ESOL February Newsletter                                           February 2020

WIDA Testing has begun and will continue through March 2020!

WIDA is a test for students in grades K-6 who are learning the English language and get support from ESOL teachers during the school day.

• Students will be tested on their English language skills in Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
• Please avoid scheduling any appointments outside of school during this time whenever possible.
• Please remind your students to do their best on these tests.
• Please make sure the students are well rested with 9-10 hours of sleep every night.
• Please feel free to contact your ESOL teacher for any questions that you may have about the WIDA assessment.

ESOL grade level support

            Dr. Lohr – 5^th and 6^th

Mrs. Bardo – 1^st

            Mrs. Grewal – 2^nd and 3^rd

            Mrs. Smith – 2^nd and 4^th

HeadStart Newsletter                                       Date: February 2020

Upcoming Events:

Feb 4^th: Janiyaah’s Birthday

Feb 7^th: Bingo Night

Feb 12^th: PTA meeting @ 7PM in the library

Feb 16^th: Family Bowling Night

Feb 17^th: Presidents Day-No School

Feb 18^th: Brianna’s Birthday

Feb 20^th: Partners in Print

Feb 27^th: Luis’s Birthday

What Are We Learning?

Dear Families,

     January was an exciting month. The students returned to school after Winter break and they got right back into the routine. Some got haircuts, some got new jackets, and all of them definitely got bigger in some way! They were all very ready to see one another and share all of their Winter break stories. And as soon as we got comfortable again, it got so cold that we had a few more days at home!

     We read many different stories about Gingerbread: The Gingerbread Baby, The Gingerbread Man, The Gingerbread Boy, and even Gingerbread Friends. We were able to decorate our very own gingerbread cookie and eat it before it got awayJ.   We also began talking about our new season, winter and learning about some animals in winter and the different things that they do.

     During February we will continue to explore the properties of winter, learn more about animals in winter, and continue learning the letters in our names as well as trying to write them. We will also begin to work more with shapes, counting, and sorting. Thank you for all of your continued support and all that you do to help your child be successful at school.

                         , Ms. Danielle, Ms. Hanna, Ms. Rose, and Ms. Lauren

Books We Have Enjoyed:

• The Mitten
• The Hat
• The Gingerbread Baby
• The Snowy Day
• The Little could
• Snowmen at Night
• Winter is Here
• Tracks in the snow
• Snowballs Songs We Have Enjoyed:
•  

• I’m a Gummy Bear

• Bop until we drop

• Let’s play along with our musical instruments

• Awesome rainbows!

• Banana, Banana, Meatball

• Yes! I Want to Build a Snowman

Teacher information:

Ms. Rose: rosei@fcps.edu

Ms. Danielle: dsfritz@fcps.edu

Pre-School PM Class                                         February 2020 Newsletter

Ms. Cindy, Ms. Dayan, and Mr. Daniel

This Month's Themes

This month we will be working on the following themes:

-Kindness

-Valentine’s Day

-Community Helpers

BIRTHDAY CORNER!!!

Happy Birthday to:

-Paola is turning 5!

If you would like to celebrate with your child, please let me know a week in advance to make arrangements

Suggested Books & Activities

Books

-Be Polite and Kind

-May I Please Have a Cookie

-Happy Valentine’s Day Mouse

-Who’s Tools are These?

-Who’s Hat is This?

Activities

-Talk about ways you can be kind (to people, to the environment, to yourself)—and then do them!! 😊

-Make Valentine’s day cards for the people you care about

-Practice drawing shapes and letters (try using shaving cream, a rice tray, or paint)

-Engage in dramatic play, acting out different jobs/roles in our community (i.e.-police officer, firefighter, doctor, teacher, mailman, etc).

Other Information

We wanted to let you know that Mr. Daniel is back! He was out on medical leave for the first half of the year but is back in action. We are sad to see Mr. Andrew go but are excited to have Mr. Daniel back!

-Valentine’s Day Exchange:

-Student will have the opportunity to pass our Valentines to their friends during the week of Valentine’s Day (February 10-14). Please see insert for more information

Progress Reports will be sent home the first week of February.

We will NOT be scheduling parent-teacher conferences for this quarter. But if you have ANY questions about it, please let me know and we can find a time to talk.

