We have some catching up to do!  We have been busy in our classroom.  

We have a fish tank in our room, and the students are very good at seeing that they get what they need.  Recently, there was great excitement because our guppies have had babies! We have a few pairs up for adoption.  If your child would like to bring a pair home, please contact me and we can make arrangements for their safe travel to your home.  No fish will go home on the bus. 
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Coming up this Wednesday, April 26 is our Science Night at OTES.  Please join us in this fun night.  There will lots of fun things to see - robotics, rocket launching, and a helicopter landing on our playground, just to name a few. Here is the link for more information: 
 https://drive.google.com/a/rsu34.k12.me.us/file/d/0B_OurziqKOQsbXpsQzRGUXlBNUk/view?usp=sharing

Hope to see you all there! 

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Our field trip to the University of Maine's Maple Sugar operation was great!  The students learned so much about Maple Syrup making, and got to sample some of the new product, hot out of the boiler!

The bus ride over was fun too! 

Using power tools!  Ask your students why you have to be careful where you drill multiple holes in sugar maple trees!

using power tools!

 Peering into the inner workings of Maple Sugar making!

A Maple sugar expert

Different grades of Maple Syrup, all equally delicious.

Glad they allowed cats on the property

The calendar said this was a spring day in Maine, but the snow and frigid temps told a different story.

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Some other things we have been up to are finishing up our Junior Achievement Unit.  We have been studying our community, as well as financial literacy, business and city building.

Building 3 dimensional buildings and building our city, putting the different buildings where they belong in the zones.

Designing a diner with classmates, there are lots of money decisions to make when you're a business owner! 

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Dress as your favorite book character was a fun day! 

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One of the STEM activities we have done recently was the third grade Lego Robotics build - the Dancing Birds!  Some fabulous students from Mrs. Daniel's classroom joined us and were excellent peer coaches. They know their stuff, and the third graders loved learning with them.

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We have begun studying fractions in math, lots of hands-on activities help understand this sometimes tricky topic! 

I think he likes fractions! 

 That smile says fractions are awesome!

This beautiful spring door decoration took lots of math skills. Each flower is 5 fraction problems solved!  

Have a great week! 

Please do not forget that we are going on a field trip tomorrow, 3/22/17!!!  There are a number of students I am waiting for permission slips for, so please bring them in the morning!  If you have lost the slip at home, please write a note giving permission for your son or daughter to go to the University of Maine Sugar Shack.

Dress very warmly, and wear boots because we will be in the woods and outdoors for a good part of this fun trip!  It is not supposed to be very warm tomorrow. 

                                Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Thank you so much to Christian's Mimi (the fabulous Mrs. Karin Randall), who sent in yet another special treat for this green-themed St. Patrick's Day holiday!  We really appreciate you thinking of us!   

 There are lots of important events coming up next week at OTES!  

Monday, March 20 is our class' turn to shop at the Book Fair!  Wishlists your student made out on our preview day went home in backpacks, so please look for them if you have not already done so.
     The Book Fair will be open 7-3 from Monday, March 20 to Wednesday March 22. There is a family night as well! On March 21 the Book Fair will have extended hours from 3-7pm. 
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Weather permitting, on March 22 we will be visiting the Sugar Shack at the University of Maine to learn more about Maple Syrup making. Please send your child with appropriate clothing for being outside in the cold, and they must be wearing boots to take part in this fun field trip, since we will be spending time in the woods in the deep snow.  If the weather does not cooperate we will reschedule it for the following week. Please sign and return the permission form that will be sent home today! 
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Report Cards come home March 17, please take a look and see all the successes your student has had during the second trimester!        Please sign and return the envelope!
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The weather is unpredictable at this time of year, so please keep sending winter gear in with your child, even if it looks like it may not be needed. If it warms up, we'll leave the gear inside. We go outside every single day that it is above 10 degrees and not raining, so it makes for an uncomfortable recess if you didn't bring something warm to wear.
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If you are looking to contribute to your children's school, our classroom can always use these supplies:  We are in need of tissues, pencils, snacks - such as bags of animal crackers or pretzels, inexpensive earbuds, and paper towels! 

There are LOTS of special days at OTES this week! 

It is Read Across America Day/Dr. Seuss Week

Tuesday: funny socks day in honor of Fox in Socks


Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday, wacky, mismatched or backwards clothes, crazy hair etc.


Thursday: Read Across America Day, wear red, black and white to in honor of Cat in the Hat


Friday: book character day 

I hope you all are enjoying the blizzard!  Assuming we do not have another snow day tomorrow, we are planning on having the Valentine's Day party as planned.  If we are cancelled, we will have the party on Wednesday, February 15.  Many thanks to the parents who volunteered to bring in something for the class!  Stay warm, and drive safely if you need to go out.

busy Valentine makers on the job

Valentine's Day is alarming to some people!