Welcome Fall!  

We have had a busy start to our school year.  

There is lots of learning going on in Room 49!  

Here is an update of what we're learning and what's coming up:

MATH -We are wrapping up Topic 2 (addition and subtraction strategies) this week and will begin Topic 3 (multiplication with larger numbers) by Friday.  Please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts (including 11 and 12 facts) so they can be successful with upcoming skills.

ELA -Today students put the finishing touches on the final drafts of their Summer Sunglasses stories.  They typed their stories on Google Drive, which will be using regularly this year.  Our next unit will focus on "Be a Better Writer" skills where students will learn strategies to add details to their stories.  

We are currently reading The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and focusing on story elements (characters, setting, plot, etc.) . This wonderful book also lends itself to STEM challenges!  Click HERE to see pictures of ROZ the robot, which students had to camouflage in an environment.  We will also be starting book groups next week.  

SOCIAL STUDIES: The students are hard at work on their Treasure Island posters, which include all the components of our map skills unit: grids, compass rose, map key, scale, and landforms.  Coming soon...our first region: The Northeast!

SCIENCE: Students are learning about animal adaptations and are working on a research project during class.  

HOMEWORK: We are currently in our typical homework routine.  Please check-in with your child to make sure they have their homework folder and agenda in their backpack every day.  Fridays are a big "turn-in" day and many students are forgetting to bring in their flashcards and reading log.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions!

Welcome Back!!!

I hope everyone had an amazing summer! 

I'm looking forward to a great school year.

Thank you!!!

Thank you for sharing your children with me this year! 

 I truly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them.  

I LOVE my new director's chair and will think of my amazing 2017-2018 class every time I use it!

Have a wonderful summer!

Click HERE to see photos of the students' AMAZING floats.

June 15th (Friday) - 9:00-10:00 State Fair in the cafeteria

-parents should use the entrance by the cafeteria.

June 19th (Tuesday) - 10:30-11:30
4th grade celebration/picnic (parents invited!)
Student are encouraged to bring blankets,
towels, and outdoor toys/games
for a fun end-of-the-year celebration!

They will also need a bag lunch.

Rain date June 21st (Thursday)

June 22nd - Last Day (half day)

Click HERE to see pictures of the class dissecting owl pellets this week!

A busy week!!!

We have A LOT going on this week!  

Here's a rundown:

1. Math MCAS is on Tuesday and Thursday -the students are prepared and I know they will try their best and do a great job.

2. Tie dye shirts -this was originally scheduled for Monday, but the weather looks better on Tuesday, and this is definitely an outdoor activity!  

3. Immigration Day is on Friday!!!  The kids are very excited for our 4th grade theme day.  Parents are invited to volunteer in the morning (a my sign-up was sent out) and all parents are invited to watch the class presentations at 1:45 in the cafeteria -get ready for our Immigration Rap ;) 

4. Miss Sullivan's last day is on Friday, May 11th.  I sent home a note last Thursday asking for donations for a teacher-themed basket, and a used book basket.  Thank you for your help!  We will surprise her with these gifts on her last day.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Congratulations to the class for completing the ELA MCAS test last week!  The Math MCAS test will be Tuesday 5/1 and Thursday 5/3.  

Here's what we're learning in Room 49:

Math - Geometry! This includes lines, angles (using protractors!), 2D shapes, and symmetry.  We are also exploring perimeter and area.  Students are putting the finishing touches on their Area & Perimeter Robots.

ELA - This week the students will begin opinion (persuasive) writing using the OREO strategy (Opinion, Reason, Evidence, Opinion).

Reading - This week we will kick-off our Immigration Unit.  Students will learn about the history of Immigration to the USA, with a specific focus on Ellis Island and their own family ancestry.  

Social Studies - Last stop on our USA regions tour...welcome to the WEST!  

March happenings...

What's new in Room 49?

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Read Across America Day 2018

Math: On Friday students took the Fraction Unit Assessment.  This week we will begin studying decimals.  

Reading: We are learning about text structure of nonfiction books.  Working in book groups students are reading and identifying the structure of 5 nonfiction books.  

Language Arts: Last week we read a story called "The Wacky Shoes".  Students are now using the 4-square graphic organizer strategy to plan and write their own wacky shoes story.  We also continue to work on using evidence from a text in an written response.  

Social Studies: Students put the finishing touches on their Midwest pyramids highlighting 4 famous landmarks located in the Midwest.  This week we are traveling to the Southwest region!

Science: Students used their nonfiction reading skills to research and create a poster about a rock or mineral.  This week students will create circuit boards to share what they learned during this unit.

2nd trimester report cards go home this month!  Grades close on March 16th and report cards will be handed out on March 23rd.  

Greek Mythology 

Readers' Theater

This week students practiced, rehearsed, and created props for a Readers' Theater!  They performed ancient and modern stories highlighting the major characters and themes in Greek Mythology.  Click HERE to see the photos.

January Update

I hope everyone enjoyed the extra long weekend!  I know I am looking forward to the temperatures being a bit warmer this upcoming week.  Here is an update on what we're learning and what's coming up in each subject.  

Math: This week we will wrap-up our division unit with a test on Thursday.  Next week we will begin learning about fractions.

Reading: Greek Mythology!  The class was very excited to begin this unit.  We will explore many of the characters, themes, and lessons in Greek myths.  Students will learn the meaning of sayings such as "a Herculean task", "opening Pandora's box", and "an Achilles' heel".   

Language Arts: Students have been reading about and taking notes on a famous person from history.  This week they will organize their notes and plan/write a five paragraph informational report.  They will also continue working on a lapbook, which includes a timeline, character traits, and more!

