Learning with Ms. Manganello

We had a fun day on Halloween with Pumpkin Math. Thanks to our mom volunteers .  They helped the children estimate the height, weight, number of seeds, circumference, and height of the stem.  The children then found the actual measurements and calculated the differences.  Mrs. Kelly took some wonderful photos that I am still trying to download.  Later in the day we had a Read-A-Thon in the hallway for about 30 minutes with our 3rd grade peers.

This book sure is great!

Can we read forever?

Reading together.

This is really interesting!

On October 9th we had our annual fire prevention program.  The children participated in a discussion with Mr. Lunn about fire safety in the home.  They then had the opportunity  to visit the famous and highly anticipated “smokehouse”.

Maggie exits safely.

We celebrated Veterans Day with an assembly honoring local veterans and family members of our students.  Two of our classmates honored their family member by presenting them with a flag and getting a round of applause from the audience.  We also read a book entitled The Wall by Eve Bunting – a story about the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. .  The children did a fine job on their homework assignment: I’m Proud To Be An American.  See their work  in the hallway.

Caroline Bowe with her grandfather Oscar Parente. Mr. Parente was in WWII and received the purple heart.

Caitlin Rosinus with her father Jon Rosinus, an Navy veteran.

We are very proud of our own Catie Patrick.  Her drawing of a tiger was picked from the many entries submitted by IAS children to be our new school mascot.  She did a terrific job and captured the essence of our school.  Congratulations to all the children who took the time to submit an entry.  They were displayed in the front hallway.  Way to go Catie!

We got it!!!

As a culminating activity to our water unit, we created a waterwheel of our own.  The objective was to demonstrate how water can work for us.  The children were given 6 round discs, some string, a dowel, a basin, a syringe, and some clips.  They were told to use these objects to create a waterwheel that would lift the clip.  One group got it very quickly and then the others caught on.  We had a lot of splashing water and a lot of fun!

Does this seem right?

We have been learning about WATER in science.  We have read about water and done some experiments involving the water cycle.  The children learned about evaporation and condensation.  Last week the children enjoyed a video about the water cycle by Bill Nye the Science Guy. 

Today we had some fun with water flow.  Using a dropper, we put water drops on a penny to create a dome so that the children could observe the “dome” shape.  It was interesting to notice that it took between 10 and 43 drops of water before the dome broke.  We then had “dome races” to see how slope and size affected our water domes.  The children discovered that the greater the slope, the faster the water flow.  The also learned that the larger the water dome, the faster it flowed.

How fast will our water domes flow?

The best way to contact me is through email since it is often difficult to get to the phone during the day – manganellof@madison.k12.ct.us or the IAS website and then staff. You can also write a short note in your child’s homework journal if you would like me to call you.

Tonight your child brought home the September Reading Incentive as well as a letter explaining its use. Third graders should practice their reading skills on a regular basis.  Research has shown that children can improve their reading level a whole year by reading twenty minutes a night.  This organizational tool gives the children an opportunity to keep track of their reading in a fun way. If the incentive is COMPLETE and handed in ON TIME, your child will receive a reward. Only one space should be signed nightly, no matter how long your child reads, since it’s the consistent practice that helps improve reading. Please be sure that your child turns in his/her incentive whether it is complete or not. We have a chart hanging on the wall in our room to see how our class does as a whole. We hope to work together for success. Anyone who turns in their Reading Incentive on time each month of the school year will get a special prize!  I’ll work on thinking of something fun!

Getting to know one another.

Entering our new classroom.

We had a great first day of school.  The children were enthusiastic and did a good job following directions.  They seemed relaxed and glad to see one another.  Everyone did well!

Please be sure to read the homework journal each night and initial or sign your name.  The children should bring home any of the notes, etc. listed in the homework journal, as well as homework assignments.   I have also provided them with their own homework folder to help keep them organized.

We played a game entitled “Summing Up Signatures” where the children got to move around freely learning about each other.  You should have seen that paper come home today.  They really enjoyed it.

Please be sure to send pick-up and/or after school notes in with your child since this is the start of a new year.  We will keep your note filed if your child is a permanent pick-up or has an after school schedule.

Enjoy a few photos of our first day.

We are already hard at work.

Mrs. M. got lots of beautiful roses from her family for her "Last, First Day of School".

Last day with Mrs. M.

We looked at beetles and how they are the same and how they are different from crayfish.