Important: Please save your candy wrappers.

I just realized I forgot to send home an important notice. I need all students to save any candy wrappers they might collect this week.  We will be recycling the wrappers for a classroom activity this Friday.  This is not a request to eat all your candy. Just keep any wrappers from whatever you and your family eat between now and Thursday.  Please bring all wrappers in Friday morning.

I would also like to take a moment to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!!!

Thursday, October 29

Alright, I know it is not polite to brag, but that is all I do anymore.  These students are AMAZING!!  We have so much fun ALL DAY LONG!  We can do this because the students are always so respectful of me, each other, and their educational time.

This week has been a little bit of havoc.  I was sick on Tuesday, had a professional development meeting today, and we have had several changes in the schedule with assemblies and extra activities.  This much change would send most classes into a whirlwind - not this class.  They haven't missed a beat!

We have even been working on a big assignment during block time.  To finish up our Science Unit we are working on a very involved Ecosystem challenge.  The students are all taking it so seriously and seem to be enjoying every minute of the work. INCREDIBLE!  I can't wait to see their finished projects!!

As I said, I know it is not polite to brag, but THANK YOU for sending such wonderful students my way! I truly do have the BEST OF THE BEST!

Just a few friendly reminders:

• Tonight is the Needham Halloween Fundraiser at McDonald's by 65.  It will go from 4-7pm.   Wear your costume if you wish, or just show up to say hello to your friends.  Either way it will be a treat for everyone. 
• Tomorrow we will "PUT A CAP ON DRUGS."  Everyone should wear their favorite hat or cap. 
• We are all trying to "MAKE A CHANGE." Please send in your change to help United Way make a difference in our community.  Every little bit helps!
• BOXTOPS for EDUCATION Competition is in full swing.  Please send in your BoxTops to help our class win a pizza party!

Monday, October 26

This week is Red Ribbon Week. Today's theme was, "Being Drug Free is no sweat!" Here are the themes for the rest of the week. 

Tuesday - Team up against drugs (Favorite Sports Team)

Wednesday - PAWSitively Drug Free (Needham Spirit Wear)
Thursday - Sock it to drugs (Wear Crazy Socks)
Friday - Put a cap on drugs (Wear a hat)

MATH: Today we took some time to finish our Math Assessments. The rest of the week we will be reviewing missed questions and brushing up on a few of the skills from unit 3.  Our Math assessment scores will come home next Monday in the Feedback and Data Binders. They will be posted in the grade book by the end of the week after everyone has had a chance for collaboration and guidance. We are also starting our next unit in Science this week - Ecosystems.  We will be learning how ecosystems are the interactions of living and nonliving things. 

Wednesday, October 21

Another wonderful day in TEAM33!!

MATH: Today we learned about Open Number Sentences, or Algebra.  The students were very excited to be working on the same kind of math that many of their older siblings in Middle School and High School are working on.  There were even a few cheers when they were informed that they get to do Algebra for homework! What a great GROUP!  Tomorrow we will be reviewing for our Unit 3 test and Friday will be the test.  I can't wait to see how theses amazing mathematicians do!!

HOMEROOM: Many students are bringing home permission slips for this Friday's Hayride.  If they have the permission slip they worked hard to earn it. Please help them receive their reward by signing and sending back the permission slip tomorrow.  If they do not have a permission slip - don't worry, I guarantee all the students in TEAM33 have been well behaved enough to go, they just chose a different reward.

Tomorrow is also our buying day at the Book Fair.  Students may bring money in during the day to purchase books while at school.  Remember, you may also purchase books with them if you come to the COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE READERS night from 5-8pm at Needham.  I regret that I will not be able to attend, but the evening is always so much fun, I hope you and your family are able to make it.

Monday, October 19

It was GREAT to see all my friends back at school today! The break was great but I was ready to be back.  It sounds like lots of exciting adventures happened over break.  The good news is the adventure continues.  We have LOTS of cool things happening at Needham this week.

Homeroom: I know several students enjoyed their morning run today in the running club.  Today also began Book Fair.  Team 33 will get to browse books tomorrow.  We also have a scheduled time to purchase on Thursday.  If you are sending money in on Thursday for Book Fair, please send it in a sealed envelope with your child's name on it along with the title "Book Fair" - this is so we don't get it confused with lunch money.  Students will be responsible for the money and what it is spent on, so please make expectations clear before sending money.  If you would prefer to make purchases at the Book Fair with your child, Thursday is a great day for you.  Thursday from is our annual Community Leaders are Readers event from 5pm-8. Many leaders from our community will be here to read their favorite stories to us and the Book Fair will be open for purchases. You won't want to miss the fun!

Math Block: Today we reviewed our learning objectives and added a new one: Qualifying and Comparing number sentences. Students did a great job recognizing that they can qualify a number sentence as True or False, and that they can compare number sentences as Greater Than, Less Than, or Equal To.  If you would like to engage them in a conversation about their day, ask them to show you a few examples of  number sentences that can be qualified as True or False.  Encourage them to use comparative signs (>, <, =) in the number sentences.

Friday, October 9

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND SAFE FALL BREAK!!

Over Fall Break students are encouraged to find 30 minutes of Reading time and 10 - 15 minutes of Math time everyday.  Remember that the Fall Break Math Packet is worth 50 tickets if it is completed with effort and returned  after Fall break.

Calling All Parents: We are in need of volunteers for the Book Fair coming up.  If you are able and willing to volunteer any time for this important resource, please contact Mrs. Perry at  perryje@franklinschools.org

Tuesday, October 6

Yes...We ARE a little crazy in TEAM33 :)

HOMEROOM: Alright...Today's message is about some important stuff!!  OUR FALL PARTY!  Our Fall Party will be this Friday from 1:30-2:00.  A big THANK YOU goes to Mrs. Petro for organizing our party and all the other parents who are volunteering or donating supplies and or time to help us celebrate.  We appreciate you!


MATH: Today we quickly finished up our notes and then took off on a field trip to Egypt.  Yep that is right.  We went to Cairo, Egypt today and while we were there we learned about their population, temperatures, time and even currency.  We learned that a monetary pound is worth about $1.52 in US dollars.  If you would like to travel to Cairo, just take a trip with this YouTube Video, but be careful not to let the sand get in your eyes.

Tour of Cairo Egypt

Monday, October 5

MATH: Today we began division! If you would like to have a conversation about our day ask us to identify each part of a division problem.

Dividend: The biggest number.  This is the number we are going to divide or break apart.

Divisor: The number of groups or times we are going to divide the dividend. 

Quotient: The answer to a division problem. 

HOMEROOM: I am looking very forward to our parent teacher conferences this week.  I have a lot of great things to tell you.  If you need a reminder of your conference time, please send me an email and I will let you know.  

Thursday, October 1

WELCOME TO OCTOBER!  What a great month to be a Neeedham Bulldog.  Tomorrow we get to show our Needham Pride with a practice parade through the school.  4th grade students will lead the parade through the halls and around the building while singing our Needham Songs and passing out reminders for Saturday's parade.  I hope to see all of you who are able on Saturday.  We are meeting at the Middle School at 12:30 and the parade starts at 1:00.  Show your Bulldog Pride by wearing LOTS OF PURPLE! - Purple Clothes, Purple Ribbons, Purple Face Paint, Purple Finger Nail Polish! EVERYTHING PURPLE!  At Saturday's parade we are planning on throwing candy, so any candy donations are greatly appreciated! I have heard that our very own Needham Bulldog mascot is planning on making a special appearance at BOTH PARADES!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!