August 31- Sept. 4,  2015

Weekly News:

Theme: Cooperation

“How can we all support each other in reaching our hopes and dreams?” “What kind of an environment is going to be Safe, Respectful, and Ready for us all to learn?” “What procedures do we need to have in place?” “What will they look like in our class?”

We started to build our acronym C.A.R.E.S. This week it was C for Cooperation.  Everything we did involved cooperation. Group projects, “Think, Pair, Share,” games/ greetings (4 corners, Rumplestiltskin, loggers greeting, sharing spaces, etc.), and practicing transitions. Many authentic teachable moments presented themselves.

Classroom Library: It is open and in full use. Second graders spent most of the week getting to know the systems and just what kinds of books are in their classroom. Little tests were given each day to practice putting the books in their proper places. After all, ‘READING IS THINKING” and every book has it’s place for a reason. Most third graders are looping this year and the new kids are catching on quick, they have some great teachers! Third graders focus is building their reading stamina. 

FYI: Most books can be borrowed for homework. I ask that one at a time go home and returned before borrowing another. Later in the year, it might look a little different

Brain Science: Getting Focused

We are learning about 3 parts of our brain that are important in thinking, in dealing with our feelings, and learning new things. We’ve begun using (and understanding) words like amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus! Our amygdala keeps us safe. It is our security guard (lock). Our prefrontal cortex (P.F.C.-our wise leader) controls decision making, focus, attention, and allows to use those high level thinking skills. The hippocampus (memory maker) is a storage vault of memory and learning.Our goal throughout the year is to help our young learners to find ways to calm their amygdala under stress when there is no danger, strengthen their ability to focus by getting information to their PFC efficiently, and store important information in their hippocampus.

Notes and Reminders

Our class BLOG has been added to the BES Website. This will be another place folks can go to keep abreast of news in our class. The actual web address is turcotteexplorers.blogspot.com

Thank you to the few parents that have completed my survey. It is not too late! Next week, I’ll be sending the newsletter through email with blog update links….the “spicy” version.

3rd Grade planner homework is a daily check in. Parents don’t forget to initial in 2 places.

2nd graders- Homework due Friday.

All beginning of the year office forms need to be returned.

Upcoming Events

September 7   No School Labor Day

September 17th Community potluck and open house 6- 7:30pm

Coming Up…. Where in the World Projects, Mindfulness, and Writer’s Notebooks