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.  

Week of January 19th

Happy MLK day!  I hope you got the chance to do something inspirational today.  

Plan for the Week

Reading - nonfiction inferences

Writing - creating a info-graphic

Math - multiplication

Word Work - prefixes

PBL - Project Lead the Way continues

Things to Know

Spelling test will be this Friday.  

MAP Testing on Friday at 12:00

Don't Forget About:

Raz Kids

Khan Academy

Our Blog

Xtramath.com

Noredink.com

Please Help:

By having your student work on multiplication fact fluency this week.  

Making sure they practice their spelling words.

Helping them remember to turn in their homework.  

As always, please let me know how I can help!

A Few Helpful Websites

Student's spelling words came home last night.  Several mentioned that they practiced already.  If you need an easy way for them to practice, check out Spelling City

Last night and tonight students will be practicing partial products.  They should come home tonight with a stronger understanding.  If you need a lesson, check out Everyday Math Video.

Homework completion was MUCH improved this week.  Thank you!!!

Week of January 12th Homework

Monday - Study Link 5.3 and Reading Log due, Spelling Test
Tuesday - Study Link 5.4 due
Wednesday - Study Link 5.5 due
Thursday - Study Link 5.6 due
Friday - Multiplication Practice Sheet

My New Year's Resolution!

My New Year's Resolution is to be better at this. I know that you all receive my weekly and sometimes daily (hehe) emails, but I plan to keep this updated as well.  A few important things to check out:

Our Class Blog - The B Hive

Edmodo

Sumdog

Xtra Math

I will be back tomorrow to give you some more goodies!