Week of May 20th

This week, students will complete a scavenger hunt about the brain. We will transition to learning about left brain and right brain thought processes.  Is it true that each side of the brain functions differently and enables us to have specific expertise and strengths?  We'll FIND OUT!  They will be completing a survey to determine if they are more right-brained or left-brained individuals.   Students will  also begin learning about multiple intelligences. We will be reading a book entitled Smarts! Everybody's Got Them by Thomas Armstrong.  This will serve as a wonderful introduction to this topic.  In addition, students will be taking a multiple intelligence test.  If time permits, each learner will rotate through stations that are linked to the various intelligences.  It will be a hands-on opportunity for students to determine what their strengths are.  

The last day of PA will be on Friday, May 24th.  We will end our time together with some fun-filled activities. The great part of my job is that I get to continue to work with students the following year.  Therefore, this is not goodbye!  My wish for every student is that they have a fun and relaxing summer.  I look forward to working with your children next year!  Take care, and thank you for your support during the 2024-2025 school year.

Week of May 13th

This week, we will be moving on to our Neurology Unit.  Each learner will begin by boarding the "Train of Thought."  Students will be using a train simulation to build background knowledge about the brain.  They will be reading short excerpts as well as viewing some informational videos that will help them to understand the purpose of the brain.  In addition, students will learn about the anatomy and overall functions of our neurological system.  If time permits, they will be labeling the parts of the brain and writing down important facts that align with each part.  I am looking forward to venturing into new territory with this unit, and I am confident that students will be excited to learn about something NEW and unique!  Have a great week!

Week of May 6th

We have finally reached the end of The Secret Garden!  Students will read the final chapter on Wednesday.  I have been so impressed with the deep thinking exhibited by each student. The thoughts and ideas shared represented higher level thinking, and the level of engagement shown was outstanding.  4PA will be viewing the motion picture toward the end of the week.  They will be responsible for identifying similarities and differences between the novel and the film.  I am confident that students will be eager to share their findings.  Also, I will providing a small snack during the viewing of the movie.  Click HERE to fill out a Google Form that will permit your child to partake in a snack of O-ke-Doke cheese popcorn and a Capris Sun drink.  Please be aware that our schedule will be abbreviated this week due to iReady testing.  Have a great week!

Week of April 29th

During the upcoming week, students will continue reading The Secret Garden.  We are eagerly waiting for the climax of the story to occur.  Several events have alluded to the fact that it may be right around the corner.  Students will continue to have thoughtful conversations about the text.  We will also add important events to our plot development chart.  Also, I would like to inform you that students will have an abbreviated schedule as a result of iReady testing.  This testing will take place on 5/2 and 5/3.  Have a great week!

Week of April 22nd

During the upcoming week, we will continue to read The Secret Garden.   Each learner will be encouraged to analyze the thoughts and actions of the characters, interpret implicit meanings, and uncover symbolism.  We will also continue to add important events to our class plot development chart. Have a great week!

Week of April 15th 

During the upcoming week, we will continue to read The Secret Garden.   Each learner will be encouraged to analyze the thoughts and actions of the characters, interpret implicit meanings, and uncover symbolism.  We will also continue to add important events to our class plot development chart.  While we have not yet uncovered the climax of the story, we are certainly getting closer!  I am confident that students will determine the most suspenseful part of the story very soon.  I am looking forward to seeing you all at Open House which will take place from 6:00-7:30 p.m on April 18th.  The students have been working hard and are very excited to share their work with you.  Have a great week!!

Week of April 8th

In The Secret Garden,  Mary has discovered the key and has finally located the mysterious garden.  This week, we will continue to read and have discussions about the text.  In addition, students will be completing the key project that they began last week.  Each learner was encouraged to identify a quote that represents a change in the main character or a quote that contains symbolic meaning.  Please be aware that students will have a shortened PA time due to IAR testing.  Have a great week!

Week of April 1st

We will continue to read The Secret Garden and have discussions about the text, with an emphasis on symbolism and character development.  In addition, students will be working on a  brief project.  Each learner will be encouraged to identify a quote that represents a change in the main character or a quote that contains symbolic meaning. Then they will be responsible for using their artistic abilities to illustrate a key.  Have a great week!

