friday: Read and jot for 30 minutes each day over the weekend.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are wrapping up Mystery Book Clubs. We are looking for lessons we can learn from our stories, and are planning book club posters that will share these important lessons and findings.

Writing: This week we are transitioning from taking notes about countries of interest to drafting a table of contents and writing long across chapters. Students are creating sections geared towards the land, economy, culture, and histories of their countries, in addition to others. We will revise these sections at the end of this week, and will aim to publish by May 29th.

Math:  This week we are moving from Pictographs to Line Plots. We will explore how to partition a line into fourths and halves, and will plots these points along our plots.

Social Studies: This week we are launching Folk Tales Around the World. We will start by reading a wide variety of tales, and identifying similarities and differences between myths, fables, and legends.

Weekly Updates 5/11-5/15

NEWS/EVENTS

• Farm permission slips for our trip to Stoneledge Farm were sent home today for our May 27th trip. Unfortunately bus students missed these, so I will make sure they receive a copy tomorrow. We will only be selecting two chaperones per class, as there is limited seating on our buses. Also, chaperones should know that they will most likely be separated from their children on this trip. For all big PS 11 trips, this has been the policy. By doing this the emphasis is more about safety and the coordination of the trip than spending one on one time with children. Thank you for your understanding in advance! If this still appeals to you, I will draw names by Friday to select the two chaperones. Priority will go to parents that have not yet attended a PS 11 field trip this year.
• The next family Friday (enrichment celebration) has been moved to June 12th. 
• We will most likely have an end of the year celebration for students and families. The date is TBD.
• May 19th is poetry night and our students have nominated our very own Alua to represent our class!

CURRICULUM

Reading: As we approach the end of our Mystery Book Clubs, this week we will spend the last bend of the unit reflecting on lessons learned from decisions our characters made, walking in the shoes of our detectives, and continuing to reflect on theories and ideas. Most students have read a minimum of two books in the series, and we hope to read at least one more by next week.

Writing: Now that students have their sights on the countries they would like to research and write about, we are focusing on goal setting and starting to write long about different sections.

Math: We are repeating the data collection process of asking a question, collecting data, organizing and representing data, describing and summarizing data, and interpreting the data but this time pictographs. We are considering the process as a whole and are working to develop more sophisticated questions that have a meaningful purpose.

Social Studies: Although I am still using Nigeria as a country to model strategies with during Writing Workshop, in the next week we are taking a Nigeria performance task and will then move on to Folk Tales Around the World.

Weekly Updates 5/4-5/8

NEWS/EVENTS

• Tonight is the PS 11 Spring Auction and Gala at The Hudson Terrace! I look forward to seeing you there!
• This Friday is Hannah Ticoll's (our fabulous intern from Teacher College) last day. We are working on a special project, which will be presented to her by the kids on Friday.
• This week I will be sending home permission slips for our upcoming field trip on May 27th to Stoneledge Farms. Keep your eyes open! It will most likely be sent home Thursday.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are diving into other books in our mystery series, and studying connection across books as well as growing ideas. We are experimenting with different talk tools to strengthen the discussions we are having with club members.

Writing: We just launched our newest writing unit- Creating Information Books about Countries Around the World. We are revisiting text features this week, and will select a new country of interest by Friday.

Math: Last week we launched our newest math unit: Data Collection and Graphing. Throughout this month we are teaching the kids the process of developing a question, collecting data, representing the data, describing and summarizing the data, and drawing conclusions. We will do three cycles of this implementing different types of graphs. Last week we highlighted bar graphs. Towards the middle of this week we will focus on picture graphs.

Social Studies: We are wrapping up our study of Nigeria and will soon be moving on to Folk Tales around the World!

