Our Holiday Party was a huge success! Thank you to all the families who sent in food, and paper products for the Holiday Party. The children loved making the craft and playing the games. Also,  a big thank you to everyone who helped organize the party and volunteered to help. Mrs. Corliss' class wishes everyone a joyous Holiday season!

Science: Force and Motion

We recently finished our first Science unit on Force and Motion. The students learned that a force is a push or pull. We also discussed patterns in motion, friction, unbalanced and balanced forces.
Essential Questions How can you tell whether something is moving? How do forces change motion?
For the final performance tasks students had to think like demolition experts. They had to plan to knock over a model building (made of plastic cups). The challenge was to plan to knock over the model so that 4 cups were left standing after the demolition was done. They students had to plan and work together as a group. Each group was successfully able to complete the challenge.

Halloween Party

Here are a few pictures from our Halloween Party.  The children looked great in their costumes! Thank you to everyone that provided food, crafts, paper products and helped with the party.  The students enjoyed the games, crafts, food and music! If they didn't take their pumpkin home yesterday, they will take it home today. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Party and Extra Credit

Since school is cancelled again due to the storm, our class Halloween Party will be rescheduled until tomorrow, November 1st at 12:45. I hope that everyone is well, didn't experience extensive property damage and if you don't have power, it's restored soon. Please tell the children I miss them and  look forward to seeing them tomorrow. I've listed some optional Extra Credit opportunities if your child is looking for a challenge or something to do!
Students may complete any of these activities for Extra Credit. 
Create a Fall or Halloween inspired...
Story Comic Poem Song Dance Play Math Word Problems
or 
Write a Book Review about a book you've read recently. Include 3- 5 sentences describing the book, but don't give away the ending. What did you like or dislike about the book? Would you recommend it to a friend? Why or why not?

Halloween Party

We will have our Halloween Party tomorrow, October 31st from  12:45-1:30. The class has been working hard and is looking forward to the party!  
There will be time prior to the party for the children to change into their costumes. Students should leave all props and make-up at home. 
Please feel free to drop by and join us for our celebration.
I hope all the students enjoy this unexpected day off. I look forward to seeing them tomorrow!

First Grade Buddies

 Yesterday we met with our First grade Buddies for the first time. The students asked each other questions to get to know each other. They recorded their answers on a Venn Diagram to see how they are alike and different. 

Some of the questions they asked were...

What's your favorite color?

What color eyes do you have?

How many kids are in your family?

The first and third graders worked so well together. I loved listening to the third graders help the first graders with spelling and explaining phonics rules. Mrs. Truhart and I can't wait for our classes to get together again!

 
 

Writing and Reminders

During the first few weeks of school we have reviewed the steps of the writing process. We will take many pieces through the writing process this year, starting with a personal narrative. 
We learned that the steps of the writing process are... 1. Prewriting 2. Drafting 3. Revising 4. Editing 5. Publishing
This week we have been writing Four Star Sentences. The students took very simple sentences and added specific words, descriptive words and more information to improve their sentences. We discussed how our Four Star Sentences included more details and helped the reader create a  clear picture in their mind. As we write our narratives, we will focus on word choice and descriptive details. We will learn that good writers help the reader create a picture in their mind so they feel as if they are right there.

The class loves using the new Chrome Books and Google Docs.
On Thursday we will type our Four Star Sentences using Google Docs.

Reminders...

• We need pennies for our Steam Challenge on Friday. If each child could bring in 50-100 pennies by Thursday it would be very helpful. The children will bring home any pennies they bring to school on Friday.
• Friday is and Early Release Day at 12:00. There will be no lunch served.
• The Book Order is due Friday. If you would like to order online,our class authorization code is H226Z. You can place your order at https://clubs.scholastic.com/

Parent Seminar Information

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to Parent Seminar last night! If  you weren't able to make it, I look forward to meeting you in the future. 

• At the top of my blog there is a tap for December Conferences. Please click on the tab and sign up for a time that is convenient for you. There is also a page for monthly classroom supplies if you would like to contribute supplies to our classroom.
• Room 215 is still looking for a classroom photographer for the yearbook. Please email me if you are interested.
• If you haven't signed up for Remind, please do so. I think it will be a convenient way to send reminders to families.

We're off to a Great Start in 3rd Grade!

We’ve had a successful start to the school year! During the first week, we made a list of class rules and have been busy learning classroom routines. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each of the children and am looking forward to a wonderful year!

Please return the following forms as soon as possible:
*Yellow Emergency Card
* The Steward School Student Information Sheet 

Open House

 The Open House for third grade parents will be held on Tuesday, September 19^th from 6:00-6:45. At this time, I will share information about our classroom, third grade and the curriculum that will be taught this year. I look forward to meeting each of you and hope that you will be able to attend.


Thank you TESPTO for the back to school gift! The apple and homemade caramel sauce was delicious!It is wonderful to work in such a thoughtful community.

Welcome Back!

I hope that everyone had a fun summer! My summer vacation was very relaxing and I'm grateful for all the memories I made with  family and friends. I'm looking forward to the first day of school and can't wait to see my new third graders again on Wednesday, August 30th!
Students click here to read your summer letter.

