Hello Families and happy August!
I hope you are all enjoying your last, precious weeks of summer - especially now that it actually feels like summer in VT!
We're getting ready for the 09-10 school year already here on Endeavor. One idea i'm considering for the upcoming school year is for students to post responses to reading on our blog page. I'll keep working on it, it may end up we do it on our WIKI page instead.
Other tech news is that the school is currently working on an updated webpage and with a new server! Keep your eyes out for changes to the webpage.
This blog was intended to be an update for my new group of families and a test to see how things are changing . New posts will come along once the school year begins!
See you soon!
Mrs. Crowther!
:)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
This week we got to do D.E. science. On the website, we did sound waves and pitch. In sound waves we listened to an eBook, we also watched 1 or 2 videos, and did an exploration with bells in different matter. (Water, air, wood, and space) For pitch we also listened to eBooks, and videos, but we did not do and exploration.
Thank-you for taking the time to let me inform you about our science unit.
By Nolan Jimmo
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dear 4th grade parents,
We have taken the final test for our division unit and will be starting a fraction unit. Also Mrs. Crowther is teaching us from the Bridges math book. Yesterday we did a fun activity with the Geo boards, but before we began we had say what the definition for congruent, symmetry, halves and area are. In the activity we had to find the halves of the square geo board. Then we had to find the halves in unusual shapes that were congruent.(witch means same size and shape.)
We have taken the final test for our division unit and will be starting a fraction unit. Also Mrs. Crowther is teaching us from the Bridges math book. Yesterday we did a fun activity with the Geo boards, but before we began we had say what the definition for congruent, symmetry, halves and area are. In the activity we had to find the halves of the square geo board. Then we had to find the halves in unusual shapes that were congruent.(witch means same size and shape.)
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
We have now officially ended our Vermont studies. We are now moving on to Light, and Sound. On Monday, we had a sub, and she did a K.W.L. chart. (Know, want to know, learned.) We have many things that we already know, like: the speed of light is faster that the speed of sound. We also have many things that we want to know, like: what is the exact speed of light, what the exact speed of sound is, and what causes sound. Please ask your child what they want to know about light and sound.
Good-by
By Nolan Jimmo
Here is the cast getting ready with a beautiful photo shoot.
Here is the cast of "The Patroits" musical review, performed by Mrs. Crowthers fourth grade class.
Here are two of the narrators that per formed in the musical review.
Once again, here is a narrator, and the whole cast. Mrs. Crowther and Mrs. Southworth are very proud of the kids.
We have now officially ended our Vermont studies. We are now moving on to Light, and Sound. On Monday, we had a sub, and she did a K.W.L. chart. (Know, want to know, learned.) We have many things that we already know, like: the speed of light is faster that the speed of sound. We also have many things that we want to know, like: what is the exact speed of light, what the exact speed of sound is, and what causes sound. Please ask your child what they want to know about light and sound.
Good-by
By Nolan Jimmo
Here is the cast getting ready with a beautiful photo shoot.
Here is the cast of "The Patroits" musical review, performed by Mrs. Crowthers fourth grade class.
Here are two of the narrators that per formed in the musical review.
Once again, here is a narrator, and the whole cast. Mrs. Crowther and Mrs. Southworth are very proud of the kids.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
We are concluding our VT history studies this week. Last week we started doing a writing assignment. We are now finishing those, as well as a test we took on VT in 2009, and VT in the 1800’s. Like I said in the beginning, we are finishing the VT unit. Our next unit will be Light and Sound, and our main research point will be Discovery Education.com. (You can get the website at home by going to Discovery Education.com)
Thank you for letting me update you on the class’s social studies.
By Nolan Jimmo
Dear parents,
This week in reading we will continue to take 30 min. of our reading time to work on our projects. Just a reminder projects are due this week on Friday April 2, 2009. We are still reading Counting on Grace in read aloud. This month we will also be starting poetry . In writing we are writing papers on Vermont and learning about the Question Answer Relationship method.
By Caroline Averill
We are concluding our VT history studies this week. Last week we started doing a writing assignment. We are now finishing those, as well as a test we took on VT in 2009, and VT in the 1800’s. Like I said in the beginning, we are finishing the VT unit. Our next unit will be Light and Sound, and our main research point will be Discovery Education.com. (You can get the website at home by going to Discovery Education.com)
Thank you for letting me update you on the class’s social studies.
By Nolan Jimmo
Dear parents,
This week in reading we will continue to take 30 min. of our reading time to work on our projects. Just a reminder projects are due this week on Friday April 2, 2009. We are still reading Counting on Grace in read aloud. This month we will also be starting poetry . In writing we are writing papers on Vermont and learning about the Question Answer Relationship method.
By Caroline Averill
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Weekly News
3-19-09
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
We have been doing division facts in math and have been time tested on them. We also learned multiplication and division vocabulary which we used for math bingo! We have been practicing problem solving so we can have good experience when the professional teachers score us! For the rest of this week and a few of the upcoming weeks we will have division facts for homework and we will also be reviewing what we learned.
