Weekly Update

Happy Friday!

Our 3rd quarter has begun!  It's the sweet spot of the school year when are finally in the groove, there are no long breaks coming up, and we can simply learn!  Thank you for your support during our first half of the year...our second half of fourth grade is going to be fantastic!

Book Clubs

This week we have begun to talk about Book Clubs and your child has been assigned to a Book Club group for reading. I met this week with each group and have assigned each book club a book they they must read for their group. The books are rather lengthy and will take some time to read, write notes on and discuss. For this reason, I have chunked the book for your child. I emailed them the pacing and let them know they are to read the portion assigned by the date I will provide them. They have all the information they need in order to be able to meet with their group and participate in the discussion. The only thing I ask of you, is to make sure they are reading the book a little each day. I fully expect them to come to class with their part read and notes taken on it. If they arrive in group without having it read, I will ask them to log off and go read, as they cannot engage in a conversation on it without having done their reading ahead of time. It can be a lengthy chunk, so I ask that they do not wait until the last minute to read it. This is a great opportunity for them to read it to someone at bedtime and practice discussing it. I will never give them more than they can do in the allotted time. The first part should which was assigned yesterday, must be read by Wednesdays reading class. Thank you for your support with this. 

MAP Testing

Today marked the first day of MAP testing for my groups. The group that tested today did a wonderful job following directions and having their cameras on during the test. The test today could not have went smoother. Thank you for having their computers ready and having the students prepared! This first group will finish up next Wednesday (if they didn't complete it today) and then the second group will test next Thursday and Friday! I am sure things with the next group will run just as smooth! Thank you again!

Family Life Education

4th grade is the year Family Life Education begins. This will be taught by Christina Bearce, a Family Life Education Specialist from the county. Our class is scheduled to have FLE on Friday, February 12th from 9:30-10am and Friday, February 19th from 8:30-9am. Your child is expected to attend both sessions unless you have opted them out. Please read the attached FLE Family letter from Mrs. Bearce. 

FLE Family Letter

Student Spotlight

Does your child have work he/she is really proud of? Maybe they would like to show off how hard they are working at home, or want to show how they are demonstrating the 3Rs. Upload a picture or short video of his/her work to share with the whole school! Images and videos shared will be featured on the Student Spotlight segments on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the morning announcements. Students may not be featured right away depending on how many submissions have been made.

Student Spotlight Form

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

Reading: We will really dive into our book Blood on the River and study Historical Fiction.

Math:  We will use the regrouping method if multiplication to solve 2 digit by one digit problems. The students will incorporate story problems and estimation.  **It would be beneficial for the students to have their multiplication facts memorized. Please be working on these at home to help them with this unit.**

Science:  We will finish our unit on the Phases of the Moon and begin our Chapter 3- Jamestown in Virginia Studies.

Weekly Update

 Good Evening Parents,

The kids did a beautiful job jumping back into our routine after the long 5 day weekend. We are officially in the 3rd quarter and picking up the pace. This week we welcomed 3 new students into our class and they fit right in! We now have 21 students. I was so pleased with how the class welcomed them in and was so patient as I got them adjusted to our routine each morning. 

Quarter 2 Report Cards:

Second quarter report cards will be issued Tuesday, January 26th. Report cards will be issued electronically; I will not send home a paper copy. Your child's report card will be available for viewing Tuesday afternoon in your ParentVue account.  If you need assistance logging onto your ParentVue account, please contact Mrs. Haper in our school office.

80th Day of School:

Monday will mark the 80th day of school. Since Monday is a short (mostly asynchronous) day, I thought it would be fun to have the students and teachers in my class dress up for the 80's during our Morning Meeting. This is not required, but just something fun to help build community and get the students engaged. I mentioned this to them this morning. I cannot wait to see all the neon color outfits you own! 

Student Spotlight

Does your child have work he/she is really proud of? Maybe they would like to show off how hard they are working at home, or want to show how they are demonstrating the 3Rs. Upload a picture or short video of his/her work to share with the whole school! Images and videos shared will be featured on the Student Spotlight segments on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the morning announcements. Students may not be featured right away depending on how many submissions have been made.

Student Spotlight Form

Mid-Year MAP Testing
Next week I am hoping to begin administering the mid-year MAP Assessment.  As you will remember from the Fall, this is a test, every student will take. The students will take a Reading MAP test as well as a Math one. We will begin with the Reading one. I will send you a schedule next week of when your child will take it. If your day and time won't work, just reach out to me and we can make adjustments as needed. This will mostly be done during small group time and in small groups. In preparation for our mid-year testing, please let your child know that this assessment may be challenging at times, but they need to complete it completely on their own! This assessment will drive much of our reading and math instruction for the next few months, and it is important that I get an accurate look at what progress your child has made since the Fall assessment. This is in no way a grade. Just have them try their best! 

