Dear Parents,
Thank you for signing up for a conference time. You should have received confirmation of your appointment time. I will be very happy to meet with you and show you what your child is doing in class.
You may have heard by now, that I am getting a student teacher, starting in January and lasting through the first week of May. I look forward to having the opportunity to guide her in the next step of her education. The children will benefit enormously by having another adult in here to converse with them and together we should be able to meet the needs of all the children a little easier.
Also, I will be piloting a new reading program when I have the student teacher. I can assure you that they will continue to make great progress through this program. Speaking of reading, have you checked out Raz-kids.com, yet? The kids are very excited by that. I just caution you to keep an eye on what they are doing. I have noticed, through the reports that I get, that some kids are just clicking through the pages without reading the story. Then their scores are poor. Some children have told me that they can't remember the information to take the test. I suggest that they use sticky notes to help them remember- that seems to work.
Soon, more information will be coming out about our December calendar. Please don't forget to check Cubby's Corner for dates and up-to-date information about our concert and classroom parties. One of the things I would like to do with the children, is to make gingerbread houses. I tried this with first graders once and then decided not to do it again! However, fourth-graders are so much more responsible, that I think we could do this! I may need some help, so watch for more info to follow.
Please remember to have your child study their multiplication facts. On the second timed test, not all children improved. Check out www.timestables.com. there are fun activities to help the children with their math facts.
See you soon,
Jackie
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Dear Parents,
This week will be a fun week with a trip to Kearsage Indian Museum in Warner, on Wed. and the Halloween parade on Friday.
We have been preparing for our trip to the museum by studying up on Native Americans. We have done some reading and also the Art teacher has incorporated the theme into her lessons.
The Halloween party will be after the parade. Mrs. Sangillo has been making phone calls and asking just a few people to bring in snacks. She will call other people for the Christmas party. For all parties, I request healthy snacks because I am sure the children will eat plenty of candy when they go trick or treating. Our parade will start about 1:15.
In Science we have been using the microscopes and classifying living things. Our theme words (totally made up by the fourth grade team) for Sept and Oct are Observify (meaning observe and classify) We used "obeservify" when we looked into the microscopes to observe and classify cells. We used Sequenize (meaning sequence and organize) while writing steps of a procedure. Next month's word will be technosearch (meaning research using technology). The children have painter's hats which they decorate and wear to motivate them while practicing the skills.
The children took a timed test of their multiplication facts. Most students need a lot more practice. I will continue to test them every couple of weeks and chart their progress. Please help me by having the kids study their fact triangles at home.
Have you checked out Raz-kids yet? The children seem very excited about earning points for their reading. I like the program because I can see who is really paying attention to their reading! For homework, the children should be reading, not listening to the stories, and then they need to take the quiz at the end. I get a print out on their scores, the dates that they read, and I can control their level.
Picture retake will be on Wednesday of this week.
Have a good week.
This week will be a fun week with a trip to Kearsage Indian Museum in Warner, on Wed. and the Halloween parade on Friday.
We have been preparing for our trip to the museum by studying up on Native Americans. We have done some reading and also the Art teacher has incorporated the theme into her lessons.
The Halloween party will be after the parade. Mrs. Sangillo has been making phone calls and asking just a few people to bring in snacks. She will call other people for the Christmas party. For all parties, I request healthy snacks because I am sure the children will eat plenty of candy when they go trick or treating. Our parade will start about 1:15.
In Science we have been using the microscopes and classifying living things. Our theme words (totally made up by the fourth grade team) for Sept and Oct are Observify (meaning observe and classify) We used "obeservify" when we looked into the microscopes to observe and classify cells. We used Sequenize (meaning sequence and organize) while writing steps of a procedure. Next month's word will be technosearch (meaning research using technology). The children have painter's hats which they decorate and wear to motivate them while practicing the skills.
The children took a timed test of their multiplication facts. Most students need a lot more practice. I will continue to test them every couple of weeks and chart their progress. Please help me by having the kids study their fact triangles at home.
