Thursday, August 28

Students should be seriously studying tonight.  We have our Week 4 assessment tomorrow.  It will be mainly over the following learning objectives:

• Identify features of nonfiction
• Use word parts to become better readers.

Tonight's homework will be a great way to study of the assessment.  It might also have a few review questions in it so one of our teammates created this incredible video and gave me permission to share it with you.  You won't want to miss it!

http://youtu.be/gcSZaUsNeUU?list=UUQ074hlQFdXXOwDFivO2SRg

Wednesday, August 27

Our 4th grade expectation and Flat Rock Field Trip information meeting is tonight at 6:00.  We originally were going to meet in the media center, but decided there would be more room in the cafeteria.  We hope to see as many parents as possible, but realize that some people won't be able to make it.  To help, we have sent home packets that review some of the important imformation that we will address tonight.  Please look the packets over.  If you are unable to attend the meeting and have any questions about the information, please call or email me.

While you are at the meeting tonight, students should be working hard on their homework.  Tonight for Literacy homework they have their first Word Work Packet.  There is a detailed discription on the Homework page that covers the two week learning process for the packet.  This is the first week for the packet so we will focus on the vocabulary or meaning of the word parts and words.  Students will need to match the definition with the word part.  They will not need to know how to spell them until next week.

Tuesday, August 26

Need some homework help? My Nonfiction Text Features mini-book: http://youtu.be/s5u_lmH_lhw?list=UUQ074hlQFdXXOwDFivO2SRg http://

Monday, August 25

Is today really over?  I can not believe how fast our days go!  Today we began with feedback and data.  The feedback was reviewing the Week 3 assessment.  Student's seemed to do really well with the Reading and Social Studies portions of the assessment.  The Language Arts portion was based on our posts in Kidblog. Most students did a great job, but a handful were not satisfied when they graphed their data, so they are working to improve their posts and scores.  Tonight, please review your student's data with them from their Feedback and Data Binder.  The Week 3 assessment should be in the front pocket, the NWEA Data is also now included, their Literacy Progress chart is updated, and you can also check out their feedback on the blog post by having them log into their Kidblog account.  The link is on our TEAM33 Webstite.

Friday, August 22

Today was a very exciting let down!  It was very exciting because we found more clues about the whereabouts of Harris Burdick.  We also learned to use the library of congress information on the back of a title page to help us identify a book as fiction or nonfiction.  It was a let down because we used the information to find out that The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is fiction. There really is not a Harris Burdick that went missing. It was just a story made up by Chris Van Allsburg. He is such a sneaky writter, but I guess that is what makes him a wonderful author!  But, now we have all decided that instead of taking a field trip to go find Harris Burdick, we want to take a field trip to the Library of Congress.  What a neat place!! 

Here is a link to a virtual tour of the Library of Congress.  Have fun exploring!

Just a reminder to make sure your calendar is marked for Wednesday, August 27th parent meeting.  We will reviewing 4th grade expectations and procedures along with giving out important infromation about our Flat Rock field trip.  If you are unable to attend, we will send a packet of information home.  As always, contact me anytime with questions, comments and concerns. 

Wednesday, August 20

Today we did it!!  We had a successful round of center rotations in both blocks.  When I say successful, I mean SPECTACULAR!  The students did such a good job with collaboration, staying focused, and using educational time wisely!  What a GREAT group!

Tonight's homework is to read from their Lexile books.  Students should be reading 20-30 minutes every night.  Tonight they should try to extend their reading time to 45 or 60 minutes to build stamina.  That does not have to be 60 minutes straight.  I suggest breaking it up into 20 minute sessions with the last 20 minutes right before bedtime.

Tuesday, August 19

Ok...so we didn't get as far as we wanted to today; but we did get a quality education!  We began by meeting a friend who taught us about the importance of short term goals. Quigley is a great guy, but sometimes the choices he makes causes him to have a really "Un-Quigley Day." After hearing stories of his day we all decided to make a few short term goals of our own:

• Get organized.
• Be a good listener.
• Plan your time. 
• Do your work.

We also came up with some great long term goals.  Be sure to ask your student about their goals!

Monday, August 18

Today was a great beginning to another wonderful week!  We worked through our Feedback and Data Binders and are ready to fill out a Reflection Page with our parents.  Parents please be sure to review the Week 2 Test in the front pocket of the binder.

In the Purple Take Home folder you will also find the Week 3 Literacy Link Newsletter which outlines our learning objectives, activities, and homework.

You might also want to start checking out our Week 3 Picture Gallery by photographers Harlin and Joseph.

I'm looking forward to another great week!!

Friday, August 15

Amazing! Marvelous! Wonderful! Stunning! Fabulous! Impressive! Fantastic!
All of these adjectives describe your children and our laughter filled week together.

