Dear Families

  The week has flown by and I'm sure the rest of the month will too!  Today we celebrated filling the classroom "Catcoin" container with a reading party.  The kids were so excited and engaged!  The rest of our day was filled with Geography quizzes and Genius Hour presentations, so we did not get to SeeSaw. 

Our World Geography studies started after Thanksgiving Break and kids are off to a great start!  They're learning the location of major cities, countries, and bodies of water through various activities (including the weekly quizzes) and are reading non-fiction texts about the continents. (Reminder that Geography quizzes happen each Friday.  Students have some time to practice at school, but should also be studying at home.) We use this work to not only learn about topics related to our world, but also to teach non-fiction reading strategies to students.  This non-fiction reading work will continue as we learn a bit about immigration and into the new year when we learn more about specific cultures and countries.  

With our focus on non-fiction reading and world geography, we are not currently working on a writing piece.  Students will be regularly writing in response to reading however, and will be completing quick writes daily.  In January, we will begin research on a country, which will lead to an informative writing piece. 

A reminder that students have a "Country 4-Door Share" this month too.  Additionally, we hope to do a book swap similar to what we did last year before the December break.  We are also planning (actually the students will do the planning...) on celebrating winter holidays around the world the Thursday before break.  Keep your eyes out for more information next week.  

As students complete their Genius Hour projects, I am trying to post the video to SeeSaw.  For some reason, this is tricky and time consuming for me, so please be patient.  I'm finding the best way to share their presentation video is a YouTube link.  The last round of Genius Hour presentations will happen on Monday 12/18.  I sure hope you're hearing about this from your children!  (some students will need parent support in delivering final projects....)  If you would like to come in for your child's presentation, you are certainly welcome to.  2nd cycle of Genius Hour projects are already in action or will start in January.  

I hope to see most of you at the holiday fair tomorrow!  Thank you all for your support!

Today we did a map quiz, some kids did 25 countries, others did mountains, rivers and oceans. Also today there were 3 Genius Hour presentations, And we finished Truflix North America. Also this whole week there was hour of code, where there are tons of different projects and games to choose from all involve coding and a scientist/coder came in. Hour Of Code

This is a Genius Hour project.

Malina Kirn Is A Scientist.

Today we looked at world atlases and did a green worksheet. The worksheet focused on North America but also had world questions such as "whats the largest waterfall" or "whats the highest mountain in North America.

October = Walking Wednesdays

Please join us for Walking Wednesdays!

October 2017

October has arrived, and you know what that means...Walking Wednesdays!  This year we thought we’d continue an opportunity for more students to participate in this wellness activity.  

Beginning October 4th, all K-8 SCS students and families are invited to meet at the “parade” green on the corner of Church Street and Route 7 (Farmer’s Market location).  We will meet up with buses D, G and H at about  7:45-7:50.  Any students who want to get off the bus and walk to school are encouraged to do so.  There will be cones set up on the right (north) side of Church St. with the Shelburne Police there to assist.  Teachers, staff, and community members will supervise students as they cross Route 7, walk down the sidewalk by the library and coffee shop, and head west on Harbor Road.

• October 11th, Bus D,    Driver~Diane
• October 18th, Bus G,    Driver~Damian
• October 25th, Bus H,    Driver~Lucy

Although, we would love to have everyone participate, this is an optional activity.  Any students remaining on the bus will continue on to the school.

A visit from Vermont Author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

Hello Families!

We had an exciting morning here in 5th grade because we got to meet Natalie Kinsey Warnock!!  She is a Vermont author and she has many great stories to tell.  We enjoyed learning about her life, hearing some of her stories, and LEARNING from her about how to write and where to get inspiration!

One of her primary messages is that we ALL have great stories right in our families!  She very much encourages students to go out and find great stories right in their own families or family histories!!  

So.... I have asked all students to come home tonight and gather a family story.  They can record it with a voice or video recorder, write it on paper, etc.  This assignment is more for them than it is for me, so please support them in this.  If they have a digital version or addition of/to their story, it can be emailed to their email address (or mine).  

I did share questions that they might ask as a way to prompt for specifics (for example, How did you celebrate holidays when you were growing up?  or What was school like for you?), but they can gather any story that wants to be told.  

I hope that you all enjoy going on this journey with your child!  

Cara :)

Hello Families, 

We've had so much fun over the last week with our field trip to Shelburne Farms and our special visit from Vermont author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock!

The students have also been diving deeper into the curriculum starting a narrative writing piece,  literature circles (using Natalie Kinsey Warnock books), and cooking with their Solar Ovens in science!  We also started word study this week!

Make sure to check out SeeSaw this weekend for posts from both me and your kids about some of their work.  

Also, please remember to sign off on the reading on your child's goal sheet before it comes in tomorrow (they're due Friday this year)
.  It seems as though many people forgot last week.  

And finally, don't forget to sign up for a conference if you haven' t yet. 