Important Dates

February 7^th: Bingo Night                                February 20^th: Partners in Print

February 12^th: PTA Meeting at 7pm

February 14^th: Valentine’s Day Exchange

February 16^th: Family Bowling Night

February 17^th: President’s Day/ NO SCHOOL

February 18^th: DC Steakhouse Restaurant Fundraiser

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns!

cmabell@fcps.edu

Kindergarten February Newsletter                                         February 2020

Reminders:

• Change of clothes should be kept in your child’s backpack
• A healthy snack every day
• Appropriate bed time

Upcoming Events:

February 17^th-No School

What Are We Learning?

Reading-Our Kindergarten students will continue the nonfiction reading unit, as well as build their understanding of what a nonfiction book is.

Writing-Along with nonfiction books, the students will continue writing nonfiction. They will finish writing their How To books, and begin writing personal narratives.

Math-Kindergarten students continue building their understanding of numbers. Students will learn how to count to 100 by making groups of 10. They will be able to tell if a group has more, fewer, or the same as other groups. Kindergarten students will also be able to tell what number comes before and after a number without counting. Finally, we will begin our study of measurement.

Science- Students will be learning about shadows, weather changes, as well as the water cycle.

Social Studies-Our Kindergarten students will be learning about the importance of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Health- Students will continue to learn about emotions as well as being a friend.

The Kindergarten Team appreciates all your support!

First Grade Newsletter                                                          February 2020

Reminders:

*Please check yellow folders on Wednesday afternoons and return yellow folders on Thursday morning! Thank you!

* If there are any changes to your child's schedule, please email your child's teacher AND TimberLaneES.Attendance@fcps.edu. Use this email if your child will be late, absent, or needs to go home early. Also, use this email for changes in transportation or if someone else will pick up or meet your child. Dismissal changes MUST be emailed before 2:30 pm.

At Home Teaching:

*Please read with your child for 20 minutes every night. When students are solving a word, you can remind them to use the picture, get a running start, or look for parts they know. When you finish reading, ask your child about their favorite part and WHY.

*You can also practice math concepts by practicing missing number problems, such as “I had eight bowls of ice-cream and some melted, now I only have three. How many melted?” and pointing out missing number situations in the real world (e.g. Mommy has two bananas at home, but she needs five to make the banana bread. How many bananas should she buy?)

Upcoming Events:

February 3^rd: Dentist Visiting Our Classes! February 17^th: President’s Day (No School)

What Are We Learning?

Reading: We are learning to “Be the Boss of Your Reading” by stopping when something isn’t right and using multiple tools to solve hard words. Here’s how:

1) Stop at the first sign of trouble

2) Try something

3) Try something else to get the job done

4) Triple check – Does it look right? Does it make sense? Does it sound right?

Writing: We are writing Realistic Fiction Stories. We are writing fiction stories with real problems and solutions.

Math: We are beginning our Addition and Subtraction Unit. This week, students are learning about the reciprocal relationship between addition and subtraction. We are also developing our addition and subtraction strategies so students can solve problems efficiently.

Science: We are learning about seasonal changes in the winter. Students are learning how the weather, plants, and animals change as the temperature gets colder.

Social Studies: We will be learning about influential Virginians like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. We are also continuing to learn about economics. Students will be learning about spending money to pay for goods and services and how our economy is made up of producers and consumers.

Second Grade Newsletter                                           February 2020

What Are We Learning?

Reading: Students will Continue to understand that the meaning of a poem is constructed by the poet and the reader interacting with text and in order to uncover the deeper meaning of a poem, readers weigh the author’s perspective with their own.

Students will discuss and explore realistic fiction stories in new ways. Readers discover the authors’ messages in texts by studying plot, what characters do and say, mistakes characters make, and the endings of stories.

Writing: Students will Continue to use poetic tools to reveal images, evoke feelings, and produce sounds when creating a message for the reader to interpret.

In our next unit students will study realistic fiction. Students will take all their experiences that are bursting out of them and turn them into fictional stories. Focusing on realistic fiction allows students to write better because they are writing about what they know.

Math: Students will Continue extend their understanding of two-digit place value to three-digit place value. They will be able to read and write three-digit numbers, demonstrating an understanding of the value of each digit in the number.

