Here's a preview of what we'll be covering in Unit 4. The Unit 3 test is tomorrow and we will begin Unit 4 on Friday.
LINK
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Room 10 News - Halloween Edition
Hello Room 10 Families,
I hope you all are well. I'm looking forward to another week of learning and fun here in Room 10.
Halloween
We are looking forward to some fun activities on Friday in anticipation of Halloween. We will have our traditional Halloween parade at 8:45 on Friday. Here's a quote from Principal Nagle's most recent newsletter concerning the festivities:
Students may wear their costumes to school in the morning, and should bring regular school clothes to change into right after the parade. As you plan what costume your child will wear to school that morning, please remember that we do not allow costumes that portray or encourage violence in any way. Children may not bring any toys or props that represent weapons. We encourage positive, child-appropriate costumes that are simple or homemade: animals, book characters, objects, historical figures, and so on. Remember that children of all ages will see these costumes. If you are unsure about the appropriateness of a particular costume, please talk with your child’s teacher. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to join us on this festive day! However, please leave the family dog at home because dogs are not allowed at Juana Briones.
I would like to add that the Kindergarten teachers have also asked us to make sure that no costume blood is used either. It scares the little ones.
On Friday, we are also having a party and movie in the afternoon. Students have earned this party by earning classroom points by working as a team, working diligently, and following classroom norms. We will have drinks, popcorn and a screening of "Goosebumps - Attack of the Jack o' Lanterns". Students worked hard to earn this party, I'm sure it will be a fun time.
Math
We are completing Unit 3 tomorrow. We will have a review of the unit on Tuesday. We will have the test on Wednesday or Thursday. Later this week I will email you the Unit 4 letter produced by the publishers of Everyday Math which outlines what we will cover on the next chapter.
Second Step
We continue to cover the Second Step lessons, which will help students navigate their social and emotional development. If you have any questions about this curriculum, feel free to contact me.
Core Literature: Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
We completed this novel last week. Students are completing a written project which is composed of a set of postcards which show what they thought were some of the most important parts of each chapter of the novel. With the help of a Room 10 parent, we will explore some of the Chinese traditions depicted in the novel. We will take a short break from core literature while we look at other genres and types of literature. I will be introducing a Reader's Notebook where students will begin to respond to the works they are reading in a systematic fashion.
Science
Science lab begins this Tuesday and Thursday. We will have an intensive look at Electricity and Magnetism over the next several weeks.
Absence
I will be away from class on Thursday. I have a training on future units of our Science curriculum.
Parent Conferences
I will be meeting with my fourth grade teacher colleagues this week to discuss parent conferences. The dates for the conferences will be in 2-3 weeks.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
I hope you all are well. I'm looking forward to another week of learning and fun here in Room 10.
Halloween
We are looking forward to some fun activities on Friday in anticipation of Halloween. We will have our traditional Halloween parade at 8:45 on Friday. Here's a quote from Principal Nagle's most recent newsletter concerning the festivities:
Students may wear their costumes to school in the morning, and should bring regular school clothes to change into right after the parade. As you plan what costume your child will wear to school that morning, please remember that we do not allow costumes that portray or encourage violence in any way. Children may not bring any toys or props that represent weapons. We encourage positive, child-appropriate costumes that are simple or homemade: animals, book characters, objects, historical figures, and so on. Remember that children of all ages will see these costumes. If you are unsure about the appropriateness of a particular costume, please talk with your child’s teacher. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to join us on this festive day! However, please leave the family dog at home because dogs are not allowed at Juana Briones.
I would like to add that the Kindergarten teachers have also asked us to make sure that no costume blood is used either. It scares the little ones.
On Friday, we are also having a party and movie in the afternoon. Students have earned this party by earning classroom points by working as a team, working diligently, and following classroom norms. We will have drinks, popcorn and a screening of "Goosebumps - Attack of the Jack o' Lanterns". Students worked hard to earn this party, I'm sure it will be a fun time.
Math
We are completing Unit 3 tomorrow. We will have a review of the unit on Tuesday. We will have the test on Wednesday or Thursday. Later this week I will email you the Unit 4 letter produced by the publishers of Everyday Math which outlines what we will cover on the next chapter.
Second Step
We continue to cover the Second Step lessons, which will help students navigate their social and emotional development. If you have any questions about this curriculum, feel free to contact me.
Core Literature: Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
We completed this novel last week. Students are completing a written project which is composed of a set of postcards which show what they thought were some of the most important parts of each chapter of the novel. With the help of a Room 10 parent, we will explore some of the Chinese traditions depicted in the novel. We will take a short break from core literature while we look at other genres and types of literature. I will be introducing a Reader's Notebook where students will begin to respond to the works they are reading in a systematic fashion.
