Just a few weeks left to school and we have a few Big Events:
Tuesday May 12th:
9am: Really Cool Science Workshop
6pm: Talent Show
Thursday May 21st: Froum’s Flames Year-End Extravaganza!
Please help us finish off the school year with a Feast! This is always a fun Ms. Froum’s Class event. Each child brings in a dish for the Feast, can dress in clothes/pajamas of choice, and can bring a game or toy from home. In addition, we will receive report cards and have an awards ceremony highlighting some special accomplishments in our class. The kids will also share some memories and goals.
Please let me know what you could send in that day.
Categories are:
drinks, (no soda please)
main dish (cold cuts and rolls, mini-sandwhiches or burgers, etc)
side dish (cut up veggies or fruit)
dessert
I’ll keep you current with emails so families know what is still needed. Our class has 13 students. In the past, dishes have included mini sandwiches, mini turkey and veggie burgers, chicken wings and cold cuts. Sides are cut up fruit and veggies, and desserts have been cookies and cupcakes.
It’s getting very hot…please continue to send a refillable water bottle each day.
Sage Summer 2015!! For Ages 5-12 Join Mrs. Dwight, Ms. Adams, Miss Leah and Miss Kelsey for a summer filled with exploration, investigation, and discovery through art, drama, science, music and movement, and enrichment activities in math and reading. Session 1: World of Color June 1 to June 12 Students will be looking at famous works of art, and creating their own masterpieces using paint, clay, and many other art materials. We will also be learning about different art terms and art mediums such as watercolors. Session 2: Don’t be Dramatic June 15 to June 26 We will be exploring the art of theatre. Students will be learning how to read and perform plays. They will also have an opportunity to write and direct their own play. Session 3: Stars and Stripes June 29 to July 3 We will celebrate a full week of 4th of July and Patriotic activities. Session 4: Ooey Gooey Science July 6 to July 17 We will be exploring all aspects of science -physics, chemistry, life, space, earth– and designing experiments and investigations to answer our questions. Session 5: Under the Sea July 20 to July 31 We will be exploring the deep blue, and studying all things that swim. Children will also be learning all about what makes water so wonderful! Cost: $20/Day $65/week *Cost for up to 9 hours a day and includes snack and lunch *DES accepted *Payment in advance required *Field trip costs will be extra Program Hours: 6am to 6pm **Space is limited** Please return the bottom portion to the office. - - - - - - - - - - - - Child(ren)’s Name(s): __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ We will be attending: Session 1 Session 2 Session 5 Session 3 Session 4 Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Froum’s Flames March News!
Froum’s Flames April News!
This month we have two special notes:
Friday 4/3: No School
Wednesday 4/15- Thursday 4/22 AIMS Science and Arizona Merit Testing
This month is AIMS and AZ Merit standardized testing. We’ll work to cement our reading and math strategies in order for students to feel confident when testing! 4/15-4/16 will be the AIMS Science test. The following week will be the AZ Merit Reading and Math tests. There will be no homework during testing. You can assist by making sure your children have lots of rest and healthy food after school during those days.
In addition to reviewing for our tests, our subject content will continue what we started last month.
Language
Reading: Our stories continue to tie into social studies, highlighting changes in transportation, industry, and effects on the United States in the 20th century. We are working to identify facts from within what we’ve read, in addition to drawing conclusions and making inferences.
Writing: We’re continuing to focus on using conventions. This means really paying attention to punctuation, capitalization and spelling! All language arts homework, including spelling and sentence homework on Mondays, works towards correct mechanics. We want our students’ work to look as smart as we know they are!
Math This month we will work on word problems involving measurement.
Social Studies Using map skills books and our current events Scholastic News jounals, we’ll look at some of the global events of the 20th century. Students are encouraged to bring information on current events.
Thank you for your communication! Please remember as the weather heats up, a refillable water bottle and healthy snack are essential for your child’s daily success!
Friday 3/6: 10am Cereal Box Book Reports and Readers’ Party
Monday 3/16-Friday 3/20: Spring Break/No School
Next month is AIMS and AZ Merit standardized testing. We’ll work to cement our reading and math strategies in order for students to feel confident when testing!
Here’s what we’re studying this month:
Language
Reading: Our stories continue to tie into social studies, highlighting changes in transportation, industry, and effects on the United States in the 20th century. Reading comprehension is the main focus, with emphasis on decoding vocabulary in context.
Writing: This month we’re working on adding details and using conventions. This means really paying attention to punctuation, capitalization and spelling! All language arts homework, including spelling and sentence homework on Mondays, works towards correct mechanics. We want our students’ work to look as smart as we know they are!
Math Congratulations! Your children are remembering problem solving steps, math vocab, and calculation skills. As we use fractions and decimals this month, we’re learning to work neatly to stay organized, and check one’s own work
Science Continuing from last month, we’ll read and set up short experiments involving energy, magnetism, and chemical change. We’ll be working on following the steps of the scientific method and accurately documenting what is observed. This was very challenging for our class last month. However, this ties into writing and becomes increasingly important as kids progress.
Social Studies Using map skills books and our current events Scholastic News jounals, we’ll look at some of the global events of the 20th century. Students are encouraged to bring information on current events.
Thank you for your communication! Please remember as the weather heats up, a refillable water bottle and healthy snack are essential for your child’s daily success!
January was an exciting month!!! Your children excelled with our Sage Kids Care Wax Museum…performing thorough research while raising money for some very sick kids. Also, every morning your kids are eager to work and grow. They have been demonstrating exceptional team skills when working in groups.
Important Dates:
Friday 2/13: Arizona’s Birthday! (we will not be celebrating Valentine’s Day as a class—but children may bring Valentine’s if they choose—not required!)
Monday 2/16: President’s Day. No school.
