News & Reminders
As the school year progresses and information needs to be shared like classroom parties,
room parent information, field trips, events, etc. we will be posting that information in this section.
room parent information, field trips, events, etc. we will be posting that information in this section.
Year of 2018-2019
September 13, 2018
I hope this post finds you all well. It was wonderful to see/meet you all last night. Again, I thank you for your patience with the condensed presentation. :) If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me. I wanted to take a moment to invite any/all of you to our Egg Drop in the morning. If you'd like to join us please meet us around 8:30/8:35 at the South Entrance/Parent Pick Up, horseshoe lot. Mr. Lynch will be going up on the roof with all of the projects, he will be dropping them down to the ground where I will be waiting with an umbrella if necessary. :)
Thank you again for attending Open House and enjoy the rest of your evening!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
September 6, 2018
I hope this post finds you well. I've been attempting to update all email addresses, thank you for your patience. :)
I wanted to take a minute to brief you on a couple of upcoming items.
1) Egg Drop - This week I assigned the students their Egg Drop project. This project is an easy way to start the school year and is due on September 14. The Egg Drop will be at 8:35 at the South Entrance (parent drop of lot) and parents are welcome to join us. At this point I've encouraged students to have shared their complete project packet with you, as well as, drawn their first diagram of their plan.
2) Language Arts - This week students had the opportunity to dip their toes into their book group wading pools. We began discussing Reader's Workshop, it's purpose and how it will benefit us as the year progresses. We began discussing character traits versus features and began our new read aloud, Restart by Gordon Korman. Students also had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Lynch. They began discussing some of the more fun aspects of writing.
3) Social Studies - We began with Chapter 1 this week, Mapping features. They will continue to explore this as this week finishes and into next week as well.
4) At this point we have had all but 1 special, Music. This has been due to the number of Monday's that we've had no school.
5) Upcoming Dates / Events:
1) Next week we have Open House for 5th grade on Wednesday from 7-8pm. This is primarily for adults.
2) Winding Trails Field Trip forms have gone home! Our field trip is September 20th and we leave at 8:45, we will be returning at approximately 2:15. Students should dress for the weather, bring a completely disposable lunch and a water bottle to keep hydrated. We will also be looking for chaperones, usually we are able to take 2-3 chaperones with us. To chaperone you MUST be fingerprinted and on file with the Avon Board of Education. Typically, I will offer the opportunity to first come, first served, however, if there is a large demand I will take all names and draw from a hat.
3) Picture Day is Monday, September 24.
This year is off to a great start, this is a great bunch of kiddos! Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful afternoon!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
September 2, 2018
I hope that this post finds everyone enjoying the end of the first week of school and the start of the long weekend. Mrs. Gerosa (our classroom Para-Professional) and Mrs. DesRoches (our team Special Education teacher) and I sent an email today with all parent email addresses BCC'd. If your email was incorrect or there is another email that you would prefer please don't hesitate to let me know. Once I have all emails accurate I will send out regular class emails for any news or updates. I'd like to please ask that you respond to the email sent to ensure that the email has been delivered and for any corrections, thank you.
I hope that you have had positive conversations this past week with your children. The first week of school can be a tough one, getting back into a routine with expectations and, most of all, coming to a new school with new faces. We worked very hard this week to get to know one another, while establishing our classroom Social Contract, getting acclimated to TBS and organizing our materials. This is the first class that I've had in a long time that was EXTREMELY eager to get organized & label their materials! It was wonderful! I look forward to seeing / meeting you all at Open House on the evening of September 12th. I will be sharing a bit more about 5th grade, the Blue Team and some of our plans for the school year ahead. One classroom note that I'd like to share now is that on Tuesday, Mr. Lynch and I will be sharing our first fun "project" with the kiddos. For a number of years, Mr. Lynch and I have had the students complete the Egg Drop. More details, and a full packet, will be forthcoming on Tuesday (9/4).
Thank you all, in advance, for your support of the classroom and your child's learning experiences this year. Mrs. Gerosa & I are here to be sure that all of the kids have a wonderful time here at TBS and have a positive learning experience. If there is anything that we can do, please don't ever hesitate to email. I will always get back to you within a timely fashion though during the school day is a bit tricky due to being with the kiddos.
Thank you again and have a happy Labor Day weekend!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
May
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying this beautifully warm, sunny weather today! More to come tomorrow! :) I wanted to take a moment to give a quick update on a couple of academic items.
