Saturday, September 30, 2017
Another Fantastic Author Visit!
I love Stuart Gibbs! If your student has not read his great series, he/she should! Order forms will come home on Monday.
The B Hive 9.29
Hello! Happy weekend! It is the end of September already! I can't believe that we will be coming up on a month of time we've been together. Even though I wasn't there this week, the students were very busy. This is what we were up to:
Reading - We are almost finished with our read aloud, The Tiger Rising and will be moving on to Joey Pigza Swallowed a Key. This is a great book for the beginning of the year because the character is hard not to love. Check it out if you are interested in learning more about it. During our read aloud, we will continue to focus on things that good readers do. We will also continue to think about what good readers do during non fiction texts in our PBL unit around regions. Ask you student how they felt about the end of Tiger Rising, which will take place on Monday. We will begin our new book on Tuesday.
Writing - Students worked this week on paragraphing. By the end of the year, 4th graders should be able to write a 5 paragraph paper. We had some success with that this week, but we will need to continue working on that more next week. You can help by giving your student a writing prompt that requires only a paragraph response and walking them through the steps. We used the hamburger paragraph model to highlight this for students. Contact me if you would like a copy of this form to keep at home.
Math - We worked on angles, shapes, and perimeter this week. We will be taking our unit test on Tuesday so be looking for the results near the end of the week. On Friday, the new home links and a correlation chart will come home. Some students are making great progress with fact fluency using Reflex. If your son/daughter hasn't convinced you to let he/she use it at home, you should! It is an invaluable resource that will help with mastering those multiplication facts.
PBL - We began our new Project Based Learning unit this week around regions. Our driving question was "What region would be a good fit for my family?" and we are focusing this work around the fact that 4th graders get a free national park pass. If you noticed that coming home this week, that is the explanation. Many of our former 4th graders took trips over the summer with their families to utilize this great resource. The end result will be your student suggesting which region (and national park) would be a best fit for your family based on your interests and vacation needs.
A few things to note:
There was some confusion with word study this week and I can attribute that to my being gone. I will make sure this is clearly laid out for students and families this week.
Recorder Forms came home this week. Didn't see one? It is available here.
Conferences - a conference sign up will be coming to you on Sunday so please look for that.
A few dates to note:
Student Count Day - Wed, Oct 4th
Bike/Walk to School Day - Wed, Oct 4th
Fall Festival - Fri, Oct 20th
Early Release - Wed, Oct 25th
Reading - We are almost finished with our read aloud, The Tiger Rising and will be moving on to Joey Pigza Swallowed a Key. This is a great book for the beginning of the year because the character is hard not to love. Check it out if you are interested in learning more about it. During our read aloud, we will continue to focus on things that good readers do. We will also continue to think about what good readers do during non fiction texts in our PBL unit around regions. Ask you student how they felt about the end of Tiger Rising, which will take place on Monday. We will begin our new book on Tuesday.
Writing - Students worked this week on paragraphing. By the end of the year, 4th graders should be able to write a 5 paragraph paper. We had some success with that this week, but we will need to continue working on that more next week. You can help by giving your student a writing prompt that requires only a paragraph response and walking them through the steps. We used the hamburger paragraph model to highlight this for students. Contact me if you would like a copy of this form to keep at home.
Math - We worked on angles, shapes, and perimeter this week. We will be taking our unit test on Tuesday so be looking for the results near the end of the week. On Friday, the new home links and a correlation chart will come home. Some students are making great progress with fact fluency using Reflex. If your son/daughter hasn't convinced you to let he/she use it at home, you should! It is an invaluable resource that will help with mastering those multiplication facts.
PBL - We began our new Project Based Learning unit this week around regions. Our driving question was "What region would be a good fit for my family?" and we are focusing this work around the fact that 4th graders get a free national park pass. If you noticed that coming home this week, that is the explanation. Many of our former 4th graders took trips over the summer with their families to utilize this great resource. The end result will be your student suggesting which region (and national park) would be a best fit for your family based on your interests and vacation needs.
A few things to note:
There was some confusion with word study this week and I can attribute that to my being gone. I will make sure this is clearly laid out for students and families this week.