Week of March 18th 

WOW! I have been so impressed by the students' critical thinking skills.  We have engaged in several rich discussions about the text that have led to an understanding of both literal and figurative meanings.  Students also identified parallels to help them to better understand events that occurred within The Secret Garden.  This week, Mary will discover the key to the secret garden.  We will continue to read and have discussions about the text, with an emphasis on symbolism and character development.  In addition, students will be working on a  brief project.  Each learner will be encouraged to identify a quote that represents a change in the main character or a quote that contains symbolic meaning. Then they will be responsible for using their artistic abilities to illustrate a key.   I would like to wish all of the students a wonderful spring break full of fun and relaxation.  Please be aware that the next update will be sent out on Sunday, March 31st.  Have a great week!

Week of March 11th 

During the upcoming week, students will continue to delve deeper into The Secret Garden.  I have been so impressed with the students' insights.  We have unearthed the meaning of various symbols within the text, and students have presented theories about what they believe will happen as we continue to read.  We are also on the search for important events that can be added to our plot development chart.  Students will begin to take ownership of this process and will collaborate in small groups to determine what they feel is the most predominant event within the chapter.  Once students have come to a consensus, their idea will be added to our class plot development chart.  Have a great week!

Week of March 4th 

We will begin reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  The students will engage in conversations about the exposition of the text which includes information about the characters and the setting.  They will also learn some very important background information about Mary, the main character, and uncover the inciting incident within the text.  I'm predicting that the students will be very shocked to learn that both of Mary's parents die of cholera, leaving her an orphan. I am looking forward to having some rich conversations during the upcoming week.  Please be aware that students may have reading homework during our novel study.  Have a great week!

Week of February 26th

Please be aware that students will have a short week.  There will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, February 29th, due to Parent/Teacher Conferences.  There will also be no attendance on Friday, March 1st, as it is a district-wide Institute Day. 

During the upcoming week, students will wrap up background building for The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Barnett.  This will include a preview and predict task that will help students to consider what this classic literary piece will be about.  Each learner will be shown images and short excerpts to help them make predictions and strong inferences about what will occur in the text.  Our goal is to begin reading during the week of March 4th.  I am confident that this will be one of the highlights of our year together!  Have a great week!

Week of February 19th

Last week, flexibility was the name of the game!  There was a schedule change made to the Project Arrow testing schedule.  This resulted in having to cancel classes Monday-Wednesday.  This change was unexpected; however, we were able to make some progress with regard to academics.  This week, a guest will be coming to visit and observe our class during their learning time.  As a result, I have decided to pivot and spotlight the work of Langston Hughes.  Students will be building background knowledge about this well renowned African American author, poet, and playwright.  Their knowledge will then be used as a tool to help them analyze a poem entitled "A Dream Deferred".  Each learner will engage in a written conversation about the text and work to determine the true meaning of this phenomenal poem.  Please be aware that we will be returning to The Secret Garden in the near future!  Have a great week.

Week of February 5th

During the upcoming week, students will continue identifying the meanings of various symbols.  They will rotate through symbolism stations and uncover the figurative meanings of the symbols/objects. We will also be reading This is a Rope by Jacqueline Woodson.  We will discover that the meaning of a symbol can change over the course of a story. 

In addition, the students will begin background building for The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Barnett.  This will include a preview and predict task that will help students to consider what this classic literary piece will be about.  Each learner will be shown images and short excerpts to help them make predictions and strong inferences about what will occur in the text.  Our goal is to begin reading during the week of February 12th.  I am confident that this will be one of the highlights of our year together!  Have a great week!

Week of January 29th

We have had minimal class time over the last two weeks due to iReady testing, and I am excited to be returning to a more consistent schedule.  Students were able to learn about the five parts of a sentence (subject, linking verb predicate, action verb predicate, indirect object, direct object, and subject complement).  They were given a post assessment to determine their growth since the beginning of the year, and I was extremely happy with the progress each student made.  