Students identify, name, and write fractional parts for halves, fourths, eighths, thirds and sixths. Students will also compare unit fractions.

Science: Scientist will learn study focuses on matter & forces. Students will study what matter is and how temperature can affect the transformation of matter through different phases. Students also explore how direct contact forces and noncontact forces cause motion, which can solve problems and be useful in everyday lives.

Social Studies: Students will describe how the contributions of Christopher Columbus and Christopher Newport changed the lives of Americans.

Third Grade Newsletter                                                    February 2020

Reminders:

Every Wednesday night is Open Library/STEM night from 5:00-7:00 in the Library.

Don’t forget to READ 20 mins every night!

Parents: Please contact the office when students are going to be out or leave early.

Upcoming Events:

Feb 17 – No School! President’s Day

Mar 10-11 – Reading Horizon Test

Mar 19-20 – Math Horizon Test

What Are We Learning?

Reading: We have finished our Critical Literacy unit. We will be starting our Biography unit.

Writing: In writing we will be starting research on a famous individual from the past. This will lead into our Living Museum. The date and time to see our magnificent third graders in action will be coming soon!

Math: We are working on addition and subtraction. In this unit we will be looking at 6 digit numbers (up to the hundred thousand place) and adding and subtracting up to 4 digit numbers (9,999 or less).

Compacted Math: For this month we are looking at multiplication and division. Students will need to be fluent with all multiplication facts up to 12 x 12. We will begin to look at least and great common factors and continue to analyze and practice multiplication and division word problem skills.

Science/Social Studies: We have been working on learning about Ancient Egypt. We will follow this up with Ancient China. Our next science unit will be about the importance of soil.

    Fourth Grade Newsletter                                                February 2020

We are just starting our Historical Fiction chapter book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. This chapter book, read aloud, is set during WWII in Copenhagen, Denmark. From Publishers Weekly- “Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943, this 1990 Newbery winner tells of a 10-year-old girl who undertakes a dangerous mission to save her best friend.”Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A favorite activity for students and teachers alike, this is often the book 4th graders remember most from their 4th grade year. This book always creates lots of opportunities for discussion and debate.  

Reminders

If there are any changes to your child's schedule, please email your child's teacher AND TimberLaneES.Attendance@fcps.edu. Use this email if your child will be late, absent, or needs to go home early. Also, use this email for changes in transportation or if someone else will pick up or meet your child. Dismissal changes MUST be emailed before 2:30 pm.

Upcoming Events:

Jan. 27 Teacher Workday-No school for students

Jan. 28- Staff Development Day - no school for students

Feb. 5 - 2nd Quarter Report Cards come home in Wed. Folders

Feb. 17th - President’s Day Holiday - no school for students

What We Are Learning

Reading/Writing: This month we have been reading historical fiction texts and discussing how this genre brings together real life places and time periods and mixes them with fictional characters. You have to understand the time period and the context of the characters’ lives in order to understand their problems and desires.

            In writing, we have been focusing on choice writing. Students were given the opportunity to write either fiction or nonfiction about a topic of their choice. The focus was on writing with clarity so that your writing can be read with others. We also focused on having productive student-teacher conferences about their writing that produced revisions and edits that made their writing more clear to their readers. We are just dipping our toes into exploring writing historical fiction by thinking about time periods we know well. We started with Jamestown and Colonial Virginia and thought about characters and potential problems that fit with those time periods.

Math: We have continued our study of decimals moving into comparing decimals, rounding decimals to the nearest whole number and adding and subtracting decimals.   Study guides for decimals went home Jan. 13th. Test Date January 31st. Our next unit is multiplication and division Part 2, using larger numbers. We will be working on fact fluency, applying strategies to multiply two whole numbers (1 digit × 2 digits and 2 digits by 2 digits) and dividing two whole numbers (one-digit divisor and three-digit dividend), with and without remainders. Please also continue to work with your child to develop efficient strategies to learn their multiplication and division facts!

Advanced Math: We are finishing Unit 5 adding and subtracting fractions. In this unit, fraction number sense concepts are reinforced and applied to computation and problem solving. Students add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers both with and without regrouping. Students solve practical problems with fractions that involve both single and multiple steps. Next up is Unit 6, algebraic reasoning. In this unit, students explore the language of algebra as they learn the meaning of a variable and apply this understanding to the translation of patterns, models, and story contexts to algebraic expressions and equations. Students use tables, words and symbols to describe and express relationships found in number patterns as well as use concrete materials, pictures and tables to identify, describe, and extend numerical patterns.