Recorder Forms came home this week. Didn't see one? It is available here.
Conferences - a conference sign up will be coming to you on Sunday so please look for that.
A few dates to note:
Student Count Day - Wed, Oct 4th
Bike/Walk to School Day - Wed, Oct 4th
Fall Festival - Fri, Oct 20th
Early Release - Wed, Oct 25th
Saturday, September 23, 2017
The B Hive 9.22
Happy Friday! Even with all of this heat, we've been busy. Check out what we've been up to:
Scholastic Order - was submitted today. Thanks to the many parents that purchased books, I was able to get 3,500 bonus points! This means I could purchase A TON of new books for our classroom library. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Homework Logs - Today was our first day of turning in homework logs and we only hit 50 percent! Remember, your student should be working on a reading and math goal throughout the week at home and recording that work on their homework log. A lot of students forgot to turn them in today! I know we can do better next week. We sat down and reviewed that expectation carefully. If you need a reminder on what the homework log looks like, see the page on this blog.
Spelling Words - We will begin spelling next week. The words are attached to your student's homework log. There is nothing for them to do over the weekend, just save them. A post will be added here at the blog about how to "do" spelling at home. Look for it on Sunday. Your student also received their word study teacher and we will rotate on Monday to different rooms for differentiated lessons.
Weekly Wrap Up
Math - we worked on traditional adding and subtracting. Most students totally have it, but there are some students who could use a little more practice. Ask your son or daughter how they feel about this strategy. If they need more practice, they can go to IXL in 4th grade and look for sections B and C. They also can use the home links you received at Curriculum Night. If you weren't able to come to Curriculum night and would like home links, please let me know.
Reading/Writing - we are continuing to read Tiger Rising as our read aloud, but we also dove into non fiction. This week, we read like writers and thought about why authors use headings, titles, paragraphs, pictures, and other text features. Ask your student about their learning for this this week.
Word Study - will be coming next week!
PBL - It was all about Health this week in Room 402! There is an extra homework assignment for students to do this week. We spent all week learning about nutrition, physical exercise, rest, home safety, and strategies to calm your brain. Please see the handout for more details on this.
A Few Things to Note
This Wednesday is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 12:52. They will have lunch before they leave.
Homework folders should be coming back every day. There are always papers to bring home.
Thank you to those who sent in supplies. We are in good shape for a while. It is greatly appreciated!
Scholastic Order - was submitted today. Thanks to the many parents that purchased books, I was able to get 3,500 bonus points! This means I could purchase A TON of new books for our classroom library. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Homework Logs - Today was our first day of turning in homework logs and we only hit 50 percent! Remember, your student should be working on a reading and math goal throughout the week at home and recording that work on their homework log. A lot of students forgot to turn them in today! I know we can do better next week. We sat down and reviewed that expectation carefully. If you need a reminder on what the homework log looks like, see the page on this blog.
Spelling Words - We will begin spelling next week. The words are attached to your student's homework log. There is nothing for them to do over the weekend, just save them. A post will be added here at the blog about how to "do" spelling at home. Look for it on Sunday. Your student also received their word study teacher and we will rotate on Monday to different rooms for differentiated lessons.
Weekly Wrap Up
Math - we worked on traditional adding and subtracting. Most students totally have it, but there are some students who could use a little more practice. Ask your son or daughter how they feel about this strategy. If they need more practice, they can go to IXL in 4th grade and look for sections B and C. They also can use the home links you received at Curriculum Night. If you weren't able to come to Curriculum night and would like home links, please let me know.
Reading/Writing - we are continuing to read Tiger Rising as our read aloud, but we also dove into non fiction. This week, we read like writers and thought about why authors use headings, titles, paragraphs, pictures, and other text features. Ask your student about their learning for this this week.
Word Study - will be coming next week!
PBL - It was all about Health this week in Room 402! There is an extra homework assignment for students to do this week. We spent all week learning about nutrition, physical exercise, rest, home safety, and strategies to calm your brain. Please see the handout for more details on this.
A Few Things to Note
This Wednesday is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 12:52. They will have lunch before they leave.
Homework folders should be coming back every day. There are always papers to bring home.
