Playground and Spalding Notebooks!

As many of you know we have some great news regarding our playground expansion.  Click here to read the exciting opportunity that has brought us one step closer to expanding our playground and building an outdoor classroom! We hope you will accept this challenge. Thank you for your contributions toward making our campus a beautiful place for learning and playing.

Also, Spalding notebooks are in the front office.  If your students does not have one, please make sure to contact the office, they go quickly!

The Headlines! 8/17

We have successfully survived the first week of school!  I hope that your students enjoyed our first week as much as I did.  This a wonderful group of scholars who have a positive attitude and a desire to learn and grow.  I am looking forward to a great year!

I will be sending out this newsletter weekly in order to keep you informed of the content we are covering in class, as well as any announcements, our wish lists, and tests, projects, or quizzes.  Please be sure to subscribe via email and you will always be kept up to date on any new posts.

Math: We started our unit of week by taking a pre-test, and then began our first chapter in Singapore on place value and estimation.  Next week we will be continuing this unit and will review finding factors and multiples of numbers and will learn prime factorization.  We also began looking at how to create bar models in problem solving.

Literature: To prepare for our upcoming literature study of Voyage of the Dawn Treader we took time to review the plot and characters of Prince Caspian.  Monday we will begin reading Voyage.  There will be a literature study to go along with the reading each day that will focus on vocabulary and comprehension.

Writing/Grammar:  We started the year by writing a paragraph and creating an illustrated hand to share about who we are.  This week we will begin presenting these to the class.  We also discussed the denotative and connotative meaning of words, and set learning goals.  Next week we will focus on editing and begin a review of sentence diagramming simple subject/verb sentences.

History: The first activity of the year was a review of world geography and the location of the continents and oceans.  We also looked at latitude and longitude and how lines of lattitude effect climate.  Next week we will continue our study of Geography by examining time zones and different types of maps.  Students should be bringing home their notebooks and studying thier vocabulary note cards. We will be taking a quiz over this next Thursday.

Science: To begin thinking like scientists our first unit is a study of the Scientific Method.  We have uncovered the difference between testable and un-testable questions as well as how to find independent and dependent variables and controls in experiments.  Next week we will be putting this knowledge to practice by creating a paper airplane lab.

  

Upcoming Tests/Quizzes

• Thursday, August 20

 

Wish List:

• Thank you so much for supplying your students with all of their supplies, at this time we are doing very well!

Important Dates:

• You are cordially invited to our Curriculum Night event, taking place on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00pm - 7:55pm. The purpose of this event is to acquaint you with the school's curriculum and individual classroom procedures across
  
  
  all grade levels. Teachers will give parents an opportunity to ask questions; we look forward to seeing you all at this event.

The First Day!

I hope everyone is getting tucked in and having an early  bedtime tonight and is as excited as me to start our year!

I just have a few quick notes to keep in mind.  As you can see from our schedule we have a very late lunch, so we will have a snack mid-morning.  Please be sure you send a healthy snack that can be eaten at their desk and does not require refrigeration or utensils. 

It looks like we do have a couple of peanut allergies, so they should be peanut free as well.

Please also send in a water bottle for the classroom.

I look forward to seeing our new fifth graders bright and early!

Welcome!

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

Welcome back to Archway Arete Fifth Grade! I look forward to meeting you and your fifth grader at Meet the Teacher tomorrow night.  Families with the last name beginning A-M, should come from 5:30-6:30 pm and families with a last name beginning N-Z, from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Students should bring all school supplies to this event. There will be limited parking on campus, though, overflow parking will be available in the shopping center across Baseline Road, and next door at CarLife after 6:00. The Archway building is the westernmost building on campus, and the entrance is on the west side.

I want to first thank you for the privilege of teaching your students.  As a parent myself, I know how important a teacher is in the life of a child. I am very excited for this second year at Arete.  I was honored to be a member of the first year staff and could not have asked for a more thoughtful and kind group of parents and colleagues. 

I started my teaching career in 2000 in the Kansas City area where I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Emporia State University.  I taught fourth grade for four years and then had the opportunity to stay home with my children.  In the interim I practiced a different type of teaching, working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.  However, my love of children and education drew me back to my first calling.

I married my husband, Shawn in 2001 and we have three children, Maya, 12; Isaiah, 10; and Will, 7.  After living in Overland Park, Kansas for almost twenty years, our family moved to Phoenix in 2010 and made our home in Ahwatukee.

