McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of February 22, 2016

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 29th - Weekly reading logs due

Tuesday, March 1st - Home link due / Monthly (February) reading calendars due

Wednesday, March 2nd - Early Release Wednesday

Thursday, March 3rd -  Spelling due

Friday, March 4th - Home link due / Second States Quiz (30)

Adventure-Based Learning February 25, 2016

We were disappointed that we need to postpone our Iditarod event due to weather and lack of snow cover, but we will send word about a rescheduled date as soon as we set one.  Until then, we will keep our eyes on the weather!

    Regardless, the kids were excited to execute Mrs. Murray’s challenges in the gym this morning!  Today, we “reprogrammed iPads” by tapping consecutive numbers on little pads on the floor with our feet.  The pads were randomly placed inside a rope circle.  

    Each group Asked questions, Brainstormed ideas, Chose ideas, Did it, and then Evaluated and made changes, in order to decrease the amount of time it took to reprogram those iPads.  A 5-second penalty was earned if the numbers were tapped out of order or if two people were in the circle at the same time.  The two groups I worked with were highly engaged for the entire time.  In fact, they wanted to keep going to beat each other’s time over and over again, and they did!  They held meetings to reorganize their process after each round.  I was most impressed by the fact that any time a penalty happened it was due to a person trying to be faster for the betterment of the team -- as opposed to being goofy or “checking out.”  We talked quite a bit about this when reflecting in the groups after the activity.  I think this is the first time I have seen two groups’ dedication and engagement for the entire duration of a challenge; the activities are designed to become somewhat frustrating, providing opportunities for the kids to support each other through that frustration using the skills Mrs. Murray teaches them in every ABL session.

Reading Workshop

This week, we reviewed the goals of our new Historical Fiction unit.  We watched two BrainPop videos about slavery and the underground railroad to establish common background knowledge.  We also read two short texts together, Barefoot and Henry’s Freedom Box.  

    One common question that kids always ask during this unit is, “Why didn’t they just __________________ [fill in the blank: run away, fight back, refuse to do that…]?”  It can be really difficult to understand why people did what they did or didn’t do what we think they should have done.  And that’s one reason we read stories -- lots of stories -- so we can begin to understand what the circumstances were that influenced people’s lives.  One of the higher-level reading skills that we will focus on during this unit is synthesizing.  I define this for the kids as combining background knowledge with details from stories and nonfiction texts to generate your own ideas.  Right now, the kids are highly motivated to dig into the baskets of HF texts.  Please ask your child what s/he is reading about; there are surely questions your child has for you!

Writing Workshop

Students completed their three supporting idea paragraphs for the first literary essay!  It seems to have dragged out somewhat with the snow day, delay, vacation, etc.  But we are making headway!  Building supporting idea paragraphs that are cohesive and effective, and that make sense, is tough stuff!  One strategy we are using to write these kinds of paragraphs is to follow a pattern for each one:

• supporting idea sentence
• detail from the story
• a sentence that shows why you’re including that detail and how it connects to the supporting idea (“This shows…”  “This led me to believe…”  “This makes me think that…”)
• detail from the story
• a sentence that shows why you’re including that detail and how it connects to the supporting idea
• detail from the story
• a sentence that shows why you’re including that detail and how it connects to the supporting idea
• ending sentence

    We incorporated some movement into our revision of these paragraphs: When I read a volunteer’s paragraph out loud, half the class stood up when they heard a detail from the story and then sat down.  When they heard a sentence showing why the writer included that detail, the other half of the class stood up...  That way, they could see and feel the pattern.

    Thursday, we focused on editing for spelling, an area of general weakness.  I’m working to incorporate this on a more regular basis in writing workshop.  If you’re wanting to help your child, check out the page in your child’s HW planner entitled, “Editing Help at Home.”  Consider using those techniques, especially for spelling, capitals and punctuation, on your child’s Home Links and weekly spelling homework. (And, THANK YOU!)