By: Allie K.
Mrs. Crowther’s fourth grade class has been doing Vermont History studies since February break. We have been seeing pictures of what it was like for a school child, in the 1800’s and documents that some of the children wrote. We also had a day ware we did everything we could, to replicate an 1800’s one-room schoolhouse. We also replicated (with more technology of course) what materials they would have, and we also turned out the lights. Before we did that, we were paired-up and saw different artifacts, and had to identify them.
We also went to the Capital building and the Museum right next to it. In the Capital building, we went around looking at all the important legislator people, and the presidents born in Vermont. When we went to the museum, we looked at artifacts from Ebijah Wheelock’s house.
By: Nolan J.
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
We have been doing division facts in math and have been time tested on them. We also learned multiplication and division vocabulary which we used for math bingo! We have been practicing problem solving so we can have good experience when the professional teachers score us! For the rest of this week and a few of the upcoming weeks we will have division facts for homework and we will also be reviewing what we learned.
By: Allie K.
Mrs. Crowther’s fourth grade class has been doing Vermont History studies since February break. We have been seeing pictures of what it was like for a school child, in the 1800’s and documents that some of the children wrote. We also had a day ware we did everything we could, to replicate an 1800’s one-room schoolhouse. We also replicated (with more technology of course) what materials they would have, and we also turned out the lights. Before we did that, we were paired-up and saw different artifacts, and had to identify them.
We also went to the Capital building and the Museum right next to it. In the Capital building, we went around looking at all the important legislator people, and the presidents born in Vermont. When we went to the museum, we looked at artifacts from Ebijah Wheelock’s house.
By: Nolan J.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Dear Families,
Hello and Happy Wednesday! Actually, by the time you read this it may be Thursday...
This week is flying by even though we are all seeming to be slightly sleepy from the time change....Some of the things we’re working on this week:
Reading - Students are continuing to work in their reading groups. About half of the groups are finished with their books, and the other half are close to finishing. Last week they received an expectation sheet for what they are to do when they complete their book. For example, all students worked on a story map then they reviewed them together as a group. The story maps will help the children write a summary about their book.
Once the students complete a final summary, they will all be comparing and contrasting their historical fiction book with today. They’ll be comparing things like food, customs, language, transportation, clothing, hobbies, and more!
After they’ve completed a comparison sheet, each group will plan a way to share their book and their new insight into a piece of VT history, with the class. They may work as a group, in partnerships, or independently. Each child will be expected to plan and propose their project before beginning to work on it. The majority of this work will be done in school, but some may need to be done at home, or with the assistance of parents. I’ll keep you posted and keep asking your child about it.
Writing - This week, students wrote about their field trip and have spent some time working on something called “Double Nickel” stories. This exercise was a way for students to practice writing summaries. Students had to plan a way to summarize their reading group book using exactly 55 words. They worked together and used their story maps to help them. This was a fun writing activity but also an artful way for students to practice writing organized and concise summaries. It proved to be very helpful for many students.
Math - I had originally planned to start division this week, but then decided that we needed review in a few areas before moving ahead. So, this week students have been reviewing decimals, metric conversions, analyzing data, and will continue to work on problem solving. I hope to get started with division next week! Get ready - students often experience quite a period of frustration at some point during the division unit. :)
Vermont Studies - We all had a very nice time in Montpelier on Tuesday. Thank you to all of the parents who joined us. The students really enjoyed the statehouse tour. I enjoyed seeing what they learned after they posted it on our class WIKI page! We will start to investigate the materials in the “Schooling in the 1800’s” history kit this week! We might even have to adapt our in-school practices to make it more real! I’m sure you’ll hear about it! :)
Other news:
Reminder that conferences are next week. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will all be half days. If you forget what time you signed up for, you can check it on the wiki page: http://mrscrowther.pbwiki.com/Conferences . Just call or email if you have questions or concerns. Otherwise, i’ll plan to see you at your scheduled time next week!
Summer Camp registration flier and registration form
Upcoming events:
3/13 and 3/14--"The Wiz" Performance 7:30pm Town Center
3/18--3/20 Half days--Parent-teacher conferences
Keep in touch!
Cara
Hello and Happy Wednesday! Actually, by the time you read this it may be Thursday...
This week is flying by even though we are all seeming to be slightly sleepy from the time change....Some of the things we’re working on this week:
Reading - Students are continuing to work in their reading groups. About half of the groups are finished with their books, and the other half are close to finishing. Last week they received an expectation sheet for what they are to do when they complete their book. For example, all students worked on a story map then they reviewed them together as a group. The story maps will help the children write a summary about their book.
Once the students complete a final summary, they will all be comparing and contrasting their historical fiction book with today. They’ll be comparing things like food, customs, language, transportation, clothing, hobbies, and more!
After they’ve completed a comparison sheet, each group will plan a way to share their book and their new insight into a piece of VT history, with the class. They may work as a group, in partnerships, or independently. Each child will be expected to plan and propose their project before beginning to work on it. The majority of this work will be done in school, but some may need to be done at home, or with the assistance of parents. I’ll keep you posted and keep asking your child about it.
