Special Day! Author Visit!

The students at Crestwood Elementary are very fortunate in that a real life author will be making a visit to our school!!!!  Now,  I tell the students we are all authors, but this person has made a living out of it and tours talking about her books.  How cool is that??!!

Her name is Jamie Teahen Sanders, and she has written a book titled Adrian's Adventures in Indonesia. She will be visiting with the 3rd graders tomorrow, Monday, afternoon sharing her story!  Look for pictures to be posted soon!

I am very excited!

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Another Message from Kid President!

I came across this great video by one of our favorites, Kid President.  I plan to show it to the students tomorrow, Monday, but I thought it would be beneficial to post here as well for everyone to watch.  It always amazes me how Kid President just puts it out there, states what's important, and has such a powerful impact.   We can all use a little reminder about what is important, especially with the holidays approaching.  

Being it is the Thanksgiving holiday this week, the 3rd grade teachers thought it would be fun to treat

the 3rd graders to a movie on Wednesday, November 27th.  Students are invited to bring their own snack and beverage for the movie that day.  The beverages can be whatever they like, but we are asking that they do NOT bring pop.  Other choices would be juice, water, Gatorade, etc.  The beverage must have a twist top as well.  Students should not bring their snack and beverage before Wednesday.  Of course, this is optional.  Students do not have to bring anything, but realize that one will NOT be provided by the school.  It is also the students responsibility to remember to bring it if they would like as no one will call home if they forget.  Thanks and we look forward to wrapping up the short week together as a large group of 3rd graders!

Important Information from Mr. Adams, Our Principal

Mr. Adams emailed this to all the staff and asked that we post it on our blog pages.  Please read all the information below as it has some information that references start time for school as well as pick up at the end of the day.

Breakfast & the Start of the School Day
This is a reminder that breakfast begins being served at 7:45 a.m. and students are expected in the classrooms by 8:15 a.m. Please help students arrive by 8:00 a.m. if they plan to eat breakfast.

Procedure for Picking up your Child at School
The following procedures are ways in which you can help with the safety and security of all children within our building.  Recall that door locks and camera system were installed in the entry way at the beginning of the school year. We ask parents and visitors to report to the office upon arriving at school. Your child will either be waiting for you in the office based upon a prior note or phone call informing the school of an appointment, or secretaries will call your child's teacher asking them to send your child to the office to meet you. Please report to the office rather than reporting directly to the classroom.
This would also apply to picking up your child after school. Parents and siblings are being asked to wait in the cafeteria, allowing teachers to get students ready for dismissal, and then students will walk to the cafeteria to meet you.  Thank you in advance for your help.

EduCare Tutoring in Reading & Math
Supplemental Educational Services (SES) such as before school, after school, and summertime tutoring in reading and math is once again being offered to eligible students at Crestwood Elementary. The services are in addition to the instruction the students receive during the school year. We plan to renew our contract with EduCare, the same company that provided tutoring services last year.  In addition, we are excited that they are interested in allowing us to expand upon their program with iPad usage. Students are eligible based on family income and attendance at Crestwood Elementary.  A second letter will be sent this week. Please respond by completing the form or calling Crestwood Elementary at 563-547-2300.  We plan to start the tutoring sessions after the first of the year.

Greg Adams

Howard-Winneshiek CSD 

Grades 2-6 Principal, Special Education Director

Measuring Mania!

The students are busy measuring away!  They are even measuring each other!  We had a lot of fun yesterday practicing measuring to the nearest 1/4 inch!  Thought I would share some great pictures of the day!

We will continue to work on measurement, moving into perimeter and area this week as well!

Genius Hour Update!

I love that so many parents commented about the passion their students have for Genius Hour.  The learning and time spent during that one hour each Wednesday (except early outs) is so powerful.  I love it!  We have so much learning, thinking, planning, experimenting, and collaborating going on!

Kyle preparing his lego creations for his Lego Movie

I thought I would post a few pictures of some students at work.  While many are still gathering information and preparing what they would like to do, some have already starting constructing models, making posters, creating displays, and blogging about their findings.

Britain's model of gymnastics equipment

What I think is wonderful is how the students are learning from each other as well.  One student may be learning how to make a Lego Movie with the app on our iPads titled "LegoMovie" and others may see him/her doing that.  They then become curious and wonder what is going on and may select that for their next genius hour learning/project.

Vince and Aiden creating a wind turbine

So here are some pics of some of the great ideas and topics being discovered.  I am trying to set up some Skype session and volunteers to come in and help as well.  Topics range from wind turbines, remote control cars, how football fields are made, to how to prepare to be an Olympic gymnast, as well as many more topics.

We are all geniuses!

Great Conferences!

I want to thank everyone who attended their child's 3rd grade fall conference! It was wonderful to share the great things the students are demonstrating and talk about some areas we will continue to focus on.  Most importantly, it was super to sit down and have a conversation with all the great parents that are part of the 3B family!

Please remember that it is important for your child to read every night!  That is the homework that the students should have regularly.  Other pieces of homework will be sent home randomly as well, but it is very important that the students continue to read at home.  I told them I was so impressed with how many students turned in their Book It Calendar for the month of October.  More than I have ever had in one month!  That is super!  Let's keep it up 3B!

Please do not wait until the next conference to chat about the kids in 3B.  Feel free to contact me via email or phone if anything ever comes up or you just want to chat about how your child is doing.  Communication is the key!

Thanks again to those who attended their child's conferences!