Math

This week students started in on a new math unit. They have already tackled decomposing fractions, adding fractions with like denominators and adding mixed numbers. We have also worked on fraction number stories and identifying the whole in a problem. A lot to cover in one week!

    But there is more… we had a snowball fight in math class! Take a look. https://goo.gl/F9dZYo   Students had fun and got a lot of practice with double digit multiplication.

Spelling

This week students worked on adding lots of suffixes (-er, -est, -y, -ly, -ing, and -ed) to known base words.  We have been practicing making decisions about what suffix rule needs to be used (y to i, drop the e, double the last letter, just add it on).  Mrs. Alves, our literacy leader, has been joining our spelling sessions a couple of time a week to provide support to spellers as they’re trying out and practicing new skills.

Theme

Our classes are super-jazzed to be studying the states!  The excitement has been palpable as we’ve been exploring which states we already know and sharing strategies for remembering the locations of different states.  Kids have had multiple opportunities to practice in hands-on ways at school this week: puzzles, flash cards, playing Scrambled States of America, using the iPads to play Stack the States, and more!  We also watched a couple of fun songs about the states, including “Tour the States”, which had all three classes mesmerized.   Inspired, one of our own students, Julietta, went home and made her own stop motion video of her doing the same thing!  So cool!

    Students took their first states quiz today.  The goal was 20 states.  I will have them all graded and handed back by Monday, so students can make an informed decision of what states they are going to tackle next.   Next Friday’s goal is 30 states.  Anyone who learns all 50 states early is encouraged to learn the capitals, which will earn them an “exceeds” and a homework pass.  Next week students will begin a research project about a state.  They will have the opportunity to choose how they want to present their learning to the class (poster, brochure, Jacob’s Ladder, etc).

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of February 8, 2016

Valentines with 8th Grade Friends

Eighth grade mastery classes invited us to make Valentine cards for local residents of assisted living homes.  They joined us in our classrooms, and we spread out construction paper, scrapbook paper, doilies, and cut-out hearts, and they made lots of vivid creations that were delivered to neighbors this afternoon!  I think everyone involved LOVED it.

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Friday, February 12th - Sunday, February 21st - February Break

Monday, February 22nd - Weekly reading logs due (monthly calendars due March 1st) / Planner sheets due

Tuesday, February 23rd - Home link due

Wednesday, February 24th

Thursday, February 25th -  Spelling due / ABL Iditarod

Friday, February 26th - Home link due / First States Quiz (20)

Iditarod for ABL!

On Thursday, February 25th, all 4th grade students will be participating in an Iditarod activity as part of the Adventure-Based Learning (ABL) program. This event will be held OUTSIDE.  Please be sure your child has the appropriate gear for this day, including hats, gloves, snow pants, jackets, and boots.  Your child may also want to bring in a change of clothes in case outfit #1 gets wet from being in the snow.

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

This week, we concluded our research project!  It was a fun project, and most kids seemed to enjoy each stage: the reading, the research, the scientific learning, even the main idea packet!  Most kids finished a Keynote slideshow, and the McFarland readers shared in small groups yesterday and have their graded main idea packets in their mail today.  The Begleys will find some time after vacation to present, and I will send their packets home that week, as well.

    On our bookshelves, I have been making the shift from nonfiction to historical fiction, our next unit!  Fourth graders generally focus on four time periods:

• slavery
• immigration
• WWII and the Holocaust
• civil rights

There are a number of rich, age-appropriate books about these time periods for our students.  Check out some kid-friendly web sites like Scholastic and Time for Kids if you would like to help give your child additional background information on these time periods.  Because there is some heavy material here, students are hungry for exploring the big questions, especially the WHY’s, and explore we shall!

Writing Workshop

We are a couple of weeks into our literary essay unit and have started our class essay about the short story, “Spaghetti.”  The kids are learning in mini-lessons, drawing on their knowledge from our previous essay, practicing on our class essay, and writing a lot while leaning heavily on their partners.  The discussions between partners about word choice and message are extremely productive, and I am also impressed with how well they’ve carried forward what they learned in that first essay unit.