Writing - This week, students wrote about their field trip and have spent some time working on something called “Double Nickel” stories. This exercise was a way for students to practice writing summaries. Students had to plan a way to summarize their reading group book using exactly 55 words. They worked together and used their story maps to help them. This was a fun writing activity but also an artful way for students to practice writing organized and concise summaries. It proved to be very helpful for many students.
Math - I had originally planned to start division this week, but then decided that we needed review in a few areas before moving ahead. So, this week students have been reviewing decimals, metric conversions, analyzing data, and will continue to work on problem solving. I hope to get started with division next week! Get ready - students often experience quite a period of frustration at some point during the division unit. :)
Vermont Studies - We all had a very nice time in Montpelier on Tuesday. Thank you to all of the parents who joined us. The students really enjoyed the statehouse tour. I enjoyed seeing what they learned after they posted it on our class WIKI page! We will start to investigate the materials in the “Schooling in the 1800’s” history kit this week! We might even have to adapt our in-school practices to make it more real! I’m sure you’ll hear about it! :)
Other news:
Reminder that conferences are next week. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will all be half days. If you forget what time you signed up for, you can check it on the wiki page: http://mrscrowther.pbwiki.com/Conferences . Just call or email if you have questions or concerns. Otherwise, i’ll plan to see you at your scheduled time next week!
Summer Camp registration flier and registration form
Upcoming events:
3/13 and 3/14--"The Wiz" Performance 7:30pm Town Center
3/18--3/20 Half days--Parent-teacher conferences
Keep in touch!
Cara
Thursday, March 5, 2009
MARCH 4
Dear Families,
Hello and Happy March! Sure is coming in like a lion isn’t it!
The students have been very focused and are working really hard this week. We’re working on many new things this week so it’s great to see.
Reading – Students are working to complete the Vermont related historical fiction books they’re reading. Once they’ve completed the book, they will be asked to do 3 things:
1. Summarize the book
2. Compare and contrast the time period of their book with today, and
3. Create a project with a partner, or the entire reading group, to share their learning with the class.
Math – As I mentioned in my last letter, this week we are focusing all of our math energy on Math Problem Solving. We’ve started by working a problem, sharing our thinking with our classmates, and creating a list of steps for solving problems. We’ll also learn about working as thoroughly as possible, verifying our answers, and extending our thinking!
Next week, we will start integrating math P.S. into our schedules twice a week for the remainder of the school year.
Vermont Studies - REMINDER!! Fieldtrip to the Statehouse and Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier next TUESDAY, March 10th. Students will need to dress appropriately for a visit to the statehouse and will need to pack a lunch (no glass please). We will be leaving by 8:20 a.m on Tuesday morning and will return by 2:20.
Other – Conferences – Conferences are scheduled for 3/18, 3/19,& 3/20. Sign up is all via my WIKI page . You can find a link on our website or can use this link: http://mrscrowther.pbwiki.com/. The WiKI page is kind of like an interactive website. Parents and students can add to it/edit it. Each “editor” needs to log in. I have created 2 log-ins for parents.
Username: parent1 password: Crowther1
Username2: parent2 password: Crowther2
IT doesn’t matter which one you use.
In order to put your name into a slot, you’ll have to find the “Conferences” page (You can find the link on the sidebar) and then go to the edit tab. While under the edit tab, you may type your name into the timeslot of your choice. Then, DON”T FORGET to click SAVE!!. That’s it – your signed up! And you can always check your time by going back onto the Wiki page.
Please contact me if you have any trouble using it.
Upcoming Events –
Tuesday 3/10 – Fieldtrip to VHS in Montpelier – all day
Tuesday 3/10--PTO meeting 6:00pm Alpha space
Wednesday 3/11--School Board Meeting 5:00 pm CVU
Fri/Sat. 3/13 and 3/14--"The Wiz" Performance 7:30 pm Town Center
Wed- Fri. 3/18--3/20 Half days--Parent-teacher conferences
Hello and Happy March! Sure is coming in like a lion isn’t it!
The students have been very focused and are working really hard this week. We’re working on many new things this week so it’s great to see.
Reading – Students are working to complete the Vermont related historical fiction books they’re reading. Once they’ve completed the book, they will be asked to do 3 things:
1. Summarize the book
2. Compare and contrast the time period of their book with today, and
3. Create a project with a partner, or the entire reading group, to share their learning with the class.
Math – As I mentioned in my last letter, this week we are focusing all of our math energy on Math Problem Solving. We’ve started by working a problem, sharing our thinking with our classmates, and creating a list of steps for solving problems. We’ll also learn about working as thoroughly as possible, verifying our answers, and extending our thinking!
Next week, we will start integrating math P.S. into our schedules twice a week for the remainder of the school year.
