Recycling Assembly

No grammar minute tonight.  READ!!!
Any math is due tomorrow.

Yesterday some of the 5th graders ran an assembly to teach the PK-4th grades about recycling.  Here is a clip from this assembly.  I will add more clips later.

Book Orders

4th Grade does not have a Grammar Minute tonight.  5th grade has Grammar Minute 43.  Everyone should read. Math due on Friday.

Book orders were sent home today.  They are due by December 8th in case you want a book for Christmas.  Online orders are best and our classroom code to sign up for this is NXBYL

If you can't do it online, I will take a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs.

Cold Weather

Homework:
Grammar Minute 42 and Read!
Math due on Friday

With cold weather and snow upon us, we have some reminders about recess.  Please have your child bring a coat, hat, gloves/mittens, ski pants, and boots.  Students will not be allowed to play out in the snow if they are not dressed appropriately.  Students can also not stay inside for recess unless recess is canceled.  The district has a policy about students receiving recess every day.  We will only stay inside when the weather is extreme.

The second trimester started today and with that comes higher expectations.  Students are expected to be ready to learn at the start of class and put their best effort into all of their work.  This is non-negotiable.  Report cards will be sent home this Friday.

End of the Trimester

No homework this week.  I would like the kids to keep reading over vacation.  Tomorrow is the end of the first trimester.  Report cards will go home the beginning of December.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and be safe.
Stacey

4th Grade Reading

We only have school next Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday is the end of the trimester so all work must be done by then.  This includes all Scope/Storyworks assignments, narrative final copy, 5th grade PSAs, and 4th grade at least 2 geography centers.
Here is a video of 4th grade reading from today.  I like to share positives!!!

Food Pass Along

Grammar Minute 41, Read, and finish Math!  We had our annual food pass along today.  Lots of laughs and singing! We also had many visitors for our Thanksgiving dinner.  I love that our cafeteria was full of our community members.  Miss Elaine and Miss Tammy made a wonderful meal.  The only homework for next week is to keep reading.  Please subscribe to our Outdoor Classroom Blog in the same way you have subscribed to this blog.      https://fairfieldoutdoorclassroom.blogspot.com/

Selfie...

Selfie.....

Selfie!!

Selfie......

Selfie!!

Thanksgiving Dinner Tomorrow

Homework:
Grammar Minute 40
Read
Math Practice due Friday

Thursday is the Thanksgiving Dinner during lunch time.  Students have school next Monday and Tuesday.  There will be no homework except for nightly reading those nights.  Students have narrative writing due next Tuesday, and it is the end of the first trimester.  Report cards will be sent home at the beginning of December.

Updates

Homework:
Grammar Minute 39 and READ!!
Math practice due on Friday.

Next week is the end of the first trimester!  Seriously? Where did this trimester go?  We will be finishing up our narratives and reading unit on story elements next week.  I will send home their binders for a binder check once we start second trimester.

Restorative Justice Circles

Homework:
Grammar Minute 38
Read for at least 20-30 minutes
Math practice due Friday

4th and 5th graders have participated in a Restorative Justice Circle asking them to answer the following questions: What do I need from my teacher, classmates, and myself to have the best possible time in class and at school? 5th grade finished all 3, 4th grade still needs to answer the 3rd.

1. What I need from my teacher
2. What I need from my classmates
3. What I need from myself

I am sharing the posters that have the statements the students (and adults in the room) shared with their classmates.  We will refer back to these statements often.  

While the students are in my room, they will not be using the clipboard to document their behavior.  I am going to a simple 1, 2, 3 system as explained in 1, 2, 3 Magic for Parents and 1, 2, 3 Magic for Teachers.  When students have not responded to my non-verbal attempts or reminders, they will be told they are on 1 and I will state the desired behavior.  On 2, I will state the desired behavior again, and state what the consequence will be on 3. This first consequence will most likely be a break. If, in the same class period, the student goes to 3 a second time, the consequence may be more serious.  I will probably move the student on the 1 or 2.   

***** These reminders are for the students to self-regulate themselves and make good choices.  All students know what the expected behavior is, and has had it modeled and retaught many, many times this year.  A consequence may be for the child to call or email home to communicate that he/she is having trouble keeping themselves on task, even with breaks and moving to another seat.  I will be sending home a notice asking for you to share what method you prefer, and what email or number you would like to be contacted.  For many students, knowing that the consequence of 3 will be calling a parent is enough to keep that student on task for the rest of the class period.  You will also have the option of not having your child contact you.  In that case, I would contact you by email after school that day and keep the consequence in school.  If a pattern of behavior begins and/or persists, then an Office Discipline Referral will be completed.  Major behaviors will have an ODR completed right away. An example of that is hands-on to another student.

It is extremely important to me that students learn how to make good choices and respect others' learning environment.  The goal is for students to respect the learning process so all students can learn.  That happens will a strong system with adult support and guidance. We will continue to have Circle to discuss the strengths and challenges of the classroom.  As a school, we have started reading the book, Conscious Discipline.  Thank you for supporting us in this endeavor.

What I need from my teacher.

What I need from my classmates.

What I need from me.

What I need from my teacher.

What I need from my classmates.

Project Based Learning

The 5th grade is currently working on Public Service Announcements for our Composting/Recycling Programs we have at school.  Here is a video from Thursday's work.

Wednesday 11/8

Homework:
Grammar Minute 36
READ!!!!
Math practice is due this Friday

If you were interested in your child taking part in the skiing/snowboarding program then you should have received a bright green paper for you to sign up and pay.  These are due.  If you have not sent it in please do it as soon as possible.

Book orders were sent home to the 5th-grade students and will be sent home soon for the 4th graders.  4th-grade parents, I will send home an email explaining the process when I get more order forms.

Thank you for attending conferences.  Always feel free to contact Corrie or me if you need anything.

Tuesday 11/7/17

Homework:
Grammar Minute 35
Math practice due Friday.

In social studies the 5th grade is working on Public Service Announcements on composting and recycling.  We are working on story elements in reading and in writing we are working on narratives.  5th grade is also waiting to here back from a 5th grade classroom in Florida who will become our pen pals and writing editors.  This is the same school that Dr. O'Dell was once principal.

4th grade is working on story elements in reading and narratives in writing.  In social studies, we continue to learn our role in the classroom and study geography. We will begin studying the Vermont Counties soon.

Monday and November!

Homework:
Grammar Minute 34 and READ!!!!!
Math is due on Friday

Book orders are due on November 17th. Online ordering please, but I will take a hard copy with a check made out to Scholastic if you can't order online.

Conference scheduling is done, and we were able to meet with most students and parents.  If you were unable to make one of our scheduled times, please contact us so we can schedule a time.

For Thanksgiving baskets, 5th grade is responsible for bringing in Cranberry Sauce.