    A new writing unit for fourth grade teachers and students alike is a historical fiction writing unit.  Reading and writing teachers will spend a part of our professional learning day tomorrow focusing on the opportunities for connections between the HF reading unit and the new HF writing unit.  I’m really excited to dive into this work!

Spelling

This week students practiced adding suffixes that begin with vowels to words that end in silent e.  The rule for this is to drop the e before adding a suffix that ends in a vowel.  This instruction is in response to many students who spelled using, “useing” on the last spelling review.

Theme

This week students finished their claw arms and presented the project to the class.  This is the first class I have piloted this project with, so instead of grading it, students did some reflection and gave feedback so I can tweak the project and make it even better.

    After vacation, we will begin our U.S. States unit.  The expectation is for all 4th graders to learn the location of the 50 states to “meet.”  Today I sent a packet (with a pink cover sheet) which lays out the dates for quizzes and resources to help your child study.  In the packet are blank and labeled maps to help your child study at home.  While students are not required to start studying over vacation, I wanted students and families to have a heads-up.  I’ve scheduled a tight timeline with the quizzes in order to be wrapped up before MEA testing starts in late March.  Please be sure to check out my webpage with links to lots of online games!

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 25, 2016

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 1st - Reading logs due

Tuesday, February 2nd - Home link due

Wednesday, February 3rd - Early Release Wednesday

Thursday, February 4th -  Spelling due

Friday, February 5th - Home link due

Adventure-Based Learning

Thursday, Mrs. Murray was back with several challenges.  Kids needed to work in their groups to pass balloon balls using just two fingers in such as way that everyone gets a touch.  And then, we combined groups -- so our groups have doubled in size!  Most kids were excited to have new members to work with, and others recognized the potential challenges of larger groups.  Mrs. Murray also gave us a sneak peek at our upcoming Iditarod simulation!  She brought in a sled, ropes, flag markers, and a provisions crate, and demonstrated some of the skills the kids will develop and use after vacation.  More details to come on that in the coming weeks -- and as we keep an eye on the weather!

Report Cards

Report cards are in homework folders today.  The report card reflects your child’s work, performance, and achievement for the entire first semester.  All three team teachers collaborated on the reports.  All of the math grades were done by Mrs. Mayberry, and all of the science & social studies grades are from Mrs. Begley.  For our class, the reading and writing grades are recorded by Mrs. McFarland.  If your child receives full pull-out services through an IEP, the grades are based on their progress in that resource room class.  Please review and keep the report card, but sign the envelope and send it back to school on Monday.

Valentine’s Day

On Thursday, February 11th, students will have an opportunity to please include everyone in the class.  Each child should bring a container to collect Valentines.  This can be as simple as a plastic bag or as complex as a decorated shoebox.  I’ll send home a class list (hopefully today!).

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

Please check out your child’s huge packet of reading logs from October through this past Monday!  Wow!  We’ve done a lot of reading this year so far!  With that stack is a bright green assessment sheet that shows to what extent your child is meeting grade level expectations with at-home reading.  As you know, that reading time is paramount in your child’s reading development.  In addition, there is a purple Reading Workshop Reflection that your child filled out this morning, which will help me continue to get to know your child’s ideas about reading and will guide my thinking as I make plans for the second half of our year together.

    Today in class, kids studied their logs and commented about the books they were reading (“Those were the days when I was reading The Bell Bandit!”).  Some kids erased capitalization mistakes and fixed them (with no prompting from me).  Others are wondering about the new reading log option I’ll reveal on Monday, available to readers who have been consistently reading and logging!  More info to come on that next week!

Writing Workshop

This week, we shared our information books with some MIW friends!  On Monday, the Mayberrys met with Mrs. Follett’s class, who brought fairy tales, their informational books, and/or their wax museum speeches to share with us.  On Wednesday, the McFarland writers hosted Mrs. Dominski’s class, who also brought their informational books to share.  It was really fun!  

