February 10th Update

Week of Feb. 11^th Finneran Class Updates

It’s hard to believe that we have FIVE school days until February vacation!  We’ve passed our 100^th day and are well onto hopefully the beginning of Spring in the near future!    This is a busy week in many ways so here is an update for everyone:

KINDNESS WEEK – We began our Kindness Week celebration on Friday honoring Mrs. Lucchase and Mrs. Zimmermann.    Here is the schedule for this coming week:

Monday -  CAFETERIA STAFF DAY!   Wear:  Red Pink or Coolidge School Spirit Wear
Tuesday  - MR. ANDERSON DAY!  - Wear:  Super Hero Gear!
Wednesday  - PARA- PROFESSIONAL DAY!  Wear: Sports Wear/Favorite Team
Thursday -  BUS DRIVER DAY!   Labels with a phrase provided by office
Friday  - STUDENT APPRECIATION DAY!  Theme: “Wild About Coolidge Kids!”

SOCIAL STUDIES – We have our SOCIAL STUDIES test on the South this Thursday, February 14^th.  By the time the students take the test, they will have had their study notes / materials for two weeks.  The cover letter on the study guide gives you an overview of what the test will be like.  Please have the students continue to study their notes / read the assigned pages.  We will also be reviewing in school this week prior the test.  Previous years, students have needed more than the allotted Social Studies time on Thursday, so if they do not finish the assessment Thursday during Social Studies, they will complete it on Friday.

MATH – We are completing our final lesson on Chapter 7 – Decimals.    The students will wrap up their study guide on Tuesday and take their assessment on Wednesday February 13^th.  After February vacation, we move on to Chapter 8 – Adding and Subtracting Decimals.

SCIENCE – This past Tuesday, students worked with their partners to create a chain reaction machine.  Their designs were so unique.  We are currently working to send you videos of their creating along with the explanation of how energy was both stored and transferred throughout their design.

VALENTINES DAY –   Thursday, February 14^th - Last week, I sent home a class list with the student names.  We will be exchanging Valentine’s Thursday afternoon.  IF you child chooses to exchange, please make sure they have a Valentine for the entire class. (19 students in total)   Also… the Valentines CAN NOT include any candy / food.    Students may bring in an extra snack if they choose. 

BOOK ORDERS – Book orders were due Friday , February 8^th, yet two families asked if I could extend the deadline. I will be placing the order on Tuesday February 12^th so please make sure any orders are submitted online or sent in by Tuesday morning.

YANKEE CANDLE FUNDRAISER -   Yankee Candle packets have been sent home with students.  Please consider participating in this popular fundraiser for the PTO (40% of every sale goes to Coolidge School).  All money and orders must be returned by February 12th.  More information can be found here.

BOXTOPS   - Please send in any BOXTOPS with your child this week by Friday, February 15^th.    As part of the BOXTOP CHALLENGE, we as a class have collected only a few sheets this month.  The classroom with the most submitted BoxTops will win a small prize!  Send them in!!!  This is a great way for the PTO to raise some money.  Thus far, they have collected over $600 this year!

As always, thank you for your continued support.  Please reach out if you have any questions / concerns.

Kelly Finneran

Jan. 19th Update

Families of Room 31 ~

For those whom are Patriot Fans – GO PATS!  I also hope you enjoy the wintery mix mother nature is sending us this long weekend!  Stay warm and safe!

MATH STUDY GUIDE - You child brought home their Chapter 6 MATH STUDY guide Friday, January 18^th.  Please make sure that they review it over the long weekend.  The study guide also needs to be signed by an adult and returned on TUESDAY, January 22^nd.    We will be having our math text on this chapter on Tuesday.  If students need more time than a class period, we will continue it on Wednesday.

Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 21^st as it is Martin Luther King Day.

CHORUS CONCERT – the first 4^th grade Chorus Concert is on January 31^st at 7:00 PM.  Students need to arrive at 6:45.   They will be wearing their red concert T-shirts which they will receive on Friday Jan. 25^th for our school concert (dress rehearsal!). If you have any other questions, please reach out to Mrs. Falvo, they students’ music teacher.

