Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Mark Your Calendar...

Few things to remember:

Conferences - November 30, December 1 and 2
-Please be on time
-Please knock on the door at your scheduled time

Book Fair
The Book Fair will be open during Conferences. Money can be sent in with your child so the he/she may purchace books during the day. Parents may also visit the Book Fair before/after their scheduled conference to browse/purchase books.

Picture Re-Take Day - Monday, December 6
-Original pictures must be returned on re-take day (except for the class picture) and a form must be completed (found in our main office).

And most importantly....


Hanukkah countdown banner



Christmas countdown banner

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Author Dan Greenburg Visits FH


Today, we had the privilege of having author Dan Greenburg visit our school and talk to our fourth graders.

Dan Greenburg writes the popular Zack Files series for kids and has also written many bestselling books for grown-ups. His sixty-six books have been translated into twenty languages. To research his writing, Greenburg has worked with N.Y. Firefighters and homicide cops, searched for the Loch Ness monster, flown upside down in an open-cockpit plane, taken part in voodoo ceremonies in Haiti, and disciplined tigers on a Texas ranch. He has not, however, personally encountered any zombies or glowing slugs—at least not yet. Greenburg lives north of New York with wife Judith, son Zack, and many cats.

Mr. Greenburg was funny and held his audience captive with his many adventures including those with tigers and an elephant in Africa. He also explained the importance of rewriting - no matter how much a pain it may be. Rewriting will only make the work better!

Students thoroughly enjoyed this well traveled author and learning about his humorous characters and books.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Fawn Hollow Turkey Trot and Spirit Day

November 19
Get ready to dust off those running shoes for the Annual Fawn Hollow Turkey Trot! It is one of the most loved traditions here at Fawn Hollow. Be sure to wear your Fawn Hollow apparel for a day filled with exercise, school spirit and fun! We’re also providing an opportunity for our families to make a donation to the Monroe Food Pantry. Boxes for the various items will be placed in the foyer on the 19th. The pantry is in need of the items listed below. Thanks for sharing what you have with those in need this holiday!

Our PTO Presidents are Jen Aguilar and Daphne Marcinek. Please call the Fawn Hollow main office at 452-2923 if you would like to leave a message for them to contact you.


Cranberries
Stuffing
Turkey Gravy (other varieties also needed)
Coffee
Peanut Butter (crunchy)
Vegetable Oil
Soup (including dry)
Beefaroni
Spaghettio’s
Rice-a-Roni
Rice Mixes
Instant Rice
Pasta Meals
Jelly
Sugar Free Jelly
Dry Milk
Evaporated Milk
Juice
Cake Mixes
Pickles
Mac & Cheese
Salad Dressings
Olives
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Hot Chocolate
Canned Beans – all varieties
Corned Beef Hash
Canned vegetables (no green beans and corn)
Spam
Baked Beans
Bread Crumbs
Cereal
Canned Fruit
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Laundry Soap

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Scholastic Book Club

It's that time again!

New fliers went home today with many great books to choose from. Remember that you can always order your books through me or online using scholastic.com/bookclubs and using the Class Activation Code: GW9ZN for first-time online shoppers.

Online shoppers will also have the opportunity of purchasing books off several different flyers including a "Clearance" flier and a "Holiday" flier.

Best of all, we earn a free book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online!

Thanks for shopping!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Take-Home Books

This year, in conjunction with our reading program, students will be taking home "Take-Home Books." These are short, photocopied selections for students to practice reading and other skills taught in class.

Recently, students have been using them to practice identifying the Main Idea of a story, Summarizing, Text-to-Self Connections and Vocabulary.

Students are to keep these in their Take-Home Folder until I tell them they can keep them at home. Students can also use the time spent reading the selection for their 20/20 Reading Chart. This helps to kill two birds with one stone - especially for those reluctant readers.

Mandy Sue Day

We recently finished reading Mandy Sue Day by Roberta Karim as a whole class read-aloud to review Main Idea and writing a summary.

