Homework

There is no math packet or weekly math assigned for this week. I explained to the students yesterday that I am giving them extra time to work on their state projects that are due next Wednesday, 
March 6.


Please note that children are expected to complete their reading, Xtra Math and Spelling City as usual.


A math packet and weekly math will be sent home this Friday (due Friday, March 8) as usual.

Learn Vocabulary and Feed the Hungry

This morning we played an online game that helps us learn while helping others! At www.freerice.com you can challenge your vocabulary skills by identifying the meaning of increasingly challenging words. For every word you get right, the organization donates 10 grains of rice to hungry people around the world! (P.S. It's NOT cheating to use a dictionary! We will play in class sometimes, but kids can also play at home. 

Have fun!

Challenge #3

Challenge #3

Science:

*The name of this configuration translates to "The Big Hunter"; in Greek mythology, he boasted that no animal could defeat him.

*One of the most recognizable patterns of stars in the Northern sky, it is home to super giant stars named Rigel and Betelgeuse.

*Extremely rich in bright stars and in deep sky objects, the constellation is useful in locating other stars.

*In the Northern Hemisphere, this cluster of star lights up the night sky from late fall to early spring.

*It depicts a hunter standing by the river accompanied by his faithful dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor.

Class Lists for Fourth Grade

Please see Suzanne's letter about class placement:

Dear Eliot Families,

We are beginning to think about class placement for next year. This is about a month earlier than usual. The process of building new classes is one of the most complex, sensitive, and challenging activities we undertake as a school staff. Please remember our first goal is to create balanced classes with respect to gender, academic, social and emotional growth. I will not entertain requests for specific teachers, but I will consider requests for children to be grouped together or in some cases, separated. If you have any requests for class placements next year, please send me a letter by April 1. 

During April, teachers will meet to discuss their present classes. At that time, the information from special education staff is included and preliminary lists are developed. Once we are satisfied with our placements, I assign a teacher to each class. Normally, I send class lists at the beginning of July however; I will be sending lists out at the end of June.


**You can see the original letter in its entirety in our last school bulletin.

Thanks!

:o)Melanie

Responding to Posts

I love hearing from you! It's wonderful to get feedback about my posts, or your children's thoughts about a trivia question.

Unfortunately, when people reply to my Google Group emails, they are replying to our entire Google Group. I'm sure everyone can agree that fewer emails in an inbox is best. Therefore, I have changed the settings on our Google Group, disallowing members to email the group. Starting this evening, I will be the only person able to send emails to our group.

Please keep responding! I still want to hear from you. Just send your response to my school email address: melanie_sullivan@needham.k12.ma.us.

Thanks for understanding!

:o)Melanie

Challenge #2 - Answer

Challenge #2

Subject Area: Art

*This genre flourished among 17th century Dutch painters; the term originated in the Dutch language as "and."
*This art often adorned ancient Egyptian tombs, and Paul Cezanne made it famous with his Apples and Peaches.
*These paintings give the artist freedom in the arrangement of the design elements within a composition.
*It is a work of art depicting inanimate objects such as pottery, flowers or fruit arranged in a pleasing way. 

Answer: Still Life

Studying the States

Has your third grader told you about the state they will research? We have begun learning about the states in our country! Our study will culminate with a State Fair on Friday, March 8 at 9:00. (Please save the date! :o)

Each child will focus on one state. They will be asked to do research at home and at school. Ask your child which state he/she is studying. Hopefully you found the actual assignment for the state project in your child's folder today. This gives explicit instructions for each part of the assignment. We went over it carefully this afternoon. Please note that the projects are due on Wednesday, March 6. 


Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

:o)Melanie

Tuesday and Wednesday

I am very honored to be part of the search committee for John Eliot School's  future principal. As a member of that committee, I will be going on site visits to visit each candidate's school to learn more about each candidate from their colleagues, faculty and staff. Your child may have shared with you (or complained to you :o) that I will not be in the classroom tomorrow or Wednesday.

