Pizza Party - TUESDAY

Whoops!  I failed to mention that our pizza party will be Tuesday (May 22).  Sorry about that!

Memory Stick

Our class completed many projects on our mini-laptops.  If you happen to have a portable memory stick that you can send with your child, please allow them to bring it to school to save their projects on.  Then they can share these with you at home too!

Pizza Party

I owe our wonderful class a pizza party.  One of our parents brought the idea up to me again last week.  She will pick the pizzas up for us and is helping with the cost!  If your family is able, could you please consider sending in a $1 or $0.50 towards the cost?

The party will be at lunch time.  This could be in place of lunch, so no need to pack a cold lunch that day if you choose!

Pet Parade Information

We would like all families to be involved with our Pet Parade on Tuesday.  Please try to make it!  Here is the information I sent home last week.  Let me know what questions you have.

May 2012

Hello 4^th Grade Parents!

We are excited to announce that our annual 4^th Grade Pet Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22^nd at 1:00PM.  The Pet Parade is an extension to a novel that many of our 4^th graders study and embrace, Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat.

Which pets are appropriate to bring? 

Any pet that you have that is:

*        Safe around many, many little children

*        Safe around other pets

*        Not bothered by the sound of LIVE marching drums 

*        Leashed pets or pets that appropriately caged, etc.

How many pets per student? 1

When do the pets come to school? The pets may arrive at 12:40pm but are to stay outside on the sidewalk/grassy area in between Mary Endres and Northwood.  You are invited to parade with your child if you feel the need.  (The parade should end by 1:30pm so if you are interested, you may sign your child out of school early that day with his/her homeroom teacher.)

How do the pets get to school?  Parents need to provide transportation for the pet to and from school.  No pets on the bus or in the school buildingJ.

Please return the bottom portion to your child’s homeroom teacher if your child would like escort a pet in the pet parade.  Please return by May 18^th.

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Pet Parade Info Sheet – return by May 18^th

Child’s Name: ________________________

Pet Type (dog, turtle, etc.): ________________________

Parent Signature:  ________________________

A 4th Grade Literacy Celebration - The Pet Parade

Our annual Pet Parade was rescheduled for Tuesday, May 22nd at 1:00pm.  Please let me know if you will be able to bring in your child's pet for the parade.  A note will come home describing the event.  I will also post the note tomorrow.  Hope to see you all there!

More Literacy - Laptops

Our students are always working hard in literacy time.  A good amount of our work is done on our mini-laptops.  Our class is so creative with our technology, we are so lucky to have a laptop for each student!  Many students choose to create plays which are such a joy to perform.  I have attached a picture of some of our students after a play performance in our pod.  If you have a flash drive that your child can bring to school, please think about allowing your child to bring it to school to save some of the amazing projects they have worked on during literacy.

Literacy

Our class just finished a humorous novel entitled Owls in the Family.  The students truly seemed to enjoy it as it is filled with the adventurous tales of young boys who happen to take care of many unusual pets - for example, OWLS!  Our fourth graders will be able to reenact a portion of the novel on May 18th.  That will be our annual Pet Parade!  More details will be sent home, but basically, it is true....we allow pets to come to school that day:)  Hopefully your child has shared some details with you.  We will send home permission forms soon...stay tuned!

Box Top Trophy

Please keep on sending in box tops!  Read below about our school's recent competition....let's go for the win!

We are ready to start the "Box Tops for Education Traveling Trophy Contest!" The classroom with the most box tops collected by May 14th gets to keep the traveling trophy in their classroom until the next competition in September! Pick up a collection box for your classroom in the teachers' lounge, and take a look at the cool trophy in the showcase right across from the office.

 

Your students can start filling up the box right away. On May 14th, we'll gather the collection boxes and count the box tops. The trophy will be awarded at the May 16th PAWS assembly.

 

This should stir up a little competition and increase the amount of $$ we raise from this program.

Orchestra Information

We have a large population of orchestra students in our class, so I thought it would be helpful if I posted the most recent orchestra newsletter.

Orchestra Newsletter #3

April 10, 2012

Mrs. Blaho/Orchestra

Dear Parents of Orchestra students:

The school year is going by very quickly!  I am very proud of how well the Orchestra students are doing!

There is much to report on! 

1.    The week before spring break, the Elgin Symphony Quartet performed for the students at each   

        Elementary school. 