Have a great week,

Ms. Bouchard

Weekly Updates 4/27- 5/1

NEWS/EVENTS

• Family Friday is this Friday! We are having a poetry slam here in 509. Families, we would love it if you also brought some of your own poetry work to read and share.
• The Gala is next Monday May 4th at the Hudson Terrace. I look forward to seeing many of you there!
• The SLT is presenting girls facts night this Thursday from 6-7pm.
• Now that state exams are over, we would love to revive our parent guest speaker sign up. Please check out the sign up genius link for available slots, and if those dates do not work with you, we can find another time. Please email me two days before your scheduled date to confirm your presentation, and to let me know if I can support you with any resources. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4ea8a823a0fa7-center

HOMEWORK

Monday: Read for 30 minutes and jot. A reading response is due this Thursday, student may decide what evening they are doing this.

Tuesday: Read for 30 minutes and jot. A reading response is due this Thursday, student may decide what evening they are doing this. Sort words (in writing) in word study notebook). Use fact fluency resources to work towards your fluency goal (and share with parents).

Wednesday: Read for 30 minutes and jot. A reading response is due this Thursday, student may decide what evening they are doing this. Select a word study menu option. Graphing math work.

Thursday: Read for 30 minutes and jot. Glue words in purple word study book and study for spelling test. Graphing practice.

Friday: Read for 30 minutes each day and jot. Graphing practice.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are finishing the first books in our mystery series and starting to look at trends, clues, and suspects, that carry over to other books. 

Writing: Today we are spending one more day publishing our poetry anthologies. Students will select one of these published poems to share during family Friday. Later this week we are starting our next writing unit- writing informational books about countries around the world, specifically Nigeria.

Math- Today we are spending some time reflecting on our math fluency goals and will develop a plan for practice to master them. Tomorrow we will officially launch our next math unit: Data and Graphing. 

Social Studies: This week we are wrapping up Nigeria centers in preparation for our information writing unit.

Have a great week,

Ms. Bouchard

Weekly Updates 4/20-4/24

Hi Everyone,

One set of exams down, one to go! 3-509 has been working hard, and is ready to take the State Math Exams this Wednesday-Friday (April 22nd-24th). Like last week, please encourage the kids to get to bed at a good hour, eat a great breakfast, and arrive with enough time so sprinting up to the 5th floor is not needed. We will start each day at 9:00 am.

The only assignment I am asking students to complete is to finish problems #14-24 in Book 2, Practice Test 2 this evening and to read each day for enjoyment over the course of the rest of the week.

NEWS/EVENTS

• The Spring Gala Fundraiser is coming up on Monday May 5th at the Hudson Terrace.
• Family Friday will take place Friday May 1st.
• The Math State exams are this week, Wednesday April 22- Friday April 24th.
• We have some exciting events coming up in May. On Wednesday May 27th we are going to Stoneledge Farm in the Catskills to learn where the produce from the 3rd grade farm stand is coming from! More information to come!

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are launching our next reading unit- Mystery Book Clubs! We are thrilled to dive back into fiction. This week we are learning how to study our characters to grow ideas and theories, and how to pay attention to the setting to find clues.

Writing: This week we are taking our poetry work out once more! After reflecting on possible anthology themes, students are selecting their top 4-6 poems that fall under their categories. This week we are using a variety of checklists to revise and edit their work. By early next week we are publishing.

Math: We are finishing up our marathon training to prepare for this week's exams. Next week we are launching our Data and Graphing Unit.

Have a great week!

Ms. Bouchard

Weekly Updates 4/13-4/17

Hi Families of 3-509,

The time has finally come. This week we are taking the State ELA exam on Tuesday April 14th, Wednesday April 15th, and Thursday April 16th. This kids have worked so hard this year, and I couldn't be prouder.

This week there will be no homework. I told the kids this morning that I want them to get a good night's sleep, have a good breakfast, and plan to arrive to school a little earlier than usual (because nothing is worse than frantically trying to get to the 5th floor). I will start to let students come in to calmly unpack, relax, meditate, and use the bathroom around 8:40. We plan to start promptly at 9:00 each day.