Have you checked out Raz-kids yet? The children seem very excited about earning points for their reading. I like the program because I can see who is really paying attention to their reading! For homework, the children should be reading, not listening to the stories, and then they need to take the quiz at the end. I get a print out on their scores, the dates that they read, and I can control their level.
Picture retake will be on Wednesday of this week.
Have a good week.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Dear Parents,
Only 2 more NECAP Math tests left! We will have one tomorrow morning and another on Monday. Then we are done for a while.
The children have been working hard to "show what you know". I hope that we see great results this year.
Our Scholastic book fair will be the week of Oct 20-23. My class will be visiting the book fair on Oct 22.
Next Friday the children will learn about participating in the WEE DELIVER postal service. As fourth graders, they get to apply for a job of post master etc. They can take part in the program during their recess time. Also, on Friday, they will learn about the Student Council and have an opportunity to campaign for a seat on the Student Council. Each class can vote for one representative. This year only third and fourth graders will participate.
As part of our studies of New Hampshire and early settlers, the class will be visiting Mt Kearsage on the 28th. Thank you to all who volunteered. I was pleased to see so many people willing to help out. Unfortunately, I can't take everyone. For this trip, Mrs. Olson will be the chaperone.
Only 2 more NECAP Math tests left! We will have one tomorrow morning and another on Monday. Then we are done for a while.
The children have been working hard to "show what you know". I hope that we see great results this year.
Our Scholastic book fair will be the week of Oct 20-23. My class will be visiting the book fair on Oct 22.
Next Friday the children will learn about participating in the WEE DELIVER postal service. As fourth graders, they get to apply for a job of post master etc. They can take part in the program during their recess time. Also, on Friday, they will learn about the Student Council and have an opportunity to campaign for a seat on the Student Council. Each class can vote for one representative. This year only third and fourth graders will participate.
As part of our studies of New Hampshire and early settlers, the class will be visiting Mt Kearsage on the 28th. Thank you to all who volunteered. I was pleased to see so many people willing to help out. Unfortunately, I can't take everyone. For this trip, Mrs. Olson will be the chaperone.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Dear Parents,
The class is settling in nicely to our routine. We have two uninterrupted times in the day which means no one can ask to take some children out, so the teachers can concentrate on Language Arts and Math without having some children missing. That means we get a very peaceful time to learn.
The NECAP testing has been progressing. This is a very busy week, as we have 3 tests. The children have to stay quiet for the 90 minute block. When they show some good testing behaviors, I give them an extra 20 min recess later in the day. I am sure they enjoy running around in this beautiful autumn weather.
I have spent extra time teaching some of the math in this chapter. It takes a while to get the partial sums and partial differences, but most children are doing well. It really helps if you read the "teaching papers" that I have sent home. It would benefit your child if you would support us in this method. The children will learn the traditional method, too. Honestly, the partial sums and partial differences give the children a deeper understanding of the process.
Have a good week, and remember to make sure the kids eat a good breakfast.
Sincerely,
Jackie Hamilton
The class is settling in nicely to our routine. We have two uninterrupted times in the day which means no one can ask to take some children out, so the teachers can concentrate on Language Arts and Math without having some children missing. That means we get a very peaceful time to learn.
The NECAP testing has been progressing. This is a very busy week, as we have 3 tests. The children have to stay quiet for the 90 minute block. When they show some good testing behaviors, I give them an extra 20 min recess later in the day. I am sure they enjoy running around in this beautiful autumn weather.
I have spent extra time teaching some of the math in this chapter. It takes a while to get the partial sums and partial differences, but most children are doing well. It really helps if you read the "teaching papers" that I have sent home. It would benefit your child if you would support us in this method. The children will learn the traditional method, too. Honestly, the partial sums and partial differences give the children a deeper understanding of the process.
Have a good week, and remember to make sure the kids eat a good breakfast.
