April,2012
Dear Parents,
I wish you all a wonderful April Break. I want the students to have a
relaxing break, but they have to read to keep their brains active!!
After the break, the students will be working hard to complete the units
needed to prepare them for 5th grade. We will have less than 8 weeks to
accomplish our goals, so we need to ensure focused and productive work. I
have started talking to students about the responsibilities of a 5th grader
by always doing their homework on time and with excellent effort, becoming
independent workers by using the resources provided (especially rubrics), and
taking responsibility for their learning as a whole. Please reinforce this
message at home. Continue to ensure students are doing their homework at the
level they are capable. Additionally, when they are confused please support
them, but also remind them to inform me and bring their class folder home for
the extra support they may need.
Thank you again for your continued support of your child and the whole of 4A!
I would like to thank the students for their hard work and perseverance in
researching and
writing their Social Studies country reports.
In Science have finished our Life science unit and we will begin Earth
Science unit.
We will continue working on content/nonfiction readings to
integrate literacy into this unit.
We will be visiting The Amique Reserve, where we will exposed to different
systems, populations, and communities of wild flora and fauna.
In Math, we will be working with division in particular and extend into
multiplication and division,
where we work on real life problem solving and word problem integration. We
will be moving into multiplication and division with decimals (namely money).
In literacy, we will spiral back into narrative writing. There are many mini-
lessons and strategies in writing that your child is applying in this unit.
In reading, we are working on short story and partnership reading. In
this unit, the student will learn how to discuss ideas in reading and stretch
those ideas to increase and improve inferential thinking. Listening skills
will certainly be stretched in this unit as well.
We are also delving into poetry and preparing for Poetry Cafe.
In Social studies, we are finished with the biography project on the digital
program called Power Point, and we will be celebrating together this
achievement very soon. We are also working on research in the country we are
working on a unit called, "A Friendly Letter." In this unit, we explore
the main facets of writing a friendly letter to an imaginary friend, telling
him/her about our country. The students are placing themselves in the shoe of
a native from their researched country and letting their letter be a tool to
interest their reader into coming and visiting them.
Regards,
Ms. Arij
February 2012
Dear Parents,
First of all, thank you all for attending the parent conferences. It is
wonderful to see you all and discuss the “going-ons” in 4B! I am looking
forward to the next term and the units that we will be covering.
In reading, we will continue to work in book groups where students will be
practicing reading strategies in books at their instructional level. These
strategies are then reflected in the online reading responses they are doing
at home with their independent reading books. Please continue to support and
encourage your child to read at home.
In writing, we are working on information texts. We’ve started with compare
and contrast and then will move to how-tos. During this unit, we will focus
on organization, sentence fluency and conventions. I will be posting some
websites in the writing and grammar section of this website to help students
practice and review.
In math, we have finished geometry. The students overall did a great job
with this unit and developed a good understanding of shapes, area and
perimeter. You will continue to see these topics, as well as other topics we
have covered, in review homework sheets. In class, we will be moving into
fractions, decimals and percentages. So please keep an eye on the math
section of this website for links to good resources for the students to use
at home.
In science, we are continuing our life science unit. We’ve learned about
animal life cycles and will move into traits and structures/adaptation that
help animals survive. The students will be doing activities and research to
help them understand these concepts. I will also continue to add to the
science section of this website for students to have online resources to
support their learning at home.
In social studies, we are continuing our study of the Middle East and North
Africa. We have been talking about the different topics we study when
researching countries. Then students research this topic for their country.
We have had great parent presentations that have enhanced our knowledge of
history and government in the Middle East. We still have economy, geography,
and culture. So if there are other brave parents who have knowledge in these
topics, I would be happy to book you in for a presentation!! Let me know if
you are interested and we can discuss it more.
In other news, 4B is participating in the Landmark Games. These games have
participants from schools from around the world. Each class picks a landmark
and creates clues for that landmark. Each week for 3 weeks, we get 3 clues
for each landmark. Students then do research to try to figure out the
landmarks. We will be figuring out these landmarks at school, but this is a
fun game that you can do with your child at home if you wish, as there are
many landmarks to find. The clues will be posted on Monday, February 20th.