Here’s what we’ll study this month:
Reading: We’re continuing to focus on expository science reading. Extracting information from the printed page is an important skill that will be utilized a student’s whole school career!
Writing: We’ve begun persuasive writing! From full paragraphs to introductions and conclusions, the kids are working hard to produce supported, thoughtful work.
Math: Measurement and using calculation to determine mean, median and mode will be our main work. We’ll also continue to solve word problems, choosing the logical operation for each problem. Please continue to practice multiplication and division at home to get the times facts automatic and division steps cemented. This builds confidence in all areas of math! J
Science: While reading and setting up short experiments involving energy, magnetism, and chemical change, we’ll be working on following the steps of the scientific method and accurately documenting what is observed. This ties into writing and will become increasingly important as the kids move up in grades. We have been expanding our vocabulary with many new science terms.
Social Studies :We’ll learn about Arizona’s history as our state turns 103! We’ll also be doing individual projects on a state of each student’s choice. More info coming soon!
Thank you for your communication! Email is always the best way to reach me at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> .Ms. Froum Ms. Froum’s Fabulous Flames present….Wax Museum Project!
Get ready to combine visual arts, performance, writing and research! This week our class will begin working on a month-long project that will require preparation inside the classroom as well as at home. This project will also raise money for a charity of our students’ choice.
Here’s how it works: each student will choose a historically significant figure they would like to research, and obtain teacher approval. Then they will use the internet and library to learn facts about the person, write a 1-2 page report, create a poster and prepare a 1 minute speech about their chosen figure! On __________January 30___ we will present a wax museum display in the Sanctuary. The students dress and actually become the person they researched! They will become “statues of wax” and come to life when a donation is placed in the container in front of each student. Students will then give their memorized speech about the life of their person. Other classes and families will come to view our wax museum. This project is going to be lots of fun! The following is the rubric for the grade of project. Please see below for additional details regarding the report, the poster, and the Wax Museum speech. Wax Museum Project Rubric Requirement Written Report Due ___________1/23________
_____/50
Prepared Speech, dressed/acting as researched person Due ___1/30________
_____/25
Poster presented at Wax Museum (report should be included)
_____/25
Total _____/100
I have read the information, rubrics, and timeline provided and understand the requirements for the Wax Museum. ____________________________
Name of Student ____________________________
_____________________________
Parent Signature
Famous Person
Please return the above portion to Ms. Froum by ____1/9________ Project Details Report: Students need to use at least three sources for information, listing each source at the end of the paper. These can be books, magazines, articles, or internet sources. The chosen figure must be a real person, not a fictional character. For example, students may not be Batman, or Cat in The Hat. They may, however, be those figures’ creators, Stan Lee or Theodore Geisel. STUDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED WITH A FIRST CHOICE AND A BACK-UP CHOICE. If more than one student chooses the same person, names will be drawn for that figure. Once a figure is chosen it may not be changed.
Papers will be graded on content as well as mechanics such as capitalization,punctuation and spelling. The student may type the paper at home or hand-write, and neatness will be noted. Optional: Students may turn in a rough draft to Ms. Froum for review by ________1/20______. (This is not required).
Poster: The poster is a graphic display that will be near the student as they stand in costume and present their speech. It can be a stand-up three fold board, or a posterboard. The poster should include a copy of the student’s report, as well as any photos, drawings or other information about the historic figure.
Speech: At our Wax Museum on _______1/30____, when a “visitor” stops in front of the student and places a donation of any amount in the can, the student will “come to life” and give their speech, first person, as the historical figure. This speech needs to be one minute long, memorized and include at least three facts about their figure. Students should maintain eye contact with the audience, speak clearly, and be dressed and speak like the figure. Be creative and have fun with your costume J We will have a run-through in the classroom that morning in order for Ms. Froum to grade each speech, before presenting to the “public” in the Sanctuary.
NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PART OF THE PROJECT.
Froum’s Fabulous Flames January News! Howdy and Happy New Year! Hope everyone had joyous holidays, family time, and refreshing rest! December was a terrific month in which your children demonstrated caring to each other, and great attitudes towards learning as evidenced in mid-year testing scores. What a terrific way to start 2015!
Important Dates: Friday 1/9: 9am Schoolwide spelling bee. Come support our class champs! 12:15 Ms. Froum’s Hom-a-Froum(homophone) Birthday Party Thursday 1/15: 9:30am Wells Fargo Westward Bound Field Trip Monday 1/19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—no school
Here’s what we’ll study this month: Language Reading: Stories will demonstrate the scientific method. Although we’ll continue to work hard on reading with fluency, and expression, we will focus on comprehension.
Writing: Since the class has made such progress in capitalization and punctuation, we will keep up our good work in those areas while expanding to grammar and advanced sentence structure. Our class loves to write descriptively, showing detail and humor. We’ll continue informative writing before moving onto persuasive writing. Math We’re continuing to solve word problems, choosing the logical operation for each problem. This is still the area of greatest challenge. Calculation, however, has come with ease. The kids have worked VERY hard on multi-digit multiplication and division, and love to dazzle me with “GINORMOUS” numbers in their problems. Practice this at home using any problems you come up with, as well as multiplication flash cards, just to get the times facts automatic and division steps cemented. Fourth and fifth grade math is based on knowing multiplication and division, so proficiency is important.
Social Studies We will utilize reading comprehension and writing skills as we practice extracting and summarizing information on 20th century history. Areas of study will include maps, current events, and historical figures. Thank you for your communication! Email is always the best way to reach me. Please email me during the school week at [email protected] Froum’s Fabulous Flames December News!
Howdy Families and Happy December!
Our school continues to focus on the character trait of respect. We work to show respect to our families, our school and ourselves. I am so proud of your children!