Sincerely,
Jackie Hamilton
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sept 13, 2009
Dear Parents,
Your children are wonderful! They have been so caring and helpful this past week. I hope that they are enjoying making new friends. It sure seems like it. The atmosphere has been calm and peaceful.
Our first week was spent getting to know each other and the workings of the classroom. Our day has been moving along in slow motion. It is important to me that I make sure that they are comfortable with the routines before I start expecting too much academically. The results of the math test show that they have forgotten a lot over the summer. Please make sure they review their math facts for addition, subtraction and multiplication. I think they were surprised that they can't remember some things. This coming week I will expect that they will work a little faster so that I can introduce some more subjects.
This year, because we are a school in need of improvement, we are having more practice on how to take the NECAP. Twice a week for three weeks, the reading team will be coming in to teach the children how to take the test. Even if the children can read well, they often don't finish reading the directions, or they are not familiar with the test wording. The practice sessions will help them become aware of their behavior and teach them how to focus on the right things.
On Thursday of this week we will be having school pictures as well as open house. I look forward to meeting you then.
Sincerely,
Ms Hamilton
Your children are wonderful! They have been so caring and helpful this past week. I hope that they are enjoying making new friends. It sure seems like it. The atmosphere has been calm and peaceful.
Our first week was spent getting to know each other and the workings of the classroom. Our day has been moving along in slow motion. It is important to me that I make sure that they are comfortable with the routines before I start expecting too much academically. The results of the math test show that they have forgotten a lot over the summer. Please make sure they review their math facts for addition, subtraction and multiplication. I think they were surprised that they can't remember some things. This coming week I will expect that they will work a little faster so that I can introduce some more subjects.
This year, because we are a school in need of improvement, we are having more practice on how to take the NECAP. Twice a week for three weeks, the reading team will be coming in to teach the children how to take the test. Even if the children can read well, they often don't finish reading the directions, or they are not familiar with the test wording. The practice sessions will help them become aware of their behavior and teach them how to focus on the right things.
On Thursday of this week we will be having school pictures as well as open house. I look forward to meeting you then.
Sincerely,
Ms Hamilton
Monday, August 31, 2009
Dear Parents,
Welcome to an exciting year in fourth grade. I will send a letter to everyone on the first day of school explaining what we will be doing. After that my letters will be on this site, unless there is something that I need to let you know immediately and then I will send home a paper copy.
Please mark your calendars for our open house on Sept. 17th. I look forward to meeting all of you at that time.
Welcome to an exciting year in fourth grade. I will send a letter to everyone on the first day of school explaining what we will be doing. After that my letters will be on this site, unless there is something that I need to let you know immediately and then I will send home a paper copy.
Please mark your calendars for our open house on Sept. 17th. I look forward to meeting all of you at that time.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 2, 2009
Yesterday we started our extended day and it went well. The kids didn't complain too much, as I thought they might. We had our first day of NWEA testing which used up a lot of the time. They did very well on the test. We will continue testing on April 10 and April 13. Please make sure your child has a good breakfast and gets plenty of sleep the night before the test.
On Monday we will be going to the State House and History museum. Please have your child dress in their finest clothes. We are going to be representing our school at the site of our state government, so this is perfect time to teach your child about proper etiquette. We will be leaving at 8:45 and returning at 1:00. The children will eat their lunch in the classroom upon their return. Please pack a lunch and a snack. I have the chaperones that I need.
At the beginning of the school year, we canceled several field trips that we had planned, due to the hard economic times. One of them was the trip to Strawberry Banke. Fortunately, the people there, asked us if we would be willing to accept a donation of the price of the buses. We are now in the process of working out a deal with them that would cover the most expensive part of the trip. With their help we are hoping that we can go. Please read the green paper that is going home today, sign and return by tomorrow so that we can give them confirmation.
I hope you enjoy this nice spring weather and the longer days.
Sincerely,
Jackie Hamilton
Yesterday we started our extended day and it went well. The kids didn't complain too much, as I thought they might. We had our first day of NWEA testing which used up a lot of the time. They did very well on the test. We will continue testing on April 10 and April 13. Please make sure your child has a good breakfast and gets plenty of sleep the night before the test.
