Dear Families,
Here's some information on what's up in Bette's Class.
Upcoming events:
March 19-23 Focus Studies PM
March 26-30 Spring Break
April 2 Back to School
April TBA Field trip to release salmon
April TBA Visit "The Farm" at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
May TBA (1st week) M-Step, both grades
May 23, 24, 25- Camp Dainava!! Please mark this in your calendar and plan to sign up to help.
In the last few weeks we focused on writing a good response to a prompt about a piece of literature, including an opening sentence that refers to the prompt and using examples from the text.
In math, we are working on fractions. An important concept we are working on for both grades is equivalent fractions. Understanding equivalent fractions is needed in order to add and subtract fractions since they need to have the same denominator. Fractions with the same denominators are like fractions. Fractions with different denominators are unlike fractions. Fourth graders are also learning mixed numbers and improper fractions.
This week we have Focus Studies, and then Spring Break. When we return we will be studying water quality and the Great Lakes as we prepare for the trip to release the salmon. I'll let you know when we have a date.
We have also worked on some social skills. Many of the kids get along great but it helps to reinforce the skills that make this happen. I have noticed that sometimes when there is stress in the adult world it shows in the classroom in a less direct way. I found this article in mindful schools on helping kids deal with difficult emotions you may find interesting.
Karen Siegle asked us to share this resource with you:
OK2SAY The school district has had people use this resource with positive outcomes.
Since its inception in 2014, OK2SAY has received over 10,000 tips, preventing multiple tragedies, including planned school attacks and student suicide. OK2SAY is confidential and available 24/7. To report a concern, please call 1-855-565-2729, text 652729, email ok2say@mi.gov, or visit their website www.mi.gov/ok2say.
Sorry I've been delayed in updating you. It's been a really busy few weeks for me with report cards and planning the Open Classroom Conference. Then an unexpected medical procedure to remove cancer cells from my face was thrown in. You may have heard about it. I'm healing and the prognosis is fine.
