Selfies 2015

Selfies 2015



Check out our finalized selfie video.  Many hours were spent on the creation of the selfies, the theme of the video, the layout, and the music.  We worked hard and would love to show it off to you.

The B Hive Week 4

The “B” Hive News #4 September 28, 2015

Can you help us? We need masking tape of all colors, sizes, and varieties.	STUDENT LED CONFERENCES! I can’t wait to sit down and speak with each of you about your child and their learning plan for the year.  This year I am asking that the student be involved in the process.  Follow this link to sign up for a time for you and your student.  If there is a specific situation for your family and/or you need an alternative night, please email me at bertelson@aaps.k12.mi.us
Walk to School Day! On October 7th, it is walk to school day.  There are many benefits to walking.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.	Our first field trip will be Tuesday, October 6th from 10:30 to 12:30.  We will be heading to the UMMA to culminate our exploration into identity and art.  More information will come for students, but we are in need of chaperones.  Please let me know if you are interested.
We are still in need of a room parent.  I promise this is NOT a big job.  I just need someone to support me a little to help plan parties and things.  Let me know if you are interested.	New Homework Log Our new homework log will be coming home today.
Check out Our Blog!  It will be updated at least once a week.   http://bertelsonsteam.blogspot.com/	Specials! Monday- Vocal Music/PE Tuesday- World Language/Vocal Music Wednesday- World Language/PE Thursday- ILT Friday- Art

Our Common Ground

Our first, very important job as a classroom was to begin answering this question, "How can we, as individuals, create a community based on common ground?"  This is our start...

The B Hive Week 3

The “B” Hive News #3 September 21, 2015

Can you help us? We need masking tape of all colors, sizes, and varieties.	STUDENT LED CONFERENCES! I can’t wait to sit down and speak with each of you about your child and their learning plan for the year.  This year I am asking that the student be involved in the process.  Follow this link to sign up for a time for you and your student.  If there is a specific situation for your family and/or you need an alternative night, please email me at bertelson@aaps.k12.mi.us
Picture Day is Tuesday, October 22nd. NWEA Math Test is Tuesday, October 22nd from 9:30 to 10:30.	Our first field trip will be Tuesday, October 6th from 10:30 to 12:30.  We will be heading to the UMMA to culminate our exploration into identity and art.  More information will come for students, but we are in need of chaperones.  Please let me know if you are interested.
Curriculum Night This Monday, the 21st from 6:30 to 8:00.  Here is where you will learn about the philosophies and practices of 4th grade.	Walk to School Day! On October 7th, it is walk to school day.  There are many benefits to walking.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Check out Our Blog!  It will be updated at least once a week.   http://bertelsonsteam.blogspot.com/	Specials! Monday- Vocal Music/PE Tuesday- World Language/Vocal Music Wednesday- World Language/PE Thursday- ILT Friday- Art

Homework Clarification

1  Reading Log Minutes - They just need to check that they've read 20 minutes a night or more. 

2.  Goal - Their goal this week needed to be around math fluency (i.e. adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing).  If they did not pass the addition or subtraction fluency tests, they had to choose one of those.  Most students did not.  Check their homework folder or I can email you their results.  

3.  Academic Goal - They have to have an academic goal.  They needs to be one of the things from #2.  They need to be working on this goal in some way every night.  It can be from the list but does not have to be.  

4.  Exploration Choice - I really want them to only pick an exploration choice they are interested in.  If none of the choices are good, they can skip.  They have to choose an exploration once a month.  These will always be extension activities.  

5.  They can use any way to work on their academic goal.  It does not have to be from the list.  

6.  Every day math user names and passwords were sent home tonight.  If you need it resent, let me know. 

The B Hive News Week 2

The “B” Hive News #2 September 14, 2015

Classroom Wishlist: Each week, I am going to ask for something specific.  Do not feel that you have to contribute always or at all if you are unable. Our wish for this week:   Masking Tape of any kind and any color	Snack: Our lunch is late this year so we will have a snack break in the morning.  This should be fruit, veggies, or healthy treats.  I am asking no soda, candy, or messy things during this time.   Approximate am snack time:  10:00 am Approximate pm snack time:  2:00 pm
Homework Our homework calendar will go home this week.  You can see it here at: Homework Log There will be a page attached explaining the homework and our rationale.	Book orders are due this Friday! There will be a book order sent home every month.  You received it last week. You can always go online to scholastic and find it as well.
Curriculum Night Next Monday, the 21st from 6:30 to 8:00.  Here is where you will learn about the philosophies and practices of 4th grade.	Check out Our Blog!  It will be updated at least once a week.   http://bertelsonsteam.blogspot.com/
Specials! Monday- Vocal Music/PE Tuesday- World Language/Vocal Music Wednesday- World Language/PE Thursday- ILT Friday- Art	NWEA Testing This will begin this Tuesday for Reading and next Tuesday for math.  This first test is where I get a baseline and a lot of great information to help your student be as successful as possible.   Please contact me if you have questions or concerns.