Cameras 

Recently most of the students have been keeping their cameras off during instruction. Last week we averaged 6 cameras on (out of 21) during each instructional block. The county policy is that teachers cannot require the students to have them on. However, in 4th grade it is very difficult for me and the other teachers to know if your child is engaged and participating in the class if it is off. Many times, the students cameras are off and they are muted through the entire lesson. I try to make sure everyone understands the lesson and is with me before moving on, however if your child does not respond and their camera is off, I must just move on once the students I can see are ready. I hate the thought of leaving anyone behind. It also makes it extremely difficult for me to see if your child is practicing the skills we are working on. Lately, we have been doing multiplication and we often do practice problems together. I would love to know if your child is writing the problems with us, and if they are, that they are solving them correctly. Please, if you don't mind, encourage your child to have their camera on for me. I want nothing but the best for your child and would love to see their work so that I can adjust my instruction as necessary. Again, not a requirement, but a plea so that I can best help your child. I appreciate your support! 

 Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

Reading: We will begin a class read aloud and visit some of those fiction text features again. 

Math:  We will continue multiplication .  **It would be beneficial for the students to have their multiplication facts memorized. Please be working on these at home to help them with this unit.**

Science:  We will talk about the Phases of the Moon

Weekly Update

Happy Friday Parents!

We have officially made it through half of 4th grade! Wow! What a year it has been! The kids have been absolutely incredible with the transitions to and from Hybrid, with the work load and their time management. I am so pleased with the progress they have made despite everything. They really are a special bunch of kids!

Quarter 2 Report Cards:

Second quarter report cards will be issued Tuesday, January 26th. Report cards will be issued electronically; I will not send home a paper copy. Your child's report card will be available for viewing Tuesday afternoon in your ParentVue account.  If you need assistance logging onto your ParentVue account, please contact Mrs. Haper in our school office.

Reminder- No School

Just a friendly reminder that there is no school for the students on Monday, January 18th- Wednesday January 20th. Monday is Martin Luther King day, Tuesday is a Teacher Workday, and Wednesday, schools are closed for the Inauguration. There will be no Morning Meetings on those days!

Student Spotlight

Does your child have work he/she is really proud of? Maybe they would like to show off how hard they are working at home, or want to show how they are demonstrating the 3Rs. Upload a picture or short video of his/her work to share with the whole school! Images and videos shared will be featured on the Student Spotlight segments on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the morning announcements. Students may not be featured right away depending on how many submissions have been made.

Student Spotlight Form

Mid-Year Literacy Testing
Next week I am hoping to finish up administering the mid-year Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).  The DRA tests a student's ability to decode words, read fluently, and retell / comprehend a story.  In preparation for our mid-year testing, please ensure your child is reading each night at home. I will email you if your child is needing to test with me this upcoming week. Not every student will have to take this assessment at this time. 

 Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading: Mrs. Assadi and I will be reviewing skills taught last quarter in the form of fun games and activities.
• Math:  We will begin multiplying two digits by one digit.  **It would be beneficial for the students to have their multiplication facts memorized. Please be working on these at home to help them with this unit.**
• Science:  We will continue our unit on the Earth, Moon and Sun. 

This weekend I will begin report cards, work on somethings around my house, and hopefully find time to kick back and relax with my family. I hope you are able to do the same!

As always, please reach out anytime with questions and concerns. 

Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year! It was so nice to see the kids and hear all about their break. We had a wonderful first week back together. I think we all enjoyed being back "together" and back on a schedule. The kids did a beautiful job jumping right back into our distance learning routine. 

End of 2nd Quarter

This Friday, January 15th marks the last day of the 2nd quarter. I have told the students that all their work is due by this day in order to be counted on their report card. I will work with the students this week to make sure they have it in. 

Important Dates

There is no school for the students next Monday, January 18th- Wednesday January 20th. Monday is Martin Luther King day, Tuesday is a Teacher Workday, and Wednesday, schools are closed for the Inauguration. There will be no Morning Meetings on those days!

Student Spotlight

Does your child have work he/she is really proud of? Maybe they would like to show off how hard they are working at home, or want to show how they are demonstrating the 3Rs. Upload a picture or short video of his/her work to share with the whole school! Images and videos shared will be featured on the Student Spotlight segments on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the morning announcements. Students may not be featured right away depending on how many submissions have been made.

Student Spotlight Form

Mid-Year Literacy Testing
Over the next couple of weeks, I will administer the mid-year Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).  Remember, the DRA tests a student's ability to decode words, read fluently, and retell / comprehend a story.  In preparation for our mid-year testing, please ensure your child is reading each night at home. I will email you if your child is needing to test with me. Not every student will have to take this assessment at this time. 

 Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading: Mrs. Assadi and I will be reviewing Fact/ Opinion and talking about persuasive writing. We will talk about what persuasive writing is and what makes their argument strong. The students will complete a persuasive writing piece. 
• Math:  We will begin multiplying two digits by one digit.  **It would be beneficial for the students to have their multiplication facts memorized. Please be working on these at home to help them with this unit.**
• Science:  We will begin our unit on the Earth, Moon and Sun. 

As 2021 begins, I wish each of you a year filled with joy, peace, and happiness.  I remain thankful for the blessing of your sweet children, you, and the support you offer each day.  Please let me know how I can assist you in the new year!