MATH – We will complete our Chapter 6 math test on Tuesday (possibly Wednesday) of this coming week.  We then move on to Chapter 7  - Decimals!

READING – Students have been busy in their guided reading groups focusing on various skills.  During this reading block they also work on individual assignments connected to grammar, vocabulary, and often are assignment independent reading and writing assignments using their Story Works magazines.  It is great to see so many students taking responsibility for their own learning and feverously working to complete these assignments. 

WRITING – We are wrapping up our review of opinion writing with a focus on expanding our details.  We are moving on to a combine reading / writing unit where we will be focusing on three articles connected to segregation and will use our inference skills to come up with a theme of these articles.  Along with a writing assignment will be the review of annotation and recording our inner conversations!  This will be a two week focus for our entire fourth grade.

SOCIAL STUDIES – We continue our study of the South, focusing on the physical features, climate, economy and natural resources.  Their South map assessments will be coming home on Tuesday, January 22^nd to be signed.

SCIENCE – I hope many of you enjoyed your child’s SEESAW photos of our roller coaster experiment.  We are exploring the concepts of kinetic and potential energy as well as the ability to transfer energy.  This unit is very “hands-on” and engages our class in some great scientific discussions as well as leaving us with many unanswered questions to explore!

PARENT DROP OFF – For those families whom regularly drop their child off to school in the morning, I have noticed many are slipping back to arriving closer to the 9:00 time.  Although your child is not tardy, they are arriving in their classroom well after most of their peers.  It would be great if they were in the classroom by the 8:45 time.  When they enter this late, their classmates are already settled in and working or we have even begun our daily routine of morning meeting.  Arriving earlier is also GREAT PRACTICE as the students will been to arrive much earlier for start of middle school next year.  Please reach out if you have any questions. 

HOMEWORK PLANNERS  / READING LOGS – Another reminder – please make sure you are checking to see your child completed their homework and you sign both their planner and reading log every night!  I have had to hand out more than the usual amount of homework slips for missing / incomplete homework or missing signatures.

The education of your child truly “takes a village,” and without your efforts, I could not do my job as effectively.  As always, I truly appreciate your continued support. 

Stay warm!

Week of Jan. 7th Update

Families of Room 31 ~

It is wonderful to be back in the swing of things with the students.  Since our return from break, we have been spending some time reflecting on year and working to set new individual learning goals.    Below is a few curriculum updates and dates to keep in mind.

Monday, January 21^st – NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Thursday, January 31^st – Chorus Concert.  Be on the lookout for more information from Ms. Falvo – our chorus / music teacher

MATH – We are continuing to work on our Chapter 6 – FRACTIONS.  There are a few more lessons to complete prior to our assessment.  Please remember that you can always access the student book through our Schoology account in the Math Resources or find it on the class blog - http://kfinneran31.blogspot.com/

SCIENCE – We have begun our second unit – ENERGY!  The week we will be learning about kinetic and potential energy.  We will be creating “cars” to show how stored energy can be converted into energy of motion.

SOCIAL STUDIES – Our focus is learning about the SOUTH.  Students have completed their maps of the south in class focusing on learning about the land forms and waterways.  They have also been assigned their MAP QUIZ which is Jan. 18^th.  This gives the students a little over two weeks to study and be prepared.    Students will need to know the names / locations of the 14 states, all the landforms (mountains, delta, peninsula) and waterways (rivers / oceans).  Capitals are a bonus.  If you child needs another study map they may find in on our Schoology account in our social studies resources or they may ask me.

WRITING – the focus of our writing over then next few weeks takes us back to OPINION writing.  We are focusing on EXPANDING our writing by elaborating the supporting facts / details. 

READING – along with our guided reading groups, we are also focusing on whole class lessons connecting to the concept of INFERRING.  We have been using an article on the TITANIC for students to practice this skill.

BOOK ORDERS – a new order was sent home today.  If you are interested in placing an order for your child, please do so by Wednesday, January 16^th.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.  As always, thank you for your continued support!