If you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to email me.  I typically read often and respond quickly.  

Regards,

Mrs. B.

The B Hive News Week 1

The “B” Hive News #1 September 4, 2015

Arrival/Dismissal: We have new arrival and dismissal procedures.  Please see Ms. Fitz’s newsletter for more information. Our arrival and dismissal times have also changed.  See below: Arrival:  8:09 am Dismissal:  3:07 pm	Information: Lunch: 11:44-12:32 **You are welcome to visit and eat with your child. Always sign-in with the office. Contact the Teacher: You can email me anytime!  I check often. bertelson@aaps.k12.mi.us
Classroom Wishlist: If you are interested in providing a few things for our class, there will be a wish list on the blog and through email soon.  We can always use pencils, clorox wipes, and tissues.	Snack: Our lunch is late this year so we will have a snack break in the morning.  This should be fruit, veggies, or healthy treats.  I am asking no soda, candy, or messy things during this time.
Remind: remind.com/join/thebh Use the link to join me at remind.  I will use this to remind families of important events.	Check out Our Blog!  It will be updated at least once a week.   http://bertelsonsteam.blogspot.com/
Specials! Monday- Vocal Music/PE Tuesday- World Language/Vocal Music Wednesday- World Language/PE Thursday- ILT Friday- Art Students will need comfortable, appropriate shoes for PE.  ILT is library and media services.  World language equals spanish.  :)	Parent Survey This time of the year I need to gather a lot of information about your student and it is not just academic.  Please click on the link above and fill out the survey.

Join me at Remind

Follow this link to join me at Remind.  I will use this to remind us of important events.

remind.com/join/thebh

Every Kid in a Park

To help engage and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates, check out the "Every Kid in a Park" initiative. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for each and every 4th grade student across the country to experience their public lands and waters in person throughout the 2015-2016 school year.  Check out the following link.  

Every Kid in a Park

Welcome and/or welcome back to A2 STEAM at Northside!  

               

I am so happy to have your child in my 4th grade class!  It’s a bummer that we won’t be able to meet before the first day of school, but they are working very hard to get our school ready for our first day.  We are going to have a wonderful year of project-based learning and collaboration.  We will incorporate and integrate the Ann Arbor curriculum as we teach the Common Core State Standards in fun and engaging ways. The STEAM difference is a focus on real world problems and real solutions.  The STEAM difference is a focus on our students, our community, our family.  The STEAM difference is you.  

                                            

I am married and have two beautiful children, Luci and Jude. Luci is five and is entering kindergarten.  She is very excited to join the A2 STEAM family.  Jude is 3 and fiesty.  He still has a few years before he will walk our halls.  Before coming to Ann Arbor, I taught in Battle Creek, Michigan for ten years, with the last three being at a STEM school. I love teaching and learning and can not wait to get this year started!  

This newsletter is intended to inform you about the work we are doing during our very busy days.  I tried to keep this first one simple, but I know you will have many more questions and I will have many more answers.  

Things You Want to Know:

Arrival:  8:09 am

Lunch: 11:44-12:32 (includes recess)

Dismissal:  3:07 pm

**You are welcome to visit our room anytime and eat with your child anytime. Always sign-in with the office.

You can email me anytime!

bertelson@aaps.k12.mi.us

I also have a blog you can follow:

http://bertelsonsteam.blogspot.com/

**Volunteer survey on my blog and through email coming soon.

Science: For the first two weeks we will make observations and learn about how perspectives affect how we see the world. Students will spend time learning the design and engineering process.  This is integral to the work we will do throughout the year.  

Technology: We are a 1:1 iPad school and we treat our ipads as tools and not toys.   We spend considerable time talking and practiicing how to use them to deepen our learning and create incredible work.

Engineering: On the first day of school students dive right into the fun world of creating. They use masking tape, paper and a wooden stick to create a sculpture that represents themselves. We will share these throughout the week at Morning Meetings.

Arts: The creativity in the student's’ sculptures is just the beginning. Students will explore our classroom library, considering what they find useful when looking for a book they want to read. We will also study self-portraits, creating our own as we discuss coming together as a community of individuals.

Math: We get started right away with guided math. We use Everyday Math along with problems from projects and our lives.

Homework:  There will be more information coming soon about homework expectations.  It may feel different for you this way and I hope this difference is welcomed.  

Specials!

Monday- Vocal Music, World Language, PE

Tuesday- Art

Wednesday- Library

Thursday- World Language, PE

Friday- Vocal Music

Looking forward to a Wonderful Year!  I work hard to keep an open line of communication and I hope you do the same.