Classroom Connection
April 12 - 16
Mr. Melling's Musing...
In class, we have been talking about the things that make our cultures and families special and unique. The humor my family had with each other is still a way that we express ourselves to one another. Share the traditions, expressions, and special things that make your families and culture unique with your students.
School Supplies
If students have books they want to read from home, those are a welcome addition to our classroom, too.
Important Dates
Friday, April 23: No School
Conferences
Our final round of Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up on Thursday, April 22. The conferences will run from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Please sign up for a timeslot with Mr. Melling and with our art teacher, Ms. Vorwald.
Follow the links below:
Mr. Melling's Conference Sign Up:
https://forms.gle/wGWeS6yjdFztUvUm8
Ms. Vorwald's Conference Sign Up:
https://forms.gle/ZtJ1Z7GgdwKgw1iq6
Rubik's Club
By popular demand, we are starting a Rubik's Club THIS Monday's starting April 12. The club will be open to any 3rd, 4th or 5th grader at AFSA. We will meet after school from 3:15 - 4:15. We will follow all of the schoolwide COVID guidelines for this club.
If your student is interested in learning or competing with the Rubik's Cube, or if your student would like a group of friends to meet with after school, please fill out the permission slip being sent home or print it from the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1siIQ529d_NTmTFQ-CBIyzz1dJuuC18EkCycHwE8RRmc/edit?usp=sharing
If you have any questions, you can email me!
Overview
- Schedules
- What We're Learning About
Schedule March 29 - April 2
Online Learners
What Are We Learning About?
Math
This week, we will wrap up our work with teensie, tiny numbers like fractions and decimals. We will do our post assessment for this unit toward the end of the week.
In the weeks to come, we will work with numbers to the millions! We will practice writing them, reading them, identifying place values, adding and subtracting them, too. Hopefully, we will pick up some tips and tricks about working with such huge numbers.
Reading Groups
We are going to finish the year with a class read called As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds. As we get ready for summer break, we will read a book about an unusual summer break for two boys who visit their grandparents in Virginia. A copy will be sent home to distance learners this week. We will look to accomplish about 3 chapters per week. Much of the reading will be shared in class, and I hope distance learners can find some people to share this great book with, too!
If you need other books to enjoy, check out our EPIC library online.
EPIC Classroom:
Class code: ugi0095.
Last, select your student's name to start reading and collecting great books.
Ms. Vorwald's Artistic Views!
Hey 4th grade crew! I'm excited to be able to make some art with you again this spring! I'll be seeing you every day for six weeks. In art class we will explore the artistic process, plan, create, and reflect and present. Some projects I have planned for us include: Mandala Scratch Art, Copyright Concepts, Parodies, Museum Exploration, Story Blanket, Fabric Batiks, Printmaking Monsters. A little about me, this is my second year teaching art at AFSA, and fifth year teaching total. I am the assistant coach for volleyball and softball for the AFSA Eagles as well as advise the Art Club. Outside of school I like to read, work on artwork, hang out with my kids, husband and two dogs, and go kayaking in the summer.
Cultural Studies
Our country is a very diverse place because of the immigration that populated the space. Last week, we explored different aspects of the diverse cultures we have here - the traditions, foods, languages, Holidays, and expressions of different cultures. However, there were many other cultures here before any immigration took place. This week, we will explore the cultures that were represented here in Minnesota long before settlers came from other countries.
Attendance and Grading
Grades will be based on student participation in online lessons and completion of lesson assignments.
Michael Melling
Email: mmelling@afsahighschool.com
Website: https://mn50000145.schoolwires.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=5971
Location: 2925 Country Drive, Little Canada, MN, USA
Phone: (612) 424-1690
Amanda Vorwald
Email: avorwald@afsahighschool.com