Upcoming Tests and Quizzes: Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Happy Thanksgiving, families! Here are the assessments we have coming up in the week after the break. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tuesday, November 28: Science Mini-Quiz

Wednesday, November 29: Grammar Test

Thursday, November 30: Science Mini-Quiz

Friday, December 1: Spalding Test; Science Unit Test on Meteorology

Friday Update

The fourth graders at the Winter Concert on Wednesday, November 15. 

Here we are, less than a week from Thanksgiving with just one month until Winter Break! I am so proud of our class. Their concert performance was spectacular, their Biome Projects show such diligence and artistry, and they've been working hard to excel in a demanding and fast-paced curriculum. They give me so much joy, and it is an honor to work with them.

Europe Project 
There is no homework this weekend (outside of charting the weather). This is to allow time for students to work on their Europe Projects. Monday and Tuesday's history segments will be dedicated to work on the Europe Project. Students may use their reference books to fill out their project packet. Computers will be available as well. Students may only use computers to log onto websites they have already found. They will not be permitted to google websites in class.

Calendar
Please see the blog sidebar for a new feature: a class calendar, where I will post upcoming tests and quizzes, class parties, days off, and other events.

The Next Three Weeks in Class

History: Students will begin a four-week study on Arizona history. This is part of the state mandated curriculum. Students will also continue work on the Europe Project.

Science: In science over the remainder of the quarter, students will continue their study of meteorology. Students will learn about air pressure, wind, fronts, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. As a demonstration, students will learn how to build and use a barometer. In groups, students will  use anemometer.

Language Arts: In Literature, students will discuss whether or not they think Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter finishes with a reading of Pollyanna. In grammar, there is an assessment on chapter 8 this week, then students will write a personal narrative essay. In Spalding there will be more words and more markings.

Math: Students will enter a three-week review session, wherein they will revisit the concepts that have been taught thus far. There will be nightly homework.

Next Week
Next week is a short week: no school Wednesday through Friday. The holiday season is upon us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday Miscellany

Good afternoon parents,

I am so looking  forward to watching the children perform at the Winter Concert tonight! Perhaps I will see you there.

A few miscellaneous items:

1. The math test formerly scheduled for this Friday has been moved to Tuesday, December 21. I strongly dislike moving test dates and try to avoid it if at all possible, but the fourth grade team thought it was necessary this time given everyone's progress as well as the Archway and Prep concerts thus weekend (on different nights). Hopefully this will lighten this week's load a little for everyone.

We will still take the Spalding and history tests on Friday. The history test is on Ch. 17-21 in the packet/study guide.

2. School administration confirmed for me today that "smart" watches may not be worn by the students during school; they must be turned off and kept in backpacks or left at home. This policy  is intended to reduce distractions, remove temptations and means of cheating, and keep inappropriate content off our campus. I hope none of the children feel penalized by this directive. I haven't noticed any specific problems with smart watches in 4A, but I respect the policy of the school.

A smart watch is defined as any watch that can access the internet, has a calculator, can receive calls or texts, or can play videos or games.

Regular ("dumb") watches, including digital ones, are allowed.

3. Today the children received a sheet detailing a small science project in which they will be documenting and charting the weather in various American cities. All that the kids will need to do at home each day (starting tomorrow) is look up the weather in their chosen city and log high and low temperatures and conditions. I told them this should take a maximum of five minutes per day. If your child cannot access the internet at home, let me know and I'll help them log the info at school.

As always, please be in touch with questions or concerns! See you tonight!

MK

Concert Coming This Wednesday!

• The Arete Winter Concert is scheduled for this Wednesday, November 15. Concert information is reposted below.
• There will be no homework assigned this Wednesday.
• I have strongly advised the students to bring in their Biome Project by Wednesday if possible. The Thursday due date still stands, but completing it before the concert is guaranteed to reduce stress for everyone involved!

Concert information:

Our Winter Concert is fast approaching! It will be held at Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert on Wednesday, November 15th 2017.

Please note that students are expected to wear concert attire, NOT their uniforms. Gentlemen should wear a plain white collared shirt, black pants, black socks and black closed-toed shoes. Solid dark-colored vests and ties are optional for gentlemen. Ladies should wear a white top, black skirt, black tights and black closed-toe shoes.

Here are few frequently-asked-questions regarding the concert. You can direct additional questions to our music teacher, Mrs. Stephanie Kaye, at skaye@archwayarete.org.

What is the date of the concert?
Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Where is the concert?

Higley Center for the Performing Arts

4132 E. Pecos Road

Gilbert, AZ 85295

When will the concert begin?
The 3rd-5th grade concert will begin at 6:45 p.m.

What about the K-2nd grade concert?
The Kindergarten-2nd grade concert will begin at 5:30 p.m.; the 3rd-5th concert will follow immediately thereafter.

What time does my child need to be at Higley?
Fourth graders should be brought to Higley at 6:20 p.m. Teachers will chaperone the children until the concert begins.

What should my child wear to the concert?
Please see above.

Will my child be able to bring food to the concert? Will food be served?
No food will be permitted after call time or during the concert.

This Week in Class: Monday, Nov. 13 - Friday, Nov. 17

This week in class:

History: This week in history, students will close out the Middle Ages unit with the study of Joan of Arc and relevant literature, as well as learning about the Black Death and the role it played in Europe toward the end of the Middle Ages. Students will take a test next Friday on chapters 17-21, for which they have the study guides. (We will finish completing them in class next week.) Next week (beginning Monday, Nov. 24), students will begin the unit on Arizona history.

Science: We'll move forward in our meteorology unit, focusing on cloud formation and the earth's atmosphere. We'll conduct a demonstration to model how clouds formulate and complete a foldable about the different types of clouds. 

