Dear Parents,
This week we welcomed our new student, Nandini, from sunny California.
We jumped right back into our learning.
Here's a summary:
Spelling words were reviewed today to make sure everyone remembered their words from
before break. Spelling Quiz on Friday.
Vocabulary words were introduced yesterday. Everyday of the week, students will do an
activity using their vocabulary words, so that they can learn them. The quiz on the
vocabulary words will be on Tuesday, Jan. 13th. The students will bring home the words
later in the week. Right now we are learning the process of what to do each day with the
words.
In Math, we are learning geometry. The students are learning the terms for shapes, both
two dimensional and three dimensional, parts of shapes, such as planes, lines and vertices,
and will be learning how to measure angles. Eventually, we will cover the types of triangles:
scalene, right, equilateral and isosceles.
Division been the nemesis for some of our students, but we are determined to conquer it.
For now, while Mrs. Webster and I tutor division, the other students are exploring
challenging topics, such as Truth Tables.
A Time magazine was read to the students today, therefore the students should read it at
home tonight, Wed., and/or Thursday, aloud, for fluency practice. Any student that brings
the magazine back to class signed, gets a free A in reading for fluency. (As fluency
improves, studies show that comprehension improves.) The magazine will be needed in
class for the Time quiz on Friday.
During social studies, we are reading about the state government in preparation for our
trip to Raleigh. I am truly amazed by this group of bright, articulate students. They want to
have a debate between two sides, Democrats and Republicans, on a hot topic. I'm looking
into how we can have a classroom debate because they certainly were excited about the
idea, and I believe when students are interested, they'll read more eagerly. I need to find a
topic that has plenty written about it on a fourth grade level. The Time magazine has a
short segment on the pros and cons of "taxing soda", so maybe we can debate something
like that.
In writing, the students have been sharing their made-up stories about a missing
snowman. Tomorrow they will start writing a narrative about an exciting event in their
lives.
In reading, we continue to explore myths, and continue learning how to identify the moral,
message or theme. We also discuss what aspects or vocabulary in the myths have become a
part of our culture. For instance, speaking of opening up Pandora's box or noting someone
with Herculean strength is part of our culture. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD READS
25 MINUTES A NIGHT AND WRITES A REFLECTION IN THEIR JOURNAL.
In science, we are learning about the moon's phases. I have been showing short videos or
animations online each day to help the students build their understanding of this cycle of
phases. Next Tuesday, we are meeting with Ms. Loflin to do a STEM lesson on the moon.
STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. By combining these 4 very
important subjects to learn about the moon, the students are truly 21st century learners. If
your child hasn't completed his moon observation chart, please have him continue. I was
impressed by the enthusiasm of some of the students this morning talking about the full
moon they saw yesterday, with a reddish glow.
CONGRATULATIONS TO VENO ON THE BIRTH OF HIS LITTLE SISTER!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR S.A.C.K. RECIPIENT FOR JANUARY: ARIANNA SCORDINO; OUR
GOOD MANNERS STUDENT: REAGAN LINEBERRY; AND OUR TERRIFIC KID: CECILIA
FREITAS.
RALEIGH TRIP IS NEXT WEEK. SO FAR, WE HAVE HALF OF OUR PARENTS GOING, WHICH
MAKES CHAPERONING VERY EASY. THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING.
Sincerely,
Annemarie Economou