Thank you to those who sent in supplies. We are in good shape for a while. It is greatly appreciated!
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Scholastic Book Order
Class Code - HB47X
Order Due Date - 09/22/17
Dear Families, I want your child to be a successful reader—and for that, I need your help. When children choose their own books to read for pleasure, they enjoy reading more and spend more time doing it. The more your child reads, the better they will do in school and in life. Scholastic Book Clubs flyers are made for you and your child to shop for books your child will love to read. Each month, the flyers are filled with trusted, excellent quality, age-appropriate books chosen by Scholastic for prices as low as one dollar. Plus you will be helping our class when you order: Scholastic matches each order you place with FREE BOOKS for our classroom to share. Thank you for helping your child become a successful reader.
Sincerely, HEATHER BERTELSON
Please place your online order to me by 9-22.
Two ways to order:
1. Go online to: scholastic.com/newparent Look up my name: Heather Bertelson
Or enter our Class Code: HB47X
Follow the instructions to place your order online by: 9-22.
2. Check off the books you want to order for your child and return the flyer to me with a check to Scholastic Book Clubs by 9-22.
Order Due Date - 09/22/17
Dear Families, I want your child to be a successful reader—and for that, I need your help. When children choose their own books to read for pleasure, they enjoy reading more and spend more time doing it. The more your child reads, the better they will do in school and in life. Scholastic Book Clubs flyers are made for you and your child to shop for books your child will love to read. Each month, the flyers are filled with trusted, excellent quality, age-appropriate books chosen by Scholastic for prices as low as one dollar. Plus you will be helping our class when you order: Scholastic matches each order you place with FREE BOOKS for our classroom to share. Thank you for helping your child become a successful reader.
Sincerely, HEATHER BERTELSON
Please place your online order to me by 9-22.
Two ways to order:
1. Go online to: scholastic.com/newparent Look up my name: Heather Bertelson
Or enter our Class Code: HB47X
Follow the instructions to place your order online by: 9-22.
2. Check off the books you want to order for your child and return the flyer to me with a check to Scholastic Book Clubs by 9-22.
Friday, September 15, 2017
Math Homework Goal Setting
We are going to use a goal setting for our homework to hopefully focus the work so that students and families feel it is beneficial and relevant. All students will be working on fact fluency for the first few weeks. Things that can be done to help with fact fluency as as follows:
1. Flashcards
2. Reflex.com
3. ixl.com
4. Times Table Worksheets
5. Online math games
6. Xtramath.com
1. Flashcards
2. Reflex.com
3. ixl.com
4. Times Table Worksheets
5. Online math games
6. Xtramath.com
The B Hive 9.15
Happy Friday! Whew, I am tired! It has been a long busy week. It was great to see so many of you at Curriculum Night last night. The information is linked at the bottom in case you missed it. We are getting into the routine and really getting to know each other. I hope students are coming home and sharing the highlights of our week. If not, here is what we've been up to:
Reading - We really started focusing on our thinking as we read. The students started to use their readers' notebooks to track their thinking as I read to them and they read to themselves. We got read- to-self really up and flowing and did an amazing job getting to a full hour of reading by the end of the week. Students will be starting reading teams in just a few weeks. Ask your student what they are noticing, thinking, and wondering as they read this week.
Math - We continued working with place value and rounding. We used these two things to begin to estimate our answers before we solved problems. We discussed the importance of estimation and rounding in our lives. Ask students how they feel they are doing on rounding and estimation. If they feel they need support, use the study links or IXL to focus them.
PBL - Our unit is continuing along nicely and we are really getting to know each other and what we are all about. We create a vision for our class, which is The B Hive will come together to be happy, helpful, and do our best. We wrote I am from poems that are hanging in the hallways. Come check those out. Ask your student about something new they learned about a classmate or themselves this week.
Curriculum Night Presentation
Things to Know handout
A few things to note...
We could use Clorox wipes, handheld pencil sharpeners, and extra headphones if you can help us out!
Headphones would be very beneficial for all students to have. Write their names on them and they can keep them in their backpacks.
