Giving it Their All

 

We honor all of our fallen heros this weekend.  We are truly grateful to all who have served our country.

4th Grade News:

We have been busy this week working on Health and Library projects.  The children have been working in groups and collaborating with one another.

We have had some beautiful days outside at recess.  On this particular day all of the in person students were in so we thought it was a great time for a photo.  Children have been enjoying the beautiful days playing and socializing with one another.

The children love playing on the playground.  Hearing the laughter makes me smile.  Great friendships are being made and they are truly happy to be friends.  

The collaboration among them is really showing.  They discuss projects and figure out what needs to get done.  Here they are workin on a Health project.  Lots of great ideas are being shared and put down.  Seeing them work together and problem solve is another great quality I see in them.

Congratulation to our students of the Month for May.  They get to enjoy a free ice cream cone from Sonic.

5th Grade News:

Our fifth graders have also been quite busy with their work.  In ELA this week, we took a Gallery Walk for Esperanza Rising.  As pictures were shown, they had to tell their thoughts, or what they felt the picture was trying to tell us.  They had some great conversations over the novel.  We are in the process of reading this book and will continue into the last days of school with discussions and activities related to this book.

They had some thought provoking ideas with each picture that was displayed.  In this particular picture, they were wondering why the woman looked so pensive, why were the children looking away?

Each picture (13 of them) relayed various emotions and different ideas as to what they were thinking.  They did a great job with this activity and there will be more to come.  For this week we will continue reading and also working in their journal answering comprehension questions, learning Spanish words and predicting on what they think will happen to Esperanza.

On Friday, the 4th and 5th graders had a catch up day. We gave them an opportunity to finish up any assessments they had to take, assignments that were not completed and preparing for the week ahead.  With the days flying by, we need to make sure that they are handing in completed work and finishing up any projects they are working on in groups.  This was a great day to do that and many caught up.  As we near the ending of the school year,  I am confindent that as they move on to their next grade, they will be prepared and able to become more independent in all the areas of learning. Organization is key, as well as being responsible.  This is something that we are always discussing with them.  

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Learning and Growing

Our weeks are flying by.  I can't believe that the end of the school year is approaching so quickly.  The children are continuing to do so much in their classrooms. The learning and growth we are seeing is amazing.

Fifth Grade:

During this past week, the students finished up their eBooks and presented them to their class.  I was blown away by the efforts, hard work and final products that they created.  The stories were beautifully thought out and written. Their collaboration with their partners really showed in their final books.

Below you will find many of the creative and one of a kind books as they each took part in reading their stories.

I am truly amazed at how these turned out.  This was the final performance task in the El Education pilot program we incorporated and the children really took it to the next level.  Their creativity and research skills really did shine!  

Daily, they would get with their partners and continue to create these wonderful books.  They worked together, made decisions and finalized their eBooks until the day they presented.  As the books were being read, you could hear a pin drop.  They were attentive and focused in on the readers.

Fourth Grade:

Our 4th graders are also doing great things.  Mrs. Davia is having them read a book about Immigration, which also ties in with History.  The students are also writing opinion pieces for Mrs. Davia.  They are working attentively and staying positive so that we can have a strong ending to the school year.

With the school year winding down, we still see many students continuing to work hard and put in a lot of effort in their work.  Keep it up boys and girls, you are doing fantastic!!

In the upcoming weeks, the 5th graders will be reading Esperanza Rising.  We will read certain parts together and other parts independently.  I am looking forward to seeing the wonderful things they will do with this book with many wonderful themes and messages.  

 

Appreciation and Gratitude

 

First off I would like to thank you all for the wonderful treats and gifts that were given to me throughout the week.  I truly feel appreciated and blessed.  It was a wonderful week and couldn't ask for anything better.  

Our principal, Ms.Napolitano, showered us with all sorts of goodies all week and on Friday, our PTO provided us with a fantastic luncheon.  I am truly lucky to be working in an amazing place with wonderful co-workers and staff.  

4th Grade News:

        On Friday, we said good-bye to our student teacher, Miss Fournier.  She was such an added asset to our classroom.  I couldn't ask for anyone better.  She acclamated into our room, developed a nice rapport with the students and planned many great, hands on lessons for the students.  She will be missed but we wish her all the best in her teaching career.

We also finished up with RICAS this week.  The children worked hard and put in their best effort.  They used the strategies they learned and applied them in the assessment.  Kuddos to them for working so hard and applying themselves.

The children were finally able to get outside towards the end of the week and enjoy some down time.  They love being outside and socializing with each other, playing together and getting fresh air.  

5th Grade News:

I am blown away with what I am seeing with the 5th graders.  They are creating eBooks as a culminating project to our Rainforest unit in EL Education.  They are so focused and creative.  They have been working with partners and are working collaboratively to finalize their final product.  The eBooks will be presented on Wednesday.  I cannot wait to see them all complete.

The children have been really working hard and I am so proud of their efforts.  

To all the wonderful moms, grandmothers, aunts and guardians- Have a wonderful Mother's Day.  We all want the best for our children and everyday, you all go above and beyond to provide your children with all the support and guidance they need.