Kelly Finneran

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 17th

Families of Room 31 ~

Our class had a wonderful time celebrating our Snowflake Festival this past Friday.  We were entertained by the Shrewsbury High School Choir and then spent some time working cooperatively in groups creating window snowmen!  I was so proud of he students efforts and cooperation!  Enjoy some of their masterpieces below.

Report cards come home today.  Please sign and return your child's envelope tomorrow for us to reuse each trimester.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out via email or note.
Looking forward to a fun, yet busy week of learning!

Miss Finneran

Update - Week of December 3rd

Families of Room 31 ~

This time of year can be VERY hectic for everyone, so I am doing my best to stay on top of items you need to be aware of.  Below is a brief update of events between now and the winter break.

GINGERBREAD SHOP – Friday, December 7^th.   An envelope was sent home Monday Nov. 26^th for the students / families to plan any purchases your child may make.  If your child is planning on shopping THIS FRIDAY, you may send in the envelope any day with your child- including Friday.   This is the ONLY DAY for making purchases. 

BOOK ORDERS due by Friday, December 7^th - Any December book orders are due by Friday, December 7^th in order to make sure arrival happens by our winter break.  Orders will be placed on December 8^th.  If you should need to arrange any “special pick-up” please reach out and let me know. 

SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL – Friday October 14^th 11:15 – 12:45

PARENT VOLUNTEER’S NEEDED!!!  I am looking for at least SIX VOLUNTEERS to help out with our snowflake festival.  The fourth-grade classes are making window snowmen and will work as a team to plan, design and create these.  It is helpful if I have one parent per group to help manage this event.  Please let me know at your earliest convenience if you are able to assist with this event!

TRIMESTER ONE REPORT CARDS – These report cards will be sent home on Monday, December 17^th.  We ask that you KEEP the report card at home, yet return the signed envelope with your child the next day for use to reuse throughout the year.

MATH – We have moved in the CHAPTER 6 – Fraction and Mixed Numbers.    Please remember that there are student book resources on both my class blog and on the class Schoology site.   A major concept of this chapter is learning how to add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators, compare the size of a fractions, along with a focus on mixed numbers.  Please reach out if you have any questions and / or your child needs any assistance with some of these concepts. 

SCIENCE - Our unit on WEATHERING and EROSION is quickly coming to an end.  We will be finishing with a culminating project where the students need to create a shelter to protect their structure (sand castle) from the effects of weathering.   We will then TEST their model and see if their design withstands the forces of “nature!” This has proven to be one of my FAVORITE days of the year!!  I’m sure you will see many examples on SEESAW once we have completed this assignment!

SOCIAL STUDIES – Student have been hard at work creating a Key Note presentation on the iPad about the EAST.  The students have been actively planning, writing and researching visuals to support their project.  I’m looking forward to having the students share their hard work with you. 

READING / WRITING – The students have wrapped up their Trimester One writing assessment – Opinion Writing.   Much of our reading / writing time has been connected to the social studies project, yet once it is completed this week, we will move towards a focus on narrative writing – (main idea / events) as well as continued focus on reading skills.  The key focus for our whole group reading this month is about ASKING QUESTIONS where the students will read to discover their answers as well as learning to ask questions to expand their thinking.

Please reach out if you have any questions / concerns.

Kelly Finneran

Happy Thanksgiving

Finneran Families ~

Today, more than any other day of the year, I stop … pause…. and reflect.   I think about all that I am grateful for.   Truly, your children and your support are right up at the top of my list.  Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Every day, I am moved and inspired by what I see your children doing.  Every day, I am in awe at the incredible perseverance your children display while growing and learning.   Every day, I am grateful to be in a school environment with such dedicated teachers, staff and a PTO that collaboratively work to build a culture with a focus on student growth and learning which happens in such a safe, loving environment.  

I believe that the success of our classroom is built on a foundation of mutual respect and inclusiveness.  I know I could not do my job if I didn’t have the support of such hard-working students and parents.  We – parents – students – teacher – are a team in every sense of the word. For this, I am blessed!

This is a wonderful time of the year to get together with friends and family to celebrate and be thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives. During this time of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to share my gratitude and thank you and your children for being such an important part my life.    

Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Kelly Finneran