What a busy week we had last week with our field trip to the Botanic Gardens and Junior Achievement.  I am really looking forward to a 'normal' week! :)
In math we will be taking a unit assessment for measurement and then reviewing estimation and money.  We will be taking our final interim test the second or third week in May, so I'd like to review some of the newer concepts we've learned in second grade before then.  It's crazy to think about how much we have learned together this year, but also exciting!
In science we will be wrapping up our plant unit with a scavenger hunt and quiz about the parts of a plant.  We will then get ready to start our simple machines unit early next week! I am very excited about this unit as Ms. Willett and I have been using our Understanding by Design learning from our Friday PLC time to develop the unit as this is the first year we will be teaching simple machines.
I hope you all enjoyed your weekend with your families!  If you have any questions, please let me know!

April 16,2014

Dear Parents:

I would like to provide you with information and changes around the 3/4 configurations for the 2014/15 school year.  We are constantly evaluating our structures at Bill Roberts so that teachers can provide the best instruction for students.  This past year the team came to administration to discuss the possibility of a change around the present structure.  One teacher currently teaches Literacy; the teammate teaches Math and Science, and they both teach Social Studies to all of the students, in both third and fourth grades.  That requires each teacher to teach two different grade levels, and different content.  That is challenging.

In order to instruct students in each content area with greater depth, fidelity to the curriculum, and to meet the needs of each and every student, all teams who are instructing both third and fourth grades will no longer be teaching two grade levels.  The teaching teams will remain the same, but they will only be teaching a single grade level. 

Therefore, next year the configuration will be organized in the following way:

·         Val Beckler (Literacy) and Brenna Markson (Math) will team teach two classes of third grade.

·         Jamie Salturelli (Literacy) and Jeff Lewis (Math) will team teach one fourth grade class. (More details below)

·         Gretchen Bartling (Literacy) and Cheryl Beckwith (Math) will team teach two classes of fourth grade.

·         Caitlin Moore (Math) and a teacher TBD (Literacy) will team teach two classes of third grade.

We have a wonderful opportunity through the Differentiated Roles pilot in DPS next year.  In order to build leadership capacity in the building, both Jamie Salturelli and Jeff Lewis will be released from teaching half-time in order to work with teachers in deepening their practices and professional development in the areas of Thinking Strategies/Content, and Blended Learning with Technology.  They will share one fourth grade classroom between the two of them.

This configuration change will provide consistency in second through sixth grades with each team instructing just one grade level in either Literacy or Math.   We know that it takes the commitment of both home and school for our children to make the greatest progress.  We devote a great deal of effort to helping our staff acquire, deepen, and refine their skills.  We believe these changes are aligned with our plan of going from “good to great.”

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call.

Thank you for your support.

Trich Lea

Welcome Back!  I hope you all enjoyed your Spring Break.  My family and I didn't travel anywhere but did enjoy our time here in Colorado!
This week we are starting a new unit in math about measurement.  We will be measuring in inches and centimeters and using what we learned about fractions to learn down to 1/8 of an inch.  We will also be learning the metric system and the U.S. Customary units.  Next week we will be expanding into using measurement for capacity.  This unit will give us a great opportunity to practice the thinking strategy  monitoring for meaning.
In science we are continuing our study of plants.  Unfortunately our AeroGarden didn't make it as I had waited a few years to plant the seeds so I think they didn't work well.  I bought a new set of seeds over break so we will be planting those and starting new experiments with them! 
Just a few reminders...
Saturday, April 12th is our school auction!  I plan on being there and would love to see you all.  We have our class project up for the bidding!!  Also, 2nd grade is having a movie night that you can add your child to.  :) 
Monday, April 14th we have our field trip to the Botanic Gardens.  Please make sure that you have turned in your child's permission slip!
Thursday, April 17th we have Junior Achievement
Have a great week! :)