Big news for Grade 4!!

News to Note

Ok, can someone please tell me how it can be February already?! This year is flying by way too fast and I'd really like it to slow down just a bit, so I we can all enjoy it even more. Hopefully, the day off yesterday provided a great opportunity to do just that...and the weather was just glorious! Though we teachers were at school, it was a fantastic day of professional growth as we learned from Brian and Robin Fogarty, who are renowned experts in education. Our time was very well spent.

Since it's been a while (so sorry!), I wanted to touch base about a few things:

• I want to offer a huge thank you to those of you parents who were able to come to our Track and Field Day last Tuesday, Jan. 31. I so appreciate your help, encouragement, time, effort, and support. It made our day so much more fun having you there with us, so please know that I am very appreciative. (I'll be posting pictures soon!) 

• Swimming is canceled for this cycle and the rest of Trimester 2, as the recent storm caused some damage to the pool area and it will take time for the repairs, insurance, inspection, etc. Thank you for your understanding. I know the children are disappointed, but this is a great opportunity to use a favorite expression in our classroom, "C'est la vie." (That's life.) 

• Parent Engagement Week in the ES: You are invited to join us in our classroom on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 8:10-9:00. I will be teaching a mini-lesson about how to effectively elaborate in narrative stories (in this case, our fractured fairy tale). Knowing a few strategies will help to equip you at home when/if your child gets stuck as a writer and doesn't know what else to add to his/her story. I hope you'll be able to join us! 

• We will be going on a field trip next Thursday, Feb. 16. First, we'll head over to the Dubai Museum to learn about life in the UAE, Bedouins, pearl diving, and more. Then, we'll walk down the block to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. There, we'll partake in a full Emirati meal, learn about local culture, and make a tile craft. (This is the reason why this field trip is a bit pricey. Rest assured that it's a high quality field trip, which students have typically greatly enjoyed and students will be brining home the art the create.)  
• If you would like to volunteer for this trip, please just let me know. It's a fantastic trip! We'll be off campus from 8ish until 1:30 pm. (You will need to drive your own vehicle, as parents are not allowed on school buses for insurance purposes.) 

• Valentine's Day is next Tuesday, Feb. 14. We will be having a small classroom party; however, it will just be limited to the students and me, since our time will be short. If you would like to send in some goodies (cookies, cupcakes, fruit, chocolate, etc.), you are welcome to. Just send me an email, so I know what to expect. 

• Students are invited to dress down in Valentine's Day colors (red, pink, white) on Tuesday, Feb. 14, for a minimum donation of AED 5, which will go to Dubai Cares. (Students who don't wish to dress down are also most welcome to still donate.)

• If you would like to have your child write valentines for their classmates, here is a list of our 3LN students: 

• Girls: Jenna, Mariam, Zoya, Anita, Sarah, Farida, Isabella, Sofiya (8 total) 

• Boys: Zayd, Zaid, Jordan, Aly, Efe, Woochan, Zunyi, Ali, Yehia, Julian, Leo, Alvin, Can (13 total)

• Next week will be Love Your Library Week, so be on the look-out for all the "lovely" details. 

• Also, you may have heard my big news that I have accepted a teaching position in Shanghai, China!! I told the news to our class and they share the same bittersweet emotions that I am also feeling. While I'm thrilled to be embarking on a whole new adventure, I will really miss my precious students, you parents, my colleagues, friends, and all of the other aspects of Dubai that I have come to know and love so well. It's difficult to leave. Having said that, however, I'm ready for a change, new challenges, and a whole culture in the Far East. (If you want to read  the whole story, which includes a very detailed description, you're welcome to view and read my personal blog post.) 

• Academics: We have been busy learning! Here's a brief summary...

• In reading, students are now in Unit 3 and learning more about characters through inferencing, examining the character's motivations, and forming theories about characters. Students are now reading fiction again in class, so please encourage your child to read his or her "just right" chapter book each night and bring the reading log back to school each day. Thank you! 

• In writing, we are also in Unit 3, which is all about writing fractured fairy tales. Students will be learning about fairy tale adaptations and how to write their own. They will write 1-2 short fractured fairy tales of their own, with the final goal being to publish their favorite one. 

• In math, we are wrapping up Chapter 5 (place value, decimals) and will have a test next Tuesday. 

• In science, students have been learning about the different between weather and climate, as well as weather tools, how to analyze weather data and draw conclusions, and how to predict the weather based on patterns. 

