Thursday, October 1, 2020

October 2020 Newsletter

October 2020 Newsletter 4th Grade with Mrs. Brys “A well educated mind will always have more questions than answers.”~Hellen Keller Reading: We’ve been working hard on establishing reading workshop and learning about the strategies that good readers apply. We’ve also been learning how to choose just right books and the importance of balancing our book diet. Soon we will practice specific comprehension strategies as we read the book, “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.” Writing: During writing time, we’ve been establishing routines for writing workshop and taking notes on how to be stronger writers. We will be creating a newspaper about us this summer. We will soon learn about paragraphing and essay writing as we delve into process writing. Math: We have completed Topic 1, which pertains to place value and will have our our first test on Friday, 10/2. We will review the day before each test to help students learn good study habits. Our next topic will pertain to addition and subtraction concepts. Each lesson involves the students in spiral review, practice and quick check assessments. Enrichment options are available for those who need more of a challenge. Science/ Social Studies We are starting with social studies first and reviewing geography skills. Currently we are learning about New York state and important locations and features of New York State. Once we learn more about the features, we will transition to science and learn about how a glacier created New York’s landforms and explore concepts with earth science. Other: Homework should take your child between 30- 40 minutes a day. It includes their at home reading, math review, and spelling workbook. Students are able to start homework in school. Homework should be a review and not frustrating. If your child is frustrated, please stop them and write me a note. I will follow up with them the next day and make accommodations if necessary. Conferences: I will have select Wednesday times available for conferences in addition the the conference days. Please complete the google chart that will be emailed home to set up a conference. Calendar Reminders/ Updates: 10/12-No School due to Columbus Day 10/23-½ day for parent conferences 10/27- ½ day for parent conferences 11/4-½ day for parent conferences 11/12-½ day for parent conferences Snacks: We do have snack each day. Donated packaged snacks are always needed and appreciated for those students who forget their snacks. Communication: *Daily in your child’s planner Email: tbrys@niskyschools.org Virtual Classroom: Virtual Classroom: Website: http://mrsbrys.blogspot.com Vocabulary: Words of the Day for October 10/5= Week 3: boost, barrier, recommend, gratitude 10/12= Week 4: purchase, ignore, participant, temporary 10/19= Week 5: capable, massive, plunge, decline 10/26= Week 6: thaw, symphony, spontaneous, rickety

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Welcome to 4th Grade! 2020-2021


Welcome to 4th Grade

 

Dear Future Fourth Grade Students and Families,

Welcome to fourth grade! September may seem far away, but the time always seems to pass so quickly!  I am looking forward to a new school year that will be filled with many new learning experiences and fun challenges.  I realize that this past spring was very unexpected and you were not able to finish third grade the way you may have wanted.  I’m hopeful that the beginning of fourth grade will be much better.  Even though we are still waiting for guidance from the state to establish a reopening plan for the fall, I wanted to introduce myself to you and help you get ready for an awesome year in fourth grade!

Who is Mrs. Brys?

         You may have seen me in the halls at Craig School.  I am one of the 4th grade teachers.  This coming fall will be my 19th year teaching and my 16th year at Craig School.   I also live in the Niskayuna community and have three children of my own.   My oldest child is going to be a 7th grader at Iroquois Middle School, my middle child will be a third grader at Glencliff Elementary, and my youngest is going to Kindergarten this fall.   I often see many of you around town and at sports events.  It is always so much fun to see my Craig friends out and about.   I am excited to be your fourth-grade teacher!  Fourth grade is an amazing year and I personally think it is the BEST grade ever!  I can’t wait to meet you in person! 

Summer Activities:

This summer, I’d like you to keep your brain active by reading each day and practicing your math facts.  Over the summer, I ask my future students to do 3 activities.  Below is a description of the summer activities that I would like you to try to complete over the next couple of months.

1.   Summer Collage Cube – I’d like you to take an empty tissue box or small shoe box and decorate the entire outside with pictures and words about you, your favorite things, and your summer!  Your collage cube will help me and your classmates get to know you better.  You can decorate the outside of the box with pictures of you and your family, your favorite things and any of the fun things you did this summer!  We will hang these in our classroom as decorations.

 

2.   Summer Reading- Read as often as you can!  Reading helps your brain grow in so many ways and since reading is a skill it will develop the more you practice it.   Our Library site has many reading resources available to you.  I’d love for you to try to complete the READO board this summer.  The READO board and many book resources can be accessed on our Craig Library Page.

 

3.   Letter or Post Cards- It has become a tradition that my new students send me a summer letter letting me know what they’ve done over the  summer or a postcard from whatever place they visit over vacation. This helps me get to know you better.  You can send a postcard from a family vacation or write me a letter letting me know about a family picnic, camp, your favorite things to do or a fun activity you’ve enjoyed over break!  Please have the letters or post cards to me by August 30th.   You can mail them to me at:

Mrs. Brys

Craig Elementary School

2566 Balltown Road

Niskayuna, NY 12309

Below is a copy of the supply letter for our class and the collage cube directions.   I look forward to seeing you in the fall!  In the meantime, have a fun, safe, healthy and relaxing summer!  See you in September as a 4th Grader!

 

Love,

Mrs. Brys

Supply list for our class:

Individual Desk Supplies

 

  • (24) sharpened #2 high-quality pencils
  • (1) 5-subject blue notebook. Label: Math Notebook
  • (1) blue folder, Label: Math Folder
  • (1) Marble composition notebook. Label: Writing Notebook
  • (1) 5-subject red notebook. 
  • (1) red folder Label: Reading/Writing Folder
  • (1) green folder, Label: Science & S.S. Folder
  • (1) Set of sharpened colored pencils
  • (1) Set of colored crayons
  • (1) Set of colored markers
  • (2) glue sticks
  • (1) disposable tape dispenser
  • (2) handheld pencil sharpeners
  • (1) pair of scissors
  • (2) black sharpie markers
  • (1) set of headphones

 

Community Supplies

Your contributions are optional, but appreciated!

  • (3) boxes of tissues
  • (2) containers of disinfectant wipes
  • (1) box of zip lock bags: girls = pint sized, boys= gallon sized
  • (1) hand sanitizer pump

 

Additional Thoughts…

  • Feel free to reuse any supplies in good condition from third grade.
  • Label all of your supplies with your name and store all “loose” items in a container or plastic bag.
  • Please bring back your Collage Cube the first week of school.
  • Say thank you to the person who buys these supplies for you!

 

 

COLLAGE CUBE- MY SUMMER

 

            Over the summer, I would like you to create a collage that covers a tissue box that will reflect your summer experiences.

 

THIS IS WHAT YOU MUST DO:

 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

            *tissue box (empty)

            *newspaper and magazine clippings , (photos/letters/words/etc.)

            *photographs

            *glue stick

 

YOUR MISSION:

            You will cover all sides of the tissue box with words, pictures and photos reflecting your summer experiences.

 

DIRECTIONS:

            1.  Include your whole name in large letters on one side of the box.  Only letters from newspaper/magazines -No hand written words are allowed on the collage cube.

 

            2. Be sure that all sides of the box are totally covered with photos, words and phrases that describe your summer fun.

 

            3.  Be prepared to share your collage orally with the class during the first week of school.  This will be a fun way to get to know each other.

 

            4.  During your oral presentation remember to:

                        a.  point to the words and pictures on the collage.

                        b.  share details from each of the experiences

                        c.  make eye contact with your audience

 

            5.  Don't panic!!!!  Your presentation only needs to be about two to three minutes long.  Practice in front of family members this summer after it is completed.  Good luck with this project.  Be creative!