    We also started our new unit, Literary Essays.  We started by reading four stories that we’ll focus our essays on -- great reads with rich characters, underlying issues, and sophisticated writing that begs to be analyzed!  We worked with partners to craft succinct one-sentence summaries that we will use in the introduction paragraphs of the essays.  Next week, we will review the criteria for a strong thesis statement, study the Opinion Writing Checklist, and hopefully get really far into our first literary essay.  That one, we will write all together with much instruction and support.  Off we go!

Math

This week students learned how to use the partial products algorithm to multiply large numbers. We started out by multiplying 3- or 4-digit numbers by a 1-digit number and then moved into multiplying 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. In addition we worked with multi-step number stories involving money. On Friday students learned a fun game called Multiplication Wrestling.

Spelling

This week students looked at the word endings al/el/le, which are challenging because they make the same sound.  After brainstorming words that fit each ending, we did an activity where students had to look at a word with all three endings (ex: normle, normal, normel) and determine which was spelled correctly.  

Theme

This week we prepared for our magnet & electricity quiz, which we took today.  This included creating study cards, playing Jeopardy, and completing some review activities.  

    Next week we will start a PBL (project based learning) project, where students will create an invention that applies their knowledge of circuits and magnets to solve a problem.

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 19, 2016

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 25th - Reading logs due

Tuesday, January 26th - Home link due

Wednesday, January 27th - Early Release Wednesday

Thursday, January 28th -  Spelling due

Friday, January 29th - Home link due / Progress reports will be sent home in your child’s HW folder

Read to Lacey at Prince Memorial Library!   

This is a program that happens year round, through the entire school year and into the summer too. It is an opportunity for kids in grades K—5 to sign up for 15 minutes to read to a therapy dog at Prince Memorial Library. They bring in what they are currently reading or choose a book from the library collection. This is a wonderful way to encourage beginning readers to practice their reading and for older readers to make the time to read for just 15 minutes out of their busy days.  Stop by or email Lauren Isele at lisele@cumberlandmaine.com for more information.  

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

Readers have selected animals to research and are working their way toward a digital slideshow project!  First, we are using research maps to collect, sort, and categorize information as we read multiple texts about a chosen animal.  Through a collage activity, we saw how organizing things into categories helps our brains to remember and learn information more effectively.  Other skills and strategies we are using are:

• ask questions about the text
• attempt to answer your own questions
• identify the main idea of a text
• identify supporting details
• understand the author’s purpose
• teach others

We’ll also incorporate some science learning into this project, specifically life cycle, physical & behavioral adaptations, and food web.

Writing Workshop

Almost all of our writers have completed their informational texts!  They are looking great, many pages bursting with information, diagrams, and text features!  Soon, I will start reading a few stories to the kids, texts that we’ll use to focus on during our upcoming unit: Literary Essay.  This unit is tied for My Favorite (along with Poetry).  From the first year 4th graders started this unit -- I thought, “What?  Nine year-olds writing essays about literature?” -- I’ve been blown away by how the children demonstrate their deep understanding of texts through the writing of an essay.  We will see the fruits of our reading-instruction-labor with this one.  WARNING: In upcoming newsletters, I will be gushing about our writers’ progress throughout this unit.

Math

This week students were introduced to multiplying large numbers using two methods. The first is called partitioning rectangles, and the second is called partial products. We will continue to practice both methods during the coming week. In addition, students learned to convert liquid volume (liters to milliliters) using extended multiplication. Next week students will have homework involving all of these skills. Please encourage your child to check out my homelink tutorial (on my web page) if they are having trouble with their homework at home.  Students know how to access this.

Spelling

***This week students looked at patterns for the /yu/ and /u/ sounds, which are ew, ue, u-consonant-e, and oo, and u.  The distinction between the two sounds is subtle, and it proved to be a good challenge for us.

