Getting Started

Technology

Ms. C and I are Speed 21 teachers. This means that we create technology rich lessons aligned to the district curriculum. This also means we have some pretty cool technology in our rooms! :) One of the technologies available to us are iPads. We will begin utilizing this technology this week. In order to ensure proper usage, we have an iPad Acceptable Use Policy paper that your kiddo brought home today. Please review this with your student, then sign and return it to us by Friday. Even though we have class iPads, we don't have enough for every student. Therefore, if you kiddo has a device they can bring to class, please allow them to do so. Please don't feel obligated to send a device if you do not have one readily available. Your kiddo will still be able to use technology!

We have also sent home a brochure on Digital Citizenship which outlines elements to being a responsible and safe Digital Citizen. These are elements that will be discussed in class. We just wanted to make you aware of what the expectations are related to technology usage.

Science Safety

We have finished composing our science notebooks for the year and are ready to begin our investigations! Included in our notebooks are student safety contracts. Your kiddos brought home a safety contract for you to sign. Please sign it and return it to school by Friday. The rules that we discussed are as follows:

1. I will act responsibly at all times during science activities.
2. I will follow the teacher's instructions and investigation procedures carefully.
3. I will wear safety goggles and protective clothing when instructed to do so.
4. I will tie back long hair, remove jewelry, and wear closed-end (both toes and heels) shoes when told to do so.
5. I will not taste, eat, drink, or smell anything during science class unless instructed to do so by the teacher.
6. I will tell the teacher if I see someone or something that is unsafe.
7. I know the class emergency plan.
8. I will immediately notify the teacher of any emergency.

If you have any questions, please let me know! We begin experimenting with properties of matter next week!

Super Hero of the Week
To coincide with our school theme and build relationships in our classroom, we would like to highlight a "super hero" of the week. We will begin the rotation in 2 weeks. This "super hero" will have responsibilities/privileges both in and out of the room. Students will be notified on Fridays as to who the super hero is for the following week. Some of the privileges are:

Monday- Have a buddy sit with him/her at the side table at lunch.
Wednesday- Read a special letter written by his/her parents highlighting his/her wonderful qualities. 

Friday- The super hero will share the "Share Sack", containing (3) items special to him/her.

**Parents- Please write a short letter to your child expressing what qualities you appreciate about him/her. Place it in a sealed envelope (with the name on the front) and send it to us as soon as possible. Thank you!

Upcoming Dates

Labor Day Holiday- Monday, September 1st
Grandparent's Breakfast - Monday, September 8th

Thursday Folder Volunteers

Ms. C and I appreciate the help offered to stuff folders. It is one less job for us and we are thankful for the help! We would love to get on some sort of schedule or rotation. Please feel free to respond (make comments) on this blog to offer specific dates or rotation ideas. Any mom/dad willing to organize this rotation is more than welcome. :)

We have enjoyed our first week so far and feel very blessed with our students this year! Thank you for sharing your kids with us!

What a Day!

We had a FANTASTIC first day! If today is indication of how our room will typically run, we are the luckiest teachers and in for an outstanding year of success!!!

The schedule was listed on our previous post last night. Please let us know if you have questions.

Supplies Needed

Several parents have asked if we need anything to help our room function smoothly. We have found ourselves in need of items and (while not required at all), would enjoy and appreciate any donations.

Thank you!

Goldfish crackers

Pretzels     Lunch is late and not everyone is able to bring a snack. :)

animal crackers        

Cheez- ITs

Manila paper-  12 X 18 and  81/2 X 11

Construction paper - all colors

Hand sanitizer

Clorox wipes

crayons

Thank you for your support! We look forward to helping your child learn and grow!

Welcome to a Brand New Year in Fourth Grade!

We were so excited to meet so many of you on Thursday and look forward to meeting those we missed. Tomorrow will begin a fantastic, successful journey of learning! There are many emotions expressed, both verbally and non-verbally at the beginning of the school year. Excited, fearful, and cautious are just to name a few. Rest assured, we are committed to setting our classroom up as a safe, loving, yet structured environment that will work to provide the most effective area in which to learn. 

This blog will serve as our main form for disseminating information, along with emails indicating new updates. Please bookmark this site and strive to check it weekly. Thank you for your support!

