Dear parents,
This is definitely a very busy time of year.  Best wishes to everyone!
FYI:

Monday 12/9

*MATH - Study Links 4.7 & 4.8

*Study times tables 2 through 9's. Students will take 3-minute timed tests (36 problems each) after Thanksgiving until they demonstrate mastery (80% or better on 3 tests). Si se puede!

*Language Arts -

*WW Lesson 7 Vocabulary test Tuesday, 12/17

*Literature Response log

*Ask your student about our new book, Earthquake Terror!

*Sing Along - December 18, 6:30. Ask your student to sing The 12 Days of Christmas - New Mexico style!

FRIDAY 12/13

*Math Study Link 4.9 & 4.10; Unit 4 exam Tuesday 12/17

*Spelling Test Monday 12/16 - Unit 2 - Doubling rule for One syllable words

*NM History - study vocabulary cards. Test Wednesday 12/18

Dear Parents,
Thank you for joining us this past Monday for our Celebration of Learning.  The kids were very proud of their work and it was great to see them sharing their excitement with you!

The days before we go on Holiday Break will fly by, so I want to start the ball rolling now on a few items:

 [1] I'd like to propose having a Cherry Pie book exchange for the kids the last day of school, Dec. 19th.  Students should bring a gently used (and well-loved) book (gift-wrapped) to school that day.  The books will all be placed in a 'Cherry Pie' pile and each student will get the opportunity to chose a gift to take home.

[2] I'd also like to have some sort of Holiday celebration on the last day (12/19).  We could start around 1:30 in the afternoon, have the Cherry Pie exchange, eat some treats, make some art and then go to the library for a movie finale.  Any parents interested in helping me out with this? Thanks!

[3] We need extra hands in ART class for the next 2 weeks, on Tuesday from 2-3pm.  The students are making huge "Advent" windows to use during the holiday Sing Along.  If you can help, please drop me a line asap.

Here's a copy of the upcoming Homework Schedule. Thanks again for all your support!
-Kelly

Monday 12/2

*MATH - Study Links 4.3 and 4.4

*Study times tables 2 through 9's. Students will take 3-minute timed tests (36 problems each) after Thanksgiving until they demonstrate mastery (80% or better on 3 tests). Si se puede! 

*Language Arts - ask your student about our new book,  Earthquake Terror!

*Sing Along - Decemeber 18, 6:30.  Ask your student to sing The 12 Days of Christmas - New Mexico style!

FRIDAY 12/6

*Math Study Link 4.5 and 4.6 

*WW Lesson 7, study Vocabulary - test Tuesday 12/10

*NM History - study vocabulary cards. Test Monday 12/9

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Families,

     The Fourth Graders have been working very hard.  We've been busily practicing our times tables, learning about decimals, reading for main idea, learning new spelling and grammar rules and reflecting on our writing skills. We've also created New Mexico travel brochures and we hope you'll come see them during our Celebration of Learning scheduled for Monday, December 2nd, from 2-3pm.  Special thanks to everyone who's helped out in the classroom this fall - your involvement and support is so valuable and I am very grateful.

     This class has grown tremendously in the last few months. Not only are they TALLER, but they have come together and are a true team.  I love working with them and I cherish how they make me laugh at least once a day!  So creative and full of wonder!  

   I wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving and safe travels during this long holiday weekend.  

Gratefully,

Ms. Kelly

Hello parents,
     The students have worked for the past month on their NM brochure's project.  Please ask them how it's going.  If the project was not finished today, it should be taken home as homework - due this Friday, Nov. 22.   This has been a great learning experience and we look forward to having you attend our Celebration of Learning on Monday, Dec. 2 from 2-3.  
     Invitations have been sent home today for the Thanksgiving Luncheon, scheduled for THIS Wednesday, at 12:30.  Please RSVP if you would like to attend.  We hope you can join us!
     Special thanks to Jim O'Donnell, Maggie Rael, Marie Engle, and Nina Silverberg for their donations of time and energy in our classroom.  It's wonderful to have your support!
Thank you,
Kelly

This week is the final week for in-class work on the New Mexico brochure project.  Ask your child about which point of interest they are researching. Thanks!

Happy Halloween!

      Thanks to everyone who helped make our Halloween celebration such a big success!  The costumes were fantastic and the kiddos really had a ball.  Ask them about the puzzle pumpkin, or the 'off limits' vocabulary game!
     We hope to see everyone again this Tuesday night, Nov. 5th from 6:30 to 7:30 for our Explora Science night, where "Hands On" is the magic word! :)

Halloween and class update 10/24

Dear parents,

Thank you for coming in and signing up for your parent-teacher conference.  I look forward to spending time with each of you on Friday, November 1.  It's been great fun getting to know your students, and the learning they have already achieved is impressive.  What a fabulous group of kiddos!

Halloween is just around the corner and the kids are excited to celebrate!  FYI - costumes should not be worn to school or faces painted.  After lunch, at 1:00 we will dress and prepare for the school-wide parade at 1:30.  Then at 2:00 we will mix 4th and 5th grades and have a party with yogurt parfaits, games and crafts.  I invite any parents who wish to give us a hand, or who simply wish to watch the parade to join us Thursday.  Also, I need everyone to contribute to our yogurt parfait making...please send your child with the food items listed below.  THANK you so very much!