Vermont Studies - REMINDER!! Fieldtrip to the Statehouse and Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier next TUESDAY, March 10th. Students will need to dress appropriately for a visit to the statehouse and will need to pack a lunch (no glass please). We will be leaving by 8:20 a.m on Tuesday morning and will return by 2:20.
Other – Conferences – Conferences are scheduled for 3/18, 3/19,& 3/20. Sign up is all via my WIKI page . You can find a link on our website or can use this link: http://mrscrowther.pbwiki.com/. The WiKI page is kind of like an interactive website. Parents and students can add to it/edit it. Each “editor” needs to log in. I have created 2 log-ins for parents.
Username: parent1 password: Crowther1
Username2: parent2 password: Crowther2
IT doesn’t matter which one you use.
In order to put your name into a slot, you’ll have to find the “Conferences” page (You can find the link on the sidebar) and then go to the edit tab. While under the edit tab, you may type your name into the timeslot of your choice. Then, DON”T FORGET to click SAVE!!. That’s it – your signed up! And you can always check your time by going back onto the Wiki page.
Please contact me if you have any trouble using it.
Upcoming Events –
Tuesday 3/10 – Fieldtrip to VHS in Montpelier – all day
Tuesday 3/10--PTO meeting 6:00pm Alpha space
Wednesday 3/11--School Board Meeting 5:00 pm CVU
Fri/Sat. 3/13 and 3/14--"The Wiz" Performance 7:30 pm Town Center
Wed- Fri. 3/18--3/20 Half days--Parent-teacher conferences
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Dear Families,
Hello and Happy week before break! Students are finishing up many important things this week. We’re:
• Finishing up our decimal unit
• publishing the 2nd drafts of our Response to Literature. Thank you for supporting your child in this assignment at home
• Completing the construction of our state site brochure. Hopefully, when complete, these will look like real tourist attraction brochures!
• Exploring the rest of the artifacts in the Abenaki kit!
• Continuing to work in our VT historical fiction reading groups – (and getting assessed on their participation, preparation, and quality of work).
After break, students will be:
• Focusing on math problem solving. We will focus on this the entire week after break. Following the “focus week”, we will be working on math p.s on Friday afternoons. Students will also be starting to learn more about division and fractions.
• Working on a 2nd Response to literature. This one will be based on their current VT books and will be put into their writing portfolio.
• Studying Vermont in the 1800’s using another kit from the VHS.
• Creating mini-projects to go with their VT books.
• Starting a new team time!
IMPORTANT!
Report cards will come home the 2nd week of March. Conferences will be held on Wed, Thurs, and Friday the week of the 16th. Sign ups for conferences will be done on my new WIKI PAGE. You can find a link on our website or can use this link: http://mrscrowther.pbwiki.com/. The WiKI page is kind of like an interactive website. Parents and students can add to it/edit it. Each “editor” needs to log in. I have created 2 log-ins for parents.
Username: parent1 password:Crowther1
Username2: parent2 password: Crowther2
IT doesn’t matter which one you use. I’ve created 2 in case one is already being used.
In order to put your name into a slot, you’ll have to find the “Conferences” page (You can find the link on the sidebar) and then go to the edit tab. While under the edit tab, you may type your name into the timeslot of your choice. Then, DON”T FORGET to click SAVE!!. That’s it – your signed up! And you can always check your time by going back onto the Wiki page.
I look forward to using my new technology learning to make this process easier for all of us. Please contact me if you have any trouble using it.
REMINDER:-the 4th graders will be going to the VHS museum and statehouse in Montpelier on Tuesday, March 10! Please be sure that your child has turned in their permission slip and $2 (by Friday). We have enough drivers now too, so no need to sign up to drive if you haven’t already.
Hello and Happy week before break! Students are finishing up many important things this week. We’re:
• Finishing up our decimal unit
• publishing the 2nd drafts of our Response to Literature. Thank you for supporting your child in this assignment at home
• Completing the construction of our state site brochure. Hopefully, when complete, these will look like real tourist attraction brochures!
• Exploring the rest of the artifacts in the Abenaki kit!
• Continuing to work in our VT historical fiction reading groups – (and getting assessed on their participation, preparation, and quality of work).
After break, students will be:
• Focusing on math problem solving. We will focus on this the entire week after break. Following the “focus week”, we will be working on math p.s on Friday afternoons. Students will also be starting to learn more about division and fractions.
• Working on a 2nd Response to literature. This one will be based on their current VT books and will be put into their writing portfolio.
• Studying Vermont in the 1800’s using another kit from the VHS.
• Creating mini-projects to go with their VT books.
• Starting a new team time!
IMPORTANT!
Report cards will come home the 2nd week of March. Conferences will be held on Wed, Thurs, and Friday the week of the 16th. Sign ups for conferences will be done on my new WIKI PAGE. You can find a link on our website or can use this link: http://mrscrowther.pbwiki.com/. The WiKI page is kind of like an interactive website. Parents and students can add to it/edit it. Each “editor” needs to log in. I have created 2 log-ins for parents.
