Experience Class Project

Hi Guys,

     Starting next week, we will be building a 3-D diorama of the Amazon Jungle. Below you will find a list of things your child will need to purchase and bring to school by Wednesday, April 26th. The items aren't very expensive and the project will take place over the course of 3 or 4 weeks. I will also put notices in the communication book. Finally, for your convenience, here is the address of the website that provides the basic guidelines for the project. Here is the website so you can look at it at home: 

http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/rainforestdiorama/rainforestdiorama.html

Materials

• Shoebox or similar-sized box
• a big box for a team of three or four students
• Brown, green, blue and white colored paper
• Green crepe paper
• Green paint
• Blue Tack clay
• Crayons or colored pencils
• Scissors
• White glue
• Paint brush
• Pencil
• Small rocks and twigs

     It’s fun to learn all about Brazilian rain forests and the amazing animals that live in this habitat by making this cool diorama. I think we'll see some amazing results!

Mr. K

Field Trip and Unit Test Results

Hi Guys,

     The field trip on Wednesday to the noodle factory was great fun. We all made our own package of instant rice noodles and turtle cakes. The museum showed the evolution of the instant noodle industry. It was all quite interesting.

     The Unit Test results for One Good Turn Deserves Another were quite excellent. The class average was over 90% with most of the class scoring in the high 90's. Good job every one.

     The second mid-term is around the corner. It is much easier and less stressful to review all the vocabulary for a few minutes before or after dinner 3 or 4 times a week. Then, when the big test rolls around, you will be ready!

Mr. Kuhel

The First Midterm and Mr. K goes to America

Hi Guys,

      The results are in and they are good! As the tests get harder, the class average keeps going up. Last semester the class averages on the 3 big exams were 84, 87, and 88. The first midterm of the spring saw a class average of 92. Good job everyone. Keep up the good work.

      This is just a quick note letting you know that I will be attending a wedding and a family reunion in America from March 27^th to April 8^th. This correlates with the 7^th and 8^th weeks of the Spring Semester, 2017.

I have written detailed lesson plans for the substitute teachers who will be helping me out while I am away. The substitutes are coming from the highly skilled staff already working at Xinmin, so you have nothing to worry about. The bulk of the lessons will be covered by Miss Rowena. My partner in the 3^rd grade, Mr. David Lam, will be in daily conversation with the subs making sure everything goes well.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of the English Department, Miss Angel. My whole family, especially my little girl, is super excited about our upcoming travels creating wonderful life memories.

Back in two weeks!

Mr. Jeff Kuhel

Listening Reading Exam

Hi Guys,

     The Listening Reading Exam is over and done. The results were quite excellent with an 88% average on a difficult test. Good Job! Next up is the Written Exam.
     The exam will basically look the same as the other written exams we took last semester. There will be a True / False section based on the two stories. Read them! There will be reading comprehension questions on the two stories as well. Must answer with COMPLETE sentences.
      The students will also be tested on the comparative and superlative adjectives:

1. fast, faster, the fastest (one syllable)
2. crazy, crazier, the craziest (two syllables with a 'y')
3. beautiful, more beautiful, the most beautiful (2, 3, 4 syllables with NO  'y')

     Finally, there will be a section for the Common Mistakes. The main focus will be:

1. There is/are
2. There was/were
3. Proper Nouns. Capitalize 4 main things: 

• Names of people, places and things and titles (Mr. Mrs. Dr.)
• Days of the week (Monday - Sunday)
• Months of the year (January - December)
• Common words  used in a name (park vs Daan Forest Park)

The Vocabulary Review Test

Hi Guys,

     The Vocab Review Test went very well. Most of the students were prepared and had little difficulty with the test. The class average was 90%. Good job everyone. Next up is the Listening and Reading Exam coming this Friday. We'll practice pronunciation lots in class and with diligent review at home, everyone should be fine. Once again, congratulations on doing such a wonderful job.

Mr. Kuhel

Unit Test for Scarcity

Hi Guys,

     Well there was no scarcity of good grades on the Unit Test...which was pretty hard. The class average was 89% That's really incredible! Good job everyone.

     Next Tuesday is the Vocabulary Review Test. Make sure you review all your vocabulary handouts (A and B) for both stories Abe Lincoln and Scarcity. On Friday is the Listening and Reading Exam. I will prepare handouts for both the big Exams, so everyone will be prepared. Again, good job on the Unit Test.

Have a Great Weekend,

Mr. Kuhel

Nice to See Everyone Again!

Hi Guys,

     The Parent/Teacher Meeting was very nice. It was great to see all the moms and dads that showed up. Communication is always a good thing.

     For those who were unable to attend, we basically covered what will happen for the rest of 3rd Grade and even what to expect in 4th Grade. I will post a few of the important details of the conference.

Experience Class: Themes that correlate with the stories in Reading Street

1.Resources and Culture

2.Cooperation and the Golden Rule

3.Bridging Language and Cultural Barriers

4.Honesty, Love and Caring

Global Education: Creating an International World View

1.The Rainforest: The importance of a rainforest

2.What is happening there

3.How to save and protect the Amazon

Eperience Class Curriculum Guide

3/8  Fieldtrip to Shung Ye of Formosan Aboriginal Village

3/15  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Who lives in the forest?

3/22  Review for 1st Monthly Exams

3/29 Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Why are rainforests important?

4/5  Diorama of a Rainforest

4/12  Fieldtrip - All school outing

4/19  Bilingualism

4/26  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Erosion and resources for people

5/3  Review for 2nd Monthly Exams

5/10  Caring as an act of love (Mother’s Day)

5/17  Spelling Bee Practice

5/24  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Why are rainforests disappearing?

5/31  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: How can we save rainforests?

6/7  Fieldtrip to Taipei Botanical Garden

6/14  Review for 3rd Monthly Exams

6/21  Final Exam (6/20-21)

        If you have any further questions, please contact me. Thanks again to all the parents that showed up.

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Kuhel