The Snow Forecast #5

Even though this past week did not feel much like fall, it is really here! Our tree out front is evidence of that. The leaves are starting to look beautiful!

This week does look much cooler, especially in the mornings. Please dress your child in layers!

If you can, send your child with a water bottle and snack. We have water bottle filling stations for your child to fill up with at school.

We are still missing some first day paperwork- please get it in as soon as possible. If you need new copies, let the office know and we will send some home.

Drop off begins no earlier than 8:40. We now have a bell for the end of the day at 2:55. Please let the office know if there is a change in routine for your child's way home from school.

Happy fall! 🌰 🍂

September 23: Chorus begins, Strings begin

OTHER:

October 1: 5th graders to Field's Pond: Pinkham, Bendure, & Grunder (bus leaves at 9:15)

October 2: Rosh Hashanah

October 3: Bus evacuation drill, 9:15am

October 4: Picture day

First, the teacher pulls all students for a whole group grade level minilesson. This can be for any subject and is very quick (approximately 10 minutes). There is one learning target that both the teacher and students focus on. Students move to an area in the classroom, usually a rug in front of the smart board. They do this for three reasons:

• one is proximity: the teacher can tell if students are engaged and then facilitate further engagement if needed.
• two is part of the grade level lesson actually involves participation of all students, and that is easier to do if they are all gathered together. When this part happens, sometimes students work in partners, which may be a turn and talk (share your thinking), for example. This is easier to do if they are sitting right next to each other.
• a third reason we gather in an area during the whole group lesson is because we want students moving as much as possible during the day. Gathering in a whole group area provides the opportunity to get up and move to a different spot in the room and then get up again to move back.

Once the grade level lesson is complete, students move into independent work. The work depends on the subject. For example, in reading and writing, we try to provide experiences that are as much like we do in real life as possible- reading books, writing about our books, and writing stories. In math, we practice the concepts just taught in the lesson. This may be additional problems, math games, and fact fluency, for example.

This timeframe is about 45 minutes or so. Your child will probably be asked to join a small group or a conference with the teacher during this time to receive instruction tailored to their specific needs.

While students are working independently, the teacher is working with small groups or with one student independently. This is done after analyzing data for information, so that very specific instruction can be given to your child. This is usually much different than the whole group lesson that was done at the start of the workshop time because your child needs something different.

Your child will be asked to join a small group (15 min) or conference (5-10min ) with the teacher to receive instruction specifically around their needs. Once the group or conference is done, independent work resumes until the workshop time is done.

All Bangor 5th Graders have the amazing opportunity to learn from the Field's Pond Audubon Center through a grant. Some days, the educators from Field's Pond come to Mary Snow, and some days the students will travel to Orrington to learn there. This past Friday, was one of the days that they visited Mary Snow. Students spent a half day outside catching different types of insects then used technology to determine which species they were. The educators from Field's Pond brought several bug catching implements with them for students to use.

If your child has a fever or has a gastrointestinal illness, please keep them home! If you have any questions about sending your child, call the school and someone can assist you (207-941-6290).