Important Dates:
12/11: Class Spelling Bee (families invited)
12/16: Holiday Concert
12/19: December Celebration
12/22-1/2/15 Winter Break—no school
Details for all December Events will follow!
Here’s what we’ll study this month:
Language
Reading: This month our stories will focus on Westward expansion in US history. We’ve been continuing to read with fluency, and your children are very expressive readers! They enjoy reading their own writing in front of the class.
Writing: Your children are making terrific progress in capitalization and punctuation. We will continue this month to focus on writing complete sentences and utilizing creative parts of speech. The class has done a terrific job looking up spelling words in the dictionary and creating expository writing.
Math
We’re continuing to solve word problems, and the kids love their successes in multi-step problems and long division. We’ve also begun our “Fraction Action!!” and will be solving problems using fractions and decimals this month.
Science
Energy and magnetism will continue to be our focus, as we work to use inference when reading graphs, charts, and diagrams.
Social Studies
We’ll continue our study of our country’s growth, with an emphasis on map skills.
Thank you for your communication with me! Please email me anytime at [email protected]. Ms. FroumNovember News for Froum’s Fabulous Flames!
Howdy Families and Happy November!
Our class is working on the character traits of trustworthiness and respect. I see evidence of these every day. Your children take pride in their homework, jump into learning each morning and efficiently transition from one activity to another. They are honest, supportive of each other and determined to master every task. I am very proud of them!
Upcoming Events:
Thursday 11/6 Theatre Field Trip to Tempe Performing Arts Center
Monday 11/10 Veteran’s Day Concert! (details from our music teacher to follow)
Tuesday 11/11 Veteran’s Day—No School
Wednesday 11/26-Friday 11/28 Thanksgicing Recess-No School
Here’s what we’ll study this month:
Language
Reading: Our stories will focus on science and history. We’ve been working hard on reading with fluency, and your children enjoy making text come to life! They remember new vocabulary and see the connections from what we read to real life. “Reading to learn” is our goal to prepare for more rigorous academic requirements in upper grades. Drawing inferences, finding facts, and summarizing are tasks we perform daily.
Writing: In addition to capitalization, punctuation and spelling, we’ve begun organizing our writing into paragraphs. This month you can expect Book Reviews and multi-paragraph expository writing. We’re also going to begin adding more details to our writing. I’ll be encouraging your children to look up their spelling words in the dictionary and to write longer, more descriptive sentences.
Math
We’re continuing to solve word problems, with emphasis on choosing the logical operation for each problem, rather than just strict calculation. The class has made terrific progress on multiplication and division. We’ll also work with measurement.
Science
Earth science will be our focus.
Social Studies
We’ll continue our study of American History, with a focus on civics and map skills.
Thank you for your communication with me! Please email me at [email protected]. Ms. FroumFroum’s flames Fabulous October News!!
Howdy Families and Happy October!
September was a terrific month! Your children love learning and have wonderful attitudes! They work well together in groups as well as individually. We have interesting class discussions, and the kids are working hard to focus, learn multiplication facts, and increase their knowledge through reading. Keep up the good work!
Important Dates:
Thursday 10/9 Charlotte’s Web Field Trip and Academic Achievement Awards
Monday 10/6-Friday 10/9 Spirit Week
Monday 10/13-Friday 10/17 Fall Break
Thursday 10/24-Friday 10/25-Parent Conferences
Friday 10/24- Picture Day
Here’s what we’ll be studying this month:
Language
Reading: Selections focus on nature and earth science. We read aloud and answer written questions on the stories. We are continuing to “read to learn” as we increase our science knowledge.
Writing: These kids are WRITERS! They love to write and share what they’ve created. We’ll continue to focus on the mechanics of capitalization, punctuation and spelling, while honing skills in the areas of paragraphs, topic sentences, details, and vocabulary. We will finish our narrative unit and begin expository writing, including book reports, research projects, and group presentations.
Math
We’ll continue to work on multiplication and division. We will also be measuring and solving word problems that include telling time and counting money. You can help at home by practicing telling time and counting money.
Science
This month we will begin our Earth Science unit, beginning with a look at earth’s layers, then weather.
Social Studies
We will continue our study of American History, including westward expansion, the Civil War, reading maps, and current events.
Thank you also for your communication with me! Please email me anytime at [email protected]. Ms. FroumFroum’s Flames Fabulous September News!
Howdy Families and Happy September!
Our Sage year 2014-15 has started off well for our class! The 4th grade strong, academically and socially. I feel very lucky to have a class both smart AND caring! This has enabled both individual and cooperative learning—very rare this early in the year! This group is really on fire to learn. Hands are up all day to question and answer. I love this class!
Here are some important dates:
Monday 9/1: Labor Day, no school
Thursday 9/18 Curriculum Night, stay tuned for details!
Thursday 9/18 Field Trip to the Heard Museum of Native American Culture
Here’s what we’ll study this month:
Reading: Our reading selections discuss risks and consequences. Stories have a strong tie-in to social studies and science. We concentrate on fluency and comprehension. You can practice these skills at home by having your child read aloud to you for at least 15 minutes each night and then asking questions about what was read.
Writing: We start each morning with writing “mechanics”: punctuation, capitalization and parts of speech. We practice spelling words throughout the day. Each day we also write creatively. This month we’ll focus on narrative writing while brainstorming, drafting, and expanding ideas with details. Our class has quite a quick sense of humor that shows through in their writing!
Math
4th grade: While still reviewing subtraction with regrouping and telling time, we will learn the new skills of double digit multiplication, division, and two-step word problems. Thinking logically as well as computing accurately are critical math skills from 4th grade until high school graduation. Practice multiplication facts to help your kids excel in math!
Science
We’ll examine cycles, including the carbon/water cycle, and man’s impact on the environment.
Social Studies
We’ll study Native American culture, the American Revolution and Civil War.