Username: parent1 password:Crowther1
Username2: parent2 password: Crowther2
IT doesn’t matter which one you use. I’ve created 2 in case one is already being used.
In order to put your name into a slot, you’ll have to find the “Conferences” page (You can find the link on the sidebar) and then go to the edit tab. While under the edit tab, you may type your name into the timeslot of your choice. Then, DON”T FORGET to click SAVE!!. That’s it – your signed up! And you can always check your time by going back onto the Wiki page.
I look forward to using my new technology learning to make this process easier for all of us. Please contact me if you have any trouble using it.
REMINDER:-the 4th graders will be going to the VHS museum and statehouse in Montpelier on Tuesday, March 10! Please be sure that your child has turned in their permission slip and $2 (by Friday). We have enough drivers now too, so no need to sign up to drive if you haven’t already.
Friday, February 13, 2009
February 11
Dear Families
What a beautiful day we're having! I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy the sun and the warm (well, compared) breeze.
We continue to be on a roll with the work we've been doing in school.
Students are continuing to work in their reading groups. Students know that if they aren't able to complete their assignments in class, they are expected to take their reading group work home to work on it (Yes, it can count as their reading HW). Ask your child about their book and how it relates to VT history.
Additionally, students are working towards finishing their Response to Literature. My goal is to have all students complete their 2nd (and final) drafts by the end of next week. You may see this come home for HW next week.
We finally got to get into the big black box in our classroom this week. (Officially, it is called the Abenaki History Kit.) Students looked at a time line about the "pre-contact" period in Vermont and we studied some of the materials used by the Abenaki. These studies will continue into next week.
All of the students enjoyed going to the book fair this week. Thank you to everyone who donated a book or books, to our classroom! New books are always EXCITING!!
Students are doing a mini-research project on one of the "Famous Sites" from the last map that we studied. Each student is making a brochure with facts and pictures about their assigned site. This is a great introduction to research AND the students are learning about one of the sites they recently studied.
In math we continue to learn about decimal place value, zeros in decimals, comparing decimals, and how decimals and fractions are related. Next week we'll be learning about metric units of length and converting between mm and cm.
I look forward to seeing the Vermont posters that students have been working on! It's always great fun to see how creative the children were and how much they learned about the geography of our great state! Reminder that they're due this Friday.
Finally, we will be taking a field trip to the Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier on Tuesday, March 10th. I'll attach the permission slip to this email. Students will also bring a paper version home for you to sign. I am asking for parents to drive - We need about 5 drivers. If you hope to drive, please make sure that the office has evidence of your current insurance policy.
Other reminders:
Reminder - we'll be having a small Valentine's party on Friday before the early dismissal. If you can send in a snack or drink, that would be appreciated. Just let me know. Thanks
Tomorrow night! -2/12/09 Red Barn Order pick-up 2:30-6:00 p.m. outside gym doors
2/13/09 Half day for students--dismissal starting at 11:35 a.m
2/23--2/27/09 Winter Break--NO SCHOOL No school on Monday 3/2 either - teacher inservice.
3/10 - Field Trip to Montpelier - 8:30-2:30
Keep in touch
Cara :)
What a beautiful day we're having! I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy the sun and the warm (well, compared) breeze.
We continue to be on a roll with the work we've been doing in school.
Students are continuing to work in their reading groups. Students know that if they aren't able to complete their assignments in class, they are expected to take their reading group work home to work on it (Yes, it can count as their reading HW). Ask your child about their book and how it relates to VT history.
Additionally, students are working towards finishing their Response to Literature. My goal is to have all students complete their 2nd (and final) drafts by the end of next week. You may see this come home for HW next week.
We finally got to get into the big black box in our classroom this week. (Officially, it is called the Abenaki History Kit.) Students looked at a time line about the "pre-contact" period in Vermont and we studied some of the materials used by the Abenaki. These studies will continue into next week.
All of the students enjoyed going to the book fair this week. Thank you to everyone who donated a book or books, to our classroom! New books are always EXCITING!!
Students are doing a mini-research project on one of the "Famous Sites" from the last map that we studied. Each student is making a brochure with facts and pictures about their assigned site. This is a great introduction to research AND the students are learning about one of the sites they recently studied.
In math we continue to learn about decimal place value, zeros in decimals, comparing decimals, and how decimals and fractions are related. Next week we'll be learning about metric units of length and converting between mm and cm.
I look forward to seeing the Vermont posters that students have been working on! It's always great fun to see how creative the children were and how much they learned about the geography of our great state! Reminder that they're due this Friday.
Finally, we will be taking a field trip to the Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier on Tuesday, March 10th. I'll attach the permission slip to this email. Students will also bring a paper version home for you to sign. I am asking for parents to drive - We need about 5 drivers. If you hope to drive, please make sure that the office has evidence of your current insurance policy.
Other reminders:
Reminder - we'll be having a small Valentine's party on Friday before the early dismissal. If you can send in a snack or drink, that would be appreciated. Just let me know. Thanks
Tomorrow night! -2/12/09 Red Barn Order pick-up 2:30-6:00 p.m. outside gym doors
2/13/09 Half day for students--dismissal starting at 11:35 a.m
2/23--2/27/09 Winter Break--NO SCHOOL No school on Monday 3/2 either - teacher inservice.