Social Studies: -Welcome to the Midwest!  This week we are traveling to our 3rd region of the USA.  Students will learn about the landforms, climate, products/natural resources, and culture of this region.  

Next Tuesday, we welcome a student teacher, Miss Sullivan to our classroom!  The students had the opportunity to meet her last week and we all look forward to having her join our class.  

December Update

Here's what's happening in Room 49!

12/6 Report card day -please sign and return the envelope by the end of the week

12/8 Pajama day!  Thank you for the pajama donations.  We will continue to collect them until Friday.  Students are also encouraged to wear their PJ's to school on Friday.  

12/14 Parent/teacher conferences -I look forward to meeting with each of you to discuss your child's progress.

What we're learning:  

Math - Division -the class will learn how to divide with large numbers, problem solve with division, and interpret remainders.  

Reading - Today the students chose biography books to read, which will guide our transition into nonfiction reading.  Students will identify text features and text elements using a "Who was..." book.  

Language Arts - This week the students began planning their first imaginary narrative story.  The inspiration for this story is from a short story called "The Noise".  Students will incorporate multiple-paragraphs, dialogue, and figurative language into their stories.  

Social Studies - The Southeast -the class is learning about the 12 states of the southeast.  This region offers unique landforms, climate, and culture.  

Check out the students' solar planes!

Click HERE for photos!

Room 49 Update

Here's what we're learning in Room 49!

Math -Double digit multiplication strategies.  Students have been working very hard learning how to solve these problems using the area model, partial products, and the standard algorithm.  There will be a Topic 4 Assessment after the break.  Coming soon...long division! 

Reading - Because of Winn Dixie -students are meeting in book groups to read and analyze the story elements in this heartwarming tale.  We are also practicing our inferencing skills using a variety of short stories and Pixar movie clips.

Language Arts - Figurative language -a part of becoming a better writer means incorporating detailed and creative language into your writing.  So far the students have been working on adding similes and metaphor to their stories.  The class is also writing perspective stories pretending they are a scarecrow.  They loved using the traveling Chrome Cart to type the stories in class.  This week they are putting the finishing touches on a scarecrow craft project.

Social Studies - We have packed our suitcases and are ready to travel to the Southeast Region.  During the next few weeks, the students will be visiting the 12 states in the South.  

Science - Energy -the class has enjoyed building circuits and this week they are working with a team to construct and test a solar powered airplane.  We will be ready for take-off Tuesday afternoon!

Report cards -Grades close for the first trimester next Wednesday, 11/29 and report cards will be handed out Wednesday, 12/6.  

Haunted House STEM Challenge

Click HERE to check out the students' final haunted houses!  Everyone planned, constructed, adjusted, and decorated amazing houses out of recycled materials and craft supplies.  A job well done!

Haunted House STEM Challenge!

On Tuesday, 10/24 at 1:30, our class will participate in a Halloween STEM challenge.  

Using recycled cardboard, they will work with a team to plan and build a haunted house.  

Parents are invited to help with the construction.  

See you then!

Enjoy a beautiful Fall weekend.

Happy October!

Warm days and cool nights... 

and a great time to update you on what we're learning in Room 49!

Math -students have been strengthening their addition and subtraction skills using the standard algorithm.  Next week we will begin learning how to multiply larger numbers.

Reading -last week we finished reading Frindle, and the students shared when they learned about story elements by creating a storyboard.  We played Frindle Jeopardy on Thursday, which was a fun way to wrap up the unit!  This week we have been learning about theme.  The students have enjoyed identifying the theme in Pixar movie shorts.  

Language Arts -during the past two weeks we have been learning "be a better writer" strategies.  This includes adding rich adjectives, replacing verbs, and using adverbs in our writing.  The class just finished brainstorming for their next writing workshop assignment: "Fall Favorites". 

Social Studies -students are putting the finishing touches on their Treasure Islands.  We will wrap up our map skills unit with a test next Tuesday.  Then we will travel to our first region: The Northeast!

Check out the "Remind" app

This year I am going to start using the REMIND app.  Please follow the attached directions to get the app and join my class.  Now you can receive classroom updates directly to your phone.  I will send assignments, reminders, photos, etc.  I will also send home a flyer with instructions on how to join -it's quick and easy!  

A busy week ahead!

*Back to School Night is Tuesday, 9/19 starting at 6:15 in the cafeteria.  I look forward to sharing information about our classroom and curriculum with you!

*School pictures are tomorrow.

*Final drafts of Summer Sunglasses stories are due tomorrow.  You may print and send a copy to school OR share it with me via Google Drive and I will print it.

*Please send the Storyworks magazine subscription money to school by the end of the week.  You may also bring a check to BTSN tomorrow.

*Book Fair is this week -our class will shop during Library on Friday.   

*Please send in a large poster board by Friday.  The students need this for a Social Studies project.

Thank you for your support! :) 

Our first full week is here!

I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful Fall weekend!  

Here are a few reminders to help you and your child plan the week:

1. Math homework is assigned M-Th nights -each night there is a "challenge" component to the homework, which is optional.  I do ask that the kids try the challenge at least once a week.

2. Word Study begins this week.  Tonight the students will bring home the word list and homework assignment.  Their flashcards are due tomorrow and the sentences/pictures are due on Friday.  On Friday the students will be tested on the spelling AND meaning of the words.

3. Reading -it is expected that students read for at least 20 minutes, 4 nights per week (if not more).  

4. Agendas -please sign your child's agenda M-Th nights.  They do not need a signature over the weekend . 

5.  Back to School Night is next Tuesday starting at 6:15 in the cafeteria.  See you then!  

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!