Where is Spring?

Hello to all!  Another week has passed and we are already at mid-April!  Unfortunately, it does not FEEL like April, so we are hoping for a Spring warm-up soon!

Last week, we began taking the MAPS, or MISIC, tests.  This week on Monday and Tuesday, we are planning on finishing the MAPS tests.  Please see that your child is getting a good night’s rest and having breakfast at home OR at school, so he/she is ready for the tests this week.  Also, like the Iowa Tests, please assure your child that these tests are important and it is important that he/she tries his/her best on the tests.  Your child is also aware of his/her score from the MAPS tests in the fall and has set goals of where he/she would like to score in the spring.  He/She brought home his/her goal sheet on Wednesday last week and I am hoping that it was shared with you.  The students seem to put more effort in to the tests when they are aware of their scores and can create a goal that they are trying to reach.  Ask your child about his/her tests.  Ask your child how he/she is doing on the tests.  Ask him/her how much effort is being put forth.  Just ask!  


Your child is bringing home an assignment for science.  We are finishing up our "Force and Motion"unit in science, and rather than having a test over the information that was learned, we are asking your child to show what he/she has learned in a different way.  Your child will be creating a car using at least two simple machines and then we will have a race to see which car will run the fastest on an inclined plane.  Please see the additional information being sent home about this assignment. 

Later this week, your child will be bringing home a poem to practice for "Poem in a Pocket Day" on Friday.  "Poem in a Pocket Day" takes place on Thursday, April 18th, but we are planning on celebrating it on Friday.  "Poem in a Pocket Day" is where you select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers (yes, even adults do this!), family, and friends.  Your child will be selecting a poem that he/she would like to share with our class on Friday.  We will share and exchange the poems on Friday.  Your child will not have to bring a poem from home, rather will choose one from school, bring the poem home to practice, and be prepared to share it on Friday.  Please listen to your child read this poem to you!  For more information about this day, please click the link below.

                                                               Poem in Your Pocket Day Information

Continue to ask your child about his/her assignments for Book Clubs.  Last week, the class as a whole was much more responsible about completing Book Clubs assignments and bringing his/her materials to class.  However, some students are reading some of his/her assignment but not fully completing it.  PLEASE CHECK OVER YOUR CHILD'S BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT HE/SHE IS READING WHAT WAS ASSIGNED.  CHECK EVERY FRIDAY AND MONDAY, AS THOSE ARE THE DAYS BOOK CLUBS ARE ASSIGNED.  YOUR CHILD IS ALSO TO BE WRITING THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE POST-IT NOTES THAT I HAVE PROVIDED THEM.  IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE POST-ITS, THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT.  STUDENTS MUST DO AT LEAST 3 POST-ITS EVERY ASSIGNMENT!  IF HE/SHE RUNS OUT OF POST-ITS, PLEASE REPLACE WITH POST-ITS OR OTHER PAPER FROM HOME.  If your child misplaced any of the information sheets and you would like a copy, please let me know so I can give you another copy.  Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!


Not only does your child have Book Clubs assignments, he/she also has an assignment of publishing his/her draft from writing.  We are publishing our stories on a website titled "Story Jumper."  Your child has a login card for school and also has a login card for home.  Your child should have brought home his/her login card.  You will need to help set up his/her account at home.  I am expecting your child to work on his/her story throughout the next few weeks AT HOME.  MAPS, or MISIC, testing will continue for the next few weeks and we will not have access to a classroom set of laptops for several weeks.  Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to work on the books at school, so students will have to work on them at home.  If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, he/she can come in to the classroom before school at 8:00 AM and work on it during that time.  Your child will have to let me know if he/she is coming in before that morning, so I can plan on him/her being there.  PLEASE SEE THAT YOUR CHILD IS WORKING ON THIS AT HOME, ALONG WITH THE BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENTS.  IF NECESSARY, I WILL HAVE PARENTS SIGN OFF ON AN ASSIGNMENT SHEET TO INDICATE THAT YOUR CHILD IS MAKING PROGRESS ON HIS/HER BOOK.  If your child has lost his card to login, please contact me so I can give him/her another one.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.  Thanks!

Please contact me with any questions or concerns!  Thank you!

Have a fantastic week!
Mrs. McCarville