3/10 - Field Trip to Montpelier - 8:30-2:30
Keep in touch
Cara :)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 28, 2009
Dear families,
Hello and Happy Snow! The students are really focused this week and have been doing great work! Some things we‘ve been working on:
Learning about decimals using decimal cards and playing decimal bingo. Ask your child what we need to remember when saying decimal names!
Revising our reading group book summaries
Thinking about how we are going to organize our Responses to Literature and how we are going to structure our writing piece.
Finding rivers, roads, towns, and tourist attractions on our Vermont maps
**IMPORTANT **A Vermont map project assignment will be coming home today
(Wednesday). Students will have an outline of expectations and a rubric. Additionally, they all have VT maps and reading packets with the necessary information. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
Our last team time of this rotation was Wednesday. The next session will start after February break.
We are also working with Mrs. Southworth in music on a musical that will go along with our VT history studies. Ask your child about it!
Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
• TFK Friday – we need additional parents to sign up to bring in a snack. Please let myself or Alice Brown know if you can bring in a snack this week or next week. THANKS!
• 1/29/09 Local Foods Winter Art Show 6-7 p.m. - The walls of the art wing, library and lobby will be filled with art work of garden pictures, pumpkins and other produce. Invitations to the show are going home to families. There will be a great selection of local food along with the art show!
• Two of our classmates will be published in local publications! Congratulations to Hadley and Calvin whose great articles about the Shelburne Little League program were chosen to be printed. Hadley’s article can be found in this Thursday’s Shelburne News, and Calvin’s will be in February’s school newsletter. Thank you to Maryann Sheahan for her help with this project.
• Winterfest at Shelburne Farms- Saturday 1/31 12-3
• NAEP testing - for 4th graders, Tuesday, Feb 3rd 8:30-10 a.m.
• Parenting workshop – Thursday Feb 5th – 6:30-8:30 pm. Sponsored by the PTO
• Book Fair – February 9-13.
• American Library Association announces literary award winners
Stay in touch
Cara
Dear families,
Hello and Happy Snow! The students are really focused this week and have been doing great work! Some things we‘ve been working on:
Learning about decimals using decimal cards and playing decimal bingo. Ask your child what we need to remember when saying decimal names!
Revising our reading group book summaries
Thinking about how we are going to organize our Responses to Literature and how we are going to structure our writing piece.
Finding rivers, roads, towns, and tourist attractions on our Vermont maps
**IMPORTANT **A Vermont map project assignment will be coming home today
(Wednesday). Students will have an outline of expectations and a rubric. Additionally, they all have VT maps and reading packets with the necessary information. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
Our last team time of this rotation was Wednesday. The next session will start after February break.
We are also working with Mrs. Southworth in music on a musical that will go along with our VT history studies. Ask your child about it!
Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
• TFK Friday – we need additional parents to sign up to bring in a snack. Please let myself or Alice Brown know if you can bring in a snack this week or next week. THANKS!
• 1/29/09 Local Foods Winter Art Show 6-7 p.m. - The walls of the art wing, library and lobby will be filled with art work of garden pictures, pumpkins and other produce. Invitations to the show are going home to families. There will be a great selection of local food along with the art show!
• Two of our classmates will be published in local publications! Congratulations to Hadley and Calvin whose great articles about the Shelburne Little League program were chosen to be printed. Hadley’s article can be found in this Thursday’s Shelburne News, and Calvin’s will be in February’s school newsletter. Thank you to Maryann Sheahan for her help with this project.
• Winterfest at Shelburne Farms- Saturday 1/31 12-3
• NAEP testing - for 4th graders, Tuesday, Feb 3rd 8:30-10 a.m.
• Parenting workshop – Thursday Feb 5th – 6:30-8:30 pm. Sponsored by the PTO
• Book Fair – February 9-13.
• American Library Association announces literary award winners
Stay in touch
Cara
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 22
Dear Families,
Happy Inauguration Week! In addition to watching the historic inauguration this week, the students have been:
Finishing up their reading group books and working on a summary for them. This will prepare the students for writing a response to literature about their books.
Completing their VT scavenger hunt so that we can move on to studying VT geography with our own Vermont Maps!! (Students started the map work today!!).
Starting a new unit in math about decimals and fractions.
Continuing to focus on editing in our writing. Additionally, many students are finalizing their drafts for the Little League article. Mary Anne has come in again this week to share her professional skills with the students.
Using a variety of web sites for both math practice, and Vermont studies. Check them out on our school webpage: http://www.scsvt.org/TEAMS/ENDEAVOR/index.html
Other Important News and Dates:
• Friday – 1/23 – Red Barn Fundraiser packets DUE!!
• 1/20-1/23/09 International Cultures Week
• 1/23/09 PTO International Cultures Potluck Dinner 6:00-7:30 p.m. Bring sneakers to this event so you can join the festivities in the gym after dinner.
