10/17/2015 Classroom Update
I hope this note finds you well. I periodically send emails to give you an update on the curriculum we are covering in class and other updates that are of importance. If you would rather a printed copy of this, please let me know and I will send one home.
If you have not sent in a signed permission form and $5.00 for our field trip to the Arboretum please do this at your earliest convenience. Our field trip is on Monday, November 2nd. Please let me know if you need another copy of the form. Each student will also need to bring a lunch to school on this day. We will not be back in time to eat in the cafeteria.
I made an online sign-up for conferences which will take place in November and December. Please pick a date and time that works for you. However, if you none of them work for your schedule please contact me and we will find another time.
Fall Conference Sign Up
On Friday, October 30th students may bring a Halloween costume to school if they would like to and it is your familyís tradition to do so. Students will have an opportunity to wear their costumes for a portion of the day if they choose.
At the end of this email there is a note about the Understanding our Differences parent-led program. They are looking for a few more volunteers. Please read about it below.
Curriculum Updates: In writing we are brainstorming, drafting, and revising “seed moments” which are true experiences from the studentsí lives. This will lead us into writing longer personal narratives. We have focused on adding in sensory details, character description, and setting description. In reading students have practiced how to write about their thinking with a focus on summarizing (Fab 5), discovering character traits, and writing a reading response letter about their independent books. Next week we will begin working on predictions and in guided reading groups we will be discussing non-fiction text features and how to gather information from these. Our class read aloud book is Trumpet of the Swan which is the play we will be going to see in November for a field trip. Students have also begun Type to Learn which is a typing program that they can access at home as well. This information was sent home in Friday folders two weeks ago. If you need another sheet, please let me know.
In math we have reviewed arrays and continue to work on multiplication facts. In our current unit we learned about Base-7 to help the students make the connection to Base-10 and help them really think about what it means when they are “carrying” and “regrouping” in addition and subtraction. Beginning next week we will be moving on to multiplication and division. Students have also been using Front Row which is the online math site that they have access to at home as well. In Social Studies we have been learning about maps and how to use them. Starting next week we will learn about different landforms and climates. This will lead to a research project about the regions of the United States. In Science students are researching a scientist and our field trip to the Arboretum aligns with what they are doing in science class as well.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jen
Understanding our Differences Program (UOD,~formerly~UDP)- 4th Grade
UOD is a parent-led volunteer initiative that is driven by a Town curriculum for all fourth graders.~The program aims to raise awareness of children and adults to the many issues facing people with disabilities as they try to live in a world designed by and for able-bodied people. ~Volunteers are needed to help with all units in the classroom under the supervision of a trained session leader. ~This is definitely one of the most moving and thought provoking programs to assist with.~
Baker's UOD is an incredible opportunity for parents to share with kids in the classroom what it means to be a friend, and to show them how they can support those who may face challenges in the world. ~
Volunteers Needed:
This program educates students about: blindness, deafness, physical disabilities, and chronic medical conditions (allergies and diabetes).
UOD is an important town-wide curriculum that cannot run without you, our parents. The greater the number of parent volunteers, the greater the impact the program has on our students.~
We offer a parent training session before each program runs. At the training, you will learn how you can lead a group activity, or you can simply volunteer to oversee the groups of students as they move between the activities. We will give you the materials you will need to communicate the information to the students. We will need a lot of parents to help out to ensure the morning runs smoothly, so please review the dates below and let us know how you can help:
The dates are:
11/5: blindness (training 11/3)
12/3: deafness (training 12/1)
1/14: physical disabilities (training 1/12)
1/28: asthma and allergy (training 1/26)
Sign up here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4ca4aa2e5-understanding
THANK YOU!!!
I hope this note finds you well. I periodically send emails to give you an update on the curriculum we are covering in class and other updates that are of importance. If you would rather a printed copy of this, please let me know and I will send one home.
If you have not sent in a signed permission form and $5.00 for our field trip to the Arboretum please do this at your earliest convenience. Our field trip is on Monday, November 2nd. Please let me know if you need another copy of the form. Each student will also need to bring a lunch to school on this day. We will not be back in time to eat in the cafeteria.
I made an online sign-up for conferences which will take place in November and December. Please pick a date and time that works for you. However, if you none of them work for your schedule please contact me and we will find another time.
Fall Conference Sign Up
On Friday, October 30th students may bring a Halloween costume to school if they would like to and it is your familyís tradition to do so. Students will have an opportunity to wear their costumes for a portion of the day if they choose.
At the end of this email there is a note about the Understanding our Differences parent-led program. They are looking for a few more volunteers. Please read about it below.
Curriculum Updates: In writing we are brainstorming, drafting, and revising “seed moments” which are true experiences from the studentsí lives. This will lead us into writing longer personal narratives. We have focused on adding in sensory details, character description, and setting description. In reading students have practiced how to write about their thinking with a focus on summarizing (Fab 5), discovering character traits, and writing a reading response letter about their independent books. Next week we will begin working on predictions and in guided reading groups we will be discussing non-fiction text features and how to gather information from these. Our class read aloud book is Trumpet of the Swan which is the play we will be going to see in November for a field trip. Students have also begun Type to Learn which is a typing program that they can access at home as well. This information was sent home in Friday folders two weeks ago. If you need another sheet, please let me know.
In math we have reviewed arrays and continue to work on multiplication facts. In our current unit we learned about Base-7 to help the students make the connection to Base-10 and help them really think about what it means when they are “carrying” and “regrouping” in addition and subtraction. Beginning next week we will be moving on to multiplication and division. Students have also been using Front Row which is the online math site that they have access to at home as well. In Social Studies we have been learning about maps and how to use them. Starting next week we will learn about different landforms and climates. This will lead to a research project about the regions of the United States. In Science students are researching a scientist and our field trip to the Arboretum aligns with what they are doing in science class as well.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jen
Understanding our Differences Program (UOD,~formerly~UDP)- 4th Grade
UOD is a parent-led volunteer initiative that is driven by a Town curriculum for all fourth graders.~The program aims to raise awareness of children and adults to the many issues facing people with disabilities as they try to live in a world designed by and for able-bodied people. ~Volunteers are needed to help with all units in the classroom under the supervision of a trained session leader. ~This is definitely one of the most moving and thought provoking programs to assist with.~
Baker's UOD is an incredible opportunity for parents to share with kids in the classroom what it means to be a friend, and to show them how they can support those who may face challenges in the world. ~
Volunteers Needed:
This program educates students about: blindness, deafness, physical disabilities, and chronic medical conditions (allergies and diabetes).
UOD is an important town-wide curriculum that cannot run without you, our parents. The greater the number of parent volunteers, the greater the impact the program has on our students.~
We offer a parent training session before each program runs. At the training, you will learn how you can lead a group activity, or you can simply volunteer to oversee the groups of students as they move between the activities. We will give you the materials you will need to communicate the information to the students. We will need a lot of parents to help out to ensure the morning runs smoothly, so please review the dates below and let us know how you can help:
The dates are:
11/5: blindness (training 11/3)
12/3: deafness (training 12/1)
1/14: physical disabilities (training 1/12)
1/28: asthma and allergy (training 1/26)
Sign up here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4ca4aa2e5-understanding
THANK YOU!!!