1) SBAC - This will continue this Friday with the 3rd day of testing. Language Arts testing is complete, unless your child was absent or didn't complete their test in the allotted time. This Friday will be Science SBAC and then next Monday & Tuesday will be Math SBAC. Please try to have your child here and on time, if your child comes late they will have to wait in the office and then make up the test at a later time. So far, the kids have been doing wonderfully!
2) Constitutional Topic - Today, Mrs. DesRoches and I introduced our Constitutional Topic Research Project. This is a guided research project that is approximately 65-75% completed at school. The students will be selecting 1 topic from a list of 36 and researching the topic in the school library. They will then be organizing their research into either a research paper or a website, built through Google Sites. Students will be working with locating valid sources, creating a bibliography and paraphrasing their information into their completed project. The last piece of this project is a trip-fold, this part of the project needs to be completed at home.
The students came home today with their full project packet, their homework was to go over this with parents and select 5 topics that are of interest to them. Topics should be listed in no particular order and students MUST be ok with be assigned any of the 5 listed. Mrs. DesRoches and I will be making the final assignments tomorrow.
3) Math - We've been reviewing for the Unit 7 Math Test and depending upon how well students do on the review packet for homework tonight, we may be testing tomorrow. The test will be no later than this Friday.
4) Nathan Hale Field Trip - All field trip forms should be turned in no later than next week. If you are fingerprinted with the Avon Public Schools and would like to join us please email me. I would like to extend the opportunity to anyone who is fingerprinted and hasn't had the chance to chaperone, however, please know anyone is welcome to put your name in the hat! :)
5) Behaviors - I'd like to ask for your support on the home front in regards to appropriate school behaviors and work ethic/completion. Mrs. DesRoches and I have begun reminding students that though the end of the year is near, there is still 1 full marking period. We've also discussed how things will change moving into 6th grade. In the past few weeks we have had an increase in students speaking to one another in inappropriate and sometimes hurtful ways. Mrs. Chaves & Mrs. Abate (School Counseling/Pupil Services) have come in and spent time with some of the students to discuss ways to navigate these types of situations. Mrs. DesRoches and I have also reiterated that our first priority is to treat everyone & have everyone treat each other with respect & kindness, as well as, putting forth their very best effort academically & socially. Please continue to support us in having these positive & reflective conversations at home, specifically in regards to treatment of others and self control. Spring has sprung but we'd like ALL students to be able to move into 6th grade socially/emotionally & academically prepared.
Thank you, as always, for you continued support. If there's anything we can do please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer & Mrs. DesRoches
April
Today we began our in school SBAC practice. This is done to get students comfortable with the online system and tools. We went through all of the pieces together today successfully for the Math portion.
I've shared with the kiddos that they too can go to the SBAC website at home and continue to practice Math, as well as, Language Arts and Science. The address that you want to type in is http://ct.portal.airast.org. Once you click the link, click on the blue "practice & training tests" box on the right, on the next screen click on the box on the upper left side of the screen that says "Take the Practice & Training Tests". At this point the kids should be able to walk you through how to get into the practice session.
Practice is not required at home as we will be doing it at school, however, I always like to give parents the information and option to extend students practice and hopefully increase student comfort.
Thank you as always and have a wonderful weekend!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
March
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying the lovely weather to start the day today. I wanted to take a few moments to share classroom/school news and updates.
I hope this email finds you all well. Fingers crossed our "Nor'easter" for tomorrow is less of an impact than the weather stations seem to think it will be. Spring will be here soon enough! :) Below I've listed a few quick updates for the week, looking forward to seeing you all this week for conferences!
1) Half Day Lunches - This week parents and staff received and email detailing the district's policy change in that we will be serving lunch to students on Half Days (Early Dismissals). Starting this Thursday and Friday students who purchase lunches will have a deli option along with milk, fruit and a veggie. If your child typically brings lunch they will need to bring a lunch on these days. These lunches will be working lunches in the classroom. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact our main office.
2) Old State House Field Trip - Our field trip is next Tuesday, March 20. Please be sure to send in the field trip form signed front and back along with $11. If financial assistance is needed please contact me or main office. Unfortunately for parents, this field trip does not require chaperones. Our next trip in May, however, will! :)
3) St. Patrick's Day - This is the 14th annual St. Patrick's Day / Heritage Celebration in our class! We've started to discuss family heritage and have been connected it back to the Colonists. We've discussed how the United States really is a melting pot of heritages, we may have been born in America & are American, but also may have family who moved from other parts of the world to help future generations. We will continue with some literature projects throughout the month.
