Events - 4/5 Newsletter

Parent Expectations     

If you are unable to attend your volunteer time, please find a replacement or contact me immediately.  The sooner I know, the sooner I can readjust my day!  Wednesday folders are a great time to sit down with your child and discuss their education.  Ask your child about something they may be learning about or about their personal relationships at school.  Also, you can be my ears away from school.  If you hear of any inappropriate behavior that is occurring on campus, please let me know.  Also, please help your child establish a homework routine.  Be sure that your child has a quiet space to complete their work and encourage them to turn it in the following day! 

Student Expectations  

I am noticing that students are not taking responsibility for their learning.  Homework is a great way for students to gain a sense of responsibility.  They will be held accountable for their assigned work.  Now is a perfect time to establish homework routines at home while the homework load is light.  Once we dive into our Core Literature (to begin on October 17^th), students will have more homework to ensure their connection to the text.  Please discuss with your child the importance of turning in work that shows their pride in learning.  This pride will only help them as they continue on their educational journey!

The weekly Wednesday report should be expected every Wednesday.  If you do not receive a report, please let me know immediately.  This report should be reviewed and signed.  Please return this report with the Wednesday envelope the following day.  The completed work should be reviewed and kept at home.  However, if it is a test, please sign and return with the Wednesday envelope the following day.

I strongly suggest that your child be a part of the conference process.  In the twenty minute time frame, I will be discussing your child’s strengths and weaknesses.  I will also offer your child the opportunity to give input and feedback.  We will also discuss a plan of action for the remaining year.  If you haven’t done so, please return the parent conference schedule letter, which was sent home on October 3^rd. 

Mr. Newmyer!!

Our classroom has a new addition.  She is a student teacher and her name is Wendy DiLullo-Newmyer or Mrs Newmyer to the kids!  She is in her final semester of credentials.  Please welcome her with open arms!

We are continuing our work with summary writing.  Students are also working on their first Learning Menu.  In the Learning Menu, students are given choices of activities to complete.  This Learning Menu is an extension of our unit on Nature’s Fury.  Students are expected to complete at least two activities during our Language Arts block. 

In math, our 4^th graders are working on Number Sense, in particular, name collection boxes and place value.  Our 5^th graders are also working on Number Sense, in particular, adding and subtracting whole numbers and decimals as well as solving number stories (or better known to the parents as word problems). 

In Science, we are continuing the scientific process with hands-on centers in the science lab.  In essence, the students are learning how to think like scientists. 

Nature’s Fury!!!

 

Our story of the week is Volcanoes.  Once we finish this story, we will begin to focus on writing a proper summary.  We also have planned some fun activities now that we’re nearly done with our unit on nature’s fury.  Please remind your child to remember to rephrase the question when providing their answer to the question being asked.

 

There will be a unit test for math for both grades on Thursday, September 22^nd.  A study guide went home on Monday, September 19^th. 

 

Our classroom website should be up and running by October.  We’ll keep you posted on the progress.

Getting to Work!!!

Ms. Heather would like to invite everyone to the Back to School Night THIS THURSDAY, starting at 6:30pm (6:30- 7:00pm will be the Welcome a Address, 7:00-8:00pm we will be in our classroom with Ms. Heather).  You will find out what your child will be working on this year and what the expectations are, so please make time to attend the Back to School Night!  

What have our children been working on?  In math, the 4^th graders are learning about parallelograms, polygons and circles, while the 5^th graders are working with prime and composite numbers, squaring numbers and unsquaring numbers.  Our language arts story we are reading is called Eye of the Storm  and we are thinking of questions as we read—then we’re talking with a partner about possible answers.  Our focus is on learning the sequence of events within a story, and the difference between fact and opinion.

Please note that when homework goes home, it is due back the very next day!

Thanks to everyone who signed up to volunteer.  If you have not selected a time frame, please see Ms. Heather to find out what time slot is best.

Ms. Heather looks forward to seeing you and answering any questions you may have at Back to School Night—see you there!