Students learned that Mandy Sue is blind but gets to enjoy spending a day with her beloved horse Ben on her own. Although Mandy Sue may have a disability, it does not prevent her from enjoying a variety of activities independently.

Today, students brought in various pictures associated with the story and created 5 different collages to depict what Mandy Sue can only see using her imagination. These collages remind us that no matter what, with determination and hard work, one can enjoy a special day doing what one loves.

Scholastic Book Club - October Orders

It's that time again! An order form went home today and is due back by Friday October 15 with your order.

Remember you can return the order to me with your payment made out to Scholastic or you may order online by going to:

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

First time orders online need to use the Class Activation Code: GW9ZN.

Those of you who have ordered online before can log in and use your user name and password.

We need orders back by October 15 so that you could receive your books before Halloween!!

Thanks!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Picture Day

Tuesday, October 5!

Order forms are going home today. Mark your calendars!

Friday, September 17, 2010

OPEN HOUSE

It was great seeing so many parents last night and meeting briefly with you. I hope I didn't talk too fast or confuse you - I told you at the start I could talk a lot.

One thing I did forget to mention was that you could reach me by email here at school should you have a concern regarding your child. Please email me at

fariaj@monroeps.org

Thanks for your support. I am looking forward to a fantastic year!

Enjoy your weekend.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

REMINDER...

Book Club Order Due Date : September 24




Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: GW9ZN

Dear Parent,

There's no time to lose! In order to make our deadline and have all our books arrive on time, your order to Scholastic Book Clubs is due by the date shown above.

Use the order form in the flyer your child recently brought home and return it to me with your payment right away!

Or, make it easy and send me your order online!

Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and log in using your user name and password.

If it's your first time ordering online, use the Class Activation Code shown above to get started. SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.



SELECT the books you'd like to order. Choose from thousands of titles. There are many more than in our monthly flyers.



SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child's books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast and easy!

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.


Thank you!

Friday, September 3, 2010

How They Grow in Fourth Grade

Being new to Fourth Grade I was doing some research to see what I was getting myself into :) and I came across this information from familyeducation.com.

Where They Are
Nine is a time of rapid learning for kids. Nine-year-olds:

-Want to put some distance between themselves and adults, and may rebel against authority.
-Need to be part of a group.
-Seek independence.
-Possess a high activity level.
-Can express a wide range of emotions and verbalize easily.
-Can empathize.
-Can think independently and critically, but are tied to peer standards.
-Begin to increase their sense of truthfulness.
-Are typically not self-confident.

Where They're Going
At nine years old, your child is learning how to make decisions and set standards. You can help by encouraging your child as s/he:

-Begins making decisions.
-Gains a greater sense of responsibility.
-Sets personal standards.
-Develops personal interests and abilities.
-Develops social skills.
-Learns to engage in group decision-making.

These kids can move mountains - they just don't feel they can. With our help, these kids can and will do marvelous things!

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Spelling Test Tomorrow!!

Spellingcity.com is a great website for students to practice their week's spelling words and have some fun while doing it. Each week, the spelling list will be posted so that students can practice while playing various word/spelling games. Please check it out!

Click on Find A List
Click on Connecticut
Click M for city's first initial
Click on Monroe
Click on F for school's first initial
Click on Fawn Hollow
Click on John Farias
Click on the spelling list for the week!

Students will also be able to continue studying past lists for extra practice!!

Enjoy!

Learn to spell it right at Spelling City!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Welcome Back!!

New year!
New grade-level!
New students with new wants and needs!

Trying to get back into a routine in this heat! Holy Cannoli!!

Dates to remember:
September 6 - No School - Labor Day
September 9 - No School - Rosh Hashanah
September 16 - Open House - check notices coming home for time

Check back often for updates to stay in-the-know about what is happening in class. See you soon at Open House!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Penderwicks/Summer Reading


We just finished reading The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. It is a National Book Award winner for young people's literature and was on the New York Times Bestseller list. The class thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it would make a great movie. I agree!

