A4 News: Winter Projects

Greetings A-4's

Winter often keeps us indoors, but we have been busy with many projects. Some of the colder days kept us indoor for recesses, but we have also been working on Reader's Theaters, Kindness Connection Projects, Science Experiments and more!

We are now working on fractions in math. Don't forget to pull out the Student Math Handbook! Reviewing the Fraction section of this book would really be helpful for the kids to solidify their understanding and also helps you, the parent, to understand some of our teaching methods so you can better support your child's understanding. Using visual models, drawings, diagrams and manipulatives help the kids to make clear connections.

Book Bingo has ended. I still need the weekend to grade and check everyone's progress, but I am very proud of everyone. Honorable mention to Margherita Merlo for completing the "Ultimate Black Out" Bingo - which is a fully covered board with no use of FREE spaces. Wow! Many others have completed Bingo, some doubles and even a few triples! I hope they enjoyed getting to experience different genres. Next week, we will have a bit of a ceremony so kids can receive their Book Bingo Certificates of completion.

Now that Book Bingo is complete, we will move into our Short story and Non-fiction studies. These skills will build skills that will be essential for the Expert Report and will also serve them well in the PARCC and other types of text interfacing skills for their future.

TFK's did not come home in the RED folders so I can file them as a writing sample for conferences.

Speaking of writing, we are continuing our work on Essay writing. We spent this week working on ways to develop support and evidence to our reasons. Next week we will continue this work as well as concentrate on organizational techniques.

In SS, we have been studying the history of slavery. It is a touchy subject and a rather mature subject, but I have been very impressed with how well the kids have been able to receive and respond to it all. Beginning next week we will start another round of Cooperatives where the children will learn more about the time of slavery, abolition and the Underground Railroad.

PLEASE NOTE: Complacency is our enemy! This has been a difficult week. We have experienced a lack of respect, low quality and effort in work and poor listening. This creates a culture of 'one-upping' and negative competition for attention. It is so very important for us to buckle down at this time of the year - it is supposed to be our "meat and potatoes" time of year, so we can enjoy all the special spring activities for 4th graders. We are falling behind. I am requesting that you have a personal chat with your child to discuss how he/she might be able to offer her/his very best behavior and work ethic to contribute to a more positive classroom climate. I appreciate your assistance and support in making positive change.

A few other items to note:

This past week was our last week of Keyboarding during the school day. Please encourage and support your child to continue this practice at home. If you are having any trouble with the "Typing Club" from home, please contact me or Todd Burleson.

We are very excited to be connected to the "ST Math" program. I am hoping you have been able to get on from home. This is a new program and we are experiencing a few problems. Please let us know how it is going from home.

Remember, Conferences are coming up on Feb. 11 & 12.

We will be having a very short and low key Valentine's Day celebration on Wed. Feb. 10 from 2:15 - 3:00. If your child plans to participate in the Valentine exchange, please be sure to include everyone on the class list.

I hope you all have a rejuvenating weekend.

Enjoy some pictures from our Winter Projects below:

Indoor Recess