Friday, December 20, 2019

THANK YOU!

Dear Parents and Families,

I just wanted to send out a sincere THANK YOU for thinking of me and my family at the holidays this year.  It is my pleasure to spend my days teaching and learning from your children!  Your kindness and generosity are so appreciated! 

Students have asked if there is homework over Winter Break!  Although I don't assign written homework, I do suggest that students READ throughout the break.  This could be a chapter book on their own, reading a picture book to a younger cousin or even listening to a book on tape with the family on a road trip (which my family will be doing this year on our way Up North).  If you or your child is looking for additional homework, Lexia, DreamBox, EverydayMath Online and Hour of Code are all accessible using their Clever badge. 

Thank you again for everything.  Happy Holidays and we'll see everyone in 2020!

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Extra Practice at Home

Lately, I have gotten several requests from parents about ways that they can continue to support their child's improvement at home.  I have created a list of resources that I hope will be helpful to you!  None of these are required, but they will all provide extra practice that can be done at home.  Check out these resources if you're looking for ways your child can work at home to improve!



·      English/Language Arts:

o   Online
§  Lexia: Students can use the badge inside their Homework folder (or their gmail login) to log into Clever, then select Lexia Core 5.  This program provides reading and word study support in a variety of ways.

§  Reading A to Z (Raz Kids):  Students can use the badge inside their Homework folder (or their gmail login) to log into Clever, then select Learning A to Z.  This program provides reading and word study support in a variety of ways. 


o   Read and write:  Any reading/writing practice that students do helps them improve.  Students can read aloud or silently, alone or with you.  After they read, you can discuss the book with them, asking them to summarize what happened, predict what might happen next and make connections to the book.  This might mean asking what the book reminded them of and making a connection to another book or something personal.  For example, I Survived the Great Chicago Fire might remind me of my family vacation to Chicago last summer and I Survived Pearl Harbor.  Students can write new and interesting words in a journal as they read and you can help them look up their meanings and usage.  Students can also write responses to the discussion questions listed above to practice writing.  Writing a sentence or two about each book they read in a notebook summarizing key events or describing characters is great!  For more information about finding books at your child’s instructional reading level, see this blog post: https://mrssawin.blogspot.com/2018/10/leveled-book-list.html

o   Reading Response Homework:  The homework that students are asked to complete each week will provide opportunities to practice reading and writing.  Each week, there is a “big question” to focus on which is related to the kinds of skills students are learning at school.  You can work with your child to read and edit his/her work to improve writing skills.  Look for correct grammar, punctuation and spelling and make sure the response answers the “big question”.


·      Math:

o   Online

  Dream Box: Students can use the badge inside their Homework folder (or their gmail login) to log into Clever, then select Dream Box.  This program provides math support in a variety of ways.

§  McGraw Hill/Everyday Math: Students can use the badge inside their Homework folder (or their gmail login) to log into Clever, then select McGraw Hill.  This program is provided by our Math book company and provides games and practice tools.  You can also print homework and find more information about the lessons we are doing in class.  The Student Reference Book provides definitions and the eTools have fraction circles, Base-10 Blocks and more. 

§  Khan Academy: This free website provides extra practice and enrichment opportunities by grade level or skill.  You can find more information at https://www.khanacademy.org/

o   Fact Practice:  Many 4th graders are still working on mastering their basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts.  Practicing these out loud together, with flashcards or in writing is great to improve fact fluency. 

o   Everyday Math Homelink:  Completing each night’s math Homelink will help practice the skills which we have worked on that day.  By the time these Homelinks come home, your child has seen this concept three times already: once in my lesson, once in a small group and once in independent practice.  This last practice should help solidify the skills at home.


Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Partial Products--Helpful Video

Students will study a multiplication strategy called Partial Products Algorithm this week.  I will require that students show mastery of this strategy before they move on to traditional multiplication.

If you're looking to assist your child, you can check out the following video for an explanation of the strategy.  Just remember anytime your child brings home homework, he/she has seen the concept twice already, in our lesson and independent practice.  Please encourage your child to explain the strategy to you, or reach out to me for extra assistance if necessary.