PARTY SUPPLY LIST

[] Large tub of vanilla yogurt:  Allani, Amara, Andrew, Ben, Devin, Dylan

[] Basket of fresh berries:  Eliza, Enoch, Grace, Isabella, John 

[] Can of whipped cream:  Lilith, Lucas, Marlena

[] 2 cups granola:  Moises, Peter, Robbie, Selina

[] Sleeve of large plastic cups & sprinkles:   Shirah

[] box of plastic spoons & sprinkles:  Zephanaya

Good morning parents,
The Blog is now letting me edit.  Homework assignments and the Snack Calendar are current. Whahoo!
Have a great day!

Dear parents,
Sorry that last week's homework is still posted - to the right.  Google Blogger is being weird this week and won't let me edit? So, I'll  just keep posting the homework here at the very least. Thanks!

Friday:  10/4  Math Study Link 2.4; catch up pages from Math book and/or Wordly Wise Lesson 3a.

Dear parents,
FYI, picture re-takes will happen next week on Thursday, October 10.  Please be sure to get your forms in on time.

Homework

Monday: 10/2  Literature Response Log; Math Study Link 2.2; Study vocabulary WW Lesson 2 for Wednesday test.

Friday:  10/4  Math Study Link 2.4; catch up pages from Math book and/or Wordly Wise Lesson 3a.

Hello dearest parents,

Another week of great learning has just whizzed by!  I wanted to remind you of a couple important items:

[1]  Open House - Tuesday, 6:30. Please make plans to attend.  This is a wonderful opportunity to peek at your student's work and to learn more about our class culture, curriculum and expectations.  The kiddos will show you around for the first part of the Open House and then they will have supervised play outside while I talk with the adults. 

[2]  MAP testing begins Monday and will be completed Thursday.  Please be sure your student comes to school well rested and eats a hearty breakfast.  Thanks!

[3]  Field Trip this Wednesday.  3rd through 5th grades will be hiking the Italianos Trail together this Wednesday.  I need permission slips so your child can join us.  I could also use 1 or 2 parent volunteers to help with supervision.  Let me know if you'd like to join us!

[4]  Have you checked out the blog?  Please do so!  www.anansi4thgrade.blogspot.com.   I'd like to use the blog as the platform where I can post the week's homework and news items. Then you can check them at your leisure.  There's also a place where you can sign up to get notifications each time I update the Blog with new info... check it out! 

[5] Scholastic Book orders due back by next week 9/26/13.  You can now order directly online.  Just type in the class code found at the top of your order form (MD3XK). Then you can order and pay online and our class will receive points for which we can later redeem for books to add to our class library.  Also, I'd LOVE a parent volunteer to help me with this piece. 

Thank you for your support.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone Tuesday night!

Friday HW:  Math Study Link 1.8; Rocket Math - practice; Math workbooks - catch up pages; Scholastic orders and Permission slips due.

Hello Parents,
    The 4th grade is off to a terrific start!  We've been busy learning new routines and making new friends.  Special welcome to our two new students Enoch and Devin.  It's a delight to have them in our class. The 4th grade has written Bio Poems, performed vocabulary charades, held its first Book Club, made clouds with shaving cream, researched NM animals, and lots lots more!
     You may have heard that Anansi's computer system was knocked out by a recent thunderstorm. This has made communicating via computer a bit tricky, but we hope to have the system back up and running by next week.  If the computers are running, we will begin our MAP testing cycle.  The fourth grade will have 1 hour of tests each day -  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday of next week (9/9 - 9/13). Please help your student do their very best by ensuring he or she is well rested and has a healthy breakfast each morning.
     Open House for the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30.  Mark your calendars. I'm sure Michelle will be sending out more information as soon as the computer systems are restored.  I look forward to meeting with you all.
     I could really use some help in the classroom, if you have any time or interest to volunteer.  Please see the list of needs on this blog.  Volunteer hours are very flexible and your help really makes a difference - thanks! 
    

     

Welcome to 4th grade

Dear Parents,

     Welcome back to Anansi Charter School! I am honored and excited for the opportunity to work with you and your student.  I am looking forward to the learning we will do together in the coming school year.

     Although I recognize many familiar faces, I’d like to introduce myself for the sake of those new to me.  I moved to Taos in 1989 and began teaching over 15 years ago.   I have taught 3^rd grade through High School with specific emphasis in Science and Mathematics.  I’ve also taught abroad, including a 2 year stay in Ecuador teaching 4^th grade.  I am blessed with a beautiful family with whom I rock climb, ski and garden.  My 6 year old daughter Sophie also attends Anansi and is super excited that her Mom will be on campus this year! I am equally delighted to be returning to the elementary classroom at such a lovely and successful school. 

     During the upcoming year, your student and I will build upon the learning they gained last year.  Mathematics will emphasize multiplication and division, geometry and problem solving; Language arts will include guided literature analysis, writing projects, vocabulary development, grammar and spelling; Social studies will focus primarily on New Mexico history while Science will explore the human body, forces and motion, earth’s materials, and weather.  Homework will be given on a regular basis and enriching projects will be sent home for additional support throughout the year.

     Anansi Charter encourages open communication between home and school.  If you need to speak with me, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.  I am available most afternoons after school for a brief check-in.  Mornings I am less available as I’m busy preparing for the day’s learning.  I also have office hours on Tuesday from 1-3pm if a longer meeting is desired.  My email is kafarewell@gmail.com. 

Thank you for your support. This year is going to be a blast!

Sincerely and with gratitude,

Kelly Farewell