On Monday we will be going to the State House and History museum. Please have your child dress in their finest clothes. We are going to be representing our school at the site of our state government, so this is perfect time to teach your child about proper etiquette. We will be leaving at 8:45 and returning at 1:00. The children will eat their lunch in the classroom upon their return. Please pack a lunch and a snack. I have the chaperones that I need.
At the beginning of the school year, we canceled several field trips that we had planned, due to the hard economic times. One of them was the trip to Strawberry Banke. Fortunately, the people there, asked us if we would be willing to accept a donation of the price of the buses. We are now in the process of working out a deal with them that would cover the most expensive part of the trip. With their help we are hoping that we can go. Please read the green paper that is going home today, sign and return by tomorrow so that we can give them confirmation.
I hope you enjoy this nice spring weather and the longer days.
Sincerely,
Jackie Hamilton
Monday, March 9, 2009
Dear Parents,
The children have been working hard on several pieces of writing and they are ready to share them with you. Tonight there will be a writer's showcase at the school from 6-8 p.m. Parents of all grades are welcome to walk through the school to see writing of all the ages. In our class, the children have been working on two kinds of writing; informational research reports and persuasive essays. They chose the piece that they thought was their best. For the research piece (New Hampshire) the writer locates and evaluates information about the topic or question, and then organizes, summarizes and synthesis information into a finished product. For the persuasive piece (Environmental concerns) the author presents an issue and expresses an opinion in order to convince and audience to agree with the opinion or take a particular action. For both pieces the students used word processing software to create and edit their document. It has taken a lot of research, note taking, rough draft and editing to get the final copy that you will see tonight.
The children took another timed test on their Math facts. Some did better, a lot stayed the same and some did worse than before. Even if you think they know their facts, please continue to practice every night, so that they can do it quickly and so that they don't forget them. It takes a lot of practice to get it to be automatic.
We are now on Chapter 8 in the Math book.
The children will be having homework in gym every week which will be due at their next gym class. Please ask them about it.
This week PSNH will be doing a presentation for all fourth graders on electrical safety. Then in April we will have a field trip to the State House and the History Museum in Concord. I will only need one chaperone, so I will contact you if you are chosen to accompany us.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hamilton
The children have been working hard on several pieces of writing and they are ready to share them with you. Tonight there will be a writer's showcase at the school from 6-8 p.m. Parents of all grades are welcome to walk through the school to see writing of all the ages. In our class, the children have been working on two kinds of writing; informational research reports and persuasive essays. They chose the piece that they thought was their best. For the research piece (New Hampshire) the writer locates and evaluates information about the topic or question, and then organizes, summarizes and synthesis information into a finished product. For the persuasive piece (Environmental concerns) the author presents an issue and expresses an opinion in order to convince and audience to agree with the opinion or take a particular action. For both pieces the students used word processing software to create and edit their document. It has taken a lot of research, note taking, rough draft and editing to get the final copy that you will see tonight.
The children took another timed test on their Math facts. Some did better, a lot stayed the same and some did worse than before. Even if you think they know their facts, please continue to practice every night, so that they can do it quickly and so that they don't forget them. It takes a lot of practice to get it to be automatic.
We are now on Chapter 8 in the Math book.
The children will be having homework in gym every week which will be due at their next gym class. Please ask them about it.
This week PSNH will be doing a presentation for all fourth graders on electrical safety. Then in April we will have a field trip to the State House and the History Museum in Concord. I will only need one chaperone, so I will contact you if you are chosen to accompany us.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hamilton
Monday, February 9, 2009
Dear Parents,
Welcome to February! Hopefully, we won't have any more snow days. I would really like to have some time off in the beautiful month of June, my favorite month.
Mid-term Progress Reports will be sent home on Thursday. If you have any questions, please call me at school. I would be happy to meet with you.