I will post the link on my website. Enjoy!
Additionally, the 4th grade is planning a parent celebration on the morning
of March 21st. More details will be sent closer to the time, but for now
please try to keep this morning free!
Thanks for continued support,
Ms. Arij
January 31, 2012
Dear Parents,
Welcome back after the New Year! This time of year is an exciting and
productive one. Students come back rested and refreshed, and ready to work!
Science: We have finished with The Plant Life Cycle and enter into the unit
of animals. How Animals Meet Their Needs, Animal Adaptation and Body Parts
and Animal Adaptations/Behavior.
For this unit we will be basing a lot of our learning on investigations,
along
with a variety of nonfiction content readings.
.
Math: We will continue to spiral back and review concepts in multiplication,
addition and subtraction as we begin our unit in measurement, graphing and
probability. We are presently looking at real life experiences in gathering,
collecting and organizing data and in linear measurement.
Social Studies: We are still working on our research of the Middle Eastern
countries’ geography. We will be publishing pieces that we finish as they are
ready.
They will be presented in a Narrative Essay (that needs to be taught) on Word
document.
We will be blogging information on the countries and will work on publishing
essays
in an electronic format and even do a Photo Story based on our work. In
the next unit, we will brainstorm as a class, the many aspects that affect
the life of a child in the country that they live in. We will then begin our
research of these concepts.
Literacy: The students are now working on publishing, illustrating and
binding their Folktales.
We will be celebrating these folktales with our 3rd grade buddies next week.
In this unit, we have looked at spelling needs, writing problems and
solutions in
our stories, creating characters, and grammatical issues writers face.
In reading, we began reading Fiction Stories by various authors and launched
our Guided Reading
Regards,
Ms. Arij
November 30, 2011
Dear Parents,
We are wrapping up several units and getting ready to start on some new
ones. Here are some ideas about what we will be studying as we enter the new
year:
Science: We are beginning our unit with
• plants Structures and Functions
o Observing plants and their structures
o Watching videos that explain structure and function in animals and
plants
o Look at structures in the human body with use of models
• Observe a life cycle
o Have a set-up living organism in the classroom
o Students will make observations in scientific journals each day/week
o Teachers will facilitate discussions as they reach stages to explain
life cycle (metamorphosis) and structures being developed with use of live
observation, images, videos, etc.
along with a variety of nonfiction content readings.
Math: We will continue to spiral back and review concepts in multiplication,
addition and subtraction as we begin our unit in measurement, graphing
( data analysis) and
probability. We will be looking at real life experiences in gathering,
collecting and organizing data and in linear measurement.
Social Studies: We will start our work in research of the Middle Eastern
countries’ geography. We will be talking about Deserts and the culture
that surrounds them.
We will first brainstorm as a class, the many aspects that affect
the life of a desert dweller, flora and fona. We will then begin our
research of these concepts.
Literacy: The students are now working on drafting their Folktales
which will eventually be published in an electronic format. Within
the unit, we have looked at spelling needs, writing problems and solutions in
our stories, creating characters, and grammatical issues writers face. In
reading, we read Folktales from the middle East and responded to our reading
by
studying the characters, settings, and the story plots we encountered.
I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season, a great vacation, and a
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Ms. Arij
October 31/2011
Dear Parents,
The following is some key information about what is currently going on in our
classroom in the four subject areas:
Math: We are currently studying multiplication and problem solving. Below are
some of the concepts that we will cover with the students in meaningful,
hands on, engaging activities. By the way, the kids are loving this
conceptual approach, and the understandings they are gaining with this manner
of teaching is building solid Mathematic skills.
• understand meanings of operations and how they relate to one another.
• Meaning of Operations: Represent multiplication of two-digit by two
digit numbers and describe how that representation connects to the related
number sentence.
• Prime and composite Numbers: Identify factors of composite numbers
less than 50.
• Numbers: Use divisibility concepts to classify numbers as prime or
composite.
• Mental Math: Recall from memory multiplication facts for numbers from
1 to 10.
• Properties of Numbers Apply models for multiplication (e.g., equal-
sized groups, arrays, area models, equal intervals on the number line), place
value, and properties of operations (commutative, associative, and
distributive).