4th Grade Ukulele Club! 4th graders have an opportunity to continue playing the ukulele this year. Ukulele Club will meet on Tuesdays from 12:04-12:28 (4th grade lunch recess) in Ms. Huckabone's room. We will start September 19th. New members are welcome!
There are several dates added to our calendar. Check this out for upcoming things like Picture Day, an Author Visit and more...
Reading - We really started focusing on our thinking as we read. The students started to use their readers' notebooks to track their thinking as I read to them and they read to themselves. We got read- to-self really up and flowing and did an amazing job getting to a full hour of reading by the end of the week. Students will be starting reading teams in just a few weeks. Ask your student what they are noticing, thinking, and wondering as they read this week.
Math - We continued working with place value and rounding. We used these two things to begin to estimate our answers before we solved problems. We discussed the importance of estimation and rounding in our lives. Ask students how they feel they are doing on rounding and estimation. If they feel they need support, use the study links or IXL to focus them.
PBL - Our unit is continuing along nicely and we are really getting to know each other and what we are all about. We create a vision for our class, which is The B Hive will come together to be happy, helpful, and do our best. We wrote I am from poems that are hanging in the hallways. Come check those out. Ask your student about something new they learned about a classmate or themselves this week.
Curriculum Night Presentation
Things to Know handout
A few things to note...
We could use Clorox wipes, handheld pencil sharpeners, and extra headphones if you can help us out!
Headphones would be very beneficial for all students to have. Write their names on them and they can keep them in their backpacks.
4th Grade Ukulele Club! 4th graders have an opportunity to continue playing the ukulele this year. Ukulele Club will meet on Tuesdays from 12:04-12:28 (4th grade lunch recess) in Ms. Huckabone's room. We will start September 19th. New members are welcome!
There are several dates added to our calendar. Check this out for upcoming things like Picture Day, an Author Visit and more...
Interested in Math Olympiad?
Announcing Math Olympiad @ A2STEAM
Our Elementary School team welcomes participants in grades 4 & 5 and will meet Mondays starting September 25th in Mr Vince’s room, after school from 3:30-4:50.
The program will run until at least early April.
Math Olympiad involves math and logic puzzles and reflection/discussion on methods and strategies for problem solving.
We meet weekly and there will be six official challenges which will determine each participating student’s standing for the year. There is no off-site portion to this activity.
Space is limited!
Please contact coach Michael Maranda for details on registering your child for the A2STEAM Math Olympiad Team. Provide your child’s name, grade and math level as well as their teacher’s name.
Thank You!
Michael Maranda
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
The B Hive 9.8
Wow! We have been busy this first week settling into our classroom and routines. We are already learning a lot about each other and some content as well. Check out what we have been up to...
Reading - We spent the week practicing sustained read to self and set some goals that we would like to work toward for this first month of school. We are reading The Tiger Rising, which is always a 4th grade favorite.
Math - We are now 2 lessons into our new 4th grade math curriculum. We took the Beginning of the Year Math Test so you will be getting a score and things to work on next week. Our focus right now is place value and reading numbers into the millions.
PBL - Our current unit is titled Selfies on Common Ground and the goal is to determine how we can work together to create a common ground. We spent the week learning about each other and deciding what our space will look like.
A few things to note:
A homework log came home this week. If you need a copy, find the Homework Log Page to print one. A lot of the items on the homework log this week are parent pieces. I need the field trip form, the volunteer form if you think that you will be volunteering for field trips or events, and the parent survey filled out for your student. You can find the link here.
A Scholastic book order came home this week. If you are interested in purchasing online, my code is HB47X. I use the points that I earn for classroom materials so the more books ordered the better for our class. Paper orders are due the 22nd. I will submit the order over the weekend.
We will be taking selfies on Monday as part of our PBL project. Students planned out where their selfie should take place. If it is in a place outside of school, you can send the picture to me via email. If they plan to take it at school, props should come in on Monday.
The last part of the homework log is reading. We would love to help students get into the habit of nightly reading. It sounds like this is a habit for most of us. Thank you for your help with this.
Curriculum Night will take place next Thursday, September 14th from 6:30 to 8:00. Can't wait to see you there. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me at bertelson@aaps.k12.mi.us
Best,
Mrs. Bertelson
Friday, September 1, 2017
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