Friday Fun!

What a wonderful day!  Toga Day was a grand success!  Thank you to all of the parent volunteers, parent toga-makers, and Greek cuisine-makers.  We appreciate your willingness to support our fun days!

The students participated in 6 different activities related to Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome studies.  Our emphasis is generally on the contributions of these civilizations to the modern world, including architecture, art, government and the Olympics.  Ask your child about the Greek Alphabet, Roman numerals, Greek pottery, Roman roads, mosaics, and what these places look like today.  I would bet they can recognize the Parthenon and the Colosseum!

Thank You, Volunteers!

Dear Families,
Thank you to everyone who has been supporting the success of our class.  Whether it is a volunteer offering to send in treats for a celebration, or a volunteer that works with the students in the classroom, all of your support is meaningful to us.

Recently, we enjoyed our fall celebration.  This is only one of many opportunities for parents to contribute and participate this year.  Be sure to watch for future emails about ways to contribute, sign up when you can, and be sure to let others have a chance to participate,  as well.

We are looking forward to more good times in the 2nd Quarter!
Bethany Robinson

Art History

Brownsville Art Print

Grade 3, Mrs. Robinson

October

DIEGO RIVERA

Detroit Industry Murals - South Wall (detail)

Frescoes (paint applied directly to plaster on walls)

Size of Portion of South Wall (center panel): 9ft. x 45 ft.

This month we looked at Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry Murals (South Wall detail), painted from April 1932 to March 1933. The murals fill a vast room in the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum. While depicting many themes and containing many symbols, the murals are mainly known for recognizing and celebrating the many workers involved in the great industries of America: in Detroit, of course, the automobile industry. 

This mural was chosen by the Art Print Team as a good starting point for the teamwork, hard work, and skills that our 3rd grade students are developing over the year. We talked about the long process and hard work Rivera did in creating the murals (How many sketches did he make in preparation? How long does it take to complete?), the idea of scale (How big is the size of a figure in the mural compared to a typical 3rd grader?), and teamwork (all the workers individually contributing to create something together).

The students thought about the hard work they will be doing this year, and what skills/tools they will use, and each contributed to a class mural of their own!

For more information, please visit:

http://www.dia.org/art/rivera-court.aspx

-       Julia Munro (with Laura Henderson, Art Print Team, Mrs. Robinson)

First Quarter Conferences

Dear Families,

     With Fall, comes the opportunity to schedule parent conferences.  I have scheduled 4 days of afternoon/evening conferences for the convenience of families.  The conference schedule /sign-up sheet will be sent home Monday.  It is important that we take time to meet, share information about your child's learning and school experience, academic progress, social development and behavior.  I will also be sharing information and answering questions about the 3rd grade report card.  Conferences are child-friendly, and I would encourage you to bring your child to the conference to help facilitate and celebrate their role as a student. Thank you for scheduling your conference, and I look forward to meeting with you all in October.

Sincerely,

             Bethany Robinson

Welcome to the 2016-17 School Year!

We have had a fabulous start to the school year!  I just can't believe how much we have already accomplished:  Open House, Early Conferences, Back to School Night, and our first full week of school.

If any families have not had a chance to meet with me for an early conference, please let me know when a convenient time would be. This is a valuable opportunity for you to express your knowledge and concerns or share your "hopes and dreams" for your child.  I look forward to working with all of you and foster your child's love of learning and becoming a responsible student.


Thank you, as always, for your support throughout the school year.   Working together as a team to keep the children's best interests at the top of the list will make this year a grand success!

Good-byes and Hellos!

We are saying "good-bye" to 2 of our classroom friends.  Summer moved last week, and Jack will be moving at the end of this week.  We'll miss them both so very much!  But we are happy for them to move to their new towns and make new friends at their schools.  And we wish their families all the best!

The good news is.... We will be welcoming a new student to our class after spring break!  We look forward to helping her get settled in at Brownsville, and we will be "that class" that makes her new school such a great place to be. 

Collecting JUNK!

Dear Families,
It's almost time to begin collecting lots of reusable junk for our FAVORITE 3rd grade science unit, simple machines and "machine building!"  Please keep this in mind as you are cleaning out closets, drawers and garages.  We will be sending home a note very soon that will include lots of ideas for the types of items that we can use (though that will be almost anything!) and the time-frame for collection, storage and usage in 3rd grade.  Thank you in advance for your "donations!"  The kids have been looking forward to this all year!

    

End of the Second Quarter

Dear Families,
This is a great time of year to meet together and check on your child's progress.  There are several ways to do this. We can meet with teacher, student and parents and have a traditional style of conference.  We can also have a phone conversation, which may be easier on your schedule.  Similarly, it may be just as easy to send emails.  The next report card will be available to view at the beginning of February.

Thank you to those families already scheduling meetings.  Others of you, feel free to reach out and set up something in the coming weeks, if you feel that it would be helpful to you.  Conferences are not mandatory at this time.

I look forward to seeing you!
Bethany