Learning To Go Mr. Avery's Class on the Web 

Thanks go out to the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury! We were treated to a read aloud from Rotary member, School Committee member, and Floral alum Jason Palitsch as part of a focus on supporting our community through literacy incentives. Mr. Palitsch also shared with us the importance of giving back to communities at home and around the world. In addition, several new, hard-cover books were donated to our classroom library for reading together and individually! We are lucky indeed.

We were a hit! Our class appeared at School Meeting on Friday, reading responses to What if Everybody Did That? (see last week’s blog). The kids did a fantastic job speaking, presenting, and engaging the audience.

You’re invited! Our class will be performing songs and poems with a Winter Theme in the cafeteria on Friday, December 19, at 9:30 (snow date: Monday, December 22, 9:30). We will remain in the space after, for photo opps and congratulations. <“) Please come: family and friends welcome! This is our Winter Celebration, and takes the place of a class party. Per district recommendations, please do not send in food or drink to share, though you are of course welcome to send in something special, nut free, for your child to enjoy at snack time.

Volunteering: Several of you expressed an interest in coming in to work with students. At this time, students can benefit from fluency and comprehension practice in the mornings, M-Th, 10:25-10:55. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, please let me know! kavery@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

This week we will learn more about animal adaptations. In particular, we will be studying owl physiology and behavior as part of a research unit on nocturnal animals. We will be treated later this week to a visit from local raptor rehabilitator Jim Parks, as part of his educational Wingmasters program. Jim brings several live specimens and engages kids in learning about adaptations, characteristics, and conservation. You can learn much more about the program and local raptors at: http://www.wingmasters.net/aboutus.htm. And here’s a great collection of age-appropriate informative text and media about owls that kids can read at home to learn more about owls: http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season12/owls/facts.cfm

This week in math we will learn and practice algebraic thinking, including understanding models and using them to solve problems. When helping your child with homework, encourage them to always start with what they know. Pictures or diagrams can help (parts and total boxes, number bonds, etc.). The games Funny Numbers and Missing Numbers on the Greg Tang Math site are both helpful and fun ways to practice algebra (click the link under “Student Resources” and select the “games” tab). We will end the week by assessing student progress on Chapter 3 (I will score and send home the Chapter Review/Test).

          

Chapter 4 of Math In Focus (MIF) spends a lot of time on “Bar Models”. This is a new way of thinking about math for our kids (and for many of us), and as such it will take time to learn in-depth. I encourage you to find out more by logging into the MIF website I shared with you on Tuesday, and accessing the Student Book. It will show you what’s coming in a comprehensive way, and you can even work with your child by doing the exercises at home. If I missed sharing it with you via the green handout, please let me know and I’ll send home another.

Thanks for your spirit of cooperation, your thoughtful questions, and your continued work on behalf of your child!