|
|
Mrs. Ruckstuhl |
|
Communication LettersCOMMUNICATION LETTER #3 November 2009
Dear Students in 4 RUC and Parents,
Can you believe that it is already November? I can't; but I love the change of seasons and all the differences it brings in nature. We have lots going on in school this month. Some important dates and happenings are:
ELA - They began reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing this week. The children are enjoying the humor and learning new words, as well as practicing grammar and good writing skills. Our spelling and vocabulary will be overlapping with this unit.
Math - They are simultaneously working on multiplication, and adding and subtracting whole numbers. Science - They are learning about the digestive system. The unit started with lessons on food chains, food pyramids, and food webs. We had hands on demonstrations of each. The children also were involved in smart board lessons to reinforce this concept. Upon return of the Thanksgiving break, they will be dissecting an owl pellet. (It has been sanitized and the children will be following strict hygiene rules.)
Social Studies - The children have been immersed in Native American culture. In December, the children will be receiving a project outline for their Native American Project. More details will follow upon return from their Thanksgiving break.
I wish you all a healthy, happy Thanksgiving break.....
 COMMUNICATION LETTER # 2
October 2009 Dear Students in 4 RUC and Parents, We are so busy this month and there are so many days off from school. However, we have great plans beginning with the fantastic trip on the Clearwater. Half of our class will be going on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and the other half will go on Thursday, Oct. 15. This is a rain or shine trip and proves to be wonderful either way. Every year I try to do some special things with the children involving Mrs. Iennaco and the Soldiers that are in Iraq, and Afghanistan. This is Crompond School's 12th annual Make A Difference Day Project initiated by Mrs. Donna Iennaco! Several other classes as well as our class are donating from the lists below. We have lots of boxes to fill. Please help us out. This year, I have a friend who has two sons in their 20ies: one is in Iraq and one is in Afghanistan. As part of the SOLDIER BUDDY BAGS project, our class will be collecting items for"buddy bags" for these "boys(men)" and women and the troops who are in Iraq and Afghanistan. SOLDIER BUDDY BAGS - The following is a list of items that are appropriate if you wish to participate: toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs,/bands, bandannas, socks, clothes pins, bar soap, baby wipes, anti-bacterial wipes, chap stick,contact lens cleaner, eye drops, eyeglass kits, foot inserts, foot powder, air fresheners, cotton balls, dental floss, non-alcoholic mouthwash, mirrors, sunglasses, toilet paper, toothpicks, hand and feet warmers, dusting cloths, sun screen, Q-tips, body lotion, individual packs laundry detergent, 1 gallon Ziploc bags, dry cereal, granola bars, energy bars, protein bars, hard candy, (NO CHOCOLATE), gum, beef jerky, slim jims, canned fruit, tuna, chicken, sweet n low, coffee creamers, hot chocolate, tea bags, popcorn, single snack packs, juice boxes, instant oatmeal, instant soups, canned foods, Kool-aid, instant coffee, sewing kits, first aid kits, small flash lights etc... POP TOP CANS ARE BEST AND PLEASE NO EXPIRED FOOD FUN TIME MATERIALS - We will also be collecting new FUN TIME MATERIALS such as: balls, beanie babies or small stuffed animals, playing cards, board games, CD's stationary, greeting cards, disposable cameras, magazines, nerf balls, Frisbees, water guns, yo-yo's any including electronic/battery hand held games, batteries, (all sizes) etc..ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW EDUCATIONAL AND FRIENDSHIP BAGS - These bags will be filled with such items as: pencils, pencil sharpeners, pens, markers, crayons, note paper, notebooks, rulers, backpacks, scissors, stickers, any school item, etc. Small bars of soap, small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, toothbrushes w/toothpaste, maoutwash, deodorant, combs, brushes, body lotion, bath gel, small toys and games, medium size gift bags, etc.. So what is going on in 4RUC? ELA - The children are continuing to review their Daily Oral Language every day. (DOL) Spelling, reading, writing, speaking, and listening are also ongoing. They are responsible for the spelling words on an ongoing basis, so if we have completed lesson 1, and 2, they are still responsible for remembering those words throughout the school year, not just for the test on Friday! Math - The children completed the first chapter and we are moving on to the second chapter where they are reviewing place value, learning about number sense and time. They will also be studying and memorizing the multiplication tables as well throughout the year. Science - The children have finished their Unit One Journal. They will be handing in their completed journals this Friday, October 16. The very last lesson where they measured the height of their partner will be completed in class, as we have to add up the heights of all the girls and the heights of all the boys and compare the numbers which ties into our Math as well. There will be a test on this unit the week of October 19. You will receive more information this week and a review sheet as well. Social Studies - The children have finished the first Unit in SS as well. They learned about the location of NYS in relation to other states in the United States. Map skills were reviewed. They learned about the geography of NY and the importance of the Hudson River, as well as the cities and boroughs of NY. Our next unit is learning about the Native Americans that lived in and around New York. They will research the Iroquois and the Algonquin (Algonkian) Nations and the tribes of those nations. This will culminate with a play (Native American Breakfast Theatre) which will be in January. This will be later than usual because: Family History Day is November 24. The chorus will be performing, December 16 at Yorktown HS Since the ELA is no longer given in January, this will give us an opportunity to have the play probably the first or second week in January after we return from the vacation. This play is done in collaboration with Mr. Pastore's class and our class with Mrs. Sabella as well. The dates will be announced some time in December. The class Mom's will be contacting you if they need help with the Halloween celebration to be held on Friday, October 30 at 1:10 immediately following lunch. The last period of the day is orchestra and we have 18 orchestra participants in our class. Wow, that is terrific... I have my own orchestra! Parent Teacher Conferences are approaching this month. I will send out emails as a reminder. If I do not have your email address, please send it to me at bruckstuhl@yorktown.org Thank you and have a happy, healthy October. Communication Letter # 1 September 2009 Dear Students, (and FYI to Parents), Welcome to fourth grade. I am so anxious to meet all of you. We have lots of fun activities starting on the first day. I would like every one of you to have three (3) books to read – one that you are reading (or about to begin reading), one for when you finish reading the first one, and another one just in case….All kept in a large zip lock baggie labeled with your name and class. I received my school calendar and began to highlight all the Crompond activities. This is a good way to help you get organized. Did you get your calendar yet? You don’t have to bring all of your supplies to school on the first day; a few each day will be just fine. On the first day, it would be a good idea to have the following: · The Crompond Assignment Pad · Two (2)sharpened pencils · Small supply box Check my website so you can print out our class schedule. On September 2, you will have ART for the first period. You probably won’t need a smock for the first Art Class, but any old tee shirt or button down shirt that is large and easy to take on and off will be great. Please label it. Remember to bring a healthy snack (please NO bottles or soda). We are going to try to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, so try your best when packing your snack and lunch. I don’t want you to overload your backpacks, so pack them lightly on the first day. Please be ready to ask lots of questions on the first day, and every day. Most importantly, please bring your smile.  |
|