Although it is unfortunate that the committee takes me out of the classroom, I consider it to be worth it. Please know that I worked very hard to be sure that all experiences and activities the children will do with their guest teacher are rich and valuable. I took advantage of this time to squeeze in some work that we haven't had time for when I've been in the classroom. I know your child will learn lots despite my absence.

I'm sure you are looking forward to the superintendent's announcement about our new leader as much as I am.

Thanks for your understanding.

:o)Melanie

Challenge #2

Each weekend I plan to post a new "trivia" challenge. (I know I started a math problem solving challenge a while ago, but I have a book full of these, so I hope to be more consistent... :o)The challenge will include a list of clues listed from most general to most specific. The object is to investigate each clue using resource books and/or the internet and to combine the information to arrive at the correct solution to the puzzle. Each child can work independently or together with family members to complete the research.

The challenges help enhance logical thinking, deductive reasong and problem solving abilities. Mostly I hope you have fun learning together! Good luck! I will post the answers on Friday.

Challenge #2

Subject Area: Art

*This genre flourished among 17th century Dutch painters; the term originated in the Dutch language as "and."
*This art often adorned ancient Egyptian tombs, and Paul Cezanne made it famous with his Apples and Peaches.
*These paintings give the artist freedom in the arrangement of the design elements within a composition.
*It is a work of art depicting inanimate objects such as pottery, flowers or fruit arranged in a pleasing way.

Challenge #1 Answer

Challenge #1

Subject Area: Nature

*It lives in select boggy areas in North and South Carolina but is endangered and today grows mostly in greenhouses.

*Its leaves have short, stiff hairs called "triggers" or "sensitive hairs."

*It secretes digestive juices to dissolve the soft inner part of what it catches; leftover parts are blown or washed away when it re-opens after five to twelve days.

*When anything touches the hairs enough to bend them, two lobes or leaves snap shut and trap whatever is inside.

*It is a carnivorous, insect-eating plant that also gathers nutrients from gases in the air and the soil.

Answer: Venus Fly Trap
Let me know if you were right! :o)

MCAS Schedule

The schedule for Reading/Language Arts MCAS for Eliot has been published. I'm posting the dates here so you can plan ahead. 

I ask all students to be in bed by 8:00 the nights before the test. Please help your children follow this guideline. In addition, all children should eat a healthy breakfast before coming to school each test day.


The children are welcome to bring in an extra healthy snack if they would like to eat before the test begins. They will be encouraged to eat lightly so they don't become sleepy from overeating. After all children have completed the test, they will also be able to eat snack and relax for a short time. The children will get extra recess each test morning in order to run off any extra steam.
Testing week will look different in terms of homework. Written homework will not be assigned. Your children should continue to read (or be read to) for at least 20 minutes each night.
Most importantly, I do not want your children to feel stressed about MCAS. It is important that they know we believe they will do well. Please encourage them to work hard and do their best. However, also remind them that no matter how they do on MCAS, we know they are smart children!

Thanks for your cooperation. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Adding Suffixes

Have you ever wondered why the 'p' is doubled when you spell the word skipping? Now you can ask your third grader!

Skip is considered a 1-1-1 word because it has 1 syllable, 1 vowel and 1 consonant after the vowel. If you add a vowel suffix (a suffix that starts with a vowel) to a 1-1-1 word, you usually double the final consonant. For example, the word run is a 1-1-1 word. If you want to add 'ing,' a vowel suffix, you know you need to double the 'n,' the final consonant - running. However, stick is not a 1-1-1 word because the vowel is followed by 2 consonants. Therefore when you add 'ing,' a vowel suffix, you do not double the final consonant - sticking.


***You can support your child by holding them accountable for the rules when they're spelling at home. Please don't correct all they do, but you can challenge them to find 3 words that are misspelled in their homework or writing. If you know that they've learned to double the final consonant, you can suggest they try that. Happy spelling! :o)