STEAM Camp

Hello All STEAM Camp Families!

Here are some links that might be of interest this week for your student. We are building Rube Goldberg Machines!

Simple Machine Symbaloo for Games: http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/simplemachinesandrube

Rube Goldberg To Go game:  http://pbskids.org/zoom/games/goldburgertogo/index.html

OK Go song example: https://safeshare.tv/x/DJfdcxMIcg

Tom and Jerry example: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGvnEBX9aedY

Purdue Society of Professional Engineers world record machine:  https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8X7f2zdQ3hc%26list%3DPLbpi6ZahtOH6jB4qX482tqpT8gJEtiNgf

Target Fresh Machine: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6-TG6SNNL6I

200,000 Dominoes: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DYCDbiAhxJ4M

8th Grade Science Project:  https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-0gtGj-1nwE

Turkey Roaster Machine: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D01_udUeZ2GU

Amazing Chain Reactions: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCGUvMJ6cbXA

LEGO Great Ball Contraption 2014: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Du_dADLKJ5i8
**If you're interested in this, there is a BrickFair (LEGO building competition) happening at Dulles Expo Center the weekend of August 5th! Click here to see the calendar: https://www.dullesexpo.com/page_event_current_year.html
And here to see more about BrickFair LEGO Expo: https://www.brickfair.com/


Enjoy and Happy Creating!!
Ms. Strong :) 

Happy Summer!

Hello All!

WOOHOOO! Last day of school, and summer vacation is here!

Today in class we had a lot of heart-felt farewells, and several emotional students. I started to tear up a bit as well as each student said good-bye when their bell rang. I have truly enjoyed working with this class of students. I will miss them all - I reminded them to come see me when they are old 4th graders next year!

I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU all for your support and for a wonderful school year. All of the parents who helped with parties and class events, field trip chaperones, copy/laminating assistants, Watch DOGS, Thursday folders, etc... You help keep me sane during the year, and your help is GREATLY appreciated! Even if you weren't frequently able to come to school, I also appreciate the kind words in cards, emails that helped keep me in communication with you and your students' lives, and just overall support from the home. You are a fabulous group of people!

I hope everyone has safe and FUN summers! I can't wait to see your kiddos again next year (remember to look for Mrs. Malley and not "Strong" on my door!)


Happy Summer!
Ms. Strong :)


   
 

Last Days to Note

Hello Everyone!

Can you believe there are only 8 days of school left?! Where has the time gone! Here are some important dates and information to note for the end of the year:

Thursday, June 1st - Field Day
Grades 3-5 Field Day is TOMORROW! Please have your student WEAR sneakers and an outfit OK for getting wet. Students may wear one-piece swim suits with shorts (girls), swim trunks with a shirt (boys), water-wear tops such as swim/surf shirts, etc.
Please also pack a change of clothes and a towel for your student! We will be ending with water stations, and will need to change after coming in from field day. Don't forget to pack different socks/shoes also, as the ones from the morning WILL be wet!

Friday, June 2nd
- Science test on Energy
- Volunteer Breakfast in Cafeteria
- FLIP open a good book, FLOP down and read: This is an OUTDOOR reading time! Please send your student with a towel or blanket and sunglasses (if they'd like), to read outside!

Wednesday, June 7th
- Class party! If you have not already, please return your child's pizza permission slip and $5. We will have a movie/pizza lunch, recess and yearbook signing time, and a special treat from our room parents!

Friday, June 9th
- Last day of school!
As a note, I will start sending home a few things at a time with your student throughout the last week so they will not need to carry everything home on the last day.

Friday, June 16th
-Last Day to order School Supplies through School Kits! Go to the website: http://www.shopttkits.com/ and enter our school code: 12575 to order your kit for next year!


Happy last days of school!



 

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well and that you are using some of this warm weather to get outside!

A few notes/things I want to share with you. Please see my email as well – there is more important information for Parent Eyes Only in there!

 

SOL Dates Reminder:

Reading SOL – May 9^th & May 10^th

Math SOL – May 18^th & 19^th

**All of our SOL tests are in the Morning, so it is very unlikely that your student will need to stay after school to finish their test!