I think that's it. Thanks for taking the time to read all of our 3LN news and, most importantly, thank you so much for all of your ongoing support! Together is better.  :) 

First Week: Done ✅

After a full week of school, I am so happy to report that things in 3LN are going very well. Children had smiles on their faces, laughter could be heard, and there was plenty of great participation throughout the week. 

The first week is alway so important as procedures are set in place, students scope out the feel of the class and assess their comfort level, and the foundations for new friendships are laid. Thankfully, there were no glaring problems or issues and the class has already begun to gel as a family. (I am always on the lookout for children who seem alone or isolated and there were none to be found. Yay!) 

I drove home on Thursday so very happy with the way things went and so thankful for the children whom I can now call "mine," at least for the next 10 months. (Thank you, parents, for sharing them with me, by the way.) We are on the cusp of Week 2 and the speed will definitely start to pick up a bit. 

Here are some important items that you should note for the next week: 

• Our Back to School Night is on Monday evening. For those of you who can make it, it's always a valuable time for me to communicate the essentials of our year together in Grade 3. If for some reason you are unable to come, however, please rest assured that I will post the powerpoint and all the info. you need. (I understand that some are traveling, working, or home with children.) 

• As an FYI, I will be hosting our BTSN presentation in my classroom, Room 220, along with one of our new teachers, Ms. Jennifer Trataris. We will be co-presenting and look forward to seeing both sets of parents in the classroom. (So, don't be alarmed if there are parents you may not recognize as those from 3LN. Most of the information we'll share applies to both classrooms, but we will each add our own specifics as we go through the presentation.) 

• I have just posted this week's Assignment and News, so please read it over when you have 5 minutes. 

• There are also new pictures up! Click here to see them. (Wow, your children are really cute!) 

• Did you go somewhere pretty amazing this summer? If so, please share it with us! Here's a note from our lovely librarian, Sarah Mollenkramer: 

• Please join us in sharing your summer vacation geography fun facts on our hallway bulletin board. Bring or send us a picture of you on vacation and tell us a fun fact about that place. (s.mollenkramer1_DAA@gemsedu.com) Thanks for your help in promoting awareness about our wide and wonderful world!

That's it for now. I'm excited to see you on Monday night if you can join us!! :)

PS. I hope you'll enjoy these fun pictures, which are just a foretaste of the fun that is yet to come.

Sweet Sofiya is already writing a darling note to her new friend. 

Sarah and Jenna discovering something they have in common during our game of Bingo.

Zoya, "Ooo! Let me sign yours then!" 

Yehia is full of passion! And, he really likes Uno. 

Such a sweet smile...

Two seconds later. Lol.

Are these darlings cute or what?! We are going to have a wonderful year together. :) 

Assignment Sheet and News

Here's what we are learning this week. 

Thanks so much for your wonderful support!! 

Two Important Links

I only kept you waiting one day! How's that for service? :)

Here are the pictures from our field trip. I hope you'll enjoy seeing them!

Also, please be sure to read this week's "Assignment Sheet and News," as it contains some important information as we finish many units.

Thanks so much! 

*News to Note*

There are a few exciting events occurring this week (and in the near future), which I've already spoken to the class about, but you'll also be able to read about them here, as well: 

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Our next DAAPA pizza lunch will be on Thursday, January 28th.  Order forms were sent home on Thursday.  All orders are due on Tuesday morning (Jan. 26th) with exact change please.  Unfortunately, NO orders will be accepted on Thursday. 

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DAAPA will be hosting a family movie night of the year on Thursday, January 28th. Gates open around 5:30 pm, with the movie starting at sunset. Admission and popcorn are free. Pizza, hotdogs/corn-dogs and drinks will be available for purchase.  

Bring  your mat or bean bag to get comfy.  If you are attending, kindly RSVP to stayintouchwithdaaes@gmail.com. 

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Lost and Found Items on Display:  Please note lost and found items will be on display in the foyer from February 8-15th. After that, unclaimed items will be donated to charity.  In order to assist us with getting your child's lost items returned, please ensure that any item your child brings from home is clearly marked with their name.  

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As a reminder, the playground is a nice option for families to meet and greet after school and after ASAs. In order to keep this a safe, fun and positive environment, your child may only play on the playground after school or after ASAs if they are supervised by a parent or care giver. Students who are waiting to be picked up after school must wait quietly in the foyer only. 