• 1/29/09 Art Show- I encourage you all to attend! These children are fabulous artists.
Looks like we will be the only class going to the Historical Society and Statehouse in Montpelier in March. Therefore, I think I’ll take many of you up on your offer to drive. Thank you for the positive response. I’ll send home a form for you to fill out so that we can confirm who is driving and how many students you can take (and get it in writing). More than enough parents responded that they could drive, so it’s fine if you choose to back out or ride along in another car. Look for the form to come home some time in early February. You’ll also want to make sure that the school has your updated insurance information (Before March!).
Hope everyone is staying warm. Keep in touch!
Happy Inauguration Week! In addition to watching the historic inauguration this week, the students have been:
Finishing up their reading group books and working on a summary for them. This will prepare the students for writing a response to literature about their books.
Completing their VT scavenger hunt so that we can move on to studying VT geography with our own Vermont Maps!! (Students started the map work today!!).
Starting a new unit in math about decimals and fractions.
Continuing to focus on editing in our writing. Additionally, many students are finalizing their drafts for the Little League article. Mary Anne has come in again this week to share her professional skills with the students.
Using a variety of web sites for both math practice, and Vermont studies. Check them out on our school webpage: http://www.scsvt.org/TEAMS/ENDEAVOR/index.html
Other Important News and Dates:
• Friday – 1/23 – Red Barn Fundraiser packets DUE!!
• 1/20-1/23/09 International Cultures Week
• 1/23/09 PTO International Cultures Potluck Dinner 6:00-7:30 p.m. Bring sneakers to this event so you can join the festivities in the gym after dinner.
• 1/29/09 Art Show- I encourage you all to attend! These children are fabulous artists.
Looks like we will be the only class going to the Historical Society and Statehouse in Montpelier in March. Therefore, I think I’ll take many of you up on your offer to drive. Thank you for the positive response. I’ll send home a form for you to fill out so that we can confirm who is driving and how many students you can take (and get it in writing). More than enough parents responded that they could drive, so it’s fine if you choose to back out or ride along in another car. Look for the form to come home some time in early February. You’ll also want to make sure that the school has your updated insurance information (Before March!).
Hope everyone is staying warm. Keep in touch!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
January 14
Dear Families,
Warm greetings to you! I hope you have all had a chance to look at your child’s personal academic goals for 2009. I’ve noticed many of the students working really hard already in this New Year. Please check in with them about their goals each week – how do they think they’re doing? I am really pleased with the thoughtfulness and sincerity that has gone into this work and am delighted with the students for their efforts.
What’s going on this week:
A special guest from Thailand (Ms. Punapha) has visited our classroom. She is a guest of Mary Beth Harris (Orion teacher) and is going into willing classrooms to teach about her country. We learned about Thai customs, traditions, and some Thai language. The students REALLY enjoyed this experience!
The students are focusing on editing in writing. We are discussing how to be careful and thorough editors and why it is important. We are lucky enough to have a special guest coming in to help with this as well! Mary Anne Sheahan will come in to talk to the students about how writing, and especially revision and editing, are part of her daily work.
Some children are working on helping Mary Anne with a piece she is writing for the Shelburne News. (This was a voluntary assignment.) This is an article about the Little League program. One lucky and hardworking student will be chosen to have their article published in the Shelburne News!!
We have FINALLY started our VT studies. We kicked them off with students sharing what they already know about Vermont. Currently, we are working on a “Vermont Scavenger Hunt.” The students are using the web and working together with a partner to find the answers to a variety of questions related to VT history and geography. The students’ VT maps are on their way – we’ll move into VT geography studies after the scavenger hunt.
Attention!! – Map 4 came home last Friday! All students will be quizzed on Map 4 – Famous Landmarks – this Friday. Many students made passing this map on quiz 1 a goal for themselves. Please make sure your child is practicing at home.
REMINDERS AND IMPORTANT DATES:
The PTO’s Red Barn fundraiser packet came home last Friday. This supports the PTO and it’s grant program.
Calendar:
1/14/09 CSSU School Board meeting 7:00 p.m. CVU
1/15/09 6:00 p.m. pizza--6:30 p.m. program: Positive Parenting Workshop, “Top Ten Drug and Alcohol Parent Traps” with Margo Austin. Read more
1/19/09 NO SCHOOL--Martin Luther King Day
1/19-1/23/09 International Cultures Week
To celebrate our school's diversity, every day our cafeteria will prepare unique dishes from different cultures. All families are invited to attend their son/daughter's lunch period to enjoy the festive meals. Along with our delectable lunches, part of the morning announcements will be recited in foreign languages to enhance our cultural awareness.
1/23/09 PTO International Cultures Potluck Dinner 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Bring sneakers to this event so you can join the festivities in the gym after dinner.
