November 17, 2011

Greetings to all,

Parents, please see my newsletter headed home tomorrow, November 18th.

The Maple Avenue Student Council extends a very sincere thank you to all for your generous canned food donations. We collected a great amount of food to donate to the Goffstown Food Network. Thank you for allowing us to help others.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

November 6, 2011

Greetings to all,

Parents, my newsletter on Friday, Nov. 4, addressed the importance of reviewing basic multiplication facts. We are at this stage in math and just a few short weeks down the road we will be applying these facts to more challenging math problems. The children all have their math triangle facts cut out and stored in a plastic baggie for drill. Your help would be greatly appreciated in following the study of these facts through.

Our music teacher, Mr. Landano, has been working very hard with the children for their upcoming Winter Concert on Dec. 20. He is asking the children to work on learning the lyrics to the songs at home. The children know that the music is available on his web site. There will be more information coming regarding the concert as we get closer to it.

I mentioned also in my recent newsletter that Parent/Teacher conferences are set for December 9. Stay tuned for more info.

Until next time...

October 20, 2011

Greetings to all,

It is beginning to feel like Autumn. There is definitely a chill in the air. It is time to break out a jacket/sweatshirt for the early mornings on the playground.

The BIG NEWS is that we will be starting ROTATION next Wednesday. The children are anxious for this . All fourth graders have been mixed and matched into five groups. They will "rotate" through each fourth grade teacher for five weeks on Wednesdays for a seventy - five minute block of time. They will be taught three science units (energy, force and motion, and science inquiry) and two social studies units ( economics and government). Your child will bring home a letter of introduction at the start of each Rotation outlining what the area of study entails. There will be assignments connected to the program. We teachers find this activity to be very beneficial to the students. It does prepare them for MVMS through the movement of classrooms, being held accountable to more than one teacher, and meeting students that they have never been in a classroom with at Maple Avenue. It is also a nice change for the kids in the middle of the week.

My weekly newsletter will be sent home tomorrow. Until next time...

October 10, 2011

Greetings,

This past week the children participated in NECAP testing. We did three reading tests. All went very well. The children utilized their strategies, took their time, and were very engaged. I was most pleased as I observed them work. We will do two math tests this week and finish up next Monday.

This week we will begin our actual switching for Enrichment Block. The children will be ability grouped and travel to another teacher for the 2:30 - 3:00 time frame. Our team is comprised of Mrs. Packard, Ms. Spinelli, Mrs. Chisholm, and myself. We will normally rotate teachers every six weeks with the start of a new Reading Street unit. This time around we will be working with our groups for nine weeks. Once again I would like to stress the importance of this area of the curriculum and ask your help with early dismissals. We do work right up to the bell at 3:00 PM.

Until next time...

October 2, 2011

Greetings to all,

It is hard to believe that September is over as well as the Red Sox!!!!!!! Time sure does fly when having fun.

We had a great visit to the Mount Kearsarge Native American Museum in Warner, NH last Monday. This first field trip "kicks off" our year long study of New Hampshire. The children came away with a wealth of information about the first immigrants to dwell on this land. We saw some fabulous artifacts dating way back in history. The students were amazed to find out just how resourceful these people were and all that they passed on to us.

It was great seeing many of you at the PFT ice cream social.

NECAP testing starts this week. Early to bed and a good breakfast will benefit your child.

My weekly newsletter went home on Friday, Sept. 30.

September 25, 2011

Greetings to all,

With weather like today, it is hard to believe that summer is officially over! This past week flew by. Most have settled in and those new procedures are fast becoming routines. I hope all my students brought home the weekly newsletter on Friday. Check those backpacks! It is loaded with information.

We were introduced to Ms. Spinelli's smart board this week. IMPRESSIVE!!!!!! She invited our class and Mrs. Packard's to join her in a presentation on the Abenaki Indians. The children loved the interaction. This set the stage for our prep work on Native Americans of New Hampshire for our field trip on Monday to the Mt. Kearsarge Native American Museum in Warner, NH. This is a fun excursion always enjoyed by all.

FYI... the PFT ice cream social is Tuesday evening and class pictures are on Thursday.

Mrs. Pyszka visited our room this week to discuss behavior expectations. Fourth graders were reminded that they are the school's role models. They are doing a great job so far!!!!!!

Until next time... Have a great week. I know we will!!!!!

September 18, 2011

Greetings to all,

Thank you parents for attending Parent Information Night last Thursday. It was wonderful meeting you. I am looking forward to a great partnership with you for the 2011 - 2012 school year. As I stated cooperation is spelled W-E. Together we share a common goal - your child. For those that were unable to attend we touched upon the schedule for a given day, Rotation, and homework expectations to mention a few topics. I will review much of this in my weekly newsletters over the next few weeks. Hardcopies will be sent home to all on Fridays. Please take the time to read these and discuss the contents with your child. Please feel free to contact me at anytime by phone or email. My door is always open. Until next time... Mrs. Prive

Greetings to all of my fourth graders,

Hopefully you all received my letter from two weeks ago. This is just a reminder that I have all the school supplies that you will need to start fourth grade except for pencil cases. I am looking forward to seeing you soon. If Mom or Dad have any questions send me an email. Enjoy the last week of summer.

Mrs. Prive

Summer days are dwindling.