Calliope Weekly Update
October 26-30, 2009
Week Nine
Dear Parents,
Literacy: Wow! What a couple of weeks it has been! We have been using our Reading Response Journals to write down what topics we like, what genres we like, and which authors we like. This kind of self-reflection is helping kids take responsibility for finding books they can love. Thursday was the first time we met in guided reading groups, and students will be working to establish guided reading routines and expectations with Mr. B and Ms. S in the upcoming weeks.
Math: Third graders explored extended facts (6 + 9 = 15 and 60 + 90 = 150), fact families, fact triangles, and “what’s my rule?” problems this week. Fourth graders are finishing up with geometry and will begin, next week, studying data collection and graphing. They will also move into a more focused study of multiplication, division, number sentences, and algebra.
We also practiced figuring out area without drawing out and counting up the squares.
Instead, you can just trust that an 8'x9' will have 72 square feet in it. Speaking of multiplication, Mr. B's class is also setting goals for their math-facts speed. Everyone is graphing their results each week on a timed one-minute test. Many students are hoping to go from fifteen to thirty random problems correct by Thanksgiving. The goal for the end of the year is to be able to finish fifty facts in a minute. Kids, put a set of flashcards in the car and quiz each other on rides. You'll see your speed improve in no time.
Writing: With NECAP testing behind us, we have shifted our writer’s workshop focus to personal narrative writing. For the time being, our minilessons will provide strategies for generating ideas for writing in this new genre.
Word Study: Students in Ms. S’s Fundations group continued to work with vowel and consonant suffixes this week. We learned the 1-1-1 rule for vowel suffixes; a 1-1-1 word has one vowel, one syllable, and one consonant following the vowel. When adding a vowel suffix to a 1-1-1 word, double the final consonant before adding the suffix. For example, cup becomes cupped. Groups in Mr. B’s spelling class explored many different patterns. “Remember, my clothes are drier than your clothes because I put them in the clothes dryer.” It helps to pretend that the Y in dryer is like an open clothes hamper receiving the laundry! We also studied the many spellings of the /er/ sound: worth, nerve, search, spur,
And horse. Wow.
Science: Our field trip to the Rock of Ages quarry in Barre was exciting and enlightening. We learned about the “famous” granite color Barre gray, the secret to the turquoise water, and were able to witness some of the dirks in action, lifting granite blocks! All week we have On Wednesday, we observed minerals and recorded luster, texture, and color. We introduced Mohs’ Hardness scale and will be experimenting with scratch tests next week!
Responsive Classroom: For sharing this week, we have talked about who we admire and why. That is a challenging question for this age group, but it has helped the kids think about what qualities in a person each of them most values. We talked about how if you know who you are, you will have a greater chance at becoming who you hope to be.
Ask me about:
• Thursday’s Harvest Festival (including singing to Esprit and inviting them
to lunch with us in Calliope.)
• Friday’s Harvest celebration in the field behind the school.
Students stood up and publicly thanked each other for what they feel they
have gained over the first 8 weeks of school.
• My favorite mineral.
• Our Four-winds lesson on leaves: leaf rubbings and leaf drawings. What
does a “palmate” leaf look like? (Hint: look at the root word in palmate.
Think Maple leaf)
Thank you for your donations of food and supplies for stone soup and our class Harvest Party. Students had a wonderful time at both! Many children have been out this week in our class, school, and county…please encourage your child to wash hands, eat healthily, get plenty of rest, and, please keep your child home if s/he is sick! Have a safe, spooky, super weekend!
David and Sarah
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 15, 2009
Calliope Weekly Update Week Seven
October 12-16, 2009
Dear Parents,
Literacy: We had several opportunities to read a variety of texts and “show what we know” on the NECAP reading assessments this week. Students did a fabulous job using the text as they responded to multiple choice and constructed response questions. We read aloud a great picture book entitled Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler in honor of the NECAPS.
Math: Due to the testing schedule and half-day Friday, students engaged in formal math class once this week on Monday. Both classes were reviewing a variety of mathematical tasks and questions in preparation for testing.
