April 2

I really cannot believe it is April! This class has been truly amazing. I really think that is why it  seems like we have just started school. And all of you have been just as amazing. Your support of me, the children and all of the new things we incorporated into our classroom made for such a productive year, and made our class leaders in our school.  I can not thank you enough. I feel like they are more than ready to be 5th graders and I hope you will keep me updated next year!

The ARMT is just around the corner. I will send you an email with a few test taking strategies that you can discuss with your child. We will also need lots of good snacks that week, Please sign up here if you can send something in. I will familiarize the kids with the format of the ARMT by doing some practice during class and some ARMT practice will come home starting next week as well. I will send info about what is expected for a good score, so please reiterate this at home so the kids will feel well prepared and will not "stress".  :)

Just a little bit about what is going on in class: Reading-With our adopted reading program "Making Meaning" we are incorporating a study of non-fiction with our unit on Animals that we are starting in Science. Writing-We are finishing up or mystery writing and soon we will also be writing non-fiction in conjunction with Reading and Science. In preparation for the ARMT Spelling/Vocab will look a little different. Let me know if you have any questions.  Math-We have finished fractions and decimals and like I mentioned in the email, the unit we are on now should be an easy review unit of larger multiplication and division problems. You should have received a parent letter about this unit.  Content-We have just finished Geography and Landforms and we are beginning our study of Animals. We will be researching, discussing and doing class projects on topics such as the classification of animals, food chains, vertebrates and invertebrates, interdependence, habitats, camouflage and mimicry. The kids were excited to begin our study by researching their own favorite animal.  Technology-The Aurasmas were so much fun. I hope all of our portraits are hanging on walls and still being enjoyed with smart phones! If anyone knows of a business that would like to display our Aurasmas for a while let me know!  :)

 *Check our calendar for other important dates.