Great job on sending healthy snacks and keeping our classroom nut free!
Thank you for your communication with me!
Please email me at [email protected]. Ms. FroumHowdy Families! This week our determined and enthusiastic class worked in small groups to extract information from expository text. We read about Native Americans of the West then summarized the information and worked together to create group presentations. There were so many great examples of leadership, organization and focus! The presentations were packed full of information, art and lots of smiling!! Great work as usual by your fabulous fourth-graders! It is a pleasure to get to spend each day with your children! Your, Ms. Froum
Howdy families!!! > Our students made terrific presentations on Friday! We had several guests: our > third-grade, some of our families and our school director!! All of the > presentations were varied, confident and correct!! Our students worked so hard > and it showed!!!! > Thank you for terrific work! Everyone was very proud! Look for another photo > of individual students in action sent to each family's email! Ms. Froum > > > > >Howdy Families! As you can see from the photos sent to each of your individual email boxes, our Fabulous Froum's Flames are enjoying their social studies of the Native American culture! We have been reading about tribes in the southwest and this week moved to the traditions of the northwest coast. We read about the oral tradition, then created totem poles to reflect ourselves and our own stories. Each student presented the meaning of his or her own project. Many described qualities they emulate in their families, or ways they see themselves. It was excellent work and the kids were very supportive and proud of each other! In the next week look for information for our next project, which will be completed at home, in the area of science: ecosystems and living things. Your children continue to take pride in their work and are showing themselves to be dedicated learners! As always, thank you for your communication with me! Your, Ms. Froum
Froum’s Flames Fabulous Field Trips
Here are our exciting 2014-15 field trips: dates/locations, academic connections and number of helpers needed. Cost will be on permission slips before each trip. Parents, if you attend you’ll be put to work, but also will enjoy a terrific adventure with our class! Volunteer names will be drawn from a hat to allow different parents to attend.
Thursday 9/25/14 Heard Museum of Native American Crafts. Depart school at 8:45am, returning after lunch.
Social Studies: Native American Culture, Arizona history, Southwest geography
2 parents needed
Thursday 10/09/14 Tempe Performing Arts Center Childsplay’s theatre production “Charlotte’s Web”
Depart school 8:30; return after lunch,
Reading/Speaking/Listening: story elements, theatre production.
2 parents needed
Thursday 11/06/14 Tempe Performing Arts Center Childsplay’s theatre production “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” Depart school 8:30 return after lunch,
Reading/Speaking/Listening: story elements, theatre production.
2 parents needed
Thursday 1/15/15 Wells Fargo Westward Expansion Museum
Depart school 9:15 return after lunch.
Social Studies: Early American settlement
2 parents needed
Thursday 3/26/15 Tempe Performing Arts Center “Girls Who Wear Glasses” Depart school 9:00 return after lunch.
Character Development/Art: theatre 2 parents needed.
Howdy Families! The school year has begun and our Froum's Fabulous Flames are already burning brightly! We spent our first few days getting used to school, our schedule, and each other! We reviewed our math skills, read aloud, and wrote stories. Our "old" classmates eagerly welcomed our new friends. We can already see that this will be a wonderful year!
Please feel free to email me and I look forward to our time together! Ms. Froum
Welcome to School 2014-15 and to Ms. Froum's Fabulous class! I'm happy to see familiar Sage faces and eager to know our new classmates! It’s going to be a successful year!
Here is your most important information: The two best things you can do to help your child is to provide daily, supervised homework time and a healthy snack with water every day, all year!
Is there homework? Yes! Homework should take no more than 40 minutes per night. Your child is responsible for bringing homework home, completing it and bringing it back. Homework is a re-enforcement of concepts learned in school--NOT new material. It’s also a way for you to see what we’re learning. Homework is critical for your child’s academic success, so allow time every day.
Is there snack? Yes! There is a direct link between brain function and healthy eating. Please send your child with healthy snack and refillable water bottle each day. Healthy snacks are high protein/ whole grain foods: almonds, slices of lean turkey, fruit, or whole grain bread. Student concentration and mood are best without sugary snacks. Snack is mid-morning so cookies and sweets are not allowed. Students can save those for lunch or only, no exceptions. A water bottle ensures your child won’t miss class to repeatedly go to the water fountain. Our class is known for being healthy!
What supplies are needed? In addition to the supply list, we can always use more paper towels and tissues. Arizona suffers from severe flu/cold seasons. Please re-inforce good hand-washing and avoidance of coughing or sneezing on others. If your child is sick, please keep him/her at home for quickest recovery!
Contact me at [email protected]. I am very responsive via email and it is the best way for me to be as available to you as possible! Please check your email daily. Remember....The most important things you can do to help your child is to provide daily supervised homework time and a healthy snack with water!! I am deeply committed to your child’s positive school experience and together, we’ll create an ideal learning climate! Ms. Froum
Ms. Froum’s Supply List
3 spiral notebooks pencils 3 plain folders with pockets scissors colored markers/crayons glue sticks pencil box/bag roll of paper towels box of tissues several packages any size index cards white board markers and eraser one package printer paper hand-held pencil sharpener (not battery operated) hand sanitizer Clorox wipes
Our Curriculum
3rd and 4th grade curriculum are very closely aligned, so having a multi-grade class is ideal! Students are able to see where their reading, writing and math are headed as they work on individual projects as well as team assignments in the two grades.
During these two academic years you will see a distinct shift in both the difficulty of material as well as the way your child will be learning. In reading, students are now reading to learn, rather than learning to read. Math will focus on speed and ease of operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing) as well as understanding the "why" of word problems. Writing will begin with narrative style, moving to expository and finally persuasive writing. Our class is always known for our enthusiasm and excellence in our learning! HAPPY SUMMER!
