Quarter 1 Week

Hello 4B Parents!

We are off to another exciting week in fourth grade!

Be on the look out for returned tests and participation grades tonight (Monday). I need every parent to sign the half sheet on the front of your child's packet, and return it tomorrow. Please be sure to leave any thoughts or comments in the space provided.

This week in...

Science: We will be starting our new electricity unit! First we will learn about static electricity and then try some interesting experiments.
History: We are studying Medieval Europe as well as memorizing the countries of Europe. Lets make sure we are studying our map every night!
Language Arts: We will be adding more words to our spelling list this week, and test on Friday. We have read quite a bit in Princess and the Goblin and now its time for a vocabulary quiz! In grammar we have begun to classify subject nouns and verbs. We will practice this skill all week.
Math: We have learned factors and moved into multiples. There will be a test on Factors and Multiples this Friday.

Curriculum Night

Dear Parents,

You are cordially invited to our Curriculum Night event, taking place on Thursday, August 27th 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. Please attend if you are able!

Curriculum Night Schedule

6:00-6:25	Welcome and opening remarks by Mr. Gillingham and Ms. Pantalena
	A-L	M-Z
6:30-7:10	Homeroom	Specials in MPR
7:15-7:55	Specials in MPR	Homeroom

Playground Challenge!

Dear Archway Families,

 

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.

 

Appreciatively, 

 

The Archway Arete Team

4B Policies and Procedures

Hello 4B Parents!

Things are well underway here at Archway Arete! I wanted to take a minute and let you know a few things about our classroom. 

Classroom Parent: Every classroom needs a parent willing to volunteer a little bit of time to coordinate celebrations, parent volunteers, and parent donations. It is very difficult for me to do all of those things in addition to teaching your children. Our class is in desperate need of one or two parents willing to give a little bit of time to this important role. Please let me know if you are at all willing to help in this way. 

Homework: While homework will be light this week, expect 40-60 minutes of homework a night this year. For the first quarter, I am asking that parents sign the bottom of the student's planner every night. This will ensure that the students are being held accountable for their work, and you are aware of their assignments. 

Grading Homework: I grade homework on a consistent CAN scale:

C-Completed

A-Accuracy

N-Neatness

You will see this on most returned homework and classwork assignments. If they earn all three letters than they earn all three possible points for the assignment. 

Reading Log: A 20 minute reading log is a daily homework assignment in 4th grade. We ask that students commit to reading a "classic" for their log. While students are certainly permitted to read more "pop culture" books at home, we want our students to experience well written, and intellectually uplifting texts as often as possible. If you need a list of classic texts, there is a link on my blog which may be helpful. Any book in my classroom library qualifies! 

Blog: While email is important, I will use my blog (prestipino4b.blogspot.com) as the primary mode of class communication. Please take the time to subscribe to the blog and check it weekly. I will update the blog most often on Mondays, at the start of the week. 

Birthdays: Celebrations are wonderful, but can often be distracting to the learning environment. In 4B we do birthday celebrations for the last 20 minutes of class on the last school-day Friday of the month. You may send in a treat or gift (like a pencil) for the entire class (30 students) at that time. Please make sure treats are store bought, and contain NO nuts, oreos, grapes, plums, raisins, or mushrooms. We have some allergies in our classroom. The following dates will be the birthday celebrations dates for the year:

August 28th

September 25th

October 30th

November 20th

December 18th (last day also)

January 29th

February 26th

March 31st (This date is on a Thursday because of spring break)

April 22nd

May 27th (we will also celebrate Summer birthdays this date).

Greetings 4B Parents and Guardians

Welcome to Fourth Grade! 

I am so excited you are joining my class this school year. As a Great Hearts teacher my classroom culture is joyful and dedicated to virtue, and academic rigor. We will spend time reading imaginative and awe-inspiring literature, discussing deep questions, and persevering through challenges. I look forward to watching your students grow into virtuous leaders and lovers of learning who enthusiastically embrace the good, true, and beautiful. 

This will be my second year teaching at Arete. In addition to my time working with fourth graders, I received a Bachelors Degree with High Distinction from the University of Virginia. At the University, I double majored in Religious Studies, focusing on Christianity and Islam, and in Italian Studies. It was through the Religious Studies Department that I participated in the Distinguished Majors Program, in which I wrote a research thesis on pneumatology in early Syriac baptismal liturgy. At the University, I also worked closely under Dr. Vigen Guroian, a Children’s Literature consultant for Great Hearts Academies, who personally recommended me for my position at Archway.  In addition to my academic qualifications, I spent over four years volunteering my time as a mentor to youth with Younglife. I functioned as the Team Lead for operations in Madison County, Va where I worked closely with four leaders to execute weekly social and instructional events for local kids, fostered mentor relationships with High School students, and acted as liaison between the local schools and Younglife committee. I am thrilled to combine my passion for the liberal arts and my love of young people in order to provide the best instruction possible for your children this year. 

Throughout the year, I hope that we will stay in close contact in order to best care for your child. You can reach me easily through email at lprestipino@archwayarete.org. Additionally, I will maintain a classroom blog (prestipino4b.blogspot.com) where you can find information about upcoming tests and classroom events. I recommend you use the “follow my blog” widget on the right side bar so that you receive an email when the blog is updated. I look forward to getting to know you and your child at Meet the Teacher night this Thursday.

Respectfully yours,

Ms. Prestipino