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.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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
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