Students received a folder with lots of information regarding the Summer Reading Program and a flyer went home today regarding our school library and how students can get books for use during the summer.

I know that students enjoyed the read-alouds that I have done with them. Keep your kids reading over the summer. It will only help them for the start of school next year.

Skype II

Once again, we Syped with Mr. McGowan's class in California. It was so successful last time that we wanted to try it one more time before the end of the year.

He put it best. Although we are across the country from each other, for about 50 minutes, we were one classroom! Students got to ask and answer some great questions and we learned that there are more similarities than differences.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Monroe School House

Click on the link below to see an Animoto video of yesterday's trip to the School House. Enjoy!

Monroe School House

Friday, May 28, 2010

Skype

Yesterday we got to Skype with a third grade class from Alexandria Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, California. Thanks to Mr. McGowan and his class. Each class asked questions about school, community...... We found many similarities but differences as well! Mr. McGowan pointed out that if you Google Map both schools, you'll find ours is surrounded by green - trees and grass. Their school is surrounded by buildings and blacktop.

It was a great experience and we hope to do it one more time before the end of the year.

Essex

What a day!

The kids were super! Nobody fell overboard! The many chaperones were great! It was HOT but everyone seemed to have a great day. Many even said that it was the best school trip they had been on! Big Thanks to Mrs. Ruby for organizing the trip and thanks again to all the chaperones that made it such a successful trip. Enjoy the photo album - Thanks Mrs. Antolini!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Scholastic Book Club

Order forms went home today. All orders are due back by May 17. Try shopping online by going to:

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
User Name: FariasatFH
Password: FHRoom2

Shop online to get instant access to over 500 additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts. Of course, you can always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Book Club order form and payment at school.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

50 State Mail Race

To date, we have heard back from 11 states: California, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, Virginia, New Mexico, New Jersey and Connecticut. In most cases, we are very similar. However, there was one class in particular that was made up of both third and fourth graders. Very interesting. We are going to try to Skype to one of the classes soon. Stay tuned!

Friday, April 9, 2010

First letter back!

We got our first 50 State Mail Race letter back from Easton, CT! Our class felt sorry for them - they only have a 20 minute recess period. However, we were a bit jealous of their "deli bar."

Stay tuned for more 50 State Mail Race responses!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

With spring comes.....


Warmer weather.
Longer days.
A need to play outside.
No desire to do homework!

It is always during this time of year that the excuses begin.

"I left my book/folder in school."
"I didn't have time last night to do homework."
"I had to go to practice for....."

Please help me and your child by making homework a priority. I understand the need to get outside and play and also understand that there are many after-school activities that begin during this time. However, students need to remember that school is their "job." Please help by checking homework logs and completed homework. Don't accept mediocrity no matter how easy the assignment might be.

With your help, we can make these next three months a cinch for our kids!

Happy Spring!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Letters have been mailed!

The 50 State Mail Race letters have been mailed - now we are just waiting for the responses. Stay tuned!

Friday, March 12, 2010

50 State Mail Race


The 50 State Mail Race is underway. Students have already researched school addresses and worked on questions for a questionnaire.

What is this 50 State Mail Race, you ask?

Every year, students write to third grade classrooms in all 50 states asking them to partake in the mail race by completing the included questionnaire and mailing it back as soon as possible. The questionnaire asks third graders questions regarding their school and grade 3 experience. We then plot the information here in class. This year we hope to Skype with a volunteering class somewhere in the U.S.

A letter will soon be sent home explaining the race and asking for postage stamps. Be on the look-out for that.

Stay tuned for more 50 State Mail Race entries to keep-up on how we are doing!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Cornelia!

We just finished the latest read-aloud titled, Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M. Blume. When I was done, they clapped! Many commented on how much they enjoyed the book. So I started thinking and decided to post a poll for students to vote on their favorite read-aloud this school year.

A read-aloud is a book that I read aloud to them while they are eating their snack.

I've read some good ones! It will be a hard decision. Only vote once!!!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

First CMT Test Done.....