Field Trip Tomorrow

FIELD TRIP REMINDER-TOMORROW

On  Thursday, June 1st we are going on a walking tour of Topsfield.

*All children must have a nut free “brown” bagged lunch and should leave backpacks and binders at home.                                                    

*We will also have a nut free snack-please pack something that is easy to eat (without a spoon).                                                                              

*Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Most importantly- We are dismissing from Proctor School. Please write a note for your child that indicates how they will get home that day, ONLY if they are NOT riding their regular bus.  Any child being picked up, even if they have a permanent pick up note will need a pick up note on this day.

*Please indicate on the note if your child will be a pick up, take a different bus or walk from Proctor School.

Poetry Celebration

Poetry Celebration

When: Tomorrow (5/25) at 9:00 AM

We have been very busy writing poems, and hope that you will be able to attend our Poetry Celebration!

Important!

We are having Pajama Day and a Read-In tomorrow!

As part of the Read In, each student may bring in the following:

1. A pillow

2. A sleeping bag or blanket

3. One stuffed animal

     I encourage the students to bring only what they can carry themselves.

Save the Date!

You’re invited to our

Third Grade Poetry Celebration

Who:    Mrs. Corliss’ Class               

What:  A celebration of poetry

Where:  Our classroom, Room 215        

When:  Thursday, May 25th at 9:00am

Why:  To share our love of poetry

MCAS reminder

Students will be taking the Math MCAS this week. We want to make MCAS days as enjoyable and stress free as possible. Please help your child by making sure he/she is well rested and fed. We are planning on having extra recess on testing days as a special reward. Students may bring an extra snack all week.

5/9 Math MCAS
5/11 Math MCAS

Spirit Day Tomorrow

One of the prizes for reading during the Read-A-Thon was a class Spirit Day. Our class voted and tomorrow will be Famous Person/Sports Day!

MCAS reminder

MCAS are coming! We want to make MCAS days as enjoyable and stress free as possible. Please help your child by making sure he/she is well rested and fed. Also, please pack him/her an extra snack on MCAS days. We are planning on having extra recess on testing days as a special reward.

Monday   4/10 MCAS:ELA

Wednesday  4/12 MCAS:ELA

Thursday  4/13  MCAS:ELA

* Please note that there was a mistake on the reminder slip that went home today. The above dates are correct. Also, I told the class that they could bring an extra snack all week, which they were very happy about!

Poetry Celebration and Important Dates

You’re invited to our

Third Grade Poetry Celebration

Who: Grade 3 Families                

What:  A celebration of poetry

Where:  Our classroom           

When:  Thursday,  May 25th at 9:00 A.M.

Why:  To share our love of poetry

There are a lot of fun events at the end of the year. Below are all of the events that have been scheduled at this time. I have also  listed them on the "Important Dates" page.

4/4  Grade 3 Concert @ 2:30

4/6 Parent Teacher Conferences (Delayed Opening @ 10:45)

4/7  Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Release @ 12:00)

4/10 MCAS:ELA

4/12 MCAS:ELA

4/13 MCAS:ELA

4/17-4/21 April Vacation

4/27 Spirit Day: Career/Future Day

5/9 MCAS: Math

5/11 MCAS:Math

5/24 Discovery Science Museum - Weather Program (Enrichment)

5/25 Poetry Celebration @ 9:00 (Parents invited)

5/25 Spirit Day: Crazy Hair/Mismatch Day

5/26 Early Release @ 1:15

5/29 No School (Memorial Day)

6/1 Field Trip: Tour Of Topsfield and Proctor Play

6/9 Field Trip: Boston Tea Party Museum

6/13 Field Day

6/14 Field Day (rain day)

6/15 School Spirit Day: Show you Steward School Spirit

6/19 Fun Finale

6/20 Fun Finale  (rain day)

During the past two weeks the class learned about people who are deaf or have a hearing loss during D.A.S.H. The students learned about cochlear implants, hearing aids, FM systems and how to protect their hearing. They were very excited to learn to finger spell their name and play "Go Fish" using sign language. Most importantly, the students came away with an understanding of what it is like to have a hearing loss.

Everyone tried "lip reading." It was very hard!

The students loved playing "Go Fish" using sign language!

We got to use a F.M. System. Children with a hearing loss use an F.M. System in school to help them hear their teacher.

How can you protect your hearing?
-Wear ear plugs if you attend a concert or are near a loud sound
-Lower the volume on your Ipod or phone, especially if you are wearing ear buds
-Lower the volume of the TV and radio

A BIG THANK YOU to the D.A.S.H. coordinators and parent volunteers. This was a wonderful learning experience for the children!

Read Across America Day

Last week we celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday at Steward School! First, we had a whole school assembly to kick off the our celebration of reading, which will continue all month.Then Dr. Moore (Elise's mom) read Horton Hatches the Egg to us. The class really enjoyed the book! After reading the book, Dr, Moore taught the class about some of the organs in the human body. Thank you Dr. Moore for celebrating reading with us!

Students took turns putting organs on "Bob" and answering questions about the important job of each organ.

   The whole school decorated doors to celebrate reading and Dr. Seuss. This is our door! I am so proud of the students in room 215. They impress me every day with their curiosity and creativity!