MCAS / COMMUNICATION FOLDER

Families of Room 31 ~

Just a reminder that the fourth graders will be taking their ELA MCAS Tuesday, April 23rd and Wednesday, April 24th.  We have sent home a few reminders already, yet wanted to touch base via email too.  I am attaching the memo that was sent and have highlighted a few items below.

1.  Please make sure you child arrived to school on time the next few days.  It would be most helpful if they are parent drop off that they are in the classroom by 8:45 to get settled and use the bathroom.  We want some time for discussion for a whole group "pep talk" starting at 9:00.

2.  SNACKS and WATER BOTTLE(S) - Please make sure your child has TWO snacks.  One will be eater prior to testing (before 9:15) and the other will be during the test as a "refuel"  quick break."

3.  BREAKFAST and SLEEP - its important the the students eat a good healthy breakfast for "energy" and that they do their best to get a good night's sleep.

The rest of the reminder is in the memo 2019 4th Grade MCAS ELA reminder.doc  that was sent home before vacation and today.

I am COMPLETELY confident that each and every student is well prepared for this.  It is my goal to help they "relax" and use their nervous energy as a resources.  Please reach out if you have any questions.

BLUE COMMUNICATION FOLDERS - I noted today when packing communication folders today that several haven't been emptied and are filled with prior notices, corrected papers and other pieces of information.  Please make sure you CLEAN OUT this folder the night you get it and return it EMPTIED the next day! 

April 1st Update

Families of Room 31~

Happy April!  My body and mind is looking forward to the warmth that spring brings.   It is a busy time for us in 4^th grade so it will be important to reach out if you have any questions.

Report Cards:   Trimester 2 report cards are coming home on Monday April, 1^st.  Please sign and return the report card envelope, yet keep the report card at home.  Please reach out of you have any questions / concerns.

Field Trip Slip / Money : The students took home their field trip information last week.  If you have not done so already, please return the blue form and the $12.oo by April 9^th. 

Spring Fling – Our class has been asked to bring in items for a Squishy / slime basked.  If you have not already contributed, you may send in an item or $5.00 contribution by Friday April 5^th.  Thanks to those families whom have already contributed!

Coolidge Spring Fling, Friday, April 26th from 5:30-7:30 at Oak Middle School.  A notice was send home last Monday to purchase tickets for the ice cream!  Hope to see you there.!

Early Release:  Tuesday, April 2^nd is an early release.  Dismissal will be at 12:10. 

Coolidge Book Fair:  The Coolidge Book Fair is happening this week.  Students may bring in money any day for shopping purposes.  Also, the book fair will be open from 3:30 – 6:00 on April 4^th if any families want to shop during this time.

Spring Concert:  The Grade 4 Spring Concert will be held on May 1st from 7:00-8:00 PM for families to enjoy.  More information from Mrs. Falvo will be coming home soon.

4^th Grade MCAS: 

     ELA – April 23^rd and 24^th

     Math  - May 15^th and 16^th

Reading / Math Incentive Program:  The Reading / Math Incentive Program ends on Friday April 26^th.  This will be the final day for any slips to be turned in.  Many students have already reached gold medal status!  I’ll be sending home updates for each child on Tuesday of this week.  Please get those final slips in!

WACKY SHOES Reading / Writing - This week students will NOT have a reading log to complete.  They will be working on a Reading / Writing Prompt similar to those we have worked on in school. The assignment will be spread out over the course of the week.  The final writing sample may either be hand written and turned in OR if you child has access to a computer, they may either type it and print it or type I and send it to me via email.  Please reach out if you have any questions.

MATH:  Students are moving on to our next chapter (Chapter 10) on parallel and perpendicular lines.  It is a SHORT chapter and we will complete it as well as the assessment by April vacation. 

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Our class is wrapping up their study of the Midwest.  They will take their Midwest assessment on the climate, physical features, natural resources and the economy of this region on Thursday April 11^th.  Their study guide and notes should be coming home on Tuesday April 2^nd.  The test will be similar in format to the test they took on the South region. 

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Kelly Finneran

MARCH 4th UPDATE

Week of March 4^th

Well…. We made it to March but it doesn’t look like Spring is around the corner!  As they say… March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.  Fingers crossed the snow this month does not amount to much and that sun and warm weather arrives by the end.    Below are a few updates for this week.

MORNING ARRIVALS – for those students whom are parent drop off, it is most helpful for your child to arrive in the classroom closer to the 8:45 time.  Many students have been arriving at 9:00 or later.  Although they are not tardy until 9:00, most of their classmates are already in class and unpacked / working or in morning-meeting.   Arriving a little earlier is great practice for next year when your child will have to arrive at Sherwood for an 8:00 start time.

Tuesday March 5^th:  This day is a ½ day for students.  Dismissal will begin at 12:10!

ELA MOCK MCAS - On Friday, a letter went home with your child sharing the fact that the fourth grade will be holding a “MOCK” MCAS.  We will be giving the students one article to read where they will have to answer multiple choice questions as well as plan for and type an open response question using the iPad.  We feel it is important for the students to experience what the ELA Reading MCAS will be like prior to the actual MCAS testing on April 23^rd and 24th, especially given this is their first experience taking MCAS on the iPad.

Please send your child to school with TWO snacks and a water bottle this day for us to “practice” what snack eating will be like during MCAS.

COMPLETION MONEY - The $10.00 and the pink form sent home last week is due by Thursday March 7^th.   Thanks to the many of you whom have already sent your in!  More information about the end of the year celebration will be coming home in the near future.

Scholastic Book Orders:  Book orders are due online or by check by Friday, March 8^th.

MATH – We are completing our lessons this week on Adding and Subtracting Decimals.  This chapter includes some math problem solving using decimals.  Our assessment will be later this week or early next week!

READING / WRITING – We a quite a few different activities happening in these areas.  Some students are working to wrap up their current DRA.   All students have been working on the comprehension skill of Determining Importance by locating FACTS / ASKING QUESTIONS and RESPONDED to the article or story read.  They have learned the importance of merging their thinking while learning new information!  Also, the students have been working on writing point of view responses.  As we wrap that up, we will be moving on to writing responses that continue the story! 

SCIENCE – We are in the middle our “TECH TRIAL” where the students are attempting to use the design process to build prototypes to light lightbulbs and make a motor run.  When we wrap this up we will be moving to our new unit on WAVES.

SOCIAL STUDIES – We have started our study or the Midwest by working on our maps in school.  I will be assigning the map quiz on the states, capital and physical features this week.   Look for the study guide / practice maps to come home.  Know that you can also find them on our Schoology site.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions / concerns.

~ Kelly Finneran

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!