2.     We have started an Orchestra Practice Challenge using the practice record in the beginning of

        the book.  Students have received information on how to earn achievement prizes for their practice.

3.     The upcoming concert dates are listed for your elementary school in this newsletter..

4.         You should also receive information about a Summer Orchestra Camp offered this summer along with this newsletter. 

In addition to the Summer Orchestra Camp, please remember that Orchestra will continue in the 5^th grade! (and yes, into the Middle School the following year, and so on)  I will be teaching 5^th grade and 4^th grade Orchestra next year.  Students that have played in Orchestra this year can continue in the 5^th grade, where they will be in the Intermediate Orchestra.  The 4^th graders that start Orchestra next year (current 3^rd graders) will be the Beginning Orchestra.

I would also like to remind you that students cannot be in both the Band and the Orchestra. (This is a district policy) You will need to decide if you want your student to continue in Orchestra as an Intermediate, or join Beginning Band in the 5^th grade. 

Also, if you are renting from Breber I would like to remind you that the rental you are paying will turn into equity toward a full size instrument with Breber, when your student is ready for that full size.  Therefore, if you are planning on continuing next year, I hope you will strongly consider continuing to rent the instrument over the summer and think about being in the Summer Orchestra Camp.  If you plan on purchasing an instrument at some point, please consider that your student is growing through different sizes and NO ONE is physically ready to play a full size instrument at this point.  PLEASE contact me before making any purchases.  There are some really poor quality instruments on EBAY and other online sites, so refrain from any purchases until you speak to me.  Also, do not make any purchases unless you can make a return if you are not satisfied with the quality.  Thank you!!

Upcoming Concert Date

(only responsible for the date listed by your school!)

Prairiewood, Westwood, Olson:  combined concert on Thursday, May 10 at 6 pm at Olson Elementary.  Students should arrive at Olson at 5:15 for a short rehearsal at 5:30.

Dean, Greenwood, Mary Endres:  combined concert on Tuesday, May 15 at 6 pm at Mary Endres Elementary.  Students should arrive at Mary Endres at 5:15 for a short rehearsal at 5:30.

You will receive a more detailed reminder later in April.  If you have any questions, it is best to email at rblaho@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us or leave a phone message at your elementary school.  Thank you!

Mrs. Blaho/Orchestra

Glacial Park Field Trip

Our McHenry County Conservation District field trip to Glacial Park was a success today!  The students learned loads of information about two diverse wetland ecosystems - a bog and a marsh.  We were able to test the water for oxygen levels and acidity.  The weather was just beautiful for all of the hiking we enjoyed today!  Thank you to our Mary Endres PTO for funding this wonderful trip for us!

Be sure to go to Glacial Park with your family.  It has a large variety of activities - for free - that we could all learn from and enjoy!

Be the First and recorders

The Be the First parent night is now moved to a date in May.  It will be coupled with a newly added recorder concert.  Start digging out the recorders from the basement - we need to oil them up for our concert!

Field Trip this Tuesday

This Tuesday, our class will enjoy the “Wonders of Wetlands” field trip at the Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park (Ringwood, IL).  We will be leaving Mary Endres at 8:30am and will return at 1:30pm.  Please be sure that your child wears appropriate clothing for walking outside through the park, and in addition, be mindful of the forecast.  Rain or shine, we will be going!  I am looking forward to sharing this experience with our class.

Fraction Test - This Tuesday

We will have a fraction test on Tuesday.  I sent home a study guide yesterday.  Please take time this weekend to review it a few times with your child.  I put sample problems on the guide I sent home....see below for a review of the fraction topics.

• Adding and subtraction fractions with like denominators

Adding and subtracting mixed numbers with like denominators

• Converting an improper fraction into a mixed number

Converting a mixed number into an improper fraction

• Simplifying fractions (basic – divide by 2)

• Compare (<,>, or =) 2 fractions (with a simple proof drawing)

Finding fourths, thirds, halves, eighths on a given number line

• Probability questions relating to a spinner (what is the chance that the spinner will land on…)

Be the First

We are jumping into our Be the First program this week.  During social studies time, we will be researching possible future careers for our class.  Students will pick a career they may possibly be interested in as a future career.  Then each student will be required to research the education needed for that career, colleges/universities that offer the needed program, salary, etc.   