Warm greetings to you! I hope you have all had a chance to look at your child’s personal academic goals for 2009. I’ve noticed many of the students working really hard already in this New Year. Please check in with them about their goals each week – how do they think they’re doing? I am really pleased with the thoughtfulness and sincerity that has gone into this work and am delighted with the students for their efforts.
What’s going on this week:
A special guest from Thailand (Ms. Punapha) has visited our classroom. She is a guest of Mary Beth Harris (Orion teacher) and is going into willing classrooms to teach about her country. We learned about Thai customs, traditions, and some Thai language. The students REALLY enjoyed this experience!
The students are focusing on editing in writing. We are discussing how to be careful and thorough editors and why it is important. We are lucky enough to have a special guest coming in to help with this as well! Mary Anne Sheahan will come in to talk to the students about how writing, and especially revision and editing, are part of her daily work.
Some children are working on helping Mary Anne with a piece she is writing for the Shelburne News. (This was a voluntary assignment.) This is an article about the Little League program. One lucky and hardworking student will be chosen to have their article published in the Shelburne News!!
We have FINALLY started our VT studies. We kicked them off with students sharing what they already know about Vermont. Currently, we are working on a “Vermont Scavenger Hunt.” The students are using the web and working together with a partner to find the answers to a variety of questions related to VT history and geography. The students’ VT maps are on their way – we’ll move into VT geography studies after the scavenger hunt.
Attention!! – Map 4 came home last Friday! All students will be quizzed on Map 4 – Famous Landmarks – this Friday. Many students made passing this map on quiz 1 a goal for themselves. Please make sure your child is practicing at home.
REMINDERS AND IMPORTANT DATES:
The PTO’s Red Barn fundraiser packet came home last Friday. This supports the PTO and it’s grant program.
Calendar:
1/14/09 CSSU School Board meeting 7:00 p.m. CVU
1/15/09 6:00 p.m. pizza--6:30 p.m. program: Positive Parenting Workshop, “Top Ten Drug and Alcohol Parent Traps” with Margo Austin. Read more
1/19/09 NO SCHOOL--Martin Luther King Day
1/19-1/23/09 International Cultures Week
To celebrate our school's diversity, every day our cafeteria will prepare unique dishes from different cultures. All families are invited to attend their son/daughter's lunch period to enjoy the festive meals. Along with our delectable lunches, part of the morning announcements will be recited in foreign languages to enhance our cultural awareness.
1/23/09 PTO International Cultures Potluck Dinner 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Bring sneakers to this event so you can join the festivities in the gym after dinner.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
January News
Dear Families,
Hello and Happy New Year! I hope that everyone enjoyed their time together over the break. We are getting right back into the swing of things this week. Here are some things we’re working on this week:
Reading - all reading groups will continue to meet this week. My goal is that all groups will be finished with their books by the 3rd week of January. All groups will continue to have word work and reading assignments that go with their reading.
Writing - I hope that everyone read and enjoyed their child’s memoir that was brought home before break. They worked very hard on them and were excited to present them to their families. This week, students will be working on an “On Demand” writing prompt. This is an assessment that is used to guide my instruction in teaching writing.
We will also begin a mini-unit on editing before beginning our next formal writing piece: response to literature.
Math - this week will be learning about open sentences (algebra), parentheses in number sentences, and of course, practicing multiplication.
Social Studies - I am happy to say that we will be starting our Vermont Studies next week. We will start with VT Geography and move into VT history. All students will receive a VT attractions map and will study the state’s geography (and practice their mapping skills) by completing a VT Scavenger hunt using the map. It is great fun! There will also be a VT map project coming up. Look for details to come home in two weeks.
This week will be Map 3, quiz 4 of the map quizzes. Next week we will start Map 4 which focuses on famous landmarks around the US.
Other Notes:
Students have been asked to work on their cursive more regularly. Consequently, I have asked students to at least ATTEMPT to do some of their word study HW in cursive. Please encourage your child to try some cursive in their HW. I am asking them to show some effort- they DO NOT have to do all of their word study HW in cursive if it is too time consuming or difficult. I appreciate that they simply are working at it.
Classroom Goals – this week, all students are making goals for themselves for the remainder of the school year. (A copy of these will come home Friday) Additionally, we have made some classroom goals to work on together. They are:
· Come in and unpack quickly and quietly (3 minute goal). This includes coming in in the morning, and coming in from recess.
· Write in cursive more frequently in classroom and HW assignments.
· Stay FOCUSED
· Stay on TIME
· Work to attain smooth, quiet, and quick transitions.
Important upcoming dates:
1/08/09 (Thursday) School Board Budget Forum SCS Library 7:00 p.m. agenda
1/9/09 1/2 Day of School. Dismissals start at 11:35 a.m
1/13/09 PTO meeting 6:00 p.m. Alpha space
1/13/09 Small Ensemble Concert 7:30 p.m. Cafeteria
1/14/09 CSSU School Board meeting 7:00 p.m. CVU
1/15/09 6:00 p.m. pizza--6:30 p.m. program: Positive Parenting Workshop, “Top Ten Drug and Alcohol Parent Traps” with Margo Austin.
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