Writing Fiction

This week SBS 3rd graders have been immersed in the planning of their fiction stories. Each student developed a main character, thinking carefully about the character's physical characteristics, personality traits, wish, and problem. Once this character development was complete, children mapped their story using a "story mountain" board. This was comprised of five scenes, including the problem, turning point, and resolution. It is inspiring to see the investment each child has in their story and the excitement with which they are greeting this work. At the end of the week, children met with writing partners to share their work. In these partnerships, they were asked to share one compliment, one question, and one suggestion they had about their partner's story. This collaboration helped to strengthen each students' ideas before we move on to the next stage of the writing process.

Another exciting aspect of our work this week has been the exploration of multiplication facts.

We have begun with the 2's table. Students made the connection that you can count by 2's in order to use the 2's facts. We made fact cards and students worked together to begin committing them to memory.

In technology this week, we continued learning about, and experimenting with, iMovie. This tool will be used to create movies about our Japanese research next month.

Upcoming Dates and Events

Monday, 1/17: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)

Tuesday, 1/18: Sub Day!

Friday, 2/11: Pasta Supper @ 5:30

Friday, 2/18: Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School for kids)

Monday, 2/21: Presidents' Day (No School)

Monday, 3/14: Spring Break begins (Classes resume on 3/28)

Have a wonderful, long weekend!