Science:   The end of Jan. brings the end of our Weather and Beyond Unit. Test date on or about Jan. 31st. Ms. Culpepper has helped students prepare to share their understandings through the PBL titled “Space X”. Students are hard at work on travel brochures for our solar system. Look for these brochures to come home early in Feb. with lots of information about storms, weather tools, weather, our solar system, and the Earth-moon-sun system.  

Social Studies: Our next social studies unit, beginning the week of Jan. 28th, will be focused on the Revolutionary War. In this unit, students will apply historical thinking skills to demonstrate an understanding of the events that led to conflict with Great Britain and the important role Virginia played in the American Revolution. Then comes the unit “New Nation”. In this unit, students will apply historical thinking skills to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced by Virginia and the new nation as they explore the historical development of the ideas of George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, and the Constitutional Convention.

Advanced Academics: We are continuing our work with Caesar’s English, a vocabulary program that helps us look at how words work and where their root words come from. Additionally, we are using or will be using moving forward; Socratic seminars and student debates, questioning techniques that foster higher level thinking, and strategies that develop critical and creative thinking skills (e.g. Scamper, Synectics…).

Positivity Project: This month we focused on the following character traits: Perseverance, supporting others when they struggle, forgiveness, love, enthusiasm, and cheering other’s success.

Fifth Grade Newsletter                                                            February 2020

Sixth Grade Newsletter                                                             February 2020

Reminders:

• Students should not be bringing gum and candy to school. It continues to be an issue that is distracting from learning and making our learning environment messy.
• Students should be reading each night for at least 30 minutes and using IXL for math at least 20 minutes. Additionally, they should review their history notes.

Help Needed:

• Sixth grade will be going on a field trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on June 8.  It is a full day trip that starts before school and ends after school.  We are looking for parents that are interested in joining us on that trip.  Chaperones will be in charge of taking a small group through the museum.  Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you are interested. 
• We are running low on tissues in sixth grade. If you are able, please send in an additional box. Thank you!

Upcoming Events:

• Report Cards go home: February 5
• Longfellow Curriculum Night: February 6, 7pm at LMS
• President’s Day-no school: February 17

What Are We Learning?

Reading: In reading we are finishing up our poetry unit. We learned about structure and format, mood and tone, figurative language, and sound devices while examining the choices the poet made. This led us to a discussion of how those choices contribute to the poem’s meaning. Our next unit will focus on historical fiction. This will give us an opportunity to go back and revisit narrative structure while looking at the significance of the historic setting and how theme transcends time. We will continue to use Level IV AAP resources and text suggestions to question text and generate deeper understanding.

Writing: We are continuing to work on our investigative journalism writing unit. Students have conducted research and are writing a news story about extreme weather or a natural disaster. Students had time to explore within those two large topics to determine their particular focus or angle. We have used the William and Mary research model from the Level IV AAP curriculum as a guide in our research.

Math: In February, we begin some Algebra work as we introduce expressions, equations, and inequalities. We’ll then move into a second unit on proportions, this time graphing them to see if they are linear or not. It’s important that the students are working on these skills on IXL each day at home.

Advanced Math: We finished our unit on functions, and are now looking at some geometry concepts – properties of quadrilaterals, similar figures, and transformations. After that, we’ll begin a unit on probability.

Science: In Science, students will begin a mini PBL on Weather and our changing climate. One of our resources, JASON Learning (Level IV AAP curriculum) has some great interactive learning activities. Students will be using Mr. Gerber’s Google Classroom page for access to a variety of materials.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, we will resume our journey in February with the Revolutionary War. This unit is generally a favorite of students, as history comes alive through little-known stories and familiar names contributing to the independence movement. We will be using the Level IV AAP structure of Jacob’s Ladder to analyze a letter from George Washington to his wife Martha, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. We will also use the Mini-Q Level IV AAP strategy to explore the colonial soldiers’ misery at Valley Forge during the winter of 1778 and determine which of our students might have left the army for home.

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