Mrs. Meade's Marvelous Messages
"Nothing is ever hard, just challenging!"
kmeade17@comcast.net
Meade@norwellschools.org
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"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery-You can teach a lesson for a day, but if you teach curiosity, you teach for a lifetime."
Mrs. Meade’s Marvelous Messages
“Nothing is ever hard, just challenging!”
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May 15, 2006
Dear Parents,
The final stretch of the fourth quarter has begun and we are off and running! Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to our wonderful student teacher. She was a great addition to our family and she will be missed. However, rumor has it that she will visit for some end of the school year events. Speaking of events, attached is the REVISED green calendar of events notice. Please discard the other one there
We have wrapped up our study of Egypt. Mrs. Laflamme was actually facilitating this unit of study. The students did a great job researching Egypt and displaying and presenting their findings. The students have now moved onto researching either, China, Mesopotamia, Greece or Rome. They are following similar criteria with guiding essential questions. The end product will be up to the group to decide but there are four choices. This study will end our social studies for the year.
In math we are moving quite quickly through unit 7. The students are doing well with fractions, percents and decimals. We have been doing several MCAS math problems as well to prepare for next week. Not to worry, they are doing great!
In science we are knee-deep into preparing for Friday’s Invention Convention. We will then work with light and begin the study of Matter shortly thereafter. Matter will include a focus on water and air as well as a small aspect of oceanography. There will be a visit to tide pools in Marshfield and a squid dissection in the midst of the unit.
Regarding reading, we continue to work on our fantasy novels in literature groups as well as studying poetry. We will also explore fairytales and fables. We have completed the study of Myths and Legends.
Writers’ workshop continues to be very successful. The children are writing excellent fantasy stories and myths. They will work on a perspective piece about matter soon. We will have another celebration of our authors by having an Authors’ Picnic with the entire fourth grade sharing. Students will be making a short stories collection journal rather than another anthology.
Our Bridges unit is going well. The children are engaged and excited. The unit requires a great deal of critical thinking as it parallels life. The decision making and mathematics involved are enormous and beneficial to everyone. Students have actually begun building and taking on their roles. We will have a Bridge Braking Ceremony when we are done. We will keep you posted.
As you can see, we have a lot to do and time goes by quickly. This both a hectic and wonderful time of year so please help in whatever way you can to keep the stress minimal. If there is anything I can do to help or something I need to know do not hesitate to speak with me.
Thank you for your support and continuous help. Your children are wonderful individuals who I enjoy teaching so very much each day.
Sincerely,
Kelli Meade
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