When I'm not working I stay active; running, teaching yoga, and any other type of fitness activity!  I love to read and discuss literature with my book club and we are active in our church community.  We spend lots of time carting kids to baseball, basketball, football, and dance. 

This year your fifth grader will continue to learn and grow as a scholar and leader.  In Literature we will continue to study the great books, beginning with Voyage of the Dawn Treader (please keep the remainder of the Classics to Keep collection at home until needed).  In Science we will delve deep into the human body systems and in History we will explore the way our civilization has evolved.  In Math problem solving skills will be developed further using Singapore strategies.  

Teaching is my passion, and I am so honored to be a part of Great Hearts Academy.  I look forward to a fruitful and passion filled year with you and your child!

Sincerely,

Shauna Anderson

Hello, friends!

My name is Michelle Porcelli and I am thrilled to serve as Ms. Anderson's apprentice teacher for the 2015-2016 school year. The Great Hearts mission and curriculum inspired me to travel quite a long way to join your scholars at Archway Arete. I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. Before heading out to college I developed a passion for cinema and enjoyed working for a children's film festival and film camp. Over my college years I presided over the campus yoga club and served as an apprentice to a Pilates instructor and studio owner. Most recently I served as a learning assistant and research assistant for the Physics Education Research Group at the University of Maryland. The insights I gained from this experience lead me to realize the might of the Great Hearts curriculum. I am grateful to work here at Archway Arete in an academic program I believe in and with colleagues that inspire me. Moreover, I am excited to learn and to celebrate learning with your young scholars!

Sincerely,

Michelle Porcelli

                                                                  

End of Year Info!

We have lot going on in the next week, so I wanted to send out a special blog post with all of the information.

Next Week's Schedule:

Monday: We will have our regular class schedule.  We will have lunch in the room and will celebrate summer birthdays.  If your child has a summer birthday and would like to bring a treat or snack to share they are welcome to do so!

Tuesday: Regular class schedule.  We will have specials, take the History test and the End of Year Math Assessment.  As I stated earlier, this test has no influence on their grades.  It simply will be an opportunity for us to gauge where students are for next year, help us know what areas we need to focus on, and make any summer school referrals.

Wednesday: Half Day, early dismissal, 11:45.   We will have specials on Wednesday and will take the Science test.  We will also be taking the last hour of the day to clean the room and desks.  Please send in a couple of grocery bags for your students to bring home their materials.  

Thursday: Half Day, early dismissal, 11:45.  We will take the roots test first thing and then will head to the gym for the graduation ceremony.  Please see below for detailed instructions on this.  This will be followed by a barbecue and is only $5 a person!  

Friday: Half Day, early dismissal, 11:45.  We will be having a fifth grade kickball game first thing in the morning, and will then head back to the classroom for our Secret Garden Japanese Tea Party.  We will need volunteers and lots of supplies for this, so please take a look at the sign-up genius:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4eaaaf29a75-asecret

We will finish the day at 11:45.....and SUMMER VACATION BEGINS!!

Fifth Grade Promotion Info:

On Thursday, May 21st, Archway Arete will honor the achievements of our fifth grade scholars and formally promote them to the 6th grade and the prep school!  This special ceremony will take place from 10:45-11:45AM on that Thursday in the gymnasium.  All parents, siblings and relatives are invited to attend.  Parents wanting Archway or Prep siblings to attend will need to come early and sign their students out in the office.  There will be light refreshments following the event and lots of photo ops.  For those who will not be able to attend, the event will be videotaped.

Fifth grade graduate attire is as follows:
    Boys:  Dress shirt & pants, tie/bow tie, belt and dress shoes.  There is no color requirement.  No jeans or shorts.  Boys may wear a suit, but it will be a warm day.  No hats.
    Girls:  A formal dress like one would wear to church or a wedding.  It should not have spaghetti straps or be strapless.  The length of the dress/skirt should reach the TOP of the knee.  Hosiery is optional.  Girls should wear appropriate dress shoes; a moderate heel is allowable.  There is no color requirement.  Hair should be neat and appropriate for the occasion. No hats, tiaras, etc.

the students will participate in a rehearsal on that Thursday morning from 9:45-10:35.  Guests may begin arriving through the south gym doors at 10:30.  There will be both floor and bleacher seating.  Friday, May 22nd is a half-day school day in which the students will be involved in reflection activities, self-evaluation/goal setting, desk clean out, and room inventory.  There will also be special festivities they will not want to miss.

