Hello!
I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! This is the first week that we, the TAs, are taking over the blog. We are excited to learn this additional aspect of the classroom as we both are in the Apprentice program with teaching aspirations of our own, and this blog represents a vital component of the teaching experience: communication. So let's give it a shot!
A brief overview of us:
Mr. Smith - I graduated college in the spring of 2020, which makes this my first year as anything other than a student myself. I am having a blast working with these students and hope they are enjoying my presence as much as I enjoy theirs.
Mrs. Tapia - This is my second year at Archway (although I technically started 2 weeks before we shut down last year, so it feels like my first year), and I have been a member of the community for 8 years. Both of my CPA middle schoolers had Mrs. Maza when they were in 4th grade, so it's fun to be working alongside her teaching your children. It's been so great to see them grow, and I'm looking forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the 4th quarter as they prepare to move on 5th grade!
Now to the important information! AZ Merit (AzM2) is nigh! Fourth grade will be testing on the following days:
Tuesday, April 13th - Writing
Wednesday, April 21st - Reading and Math #1
Monday April 26th - Reading and Math #2
Please be sure they have a good night's rest, a healthy breakfast, and bring in a healthy snack, on these days especially. It is extremely important for all students to be present on these days, so be sure to have their schedules clear so that they can thrive on these tests .
That being said, here is a glimpse of the week ahead:
Language Arts:
Poetry - We are closing in on the end of Paule Revere. Stanza 12 is due on Thursday because there is no school on Friday.
Grammar - This week we will be doing daily grammar practice and focus on diagramming compound sentences. We will also go over some additional linking verbs.
Composition - We will be continuing our AzM2 ELA practice, taking a look at practice sets, stories, and other texts to better prepare the students for their upcoming assessment.
Literature - While we will be continuing to read Princess and the Goblin, this is the week we begin reading Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. Please double check that your student has their copy by Monday, March 29th.
Math - This week we continue our unit on geometry, furthering our discussion on angles and shapes. The students will be given a chance to work with and learn how to use protractors.
History - We will further investigate important historical events that provide a context to the American colonies. Such events include the Hundred Years War, the French and Indian War, and the Proclamation of 1763..
Science - We are delving into the study of the cardiovascular system! We will spend a day reviewing the many systems of the body and on Thursday we will be dissecting a sheep heart. Exciting stuff!
That wraps up this week! Let’s keep up the momentum and do our best this final quarter. Have an exemplary weekend!