Thanks!

http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/teaching-topics/computation/mult-part-prod/

Friday, December 13, 2019

Market Day in 2nd grade

Next Tuesday (12/17) 2nd grade classes are hosting a Market Day!  Students are selling handcrafted items that make great gifts for family and friends.  All items are $1-$3.  Proceeds will be given to the Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor.  Students have been learning about economics in their social studies unit, all with the goal of raising money for those in need.  

Our class will be attending the market to support our Reading Buddies, so feel free to send in a few dollars with your child!  There will be stress relief balls, painted pots, bookmarks, origami keychains, candy grams, and more! 

Monday, December 9, 2019

Week of 12/9

Here's what we'll be doing this week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on the research that authors do before writing their books.  We'll also be completing another word study cycle.
  • Math:  We will start Unit 4 with our study of extended multiplication facts, making estimates, partitioning rectangles and converting units of liquid measure.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, writing and editing and revising our paragraphs.
  • Social Studies: We will continue Economics Unit, with lessons on scarcity, supply and demand.
  • Science: We will participate in Hour of Code this week, a national activity promoting computer coding with kids all around the country! 
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and share books!  We'll also be talking about ways to resolve conflicts with friends.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Reading Response Homework

Starting this week, students will be completing an additional weekly homework assignment.  On Fridays, students will receive a Reading Response Homework packet which will be due the following Friday.  There will be a detailed instruction sheet on the front of the packet that details all the instructions.

Students will use a book they're reading at home to answer the Big Question in the form of a paragraph.  They'll start by completing a paragraph template (either the Basic or Elaborated format--pick one, not both!) and then write their paragraph.  We use these templates in writing in class, so students should be familiar with them!  After their paragraph has been written, they can edit/revise it. In fact, they'll get an extra point if an adult at home signs that he/she has helped to do this.  Just make sure I can tell which paragraph is their final draft.

Since students have a week to do this assignment, ON TIME submissions should occur.  In fact, most students are even able to complete this assignment on time, even when they are absent.  In the case of a late assignment, one point will be deducted from the first day the assignment is late.  If the assignment is not received by the second late day (i.e. the following Tuesday), two points will be deducted from the score.  After that, the student will receive a 0/10 on the assignment, except in cases of sickness or other excused absence.

Your child will receive the first of these assignments THIS FRIDAY, the 6th and it will be due December 13th! 

Monday, December 2, 2019

Week of 12/2

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on what author's do to make our books interesting.  We'll also choose Words to Learn from our reading or writing to study in Word Study this week.
  • Math:  We will complete our study of Unit 3, comparing decimals.  Then we'll review and take our Unit 3 test and Unit 4 Pre-test.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, writing and editing and revising our paragraphs.
  • Social Studies: We will start our Economics Unit, with lessons on scarcity.
  • Science: We will continue our Woven Wind unit, a cooperative unit with UM Engineering students about renewable energy.  
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about "soft and scratchy" words to use with our friends.

Spanish Website

I wanted to share a link to our fantastic Spanish teacher, Profe Peplinski's site.  If you want to access it:

https://peplinskispanish.weebly.com/

I'll also add a link on the main class page to access it!

Monday, November 18, 2019

Week of 11/18

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on recommending books to our teammates.  I'll also be working on reading assessments for report cards.
  • Math:  We will continue our study of fractions and Unit 3 with lessons on comparing fractions, representing tenths and hundredths in fractions/decimals, and finding tenths and hundredths of a meter.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, writing and editing our paragraphs.
  • Social Studies: We will start our Economics Unit, with lessons on scarcity.
  • Science: We will start our Woven Wind unit, a cooperative unit with UM Engineering students about renewable energy.  
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about how to make and keep new friends.

Recorder Orders Due

If your child would like to order a recorder to use and keep this year, the order forms are due tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19th.  Every child will have access to a school recorder during our music classes, so this order is just if you want a personal one to keep.

Your order form can be turned in your child's homework folder and we'll pass them on to Mrs. Ryan. 

Thanks!

