June 15, 2017

Thank you all for a wonderful school year.  I cannot believe that it is already the end of the year!  It seems like just a few weeks ago, I met your children who were shy and unsure of the “New teacher.”  They have come to be very special to me!  I am so proud of the effort that they have put into 4th grade.  I cannot believe how much they have grown and matured over the school year.  Thank you for all of your support throughout the year.  They are pretty amazing kids!

Students brought home a DVD of all of the pictures that I have taken this year.  We watched it yesterday, and they were very emotional!  I hope they are just as excited to share it with you, as I was to share it with them!

Have a wonderful summer! See you in September!

 

Here is our last picture as a 4th grade class:

And as always, our Silly Picture:

 

 

June 9, 2017

I am not really sure what happened…I thought I sent an update last week, but realized today that I did not!  I apologize!  I am going to blame it on the “End-of-the-year-teacher-tired-brain,’  even though I am not sure if that’s a thing!  We have a few more days of school, so this blog will be mostly pictures!


No Backpacks next week!!!

We cleaned out our cubbies and desks today.  The students are bringing home a lot of stuff.  They should not need their backpacks next week!

 


Summer Work:

Your child should have brought home a Reading Challenge last week.  They have their log-in information on the packet to record their hours!  They can earn prizes for reading over the summer, and the school has the opportunity to end up in the Guinness Book of World Records!  Please read over the information, and encourage your child to read over the summer so they can practice the reading skills and be ready for 5th grade.

Summer Reading packet-1e8treb

Today your child will be bringing home a Summer Math Packet in their Friday folder.  If this packet is returned to school the first week we come back – by September 8, 2017, students can earn a pizza lunch with me!  Please encourage your child to complete this packet so they can keep their math minds fresh for 5th grade!


Happy Birthday to the June Birthdays!!!


Boat Trip:  

We had a beautiful day on Lake Erie for our Boat trip!  Thank you to all of the Chaperones that joined us!


Field Day:  

A fun day was had by all!  Even though it was chilly, the kids had a great time soaking themselves with water and playing the other games.  Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make it such a wonderful day!


Pizza Party:

I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Keegan’s mom for volunteering to bring in pizza for lunch!  The kids had a blast eating lunch in the classroom!

May 26, 2017

 

Have a nice Memorial Day weekend…

We have No School on Monday, and our field trip is bright and Early Tuesday Morning.  Students will not need to bring their backpacks to school.

Enjoy your long weekend!


Math

Due to  testing, we are still working our way through the concepts in Chapter 12.  Please look over these concepts for measuring using standard and metric measuring systems.


Field Trip

We have our Field trip on Tuesday Morning!  Students brought home a letter in their Friday folders.  I have attached the letter just in case!
  • Students need to be to school between 7:45 – 7:50 in the morning.  We will leave promptly at 8:00!
  • Bring a disposable lunch and drink!
  • Dress for the weather forecast! Bring Sunscreen.
If you have any questions, let me know!

Field Day

Our field day with be Monday June 5th, from 1:15-3:00.  Our make-up day for rain will be on Wednesday June 7th, at the same time.   Please see the note from Mrs. Dalton to sign up to help out!

Please click on the link to volunteer for Field Day 2017 during one of the half day sessions on Monday, June 5 or Tuesday, June 6. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Jenny Dalton-Arno P.E.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4fa8ad2ea1f58-field1

Rain Date Volunteer Link:

Arno Field Day Volunteer Sign Up-RAIN DATES

Rain Date Volunteers:  Please report to the gym at your scheduled time so I can give you game materials and brief instructions before your first class arrives at your station.  Classes will be rotating through each station at 15 minute intervals.  Thank you in advance for your help and support with this event.  

Jenny Dalton-Arno P.E.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4fa8ad2ea1f58-arno


NWEA Testing

We have finished NWEA testing.  The students worked very hard.  I was very impressed with how hard they worked on the test!  They should be proud of themselves!


May Super Cougars

This month we had 2 Super Cougars!  Please join me in congratulating Addison and Peyton!  They have been wonderful examples of responsible and respectful students! Way to go, Ladies!

 

May 19, 2017

Math

We are still working our way through the concepts in Chapter 12.  Please look over these concepts for measuring using standard and metric measuring systems.

