A Week in our Shoes

 Literacy: Integrating Social Studies with Literacy!

We were able to investigate a historial source this week; Columbus's journal! We broke down the text to understand what he was saying, and then discussed perspectives. We realized his account may not be the actual full history of what had happened when he sailed to the small islands he thought were India. Once we looked at his perspective, we discussed the Taino people he met and what could have been their perspective. Through Encounter by Jane Yolen, we were able to get an understanding of history from their point of view. Then we discussed why one version has been passed down over the years, and their version wasn't. The Taino people were gentle and friendly. They welcomed guests and gave them gifts symbolic of friendship. Columbus's perspective was that he claimed the land for his king and queen fair and square, and that they were a simple people that could easily be made to take on the Spanish cutlure, religion, and language. Quite a different history.

Next week we will look at some timeline events of Native American rights and discuss how their people were treated. Did you know there was an "Indian Boarding School" in Minnesota? It closed 110 years ago. We will read a book and discuss. Our history isn't pretty, but we have to acknowledge that in order to truly understand. It's empowering for these learners to hear that they are the future leaders, lawmakers, and decision makers of our country and to hear about their ideas! I am very confident in the direction they will take us and the world! :)

Math: Investigating the MCA Online Item Sampler and Showing What we Know! OH- and FARKLE!

These mathematicians worked hard at showing the strategies they have learned this year; such as checking their work, drawing pictures, solving another way, rereading, and breaking down the problem! There is so much more to math than just completing an operation! We have reiterated that these tests do not have to do with their grades, do not truly assess all their skills, and do not define them. However, do to the safety precautions we have to take for the tests, it still can seem overwhelming and a "big deal." I am so proud of the third graders for showing grit and working through these in a positive manner. Therefore we had to have a "Poppin' Proud of You!" celebration!

Thank you for your feedback through the optional homework survey and the communication survey! As we have been given some flexibility with how we assign, or if we assign homework, I have been able to make some changes. I discussed my purposes with the students on Friday (I let them know there were a lot of adults debating homework views as well ). I also talked to them a bit about the research in regards to the traditional view of homework. My "homework" over the last couple weeks has been to show the work we did in math to a parent/family member and explain their understanding of it.

I have made challenge math packets available and I let students know this is a tool some families have asked for and they can use it in whatever way their family decides. Some may complete it by a date, or do a problem a night, or what have you. Again, thank you for your feedback and feel free to continue to provide it!

 

A Peek into This Week:

• Tuesday is a schoolwide Wacky Hair or Hat Day! Ask your MB student how the school earned it!
• Applying our favorite strategies to multiply larger numbers!
• Our first Bakken Museum Residency Lesson is on Friday!
• Investigating expository mentor texts in order to write our own!
• Showing and appreciating Integrity! May is Curiosity Month!
• There are NO MORE LATE STARTS this year.