Welcome to 4th Grade!

Welcome and/or welcome back to A2 STEAM at Northside! I am so happy to have your child in my 4th grade class! 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. Jude is five and is entering kindergarten. He is very excited to join the A2 STEAM family. Luci is 7 and has been here with me for the past two years. 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: 8:19 am (first bell 8:15) Lunch: 11:40-12:28 (includes recess) Dismissal: 3:22 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 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 practicing 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.

Summer Reading Resources?

Want to find good book recommendations for your children for the summer? Take a look at our Summer Reading resources! 

https://sites.google.com/a/aaps.k12.mi.us/media-center/parents/summer-reading-program

At the top of the page, you will find the "What Should I Read Next?" section that has some great lists & resources for kids.

Scroll down to view links and information about different Summer Reading programs around town. I hope your student can take part!

Happy Reading!

AADL Visit this Thursday!

Tomorrow is the Last Day!

Announcement: Wednesday is the Last Day of Book Swap Collection!

If you would like to participate in the first ever A2 STEAM Book Swap, be sure to turn in books by this Wednesday! To read more about the Swap, please visit our Summer Reading site: 
https://sites.google.com/a/aaps.k12.mi.us/media-center/parents/summer-reading-program

The B Hive 5.26

Hello all!  Happy almost Memorial Day weekend!  I hope that everyone plans to take some time to rest, relax, and recharge.  I know that our students need that.  We are ALMOST finished up with testing.  Everyone has completed the MSTEP and I am currently working on finishing up the NWEA with students.  Next Tuesday we will take the Scholastic Reading Inventory and then do any makeups needed.  It is my hope that next week will feel "normal."  They have done an INCREDIBLE job with the testing and have made huge gains across the board.  I will be sending out emails to highlight your student's accomplishment next week.  

A few things to note:

Today was our last spelling test for the year.  Students will not have words to work on for the next few weeks.  

Homework will continue for two more weeks.  There is a definite decrease in homework as of late.  Please help them finish off the year strong. 

Dates to Remember:

Monday, May 29th - No School, Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 30th - Reading Inventory Test 10 am

Thursday, June 1st - Ann Arbor District Library Summer Reading Presentation 2 pm

Wednesday, June 7th - Scholastic Book Fair - Everything is Buy One, Get One Free!

Friday, June 9th - Our last day for iPad usage

Sunday, June 11th - End of the Year PTO Party, 5 to 7

Wednesday, June 14th - Book Swap for the Summer - If your student brings in up to five grade level appropriate books, they can trade those books for up to five new ones.  

Book Swap

Dates to Remember

 Monday, May 22nd - NWEA ELA

Tuesday, May 23rd - Mrs. Bertelson will be out of the classroom for school improvement work

Wednesday, May 24th - NWEA Math 

Monday, May 29th - No School

Tuesday, May 30th - Reading Inventory Test - our last test!

Thursday, June 1st - AADL Summer Reading Presentation

Wednesday, June 14th - Book Swap day - bring in up to five books and swap those for up to five other books  :)

Wednesday, June 14th - Dekeon Dash for CCK

Friday, June 16th - Last Day of School, no backpacks