Weekly Math:

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.


NWEA – MAP test

Next week, the fourth graders at Arno will be taking their math and reading MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessments.  Students are familiar with this test, so please encourage your child to try their very best on these tests!  We will be taking two! On Tuesday, we will be taking our Math MAP test and on Thursday will be taking our Reading MAP test.  Since we will be taking the test first thing in the morning, please try to get your child to school on time, and make sure that they have had a healthy breakfast!


Jazz band

On Thursday, we had a visit from the High School Jazz Band!  They put on a great show, and the students really enjoyed it!


Spring Concert

The 4th and 5th graders did a wonderful job at the Spring Concert Thursday Evening!  Thank you for all who attended!


Field trip

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to chaperone.  Letters went home with your children if you were selected!  Please send in your payment of $15.00 ASAP!

 

More information about the trip will be coming home soon.  The Field trip will be on Tuesday May 30.  We are leaving at 8:00 in the morning, so please plan to arrive  around 7:45 (before school starts).  Thank you!

The parents selected were:

  • Mrs. Monroe
  • Mr. Rogers
  • Mr. Siddall
  • Mrs. Choppa

Book Orders

The last Scholastic Book Order went home on Thursday! Please take a few moments to look over the selection together and let your child help choose books he or she is excited to read.

You can order online at scholastic.com/readingclub, where you’ll find a wide selection of quality children’s books that are just right for your child’s reading level and interests.  You can also return your paper order form to me with a check made out to “Scholastic Reading Club.”  Our class code is: M8CBH 

Remember, you help our class earn FREE Books and supplies with every order. Thank you for supporting your child’s reading both at home and in the classroom!

 

May 12, 2017

Math

This upcoming week we will begin Chapter 12.  Chapter 12 will explore the concepts of measurement.  Students will develop an understanding of length, mass, weight, and volume.  They will be able to convert smaller units to larger units, and vice versa.  Students will apply their knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to solve problems related to measurement.

 

Here is the Chapter 12 Parent letter that went home today in the Friday Folders:

Here is the Chapter 12 Wrap-up; this lays out what students are expected to know when we get to the end of the Chapter:

Weekly Math:

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.


A note from Mr. Zielinski…

FIDGET TOYS

Many of our classrooms have fidget “toys” available for students who need them to maintain focus on work while expending energy in a quiet, personal way.  However, we have seen many fidget toys coming to school with students from home.  These fidget toys, designed to improve attention, are actually becoming a major distraction for our students at all levels.  Student attention is actually ON the fidget toys, rather than the lesson.  For this reason, we are asking that all fidget toys be left at home from this point forward.  If your child needs a fidget to do his or her best work at school, it will be provided by the teacher.  Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.


Permission Slips

Your Child brought home 2 permissions slips Last week!  Please return them ASAP!

  1. The first is for permission to go to the Center for the Performing Arts to Practice for the Spring Concert.  There is not cost for this, but it does need to be signed and returned by Thursday, May 18. We will be going to the Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 18th.
  2. The second permission slip is for our last field trip – The MSU Sea Grant Field Trip!  We will be going on this trip on Tuesday, May 30!  The permission slip is due back by Friday, May 19.  The cost for this field trip is $15.00.   If you are interested in chaperoning this field trip, please send in a note or email to let me know ASAP.  There are limited spots for adults on the boat due to US Coast Guard regulations.  I will do a lottery to select our 4 chaperones based on who expresses interest by Friday, May 19th. The cost for parent volunteers is also $15.00.

Volunteer Opportunities

  1. STEAM Museum: On Thursday, June 1st, we are in need of adult volunteers to help with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Museum. The volunteers will be needed to help students with hands on activities. If you are available, we would love your help. Many thanks to those who have already signed up! Please click on the link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4bacad22a4fd0-steam
  2. Arno Color Run:  The Color Run is on Saturday, June 3.  For more information, or to volunteer, check out the link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094daea822a3fa7-arno1
  3. Field Day:  Field day will take place in the afternoon on Monday, June 5 for our class.  If you are able to sign up to help run a station, check out the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4fa8ad2ea1f58-field1

MSTEP is complete!

