Science Homework

Today, we wrapped up a lesson about animal habitats and adaptations. Students were given two 40-minute periods to complete this work, yet some did not use their time wisely and will need to finish their homework tonight. Students should have brought home their paper, but if they forgot, you can find the assignment here.

As promised, here are the links that you'll need to complete your 6-7 post-it notes: 

• Desert
• Arctic
• Temperate forest
• Tropical rain forest
• Grasslands
• Ocean 
• Lake/River

Thanks in advance for getting your work finished! Remember to do your best work and to label your post-it notes with your name. 

Mini Novel!

Happy end of May! Somehow, the days just seem to speed by faster and faster by the day. It's incredible to think that we are now down to just 22.5 days of school left! 

As it's such a busy time, I want to update you on what's happening this week. (I'm sorry for the long delay since my last blog post. Everything important has been communicated daily to your darlings, so they are fully in the loop and, hopefully, you are, as well.) 

News to Note: 

• Tomorrow, 3LN will be presenting their Music Showcase, which our class has worked so hard to master. Here are all the details...

• It will be held in Miss Wyse's music room (259), which is over near the Grade 5 classrooms, just down the hall from the library. 

• Children should come to school wearing dressy clothes. Please note that we will NOT have PE in the morning, as usual, but I have rescheduled it to Wednesday morning at 8:10 AM. So, students can stay in their dressy clothes all day, if they choose. If they want to be more comfortable, they may change into the regular, non-PE school uniform. 

• It will last from 10:25-11:10 AM. Students will eat lunch directly afterwards. 

• Tuesday afternoon, our class will enjoy an ice cream party to celebrate learning the multiplication facts through 12. Even if they have not yet reached the 12's, children will still be given ice cream. The first ten students who passed the division speed test will receive extra toppings and a cherry on top. Congratulations!! (And, please keep practicing with your child if he/she is not quite there yet.) 

• Wednesday will be fun, as well, as students will  have their rescheduled PE, celebrate a secret birthday, and take the Unit 8 math test. (We have done extensive reviewing at school. I'm also sending home the completed review work tonight, so you can look it over together with your child.) 

• Thursday will be a busy day, as well. We have an ES Assembly to culminate our Baby Rhino Extravaganza. (Students may wear their T-shirts.) Then, we'll have our Souk Day, together with Ms. Jennifer T.'s class. For the Souk Day, each students should bring in 10-15 small items. These can be anything from homemade or store-bought cookies to gently used toys, bookmarks, etc. Basically, anything a children might enjoy. 

• Next Sunday, Ramadan school hours will likely go into effect. The information has been shared on SPOTS; however, if you missed it, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the revised schedule: 

• This week (May 21-25) will be the last week for Trimester 3 ASAs. Please note that they will last for one hour, instead of the usual 30 minutes. 

• In terms of curriculum, children are enjoying our various units. Here's an overview: 

• Reading--Research Clubs have been going well! Students are learning how to synthesize information from various texts,  take notes on what they read (in their own words), and respond to what they read (question info, have difference opinions, etc). 

• Writing--Students are writing powerful persuasive letters and seem to have found their own unique voice. They are writing to specific audiences to cause effectual change. Some of these persuasive letters are being written to solve a problem, while others are recommendations of "must-see" or "must-do" places. Some students have even taken initiative in writing their own reviews on Trip Advisor!! (Feel free to read these and "like" them: Farida, Zaid, Ms. Laura) Soon, students will be selecting one to improve or writing a new one, which they will then publish (to be graded). 

• Math--We are wrapping up our unit on Fractions. The class seems to have a great handle on how to make equivalent fractions, how to compare fractions, and how to identify fractions on a number line. They area also to solve number problem stories in real-life situations (Example: Andy bought 24 stamps for his stamp collection. Three-fourths of the stamps were from the UAE. How many stamps were from the UAE? Answer: 18 stamps) Students will show what they've learned on Wednesday as they take the last math test of the school year. (We will continue on to Unit 10; however, it will not be reported on the final report card.) 

• Science--Traits and Adaptations! Students are absolutely loving this unit, mostly because they are fascinated by the unique adaptations of animals and because we all love to laugh at the funny things animals do to mate, find food, create shelter, and survive, in general! These two videos are especially fun to watch: Wildlife in Disguise, Nature's Record Breakers. The second part of this unit will be focused on your child making his/her own animal creation. I will share more information about this next week. Parents will be invited to come into our classroom (and several other classes in Grade 3) to see the animal creations at our Zoo! Please stay tuned for the date. 

• For our End-of-Year Class Party, we will be giving the class a chance to present their talents through a Talent Show! (Participation is totally optional...don't worry.) Our class mother, Doaa, and I are still deciding on the date, but it will likely be the last week of school. So, start thinking about what talents and hard work your child might want to show. (Digital submissions are also fine and may feel less stressful.) 

• Lastly, my baby brother, Peter, and his wife, Melissa, had a BABY!!! His Facebook post says it all: 
  

So, you can now call me "Aunt Laura!!" 

That's it! 

Thanks for reading this mini-novel. :) 

Baby Rhino Extravaganza!

The ES student council has been working tirelessly to put this year’s slogan into action: Putting Student Power to Work.

Throughout the year, student council has been working closely with the Baby Rhino Rescue. This is an organization that raises awareness of rhinos as an endangered species. To find out more about the Baby Rhino Rescue, check out their website: www.babyrhinorescue.org

Over the next 3 weeks student council will be hosting a variety of activities and events. The first week is designed to inform students of rhino poaching. This will be done in morning meetings with their teachers.

The second week has students putting their knowledge to action by attending a mini-assembly and participating in a variety of recess activities. The second week will end with a symbolic walk across Africa called 1,000,000 footsteps. This walk will show that DAA is taking a stance against rhino poaching. Prior to the walk t-shirts will be sold for 40 AED. Students will be encouraged to wear their purchased shirts on the walk.

During the third week, we’ll celebrate and reflect with a final assembly where members of the Baby Rhino Rescue will address DAA’s hard work. (Students may also wear their shirt on this day, as well.)

We are looking forward to a fun and educational three weeks!

Thank you for your continued support with student council!