We will soon begin reading the novel entitled The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  This is a classic text that is filled to the brim with symbolism.  As a result, we will be spending some much-needed time exploring what symbolism is and how to uncover its meaning. After examining how authors embed symbolism within their writing, we will investigate various objects and use divergent thinking to identify what they symbolize.  Please be aware that this is one building block that will be used to support students in accessing the text.  I am confident that each learner will think critically during our quest to discover new ideas.  Have a great week!

Week of January 8th

Happy New Year, and welcome back 4PA!  I am very excited to see each learner on Monday, January 8th.  We will begin our time together by sharing a few highlights that took place over winter break, and participate in a celebration of the new year. We will also begin learning about the parts of a sentence.  Students will learn the following concepts: subject and predicate, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, and object of the preposition. A combination of direct instruction and interactive learning tasks will be integrated to help students learn the aforementioned concepts.  

Students will also begin preparation for the reading of  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  This is a classic text that is filled to the brim with symbolism.  As a result, we will be spending some much-needed time exploring what symbolism is and how to uncover its meaning. After examining how authors embed symbolism within their writing, we will investigate various objects and use divergent thinking to identify what they symbolize.  Please be aware that this is one building block that will be used to support students in accessing the text.  I am confident that each learner will think critically during our quest to discover new ideas.  Have a great week!

Week of December 18th

During the upcoming week, students will be completing a literary response for the text "Lenny's Red-Letter Day."  This will be a shared task and students will be required to include the following elements within their writing:  thesis statement, at least two pieces of text evidence, logical and thoughtful interpretations of the evidence provided.  For the remainder of the week, students will be presented with some logic tasks.  They will need to use deductive reasoning and inferential thinking to solve each puzzle.  In addition, students will be participating in an escape room challenge.  I am certain that students will enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with their peers in order to successfully complete each task.  I would like to wish you and your children a wonderful holiday season.  I hope that each and every one of them have a fun and restful break. I'll see all of the students in 2024!  

Week of December 11th

This week, students will be wrapping up their Socratic Seminar training.  Then, learners will participate in their very first seminar.  Our goal for this discussion will be engagement as well as fluent thinking.  We will focus on the ground rules for discussion with an emphasis on the rule that states, "Know that you are responsible for the quality of the seminar."  Students are aware that I will be a facilitator of the learning process and that they will be in the driver's seat.  Ultimately, it will be the responsibility of each student to engage in thoughtful conversations in order to ensure that the seminar runs like a well-oiled machine.  I am excited to observe their thinking. 

As a culminating activity, students will be playing Monopoly.  This game is referenced in the story and aligns with the conflict that occurs within the text.  Afterward, they will consider the symbolic meaning of the game and how it relates to our reading.  Students will share their thoughts in a written or verbal format.  If time permits, their knowledge of the literary selection will be assessed through the use of an exit slip.  Have a wonderful week!

Week of December 4th

During the upcoming week, students will complete their annotations for the story "Lenny's Red Letter Day." Each learner will also undergo training to learn about the Socratic Seminar.  Students will learn about the purpose of a seminar,  view examples of exemplary learners engaged in a discussion, and take notes on what they see and hear as they watch the seminars.  We will have many conversations about how to interact with one another and behave.   Also, the students will be tasked with creating a personal goal for themselves that they will work towards achieving.  Have a great week!

Week of November 27th

I hope that all of the students had a great break and were able to spend some quality time with family and friends. During the upcoming week, students will be completing background building for the upcoming story entitled "Lenny's Red-Letter Day".  We will also begin the process of annotating text.  This process will be scaffolded; we will begin working as an entire group.  Eventually, students will collaborate with a partner to complete their work.  Each learner will be encouraged to make inferences, search for examples of symbolism, identify various perspectives, uncover themes, and pinpoint ethical issues within the text.  I am looking forward to observing some great thinking this week!