It has been a WONDERFUL year full of learning and love! Every student performed outstandingly...not only on academic work, but in the area of personal growth as well1 Remember to read, read, read this summer, and I look forward to an even BETTER year with all of you! Please see below for a summer reading list :) Love, Your Ms. Froum
Summer Reading List and Skills Readiness for 3rd/4th Grade
Students should read at least two books from grade list.
3rd grade:
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
The Henry Huggins series by Beverly Cleary
4th grade:
The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
The Henry Huggins series by Beverly Cleary
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
TAKE A TRIP TO THE ISLAND….
Study Island, that is!
Sage Academy offers a terrific study resource for our students! It's Study Island and every student can use it. There are practice problems, resources and games in every subject area that YOU can use anywhere you have internet access! To get started: 1. Go to studyisland.com 2. login is your child's first name and first letter of your last name and then @Sage, for example, Luke Miller would be LukeM@Sage 3. Password is 12345
Once you're on the site, click on grades 2, 3, or 4, in any subject area to get practice problems and printable worksheets. Try the Common core Math and ELA, especially math word problems, multiplication facts and reading comprehension.
You can get on every day to supplement homework, brush up or get ahead on needed skills, or utilize when your child misses school. Study Island is a chance to get additional practice AND get ahead!! I know you will love the chance to help our kids take a trip to "The Island" and practice what we’re learning in school! Happy Island Hopping!
May News for Ms. Froum’s Fabulous Flames! May is another BIG month with BIG Events!!! Tuesday May 13: Talent show! Thursday May 15: Medical Mystery Workshop! (details to follow) Wednesday May 21: Honor Roll/Perfect Attendance Awards Thursday May22: Froum’s Fabulous Last Day Extravaganza! Here’s what we’ll be studying this month: May is a review month. We will continue last month’s skills plus a review of all the terrific new things we have learned this year! Language Reading: Reading carefully for main ideas, author’s purpose, point of view and summary of information will be our skill focus. We will read a variety of texts including expository work and poetry. Writing: Our class is continuing to write persuasively including writing to Arizona’s Governor Brewer on the hot issue of using or not using plastic bags. We will also write and present poems. Math Following directions and careful calculation will be our goals as we review our math from the year. Science We will be studying health and first aid. In addition we will be creating duct tape bags and hand-made cards as in-class art projects! Parents: our weather is going to be VERY HOT VERY SOON. Please remember to send a refillable water bottle as well as healthy snack to school with your child each day. Water bottles are essential. A healthy snack for the morning consists of items like fruit, nuts, cheese, or lean meat like turkey. Whole grain granola bars without a lot of extra sugar are also excellent. Please save sugary treats for after school. Thank you for your communication! Email is always the best way to reach me at [email protected].
April News for Ms. Froum’s Fabulous Flames! April is a BIG month with BIG Events!!! Monday April 7-Friday April 10: AIMS testing. Our class has worked very hard on reading directions, asking focused questions, and working carefully. We are going to do very well on ALL of our tests!! The kids are excited to “show what we know!” Thursday April 18: Progress reports sent home Thursday April 24: Field Trip to Tempe Center for the Performing Arts; Childplay’s musical production “Schoolhouse Rock”. Stay tuned for info! In addition to test practice, here’s what we’ll be studying this month: Language Reading: Reading carefully for main ideas, author’s purpose, point of view and summary of information will be our skill focus. We will read a variety of texts including expository work and poetry. Writing: Our class is continuing to write persuasively, as well as creatively focusing on adding information, as well as the mechanics of spelling, punctuation and capitalization. This month we will have our writing assessment in addition to AIMS testing. Math Following directions and careful calculation will be our goals as we review our math from the year. Science We will be reading varied science passages to focus on understanding vocabulary and make inferences.
Parents: our weather is going to be VERY HOT VERY SOON. Please remember to send a refillable water bottle as well as healthy snack to school with your child each day. Water bottles are essential.
A healthy snack for the morning consists of items like fruit, nuts, cheese, or lean meat like turkey. Whole grain granola bars without a lot of extra sugar are also excellent. Please save sugary treats for after school.
Thank you for your communication! Email is always the best way to reach me at [email protected]. 3rd/4th March News for Froum’s Fabulous Flames! March is an exciting and busy month of important dates: Monday 3/10-Friday 3/14 Spirit Week: Theme Days! Monday: Fashion Disaster Day Tuesday: Western Day Wednesday: 50s/60s Day Thursday: Beach Day Friday: Pajama Day (Ms. Froum’s Favorite! Who doesn’t love pajamas?! J Thursday 3/13 & Friday 3/14 1pm dismissal; report cards sent home Monday 3/17-Friday 3/21 Spring Break, No school Here’s what we’ll study this month: Language Reading: We’re continuing reading to learn, instead of just learning to read. Extracting information from the printed page is an important skill that will be utilized a student’s whole school career! Our reading selections will focus on science, as well as poetry, to tie in with writing.
Writing: We’re working on writing with purpose, such as letters, and continuing to focus on conventions such as spelling and capitalization. Our studies on figurative language will continue as students work to add detail and description to their work.
Math
This month we’ll review and strengthen math skills in preparation for the AIMS test. We’ll solve word problems, convert using different forms of measurement and speed up basic operations. Please continue to practice multiplication and division at home.
Science In science we’ll explore electricity, use prediction, observation and draw conclusions. We’ll review the water cycle as well as our life skills unit.
The weather is getting warmer! Please remember to send a refillable water bottle as well as healthy snack to school with your child each day. Thank you for your communication!