• Problem Solving: Generate and solve addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division problems using whole numbers in practical
situations
• Problem Solving: Select and test algorithms used in computational
situations that involve multiplication and division of whole numbers and
explain strategies.
Science: Investigations of the Cell. We will be working on research questions
in this area in the library and completing readings on the subject in books.
We learned the different parts of the microscope and their use.
We are comparing and contrasting the Animal Cells and the Plant cells,
through readings and hands on investigations and through microscope study.
Literacy: We are working on character study in reading and in writing,
fiction. Mini-lessons in reading include identifying character traits of the
character, both physical and internal, problems in the story, solutions, what
others think of the character in the story, actions and behaviors that the
character has that lead us to the ideas we have about him or her, and what
stands in the way of the character solving his or her problems in the story.
We have worked on context clues.
In the writer’s workshop, we are learning how to write scenes into our
stories that include dialogue, inner thoughts, action, setting, and character
description. Conventions that we expect to include in our stories from now
are paragraphs and indentations, comma use and end punctuation, to find the
run-on and the fragment sentences and correct them. In the coming weeks, we
will be working on the drafts and publication of our stories, with a possible
classroom celebration in the works! In Grammar we learned about plural and
singular nouns.
Social Studies: We have finished our work on Maps ans map skills and from
here we will go into reading Folk tales from the Middle East, in order that
we may introduce the students to the everyday life of the people of this
region.
In this unit, we integrate literacy into the work by teaching mini-lessons on
main idea, summarizing important information.
We will also be introduced to the five themes of Geography, their meaning and
their importance in the study of any region and it’s people.
I hope this information is useful for you in keeping up with all the
wonderful work your children are doing, and as always, I am glad to answer
any questions you may have about your child or what is happening in the
classroom.
Regards,
Miss Arij
September 30, 2011
Dear Parents and Students,
We have begun a great year of learning activities that offer
engagement and hands on opportunities for the students. Routines are well in
place and the students have responded to these practices by following the
rules and procedures that are set up to make our classroom community function
in a highly predictable and organized manner. I am very proud of the work
they have done thus far and anticipate that we can accomplish the goals we
have set for the year and even exceed our own expectations!
The following information highlights what we have begun and what we will be
up to in the coming weeks of school:
Science – In Science, we have begun the year studying about Ecosystems
and Bioms. In this unit your child will investigate the basic systems which
include Polar, Desert and Forest. We have had some investigations, some
research and some Comparing and contrasting of Ecosystems ( the living
and non-living things ).
Encourage your child to investigate answers to questions they have about
this topic through research and further readings.
Math – In Math, we have begun the year with the unit on number sense. In this
unit, we look at numbers up to 999,999. We learn how to read them, what this
much may look like in the real world, and develop and refine strategies for
adding and subtracting large numbers. To teach this unit, we engage the
students in a variety of investigations using the 1,000s book, digit cards to
play a game called close to 1,000 and maps to look at the difference between
specified numbers. We will soon begin review of basic facts in
multiplication, as well.
Social Studies – We have begun our Social Studies curriculum with a review of
the continents of the world. We then zoomed into Asia (focusing in on the
Middle East) and North Africa. Another look at the maps will occur and we
will then discuss the countries’ locations and how geography has an effect on
the lives of its inhabitants before we begin further research on the
individual countries.
Literacy – In Literacy, we are finding just right books and are now involved
in assessments to adjust levels of reading as necessary. Literacy habits that
I would like to stress are as follows:
•Book bags are brought home from school nightly and returned the next
day.
•Logging of leveled reading of 30 minutes a night is done from Monday –
Thursday (weekend reading is a choice of either leveled reading or self-
selected)
•Reading response journals are kept in the reading bags. The current
assignment for the reading response journal is to find a new vocabulary word
nightly and solve it using context clues. If the word cannot be solved, the
strategy of asking someone the meaning or looking the word up in a dictionary
can be used.
The strategies in reading that we have worked on in class are using visual
images in reading, back up and reread, enhancing vocabulary using context
clues, background knowledge and prediction. We will continue using and
reinforcing these strategies and more as we continue our work in reading.