Here are some tips for tonight- make a pump up play list! I told the class that before any race or marathon I run I make a play list of my favorite "pick me up" songs that inspire me and make me feel good (ahem- eye of the tiger, we are the champions, one moment in time). They are ready.

Thank you for all of your support, and as always email me with any questions and concerns. 

Ms. B

NEWS/EVENTS

• The State ELA Exams will take place April 14-16th (Tues- Wed, this week)
• The State Math Exams will take place April 22-24tg (Wed- Fri, next week)
• Family Friday will take place on April 30th

CURRICULUM

Reading and Writing: NY State Exams. Students will have time for independent reading after the exams, so please make sure they bring all just right books back to school.

Math: Today we took the preassessment for our next Math unit- Data, Measurement and Graphing. Throughout the week we are reviewing strategies for showing our work and solving multistep problems.

Weekly Updates 3/30- 4/3

NEWS/EVENTS

• April break is coming up! Students will be on spring recess from 4/3 (Good Friday) through April 12th. School will be back in session Monday April 13th.
• The ELA State exams will take place from Tuesday April 14th- Thursday April 16th. We are asking students to get a good night's sleep, have a good breakfast, and arrive on time. We will start the exams at 9:00 am sharp.
• The State Math Exams will take place Wednesday April 22- Friday April 24th. Again, we are asking students to get a good night's sleep, have a good breakfast, and arrive on time. We will start the exams at 9:00 am.
• Tickets to the annual Gala and Auction Fundraiser will be 50% off for a special one day sale on April 1st.
• Please remember to return your school surveys- this can be done online, or can be submitted through the mail. The deadline is April 2nd. The participation rate is very important for P.S. 11, so the time you take to do this is very appreciated!

HOMEWORK

Monday: Read for 30 minutes, Students will select an informational passage that they haven't yet read or responded to and will answer the questions, Comparing fractions HW

Tuesday: Read for 30 minutes, Complete extended response for Super Crocs, Fraction Word Problem Practice

Wednesday: Read for 30 minutes, Complete short response for "The Old Man and His Grandson." Complete Fraction review for tomorrow's Post Assessment

Thursday: Over break students will select one extended response to complete for practice, one reading passage, and a few math extended responses.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This is our last week of ELA marathon training! For reading we are reviewing mixed genres such as poems, plays, opinion pieces, and other myths/fables/Folk Tales.

Writing: This week we are taking everything we know about crafting strong short responses and are diving into extended responses. Today we discussed how to break down address, and plan a response, and later in the week we will revisit ways to use introductions, conclusions, transitional phrases, and how to rank evidence.

Math: This week we are wrapping up fractions. Today we reviewed multiple strategies for comparing fractions, tomorrow we are reviewing word problems, Wednesday we will review, and Thursday we will take the post assessment.

Have a great week, and see you soon!

Ms. Bouchard

Weekly Updates 3/23-3/27

NEWS/EVENTS

• Students participating in the Track and Field meet will participate this upcoming Thursday, March 26th. 
• Family Friday is this Friday, March 27th due to the track meet! We are presenting Wax Museum Exhibits in the Auditorium, and will meet downstairs at 8:50 am.
• Spring break will take place Friday April 3rd- Sunday April 12th.
• The ELA State exam will take place Tuesday April 14- Thursday April 16th, and the Math exams will take place Wednesday April 22nd- Friday April 24th.

HOMEWORK

Monday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Build the Perfect Sand Castle," and complete equivalent fraction practice HW. 

Tuesday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "How Benny West Learned to be a Painter," and complete equivalent fraction practice HW. Practice Wax Museum Presentation for 10 minutes.

Wednesday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Crazy Critters," and complete Marathon Math practice around elapsed time. Practice Wax Museum Presentation for 10 minutes.

Thursday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Copycat Elephants," and complete Marathon Math practice around elapsed time. Practice Wax Museum Presentation for 10 minutes.