Froum’s Fabulous Flames February News!! I’m so proud of our class!! Every morning the kids are eager to work and grow, academically and socially. They’re kind to each other and demonstrate mature team skills when working in groups. Important February Dates: Friday 2/7 Progress Reports Sent Home Friday 2/14 Arizona’s 102nd Birthday Party! Details to follow Monday 2/17 President’s Day No School Here’s what we’ll study this month: Language Reading: We’re reading to learn, instead of just learning to read. Extracting information from the printed page is an important skill that will be utilized a student’s whole school career! Writing: Our class is soaring with persuasive writing! From full paragraphs to introductions and conclusions, the kids are working hard to produce excellent and thoughtful work. We’ll continue using details to expand writing as well as self-editing in each assignment. Math Measurement and using calculation to determine mean, median and mode will be our main work. We’ll also continue to solve word problems, choosing the logical operation for each problem and look at angles for beginning geometry. Please continue to practice multiplication and division at home. This builds confidence in all areas of math! Science We’ll learn the steps of the scientific method. This ties into writing and will become increasingly important as the kids move up in grades. We’ve been expanding our vocabulary with many new science terms. Social Studies We’ll learn about Arizona’s history as our state turns 102! We’ll also be working on map skills as we continue to read about early Westward Expansion.
Please remember to send a refillable water bottle as well as healthy snack to school with your child each day Thank you for your communication! Email is always the best way to reach me. [email protected].
Ms. Froum’s Fabulous 3rd&4th Grade News! Happy New Year! Hope everyone had joyous holidays, good family time, and refreshing rest! We have lots of exciting events this month….what a great way to start 2014! Important Dates Thursday 1/9 Spelling Bee Friday 1/10 Surprise Event J More info soon Monday 1/20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—no school Wednesday 1/22 100th Day of School! More into to follow Wednesday 1/29 Fry’s Behind-The-Scenes Field Trip Here’s what we’ll study this month: Language Reading: Identifying main ideas and expanding vocabulary will be the focus of our social studies and science-based stories. Writing: It’s time for persuasive and informative writing. Using details to expand writing as well as self-editing will accompany each assignment. This month we’ll do a research project that will include a Wax Museum Event! Math We’ll use multiplication, division, fractions and measurement in word problems. Reading directions and using logic will be stressed through the end of the year. Science Energy and man’s impact on the environment will be our focus. Social Studies For the next two months we will study Westward Expansion including a fact-packed Fifty States project!
Please send a refillable water bottle and healthy snack each day. Also, to master the many new concepts in 3rd/4th grade please utilize our Study Island website at home. It’s a fun, effective way for your kids to really cement math and reading skills!!
Thank you for your communication! Email is always the best way to reach me during the school week at [email protected]
NEWSFLASH! FROUM'S FLAMES FABULOUS DECEMBER EVENTS! Howdy Families! Holidays are approaching and our class is already busy and joyful! The kids continue to be mindful of both schoolwork and being kind and respectful to each other. Thank you for always supporting positive attitudes at home—it really shows in our classroom! BIG EVENTS THIS MONTH: 12/16 9am Class Spelling Bee—Please attend! 12/17 6pm Sage Christmas Show 12/20 Class Gingerbread Building contest 12-23-1/5 Winter Vacation—No School
1. Our class is very generous! Thanks for continued donations of non-perishable goods to help people have good meals during the holidays!
2. Monday December 16th @9am :Class Spelling Bee. The kids are VERY eager and have been practicing. Please come support our class. Two class winners will compete in the Sage Bee in January.
3. Tuesday, December 17th @ 6pm: our Christmas Show! You’ll enjoy this professional, fun production! Please bring kids to the small sanctuary at 5:30pm while families go get great seats in the Sanctuary across the parking lot. Looking forward to seeing you there!
4. Friday, December 20th: holiday party! Wear pajamas, have a holiday sing-a-long, watch Polar Express and our favorite…. have a gingerbread house contest! Using milk cartons and graham crackers as a base, the kids are already planning edible architectural masterpieces! Celebrity judges (hint, front office….) will choose winning entries in categories such as Most Creative and Most Beautiful. Could kids please start bringing in the materials? They’ll be shared by all. And I’ll VERY CAREFULLY monitor the building vs. eating ratio so that your children don’t come home TOO sugared J We need: 6 cans of white frosting, four boxes of graham crackers, and bags of gumdrops/raisins/pretzel sticks, peppermints etc. for decoration. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your fabulous kids!! We hope you’ll visit and like Sage Academy on Facebook! Ms. Froum
Ms. Froum’s Fabulous Flames 3rd/4th Grade News! Howdy Families and Happy November! Hope you had a wonderful fall break! October saw our class jump into learning each morning! Your children enjoy showing how they focus and master new skills. I’m very proud of them! BIG EVENTS THIS MONTH: Thursday 11/7 Veteran’s Day Concert 1:30pm Monday 11/11 Veteran’s Day, no school Tuesday 11/26 Student Thanksgiving Feast 11:30am Wednesday 11/27-29 Thanksgiving Break, no school Here’s what we’ll study this month: Language Reading: Our stories shift from science to government and money. We’ve been working hard on reading with fluency! They also enjoy making connections from what we read to real life. We are working on learning new vocabulary from the context of our reading. Writing: We’ll continue to organize our writing into paragraphs. This month is expository writing that includes letters, directions, and reports. This month we will create and present Cereal Box Book Reports! Math Our ongoing word problem work emphasizes choosing the logical operation by reading and working through the problem. We’ll also practice division, measurement, and fraction action! Paying careful attention to detail, which includes completing homework, will be very important for the rest of the year. Science The focus of this month will be the scientific method. Social Studies Our studies will include American History and map work. Thank you for your communication with me! Please email anytime [email protected]. Ms. Froum
Ms. Froum’s Fabulous 3rd &4th grade Newsletter
Howdy Families! October is ACTION-PACKED!
Parent/Teacher Conferences 10/17-10/18 1:15-3:30pm in person, via phone or email. Sign-up sheet to follow!