If you have any questions concerning the ceremony, attire, or how you can help, please contact Mrs. Keffer @tkeffer@archwayarete.org.

Headlines, May 11

First and foremost thank you so much for spoiling us last week!  I was overwhelmed by your generosity with both Teacher Appreciation Week and my surprise "birthday."  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such thoughtful and loving families!  I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day and had the chance to rest and relax.  I gave the students homework to get along with their siblings, let mom sleep late, and help around the house!

Math:  Last week we finished learning new material over percentages.  We will review both today and tomorrow and will take the percentage test on Wednesday.  We will then do a very brief unit on angles.
 

Literature: We are over halfway through The Secret Garden and the class loves this book.  We will continue to read in class and at home and will most likely have another quiz this week.  I will be taking a grade on their spirals in which they should be writing down vocabulary and answering questions in their mini-books.
 

Writing:  This week we will be studying the lost art of writing both friendly and business  letters.  We also will be doing character analysis of our Secret Garden characters.

 History: Last week we spent time studying important people in the Civil War, including the role women played and how the draft impacted the war. This week we will be learning about the end of the war, including reconstruction, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the role of Jefferson Davis.  I will also be sending home a study guide for the class to begin reviewing.

Science: Last week we took a look at seeded vascular plants and non-vascular plants and the differences between them.  We will continue this week by learning about seeded plants and their functions.  From there we will finish our plant unit be learning about the reproductive cycle of plants.

  

Announcements

• Tutoring will be available both Tuesday to review for the percent test.
• I know we are very close to the end of the year, but we still have A LOT of content to get through!  It is crunch time, and I continue to remind the students that we need to stay focused on our studies.

 

 

 

Upcoming Tests

•  Root test - Thurs morning, May 21st, students received study guide today
• History Test (Civil War) - Tuesday, May 19th
• Science Test (Plants) - Wednesday, May 20th
•  Singapore Math Cumulative - Monday, May 18th (This will not impact their grade.)

 

 

Wish List:

• I know the end of the year is near, but please check with your students to be sure they have necessary supplies, especially glue sticks, pencils, and erasers.

 

Important Dates:

• Thursday, May 21^st, 11:00 am-12:00 pm: Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony.  This will be followed by a barbecue lunch at 12:20, more details are forthcoming.
• Coffee Talk  with Mr. Wagner, Wednesday, May 13, 8-9 am
• We will be having an end of year celebration on the last  day of school, be on lookout for a sign-up for this.

Headlines, 5/5

As we head into our last couple of weeks we are staying busy and working hard! 

Math:  We began our new unit on percentages last week by learning how to convert fractions and decimals.  This week our focus will be using percentages in real world examples by doing word problems.  Yesterday we discussed common percentages and their decimal and fraction conversion.  We will have a short quiz over this on Wednesday.
 

Literature: We are enjoying reading The Secret Garden and learning quite a bit of new vocabulary.  This book will be our last literature unit of the year, so students will be reading both at school and at home.  We will be planning a celebration the last week of school, so be on the lookout for more info on that!

Writing:  The remainder of the year we will be focusing on a review of the grammar concepts we have studied thus far and will be completing a few short writing assignments. 
 

Science: Our plant unit is underway.  The class brought in leaves last week and we enjoyed learning how to classify different shapes and characteristics.  This week we will be looking at the internal structure of plants and different types of plants.

History:  We are right in the middle of the Civil War.  Last week we learned about a few of the battles and now we are focusing on notable individuals of the war.  The students should be reviewing their civil war vocabulary nightly.

 

Announcements

• Tutoring will be available both Tuesday and Thursday. We will be focusing on word problems using percentages.

·         

Wish List:

• I know the end of the year is near, but please check with your students to be sure they have necessary supplies, especially glue sticks, pencils, and erasers.

Important Dates:

•       CORRECTION!! Thursday, May 7, Spring Concert, arrival time, 6:40 pm
• ·         Friday, May 8, 11:45-1:30^: 5th grade tour of the PREP School and lunch/panel with prep mentors. BRING a lunch. Students will be able to buy treats at the snack shack, so they may bring money as well, however, hot lunch will NOT be available that day.
• ·         Thursday, May 21^st, 11:00 am-12:00 pm: Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony.  This will be followed by a barbecue lunch at 12:20, more details are forthcoming.

Enjoy a few pictures from our math time with the Prep Students!