This week we finished the last test of the MSTEP, so our schedule will go back to normal!  However, we still have a few more assessments that will be coming up in the next few weeks.   Please reiterate to your child how important it is to try their very best!  Also encourage them to eat a healthy breakfast before school to fuel their brains!

The NWEA (or MAP test) will be administered soon.  Students could use extra practice with the following concepts:

  • Math:  Multi-digit multiplication, division, equivalent fractions, ordering fractions, and finding unknown angle measurements.  Please be sure to practice basic facts too, because that helps with the more complicated math.
  • Reading:  Using Vocabulary, finding meaning with context clues, going back into text to find evidence, Main Idea and Supporting Details, Making inferences/predictions, etc.

Check out this picture of your kiddos publishing a writing assignment!

 

May 5, 2017

Seriously, where has the year gone?  I cannot believe that it is May and we are so close to the end of the 4th grade!


M-STEP

We have completed 2 of 4 M-Step Assessments.  I am very proud of the hard work and dedication that your child has put into these tests.  They are long and tiring, but your children have been trying their best!  We will finish the other 2 tests on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

Please make sure:

  1. Your child comes to school on time
  2. Your child has gotten plenty of sleep
  3. Your child has eaten a healthy breakfast.

Math

In between M-Step review and tests, we have begun Chapter 11.  We will be finishing that Chapter up in the next few days as it is a short chapter.

Weekly Math:

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.

Due Thursday 5/11 – Division Practice: Lesson 45 & 46


Permission Slips

Your Child brought home 2 permissions slips this week!

  1. The first is for permission to go to the Center for the Performing Arts to Practice for the Spring Concert.  There is not cost for this, but it does need to be signed and returned A.S.A.P.  We will be going to the Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday may 18th.
  2. The second permission slip is for our last field trip – The MSU Sea Grant Field Trip!  We will be going on this trip on Tuesday, May 30!  The permission slip is due back by Friday May 19.  The cost for this field trip is $15.00.   If you are interested in chaperoning this field trip, please send in a note or email to let me know ASAP.  There are limited spots for adults on the boat due to US Coast Guard regulations.  I will do a lottery to select our 4 chaperones based on who expresses interest by Friday, May 19th. The cost for parent volunteers is also $15.00.

Happy Birthday to our May birthdays!

April 28, 2017

Math

We are finishing up Chapter 10 and beginning Chapter 11 this week.  In chapter 11, students will apply what they have learned about parallel and perpendicular lines to define and classify squares and rectangles.  Below you can find the Chapter 11 parent letter and the Chapter Wrap-up which explains the information of what students should know by the end of the Chapter.


Weekly Math:

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.

Due Thursday 5/4 – Lesson 38: Remainders & Lesson 41: Division and the Distributive Property)


M-STEP:

This week we will begin taking the M-Step Test (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress).  We have done some practice assessments at school.  On Friday Dr. Pittman, Allen Park’s Curriculum director made a special guest appearance to help motivate the kids to try their personal best on the test.

How can you help?

  • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest the nights before the test.
  • Have your child eat a healthy breakfast before school.
  • Be sure your child gets to school on time, testing will begin right away.

Junior Achievement

Mr. Paul come in speak with the class about concepts of entrepreneurship and innovations.  This week students explored the concepts of expense costs, revenue and profit when starting a business.


April’s Super Cougar

Congratulations Whitney!  Whitney has been selected as this month’s Super Cougar!  She has demonstrated ways to be respectful, and responsible at school!  Way to go, Whitney!

April 21, 2017

Report Cards came home Friday!

Please be sure to look them over, sign the envelope, and return it with your child!  We are one week into the 4th card marking.  Please remind your child to complete, and turn in, their work when it is due.


Math

This week we began Chapter 10.   Students will expand on what they have learned abou line segments as they learn about parallel and perpendicular likes.  Students will learn how to draw perpendicular lines with a protractor and a drawing triangle.

Wednesday we began Chapter 10. In this chapter, students extend their knowledge of line segments and continue to explore parallel and perpendicular line segments. This chapter extends the use of the protractor to not only measure angles, but also draw perpendicular line segments when a grid is not provided. A drawing triangle is another tool that will be used this chapter.