News from the Library

Mark your calendars! January 24-28 the PS/ES Library will be celebrating Love My Library Week.  Come and join us after school from 2:50-3:20 Sunday, Monday,Wednesday and Thursday for a range of fun activities including read alouds, a treasure hunt, a trivia contest, board games and more.  PARENTS please join us for a tour of the library on Wednesday, the 27th from 8:00-8:30.  The tour will include information on family library accounts, resources for parents, and an overview of the library curriculum and activities. Please join us!

*News to Note*

News to Note

I want to thank you for being so flexible last week as I was absent for 3 days due to laryngitis and bronchitis. It hit me pretty hard, but thanks to plenty of rest and antibiotics, I'm almost good to go now. A big thank you to Ms. Csilla, who cared for and taught the class while I was away. It felt so good knowing that the class was in such good hands. 

Here are a few other newsworthy items to share: 

• Congratulations to Kiek's twin sisters and Lucia's brother who graduated from Grade 5. Well done! We're so proud of you! 

• The ES Library will be hosting a Book Souk on June 9. This will be a great way to clear your shelves, and stock up on some free reading material for summer! Students have until Monday, June 8, to bring in "gently used" books. Students will receive a credit for each book brought in to select a different book at the souk. Please send books appropriate for grades 3-5, and no more than 10 books per student.

• Please mark your calendars for our End-of-Year Party on Wednesday, June 17, from 1:30-2:30. The theme will be "3LN Has Talent" and an opportunity for our cuties to showcase their unique gifts and abilities. So, start preparing, students! 
• Singing, acting, dancing, paper plane flying, impersonations, story-telling, fashion, drawing, comedy, horse-riding, tennis? What can you do well?! 
• If you have a talent that is not easily performed in the classroom, please pre-record it and send it to me as a file or on a flash drive by June 16, so I can have it ready without any glitches. 
• Also, if there are any who do not wish to participate, that's no problem. We want to make your party as fun and stress-free as possible. :) 

• Library books and textbooks: The time has come for us to return all of our beloved borrowed books back to their homes. This includes both library books and the EverydayMath Student Reference Book. Most of these SRB's have been kept in the classroom, however, please note that these books must be returned in order for students to end the year with a clear account and receive their report cards. Please send the book in with your child as soon as you are finished with it, if you happen to have yours at home. Thank you in advance!

• As we starting to have more indoor recesses these days, we are starting to enjoy a fantastic series called Wild Arabia by BBC. We started watching the first one today, since we studied so much about the Bedouin this year (as well as animal adaptations, climate, weather, and dependent relationships in ecosystems), and the class was mesmerized. Here are the episodes if you'd like to view them at home. 
• Episode 1: Sand, Wind, and Stars 
• Episode 2: Jewel of Arabia
• Episode 3: Shifting Sands 

Academic News: 

• Reading and Writing: We have just finished our Reading for Research and Informational Writing, so that means that most all of the students books have been published!! Overall, they are outstanding and I'm pleased with the amount of time, effort, and accuracy that has been put in to each one. We will now be moving back into fiction reading and starting poetry. 

• Math: Unit 9 is now complete, so we will be reviewing on Monday (June 8) and testing on Wednesday (June 10). I'll be sending home a review packet tomorrow, which is very comprehensive and challenging. (If you can do the review, the test will be a piece of cake!) On Thursday, I will be giving the End-of-Year Assessment, which requires no studying or preparation. It's just a way for me to evaluate how much your child remembers from all of the many skills we learned this year. (Many of these kinds of questions are reoccurring on math tests anyway, as part of our spiral curriculum.) Finally, we will start Unit 10 next, Measurement, which will be our last unit. We will study length, volume, and weight. 

• Science: Our unit on Extreme Weather will be concluding soon and we will move into Forces and Motion, which connects nicely. I will be giving the class a kind of open response assessment at the end of the week, but again, this is not something that you need to study or prepare for. Rather, it's an application of the knowledge and concepts they have been learning in class. PS. Hopefully, your child brought home his/her anemometer today. These have been fun for measuring wind speeds! 

I think that's it. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful support. With only about 3 weeks left, I'm really starting to feel sad about saying good-bye to "my" precious children! 

PS. This is a pretty funny article, which describes how a few of you may be feeling right about now. I was thinking one of us teachers should write one from our perspective. :) 

Teachers doing normal stuff: Here's our lovely Grade 3 Team (minus Ms. Tami and Ms. Rashmi) having breakfast on Saturday at the Pavillion downtown. Delicious and fun!