Writing: Students got quite a bit of “on demand” writing opportunities during NECAP testing. Thank you, Parents and Guardians, for responding in writing to your child’s weekly update letters. This weekly ritual is a prime example of an authentic writing task. Having a written response to the weekly letters is incredibly motivating, even to our most reluctant writers.
Word Study: Students in Mr. B’s spelling groups had their first week of spelling homework, and they are getting used to seeing Mr. Bolger tug at his ear and say, “It’s all about the sound! What sound do those vowels make…?” They also explored words with prefixes and suffixes, as well as, word meanings in context. Ms. S’s Fundations group worked with both vowel and consonant suffixes this week, as well as, mastering the cursive i and j. Students learned that the suffix –ed makes three sounds: /d/ as in called, /t/ as in jumped, and /id/ as in folded.
Responsive Classroom: Congratulations to all students for successfully completing the NECAP testing this week! Also, students have been practicing respectful and responsible citizenship during Calliope meetings each week.
Ask me about:
• What we appreciate about Jack Gregory (we celebrated Jack’s birthday today.)
• Our Readers’ Notebooks with our new lists of books we want to read.
• The DCF books Ms. Wentz showed us – especially Knucklehead by John Sciezka!
• Pancake Breakfast!
We would like to include your home phone and address on an old-fashioned one-page sheet of 3rd-4th grade Calliope phone numbers so kids can connect out of school. Please note below if you would like us to refrain from including your phone number/address on this list. We won’t include emails.
Thank You: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous donations of snacks for this week’s testing. Please note that next Thursday and Friday are VT Teacher Convention days and there is no school. Have a cheerful, chilly weekend!
David and Sarah
Parent/Guardian Signature & Comments: ______________________________________________
October 12-16, 2009
Dear Parents,
Literacy: We had several opportunities to read a variety of texts and “show what we know” on the NECAP reading assessments this week. Students did a fabulous job using the text as they responded to multiple choice and constructed response questions. We read aloud a great picture book entitled Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler in honor of the NECAPS.
Math: Due to the testing schedule and half-day Friday, students engaged in formal math class once this week on Monday. Both classes were reviewing a variety of mathematical tasks and questions in preparation for testing.
Writing: Students got quite a bit of “on demand” writing opportunities during NECAP testing. Thank you, Parents and Guardians, for responding in writing to your child’s weekly update letters. This weekly ritual is a prime example of an authentic writing task. Having a written response to the weekly letters is incredibly motivating, even to our most reluctant writers.
Word Study: Students in Mr. B’s spelling groups had their first week of spelling homework, and they are getting used to seeing Mr. Bolger tug at his ear and say, “It’s all about the sound! What sound do those vowels make…?” They also explored words with prefixes and suffixes, as well as, word meanings in context. Ms. S’s Fundations group worked with both vowel and consonant suffixes this week, as well as, mastering the cursive i and j. Students learned that the suffix –ed makes three sounds: /d/ as in called, /t/ as in jumped, and /id/ as in folded.
Responsive Classroom: Congratulations to all students for successfully completing the NECAP testing this week! Also, students have been practicing respectful and responsible citizenship during Calliope meetings each week.
Ask me about:
• What we appreciate about Jack Gregory (we celebrated Jack’s birthday today.)
• Our Readers’ Notebooks with our new lists of books we want to read.
• The DCF books Ms. Wentz showed us – especially Knucklehead by John Sciezka!
• Pancake Breakfast!
We would like to include your home phone and address on an old-fashioned one-page sheet of 3rd-4th grade Calliope phone numbers so kids can connect out of school. Please note below if you would like us to refrain from including your phone number/address on this list. We won’t include emails.
Thank You: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous donations of snacks for this week’s testing. Please note that next Thursday and Friday are VT Teacher Convention days and there is no school. Have a cheerful, chilly weekend!
David and Sarah
Parent/Guardian Signature & Comments: ______________________________________________
Friday, October 9, 2009
October 9, 2009
October 8, 2009
Dear Parents,
We had a busy week.
SPELLING really got underway in both classes. In Mr. Bolger’s spelling class, homework was done in class this week so that students could get solid on the word-sorting routines before having to do them solo at home. Ms. Schoolcraft’s Fundations word-study class is moving at a brisk pace, and the kids are motivated.
