Summer Bookclub!!

You’re Invited!!

WHO: all Endeavor students

WHAT:   Endeavor Summer Book Club!!

WHERE: Pierson Library

WHEN: Wednesdays this summer (4:30 p.m).  Tentative dates: 7/8 ,7/29, 8/19

WHY:  to catch up with each other over the summer AND talk about GREAT BOOKS!

The first book we will read is: Capture the Flag - by Kate Messner   

Three kids get caught up in an adventure of historic proportions!

Anna, Jose, and Henry are complete strangers with more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington D.C. airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger, news stations everywhere have announced that the famous flag that inspired The Star-Spangled Banner has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in too, recruits Henry and Jose to help catch the thieves and bring them to justice.

But when accusations start flying, they soon realize there's more than justice at stake. As the snow starts clearing, Anna, Jose, and Henry find themselves in a race against time (and the weather!) to prevent the loss of an American treasure.

Meeting dates will be:7/8 ,7/29, 8/19.  We’ll meet at 4:30 pm and be done by 5:15 - 5:30.  I’ll bring snacks and drinks.

At our meetings we will talk about the book, what we enjoyed, what we wondered.  We’ll also vote on the next book we’ll read!!

Please know, You DO NOT have to be able to be present at each book club in order to join us sometimes.  However, you do have to attempt to read the book. :)  Stay updated on email and through Mrs. Crowther’s Kidblog page: http://kidblog.org/MrsCrowthersClass/

I will email students with reminders before hand.  This will also be your way to RSVP so I know who to expect.  I look forward to it!!

End of Year reflections and summer links!~!

1. All students completed a reflection of the year.  After writing down their thoughts on the learning they did and their responses to 6 reflection questions, they recorded this reflection in an app call See Saw.  They are bringing home a parent invite today.  You'll need to download the app and scan the QR code.  There are also directions on the sheet for doing this on desktops.  Check them out!  Here is another link you can use to request permission:

https://app.seesaw.me/s/058-051-037

2.  The "invite" for the summer "Bookclub" came home today as well.  On it you will find the 3 dates (tentative), times, and the 1st book we will read.  All students are invited and may come to all 3 meetings, or even just 1.  It will be held at the Pierson Library.

3.  Speaking of reading, latest research states that all students have to do to avoid the summer slump is read at least 4 books!!  Here are some resources from the Literacy Center:  SCS Summer Reading Ideas
​

 why read over summer002.pdf

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4.  Finally, John Madden, our Math Coordinator has provided a list of resources for summer math ideas.   
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 Summer 2015 Math Ideas

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Don't worry, I'll be in touch again soon!
:)

Hello Families!

Thought I would catch you up as we get ready to head into April break.  First of all, THANK YOU again!!  Thank you to everyone who attended the Poetry Slam that Kate planned and especially for contributing to her gift!  She was clearly overwhelmed with gratitude, and I hope you saw how much she appreciates your children. Thank you. Also, THANK YOU for any contribution you offer to Cheryl Thomas and her family in this very difficult time.  Cheryl has been missed and we are all wishing her the best!

Students have completed all but one session of the SBAC testing.  We plan to complete it on Wednesday 4/29!  The following week, (5/4-5/8) students will take the Science NECAP test Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdaymornings. 

Students have been studying Geometry in Bridges Unit 5 and exploring benchmark angles using pattern blocks, learning about circles and circle vocabulary, and using protractors.  After break we will focus on perimeter, area, symmetry, and of course, more mathematical vocabulary. 

This week we started focusing our reading work so that it combines with US Geography!  All students are using Ipads to read E-Books called Truflix.  We started with a book about US landforms, then broke into groups each focusing on a different region.  Students are meeting with me in a "book club" format to discuss their reading and learning and all groups are expected to become experts on their region so that they can teach the rest of the class what they learned.  We're focusing on: physical features/waterways, people/culture, industry and natural resources of each region. Students can access these books through the library website at home if you want to find out more!! 

