April 15-19

Well, if it won't act like Spring outside, we'll have to bring Spring inside.  We made giant synonym flowers to brighten up our board.  Sadly, we had to include some umbrellas and rain drops, too.  We explained how we solved a subtraction problem on the umbrella.  Writing about solving a math problem is expected in third grade and it is also part of the Common Core State Standards.

Permission slips are going home for our field trip to the zoo.  We would love lots of chaperones to make this trip fun and educational.  Chaperones will be asked to carpool.  (Read:  you won't have to ride the bumpy, loud bus!)  No chaperones will be turned away! 

Math: We continue to work on multiplication and division this week.  We are taking an end of the unit assessment and also going to take another day to practice writing about our math thinking.

Science: We discovered that changing the shape of an object affects buoyancy by creating "boats" out of clay.  Did your child's boat sink or float?

Reading: We are working on comparing and contrasting two books on the same topic.  We did Venn Diagrams in groups last week and this week we will work on one individually.

Ms. Heidloff: Our wonderful student teacher is getting ready for two lead teaching weeks.  She has great things planned to teach about economics, number patterns, comparing two versions of the same story from different cultures and lots more!  I will be in the room working in small reading groups, but other than that, she's in charge!  I'm sure she will do great.  Look for her at drop off and pick up and let her know if you have any questions.

Dates:  Check Back each week as we update and add important dates.  New dates are bold.

Tuesday, April 16th:  Academic Fair and Egg Drop (Egg drop will start around 12:30.)
Thursday, April 18th:  Sunny Notes for Sale! 25 cents each or 5/$1.00
Friday, April 19th:  Pajama Day!
Monday, April 22-Thursday, April 26:  Book Fair!  Every day after school until 6:00.  There is also an online sale this year.  Click here to see teachers wish lists. (Some teachers have wish lists and some teachers have teacher picks, check both tabs if you can't find your child's teacher.)
Friday, May 3:  Irving Sleepover
Monday, May 13th:  Field Trip to Lincoln Park Zoo-Lot's of chaperones needed!
Thursday, May 16th:  Art Fest/Poetry Slam!
Friday, May 24th:  Parent/Teacher Softball game and GET RID OF THE ASPHALT PARTY!!!!!
May 28, 10-3 Barrie Park Second Grade Picnic

Irving Green Team created an art project out of recycled materials as part of the first annual "Eco-Art Exhibit" contest.  Five schools participated.  You can find ours at the Visit Oak Park center on Lake Street.  Go inside to vote for Irving's project!   The winning project will be announced at Earth Fest on April 20th.  The winning team gets a pizza party and recognition in the local paper!  (Vote early and often until April 20th!)