Next Friday, April 13th, we will be traveling to Woodstock North High School for the Be the First program.   We will join other elementary students at the high school to celebrate the Be the First program.

I personally had a thought of walking home from the high school rather than riding the bus (weather permitting).  If all approval goes through, I will send a note home confirming this decision this week.

April Field Trips

April is the month of field trips for our 4th graders!  It will be very exciting for us. 

First, on Wednesday, April 4th, our Challenge Corps students will be going to Chicago to celebrate and investigate a novel that they delved into:  Chasing Vermeer. 

In the morning of April 13th, all of our 4th graders will be traveling to Woodstock North High School to participate in our District's Be the First Program.  Students will be studying future potential careers that they individually may be interested in for their future.

On April 17th, Mrs. Briscoe and Mrs. Laidig's classes will be going on a field trip to Glacial Ridge Conservation Park in Ringwood, IL.  We will be studying the bog and wetland ecosystems.  We are looking forward to this fine McHenry County Conservation District program and we are grateful to the Mary Endres PTO for funding this field trip for us!

Baby Girl

Congratulations to Mrs. Nancy Briscoe as she welcomed a baby girl into her family.  Mallory Mace was born on Sunday, March 18th at about 5:00am.  Mom and baby are doing well!

Multiplication Challenge

Our class has been building pizzas on our "Multiplication Rocks" bulletin board as they pass their 30 second timed quizzes.  Thank you for all of your hard work at home.  Keep it up, our challenge is still going and our students are learning so much!

Plays

Our creative minds have been cruising these past 2 months.  Thank you to SM15 and MT18 for creating fantastic play scripts for our class!  Our students stepped up and ran with these scripts.  We performed for two other classes.  It was so much fun!

ISATs = complete

We finished our two week ISAT testing window without a hitch!  Way to go 4th graders, you did a great job!!  Way to ROCK the test.  I am proud of you!

ISAT's are coming!

We will begin our ISAT testing next week.  We will being testing on Tuesday, March 6th.  We have been practicing many testing strategies in class.  They have all been working very hard and I feel confident that they will do well!  Please remind them how smart they are and please help relieve any testing stress that your child may have.  If you could be consistent with sleep patterns and healthy eating at home, that will support our success with testing too!

In addition, my class is so excited to chew gum during the tests.  I am completely fine with that as long as they respect the fact that the gum will find the garbage can when we are done with it.  I am looking for sugar free gum donations if you are able to send a pack or two in!  Thank you again!

Multiplication Rocks! Challenge

We are starting a new multiplication challenge.  The goal is to memorize all of our facts through 12.  We will work on them piece by piece to build a pizza split up into 12 pieces.  The entire class will begin tomorrow with the 0's and 1's.  Each quiz has 15 questions on it and they will be given 30 seconds.  Every student that builds their own pizza through the 12's by Spring Break will be entered in to win a pizza lunch with friends!  Let's get everyone entered in the raffle!!  Thank you for practicing so much at home.

PAWs Winners

I posted a picture of the 2 PAWs winners from our class this month.  It breaks my heart to only choose 2, but allow me to mention how very proud of them.  These students are a shining example of being fine role models in our class!

Several classmates decided to write about our PAWs winners.  Here are a few quotes from their writing:

"KG10 is a really good friend and she is kind and helps her classmates."

"KG10 is always respectful."

"I am happy for KZ23 because he is doing very good in class."

"One thing I notice about K23 is that when he gets something wrong, he always goes back to fix it."

I am so proud of our class!

Conferences

I am looking forward to this week's conferences.  In the spring, I have the students lead the conference.  We have been practicing in class.  A student-led conference helps the students take ownership to their learning and what is going on in school both academically and behaviorally.  Please bring your child along if you are able.  I understand if this does not work out for you; in this case I will ask you to bring the script home for your child to read to you over the weekend.  I look forward to sharing the many wonderful things that your child is doing in school with you!  See you very soon.

Valentine Party

Thank you to the many families that supplied our goodies for our party, and not to mention, the families that were able to join our party too!  It was a grand success due to your support.

Valentine's Day Party

Hello families!  Here I am, AGAIN, begging for help for our classroom party!  Next Tuesday, February 14th we will have our classroom party from 12:30-1:30.  We are all set with a game, a craft and plates and napkins.  We are looking for help with juice/cups, a healthy snack and a treat.  Let me know if you haven't had a chance to donate to our parties yet and we will sign you up!  Thank you in advance for your support.