State map quizzes continue through May!  Students are moving at their own pace through a set of 3 quizzes: States (by region), physical features, then states and capitals.  Students can have up to 4 chances to pass each quiz.  They've had some time to practice in class, but won't always be guaranteed this time.  I hope you're seeing their map packets at home! 

After break, we'll continue to study US geography, but will also start a Matter Unit!!  

Other news/upcoming events:

 - 4th graders will be attending a Civil War reenactment as another opportunity to connect with Vermont History! It's right here in Shelburne on Friday May 8.  More info to follow after break. 

 - Students will not have HW over break but should be reading.  In order to help encourage this, we are sending home a "reading challenge".  This is optional, and as I said, just a way to encourage students to do LOTS of reading over the break. 

 - I am going to pilot an incentive program through the end of the year.  It will be modeled after a game (Mario Brothers :)), and for it I will need lots of pennies, ball jars with lids, and penny wraps.  If you have any of this stuff lying around at home that you are willing to send in, i'd appreciate it.  

 - May 1-9 PTO Days - Order cheescake through Good Comida to support the PTO!!

Here is a link to the latest PTO news

Here are some links to fun science activity ideas for break:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/2014/03/fun-science-at-home-give-spring-break-a-science-boost.php?from=Newsletter

Ok, that's enough for now.  Thanks as always for your continued support! 

Cara :)

Hi all!
With conferences and SBAC testing approaching, we thought we'd send out a list of dates for you to note.  Both conferences and SBAC testing start next week.  SBAC will continue through all of April, but of course, won't occur every day :)  Let me know if you have any questions. 

Cara

Conference Schedule

TIME	Tuesday, 3/24	Thursday 3/26	Friday 3/27	Tuesday 3/31
3:05	Luke	Sam Williams	Riley	Anders
3:30	Hassan Dahir	Colin H	Carly	Jen M
4:00		Sasha Miller	Miranda O.	Betsy
4:30	Madeleine C	Lily Smith	Servis	Jake
5:00	Talulla A	Logan P.	Gove	McClellan/Brumstead

Trip to Vermont State House and

Vermont History Museum

March 18th, 8:15-2:30pm

PLEASE pack a bag lunch!

NO School

March 23rd

SBAC TESTING
March 24, 25 and 26
10AM-12PM
Pack a healthy Snack and get enough sleep!

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

March 24, 26, & 27 3-530PM

March 31  3-530PM
SBAC TESTING
April 1, 2, and 3
10AM-12PM
Pack a healthy snack and get enough sleep!

SBAC TESTING
April 7, 8, 9, 10
10AM-12PM
Pack a healthy snack and get enough sleep!

NO School
April 20-25
Happy Spring!

SBAC TESTING
April 28 and 29
10AM-12PM
Pack a healthy Snack and get enough sleep!

Science NECAP TESTING
May 5-7
Pack a healthy snack and get enough sleep!

No School
Monday, May 25th
Memorial Day

Jog-A-Thon
Tuesday, May 26th
Bring your sneakers and a waterbottle!

February News

Hello and Happy February!!! 

Math:  We completed our challenging Fraction and Decimal unit this week, and students just finished the assessment. We will start Unit 4 - Addition, Subtraction, and Measurement, on Monday. You can find a unit overview at this link:  http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/documents/family/PAR-BR4-U4.pdf  This unit aligns perfectly with our focus on computation!!  

Speaking of computation, students have done a fantastic job their first week of "clinic"!  Thank you for your support with this.  One way you could support them in this is to have them explain one of their strategies with you! I'm finding that many of our classmates are using a 2nd strategy that is unclear.  Having them explain it to you would ensure it makes sense for the problem, and they understand how it works. :)

Reading:  Students have been very engaged in their Historical Fiction books.  They are learning about how to do the hard work of reading complex texts, practicing the strategies together in our read aloud, and then applying it (with the support of reading partners) to their historical fiction reading.  