In the writer’s workshop, we are now writing personal narratives. In this
unit, we have learned strategies for generating ideas for stories, focusing
in on small moments, making movies in our minds and generating timelines to
map out and create a story from our lives.
Grammar mini-lessons have begun with a lesson on different types of sentences
and Nouns. Spelling assessments have been completed and the spelling program
has begun.
As always, I wish you the best and thank you for your support. Any questions
you may have are always welcome.
Sincerely,
Ms. Arij
September,5,2011
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to 4B!
I am excited to have your child in my classroom this year. I am looking
forward to the many educational, fun and rewarding experiences that we will
encounter and strive towards together. I am also looking forward to working
with you throughout this year.
A new school year is an exciting time for children, teacher, and parents. It
means making new friends, taking part in new activities, learning new skills,
and trying new things. Along with all these comes responsibility.
To have a successful learning environment, I will stress the importance of
cooperative learning and building a community in the classroom. This
encompasses good study skills, listening skills, and responsible and
respectful behavior. In order for me to do the best job possible as a
teacher, I would like to make you aware that our school and teachers promote
positive management techniques that motivate children to be responsible for
their own behavior.
To encourage children to follow the rules, be respectful, and learn
responsibility, there are many positive teaching techniques I will use for
individuals and the entire class. I will always strive to reinforce
appropriate behavior by giving the children positive feedback either with
positive comments, choice time, lunch with the teacher, positive phone calls
home, extra responsibility such as helping the teacher and much more. I am
confident that the list will grow as the year progresses.
In order to help the children grow in becoming their own problem solvers and
encourage them to be responsible for their own behavior, I have developed a
few classroom management techniques that you should be aware of so that we
may work together to create a positive learning experience for your children:
• Marble Jar – This is a positive reinforcement system that involves
working together as a class. Whenever the class accomplishes something as a
whole, such as getting started on filling out their assignment notebooks as
soon as they get to their desks in the morning without any reminders, they
receive 2 to 4 marbles in the jar. They can also lose marbles for
inappropriate or disrespectful behavior. Once the whole jar is filled with
marbles there will be a party to celebrate their accomplishments.
• Homework Responsibility - Each morning I will go around and check for
signatures/completed homework. After 20 stamps the student will be allowed to
have a free homework pass.
• Independent Behavior - Students that are displaying behaviors that
are not following our community agreements will be given a warning. If
behavior continues they will stay in at recess for a short time and fill out
a behavior responsibility form. This form will then be brought home, require
a signature from a parent, and returned the next day. Many times an email
from me most likely will also be sent home.
Promoting Community/Self-Confidence.
From the first day of school one of my goals for your children is to create
an environment in which they feel safe, welcome, and comfortable in an effort
to build their self-confidence and a love for school. There are various ways
in which I go about doing this.
• We will spend time at least once a week doing activities that bring
us together as a community.
• We will have class meetings to decide on ways in which to create a
feeling of safety and belonging or to review out class agreements.
• There will be a Brag on Your Buddy box in which students will get to
secretly write appreciations or positive things they see other people doing.
Each Friday, or Monday morning, we will take a few moments to read over
these.
• Each week there will be a new STAR STUDENT. The kids love learning
more about each other and this is a great way to do it.
• Character Education is used to promote such values as respect,
acceptance, honesty, generosity, courage, and good judgment.
• Friendship groups at lunch or recess.
I truly want to take the time to get to know your child beyond their academic
abilities. Each child is unique, yet has connections to those in their
classroom. I want to help them learn more about themselves this year to
create a well-rounded experience in 4th grade.
I will be sending this first letter home in paper copy, but in the future, it
will be posted at this website, http://teacherweb.com/LB/ACS/ArijAlkhedery-
a/uh0.aspx. Information will be updated in the newsletters on a bi-weekly
basis. Please inform me if you do not have access to a computer, so that I
can send paper copies home with your child.
Please note that I am always willing to meet with parents for conferences,
questions or concerns by appointment. The best way to contact me is by email.
My email address is akhedery@acs.edu.lb.
EACH DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING!