Last Week Before the Holidays!

 Greetings, parents – we’re almost there!

 While we’re all eagerly anticipating the end of the quarter, I’m realizing how much I’m going to miss the kids over the break! From solemnly singing “Oh Factor Tree” (a factor song sung to the tune of “Oh, Christmas Tree”), to discussing our Arizona origins, to watching them cheer on their peers during the country presentations, your children bring me comfort and joy, every day. It is a privilege and an honor to work with them.

I was blown away by the quality of the European Projects: their depth and extent of research, organization of materials, and preparation and poise in presenting all impressed me a great deal. I know that many of you worked long and hard to help them. Thank you for your perseverance and support!

I have been grading the trifolds this weekend and will send them home with the children on Tuesday or Wednesday. Final project grades will be sent home in their graded work folders on Wednesday. 

I. Upcoming Tests, Quizzes, and Events

Spelling Bee (not for a grade) on Tuesday, December 18

Arizona Unit Test (Arizona packet and study guide) on Wednesday, December 19
Grammar Review Quiz (parts of speech) on Wednesday, December 19
Math Review Quiz (order of operations) on Wednesday, December 19

Half Day on Tuesday, December 18

Half Day on Wednesday, December 19

No School Thursday, December 20 - Friday, January 5 (Winter Break)

See below for a link to Mr. Naak's quizlet for the history test:
https://quizlet.com/254959706/history-arizona-test-flash-cards/

II.  Holiday Party Tomorrow (Monday, December 18!)

Mrs. Patel and Mrs. Boyle have been hard at work planning a fancy holiday party for the children on the afternoon of December 18 (tomorrow!) I’ve been told that visions of gingerbread cookies and nutcracker ornaments_­­ have been dancing in their heads. We do have sufficient supplies for the party, but if you’d like to send in additional treats, you're certainly welcome to do so. Parents are welcome to join in the fun: the party is scheduled from approximately 1:45pm-3pm on Monday, December 18. 

III. Gifts

Children are permitted to bring in small gifts for their friends. Here are some guidelines:

•  Nothing bigger than a very small box that can fit in a backpack easily.
• Gifts may not be opened on school grounds.
• The gift must go into backpacks immediately.
• Gifts do not have to be given to everyone but they cannot be given in categories, e.g. "gifts for all the girls," unless every girl receives one

In general: gift-giving to just friends and not everyone is acceptable, but it must be done discreetly and in a spirit of friendship towards all students. 

IV. Report Cards and Evaluation

Please look for report cards and evaluations sent via e-mail sometime shortly after January 4th.

This quarter, you will receive full narrative evaluations as well as grades for your child. (The grades given will be standard letter grades as usual.) The narrative evaluation will be three paragraphs long, in-depth, and detailed. While the narratives are extensive, it is still difficult to describe a child’s academic progress in full in a written evaluation. If you would like to schedule a conference and/or would like clarification on some part of the evaluation, please let me know via email.

V. Spelling Bee

On Tuesday, 4A will hold a classroom spelling bee. The winner will move on to the school-wide bee after the holidays. No word lists have been sent out in advance, and children are not expected to practice for this contest. Results will not be calculated into your child's grade. 

VI. Holiday Break

The Holiday Break is from December 21st - January 7th. Our first day back after the break is January 8. Tuesday the 19th and Wednesday the 20th will be half days with 12:05/12:25 p.m. pick-up.

VII.  Holiday­ Break Reading and Math Packets

I will be offering optional reading contest and math packets over the break. If you would like one for your child, please let me know as soon as possible.  

European Project Presentation Schedule

Please note that these times are approximate as presentations will vary in length. Thank you!