Thank you all in advance for your help, best wishes for the week to come & with the pending weather!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
February
Academic
Hoping you all are having a wonderful start to the day! Enjoy the rest of the week and, as always, if there's anything that we can help with please don't hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
Happy New Year!
I hope that this update finds everyone warm and safe today while enjoying a second snow day. I just wanted to send you a few quick academic and school related updates. I'd also like to take a moment to thank all of the parents (Mr. McDermott, Mrs. Hoffman, Mr. & Mrs. Gorny & Mrs. Samples) who came in for our Literature sharing before break, the kids loved it and I think loved the cocoa & munchkins just as much! The class was very kind with their holiday gifts and I'm extremely thankful.
Academic
Coming back from break can always be a rude awakening for students, as well as teachers. :) We have a long stretch between now and our April vacation, a complete marking period. I encourage you to reinforce strong routines & study habits at home, if Mrs. DesRoches and I can help in any way please don't hesitate to contact us. We'd also like to remind students to be making the best possible academic & social choices while at school. In the next week I will be sitting with each child to set individual goals for the New Year and the rest of the school year.
Other Activities
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
October 24, 2017
Good afternoon parents - I hope this post finds you all well. We continue with our Ecosystem Unit in Science this week. Math we are beginning to wrap up Unit 2 - Computing with Whole Numbers and will be testing in the next week & a half. In Language Arts, we are also beginning to wrap up Unit 1, there will be a Study Guide for one portion of the assessments going home tomorrow. The rest of the assessments will be over the next 2 weeks. We are currently working on our Explorer research information folders, this will bring us up to Early Colonization in time for Old Sturbridge Village.
In regards to Old Sturbridge Village, I've received a few emails with interest in chaperoning field trips but no confirmations regarding whether or not anyone can join us for OSV. If you are fingerprinted or in the process of getting fingerprinted and are interested in joining us please email me. First come, first served. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time, it will be a wonderful time! As always if there's anything that Mrs. DesRoches & I can do please don't hesitate to email us.
October 10, 2017
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying the day back after the long weekend. I'm taking a moment to email you any news and/or updates that we have for the classroom and TBS.
Academics
Math - We've begun Unit 2, which will focus on Computing with Whole Numbers. Students will revisit strategies (standard algorithm's & partial product/quotients), estimation, word problems and multi-digit problem solving. This would be a great time to reinforce basic multiplication / division facts, this can be done through the nightly Web Math Minute practice. We also continue with Math Labs every Friday, it's small group instruction where students rotate through various stations practicing and reinforcing the skills covered in the current unit of study.
Language Arts - We are moving through Unit 1 in our Language Arts curriculum, we're continuing to discuss Theme this week, as well as, compare/contrast, written response and story mountain mapping. We continue to read our mentor text Wonder. Today we began our new Words Their Way word study program - the structure is small group word study instruction, when meeting with one small group to go through the lesson the remaining small groups have tasks related to their word study words to complete.
Science - We will begin Science next week! To begin this Science Unit - Matter & Energy in Organisms & Ecosystems, we will be constructing Ecosystems in our classroom. To do this teachers ask if students can bring in 1 clean, clear 2 liter bottle with cap. Any help would be appreciated, if you have more than 1 bottle we'd love that as well, the extras always get used! It's really quite an exciting unit for the kids.
Social Studies - We continue our discussion related to Early Explorers, why they came to the New World and what they learned/shared from that experience.
Social / Other
As a class we worked hard this last week to revisit our Social Contract. There seems to be an early onset of "5th grade-itis", usually reserved for later in the school year. As this "treatable though contagious -itis" spreads we want to be sure to contain it early on. The symptoms typically include, but are not limited to, uncontrollable chatter, lack of self control, disorganization and/or distracting peers. All light-heartedness aside, you can help at home by reinforcing respectful behavior/choices for self/peer & adult, that they can be their own best-self advocate and to help each other. This will help to continue to foster a safe, inviting learning environment for all.
Fun is on the way! Coming home today is a permission slip for a field trip on October 27th. We will, with Mr. Lynch's class, be attending the annual Junior Achievement More Than Money Conference at Aetna. We will be leaving TBS around 8:45 and returning around 2pm, lunch is provided by Aetna as well. If you are interested and fingerprinted, we are looking for 2 chaperones to join us. This field trip is free of charge, though the turn around on the forms is rather quick - October 13th.