ROCKS AND MINERALS: we studied the different layers of the earth, from crust to core, by frosting, and then cutting open, a jelly doughnut. Yum. As Jaden said, “If the Earth was really a jelly doughnut, I would so be going to the center of the Earth.” We also used chocolate chip cookies to model that minerals are pure elements that occur in the earth. Minerals can be parts of rocks, but they are not rocks. We also studied how humans EAT minerals. We looked at the ingredients in cereal boxes and vitamin bottles, and we made carrot and apple juice and drank the calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and potassium!
READING AND WRITING have again been a big focus as we have practiced efficient reading techniques in anticipation of the NECAP testing next week (Tues., Weds., and Thursday).
STOWE PINNACLE: Dave Schmidt, Doug’s Dad, is a professional photographer, and he took most of the pictures that are now featured in the slide show on the Bolger Class Blog (see the side bar on our Calliope Website). Dave has kindly offered to make the originals available to parents for cost. Here is the note he sent me this week:
David – If any of the parents are interested in some of the Pinnacle Pics, including the compilation poster and panorama, I’ve created a gallery for them where prints can be ordered. All net proceeds (print price minus what the printer takes) from the sale of these prints will go to the student fund. To get to them, go to www.daveschmidtphoto.com, click client galleries, then click “Calliope”. From there it’s pretty self explanatory.
- David
NECAP TESTING: please make sure that your child gets good sleep and breakfast next week. NECAP testing will be two sessions each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Have a great weekend everyone!
David
Dear Parents,
We had a busy week.
SPELLING really got underway in both classes. In Mr. Bolger’s spelling class, homework was done in class this week so that students could get solid on the word-sorting routines before having to do them solo at home. Ms. Schoolcraft’s Fundations word-study class is moving at a brisk pace, and the kids are motivated.
ROCKS AND MINERALS: we studied the different layers of the earth, from crust to core, by frosting, and then cutting open, a jelly doughnut. Yum. As Jaden said, “If the Earth was really a jelly doughnut, I would so be going to the center of the Earth.” We also used chocolate chip cookies to model that minerals are pure elements that occur in the earth. Minerals can be parts of rocks, but they are not rocks. We also studied how humans EAT minerals. We looked at the ingredients in cereal boxes and vitamin bottles, and we made carrot and apple juice and drank the calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and potassium!
READING AND WRITING have again been a big focus as we have practiced efficient reading techniques in anticipation of the NECAP testing next week (Tues., Weds., and Thursday).
STOWE PINNACLE: Dave Schmidt, Doug’s Dad, is a professional photographer, and he took most of the pictures that are now featured in the slide show on the Bolger Class Blog (see the side bar on our Calliope Website). Dave has kindly offered to make the originals available to parents for cost. Here is the note he sent me this week:
David – If any of the parents are interested in some of the Pinnacle Pics, including the compilation poster and panorama, I’ve created a gallery for them where prints can be ordered. All net proceeds (print price minus what the printer takes) from the sale of these prints will go to the student fund. To get to them, go to www.daveschmidtphoto.com, click client galleries, then click “Calliope”. From there it’s pretty self explanatory.
- David
NECAP TESTING: please make sure that your child gets good sleep and breakfast next week. NECAP testing will be two sessions each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Have a great weekend everyone!
David
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 2, 2009
Calliope Weekly Update
September 28-October 2
Week Five
Hello Parents!
First, Thank you for the wonderful turnout and participation at our Parent Night on Wednesday. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. B or myself. Williston has just launched our brand new website…still at wsdvt.org…be sure to check out our team and classroom pages! If you have not scheduled a fall conference and would like to, please contact me so I can share the openings with you. If you are interested in volunteering this year, please plan to attend CONFIDENTIALITY for School Volunteers! This 10-15 minute MANDATORY presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 6th at 8:00 a.m. OR 2:20 p.m. Happy October!