Thursday Dec. 14, 8:35-9:00am

Jacob Bateman

Milan

Keira

Jimmy

Fiona

Thursday 11:00am-11:25am

Leahady

Emma

Avery

Jack

Rylan

Thursday 12:35pm-1:00pm

Natalia

CJ
Sophia Letizia

Ellie

Sadie

Friday Dec. 15, 8:35-9:00 am

Josh

Ava

Mya

Jacob Babyar

James

Friday 11am-11:25am

Derek

Gabriella

Sophia Gray

Isela

Kalyn

Friday 12:35pm-1:00pm

Andy

Omarali

Maddie

Cecelia

Rutvi

Weekend Update 12/8-12/11

I. European History Project: Final FAQ
The due date for the Europe Project is Thursday, December 14th. There has been no homework assigned for this weekend and the children will not be given homework on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday night, other than optional review for upcoming quizzes and tests. There will be normal homework on Thursday evening. 

Some answers to a few final questions parents have asked about the project:

• If your child elects to bring food, please bring enough for the whole class (32, including Mrs. Klopack and myself!) to have a small portion. 
• Homemade food is great, but store-bought food is also acceptable. 
• There are no restrictions on food items, but please note whether your item contains gluten. We will have alternative food items available for children with allergies. 
• I can provide plates, bowls, utensils, and/or cups for food items, but I need to know in advance. If you have not already done so, please let me know whether you need these items by Tuesday, December 12 at the latest. 
• Regardless of whether your child is presenting Thursday or Friday, please send in all materials on Thursday, except for any food, outfit, or model. These may be brought in on Friday.
• The flag should be hand-drawn (small elements may be cut and pasted, but the bulk of it should be drawn by hand) and either attached the poster or presented separately.
• The children may use the poster and/or note cards as presentation guides, but they should not read directly from the poster. We will grade them on eye contact and familiarity with the material. We discussed the difference between using  note cards as a guide and a crutch earlier this week in class. 
• I strongly suggested to the children that they practice their presentation at least once with a parent or older sibling. If that can't be arranged, please let me know and I will find time to have them practice with me. 
• The presentation must last a minimum of three minutes and should not extend beyond seven minutes.  
• The presentation is based upon their poster board, the knowledge they have learned, and their display (food, landmark/cultural item, or clothing). They can pick several components of their research and focus on those. They do not need to cover all their research in a 3-minute presentation. 
• All sources should be listed on the front page of the packet as instructed. The items in the packet should be sourced with a reference code in the box to the left of the item (e.g., B1)
• They do not need to include reference on the poster or the essays unless they are quoting directly from a book or website -- in that case, the quote (in quotation marks!) should be followed by the author's first initial and last name plus book title or website title. We do not require APA or MLA format in fourth grade. 

            Example: "Italy is known for its beautiful coastline." (R. Benigni, Bella Italia). 

• The reflective paragraph should be about their experience during the project. Was it fun? Boring? hard? What did they learn? How would they do a similar project differently next time? Etc. 
• Both the essay and the reflection paragraph may be typed OR hand-written. If they are hand-written, they should be written in cursive. They will both be handed in separately from the poster board.
• If your child began or finished his or her essay in class on the computer and needs me to send you a link or print it out, let me know as soon as possible.
• If dressing up, students must still wear their uniforms that day. They may change before their presentation time.
• You are welcome to join us that day to watch your child present their project! I will send out a presentation schedule later today (Saturday). 

See below from some excellent poster examples:

I will be available all weekend and next to answer any other questions you might have. 

II. Upcoming Quizzes and Tests

Science Mini-Quiz on Wednesday, December 13

Science Mini-Quiz on Friday, December 15

Spalding Test on Friday, December 15

Math Cumulative Test on Friday, December 15

European Projects Due on Thursday, December 14 (presentations Thursday and Friday)

III. Here's what our scholars will be studying throughout the rest of Quarter 2 (reprint): 

History: We have begun a unit on the geography, history, and culture of our home state, Arizona.  Students will look at the state's rivers and waterways and regions, learn how Arizona became a state, discuss the "5 C's" (copper, cotton, cattle, climate, and citrus) and explore Spanish and Native American influences.

The big European Country Project is due on December 14^th. Students will present their projects on Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 15.

Science:  We'll conclude the quarter by reviewing prior units and reviewing topics specifically covered on the AIMS test.

