Month: September 2018

Hello families,

You may have heard your child talk about a Growth Mindset. If you haven’t, ask! They are becoming experts!

A growth mindset celebrates the work, determination, and mistakes that are made in the learning process. It is a topic all of Maples is exploring all year long.

Below is a link to the video series we have watched so far this year to help us understand the differences between a Growth vs. Fixed mindset.

https://ideas.classdojo.com/b/growth-mindset

 

Continue to encourage your student in all that they do!

• Mrs. Whitford

Good morning!

Eureka Math is off and running. So far, we have used all 3 books in class and at home. We’ve also been able to utilize the dry erase boards for daily practice. If able, we would love some Extra Fine Point Dry Erase markers. The spaces to write in are fairly small and using the large chisel tip markers makes work somewhat messy and student’s are running out of room. Thanks in advanced!

A note about math homework…
We have homework in our Succeed book at least twice a week. Homework will likely be a few problems from each lesson at a time. We will go over the homework in class and students are expected to circle the problem numbers that are assigned. We will check and scan our homework the next day. Homework is going to be part of the student’s responsibility grade for their report card.

If you have any questions about Math please let me know!
Thanks and have a great day!

– Mrs.Whitford

Hello.

I just wanted to send you a few links to items we are discussing in class.

First, we took a few moments to talk about Sept. 11th and Patriot’s Day. Students were very respectful and wrote about someone they consider a hero. I am keeping these writings as their first writing sample. Here is a like to the video we watched. I wanted to share it with you in case you had any questions. Brain Pop 9/11

Also, we have been focused on Growth Mindset. That is something we will be working on throughout the year. Below is a link to the Class Dojo videos we have watched. Growth Mindset

And just like that, we are back in the swing of things!

Welcome to 4th grade and welcome to room 312.

I am so thrilled to be teaching 4th grade this year. Last year was my first year at Maples. I taught 5th grade. While it was a great year, I have a feeling this year may be the best yet! Before coming to Maples, I taught Kindergarten and 5th grade at a charter school in Taylor. I was also an instructional aide for 5 years in an elementary school. I have worked with every age group and I feel I belong in upper elementary.

A few areas to take note of for this week:
Math Homework) We will begin taking home our Math homework books tomorrow. We are NOT ripping pages out as we go. Students need to be responsible for their book. Perhaps make sure it is in their backpack when they are done with their work. Treat it as their planner, something you see every day and know that they have it with them when they leave in the morning. The district ordered just enough, so if it is lost or ruined, then we will have to talk to Mrs. Jakubik and see how to problem solve. Only 1 homework book per student.

This Thursday we have Open House. You are more than welcome to come up to our room and see what our classroom is like. You will also be able to sign up for conferences in our classroom.

This Friday is a half day. No lunches will be served, but students may bring in a snack. Dismissal on half days is 11:45.

I try to write an update Sunday or Monday and will always send a link on Class Dojo. You may also subscribe to the blog if you’d like.

Thanks for bringing in supplies! I hope your child is having a great start to 4th grade already!

– Mrs. Whitford