The 3rd Grade Parade of States was a huge success last week.  There was hardly a dry eye in the crowd when the children waved their flags and sang, “I’m a Grand Old Flag.”  They each did a great job as they stepped to the microphone and told us something interesting they found out about their state.  I learned a few new facts myself and will try to remember them for the next trivia game I play.  Once again, thank you to all of the teachers who were involved in this success.  The children did a piece in art class, another in computer, and research in the library.  They also had a lot of help from their homeroom teachers and parents as they put the whole thing together.  From the look of pride on each of their faces, it was a project well worth it.

The writing process in Lower School:

Many people are amazed that our 2nd and 3rd graders can do research papers, but it starts in Pre-K and slowly progresses through the years.  In fact, last month at our Lower School meeting, we spent about an hour examining sample papers from Pre-K to 4th grade and it was wonderful to see the growth that all children experience. 

In Pre-K, the children write when they see a purpose for it; they want to make a sign for their doctor’s office, a menu for the pizza restaurant, etc.  Generally, they copy what they see elsewhere in print and that is one of the reasons the Pre-K is literature-based – so they can see words everywhere.  In kindergarten, the children learn the letters and sounds and put them together to form words.  They use inventive spelling to write sentences and thank you notes and stories.  By 1st grade everyone can read, and so the process grows.  Our 1st grade teachers use the four-square graphic as an aide for the children.  A paper is folded into four sections.  What the child chooses to write about is written across the center of this paper.  (In later years, this would be their topic sentence.)  In the first three squares, the children write a fact or an event about this topic, and the fourth square is reserved for a feeling about what they wrote (a closing sentence).  This is then copied onto a paper in a story format.  As the year progresses, they begin to add details to these facts and events and their stories grow.  Second grade continues this growth as they emphasize that every story must have a beginning, middle and an end.  They end their year doing their first research paper on an animal of their choice.  The children learn to take notes and then to transfer the notes into meaningful paragraphs that create a research paper.  Third grade is known for introducing children to different genres.  The 3rd graders learn expository writing, letter writing, and how to write directions.  They also expand on their creative stories, write poetry, and end the year with their own research paper.  By the time the children are in 4th grade, writing has become second nature to most of them and they write across the curriculum, ending their year with a writer’s workshop, where each child produces a book that they have written and illustrated.  Even as teachers, we were intrigued when we actually had a chance to see the progression from Pre-K to 4th grade.  It is a wonderful process.

Don’t forget the Volunteer Breakfast on Friday, May 18th at 8:45 a.m. in the Gallery. Feel free to mosey on down to the library afterward and see the writings of the 4th graders as they participate in their Author’s Celebration.

Summer Classes are doing well – don’t forget to get your registration in as I will be deciding next week which classes will be held.  We only need four students to cover the cost of a class, so get a group together and sign up!

Lower School Swimming Party - May 21st

All LS students are invited to swim on Monday, May 21st at the Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Avenue, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.  The cost is $3.50 per child and $5.00 for any adult who swims.  Children must be accompanied by an adult, but the adult does not have to swim.  Lifeguards will be on duty.  An invitation went home in folders on Friday, May 11th.

Anyone with questions may contact Mary Jo Thrane at 651.486.8149.