In math, we introduced geometry and 2-dimensional shapes. We worked with new vocabulary words such as side, vertex/vertices, angle and polygon, line, line segment, endpoint and parallel and intersecting lines. We also learned how to describe shapes using attributes, such as color, size, and shape.
Polygons are 2-dimensional shapes with that follow these rules:
- Have three or more sides
- Are closed shapes
- Their sides do not cross
- All sides are straight, no curves
Below are some examples of polygons vs. shapes that are not polygons. You may have seen examples on SeeSaw that your child created using the app Geoboard.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
April is National Poetry Month. All month, we will be reading, writing and celebrating poetry. We have learned that a poet writes from his/her heart and sees the world with a poet's eye. Poets look at the world in new, unique, surprising and interesting ways. The most ordinary object, like a pencil sharpener, can become magical and the imagery leaves a lasting impression or feeling for the reader. Poets find poetry hiding everywhere and often in surprising places. We encourage the children to see if they too can find poetry "hiding."
Words are the poet's tools and because poems are often short, they must choose carefully. As we have read poems, we have learned about verbs, adjectives, synonyms, antonyms. We have also used the reading comprehension strategies of visualization and inferring to help us make sense of a poem and to create a "picture in our heads."
We explored how poets use line breaks to give their poem a rhythm or music. Poems are meant to be read out loud and reading poetry helps children with their fluency skills.
The children have begun been writing their own poems and we can't wait to share them with you. We have introduced some poetic forms, such as acrostic, haiku and free verse. We have quite an amazing class of young poets already!
This Thursday is National Poem in Your Pocket Day. Each child will choose a favorite, short poem written by a favorite poet or perhaps one they've written themselves. If it’s a poem from home, please send in a copy of it by Wednesday. We will also be searching for favorite poems in our many poetry books here at school. On Thursday, make sure your child wears clothing with pockets. The children will carry their poems with them throughout the day and read them to anyone who will listen. We invite you to join in too and share a poem with your child.
PIONEER COSTUME REMINDER
In May, we will travel in a wagon train across the Oregon Trail and learn all about the pioneers and Westward Expansion. During our study, the children will dress like pioneers! We have several costumes and accessories to share but not enough for everyone. We'd like each child to be able to dress like a pioneer and could use your help in bringing items from home or helping you child assemble a pioneer costume. Here are some other ideas for pioneer 1800’s clothing (think Little House on the Prairie): bonnets, aprons, simple long-sleeved dresses, suspenders, straw hats, vests, bandanas, stockings, and a lunch tied to a stick with a bandana or in a metal pail.
To get the Knicker look for boys, any pair of dress pants can be rolled up and cuffed just below the knee. Uniform or knee socks will cover the legs. Wear dark shoes or boots. Shirts can be button-downed and long-sleeved, dark solid colors, white, striped, plaid, or even flannel. Knickers and shirts are worn with suspenders. Golf caps or driving caps are a good substitute for newsboy caps and sweater vests are appropriate and acceptable.
Hopefully, you can find what you need to wear already at home but thrift stores are also a good place to look. Be creative! Costumes can be sent in any time but we'd like them by the first week of May. Thanks for your support!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB REMINDER
If you placed an order after the April 8th due date, your books will be delivered with the next order (early May). We plan to send another book club form home in the next week or two. Thank you.
LEARN ABOUT THIRD GRADE
Please save the date for the 2nd-3rd Grade Transitions Meeting, Thursday, May 5th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Gordan Parks Assembly Hall (Historic Campus). There you will have the chance to meet Principal Anglin, third grade teachers and the Learning and Counseling team. It's a wonderful opportunity for you to get your questions answered. This is a parents-only event.
Since we did not have school on Friday, the children did not write in their Family Message Journals.
Have a great week!