Theme

This week we explored lots of things with circuits.  Students built simple circuits with bulbs and motors.  We learned about parallel and series circuits and how each type of circuit affects the output of the user.  Also, we added switches and resistors and talked about the function of each.  

    I’ve been teaching students a different kind of notetaking called “sketch notetaking”.  As we built working circuits and learned about the different parts, students made sketch notes.  It’s been exciting to see the creativity students bring to the table and how they represent different concepts.

    Next week, we will take a short quiz on magnets and electricity.  A study guide will come home on Monday & we will make study cards in class.  During the last two weeks before vacation, students will be presented with an engineering challenge where they will have to apply their knowledge of magnets and electricity.

    Kids have been LOVING our Snap Circuits.  Lots of kids have asked where they can purchase a kit.  They can be found on Amazon and at Island Treasure Toys in Yarmouth and Freeport.

kids being kids (photo taken from our classroom window at lunch recess today)

Newsletter Update for the week of January 11th

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 11th

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 18th - No school

Tuesday, January 19th - Reading logs due

Wednesday, January 20th - Full day Wednesday

Thursday, January 21st -  Spelling due

Friday, January 22nd - Home link due / PTO Movie Night @ GMS

Color Guard Performing at Greely Girls’ Game

Next Friday, January 22nd, the GMS 4-5 Color Guard will be performing at halftime at the Greely girl’s basketball game.  We have 5 students on the Mayberry, Begley, McFarland team who participate in Color Guard, so consider going and supporting those students and the program, and check out what Color Guard is all about!

Room 206’s Got Talent!

The highlight of my week was easily our Skills and Talent Share!  In fact, it’s probably the highlight of the year so far for me.  The project was purposely wide open and kept to a small scale (2-3 minutes each, our own class as the audience), and I’m glad it was low-key.  The variety and creativity speaks to the unique individuals we have in our room!  Kids were brave in their choices and brave in their presentations; it’s not easy to get up in front of your peers and have all eyes on you!  No matter the degree of nervousness, every child had her/his moment in the spotlight and -- I dare say -- enjoyed it!  Each child chose their own cheer for the class to show support and appreciation (that was fun it itself!).  Definitely something to ask your child about this weekend!

    Curious about what kinds of talents we have?  Here’s the list!  violin~guitar~Miranda Sings impersonation~rock climbing~ice fishing~knee circles ~acting~sewing~jogging horses~boxing~dance~basketball~soccer~hockey~piano~singing~hoverboard

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

As promised this week, we went multi-media with main idea practice!  Students watched two short videos over the course of the week, one on how lobsters stay safe while moving across the ocean floor, and the other was about chimps creating and using tools.  All students tried out a new graphic organizer called a Main Idea Table to record their thinking.  I’m seeing good improvement with the concepts of identifying main ideas and supporting details.  Next week, we will start working on a research project where we will use our main idea skills.

    In addition, students learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his leadership in the Civil Rights movement.  They worked on a small art and writing project, which they are displaying on their own locker doors when done.

Writing Workshop

Students have turned a sharp corner in their work on informational writing.  Tuesday, we will start final drafts!  There are so many different text features and options for this writing project, and at this point it’s become quite individualized.  If your child brings home some writing work over the long weekend, take a look at this photo from the board that includes basic directions and reminders.

Math

In math this week we continued to work with reading and converting decimals and fractions to the hundredths place. Students also had an introduction to measuring precisely using centimeters and millimeters. I must say I have many students who are really executing precise measurements all the way down to the nearest millimeter!

Spelling

This week students looked at “roughie toughies” or ou and ow words that don’t say the /ow/ sound.  A lot of commonly misspelled words fit in this category, like though, through, enough, etc.  We also looked at patterns for the /er/ sound: er, ir, and ur.