We have completed our first full week and I can't wait to do it all again next week!

Here are a few of my favorite smiles from the week, but you can check out all our great pics in the Picture Gallery:

  

 

Thursday, August 14

Work, Work, Work!  That is what we did today! We worked on our Reading Counts Quizes, we worked on our writing outlines, we worked on reading at our lexile, we even worked on making our first posts in Kidblog.  Feel free to check ot our TEAM33 and TEAM Shoultz blog posts, but keep in mind, some of us are finishing our posts tomorrow.  So if it looks like it isn't finished, it probably isn't; but check back tomorrow!

Tomorrow we will begin Literacy with our Friday assessment.  It is always over our learning objectives.  This week's learning objectives are:

• Identify and discuss the characteristics of a good listener.
• Define collaboration.
• Continue identifying rules and expectations.
• 
  

BEFORE YOU GO:

Be sure to check out our Picture Gallery! Our Week 2 photos are by Hayleigh and Ethan. 

Here is what our Classroom Reporters, Neveah and Annika, have to say about our week so far:

"In Mrs. McCain's class we are writing about what we want to be when we grow up, so we can post it on Kidblog."

"In Music, Mrs. Ludwig is AWESOME!"

"We are now doing real centers in Math! We are reviewing line segments, rays and all that stuff.  It is really fun and people were paying attention! Thanks Miss Shoultz!"

"Sammy and Ethan like doing stunts.  They can jump off the rope tree and do a cannon ball off the bench and always land it!"

"Whoever passes the Reading Counts quiz, When I Grow Up, gets to put their name on Mrs. McCain's magic board."

"This week we are taking NWEA.  I know we are going to pass!!  Woohoo!"

Wednesday, August 13

Today was a lot of fun.  We began literacy block with a book by AL Yankovic. Yep, that's right, Wierd Al is now doing a marvelous job of writing children's books.  Just like in the book, the students are encouraged to leave their options open, but pick one possibility for their future.  They all have a WKST for homework.

After enjoying the book, we talked about 4th grade Reading Counts expectations.  We even took a test together and I modeled what to do if a student does not pass a Reading Counts Quiz.

If you would like to engage your child in a discussion about their school day, ask them how Reading Counts procedures are different in 4th grade than other grades.

Tuesday, August 12

Today we took the NWEA.  Students did a great job focusing.  Impressivly many of the student's scores went up since last Fall.  That says a lot about the parents and the opportunites you have given your children to grow over the summer.  Thank you!  Your support is very appreciated.

After completeing the NWEA I spoke individually with each student about how they felt they did and their Lexile.  Each child chose a book for tonight's homework that correlates to their score.
Thanks for another great day fourth grade!!

Monday, August 11

Today was a wonderful day filled with data. We started by reviewing our assessment from Friday. It was over rules and expectations. Everyone did very well.

Then we graphed our data in our binder so we can track our data throughout the year. Tonight's homework will be to reflect on the data with our family. On the Reflection Page there is a spot for both the student and parent signature. Please collaborate to help your child reflect on their week and set worthwhile goals for the week ahead.

While you are discussing the week you might want to use the Literacy Link Newsletter to see what is planned for the week. Please note that NWEA Literacy testing is tomorrow and NWEA Math testing is Thursday.

As always if you have any questions, comments or concerns - especially as we are getting started with so many new procedures - please don't hesitate to contact me.

Friday, August 8

Check out our Twitter and Facebook pages for some incredible pics!!

Thursday, August 7

Hello parents and students of the 2014 - 2015 school year! You are recieving this message, because you are part of  TEAM33.  In an attemp to keep you updated on all classroom happenings, I have created many ways for us to communicate.

TEAM33 has a Facebook and Twitter page where we share pictures, celebrate achievements, and keep in touch about upcoming events.

TEAM33 also uses a TEAM Blog to give you daily updates and reminders.

One of the best ways to quickly find all TEAM33 information is to check out our website at http://goo.gl/FX5ak.  On the website you will find our class calendar, homework assignments, daily updates, classroom resources and useful links.  You will also find a Email Subscription page.  If you are recieving this email you are already subscribed; but, if you have grandparents, friends, or other care givers that you feel will benefit from the daily updates, please feel free to add them to the subscription.

The students and I have been working on ideas for updateing the images on our site to reflect the new school year.  They are working tonight to gather materials for our picture day tomorrow. So stay tuned as our sites and social media begin to reflect the personalities of this amazing group of students.

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may contact me directly at mccainm@franklinschools.org or (317) 738-5780.

After reading this email, I would like you to send me a simple reply so I can be assured you are recieving our TEAM33 information.

Thank you so much!  I am looking very forward to getting to know you better throughout the year.

Mrs. Melisa McCain