SOL Vocab List This Week:

You may have noticed your students new word list last night – this list is a compilation of all the frequently missed words on the previous quizzes. There are 12 words. Students are still not expected to spell them on their own; however, they DO need to know what the word means and how to answer a question that uses that word! The quiz will be on Friday.

This will be the last week of SOL Vocab word lists.

 

 

Fidgets: Keep them at home!

As you may or may not know, Fidgets are a new “hot” item for students. These fidgets are meant to be used as tools to help students concentrate if they are unable to focus on tasks, have anxiety, or otherwise need an adaptation to help them successfully navigate the school day.

Fidgets have increasingly become a distraction and are being used as toys in our classroom. As such, Fidgets are no longer allowed unless previously discussed and decided on by parent and teacher communication. Please keep them at home!

*As a note, fidgets are not allowed in the SOL testing environments.  

Classroom Info and SOL Tests

Hello All!

I hope everyone had a wonderful break and that you're all ready for the last nine weeks!
I imagine you're all feeling one of two ways:

  OR


I wanted to touch base about a few things - upcoming dates, classroom procedure update, and SOL tests.

Dates to Note:
4/27 - SOL Vocab list quiz
4/24 - Earth/Moon/Sun Test
4/26 - Report Cards sent home & Fitness Night @ 6:00pm
4/27 - Our class will have a PRACTICE session with TestNav (using the SOL test program, tools, etc.)
5/9 & 5/10 - Reading SOL Test
5/17 - Interims home
5/18 & 5/19 - Math SOL Test
5/24 - Bike Rodeo @ 6:00pm
5/29 - No School, Memorial Day
6/1 - Field Day Grades 3-5
6/2 - Volunteer Breakfast @ 8:30am & Ice Cream Social @ 6:00pm
6/6 - Field Day rain date
6/8 - 5th Grade Ceremony
6/9 - Last Day of School

Classroom Circle:
I have been working closely with our school counselor, Mrs. Ross, to implement aspects of restorative practice into our classroom. Restorative practice works hand-in-hand with PBIS (our school behavior initiative) to create a culture of respect and understanding amongst students, as well as with the adults they work closely with. Mrs. Ross and I have recently introduced one aspect of restorative practice in our room - classroom circles.

Circle talk can often be seen as "silly" or "fluffy" talk. However, I promise it is anything but this! Our students are just getting started using classroom circles, but they have already reported that they feel it is helpful and that they appreciate having this time to talk and share with one another. Circle times provide students with a safe environment to share their concerns, thoughts, and so on with the class and teacher. During circle I may present a questions or issue for the students to respond to, or I may ask the students to bring up anything they think needs to be talked about in the class. This is a great way to start the day and to help students set goals for behavior, friendships, or anything at all, as well as give them times to address things they want to discuss.

We will continue using classroom circle for the remainder of the year, and I will also be attending additional training on this practice. I encourage you to talk about circle at home with your student, and to encourage them to bring anything that comes up at school to our circle each day (such as problems with friends, questions or worries about school, issues they feel the class needs to talk about, etc). If you would like to know more about this, you may contact me or read some more information at these websites:
-http://www.umojacorporation.org/files/5413/5402/9632/Fact_Sheet_RestorativeJustice_PBIS.pdf
-http://www.iirp.edu/what-we-do/what-is-restorative-practices


SOL Tests:
It is that time of year - SOL tests are coming up quickly!

Our SOL tests are in Reading and Math. Both tests will be split into two testing sessions, each on a separate day. Our SOL tests are scheduled for the following dates:

Tuesday, May 9th - Reading SOL Part 
Wednesday, May 10th - Reading SOL Part 2
Thursday, May 18th - Math SOL Part 1
Friday, May 19th - Math SOL Part 2

It is very important that your student be present, and on time, for school on these dates! It is in your child's best interest to take the test with our class during our scheduled time. If an absence is unavoidable,  PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP so we can schedule a testing session for them. If they miss a date due to illness, we will schedule another test time afterward.

Reminder: Your student must finish their SOL Test on the day they begin. It is unlikely, but possible, that your student may need to be picked up from school if they do not finish their test during normal school hours.

Please refer to the packet of information that was sent home concerning the SOL Tests, or email me with any questions you have.

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I hope everyone is enjoying returning to their normal routines!
Ms. Strong :)