Theme

This week we wrapped up the magnet portion of our unit.  On Monday, students used magnets, iron filings, and other magnetic objects to help find hidden magnets seal inside boxes.  Students also made temporary magnets, such as electromagnets and nails.  On Wednesday, we performed an experiment called “Iron for Breakfast”, where we extracted the iron in fortified cereal.  (Click here to see the experiment in action)  We are now shifting to electricity.  On Thursday we discussed energy transfers, using a Newton’s cradle.  On Friday, we made different model circuits to see what is necessary in order to have a complete circuit.  We also had a few brief moments to start playing around with the Snap Circuit kits.

Have a safe long weekend!

Photos from this afternoon's visit with our Japanese exchange students

Our generous, patient guests taught us how to say some basic phrases in Japanese.  Then, they came around and gave us some coaching.  Our students were prepared with questions on index cards to ask our new friends.  A special experience for all of us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 4th

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 11th- Reading logs due

Tuesday, January 12th - Home link due

Wednesday, January 13th - Math box catch up night

Thursday, January 14th -  Spelling due

Friday, January 15th - Home link due

Monday, January 18th - No School

Wednesday, January 20th - Full Day Wednesday

Welcome Assembly for Japanese Exchange Students

On Wednesday our students attended the welcome ceremony for the Japanese exchange students who are visiting Greely Middle School this week.  We followed this up with a presentation and question-and-answer session in Mrs. Groom’s class on Friday.  The kids were really excited about the opportunity and asked lots of good questions.

Adventure-Based Learning

When is a jumprope a gateway to get out of Jurassic Park?  When it’s ABL day!  Ask your child to tell you about the challenges of getting out with a partner, with a focus group of 6 to 8 kids, and then with two combined focus groups!

serious business!

feet ready for a closing game

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

When students arrived on Monday, there were eight new baskets of nonfiction books on our shelves!  Most of the books focus on animals and things about animals, such as migration, life cycles, and adaptations.  It was great to see renewed enthusiasm about nonfiction texts.  We are continuing to work on strategies for identifying main idea.  Mrs. Mayberry made us some Main Idea Task Cards, 32 cards that each have a very short article.  The cards are numbered, and students have a numbered sheet on which to record the main idea of their articles of choice.  We are getting picky about what a main idea is and isn’t (see photo).  Next week, we will work to identify the main idea of some short National Geographic videos.  This will surely contribute to more succinct answers when you ask your child, “What’s that show about?”

Writing Workshop

On Monday, we turned an important corner in our informational texts: we used stapled paper and Post-its to make draft booklets, and we planned the layout of our books.  That makes it seem real, and kids can start to see the big picture of this project!  We used the Whole Brain Teaching technique of writing Genius Paragraphs (thank you, Pinterest!).  I wanted a new way to help kids write engaging, informative paragraphs with correct grammatical structure, something I noticed that was a little sketchy in our essay unit.  Each child has written three paragraphs using this technique.  We also started our conclusion paragraphs.  Students are able to see the commonalities of different genres, as narratives, essays, and informational texts all need a purposeful ending, among other parts (such as transitions and leads).  Next week, we will host Mrs Greenlaw’s 6th graders to help us edit for spelling!

Math

In math this week we continued to work with reading and converting decimals and fractions to the hundredths place. Students also had an introduction to measuring precisely using centimeters and millimeters. I must say I have many students who are really executing precise measurements all the way down to the nearest millimeter!

Spelling

This week students reviewed silent letters and homophones.  I shared two read alouds, Silent Letters Loud and Clear and How Much Could a Bare Bear Bear?  Students also practiced these concepts with some guided practice in class.

Theme

This week we started our unit on magnets and electricity.  Monday we elicited prior knowledge in our notebooks.  After sharing ideas about magnets with the class, students were given a magnet to explore.  Students recorded observations in their notebooks.  We followed this up with two labs: Will it Stick? and The Force.  Will it Stick? allowed students to explore the kinds of items that magnets stick to.  The Force helped students explore how the greater the distance between two magnets, the weaker the magnetic force.  We also explored ways that magnets are used in everyday life.