Language Arts: In Literature, we'll finish reading Robin Hood and conduct Socratic discussions to explore the question of whether Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter will conclude with a reading of the first few chapters of Pollyanna. In grammar, students will write a short personal narrative essay. In Spalding, we'll have more words with markings to copy and learn.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. The quarter will end with a review test on the topics covered thus far.

Weekend Update

Photos from our November/December student birthday party, courtesy of Mrs. Boyle. 

I. Here's what our scholars will be studying throughout the rest of Quarter 2: 

History: We have begun a unit on the geography, history, and culture of our home state, Arizona.  Students will look at the state's rivers and waterways and regions, learn how Arizona became a state, discuss the "5 C's" (copper, cotton, cattle, climate, and citrus) and explore Spanish and Native American influences.

The big European Country Project is due on December 14^th. Students will present their projects on Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 15.

Science:  Students will finish up the meteorology unit. Students will look at the role of meteorologist and the difference between weather and climate. We'll conclude the quarter by reviewing prior units and reviewing topics specifically covered on the AIMS test.

Language Arts: In Literature, we'll finish reading Robin Hood and conduct Socratic discussions to explore the question of whether Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter will conclude with a reading of the first few chapters of Pollyanna. In grammar, students will write a personal narrative essay. In Spalding, we'll have more words with markings to copy and learn.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework. The quarter will end with a review of the topics covered thus far.

II. "Resources" Section

I have updated and reorganized the "Resources" section of the blog. This includes links to helpful Arete sites as well as handy academic sites pertaining to aspects of our curriculum. You can check it out in the sidebar, or here. If you have any helpful academic links that you'd like to share, please send them over and I'll add them to the list.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend!

-Miss Kelly

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

Middle Ages Test Quizlet

Here is a link to a quizlet for the history test on Friday. (Note: if you would like to change the format of the quizlet, scroll to the bottom right-hand corner and click "Choose a Study Mode.")

https://quizlet.com/163617501/match/embed

Biome Project -- clarifying instructions

Your child should have brought home a worksheet detailing a science research project on one of Arizona's biomes. (Due date: Thursday, November 16) Please read over the instructions for this project with your child and return the expectation sheet to me by Friday, November 3. 

While this activity is not intended to be completed in a single evening, it should not be regarded as a major research project. The entire project should take approximately 2-4 hours total to complete.  

Here are some additional instructions that I hope will be helpful for you and your child:

-The shoe box or cardboard box may be any size.

-For directions #3-7 on the Project Sheet, please simply follow the instructions. Descriptions and illustrations need not be elaborate, and bullet points are fine. 

- Images of plants, animals, etc. may be hand-drawn, printed from the internet and pasted to the box, or colored. Students may also use toys or figurines.

-For directive #8, simply have your child write what internet sites or books they may have used. These do not have to be cited in any specific format.

-For directive #9, this is the actual model. The majority of the artistic work will occur here.

-Some tips for research:

Limit your references. Most information for this project will be found in your child's notes. Your child is not required to research extensively.

Children should always research online under adult supervision.

Some good websites include:

http://arizonaexperience.org/land/az-habitats

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/plants-c/bio414/

Used in class:  http://geoalliance.asu.edu/sites/default/files/LessonFiles/Davis/DESERT/DavisDesertS.pdf

Students may also reference in-class notes and readings.

This is a good precursor to the much larger research project the students will do later in the quarter.  Please contact me with any questions.

Quizlet for Life Science Test

Here's a handy online resource to study for the Life Science test on Thursday, courtesy of Mr. Naak:

https://quizlet.com/166604945/match/embed

Next week

Happy Friday! Here's a quick outline of what we'll be studying next week:

History: Students will explore the shift in power in government in the late Middle Ages and consider the role of the Magna Carta and the rule of King John in this shift. 

Science:  During week 3, students will conclude their study of Arizona biomes and the life science unit. Students should spend time nightly studying for the unit assessment. Students will then begin their study of meteorology by learning about the water cycle.

Language Arts: This week in Language Arts students will read more about the adventures of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws. In Grammar, the focus turns to diagramming of pronouns. Spalding will bring more words and more markings. 

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