6 more to go!

Today's test - writing prompt - went very well. Students were excited to write and many commented on how well they thought they did when it was over. It was a fun topic - ask your child about it.

Remember to tell your child the importance of doing their best, have them get some well-deserved rest and make sure they eat a good, healthy breakfast that will get them going in the morning!

Chocolate Party Was A Success!

Huge thanks to all of you who provided treats for our first-ever chocolate party. The smell in the room was to die for! Now, students know what Charlie Bucket went through each day - walking past Wonka's factory and smelling that delicious chocolate smell and not being able to eat any of it.

Everyone waited patiently while adults prepped. There was so much to choose from. There were cupcakes, brownies, Oreo pie, chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, chocolate milk, fudge, truffles and even chocolate covered bacon!

On the Smart Board, we voted for our favorite chocolate bar, we guessed different chocolates and watched how chocolate is made and molded into different treats for various holidays.

Everyone had fun and it was a great way to spend the afternoon before the start of the CMT grind. Thanks again to all who made it a success!!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Snowman Building Contest














On the Thursday before our short break, we had a Snowman Building Contest - one of our Monthly Packet prizes. Thanks to the "blizzard" we got the day before, we had just enough snow to make the snowmen. Four groups worked hard, pictures were taken and the other third graders got to vote on their favorite.

Enjoy the pictures. Congratulations to Britney, Eddie, Grace, Jacob and Jihad!

100th Day

Happy 100th Day!!

To celebrate 100 days of school, third graders got to visit each third grade teacher and do various activities having to do with 100! Students estimated, finished puzzles, shopped and avoided getting "snake eyes!" Ask your child how they spent their day - everyone had a blast celebrating 100 days of school!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Moving on....


We just finished reading non-fiction books in our guided-reading groups pertaining to animals. One group for example, read about animal life-cycles while another read how animals work in different capacities. Students got to read many interesting facts and write about them in their daily diary.

Next month, we'll be going back to fiction. Each guided-reading group will work with a book dealing with......CHOCOLATE!! Wouldn't you agree that February is the perfect month to read and delve into chocolate? Jealous? If you aren't now, I'm sure you will be come the end of the month when I will have a fantastic event planned for the culmination of our reading!

Stay tuned!

Early Dismissal

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Please be reminded that there will be an early dismissal for students, January 28th.


Elementary Early Dismissal (All Monroe Schools)

Grade 1 – 4 - 9:00 am to 1:35 pm
AM Kindergarten - 9:00 to 11:17 pm
PM Kindergarten - 11:23 to 1:35 pm

No lunch is served on early dismissal days.

Friday, January 15, 2010

CMT Prep/Review

We are quickly approaching March and that means Connecticut Mastery Testing!

Starting this week, students have been switching among the grade 3 teachers and reviewing problems and question, in both math and reading, that may be found on the various tests. We have been doing this for the past few years and have found that students have benefited from this review of strategies and problem solving before the actual testing.

Completed work will be sent home. Review it with your child and ask him/her what it is that they did and how they got their answers. It is our hope that the review will show students what to expect on the actual tests so they are less overwhelmed during the testing period.

More information regarding testing dates will be coming out soon.

Smart Board

You all know how a guy loves his electronic toys!!! I LOVE my Smart Board. I'm sure your child has already told you how cool this thing is. This morning during math, the students had an assignment where they had to sort shapes. One student wasn't sure whether or not a shape had a right angle. I pulled up the online gallery, found a protractor, slid the protractor over the shape and turned it to measure the angle and everyone quickly saw that the shape did not have any right angles.

In the afternoon during dismissal, I pull up interactive educational games that the students can do up at the board. Students practice math and language skills while having fun.

I must also thank the PTO for their Mini Grant that I have won. I will be receiving a wireless tablet that works in conjunction with the board. It will allow me to walk around the room and use the board without having to be at it. I can also place the tablet on a student's desk so that he/she can demonstrate something while it is shown to the whole class on the Smart Board.

Gotta love technology!!