General Studies with Hilary

Dear Third Grade Families,

Let’s be honest: how perfect is it that Rosh Hashanah coincides with the start of a new school year, filled with new beginnings?

What an exciting first two week of school we have had! Throughout their time in the General Studies room, students were not only able to take the time to get to know me, but also to learn more than they thought they knew about each other. As students played  “Get to Know You Bingo” they learned fun facts such as, a few students play musical instruments, some students are pet owners, a good numbers love to get lost in a book, and many enjoy playing sports (such as soccer and basketball). While we are a room of people with varied strengths and interests, we are a strong community of curious learners.

Throughout these weeks, we slowly introduced our curriculum as well as materials. The highlight for our Third Graders was the opportunity to have a personal desk! We enjoyed investigating how it opens, the secret location of the pencil, and where our notebooks and folders are stored. The ability to have a personal space for working has been special for many of us.

In reading, we worked on what independent reading looks like and what we – as community members – need to remember to do to ensure that everyone is able to concentrate. We discussed that when you need to walk around the room, such as to go pick a new book, you need to do so quietly. Our class amazed me with their dedication to reading and how steady and focused they were while reading!

We have slowly been reintroducing writing to the students, starting small with their reflections on themselves and their learning. In the hallway, you can spot our Owl Posters, which give a snapshot of each Third Grader. Inside the classroom, we have written out our hopes and dreams for the year. As well, we have decorated our writer’s notebooks with pictures, stickers and drawings, which will specifically inspire us with our first project — Small Moment Writing, otherwise known as Personal Narratives.

During the second week, we started discussing local and state government. This is especially fitting with the primary election held on Thursday, September 13, as well as our upcoming national election on Tuesday, November 6. In our half groups, we talked on what we know about government — the purpose of it, or specific figures. We mentioned:

• Governor Andrew Cuomo
• President Donald Trump
• Supreme Court Justices
  • Elena Kagan
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• Mayor Bill de Blasio
• Government makes laws
• Government tries to protect the people and the lands
  • Try to keep them safe
• Government tries to keep everyone satisfied
• People make speeches, talking about what they want or plan to do

As a group, we also realized that a mayor is in charge of a city, a governor is in charge of a state, and the president is in charge of a country. Until Thursday, November 8, we will be learning more about New York State (NYS) government, with a focus on tracking our state’s significant election during late October.

As seen, we have been working hard every day this week. The Third Grade Team is looking forward to a great year ahead!

Shana tova to all!

Judaic Studies with Aliza

To start off the year in Judaic Studies, third graders have been learning about Rosh Hashanah. We began our unit on symbolic foods in Judaism by talking about the various food symbols found on Rosh Hashanah tables around the world, from the more well-known pomegranate and apples and honey to the more obscure cabbage, leek, and fish heads. We talked about how traditions develop depending on time and place and what differentiates them from Jewish laws which are the same the world over (such as blowing the Shofar or fasting on Yom Kippur). In addition, we also learned about the meaning behind the prayer Ma Tovu, which we say every morning in Tefilla, and enjoyed a walk to the Gowanus canal for Taschlich. 

Shabbat Shalom!

Hebrew with Ilana