Picture Day 10/17: Uniforms NOT required. Individual photos only: class photos in spring.
Spirit Week 10/21-10/25. Each day will have a different theme, ending with our Fabulous Friday Fall Festival! Volunteers needed! More info to follow.
Fall Break 10/28-11/1. Enjoy time together!
In September we sharpened focus, began new material, and worked both individually and in groups. Our class has a great attitude toward learning!
Here’s what we’ll study this month:
Language Reading: Both grades’ focus on nature and science. We’ll read aloud for fluency and answer written questions to develop writing and comprehension. I encourage you to discuss each week’s selection with your child, and read aloud every night. Writing: These kids are WRITERS! They love to share what they’ve created. We’ll continue to write narratively, focusing on the mechanics of capitalization, punctuation and spelling, while honing skills in paragraphs, topic sentences, details, and vocabulary. We will write stories and letters.
Math Both grades will continue to work on multiplication and division. We’ll also be measuring, solving word problems, and working with money.
Science This month we’ll begin our Earth Science unit with a look at weather and earth’s layers.
Thank you for your communication with me! Please email me at [email protected]. Ms. Froum
9/27/13 NEWSFLASH! FIELD TRIP FUN! Howdy Families! Our Fabulous class had a fantastic time on our Field Trip to the Heard Museum! We had done so many projects in preparation for our trip--we made dream catchers, totem poles, chose Native American names, write in picture writing, and of course read many books on the various types of Native cultures. The guides were very impressed with the way our class answered questions, focused on a complicated beading projects, and even left the Museum cleaner than we found it! It was fun to be joined by Ms. K's third graders too, as our kidsies are all friends and sit together with both classes each day at lunch. Afterwards I was especially proud because back at school our class wanted to continue to learn...so we did a teambuilding writing project and each student was as focused and fresh as ever! It was an exciting day and as always, thank you for your communication with me and for allowing me to be the teacher for your incredible children! Ms. Froum
Froum’s Flames Fabulous 3rd/4th Grade September Newsletter Howdy Families and Happy September! Our Sage year 2013-14 has started off well for our class! The kids are strong, academically and socially. I feel very lucky to have a class both smart AND caring! This has enabled both individual and cooperative learning—very rare this early in the year! This group is really on fire to learn. Hands are up all day to question and answer. I love this class!
Here’s what we’ve been studying this month: Reading: In 3rd grade, selections focus on friendship, while 4th grade discusses risks and consequences. All of our stories have a strong tie-in to social studies and science. In school we concentrate on fluency and comprehension. You can practice these skills at home by having your child read aloud to you for 15 minutes each night and then asking your child questions to increase comprehension. Writing: We start each morning with writing “mechanics”: punctuation, capitalization and parts of speech. We practice spelling words throughout the day. Each day we also write creatively. This month we’ll focus on narrative writing while brainstorming, drafting, and expanding ideas with details. Our class has quite a quick sense of humor that shows through in their writing! Math 3rd grade: subtraction regrouping (borrowing), telling time, word problems and multiplication. 4th grade: double digit multiplication, division, word problems Any 3rd graders that are ready will also be doing 4th grade math. Having your child practice multiplication facts will help them excel in math. Science Both grades will examine cycles, including the carbon/water cycle, and man’s impact on the environment. Social Studies Both grades will study Native American culture, the American Revolution and Civil War.
Please continue to send your children with full water bottles. Thank you for your communication with me! Please email me at [email protected]. Ms. Froum
9/12/13 NEWSFLASH! Froum's Flames Catch Their Dreams!Howdy Families! We've been studying the Native American culture in preparation for our field trip to the Heard Museum on September 26th! We've read several books, created Native American names, wrote using Native American picture symbols and today finished our Dream Catchers. There was much creativity and collaboration. Our discussions have revealed that your children are very skilled in making connections from other cultures and customs to their own. Looking forward to continuing our studies with your intelligent, caring kidsies!!
8/26/13 NEWSFLASH!! Froum’s Flames Fabulous Field Trips Here are our exciting 2013-14 field trips!! Below are dates/locations, connections to what we’re studying, and number of parent helpers needed. Cost will be listed on each permission slip and sent home the week before each trip. Parents, if you attend you’ll be put to work, but also will enjoy a terrific adventure with our class! Students are eager for our upcoming adventures!! We hope to be able to add a few more trips—information TBA J
Thursday 9/26/13 Heard Museum of Native American Crafts. Depart school at 8:45am, returning after lunch. Social Studies: Native American Culture, Arizona history and Southwest geography 2 parents needed
Thursday 11/07/13 Tempe Performing Arts Center Childsplay’s theatre production “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” Depart school 10:45 return after lunch, Reading/Speaking/Listening: reading from page to stage story elements, theatre production. 2 parents needed
Thursday 4/24/14 9:15am Tempe Performing Arts Center “Schoolhouse Rock” Depart school 9:45 return after lunch. Reading/Art: parts of speech, music 2 parents needed.
8/19/13 NEWSFLASH!! Ms. Froum’s Fabulous Class Presents…Shoebox Ecosystems!
As part of our science unit on Living Things, our knowledge-seeking, enthusiastic class will be making Shoebox Ecosystems! These projects are fun to make and demonstrate a student’s knowledge of systems in nature. Attached are directions to make the Shoebox Ecosystem as well as the grading rubric. There are examples of Shoebox Ecosystems online and in our classroom. At the completion of the project we will present our Ecosystems!
We have 21 students so if you have extra boxes, please send them in ---they will go to good use! Students can begin as soon as they have a box. Building the box and practicing for the presentation will happen during home time.
SHOEBOX ECOSYSTEMS ARE DUE FRIDAY AUGUST 30Th. PRESENTATIONS ARE AT 11:30. PLEASE JOIN US!!