Friday: Read for at least 30 minutes each day. Complete Marathon Math practice around elapsed time.

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week our marathon training is shifting towards nonfiction reading strategies. Throughout the week we will revisit finding Main Idea, identifying structures in texts, using context clues to learn new vocabulary, studying how parts of a text relate to each other, and identifying Main Idea in Disguise.

Writing: This week our marathon training practice is shifting from short response work to extended responses, which mirror work we have done previously in our baby literary essay unit.

Math: This week we are reviewing equivalent fraction strategies and are tackling different word problems addressing fractions. Next week we will engage in fraction review centers and will take the fraction post assessment on Wednesday April 1st.

Social Studies: We are continuing to visit centers about Nigeria!

See you soon!

Ms. Bouchard

Wax Museum Projects

Hi Families of 3-509!

I just wanted to confirm that next Friday March 27th we will have our biography Wax Museum presentation. This will be our monthly family Friday! The presentations/ exhibit will take place from about 8:50-9:30.

See you then, and have a great weekend!

Ms. Bouchard

Weekly Updates 3/16-3/20

NEWS/UPDATES

Please read below for important information pertaining to Parent Teacher Conferences and our "Marathon Training" for the upcoming NY State ELA and Math exams.

EVENTS:

• Parent Teacher Conferences are starting this week! If you haven't signed up for a slot please do so as soon as possible to ensure you have a time that works with your schedule. Visit: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4babab2aa6fa7-march
• Thursday is a half day. Dismissal is at 11:50 am.
• Our Biography wax museum presentations will most likely take place first period on Friday March 27th- this will be our new family Friday date. I will confirm this by this upcoming Friday.
• Students participating in Track and Field have a meet next Thursday March 26th.

Homework

During our "marathon training" for state exams, I am giving students a break from nightly jotting and word study. In it's place, I am asking students to complete some practice homework to support strategies learned during the day. Please follow the schedule below for this week's homework.

Throughout the week/weekend: Work on biography poster ( 1 hour). 

Monday: Read for 40 minutes, complete fraction number line practice 

Tuesday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Mr. Hacker" and "The Secret Message" (it is okay if this is part of the 30 minutes of reading, I discussed this with kids as they are still reading), fraction number line practice, bar graph practice p. 4-5 in math graph packet

Wednesday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Hand Me Down Crayons" (it is okay if this is part of the 30 minutes of reading, I discussed this with kids as they are still reading), fraction number line practice, picture graph practice p. 10 in math graph packet

Thursday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Sulka Saves the Savanna" (it is okay if this is part of the 30 minutes of reading, I discussed this with kids as they are still reading), equivalent fraction practice, picture graph practice p. 14-15 in math graph packet

Friday: Read for 30 minutes, read and answer questions for "Go Fish" (it is okay if this is part of the 30 minutes of reading, I discussed this with kids as they are still reading), equivalent fraction practice, make a graph using data

CURRICULUM

Visit our P.S. 11 site for our monthly newsletter @ http://ps11chelsea.org/storage/3509Bouchard%20March%20Newsletter%202015.pdf

Reading: This week we launched our "Marathon Training" for the ELA by reviewing strategies and skills tied to Narrative Passages (Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Fables, Folk Tales, Myths). Our week started with a shared experience as a class, and over the course of each day we move towards greater independence.

Writing: This week we are focusing on using all we know about writing to answer short response questions. Students will use a series of checklists and student examples to understand the components of a short response, and will work as a whole class, in partnerships, and independently for practice.

Math: This week we are continuing to explore fractions on a number line, and will study how to use number lines to compare unlike fractions. Later in the week we will review different ways to identify equivalent fractions.

Social Studies: We will have another rotation of Nigeria Centers Thursday, and will connect some of our marathon work to a Nigerian Folk Tale.

Many thanks for all of your support!

Ms. Bouchard