Friday, November 8, 2019

Week of 11/11

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on recommending books to our teammates.  I'll also be working on reading assessments for report cards.
  • Math:  We will continue our study of fractions and Unit 3 with lessons on equivalent fractions, number lines, and an open response problem with fractions.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, interviewing our buddies, reviewing our notes and writing and organizing our paragraphs.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about core democratic values.   We'll also explore Veteran's Day and why it's important.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about how to make and keep new friends.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Walk-A-Thon

Tomorrow is our Angell School Walk-A-Thon.  Don't forget to return your pledge forms AND wear your tie-dye t-shirt to represent our 4th grade spirit! 

If you need an extra copy of the pledge form, check this link!

Friday, November 1, 2019

Week of 11/4

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on recommending books to our teammates.  I'll also be working on reading assessments for report cards.
  • Math:  We will take our Unit 2 test and cumulative test.  Then we'll begin Unit 3, with a study of fractions.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, interviewing our buddies, reviewing our notes and writing and organizing our paragraphs.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about core democratic values.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about how to make and keep new friends.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Week of 10/28

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on making text-to-text connections, or making connections between two books.
  • Math:  We will complete our study of Unit 2 with lessons on lines of symmetry and finding patterns.  We will also review for our Unit 2 test and take a pre-test for Unit 3.  We won't take the Unit 2 test until Nov 4th.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, interviewing our buddies, reviewing our notes and writing and organizing our paragraphs.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about how citizens inform themselves.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about how to make and keep new friends.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Week of 10/21

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on how author's choose the title for their books and reflect on our thoughts and feelings about them.
  • Math:  We will continue Unit 2, with lessons on multiplicative comparisons, number stories, classifying triangles and quadrilaterals.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, interviewing our buddies.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about resolving conflicts with our friends.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Leveled Book List

Hello Parents and Families,
I have spoken with many of you at conferences about providing a list of books at various reading levels that you might choose to read with your children at home.  I've uploaded a PDF with a short description of literacy activities at many levels and leveled books, too.

At conferences, we discuss your child's "instructional level"--this means that the book is something he/she can read with a little support.  This might mean vocabulary or plot discussion and support.  If you're looking for a book to share together, this level would be great.  If you want a book that your child can read independently, you might choose a level or two below his/her instructional level.
Of course, all reading is great, but this might help you focus in on some new titles that your child might not be familiar with yet.

Here's the link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6OfoKGzOOq1dVB4U05JRUNBTVE/view?usp=sharing
There are also great lists available for different levels through the Scholastic Book site:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lists/17-18/guided-reading-levels-o-p-book-list/https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lists/17-18/guided-reading-levels-q-r-book-list/https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lists/17-18/guided-reading-levels-s-v-book-list/

Happy Reading!

Friday, October 11, 2019

Week of 10/14/19

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will focus on the narrator of the story and talk about different styles of narration (1st, 2nd and 3rd person).  We'll find examples in our reading and write a reader response letter.
  • Math:  We will continue Unit 2, with lessons on prime/composite numbers, an open response problem with multiplication and converting units of time.
  • Writing:  We will continue our Biography unit, planning interview questions for the subjects of our biosketch.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and talk about resolving conflicts with our friends.

Friday, October 4, 2019

Week of 10/7

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will continue to practice writing friendly letters to respond to our books.  We'll also be focused on the setting of our books and how/why it is important.
  • Math:  We will begin unit 2 with lessons on square numbers, finding the area of rectangles, factors/factor pairs and multiples. This is the first of our three multiplication units this year.
  • Writing:  We will continue our first unit of the year, learning more about biographies.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about the division of powers between the levels of government, federal, state and local.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies and do a SeeSaw activity where we compliment our teammates.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

DTE Presentation

Today, we participated in a great program about energy sponsored by DTE energy!  Your child is coming home with a kit that has all kinds of energy efficient materials that is yours to keep!

You will also find the HOME ENERGY WORKSHEET in your child's homework folder.  This sheet MUST be completed and returned to school.  Even if you choose not to use the materials, you can still complete the sheet.  You may return the paper copy, or complete it electronically by scanning the QR code using the site thinkenergy.org/dte to complete it electronically.  If you do it online, you need to enter our class ID number 98342.