Language Arts: Students will continue reading about Robin Hood, his merry men, and the adventures they encounter. Is Maid Marian his true love? We will find out! In grammar, students will master pronouns and the “understood” you, followed by conjunctions. Spalding will bring more words and more markings.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework.

European Country Project

Your child should have brought home information for a project on the countries of Europe. This is an extensive project that will require many hours to complete. It consists of six parts- a tri-fold board, a project packet, a 3-paragraph essay, the 3-5 minute presentation, a visual aid, and a reflection paragraph. There will be a copy for you to keep as well.

The research guide explains, in detail, all of the facets of the project.

The fourth grade team realizes that the Biome Project is still being completed, but we wanted students to have the benefit of an extra weekend to potentially begin work on this major project. This is especially true for gathering the needed books. We also wanted the due date to be before the last weekend before the holidays, as many of you will need that weekend to prepare for trips, incoming guests, or your own vacations. Originally the Biome Project was due this Thursday, but we felt an additional week would be helpful. The overlap is purposeful, but in a helpful way. The thought is the more time for each, the better. And, to reiterate, the Biome Project is not meant to be a major undertaking.

It has been tradition, at other academies, to assign this as a "Winter Break" project, normally assigned the Friday before break, and due the day back. We have always found that to be unfair. This year, we are allowing students more time to complete the project than we have in years past. The project is due Thursday, December 14th. This allows students five full weeks, and five full weekends to complete the project. There will be in-class work days as well.

Your child should have received the following:

-Project packet

-Project timeline- this is not a mandatory due date list. This is simply a guide.

-Poster requirement sheet- This lays out the requirements for the poster portion of the project.

One of the requirements is that students choose one of these three things:

-dress up in clothes native to their country.

-make food from that country.

-create an architectural model or model of a landmark from that country.

 hey may do more than one, but must do one minimally. Please remember that students are responsible for the safe-keeping of all materials during the five-week period.

Mr. Posner tells me he has seen some crazy, elaborate projects, e.g., Eiffel Towers with mechanical parts, lights, and moving people; a Tower of London, complete with moving clock parts. These were amazing, but....obviously not created by a 10-year-old. While I expect parental assistance and guidance, there is something to be said for work mostly completed by the student. I simply do not want you, as parents, to feel as though you have a project to complete.

Project presentation day is Friday, December 15th. I will send out the presentation schedule at a later date. Parents are welcome, and encouraged, to come in and watch their child present.

Thank you, and as always, please contact me with any questions you have once you see the information.

Upcoming Tests, Quizzes, and Projects

Math Test (originally scheduled for Thursday, November 9 but postponed to allow for additional practice): Monday, November 13

Grammar Test: Wednesday, November 15

Science Quiz: Thursday, November 16

Biome Project due Thursday, November 16

Math Test: Friday, November 17

History Test: Friday, November 17

Spalding Test (Week 5 words): Friday, November 17

European Country Project due: Thursday, December 14

Winter Concert on November 15 -- Please save the date!

Our Winter Concert is fast approaching! It will be held at Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert on Wednesday, November 15th 2017.

Please note that students are expected to wear concert attire, NOT their uniforms. Gentlemen should wear a plain white collard shirt, black pants, black socks and black closed-toed shoes. Solid dark-colored vests and ties are optional for gentlemen. Ladies should wear a white top, black skirt, black tights and black closed-toed shoes.

Here are few frequently-asked-questions regarding the concert. You can direct additional questions to our music teacher, Mrs. Stephanie Kaye, at skaye@archwayarete.org.

What is the date of the concert?
Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Where is the concert?

Higley Center for the Performing Arts

4132 E. Pecos Road

Gilbert, AZ 85295

When will the concert begin?
The 3rd-5th grade concert will begin at 6:45 p.m.

What about the K-2nd grade concert?
The Kindergarten-2nd grade concert will begin at 5:30 p.m.; the 3rd-5th concert will follow immediately thereafter.

What time does my child need to be at Higley?
Fourth graders should be brought to Higley at 6:20 p.m. Teachers will chaperone the children until the concert begins.

What should my child wear to the concert?
Please see above.

Will my child be able to bring food to the concert? Will food be served?
No food will be permitted after call time or during the concert. Please plan accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Biome Project Instructions (this sheet was sent home last week)

Pie pan has lost its home!

Hello families -- can anyone identify this orphaned pie pan, left in Mr. Posner's room after our Read-A-Thon festivities last Wednesday?

I'd like to return it to its rightful home!

Please let me know by email, thanks.

MK

Next Week

The next two weeks in class:

History: This week in history, students will close out the Middle Ages unit with the study of Joan of Arc and relevant literature, as well as learning about the Black Death and the role it played in Europe toward the end of the Middle Ages. Students will take a test next week on chapters 17-21, for which they have the study guides. Please note that this test is largely composed of short-answer questions--students should be prepared to explain concepts we discuss in class and on the study guides.

Science: During the fourth week of the second quarter, students will learn more about Arizona regions, biomes, plants, and animals. They will also continue their study of meteorology. The project is due on November 16.   

Language Arts: This week in Language Arts, students will work on perfecting the descriptive essay. In Literature, students will continue with the adventures of Robin Hood and the band of merry men. In Spalding there will be words and markings.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework.

Upcoming Tests, Quizzes, & Projects: Quarter 2 Week 4

Science Quiz on Meteorology Concepts (to be introduced in Week 4): Wednesday, November 8

Math Test on Fractions (Adding and Subtracting Fractions, Improper Numbers, Mixed Numbers): Thursday, November 9

Spalding Test (on Week 4 words): Thursday, November 9

No School on Friday, November 10 (Veteran's Day)

Biome Project due Thursday, November 16