by Judy Jurnack and Katie Holmberg

One of our favorite parts of first grade is our Theme Days!  Recently First Graders were surprised upon arrival to learn that it was Pig Day!  We spent the entire day learning about pigs.  The students learned pig facts, wrote their own books about pigs, counted money in piggy banks, and made pig dioramas.  We can't wait to see what the next theme day is!

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

​Third graders have been introduced to ‘home keys’ and other beginning typing skills this month. They were very excited to begin their typing adventures. The website typing.com allows students to practice typing at any time when logging in with their username and password. Students enjoy watching their levels soar as they practice efficient typing. Ask your child about their most recently learned keys! 

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

As we come to the end of our Native American Sioux unit, third grade students have started creating traditional Sioux homes. Sioux Native Americans resided in tipis.  Using construction paper, tape, colored pencils and picture dictionaries, students created tipi replicas. Students were sure to have their tipi door openings facing east, where the sun rises. The Sioux felt that the sun was very powerful and brought them special powers. Students were excited to put their creativity to work in designing these traditional homes.

by, Mark Saldanha and Shannon Victor 

By collecting data, we are able to answer questions and learn new information. This week second graders were tasked with one of life's biggest mysteries: which school lunch is the absolute favorite among the teachers? They traversed the EFS campus to survey every adult in the building, and when they collected enough data, they graphed the results. (Spoiler alert: it was tacos by a nose). ​

by Sarah Duddy

This Monday's Lower School Assembly came on the heels of a very eventful week for our country. The outcome of the 2016 presidential election was met with mixed emotions by the students - some were joyful, some disappointed and others may have felt indifferent about the outcome. In any case, it felt like a good time to have a conversation about sportsmanship. 

I love talking about sportsmanship with children. I think it is such an important practice that encompasses so many elements of character development that we feel are important for students at EFS to embody, on and off of the athletic field. Good sportsmanship involves taking the high road, being a representative for your team, working collaboratively with a group, and graciously accepting the outcome of an event - whether or not it goes your way. To be sure, being a good sport is not easy. It is something that you need to practice and work at. 

As an example of good sportsmanship, I shared this video with the lower school students. What an amazing example of taking the high road! After experiencing a big win, the Barcelona players took time to console their Japanese oponents. If you ask me, this is how every competition should end - on the sports field and off.

 

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

We are so excited for parent/teacher conference day.  Third grade is a super exciting, interesting, and busy place.  Sharing details of our days spent with our students is something we love to do!  Each day is filled with so much learning, laughing, and joy.  Watch out!  You may not want to leave.

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

Our study of the Sioux Native Americans has increased the excitement level in third grade for our tipi sleepover in May. Students have learned how many buffalo skins are needed to cover the tall wooden poles to create a tipi and that the Sioux women built and moved the tipis.  Two sticks crossed over the tipi door tells a visitor that the tipi is locked.  This is better than any lock that  you can purchase at the store!  

by Alyssa Charles

by Joan Good
​
Reading for pleasure and making time to read are good habits, but they can also be a difficult to accomplish. Being good at reading is like being good at soccer; it takes commitment and practice. 

My mission is to give all students an equal chance to become confident and enthusiastic readers. However, some students are reluctant. Some may never have enjoyed the habit and others may have become disengaged from reading because they lost interest in the content. 

In Library, Students are learning the Goldilocks Rule for choosing a good book—not too hard, not too easy, but just right for them. For the reluctant reader, the text may be slightly below their independent reading level, combining practice with pleasure reading. Some chosen stories may not look like traditional books, including graphic novels and popular non-fiction titles. Finding the right book makes a world of difference.

The annual EFS Book Fair is an excellent way to encourage a renewed interest in reading and for parents to model the reading habit. Please come and shop next week, beginning on Wednesday, we would love to see you and help you pick out some books that are just right! 

​by: Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre
 
Who knew so much math could come from a pumpkin? Our third graders do! Throughout last week, third grade students estimated the height, weight, circumference, and number of seeds in their class pumpkins. On Monday, pumpkin results were revealed. We carved our pumpkins to count the amount of seeds. The students enjoyed this fun but educational twist on Halloween math!