We’ve been discussing the concept of different populations that can co-exist within one community, and how all communities, together with the things necessary for survival, make up an ecosystem. Our class has rendered artistic interpretations of co-existing populations such as a cactus wren and a cactus within a desert ecosystem, or a polar bear and seal in an icy tundra ecosystem.
This information is being sent to you via email, hard copy, and we have gone over it in class too. We have discussed that since our families have already completed 3rd and 4th grade, it will be important to remember that although parents may help, students do their own work! They all agree that each student is responsible for his or her own learning! Our class is VERY creative and is excited to make and present our first project of the school year! Fourth graders and (thirdsies who would like to add a level to the project) will also be discussing man's impact on the ecosystem they have chosen. We will continue to discuss the project this week. Instructions went home today in addition to this email!! Please feel free to contact me with any questions! We hope to see you at our presentation! Ms. Froum [email protected]
HOW TO MAKE A SHOEBOX ECOSYSTEM 1 Take the lid off the box and turn it upside down on a table. This will be used as the ground of the ecosystem. Glue the bottom part of the shoebox onto the lid so that it will stand up straight and can be used as a background for the ecosystem. 2 Find pictures of your ecosystem in a magazine or online. You can also draw background on construction paper. 3 Cut out or print the background and glue onto the inside of the shoebox to be used as the background of your ecosystem. 4 Spread soil in the lid of the shoebox. Soil should be representative of your chosen ecosystem. For example, for deserts you could use sand and for rainforests, dark potting soil. For snowy ecosystems…cotton balls. (Real snow makes soggy shoeboxes.Same with oceans. Blue construction paper is much better!) You can also color paper brown and roll it into small balls to glue down if no dirt or sand is available. Cover the entire area within lid with chosen soil. 5 Place grass, rocks, branches, or shells to create the look of vegetation and surface objects in your ecosystem. You can also use plastic or clay models, or draw on construction paper and glue onto the box in 3D style. 6 Cut a small Dixie cup about an inch from the bottom. Color the bottom of the Dixie cup blue and press it into the soil. Fill with water to create whatever water would be in your ecosystem, if any. For example, a small pond or lake, or river! 7 Take plastic animals, printed pictures of animals or cut out images of animals that naturally occur in your ecosystem and place them in different places inside the ecosystem. Pictures can be glued to the background and placed on toothpicks or Popsicle sticks and pushed into the soil or glued to the lid of the shoebox. 8. Be sure to know what you are putting into your ecosystem! The internet can help you name your organisms.
SHOEBOX ECOSYSTEM GRADING RUBRIC
20 POINTS PROJECT COMPLETION (It’s done!) Directions are not lost or requested from Ms. Froum again (responsibility is key!) Ecosystem is completed and handed in by 11:45 on Friday August 30th.
30 POINTS PROJECT CONTENTS (It has stuff in it!) Ecosystem contains at least 5 appropriate living organisms(remember, that includes plantlife!) and correct representation of soil/ground cover and background. Student may draw, use clay, paint, soil, plastic figures, construction paper or online/magazine photos.
30 POINTS PRESENTATION (You can talk about it!) Student is able to explain the type of ecosystem, organisms and background in a presentation of no more than 2 minutes.
20 POINTS AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (You support your classmates and ask questions). Student listens attentively during classmates’ presentations and asks questions at completion.
Your score:____________________________________ 8/12/13 Howdy Families!! What a wonderful first week here in 3rd/4th grade! It's been terrific to start to get to know your children! A few things have been obvious right away:........ Our class LOVES to read and are able to sustain their focus for long periods. Every day when we have DEAR time (drop everything and read) every student is immediately absorbed. They know it's a time to relax yet keep learning! In addition, I've been very proud to see how kind the kids are to each other. All have been quite serious about welcoming newcomers, being respectful, and making friends. Already we have been able to split into small groups and work together successfully.Next week we will be starting some science activities in class and at home and the kids are very excited! Info will arrive via email and hard copy. GREAT job families on sending healthy snacks. It is really helping with focus and energy even on these hot hot hot days!! Thank you also for your communication with me via email. Looking forward to an action-packed year! Froum-tastically yours, Ms. Froum
Welcome to Ms. Froum's class! I'm happy to see familiar Sage faces and eager to know our new classmates! It’s going to be a successful year! Here is your most important information: The two most important things you can do to help your child is to provide daily, supervised homework time and a healthy snack with water.
Is there homework? Yes! Homework should take no more than 40 minutes per night. Your child is responsible for bringing homework home, completing it and bringing it back. Homework is a re-enforcement of concepts learned in school--NOT new material. It’s also a way for you to see what we’re learning. Homework is critical for your child’s academic success, so allow time every night.
Is there snack? Yes! There are direct links between brain function, energy level and healthy eating. Please send your child with healthy snack and refillable water bottle each day. Healthy snacks are high protein/ whole grain foods: almonds, slices of lean turkey, fruit, or whole grain bread. Student concentration and mood are best without sugary snacks. Our snack is at 10am each morning so cookies and sweets will not be allowed. A refillable water bottle ensures your child won’t miss class to repeatedly go to the water fountain. Our class is always known for being very healthy!
What supplies are needed? In addition to the supply list, we can always use more paper towels and tissues. Arizona suffers from severe flu/cold seasons. Please re-inforce at home the importance of hand-washing and avoidance of coughing or sneezing on others. If your child is sick, please keep him/her at home for quickest recovery! Contact me via email at [email protected]. If you don’t receive a response within 24 hours; I didn’t receive your email. I am very responsive via email and it is the best way for me to be as available to you as possible! Please check your email daily. Remember....The most important things you can do to help your child is to provide daily, regular, supervised homework time and a healthy snack with water!! I am deeply committed to your child’s positive school experience and together, we’ll create an ideal learning climate! See you soon! Ms. Froum