- Mrs. Spencer
September 2017!
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying the last vestiges of a wonderful summer! My name is Megan Spencer and if you're receiving this email, I have the honor of having your child in my 5th grade class for the 2017-2018 school year. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, welcome you all and touch upon a few notes of interest.
This is my class website is http://mrsspencerswebsite.weebly.com, I've been working to update it for this school year as I've moved this year from the Red Team to the Blue Team. Feel free to browse through the site for schedules, curriculum, and get to know a little more about me and my background. Throughout the school year I will send "News/update" emails to you, as well as, post them on my class website. I've used the email contacts that were given to me by the main office, if you notice any errors or would prefer an alternate email address please don't hesitate to let me know. I've also listed the emails by your child's name. I communicate primarily via email, as it tends to be the easiest mode to connect quickly. I've received a couple of emails requesting the class list that was sent home on Step Up Day in June. The supply lists have now been uploaded to the TBS website, here is the active link - http://www.avon.k12.ct.us/thompson-brook-elementary/news/2017-18-grade-5-teacher-supply-request.
One last note of interest we will be having our Meet & Greet on August 29 from 9-10 at TBS, feel free to have your child bring some (or all) of their supplies with them on that day. It might help with the first day jitters on the 30th. :) Looking forward to a great school year & meeting you all. If you have any other questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy the rest of the day & the final moments of summer!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
I hope this post finds you all well. It was wonderful to see/meet you all last night. Again, I thank you for your patience with the condensed presentation. :) If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me. I wanted to take a moment to invite any/all of you to our Egg Drop in the morning. If you'd like to join us please meet us around 8:30/8:35 at the South Entrance/Parent Pick Up, horseshoe lot. Mr. Lynch will be going up on the roof with all of the projects, he will be dropping them down to the ground where I will be waiting with an umbrella if necessary. :)
Thank you again for attending Open House and enjoy the rest of your evening!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
September 6, 2018
I hope this post finds you well. I've been attempting to update all email addresses, thank you for your patience. :)
I wanted to take a minute to brief you on a couple of upcoming items.
1) Egg Drop - This week I assigned the students their Egg Drop project. This project is an easy way to start the school year and is due on September 14. The Egg Drop will be at 8:35 at the South Entrance (parent drop of lot) and parents are welcome to join us. At this point I've encouraged students to have shared their complete project packet with you, as well as, drawn their first diagram of their plan.
2) Language Arts - This week students had the opportunity to dip their toes into their book group wading pools. We began discussing Reader's Workshop, it's purpose and how it will benefit us as the year progresses. We began discussing character traits versus features and began our new read aloud, Restart by Gordon Korman. Students also had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Lynch. They began discussing some of the more fun aspects of writing.
3) Social Studies - We began with Chapter 1 this week, Mapping features. They will continue to explore this as this week finishes and into next week as well.
4) At this point we have had all but 1 special, Music. This has been due to the number of Monday's that we've had no school.
5) Upcoming Dates / Events:
1) Next week we have Open House for 5th grade on Wednesday from 7-8pm. This is primarily for adults.
2) Winding Trails Field Trip forms have gone home! Our field trip is September 20th and we leave at 8:45, we will be returning at approximately 2:15. Students should dress for the weather, bring a completely disposable lunch and a water bottle to keep hydrated. We will also be looking for chaperones, usually we are able to take 2-3 chaperones with us. To chaperone you MUST be fingerprinted and on file with the Avon Board of Education. Typically, I will offer the opportunity to first come, first served, however, if there is a large demand I will take all names and draw from a hat.
3) Picture Day is Monday, September 24.
This year is off to a great start, this is a great bunch of kiddos! Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful afternoon!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
September 2, 2018
I hope that this post finds everyone enjoying the end of the first week of school and the start of the long weekend. Mrs. Gerosa (our classroom Para-Professional) and Mrs. DesRoches (our team Special Education teacher) and I sent an email today with all parent email addresses BCC'd. If your email was incorrect or there is another email that you would prefer please don't hesitate to let me know. Once I have all emails accurate I will send out regular class emails for any news or updates. I'd like to please ask that you respond to the email sent to ensure that the email has been delivered and for any corrections, thank you.