Science
Science lab begins this Tuesday and Thursday. We will have an intensive look at Electricity and Magnetism over the next several weeks.
Absence
I will be away from class on Thursday. I have a training on future units of our Science curriculum.
Parent Conferences
I will be meeting with my fourth grade teacher colleagues this week to discuss parent conferences. The dates for the conferences will be in 2-3 weeks.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Room 10 News
Hello Room 10 Families,
First, I want to thank you all for the great turnout at our Suitcase Presentations last Friday. It was a fantastic event and a great party afterward. I enjoyed chatting with all of you. Thank you also to Sandra Su and Joan Semeria for helping make the event a success. Also, thank you Joan and Sandra for stepping forward to be our room parents.
Communication
I want to encourage you to give me feedback about the amount and quality of communication you are receiving from me. I am hoping to keep things relevant and brief, but I want to make sure that you all are comfortable. Please feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions.
Parent Conferences
I anticipate that I will be offering Parent Conference appointments in about 3 weeks. Alternatively, I am happy to have an email dialogue with you about how things are progressing with your child.
Second Step
On Wednesday we started working on Second Step. This is a curriculum that aims to improve students' social and emotional well-being. I've taught these materials before while working at Barron Park, and I saw positive results. We will be discussing issues such as conflict resolution, empathy and emotion management. Our first lesson elicited a lively discussion and I'm looking forward many more. If you are interested, you can find more information about the program at http://www.cfchildren.org/programs/ssp/elem/.
Science
Our first Science Lab will be on October 26. The first unit will be on Magnetism and Electricity. Next week we will begin to preview concepts and vocabulary in preparation for Science Lab.
Math
Today I attended some excellent training provided by PAUSD on the Everyday Math Program. I've learned about some differentiation strategies that will help me meet the needs of your child. As a result, math homework will be changing a bit. Homework will be shorter and more focused on reinforcing new skills. I will be challenging some students in new ways.
We have taken several timed math facts tests this week. I have asked that students who are still not automatic with their multiplication facts to 12 start reviewing every night. Although I am not a fan of rote learning, facility with math facts is vitally important for future success. 5 minutes per day of review over the course of a few months should be sufficient. Ask your child how they did on the last timed test!
826 Valencia
I'm in early discussions with the group 826 Valencia (http://826valencia.org/), in San Francisco, about a field trip and writing workshop in the Spring. I'm hoping 826 Valencia will help us partner with an inner city San Francisco elementary school for some interesting writing projects. More details will be coming soon.
As always, thanks for your support and feedback. Please feel free to email or call me with any questions, comments or concerns. My phone number is
Regards,
Tom
First, I want to thank you all for the great turnout at our Suitcase Presentations last Friday. It was a fantastic event and a great party afterward. I enjoyed chatting with all of you. Thank you also to Sandra Su and Joan Semeria for helping make the event a success. Also, thank you Joan and Sandra for stepping forward to be our room parents.
Communication
I want to encourage you to give me feedback about the amount and quality of communication you are receiving from me. I am hoping to keep things relevant and brief, but I want to make sure that you all are comfortable. Please feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions.
Parent Conferences
I anticipate that I will be offering Parent Conference appointments in about 3 weeks. Alternatively, I am happy to have an email dialogue with you about how things are progressing with your child.
Second Step
On Wednesday we started working on Second Step. This is a curriculum that aims to improve students' social and emotional well-being. I've taught these materials before while working at Barron Park, and I saw positive results. We will be discussing issues such as conflict resolution, empathy and emotion management. Our first lesson elicited a lively discussion and I'm looking forward many more. If you are interested, you can find more information about the program at http://www.cfchildren.org/programs/ssp/elem/.
Science
Our first Science Lab will be on October 26. The first unit will be on Magnetism and Electricity. Next week we will begin to preview concepts and vocabulary in preparation for Science Lab.
Math
Today I attended some excellent training provided by PAUSD on the Everyday Math Program. I've learned about some differentiation strategies that will help me meet the needs of your child. As a result, math homework will be changing a bit. Homework will be shorter and more focused on reinforcing new skills. I will be challenging some students in new ways.
We have taken several timed math facts tests this week. I have asked that students who are still not automatic with their multiplication facts to 12 start reviewing every night. Although I am not a fan of rote learning, facility with math facts is vitally important for future success. 5 minutes per day of review over the course of a few months should be sufficient. Ask your child how they did on the last timed test!
826 Valencia
I'm in early discussions with the group 826 Valencia (http://826valencia.org/), in San Francisco, about a field trip and writing workshop in the Spring. I'm hoping 826 Valencia will help us partner with an inner city San Francisco elementary school for some interesting writing projects. More details will be coming soon.
As always, thanks for your support and feedback. Please feel free to email or call me with any questions, comments or concerns. My phone number is
Regards,
Tom
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
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