Friday, April 16, 2010

April 16, 2010

Calliope Weekly Update


April 3 - April 16, 2010 Week Thirty



Reading and Writing: in Mr. Bolger’s and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes, students have been bringing to conclusion their “response to text” pieces. We have been focusing, especially, on how you invite your reader into your essay by first engaging them with a question. (For example: “How many books do you know that feature talking rats? Remember Stuart Little? Remember The Mouse and the Motorcycle? Well, I think Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is even better...” )Then you need to summarize the story for them and anticipate their questions before you narrow to your analysis of one of the characters. This week, students also brought a number of poetry projects to conclusion. Congratulations to Olivia, Katelyn, Cameron, and Bennett for having their news articles published in the recent ABS Blue and Gold newspaper!

Spelling/Grammar: Mr. B’s class and Ms. Schoolcraft’s classes have been working on reining in run-on sentences! Mr. Bolger’s spelling class continues its study of word endings: tally à tallies and tallied, but play just goes to plays and played. Can you explain why?



Math: In Grade 3, Mrs. Schoolcraft’s class continues its study of probability w/spinners, probability language (certain, impossible, likely, equally likely, more likely, unlikely), combinations and tree diagrams. In Grade 4, students are digging into fractions with problems like: what is 2/3 of 270? and what does it look like to have seven fourths of a brownie?



Responsive Classroom:

We have continued our discussions this week about being kind: (it’s not ok to say, “Other kids don’t like you because…”), being direct: (“What did you mean when you said…?”), and being strong in the face of a friend who is trying to control who you hang out with: (“You take care of yourself and who you hang out with, and I’ll take care of myself and who I hang out with.”)

We are hard at work on our Calliope CD. Peter Engisch will be running two recording sessions with us in our Calliope Kiva on May 4th and May 5th. May students are volunteering to be Music Leaders. They are committing to memorizing our song list and being role models to the other students. Way to go, Music Leaders!



Ask me about:

• how far we’ve gotten towards our 1000 paper cranes,

• which Red-Clover book earned the most votes statewide (Owney, the Mail Pouch Pooch)

• which DCF book got the most votes in ABS (The Gollywhopper Game)

• what it means to be a “Singing Leader” for our upcoming CD.

Upcoming Events to put in your calendar: Mother’s Day Tea – 5/7 @ 11:45-12:30; Reading Restaurant – 5/19 @ 6:15-7:00 and 7:15-8:00; Catamount Picnic – 6/14 @ 10:00-2:00; 4th Grade Graduation – TBA; Last day: 6/16

Take Care, Everyone.

David and Sarah