Ms. Gelzer’s 4th Grade Blog

Dear families,

Our OAKS testing is almost over, and there will be another opportunity in May for those who were absent and those who need a second round. The results of the testing will be available at report card time in June. Please remember that this is only one part of your child’s math/reading evaluation.

The class is enjoying Chinese lessons that Yi Chun is teaching on Tuesday and Thursday. Students have learned vocabulary and phrases that help with meeting people and talking to family members. It’s so cool to hear how well they pick up this challenging language. Thank you, Yi Chun.

As you may know, Mr. Aaron, our student teacher, is taking charge of the geometry math lessons and Greek mythology reading. He enjoys working with the students and is amazed by their abilities. I think they are enjoying him as well.

Topics for the next few weeks:

4th Grade Music Program will take place this Wednesday from 10:00-10:30am. Join us if you are able. We have been lucky to have Laura Beeses as our music teacher this spring.

Portland Field Trip: Last week, Jenny and I sent home field trip forms inviting both students, and  parents to chaperone the trip on Thursday, May 23rd. Please return the forms to help in planning.

Our Science Unit, Kelp Forest, is part of the big science exploration of oceans. We are studying the kelp forest, plants and animals that live in this important ecosystem. We celebrate with all the other grades in “Ocean Week” starting April 22nd. Fish Printing on Tee shirts is an amazing activity. Please make sure your student has a white or light colored shirt this week for the activity. If you need one, let me know the size and there are extras at school. 4th grade also makes sushi. If you would like to help out with this delicious class,let me know.

Greek Mythology: We continue to read from the different books completing summaries, poems, questions, and pictures. At the end of April we will put on a “Greek Festival” with booths which have games to play based on stories. Students will work in teams to create these at home. More about this coming up.

Enjoy the blossoms, rain, sleet, and sunshine.

Debra, Aaron, and Yi Chun

Dear Families,

What a wonderful week with friends, relatives, sunshine, and happy times!

We welcome our new student teacher, Aaron Loghry, who will teach many subjects this spring semester to complete his Master’s Degree. Please read his bio on our biography page.

We will start our OAKS testing this Friday and the following week in math and reading. Please make sure your child has a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast.

You will be receiving information about our field trip to Portland next week. There is no worry, since every adult who would like to chaperone has a place. I will be glad to answer questions after Jenny and I send you field trip forms.

TOPICS for the WEEKS

• Reading– Our new unit will be about Greek Mythology using Daulaire’s Greek Myth Books. The stories include the origin of the gods and goddesses, as well as the heroes such as Hercules, Perseus, and Jason.

• Math-  We will revisit fractions and decimals for a short bit, and start our geometry unit. For the first few days of this week, we will complete a math project called Palindromes. Our division drills continue making sure students are competent with facts.

• Writing– We were not able to complete our Sacagawea stories before Spring Break, so we will work on it this week. It allows the students to try their hands at writing in the historical fiction genre.

• Social Studies – the students will need to complete their Native American Report research for their note cards this week. I have asked them to bring home the cards so that you can help them find information on the five topics this week. The next step will be to put the facts into an outline.

Buenas Semanas y bonne semaine,

Debra, I Jung, and Aaron

Dear Families,

We want to wish you a very relaxing and happy spring break!

So many wonderful people to thank. The students used chalk and markers to come up with an amazing cubist representation of musical instruments in the style of Pablo Picasso. Thank you to Jenny Soghor, Sydney’s mom, and Tim Baxter, Bailey’s dad. See the art in the hallway. We are so lucky to have the best librarians in the world: Lisa Woodruff, Lena’s mom, Zhong Ping Chen, Max’s dad, and Sue Maddron, Bailey’s mom! The excellent books selected by our volunteers make such a difference with how students use the library.

We were so lucky to have the best practicum students this winter and are sad to say goodbye to them: Daniel and Jackie for teaching us about Philosophy, and Ms Amy, for teaching fractions and decimals.

We are happy to welcome Aaron Loghry, our new student teacher and  Yi chun, our Chinese intern. Both will be staying for the entire spring semester. Do come in and say hi to them.

School will resume on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with new science, math, language, and reading topics.

Again, it’s such a pleasure to study and learn and teach with your children.

Buenas vaccaciones, bon vacance and happy vacation,

Debra, Cassidy, and Yi Chun