I hope that you have had positive conversations this past week with your children. The first week of school can be a tough one, getting back into a routine with expectations and, most of all, coming to a new school with new faces. We worked very hard this week to get to know one another, while establishing our classroom Social Contract, getting acclimated to TBS and organizing our materials. This is the first class that I've had in a long time that was EXTREMELY eager to get organized & label their materials! It was wonderful! I look forward to seeing / meeting you all at Open House on the evening of September 12th. I will be sharing a bit more about 5th grade, the Blue Team and some of our plans for the school year ahead. One classroom note that I'd like to share now is that on Tuesday, Mr. Lynch and I will be sharing our first fun "project" with the kiddos. For a number of years, Mr. Lynch and I have had the students complete the Egg Drop. More details, and a full packet, will be forthcoming on Tuesday (9/4).
Thank you all, in advance, for your support of the classroom and your child's learning experiences this year. Mrs. Gerosa & I are here to be sure that all of the kids have a wonderful time here at TBS and have a positive learning experience. If there is anything that we can do, please don't ever hesitate to email. I will always get back to you within a timely fashion though during the school day is a bit tricky due to being with the kiddos.
Thank you again and have a happy Labor Day weekend!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
May
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying this beautifully warm, sunny weather today! More to come tomorrow! :) I wanted to take a moment to give a quick update on a couple of academic items.
1) SBAC - This will continue this Friday with the 3rd day of testing. Language Arts testing is complete, unless your child was absent or didn't complete their test in the allotted time. This Friday will be Science SBAC and then next Monday & Tuesday will be Math SBAC. Please try to have your child here and on time, if your child comes late they will have to wait in the office and then make up the test at a later time. So far, the kids have been doing wonderfully!
2) Constitutional Topic - Today, Mrs. DesRoches and I introduced our Constitutional Topic Research Project. This is a guided research project that is approximately 65-75% completed at school. The students will be selecting 1 topic from a list of 36 and researching the topic in the school library. They will then be organizing their research into either a research paper or a website, built through Google Sites. Students will be working with locating valid sources, creating a bibliography and paraphrasing their information into their completed project. The last piece of this project is a trip-fold, this part of the project needs to be completed at home.
The students came home today with their full project packet, their homework was to go over this with parents and select 5 topics that are of interest to them. Topics should be listed in no particular order and students MUST be ok with be assigned any of the 5 listed. Mrs. DesRoches and I will be making the final assignments tomorrow.
3) Math - We've been reviewing for the Unit 7 Math Test and depending upon how well students do on the review packet for homework tonight, we may be testing tomorrow. The test will be no later than this Friday.
4) Nathan Hale Field Trip - All field trip forms should be turned in no later than next week. If you are fingerprinted with the Avon Public Schools and would like to join us please email me. I would like to extend the opportunity to anyone who is fingerprinted and hasn't had the chance to chaperone, however, please know anyone is welcome to put your name in the hat! :)
5) Behaviors - I'd like to ask for your support on the home front in regards to appropriate school behaviors and work ethic/completion. Mrs. DesRoches and I have begun reminding students that though the end of the year is near, there is still 1 full marking period. We've also discussed how things will change moving into 6th grade. In the past few weeks we have had an increase in students speaking to one another in inappropriate and sometimes hurtful ways. Mrs. Chaves & Mrs. Abate (School Counseling/Pupil Services) have come in and spent time with some of the students to discuss ways to navigate these types of situations. Mrs. DesRoches and I have also reiterated that our first priority is to treat everyone & have everyone treat each other with respect & kindness, as well as, putting forth their very best effort academically & socially. Please continue to support us in having these positive & reflective conversations at home, specifically in regards to treatment of others and self control. Spring has sprung but we'd like ALL students to be able to move into 6th grade socially/emotionally & academically prepared.
Thank you, as always, for you continued support. If there's anything we can do please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer & Mrs. DesRoches
April
Today we began our in school SBAC practice. This is done to get students comfortable with the online system and tools. We went through all of the pieces together today successfully for the Math portion.
I've shared with the kiddos that they too can go to the SBAC website at home and continue to practice Math, as well as, Language Arts and Science. The address that you want to type in is http://ct.portal.airast.org. Once you click the link, click on the blue "practice & training tests" box on the right, on the next screen click on the box on the upper left side of the screen that says "Take the Practice & Training Tests". At this point the kids should be able to walk you through how to get into the practice session.
