#WEareBALTZ
Believing, Achieving, Learning, & Team Building with Zeal!
Fantastic in February!
Ms. O'Neill & Mrs. Palma
Upcoming Important Dates & Events
February 7th - Nut Day
February 7th - Baltz Ball 6-7:30 pm
February 10th - Kindness Week
February 14th & 17th - No School for Students
February 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences
February 24th - After School Programs Start
Take A Peek Into Our Classrooms
Kindergarten Rocks!
We are quite busy learning and having fun in kindergarten.
We have been growing so much in our knowledge of story concepts. Pictures help us understand the authors words and meaning. We can retell sequence of events. We can describe characters by providing specific details. Stories have a beginning, middle, and end. Some texts are informational, and some texts are fantasy. Also, we have learned the meaning of many interesting vocabulary words.
We continue to work on letter recognition and letter sounds as we begin to blend sounds to read and write words. Each week we introduce three new sight words.
In math we are working on understanding teen numbers as a group of ten and extra ones. We are also learning about number partners (6=1+5, 1 and 5 are number partners of 6, 6=2+4, 2 and 4 are number partners of 6, 6=3+3). We are beginning to write and solve equations.
In Science, we have been exploring forces of motion with our Push, Pull, Go Science kits. We are using K'nex to build ramps, swings, tops, etc. The children truly enjoying these activities. We continue character development with Second Step Lessons and weekly reviews of school wide expectations.
Coming back to school after winter break was a little challenging, but the children have adjusted nicely.
First Grade in February!
Wow! We cannot believe that the first half of the school year has just about come and gone already! Our students have been working so hard at becoming fluent readers, as well as comprehending their reading! Within the past two weeks, first graders took the DIBELS assessment to see how much their reading has progressed since September. First graders are working hard every day to get closer to the 60 WPM (Words Per Minute) goal by the end of the school year! First grade students have also been busy being mathematicians and writers as well! They have been solving problems with tens and ones in math and we have been learning new Social Studies vocabulary such as scarcity, producers, and consumers. As always, we continue to work on our Social Emotional Learning skills through our Second Step curriculum. We are problem solvers, empathetic friends, and responsible learners! We cannot wait to see what February brings!
For updates on what is happening in the first grade classrooms, follow the first grade teacher's twitter accounts:
Miss Trate- @MissTrate
Mrs. Campanella- @MrsCampanella_
Miss Flowers- @Miss_Flowers109
Miss Dale- @miss_dale
Second Grade Soars!
December & January were filled with reading, measuring with centimeters and inches…and pajamas and other fun activities. Now, 2nd graders just finished all the mid-year assessments and have shown great growth…which is so exciting!
Their hard work is paying off! They will continue to become better readers, writers and mathematicians. In math, we are in the midst of the “Subtract 2-Digit Numbers” unit. Students started counting coins, including a quarter and are now moving into solving problems using different subtraction strategies.
In Reading, we are now in the middle of Unit 3. We are focusing on how readers use illustrations and text features to better understand the text. In addition, we work on different phonics and grammar skills on a daily basis. All 2nd grade students now have an opportunity to work in small, focused groups to help improve all reading skills. Thanks for all that you do to help us get our kiddos ready for 3rd grade!
Third Grade Rules!
Winter is officially here! A new year is upon us and we are filled with excitement as we enter 2020. We have already learned so much in the last few months, but we there is so much more to come. As the upcoming months bring on new challenges, please know we are here to support your child as much as we can.
Please make sure your student is practicing their multiplication facts each week. Knowing these facts will help your child understand and have an easier time with the rest of the math units. Also, please have your child read nightly. This will help to build fluency, add on to vocabulary, as well as foster a love for books.
Remember! Even though it is cold, our students still need to get out some energy! We will still be going outside to recess as long as the FEELS LIKE temperature is above 30 degrees. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside play. This includes hats, gloves, and coats, not just a sweatshirt or zip up.
We would like to thank you for your continued support this school year!
Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Staropoli, Mrs. Zuniga, Mr. Glanden, and Mrs. Ellison
Fourth Grade is Fantastic!
It’s 2020 and fourth graders are back and super focused with their learning!
We will be learning division and fractions in math, along with digging deeper into multi-step word problems and creating equations to solve these problems. We will also have Kalmar Nyckel field trip in each of our classrooms. This is at no cost and they will come to the school and present challenges to the class with understanding and examining the power of economy and trade.
We will be ready to spread kindness and send fabulous Candy-Grams to our friends, teachers, staff, and family. In the middle of February, homeroom teachers will be contacting you for available times for our parent conferences which will be held on 2/13/2020 and 2/14/2020. Your communication and support are a value to our success, remember, we work as a team with you and your child, please contact any of us with any concerns you may have.
The Fourth Grade Team,
Amanda Bestwick Room 204 amanda.bestwick@redclayschools.com
Erin Czulewicz Room 210 erin.czulewicz@redclayschools.com Christina Personti Room 214 christina.personti@redclayschools.com Brianna Ruiz Room 208 brianna.ruiz@redclayschools.com Joanna Toto Room 212 joanna.toto@redclayschools.comFifth Grade Flying High!
Hello Brilliant Bear Families,
Happy February! We cannot believe it has been a month since winter break. This month is a great month. We are officially in the third marking period. This is our time to work hard.
After having our Math Inventory, Reading Inventory, and IAB’s last month, things will start to settle down. This month, in math, we are learning all about multiplication with whole numbers and decimals. We are also beginning our Unit 2 in Reading. Students will explore how characters use courage to face and solve their problems. While in science and social studies, we are exploring the westward expansion and digging deep into what matter is.
It is very important that you all are aware of important that are coming up. Next month, we will be having our famous living museum. Where students have the opportunity to research an inspirational person, and present their research to the whole school! Lastly, our field trip to the Blue Rocks Stadium will be on May 20. Please be on the lookout for permission slips in the near future.
Let us have a great Baltz month!
Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Loughrey, Mrs. Klink, Mrs. Muñoz, & Ms. Lockley
The Fifth Grade Team
PE is Snow-much fun in the Winter!
We are jumping back into work in Physical Education to kick off the New Year! All classes are enjoying the climbing wall! Kindergarten is getting used to the wall and learning how to climb safely. First graders are becoming stronger climbers while the older grades are challenging themselves with various activities and games on the climbing wall. Kindergarten through third graders are also working on basketball skills and we will be transitioning to volleying and soccer skills as we move through the winter.
Fourth and Fifth Grade are also participating in Healthy Living Lessons as part of a District Wide Grant. They are learning about the importance of eating a variety of foods, how to make healthier choices in terms of what they are eating, and learning why it is important to eat healthy and exercise.
Coming up in February we will be doing our annual Jump Rope for Heart Event. This is an event created by the American Heart Association to spread awareness on the importance of heart health. This event goes along with the healthy living lessons that fourth and fifth grade are doing in terms of keeping your heart healthy. The younger grades will begin to learn about taking care of your heart, eating healthy, and exercising as well. All grades will be working on jump roping skills in a variety of ways and we will enjoy a variety of jumping stations to celebrate Jump Rope for Heart. Students will also be bringing information home regarding the fundraiser portion for the American Heart Association.
Ms. Crouthamel (Ms. C)