Our schedule:

7:30- 10:00 Language Arts/ Writing  (Mrs. Milot's Homeroom)

                   Math, Science, Social Studies (Ms. Christian's Homeroom)

10:00- 11:00 PACK rotation

11:00- 12:00 Language Arts/Writing (Ms. C Homeroom)

                     Math, Science, Social Studies (Mrs. M Homeroom)

12:00- 12:30 Recess

12:30- 1:00  Lunch

1:00- 2:30 - Continued -

                    Language Ats/Writing (Ms. C Homeroom)

                    Math, Science, Social Studies (Mrs. M Homeroom)

2:30          Dismissal 

We look forward to seeing your precious ones tomorrow!

 

Our Last Week

We can't believe that we have come to the end of our year! Thank you for all of your support! We are extremely proud of each student and the growth we have seen in them. Please be sure to keep reading over the summer and continue to find math in everyday situations. Remember, both iStation and Think Through Math are available this summer. Please contact us if you need student login and password. Be safe and please keep in touch. We would love to hear of future successes!

Wednesday- Talent Show- 1:15PM

 

Friday- Last Day

Graduation Ceremony- 8:15 (cafeteria)

Classroom Awards- Immediately following ceremony

Mrs. C and Mrs. M will host these awards together in Mrs. Milot's room.

PACK at 10:20- 10:50

Lunch- 11:00-11:30

Grade Level Neon Dance Party- 11:30- 12:30

EARLY DISMISSAL- 12:30

Things to come...

Field Day

Remember that field day is tomorrow. Students need to wear comfortable clothes, sunscreen, and BRING THEIR LUNCH (if one was not already ordered through the cafeteria).

Math Project

As a way to tap into the “creative genius” in your child, I am asking students create a math board game to close out their 4th grade year. There has been wonderful success with this in past years, especially when parents point out the importance of producing work that the students are proud of. Your child will work in partners and be given four class periods to complete the assignment. They will draw to determine what concept their math game will cover. Most supplies (construction paper, glue, tape, etc.) will be provided, but some students may want to furnish other supplies from home (poster board, recycled board games, etc.) to the game. Games will be due on Monday, June 2. I think your kiddos will really enjoy doing this project, but may need some parental assistance to get their thoughts and supplies organized. The project guidelines are listed below.

Project guidelines:

• Game must revolve around the math concept given.  
• Game must include directions and all needed supplies. 
• Game must be neat.
• Game must be playable; students will “test” their game before the final due date to work out any issues. 
• Game must be turned in by Monday, June 2^nd. 
• Students will write critiques of other students’ games, using constructive criticism. 

These are some examples of previous years projects.

Science Activity

We will be expanding our knowedge of technology by completing an augmented reality scavenger hunt about life cycles on Wednesday, May 28th. A specific app (Aurasma) needs to be downloaded on student technology to be able to access the information. As always, this is a free app to download. I have included a QR code that leads to the Aurasma app. All you have to do is scan the following QR code and set up an account through Aurasma. When your kiddo brings their technology to school on Wednesday, they will scan the app again and begin their augmented reality hunt. I know they will really enjoy this activity!

Important Dates

The end of the year is near and we have many dates/events on the calendar. We will post here for your reference. 

Friday, May 16- Career Day 

Professionals will be visiting our classes to discuss different jobs available to them in the future and what education it takes to accomplish this goal. 

Tuesday, May 20- Transition tour to Harrison Intermediate

Please have students wear his/her grade level t-shirt (Green Lantern shirt)

Friday, May 23- Field Day 

Please pack a sack lunch for your child or send a note to purchase a sack lunch in the cafeteria.

Monday, May 26- Student Holiday- Memorial Day 

Please mark your calendars: 

Friday, June 6th -Fourth Grade Graduation  8:30 in the cafeteria 

***Please join us in Mrs. Milot and Mrs.Christian in our classrooms after the main ceremony for individual student awards. Class parties will follow. 

STUDENTS DISMISS AT 12:30

Just an FYI...

Harrison Parent Meeting
A paper went home in Thursday folders regarding a parent meeting on Monday, May 12, 2014. This meeting is just to give you a preview of what to expect at Harrison Intermediate School. Please be aware of the date of this meeting.

Sack Lunch Order Form
A sack lunch order form was also sent home on Thursday. This one (I know there have been MANY lately), is for Field Day on May 23rd. Please be sure to fill it out and return it if you want your kiddo to purchase a sack lunch from the cafeteria that day since no hot lunches will be served.

Technology
We will be doing some research for Social Studies on Monday, May 12th. Please allow your kiddo to bring their devices to further our ability to research!

Teacher Appreciation Week
Mrs. Christian and I were moved by the generosity that was shown by parents and students this week. We are truly blessed to be able to do this job and spend time with your wonderful children! Thank you so much!