​

Vermont Studies:  In addition to learning about VT history through historical fiction, students have been reading, writing, and acting what they're learning!! This week we focused on learning about the native people of Vermont and how the arrival of Europeans impacted their lives.  A response to this work is part of next week's HW.  Students will complete it on Google Classroom, so if you haven't seen them use it yet, check it out!!!

Also, today was very exciting because we all participated in the Words Come Alive program!! Students worked with Susanna Olson from the Flynn to reenact a few scenes depicting Champlain's Arrival and his encounter with the Iroquois Indians.  Students thought about the feelings of the Abenaki, Iroquios, and Frenchman during this encounter and created tableaus to represent them.  

Valentine's Day:  Yes, we will be celebrating Valentine's Day with a small party next Friday.  If you would like to send in a healthy snack (fruit, cheese, veggies and dip, popcorn, etc), just let me know via email.  I'll bring in one treat for them :).  Students do not have to send in Valentines for their classmates, but they may.  However, if they choose to, they must bring one in for all 20 of our classmates.  I'll send home a class list with students.

Other News and Important Events:

 - Scholastic Book Fair next week!! Monday we will go "preview" the selection.  Wednesday students will go down to purchase books.  It will also be open Tuesday and Thursday evenings if you want to go with your child to purchase books. 

- Community Bond Forum -Tuesday February 10, 7:00 pm SCSCafeteria

- February Break - 2/21- 3/3

Ok. That's enough for now!

:)

Dear Families,

Good morning to you on this chilly Sunday!  I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the awesome books from the Book Fair!  We have a whole new basket of books for the classroom thanks to your generous donations.  

I'm sure you heard about the fun Friday we had celebrating Valentines Day!  The valentines students sent in were SO creative this year!!  Students also did good reading in their Historical fiction books, and read and wrote about Snowflake Bentley.  Our goal is to complete our historical fiction books by next Friday, so some partnerships know that they should be reading these books as their nightly reading too.  Please check in with your child about this.  

This coming week we have a few additions to our schedule.  On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Susanna Olson from the Flynn will return.  She'll be working with students to reenact the land grant dispute that occurred in Vermont before it became a state.  Students will also be working with her to act out significant parts from the class read aloud "Green Mountain Hero".  These "Words Come Alive" activities will be a fantastic way for students to summarize some of what they've learned during our Vermont History unit.  

On Wednesday morning, 4th graders will be taking the NAEP between 830-1030.  This is a nationally administered test given to 4th, 8th and 12th graders annually.  SCS was once again selected to participate.  Students will be assessed in either reading, math, or science.  NAEP does not provide scores for individual students or schools, as it is intended to be "The Nation's Report Card".  Here is a link if you want to find out more: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/.  

And on Thursday afternoon we get to watch the middle school musical over at the Town Hall!!  

Finally, attached​

 February 2015 minutes.docx

​ are the latest PTO notes, thanks to Corrine Levinthal!!

Thanks again for all of your support!!  Stay in touch 

Link to Scientist research!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA37fHQc4eSdy1HRm9qVzhuQjZyZE90aEV1dVNTeHlOeWhN/view

   

The news according to Colin and Carly               October 10,2014

News:

We ran our first 4th grade morning meeting today, It was very fun!  

On Wednesday we had a walking field trip and we did landscape drawings and close up drawings too. We also did a bunch of soil tests to see what the soil looked liked. We had so much fun!

Science:

We had a monarch hatch from its chrysalis this week on Thursday! We even caught it on video! His name was Squirmy, Butterflies parents are Colin and Logan. We have read a couple rocks and non fiction science books lately and wrote some notes and and the three types of rocks, Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary rocks and, a really complicated rock cycle, People are very interested and confused.

Math:

In math we had our post-unit test on Friday (today), this is our first math test but we have had a couple pre-tests. We also did multiplicative comparison statements for different things. We did a reflection on how we did in the test and got to compare it with the pretest and there is a big difference between the pretest and post unit test which means we have learned a lot of new math habits in this math unit.