A copy of the Chapter 10 parent letter came home on Friday.

The Chapter Wrap-up outlines what students will be expected to know at the end of the chapter.

Weekly Math

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.

This Weekly Math – due on Thursday 4-27-17


Reading

This week we started our last round of book clubs.  These novels should take us to the end of the school year.  Students are responsible for completing the assignments for their Reading journal each week.


M-Step

In addition to weekly class assignments, we have begun to explore the tools that are available to use during the M-Step testing sessions.  This helps the students to see what the layout of the M-Step, and what types of questions they will be expected to complete  (drag and drop, multiple choice, short answer, click on the sentence within the passage, performance tasks, etc.).

At home, you can reinforce bedtimes so that students are getting adequate amounts of sleep, and make sure that they have a healthy breakfast.  The more practice students have will help them feel confident as well.  Please encourage your child to access the following practice links at home.  We have used them in class.

MSTEP Online Tools Training

https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/

Khan Academy Test Practice

Math

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-fourth-grade-math?t=practice&utm_email_kaid=&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20practice%20tab%20campaign%20final&utm_content=A&utm_term=All%20Users

English Lang. Arts (Grammar)

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar?t=practice&utm_email_kaid=&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20practice%20tab%20campaign%20final&utm_content=A&utm_term=All%20Users

April 15, 2017

Monday starts the 4th Quarter.  Report Cards will be sent home on Friday, April 21.  Please look over the report card, sign the envelope and return it with your child!  If you have any questions please let me know!


Weekly Math

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.

This Weekly Math – due on Thursday 4/20/17


Attention: Fifth Grade Leadership Opportunities

A note went home this week detailing some leadership opportunities available for your future fifth grader. Please read the note and return it by April 20th. Late submissions will not be accepted. I have attached the note below for your convenience.

5th Grade Leadership Opportunities Note

March 31, 2017

This year is just flying by!  I cannot believe that it is already time for Spring Break! I wish you all a safe, and relaxing break!  The week we come back will be the last week of the 3rd Marking Period.


Weekly Math

Every Friday your child should bring home a math practice paper. The math worksheet will be a review of concepts already covered in the classroom. Students should be able to do the work independently. However, if you notice your child is struggling with a concept, please help him/her. Math practice is due back on Thursday. If your child doesn’t return it by Thursday, he/she will receive a pink “missing/incomplete assignment” sticker for not being responsible and automatically miss Friday Rewards. Students who do not complete the work or meet grade level expectations will revisit the concepts during Friday Rewards.

This Weekly Math – due on Thursday 4/13/17 (The Thursday we get back)


Reading

This week we had a fun time celebrating March is Reading Month!

On Monday we completed a collaborative group comprehension activity.

On Wednesday we enjoying wearing our pajamas to school and listening to The BFG by Roald Dahl!

On Friday we went to the Allen Park Center for the Performing Arts (located at Allen Park High School) to watch The BFG.  It was a great time!


Writing

Here the students are working on some peer-editing.  They are writing about their lucky day!


Social Studies

In Social Studies, students have been exploring the wonderful world of economics. In an effort to make concepts more personal for these students, they were engaged in a trade simulation. Each student was given a bag and told that the items inside were theirs to keep. The students rated each of the items on a 0-5 scale (0=Do not like at all, 5=Like very much!). We totaled up the student’s satisfaction scores to find an overall class satisfaction score. Then, students were introduced to the idea of restricted trade. They were given 3 minutes to trade their items with other students; however, they were restricted to only trading with those students at their table. Once again we calculated the class satisfaction total. Our new total showed an increase in satisfaction. Why stop there? We then discussed the concept of free trade. Students were then told they had 6 minutes to trade with anyone in the class. Some students were so creative in their trading that they ended up with 3 or more items at the end. As you can see below in the data chart, student satisfaction increased.

Round 1: Ownership/Property

Round 2: Restricted Trade

Round 3: Free Trade

 


March Super Cougar

Please join me in congratulating this month’s Super Cougar!  Morgan has done a wonderful job of being respectful, responsible, and safe in our class!  Thank you, Morgan, for being such a wonderful role model!

PBIS Reward – March Madness