Please submit the hard copy or online survey no later than Friday, OCTOBER 11th.  If our whole class submits the forms, we are eligible for a grant to use for classroom materials!

Thank you so much for your participation in this great program!

Thursday, September 26, 2019

After School Scheduling

I hope all is well as we finish up our 4th week of school!  Your children continue to work hard and accomplish great things each day! 

Recently, we have received an unusually large volume of emails requesting that I remind students of weekly after-school clubs or classes.  As you might imagine, with 25 students and 5 days in the school week, as much as I'd like to, it is simply not possible for me to remind students of their after-school commitments each day.  

Fortunately, 4th grade is a great time to start to foster time management and scheduling strategies with your child!  With middle school fast approaching, your child will benefit in the long run from building independence in this area.  Here are some ways you might support your child's independent time management skills:
  • Encourage the use of a Daily Planner to log special classes and daily events. This can be great for homework, too.
  • Write a note in your child's homework folder in the morning of the class to remind him/her.
  • Write a schedule that your child can post in his/her locker to check at the end of the day.
  • Post a calendar in a common area of your home with events posted and discuss it each evening/morning as a family.
  • Add a laminated tag to your child's backpack with plans for each day for his/her reference.
These strategies work best for weekly/daily classes and clubs.  For emergencies or unexpected changes of plans, please contact Mrs. Durham or Mrs. Reid in the office at (734) 994-1907 and they will pass along the message to our classroom.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Week of 9/23

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop:  We will learn more about how we will respond to books using a friendly letter format and use our Reader's Notebooks this year.  We will practice writing a friendly letter about our books to you at home!
  • Math:  We will continue Unit 1 with lessons about US Customary Measures of Length, points, lines, rays and line segments, angles, triangles and quadrangles and finding perimeter of rectilinear figures.  We'll also take a unit review to prepare for our Unit 1 test next week.
  • Writing:  We will continue our first unit of the year, learning more about biographies.
  • Social Studies: We will learn more about the separation of powers between the branches of our government.
  • Team Building:  We'll meet with our Reading Buddies on Monday and discuss adjectives to describe ourselves.

Library Volunteer Opportunities!

Please see the message below from our fantastic PTO Library Coordinator, Gwen Papp:

*****************************************************************************************************************************

Angell Parents -- Sept. 17, 2019

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! I’m going to be the Library Volunteer Coordinator this year, and we could really use your help. 

Many of you have done this job before (thank you!) but for those who haven’t, it involves showing up for the library time slot for your child, helping the librarians by checking in and checking out books, and reshelving books while the librarians are teaching their lessons. Anyone who is interested, but needs an introduction to how it works, can just let me know by sending me an email at gwen_papp@yahoo.com, I’ll be glad to meet up and talk you through it. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Otherwise, please use the link below to access the signup sheet for your child’s class, and come spend some time in the library!

Thanks!
Gwen Papp
(646) 510-3973


Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Parent Teacher Conferences

Please sign up for a conference time to discuss your child's progress this year and our upcoming fall report cards.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4CACAC2CAAFF2-mrs

If none of these times work for you, please contact me via email and we can set something up!

Thank you!

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Bus #34 Time Change

Please see the message below from Mr. Court and Durham School Services if your child rides Bus #34 to/from school.
***********
Dear Families,

Bus route 34 that transports your student to Angell School will have a time change effective on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Listed below are the bus stop locations and approximate times.  The pickup times are earlier so students can arrive earlier and have time to eat breakfast in the cafeteria if they chose to do so. 

PICK UP TIMES                                    LOCATION
8:18 AM                                              McIntyre Dr @ Lot 46
8:25 AM                                              2200 Fuller Ct @ The Lunch Room Cafe
8:40 AM                                              1600 Washington Heights

Please have your student outside and waiting 5 minutes before the pick up time.
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 734-994-2330

Durham School Services
Routing/Dispatch Department

Curriculum Night

You are cordially invited to this year's Angell School Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 17th from 6-7:30 PM.  I will be giving my classroom presentation twice, once from 6:00-6:30 and again at 6:35-7:05.  Please choose *one* of the two sessions that fits your schedule to attend.  You do *not* need to attend both sessions, as they will be the same.  

