Thank You….

It is hard to believe this is my last week at Glenmont and teaching 5th grade.  It has been a true pleasure working with you and your child this school year.  I am very impressed with all that the children have accomplished this year.  Thank you for sharing your child with me over the past 9 months.  I am confident that each child is prepared and ready to be successful in the Middle School.  I wish you and and your child a terrific summer and the best of luck in Middle School. I look forward to our last week together and I hope to see some of you at this Wednesday's last learning luncheon. It has been a true pleasure.  I will always cherish my memories teaching and working with the amazing families of Glenmont.

I have been working hard over the last several weeks to ensure that your child has an easy transition and smooth last month of 5th grade. I am extremely confident that your child will have a successful and productive June .  As you all know Mr. Ryan will be your child's 5th grade teacher beginning on May 27th.  Mr. Ryan and I have been working very closely over the last several weeks. We are working collaboratively on the end of the year report cards.  I have completed the majority of the report cards based upon what I have assessed throughout the year.  Mr. Ryan will finish each report card in June.    He is eager and excited to be your child's teacher.  Please feel free to contact him with any questions and or concerns at mryan2@bcsd.neric.org.

Here is what we are up to this week:

We had a great Middle School visit on Friday.  The children took a tour, met several 6th grade teachers, and had the opportunity to visit 5 different classes.  This visit will help make their transition much easier.

Tomorrow we are going on a field trip to Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands.  Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather.  Everyone must wear pants and a long sleeved shirt.  We will return to school by lunch time.

On Wednesday, we have our last learning luncheon of the school year.  We will reflect upon the children's amazing writing.  I will share the children's writing portfolios with families,  you will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the children's writing, and then you will take the portfolios home.  I look forward to our last luncheon together.

We are working on two large writing pieces in class.  The children are currently writing a non-fiction book on the Westward Expansion.  They are taking all of their research and are currently drafting it into a book.  The children are also working on their Latin America project.  All research is due this Friday, May 23rd.  It is important that the children are describing their research not just listing it.  They should be working on research every day this week for homework.  Next week the children will begin writing their Latin America travel guides.

The children are of course still working in reading workshop where they are reading their literature circle and independent books.

Thank you for your support!

Fondly,
Andrew

A Great Week!!

I am excited for another exciting week of 5th grade.  There are several special activities and events happening this week:  On Tuesday, Mr. Ryan (my replacement teacher) will be shadowing for the day.  This will be a great opportunity for him to learn our classroom routines, procedures, and to get a feel for our classroom schedule.   On Wednesday the children have their spring concerts; 2:15 at Glenmont and 7pm at the High School.  This Friday we will visit the Middle School and then of course the much anticipated Pit Party.

On Friday, the children and I will visit the Middle School for the day.  We will leave a little before 10am and return for around 2pm.  When visiting we will take a middle school tour, visit several 6th grade classes, and of course eat lunch.  The children will have an opportunity to meet several teachers from all the 6th grade houses and get a feel for the different classes they will be taking.  We will visit a social studies, math, science, spanish, and a music class.  The children will have an opportunity to ask questions during this visit.  Please encourage your child to come ready with their questions on Friday.  This visit will help prepare the children for their 6th grade experience and help make their middle school transition much smoother.  I encourage the children to bring their lunch in a brown paper bag for time purposes.  School lunches will be served but they will not have access to their accounts and will have to pay by cash.  We will be eating lunch quite early so I encourage the children to bring a snack on Friday.

In writing we are working on an informative writing piece about the Westward Expansion.  The children spent several days researching big topics during the Westward Expansion.  This week they will take their research and fast draft an informative non-fiction book.  Fast draft means they all take everything they know about the Westward Expansion and non-fiction writing and create a book within a sitting or two.  After the children fast draft children they will spend several days revising their pieces and make their writing even better.

In reading we are of course working in reading workshop where the children are reading their literature circle and independent books.  For the first part of reading the children are working on Latin America research.  Last week I explained this project and helped the children get their research organized.  This week they are going to research and find information on their chosen Latin America country.  The children are working on this project with a partner.

In social studies we are finishing up our American History unit and will work on a quick Canada unit.  The children will have a vocabulary quiz on Friday.

