Dear Third and Fourth Grade Families,
I can’t believe it’s almost the first day of school. What an amazingly beautiful summer we have had! Hopefully you’re excited for school to start. I sure am because we have many new and exciting things starting!
I hope this letter clarifies any questions you might have before school starts. Feel free to email me with any questions.
In third and fourth grade, the students will have Word Study, Writing Workshop, Reading Workshop, Investigations Math, Math Menu, Science and Social Studies. Barb Aitken and Aimee Motta will teach 4th grade math and I will teach 3rd grade math.The format for many of the lesson blocks will start with whole group instruction, followed by independent work time and will conclude with a whole group closing discussion. During the independent time, I will meet with your child individually and in small groups around meeting his/her needs.
What this means for your child:
their skills in a cooperative learning environment.
← Our fish tank in the classroom. We also have Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches!
MATH
In addition to the daily Investigations Math lesson, your child will get a math menu of activities each week.
The math menu will include the following:
Windowpane - Students work on accuracy and precision from previous skills learned so they don’t get rusty.
Meet with teacher - Students will meet with me weekly individually or in small group.
Journal - Students have the opportunity to reflect on math thinking through writing.
Problem Solvers - Students go through the process and exposure of non-routine, open-ended story problems using variety of tools and strategies. The focus will be on the process, not the product.
Games - Cooperatively work with peers to practice skills to mastery.
Technology - Practice math skills and facts with technology. This includes Fasttmath.
I took a Multiplicative Reasoning class this summer and I can’t wait to jump in with the students!
LITERACY
Literacy will be divided into three blocks during the day.
Word Study
Reading Workshop
Writing Workshop
Workshop time allows for differentiated instruction for each child. Writing workshop is divided into three areas during the school year - narrative, informational and opinion writing. Some writing may go home during the school year, but most writing will go home at the end of the school year in a final portfolio. You will have a chance to see your child’s work during conferences, open house and upon request. At the end of each unit, we will have publishing parties.
I took a Reading Workshop class this summer and have lots of fresh ideas! I also ordered some new books and gave the classroom library a face-lift.
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES UNITS
We will have fun learning about Vermont history, government, geography, and economics. We will enjoy the science of matter, energy and organisms.
HOMEWORK
The school year is a busy time and there are lots of opportunities for learning outside the classroom. I encourage you to sign your child up for sports, music, art, etc. Homework time works best when there is a routine established.
AFTER SCHOOL ROUTINE
If your child has any changes, please contact the school secretary, Sue Vandervliet. You can call the school or email Sue directly at susan.vandervliet@cesuvt.org. She checks her email frequently.
MORNING DROP-OFF
The school day and morning meeting starts at 7:40. The classroom doors open at 7:25 and the students will have morning work (Fasttmath, Edutype, interventions, enrichment work). Please have your child to school by 7:40 so they don’t miss our morning meeting. Morning Meeting is a way to build our classroom community and work on our social curriculum. Parents should not enter the classroom after 7:40 when the school day has begun. If your child is tardy, please drop him/her off at the school office and allow your child to walk to class independently.
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The fountain keeps track of how many plastic water bottles we saved.
WATER BOTTLES
We have a water bottle filling station right outside our classroom. Water bottles can be kept in the classroom on students’ desks. Please label the water bottles so there isn’t any confusion.
BIRTHDAYS
Parents may send in a treat for the class that their child can pass out. The treat is usually passed out at our snack time in the morning. If you are planning to send in a birthday treat, please write down ingredients of recipes you send for allergy purposes.
Please do not pass out invitations in class unless every child is invited. We don’t want to cause hurt feelings among students. Invitations should be mailed from home. A student directory will go out at the beginning of the year.
OUTDOOR ON THURSDAYS
We will be piloting outdoor education on Thursdays. Math, lunch and P.E. will still be inside. We will not go out during inclement weather, but hope to get out as much as possible.
ODDS AND ENDS
The Family Handbook can be accessed on the school webpage.
Remember I do not always check my email during the school day, so please call the office if a matter needs to be addressed immediately.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year. You know your child best and I welcome information and advice about your child that will help to ensure a positive and successful school year. I look forward to the year ahead with your child!
Mrs. Carter
anna.carter@cesuvt.org
802-434-2074
Pictures from my Summer:
Southern California visiting family
Pennsylvania visiting family
We spent time in the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
Camping almost every weekend in Maine, NH, Vermont with my husband, Keegan and my daughters, Kendall and Stella. My favorite part was…..lobster!