Week of November 13th

During the upcoming week, learners will be given passages and will collaborate with their peers to identify the different types of conflict.  In addition, students will be completing background building for the upcoming story entitled "Lenny's Red-Letter Day".  They will also be introduced to new vocabulary and work to learn the meanings of the words through the use of Quizlet.  We will begin the process of annotating text.  This process will be scaffolded; we will begin working as an entire group.  Eventually, students will collaborate with a partner to complete their work.  Each learner will be encouraged to make inferences, search for examples of symbolism, identify various perspectives, uncover themes, and pinpoint ethical issues within the text.  I am looking forward to observing some great thinking this week!  Have a great week!

Week of November 6th

This week, students will wrap up their learning about character vs. self and begin to learn about character vs. character conflict.  This is an external conflict that involves a struggle between two characters in the story.  We will read The Ugly Duckling and identify various examples of this type of conflict. Students will also learn about character vs. nature and character vs. society.  I will continue to use literature to help students apply their learning and identify the type of conflict being examined.  They will also be viewing short video clips taken from familiar movies.  This will be extremely engaging for students and will help them to solidify their understandings.  At the end of the week, learners will be given passages and will collaborate with their peers to identify the different types of conflict.  If time permits, we will begin background building for our first major text entitled "Lenny's Red Letter Day."  Have a great week!  

Week of October 23rd

This week, students will be reading, analyzing, and annotating a poem entitled "Birdfoot's Grampa".  We will focus on the point of view of the text as well as uncover implicit themes.  Students will also be completing a Depth and Complexity organizer that will focus on patterns, details, big ideas, and text-to-world connections.   If time permits, we will begin learning about the four types of conflict: character vs. self, character vs. character, character vs. nature, and character vs. society. Please be aware that progress reports will be sent home in backpack mail on Friday, November 3rd. Have a great week!

Week of October 9th

During the upcoming week, students will be given a pre-assessment for literature.  The assessment will be used to determine students' knowledge of theme, change, interpretation of implicit ideas, and conflict. We will then transition to learning about point of view.  Students will learn about 1st Person, 2nd Person, and 3rd Person points of view.  They will also discover what 3rd Person Limited and 3rd Person Omniscient mean and will be taught how to decipher them when reading texts.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  I am looking forward to an AWESOME week of learning!

Week of October 2nd

Last week, we spent the majority of our learning time focusing on adverbs.  This was a complex concept for students.  There are various rules that learners have to put into action in order to correctly identify this part of speech.  We will be moving on and learning about conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections.  Our goal will be to complete our learning about the eight parts of speech by the end of the week.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.  Have a great week!

Week of September 25th

This week, we will review the meaning of linking and action verbs and explore several examples.  Students will also begin learning about adverbs.  They will be taught that these words commonly end in -ly and can modify verbs, other adverbs, and adjectives.  If time permits, conjunctions will be introduced at the end of the week.  The use of interactive learning structures will continue to be integrated to support and maximize student learning. I am looking forward to continuing our grammar journey during the upcoming week.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Week of September 18th

Thankfully, we were able to fit in two days of Project Arrow last week. During that time, students worked on their Growth Mindset projects.  This week, students  will be diving into our grammar unit. Prior to our learning, each individual will be given a pre-assessment to determine their current knowledge of the eight parts of speech.   We will then begin reading from our Grammar Town textbook and having in-depth discussions. We will cover common and proper nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.  In addition to reading from our grammar book, students will engage in some interactive learning routines to help solidify their learning.  These routines will also allow students to communicate and collaborate with their peers.  I am looking forward to an AWESOME week of learning.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Week of September 11th 

During the upcoming week, students will continue to complete iReady testing.   It has been scheduled during our class time.  As a result, Project Arrow will be canceled.  Testing should be completed by Thursday, September 14th.  The hope is that PA services will reconvene on Friday, September 15th.  During this time, students will continue to work on a Growth Mindset project that they began working on prior to testing.  Have a great week!

Week of September 4th

Please be aware that students will be participating in iReady testing during the upcoming week.  It has been scheduled during our class time.  As a result, Project Arrow will be canceled. If something changes, I will notify you.  Thanks, and enjoy your week!