Orchestra

The first-ever 4th grade Mary Endres Orchestra was a success!  I personally was very impressed by how much our students have learned during the semester.  We are thrilled to learn that Mrs. Blaho is now working full time in our District!  Now we get her for a full day at Endres, every Tuesday.  Please be sure to send your child to school with their instrument for our new Tuesday lesson day, rather than Friday.

Young Authors

So many of our students committed to producing a book for our 2012 Young Authors contest!  I am so proud of everyone's hard work.  Although the final deadline is February 17th, there were many students who turned in their book by the early bird deadline of January 20th.  Congratulations to AM, MT and JV for earning an Author's Chair spot on Literacy Night....not to mention a pizza lunch with our guest author as well.  Bravo!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conference slips were sent home on Friday.  Please check over the date and time that I suggested.  If it doesn't work for you, please send back alternative suggestions.  I am flexible in working out a time that may not fall within the assigned P/T Districts days of February 16 or 17th.  Just let me know!

Reading Counts Challenge

Our class has been challenged to earn 90 points by February 3rd in our Reading Counts Program.  Our class is split up into 4 teams:  Team Toboggan, Team Frosty, Team Blizzard and Team Jack (Frost).  Each team is working towards earning their way into a pizza party on Wednesday, February 7th.  Please continue to support your child with their nightly reading and check to see if it is a Reading Counts book.  Thank you!

Young Authors - Early Entries

If your child is interested in reading in the Author's Chair for next week's Literacy Night, please be sure your child submits his/her book by this Friday, January 20th.  The entry must follow the guidelines which were previously sent home and also listed previously on my blog.  Good luck!  If your child is still working on their piece, do not fret.  The final due date for the Young Author's contest is Friday, February 17th.

Mary Endres Young Authors Information

Attention All Mary Endres Students!       

Now is your chance to be an author and illustrator

You are invited to make a book for:

THE YOUNG AUTHORS PROGRAM

Every year our school district encourages all students to make their own story and book.  While this is not a requirement, we encourage all students to participate in this wonderful program.  Please don’t be concerned about the competition aspect.  All children are authors and we will make every effort to honor each book as they are turned in!

Guidelines:

1. Encourage your child to be creative but keep the story at his/her ability level.  It must be their story.
2. Dictated books may be typed or handwritten by adults but it must be in the student’s own words and the student must do the illustrations. 
3. Stories can be written in English or Spanish.
4. Illustrations may be drawn by hand or computer generated.
5. The story needs to be in book form.  That means it must have a cover and pages securely attached to the cover.  The title of the book and your child’s name must be on the cover of the book.
6. All books must be submitted to your child’s teacher by Friday, February 17, 2012.
7. 4 books per grade level will be selected for district judging.
8. If your child’s book is selected to represent the district, you and your child will be invited to attend a state conference on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Springfield, IL.

Other Information:

1.      Students who are serious about writing a story will receive a commitment pencil before the Winter Break.

2.      Students who submit their books early may be chosen to read their book on Literacy Night, January 26, 2012, in our Author’s Chair!

3.      Parents can encourage their young author’s by offering the following suggestions:

a.       The book should tell the whole story (beginning, middle, and end).

b.      The book should be of interest to other children.

c.       The story line should demonstrate creativity.

d.      The book should be in their child’s own language, not an adult’s language.

e.       Please refer to the grading rubric on the back of this sheet for additional guidelines.

4.  HAVE FUN!!!!

Spelling Bee

Congratulations to three of our stellar speller's......SM15, MT19 and KZ23 will be representing our class this Thursday, January 12th in the Mary Endres Spelling Bee.  Parents are welcome to view the "Bee"...it begins at 7:45.  Best of luck to them!

Young Author's

Many of our students have verbally committed to write their own story to enter into the Mary Endres' Young Author's contest.  I encourage participation and will allow some classtime to work on their writing pieces.  The due date is Friday, February 17th.  An incentive that I offer for commitment is that I allow homework passes for those engaged in the program.  The majority of the homework from Tuesday, January 17th - Friday, February 17th will be optional for any student dedicated to being a Young Author.  I will send home a permission form for you to sign if your child has committed.   This form will be attached to January 17th's literacy homework assignment.  I am thrilled that we have so much writing interest in our class!