At 7:10, all parents will walk down to the Auditorium to attend an informational session with our principal Mr. Court.  This presentation will give valuable information about our Angell Enrichment program and school year!

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend if you can! 

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Week of 9/9

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop: We will share and explore the expectations for Reader's Workshop.  We will learn more about how we will log the books that we're reading and use our Reader's Notebooks this year.  I'll also continue to assess student reading progress.
  • Math:  We will continue Unit 1 with lessons on rounding, our Student Reference Book, estimation and solving number stories.
  • Writing:  We will begin our first unit of the year, learning more about biographies.
  • Social Studies: We will start the year by learning a little more about the branches of our government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.  
  • Team Building:  We'll be working collaboratively to create the expectations for Math Rotations and share appreciations of our teammates on Friday!
**We won't begin Word Study right away, so look out for more information soon!

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Week of 9/3

Here's what we'll be doing on our first week of school in each subject!

  • Reader's Workshop: We will share and explore the expectations for Reader's Workshop and our classroom library.  We'll also talk about "just right" books and how to find them.  I'll be assessing reading levels for students before we begin Reading Groups.
  • Math:  We will take a Beginning of the Year assessment that will help us track progress over the course of the whole year.  Then, we'll begin Unit 1, with lessons about place value concepts in whole numbers.
  • Writing:  We will write about our "hopes and dreams" for the year.
  • Social Studies: We will start the year by learning a little more about the branches of our government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.  
  • Team Building:  We'll be working collaboratively to create the expectations for our classroom community.  We'll find ways to best support our teammates and our learning this year!
**We won't begin Word Study right away, so look out for more information soon!

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Birthday Treats Policy

Although we do stick to "fruits and vegetables ONLY" all year during our regular daily snack time, I do allow birthday treats if desired on (or near) a child's birthday.  Birthdays are special and it's a nice way to celebrate with our class!

We generally do this treat during our morning snack time, which is usually around 10:30-10:45.  Your child can bring a small treat (one per child, i.e. cupcake, cookie), avoiding all nuts please.  You may simply send the snack with your child in the morning and we can distribute it at snack time.  It is easiest if the items are single serving and the same for each child.  Obviously a treat is not required, so whatever you and your child decide is fine!

Please note, we have 25 students in our class this year!  Thank you!

Classroom Snack

As we start off the school year, we request that if you send a snack to school with your child, please send only fruits and vegetables.  This gives our school staff time to assess any food allergies in each classroom.

Some classrooms may have different restrictions, but our we will maintain a "fruits and vegetables ONLY" snack policy throughout the entire year.  In addition to fresh fruit and veggies, items such as seaweed crackers, applesauce, raisins and other dried fruits are great.  We will allow birthday treats and other items at class celebrations, but daily snack will remain this way all year.

NO NUTS OF ANY KIND (PEANUTS OR TREE NUTS) OR EGGS IN OUR CLASSROOM THIS YEAR DUE TO ALLERGIES! 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Monday, August 19, 2019

Welcome Back, Eagles!

Hello, Angell School Parents, Families and Students!

I hope that you all had wonderful summers and are ready to have a lot of fun (and hard work) in 4th grade!

To let you know a bit more about me, this will be my 9th year working for Ann Arbor Public Schools. I have a BA in Music from the University of Michigan and a Post-Baccalaurate teaching certification from Eastern Michigan (with a major in Language Arts and minor in Early Childhood Education).  My professional interests include Guided Math instruction, mentoring new teachers and math curriculum development.  I live here in Ann Arbor with my husband, Sven, our cat and our daughter, Juliet, who is a kindergartener this year!  I enjoy spending time with family, baking, reading, and attending Michigan sporting events.  I have attended all but 3 Michigan Football home games in the last 22 seasons!

I will update this blog often with a variety of information.  I will post our agenda in each subject area as well as homework assignments for the week.  As soon as it is available, I will be updating our calendar and class specials schedule, too.  Bookmark or add this site to your web feed to stay up to date on our classroom happenings.