Literacy: This week, students worked especially on reading and responding to fiction and non-fiction passages. We will begin reader’s workshop and small group work next week. We also followed Harry and Professor Hardwigg two miles down the volcano shaft in Journey to the Center of the Earth. The shaft turned horizontal, and they found themselves hiking beneath the ocean! Suddenly, they came upon fossils of fish, and they found lots of layered SEDIMENTARY rock that had been created from millions of years of animals and plants and minerals settling into layers and turning into rock! We learned from Harry, the narrator, that they only have three days’ worth of water left. What are they going to do?
Math: Fourth graders continue geometry and NECAP reading and math review. They also began multiplication facts study with the goal of being absolutely solid on their math facts by June. Third graders reviewed time and money concepts and began a data collection in-class project on Friday. Third graders also established weekly ‘mad minute’ fact test routines.
Writing: Students wrote friendly letters to families in preparation for parent night on Wednesday. We will continue to practice writing constructed response questions using the hamburger model next week.
Word Study: Students in Mr. B’s group practiced spelling routines and strategies, as well as word sorts. Mr. B’s spelling class will begin homework (at home) next week. Students in Ms. S’s group finally received materials (!) including student notebooks, composition books, and magnetic letter tiles! We reviewed /k/, /c/, and /ck/ sounds, closed syllables, and /ch/ and /tch/ sounds.
Responsive Classroom: Students watched a documentary entitled Mad Hot Ballroom, which depicted inner-city middle-school Dominican children (NYC) who find identity, belonging, pride, and many life lessons in a city-wide ballroom dance competition.
Ask me about:
• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• Our smarts—multiple intelligences
• Our hard-at-work worms
• Our Math Facts books (4th grade) and Quizmo
• (For Mr. B’s spelling group): how does carving an apple help us remember that “Apple” ends in le. And why don’t we say, “That apple has lots of seed’s? “ but we do say, “Look that apple’s seeds!”
September 28-October 2
Week Five
Hello Parents!
First, Thank you for the wonderful turnout and participation at our Parent Night on Wednesday. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. B or myself. Williston has just launched our brand new website…still at wsdvt.org…be sure to check out our team and classroom pages! If you have not scheduled a fall conference and would like to, please contact me so I can share the openings with you. If you are interested in volunteering this year, please plan to attend CONFIDENTIALITY for School Volunteers! This 10-15 minute MANDATORY presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 6th at 8:00 a.m. OR 2:20 p.m. Happy October!
Literacy: This week, students worked especially on reading and responding to fiction and non-fiction passages. We will begin reader’s workshop and small group work next week. We also followed Harry and Professor Hardwigg two miles down the volcano shaft in Journey to the Center of the Earth. The shaft turned horizontal, and they found themselves hiking beneath the ocean! Suddenly, they came upon fossils of fish, and they found lots of layered SEDIMENTARY rock that had been created from millions of years of animals and plants and minerals settling into layers and turning into rock! We learned from Harry, the narrator, that they only have three days’ worth of water left. What are they going to do?
Math: Fourth graders continue geometry and NECAP reading and math review. They also began multiplication facts study with the goal of being absolutely solid on their math facts by June. Third graders reviewed time and money concepts and began a data collection in-class project on Friday. Third graders also established weekly ‘mad minute’ fact test routines.
Writing: Students wrote friendly letters to families in preparation for parent night on Wednesday. We will continue to practice writing constructed response questions using the hamburger model next week.
Word Study: Students in Mr. B’s group practiced spelling routines and strategies, as well as word sorts. Mr. B’s spelling class will begin homework (at home) next week. Students in Ms. S’s group finally received materials (!) including student notebooks, composition books, and magnetic letter tiles! We reviewed /k/, /c/, and /ck/ sounds, closed syllables, and /ch/ and /tch/ sounds.
Responsive Classroom: Students watched a documentary entitled Mad Hot Ballroom, which depicted inner-city middle-school Dominican children (NYC) who find identity, belonging, pride, and many life lessons in a city-wide ballroom dance competition.
Ask me about:
• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• Our smarts—multiple intelligences
• Our hard-at-work worms
• Our Math Facts books (4th grade) and Quizmo
• (For Mr. B’s spelling group): how does carving an apple help us remember that “Apple” ends in le. And why don’t we say, “That apple has lots of seed’s? “ but we do say, “Look that apple’s seeds!”
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