I hope you can join us for our last learning luncheon next Wednesday, May 21st.  During this celebration the children will reflect upon their published pieces throughout the year.  I will send the children's writing portfolios home with any families that attend and send any others home at the end of the day.  These portfolios are great evidence on how your child has grown throughout the school year as a writer.

Our lip synch act was a huge success!  The children did a fantastic job.  Thank you for your support and have a great week!

Thanks,
Andrew

A Great Week!

Welcome to another fantastic week of 5th grade.  Below is an update on a couple things we are working on.

Special Activities:

I hope to see you at tomorrow's learning luncheon, where we will play - "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader."  This will be a learning luncheon you will not want to miss.  Be sure to bring your lunch.

Don't forget about the parent moving up to Middle School information meeting on Thursday, May 1st at 7pm.  The meeting will take place in the Middle School library.  Come and learn everything and anything about our wonderful Middle School.

This week is the New York State Math assessments. The children will take the tests Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning with their math class.  We are confident that every child will give the assessment their very best!

We will continue practicing for our lip synch skit this week.  Don't forget lip synch will take place on Monday, May 9th at the Middle School.

We were unable to start DARE last week due to a scheduling conflict with our DARE officer.  Our first DARE class will be on Wednesday of this week.

Writing:
Last week we started our informational writing unit.  The children will be writing a non-fiction book on the Westward Expansion.  Last week each child chose 5 mini Westward Expansion topics that they wanted to research.  They are currently in the process of researching their topics using note cards that we organized in class.  I will eventually teach the children how to turn this research into their very own informative book.

Reading:
This week we will start a synthesizing unit in reading.  Synthesizing is a higher level reading skill where a student merges new information with prior knowledge to form a new idea, perspective, or opinion or to generate insight. We will practice this skill by reading different informative pieces in reading.  The children will of course work in reading workshop where they will continue to read their literature circle and independent books.

Science/Social Studies:
This week the children will finish up their science unit, Mixtures and Solutions, with Miss. Longton.  We will go back to social studies where I will finish some major concepts in US history.  We will then complete a quick unit on Canada.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for your support!

Andrew

A Couple Things...

I hope everyone had a fantastic spring break and holiday!  I want to update you on a couple things happening this week in the "Kourt Room."

This week is "Healthy Kids Week."  We will work hard to work on an active activity each day this week.  Some examples include:  go for a jog, dance in the classroom, play an active game, work on our lip synch skit, etc.  Jodie Fitz and a nutritionist from Price Chopper will visit Glenmont to make a healthy recipe in our classroom on Monday.  We look forward to a tasty treat!

Tuesday is Earth Day.  We will spend some time discussing ways each of us can help save and maintain our amazing planet.  We will also spend some time picking up trash around our Big Backyard.

Also on Tuesday we have guest author, Nancy Castalda visiting Glenmont.  We look forward to hearing her journey on how she published her writing and listening to her share some of her favorite books.

This week our 5th graders will begin DARE.  This exciting health unit will be taught by a Bethlehem police officer who specializes in youth education.  We will typically have DARE on Thursday and Friday afternoons throughout the next 6 weeks or so.  In DARE the children will learn how to make healthy and positive decisions, discuss peer pressure, risky situations, and learn how to keep your body healthy.  This will be a unit the children will always remember.  We look forward to our DARE graduation sometime in June.

We will work hard in math this week to help us get ready for next week's NY State math assessments.  Don't forget the math assessments will take place next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

I hope to see you at next Monday's learning luncheon where we will play the game "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader???"  This special event will take place on Monday, April 28th from 12:05 - 1:00.  Be sure to bring your lunch.  We hope to see you there!

Have a great week!!!

Andrew

A Great Week....

I am very proud of each student's hard work and dedication on last week's ELA assessments.  The tests were long and difficult but each child gave them their very best - what more can we ask for!!!  Throughout the next couple weeks we will get ready for the math assessments (end of April).  Thank you for all of the great treats for our end of the ELA celebration!  We had a ton of food and the kids had a great time!

The children did a fantastic job on their American history projects.  It was great seeing so many of you at last week's American history museum.  I appreciate your support.  Throughout the week the children will continue individually presenting their projects.  We are learning a lot of information from each child's presentation.  They are all very impressive!!!