Thanks!  Enjoy the weekend. 

Cara

SaveSave

Day 2= rearrange the classroom!

Today students took on the design challenge of rearranging our furniture. It was an exciting task and I love what the students came up with!

A wonderful first day!

Hello Families!

The 5th graders had a fantastic day today!!  We enjoyed seeing each other and "catchin up", we enjoyed spending a full day in our brand new, and beautiful space, we enjoyed writing on the tables and sharing our thoughts about how we can have a successful year, and we got to do a bit of art and share about a summer experience.  It was fun to be together again. 

With so many new things going on, there is a lot to discuss with the students. I recommended to them, and will to you, that you take 20 minutes to look at the new handbook that was sent out (via email I believe).  There is alot of important information to be found inside including arrival and dismissal procedures, bullying and harrassment protocol, detailed information about the change in the traffic pattern, dress code, etc.  It really is a valuable use of your time.  

Finally, students will be attending an informational meeting regarding band tomorrow and will have to decide if they'd like to join by next Tuesday!! Please have this conversation together as a family in the next few days.  They'll come home with details tomorrow. Band will occur 3 days/ week at 10:20.

Hope you had a chance to talk about the day with your child!! Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Cara

Count Down to 5th Grade!!

Hello Families!!

I hope you all have enjoyed an adventurous, yet also relaxing summer.  I know it went by SO quickly!! I was lucky enough to do some fun traveling with my family, but also spent a lot of time moving into our new classroom.  The new space is beautiful and I can't wait for you all to return!  I wanted to write to let you know about a few things before the year begins.

• Our new classroom will be next to Winton in what is called the E wing.  Basically its the new space at the top of the ramp.  Students and families will get a chance to see it before school starts at our Welcome Back visit on Monday at 4 pm.  
• Given our new space, we will get to spend a lot more time as a 5th grade team than last year!  We will take the opportunity to intermingle with the other 3 classes as much as possible.  We'll especially do this at the beginning of the year as we're getting reacquainted and establishing routines, expectations, and procedures.  
• Another change that we have planned for this year is that Vasanthi and I will be specializing in content areas.  I will focus on Literacy and Social Studies, and she will teach Math and Science.  This means I will be teaching all of her students and mine, and that all my students will go to her for Math and Science instruction daily.  This is new for us, so please be patient with us as we roll it out, but also ask questions as they arise.  The change will not be immediate, but we do plan to get to content earlier this year as this is one of the (many) benefits to looping.
• I will keep you informed through regular emails at the beginning of the year, and I plan to continue to use SeeSaw this year.  Please look for posts from your child each weekend.  I can certainly send along parent access instructions again if needed.  
• We have new administration this year as I'm sure you know.  I hope that you get a chance to meet both Alison and Scott sometime early in the school year!
• Additionally (so many big changes!!), there is a new procedure for pickup/drop-off.  The busses will now drop-off and pick up in the circle, and parents must go to School St. and drop students off along the sidewalk beside the school.  There will be signs, clear pavement markings, and we will even have police support early in the year as we all adjust to the change.  Please honor all the requirements as they were put in place for the safety of the students.  

Again, I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone again and being together.  I have enjoyed getting to see some of the students around town and at bookclub this summer, but have missed everyone regardless and can't wait to get together again!! 5 more days....

Let me know if you have any questions.  

Cara :)

Here is a link to our Summer letter if you need it.  

You’re Invited!!

Endeavor Summer Bookclub

Where: Pierson Library.  Downstairs in the children’s section

When:

• Wednesday 7/12/2017 - 4:30- 5:15
• Wednesday 8/9/2017 - 4:30- 5:15

What:   Mrs. Crowther will bring drinks and snacks.  We will meet to discuss the books we read and  catch up over the summer. You should do your best to finish the book before we meet.  Mr. Terupt will be first.

1.) Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . . Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in; Alexia, a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next;Peter, class prankster and troublemaker; Luke, the brain; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shyAnna, whose home situation makes her an outcast; and Jeffrey, who hates school.

                       Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone. (from http://robbuyea.com/books/because_of_mr_terupt)

2.) See you In the Cosmos by J. Cheng

11-year-old Alex Petroski loves space and rockets, his mom, his brother, and his dog Carl Sagan—named for his hero, the real-life astronomer. All he wants is to launch his golden iPod into space the way Carl Sagan (the man, not the dog) launched his Golden Record on the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. From Colorado to New Mexico, Las Vegas to L.A., Alex records a journey on his iPod to show other lifeforms what life on earth, his earth, is like. But his destination keeps changing. And the funny, lost, remarkable people he meets along the way can only partially prepare him for the secrets he’ll uncover—from the truth about his long-dead dad to the fact that, for a kid with a troubled mom and a mostly not-around brother, he has way more family than he ever knew.  (From https://jackcheng.com/see-you-in-the-cosmos/)Jacket Art: Heads of State / Art Director: Jacqui McDonough

June 15, 2017

Dear Families

  We had a fantastic day yesterday with our walking fieldtrip.  I couldn't email you after I left school yesterday, but wanted to remind you to do a tick check on your child. 