Our Valentine's Day Party will be held on Friday of this week. Yes, it is an early release day, yet we will have a quick party just before they go home. The list of children in the classroom was sent home. Please make sure that your child gives a Valentine to everyone in the class. I wouldn't want any hurt feelings. Again, I would like to limit the snacks to healthy food.
About half of the children in the class have been selected to take the NEAP test on Feb 19. The children were randomly selected by the state people who run the testing situation. I will let you know who they are about 2 days before the test. Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and a nutritious breakfast.
In Math, we have put aside the partial-quotients for a while (we will return to it) and replaced that with fractions. I have spent a lot of time teaching the children exactly what fractions mean. The most important thing for them to remember is that a fraction is part of a whole. The confusing part comes when the whole changes such as a group of pennies etc. I can best illustrate it with shapes and changing the shape (that being the whole). It takes a while for them to understand, but they will get it.
How is the science experiment going? I will be asking for them to report on it this week.
Have a good week.
Welcome to February! Hopefully, we won't have any more snow days. I would really like to have some time off in the beautiful month of June, my favorite month.
Mid-term Progress Reports will be sent home on Thursday. If you have any questions, please call me at school. I would be happy to meet with you.
Our Valentine's Day Party will be held on Friday of this week. Yes, it is an early release day, yet we will have a quick party just before they go home. The list of children in the classroom was sent home. Please make sure that your child gives a Valentine to everyone in the class. I wouldn't want any hurt feelings. Again, I would like to limit the snacks to healthy food.
About half of the children in the class have been selected to take the NEAP test on Feb 19. The children were randomly selected by the state people who run the testing situation. I will let you know who they are about 2 days before the test. Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and a nutritious breakfast.
In Math, we have put aside the partial-quotients for a while (we will return to it) and replaced that with fractions. I have spent a lot of time teaching the children exactly what fractions mean. The most important thing for them to remember is that a fraction is part of a whole. The confusing part comes when the whole changes such as a group of pennies etc. I can best illustrate it with shapes and changing the shape (that being the whole). It takes a while for them to understand, but they will get it.
How is the science experiment going? I will be asking for them to report on it this week.
Have a good week.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Partial-Quotients
Please watch for two papers coming home that will help you with the partial-quotients algorithms for division. We have done the 1 digit divisor, but not the 2 digit. Another paper will come home when we learn column division.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Dear Parents,
Hopefully, everyone is staying warm through this cold snap! Unfortunately, the children can't go out to recess and and some of them are getting rather 'antsy'. Others have taken it upon themselves to do a little extra learning during our indoor recesses. They have been involved with an Art club, research of NH skiing, and reading up on some history. It is great to see them so eager to learn.
We have begun to write persuasive letters. The children might have told you about choosing their topic and now they are going to try to convince you of something that is of interest to them. Please support them in their quest to make our planet a better place to live.
Speaking of which, the administration has asked that we try to conserve as much energy and resources as we can in all parts of the school day. One initiative is to limit the amount of paper we use, so I will be doing my part by running off as few papers as possible. Please, keep checking the website and cubby's corner for the latest information. Also, we have been told that any rubbish coming into the school needs to go home with the child. Just like camping! I am encouraging the children to use containers, such as Tupperware, for their snacks and lunches, so that they aren't throwing away plastic bags everyday. Earlier in the year, I asked the kids to bring in water bottles that could be washed and used again, such as sports water bottles. Most of the children are doing that. As far as heat is concerned, our room is not cold, but just in case we have a change in temperature (Mondays are usually colder than the rest of the week), please put an extra sweater or sweatshirt in their backpack.
We have spent some time on the Civil Rights movement and its effects on our present day events. This is a favorite topic of mine, since I lived through that era and I can tell the children what I remember from that period of time. On Tuesday, I hope that we can spend some time discussing the inauguration. This will lead up to studying some more presidents next month.