This week we will start a non-fiction writing unit.  This unit is based upon our American history unit with a focus on Westward Expansion.  We will continue learning more about the Westward Expansion in both writing a social studies.  More details to come on this exciting informative writing unit.

In reading, we have been working on mini units in poetry and also fables/folk tales.  We recently learned the different poetic devices.  Some examples include:  similes, imagery, metaphors, personification, alliteration, rhythm and onomatopoeia.  We will continue to read and analyze different fables and folktales in reading this week.  The children will continue reading their literature circle and independent books.

Our class is enjoying our latest science unit, mixtures and solutions with Ms. Longton.

We look forward to a great week!  Thanks for your continued support and enjoy your spring break!

Andrew

A Great Week!!

Welcome to another exciting week of 5th grade!  Below is an overview of this week in "The Kourt Room."

American History Projects:
I am very impressed with each child's amazing American history project.  I can tell that everyone worked very hard on them.  On Friday, we discussed strategies on presenting an oral report.  I also gave the children the opportunity to prepare for their class presentation.  The children took notes on index cards that they can use for their individual presentations.  Presentations will take place throughout the next couple weeks in our classroom.  I look forward to each child's presentation.

I hope you can make tomorrow's (Monday) American History museum.  The museum will take place from 10am - 10:45am.  I hop to see you there!

NY State ELA Testing:
As you all know the state ELA assessments will take place this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I am confident that each child is ready to give these assessments their very best.  With hard work and confidence the children will show success on these challenging assessments.  Please encourage your child to get a good night's sleep and to eat a healthy breakfast before the assessments.  Each child should also bring in several #2 pencils for this week's assessments.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

This week we will start science again.  For this science unit our class will work with Miss. Longton and  learn about mixtures and solutions.  We will of course have reading workshop where etch children will read their literature and independent books.

Have a great week!!

Thanks,
Andrew

Another Great Week….

Welcome to another great week of 5th grade.  Below is an update on what we are working on this week in The Kourt Room:

A Quick Note:
As I am sure you know a note was sent home Friday from Mrs. Heffernan, regarding my new position as principal at Walter B. Howard Elementary School.  I have been teaching for 12 years and have loved every second of it. It will be incredibly hard to say goodbye to the children, my colleagues, and wonderful families at Glenmont School.  Being a teacher is the most rewarding and exciting jobs.  I am excited to open up the 4 walls of my classroom to inspire and lead an entire school community to success. It has always been a dream of mine to be an elementary school principal.  For the past 4 years I have worked hard to prepare for this new journey.  I am excited to start this new chapter of my career.

This new position begins on June 2nd.  This start date is out of my control and I understand that the timing is not great.  I will work incredibly hard to ensure your child has an easy transition and the very best last month of 5th grade.  As soon as I know who my replacement is I will be sure to let you know. I will work together with this new teacher to ensure the very best transition. I look forward to working with you and your child over the next 2 months. I appreciate your support and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Reading:
We will continue to get ready for next week's ELA state assessment.  This week we will practice answering multiple choice and short answer type questions.  When the children read the passages carefully and try their best they have shown greater success.  This practice will help the children understand the assessment's format and hopefully build their confidence to succeed.  Towards the end of the week I will give the children a practice test so that they can practice the timing of the assessment. We will of course continue working in reading workshop where the children will read their literature circle and independent books.

Writing:
We will continue our literary essay unit in writing.  The children are finishing up their third literary essay.  They are currently writing an essay about theme.  This essay is based upon two short stories, and the children have to compare and contrast both story's themes.  I will be sending this essay home with a rubric for you and your child to read through together and grade for homework this week.  This assignment will provide the children with additional feedback and let you know the specific expectations.  The children will begin a new theme essay this week based upon two different short stories.

Social Studies:
Your child's American History project is due this Friday.  I passed out a rubric last week so that the children know exactly how I will grade this project.  You are invited to our 5th grade American History Project Display at 10am on Monday, March 31st.  This event will take the place of our already scheduled learning luncheon (no need to bring a lunch!!)   We hope you can make it!

Have a great week!

Thanks,
Andrew