More importantly, I wanted to let you know that today we cleaned out all of our stuff and the students are bringing home their math books, all notebooks, and some of their work.  Tomorrow, more writing pieces and scored math tests will come home with the Report Cards.  

There are MANY pages left in the student math books (especially book 2).  A fantastic idea would be to have your child work on some of the empty pages over the summer.  Have them record the date at the top of the page,bring it in in August, and I'll reward them for doing extra work!!  This would be a great way to help your child practice some of what they learned this year.  Of course, it would make the most sense for them to do the incomplete pages from the Units we actually finished (1-6) but there is some content from unit 7 that I bet they could do too!  

And finally, another very important thing that you will see come home today are books and additional resources to support your child in reading over the summer!  Each child will have access to at least 3 books, a calendar to keep track of the days and titles that they read, and resources from the Pierson Library.  Additionally, the flyer for our summer book club came home today (and was posted on SeeSaw).  I will be emailing families and students about a week or so before each meeting to remind you and to get an RSVP for the meetings.  

Please take the time over the next few days to go over the work your child brought home today.  It is important that you acknowledge their hard work and growth.  Additionally, they posted an End of the Year reflection onto SeeSaw today that might be nice to discuss with them.

Thank you for your support. 

Cara

Summer reading

​​Dear Families,

 

Welcome to the month of June! It is hard to believe that fourth grade is almost over. Your children have worked hard this year and have grown in so many ways. As you look ahead to summer, I hope that your calendars are filled with rest, relaxation, and fun. I also hope your summer is filled with reading!

 

As we close out our school year, the fourth grade will be hosting a book exchange to encourage, excite, and get new titles in the hands of kids. Over the next week, please help your child look through their shelves to find gently used books that they are no longer interested in, but would be a great book for a friend.  Have them bring them to school by Tuesday, June 13th. On Wednesday,  kids will exchange them!  

 

Your child might also want to bring in the book box they got from me in December to keep their books in, or a shoebox for storage.

 

Continuing to focus on reading is an important part of summer. This can help your child improve their reading, or at least avoid the "summer slide. See attached documents for more information on the importance of reading over the summer. Additionally, I will be hosting a summer book club at the Pierson 2 x this summer. Dates and titles will come home soon!!

Please let me know if you have any questions or needs. I am looking forward to the exchange!

Fondly,

Cara :)

 

 

Did you know…?

• The best predictor of summer loss or summer gain is whether or not a child reads during the summer.  And the best predictor of whether a child reads is whether or not he or she has access to books. (Allington, McGill-Franzen, 2003)

• Children who read four or more books over the summer fare better on reading-comprehension tests in the fall than their peers who read one or no books over the summer.  (Kim, 2004)

• The two largest contributions to reading achievement are access to interesting books and student choice of the books they read. (Guthrie and Humenick 2004)

 

​

 parent summer slide posting.pdf

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 why read over summer002.pdf

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March 30, 2017

Ariel & Mira’s Classroom

Blog

Field Trips/Special Activities:

Last week we went to the Vermont Statehouse, and the VHS (Vermont Historical Society).

At the Statehouse, we saw huge portraits of past governors and politicians. We got to see the golden dome, (but not go in it), enter the senate room, and even to go in the governor’s office! We got to see a huge portrait of Madeleine Kunin, who is Jacob Kunin’s grandmother!

At the museum, we did a workshop called “you be the historian”. We learned about being an archeologist, a curator, and a researcher. We got to touch real-life artifacts from a site, and went through stations, that showed you how it felt to be an archeologist, a curator, and a researcher. We got to touch real artifacts!! Then we ate lunch.

After that, we went through the museum, going from time period to time period. We saw things from indian longhouses, to World War II homes, with old-fashioned, working, radios! One thing that I learned is that Vermont had many native peoples living in it in the early days. Then some people, (me not being one of them), got to buy things from the gift shop at the museum.

We also went to a play by the middle schoolers called Into The Woods. They were amazing! They memorized all of their lines and songs perfectly. We also had a guest speaker come and teach us how to program a circuit. We were the only 4th graders that got invited to go. It was really fun.  

Writing:

Last week we learned the LEAF paragraph writing technique. L stands for lead. E stands for evidence. A stands for analysis. And then you actually do another EA. And F stands for finisher. We are doing response to literature. And  we are writing about a  character in the books trait. And this week we're doing are first drafts on lined paper!

Math:

Last week in math we did our assessment.We all finished it. It was for unit three. In unit three we learned about fractions and decimals and the relationship of them. An example is 0.12 = 12/100. We also learned about the relationship between 10ths and 100ths. One example of this is that 10/100=1/10. This week we learned a new math game. And were going to get started on unit four.