I know some parents are teaching their children to divide the standard way, but I would prefer you wait until they understand the partial quotients that I have been teaching them. They are getting confused with different teaching methods. Believe me, this is the best way for them to understand the meaning of numbers and they will learn the standard way soon. What you can do to help is make sure they your child practices his/her multiplication facts every night. I asked the children how many studied, and only a handful did. When we were trying to problem solve this situation, one child suggested that I give written problems nightly. That may work, but when you consider the paper shortage, it isn't the best solution. Please, let's get these multiplication facts memorized!
Sincerely,
Ms. Hamilton
Hopefully, everyone is staying warm through this cold snap! Unfortunately, the children can't go out to recess and and some of them are getting rather 'antsy'. Others have taken it upon themselves to do a little extra learning during our indoor recesses. They have been involved with an Art club, research of NH skiing, and reading up on some history. It is great to see them so eager to learn.
We have begun to write persuasive letters. The children might have told you about choosing their topic and now they are going to try to convince you of something that is of interest to them. Please support them in their quest to make our planet a better place to live.
Speaking of which, the administration has asked that we try to conserve as much energy and resources as we can in all parts of the school day. One initiative is to limit the amount of paper we use, so I will be doing my part by running off as few papers as possible. Please, keep checking the website and cubby's corner for the latest information. Also, we have been told that any rubbish coming into the school needs to go home with the child. Just like camping! I am encouraging the children to use containers, such as Tupperware, for their snacks and lunches, so that they aren't throwing away plastic bags everyday. Earlier in the year, I asked the kids to bring in water bottles that could be washed and used again, such as sports water bottles. Most of the children are doing that. As far as heat is concerned, our room is not cold, but just in case we have a change in temperature (Mondays are usually colder than the rest of the week), please put an extra sweater or sweatshirt in their backpack.
We have spent some time on the Civil Rights movement and its effects on our present day events. This is a favorite topic of mine, since I lived through that era and I can tell the children what I remember from that period of time. On Tuesday, I hope that we can spend some time discussing the inauguration. This will lead up to studying some more presidents next month.
I know some parents are teaching their children to divide the standard way, but I would prefer you wait until they understand the partial quotients that I have been teaching them. They are getting confused with different teaching methods. Believe me, this is the best way for them to understand the meaning of numbers and they will learn the standard way soon. What you can do to help is make sure they your child practices his/her multiplication facts every night. I asked the children how many studied, and only a handful did. When we were trying to problem solve this situation, one child suggested that I give written problems nightly. That may work, but when you consider the paper shortage, it isn't the best solution. Please, let's get these multiplication facts memorized!
Sincerely,
Ms. Hamilton
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year
Dear Parents,
Now that the Christmas holidays are over, we are ready to settle down and work hard for the rest of the year. This is the most productive time of year, because the children have built some background knowledge and are ready to build upon it.
Our Social Studies unit will be focusing on New Hampshire, but also, the Civil Rights era and Martin Luther King. The children will probably come home with a lot of questions and new knowledge that they would like to share with you.
In Science we will be studying about Matter and catagorizing gasses, solids and liquids.
We will also be working on some persuasive writing. It will be interesting to see what is important to them and how they go about arguing their position.
Math will be difficult because they will be learning about partial-quotients for division. Please read the parent letter that goes with Chapter 6.
In closing I would just like to remind you that snacks with peanut products are not allowed in the classroom at all. Please save those snacks for home.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hamilton
Now that the Christmas holidays are over, we are ready to settle down and work hard for the rest of the year. This is the most productive time of year, because the children have built some background knowledge and are ready to build upon it.
Our Social Studies unit will be focusing on New Hampshire, but also, the Civil Rights era and Martin Luther King. The children will probably come home with a lot of questions and new knowledge that they would like to share with you.
In Science we will be studying about Matter and catagorizing gasses, solids and liquids.
We will also be working on some persuasive writing. It will be interesting to see what is important to them and how they go about arguing their position.
Math will be difficult because they will be learning about partial-quotients for division. Please read the parent letter that goes with Chapter 6.
In closing I would just like to remind you that snacks with peanut products are not allowed in the classroom at all. Please save those snacks for home.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hamilton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)