Social Studies: Mosaics Inspired by Pompeii

After reading about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that buried Pompeii and looking at mosaics, frescoes, and other artifacts recovered by archaeologists, the girls made their very own mosaics. The girls worked enthusiastically on this activity and many of them made more than one mosaic. Enjoy looking at this collection of mosaics and ask your daughter to identify hers.

Reading: Metacognition

In 3rd grade reading class this year, we will be talking a lot about reading strategies.  The work we do is based on Tanny McGregor's book Comprehension Connections.  Several weeks ago we introduced metacognition - thinking about our thinking.  We talked about "fake reading," when you can read the words, but you don't actually really understand what you're reading. Many of the girls admitted to fake reading, too! Then I took out my salad bowl (yes, you read that right) and we "tossed"together our reading and our thinking.

Last week I used a two feet wide thought bubble to show how proficient readers think while they are reading.  Many of the girls had a chance to demonstrate thinking with the giant thought bubble.

Today the girls worked in pairs to practice their metacognitive knowledge using wordless picture books.  Metacognition is a critical foundational strategy and we will refer to it frequently.  Ask your daughters to tell you all about this strategy.

French: Trip to Paris

In French class, the girls are busy preparing for their trip to Paris.  They have bought their tickets and gotten their passports.  They are currently working on getting all of their suitcases packed.  Remember that suitcases need to be checked in by October 8th so that they will be all ready for our flight on the 14th.  Our pilot arrives nice and early that morning so please make sure that the girls come well rested and ready for take-off.  We will enjoy two lovely months in Paris and be back on December 7th.

Also, I am in search of one or two parents that could help as flight attendants during our trip on Tuesday the 14th.  If you are available, please contact me at graye@brynmawrschool.org.

From the Library

Third graders started off the year figuring out what constitutes a series of books as opposed to random assorted titles by the same author. They decided that books in a series tend to have the same characters. Often the books look alike in size and design, but not always. The girls have been challenged with reading either a whole series or all the books in our collection by one author. These vary from two book series (Tricia Springstubb's What Happened on Fox Street and the sequel Mo Wren, Lost and Found) to the 56 volume Nancy Drew series. We have 14 books, easy to not-so-easy, by Jaqueline Woodson. We have 13 by Grace Lin. If girls are interested in taking this author study challenge, I will help them find a just right author. A terrific series for reading aloud at home is Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series.

Technology: We have an app for that!

The girls have been very busy learning a variety of new apps in the classroom, during art, french, technology and more. Here is a list of the apps they have been using:

Edmodo
iBooks
Make-a-Mosaic
Marble Math
                                              Flow Free
                                              Socrative
                                              Art set
                                              Art authority
                                              Pic collage
                                              Visualator

Making Discoveries Through Mosaics

During social studies the girls are learning about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and life in ancient Pompeii.  They are currently working on creating group or individual mosaic pieces, connecting the past to the future.  Check back later to see their finished masterpieces. 

Kindergarten Readers

On 'Wonderful Wednesday' the Rogers' girls have the opportunity to read aloud to the kindergarteners.  The Mills' homeroom wraps up the week with the perfect ending, reading to their new Lower School friends.  After selecting their books, the girls practice reading with fluency and expression.