Week of Oct. 29th

           Mrs. Shedd’s Newsletter

Week of Oct. 29, 2018

          Thanks to all the families that returned the conference letter with times that work for you.  Please look in this week’s Friday folder for a confirmation of time for the November conferences.  I am looking forward to sharing your child’s progress this year.  If your schedule has changed and the time indicated no longer works, please let me know.

          We have been bringing our unit on personal narratives to a close this week.  Most students have now completed a post assessment piece.  I look forward to reading these this weekend.

          We have continued our work with maps this week.  One activity involved using a Vermont road map to learn about a map’s index and coordinate system.  We also reviewed using intermediate directions.  Please check out the class blog for photos of this activity.

          In our literacy block we have been working on theme this week.  Students have learned that a theme is an underlying meaning, idea or message in a story.  Earlier this week, we read the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.  Students then selected a possible theme from the book and explained how the story supports this theme.  We will continue to work with theme in the next few weeks.

          During our library and technology blocks we have started a couple of new projects.  In library, we will be learning more about oral reading fluency and the district expectations for fourth and fifth graders.  This week, students selected a passage from a book they are reading.  They then recorded themselves with the  WeVideo app.  Next week, students will learn more about the components that they are formally assessed on throughout the year.  Students will use their recording to self-assess and then set goals to work on.  I will share more of this with you during conferences.  In technology, students will continue work with the Canva app, creating new book covers for some of the older books in our school library.  Be sure to ask your child about this project!

          Our all school Wednesday morning meeting focus this week was on collaboration.  The children selected one of two challenges and began planning collaboratively on this “pumpkin” themed challenge.  They will complete these next Wednesday.

            Have a wonderful weekend!