Practice is not required at home as we will be doing it at school, however, I always like to give parents the information and option to extend students practice and hopefully increase student comfort.
Thank you as always and have a wonderful weekend!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
March
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying the lovely weather to start the day today. I wanted to take a few moments to share classroom/school news and updates.
I hope this email finds you all well. Fingers crossed our "Nor'easter" for tomorrow is less of an impact than the weather stations seem to think it will be. Spring will be here soon enough! :) Below I've listed a few quick updates for the week, looking forward to seeing you all this week for conferences!
1) Half Day Lunches - This week parents and staff received and email detailing the district's policy change in that we will be serving lunch to students on Half Days (Early Dismissals). Starting this Thursday and Friday students who purchase lunches will have a deli option along with milk, fruit and a veggie. If your child typically brings lunch they will need to bring a lunch on these days. These lunches will be working lunches in the classroom. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact our main office.
2) Old State House Field Trip - Our field trip is next Tuesday, March 20. Please be sure to send in the field trip form signed front and back along with $11. If financial assistance is needed please contact me or main office. Unfortunately for parents, this field trip does not require chaperones. Our next trip in May, however, will! :)
3) St. Patrick's Day - This is the 14th annual St. Patrick's Day / Heritage Celebration in our class! We've started to discuss family heritage and have been connected it back to the Colonists. We've discussed how the United States really is a melting pot of heritages, we may have been born in America & are American, but also may have family who moved from other parts of the world to help future generations. We will continue with some literature projects throughout the month.
- On Monday, March 19th, we will have a "Heritage Celebration" in class. I will make my family's traditional Irish Stew & Soda Bread (following all allergens) to share with the kids. In year's past parents have helped with the celebration by sending in paper goods, additional snacks and drinks. We usually have leprechaun punch - 7up or Sprite with green sherbert, maybe some other sweet treats (following the gluten/nut/strawberry free guidelines) and healthy snacks like fruit and/or veggie platters. I will send out a Sign Up Genius later this pm for anyone who would be willing to help with this.
Thank you all in advance for your help, best wishes for the week to come & with the pending weather!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
February
Academic
- Math - We have begun Unit 6 and are focusing heavily on fractions in this unit. Please take the time at home to review fraction concepts. This can be done through building on the previous unit (measurement) with cooking/baking or construction.
- Language Arts/Social Studies - We've been working on finishing up Unit 2 with multiple assessments. The one that I'm most excited for is the Historical Fiction Journal Entries, which we will be tea staining this week! This also continues our conversations about the American Revolution and foundations of our nation.
- Science - We are wrapping up our 2nd unit of study, Earth's Spheres, with a pollution experiment today & tomorrow. We will be testing next week.
- Sign Up Genius - There will be an updated Sign Up Genius going out this week for the Parent Teacher Conferences (3/15-3/16). Your Spring conference time will be the same as your Fall time was, however, if your schedule has changed and you need a different time feel free to reach out to another parent regarding a switch or you can contact me and we can figure something out (alt. day/time, phone conference).
- This Friday March 2, TBS is hosting an after school read in to kick of the March of Dimes Reading Champions fundraiser which happens in the month of March (3/2-3/23). Permission slips went home this past week and are due this Thursday. Kids can stay after with faculty members, have some snacks and read, read, read from 3-5. They'll be able to count this time towards their Reading Champion hours.
- Friday, March 16th we will have a pre-St. Patrick's Day / Heritage Celebration in our classroom! More details to come!
Hoping you all are having a wonderful start to the day! Enjoy the rest of the week and, as always, if there's anything that we can help with please don't hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
Happy New Year!
I hope that this update finds everyone warm and safe today while enjoying a second snow day. I just wanted to send you a few quick academic and school related updates. I'd also like to take a moment to thank all of the parents (Mr. McDermott, Mrs. Hoffman, Mr. & Mrs. Gorny & Mrs. Samples) who came in for our Literature sharing before break, the kids loved it and I think loved the cocoa & munchkins just as much! The class was very kind with their holiday gifts and I'm extremely thankful.
Academic
- Math - We will continue to wrap up Unit 4, our test was intended for today, we will postpone until next Tuesday, 1/9. This will give the kids a little extra time to review and ask questions on Monday if needed.
- Language Arts - We continue with our Reader's Workshop groups, students have been doing quite well within their groups. We've begun to dig deeper on what "strong readers do" - building stamina, being actively involved in texts and making deeper, higher order thinking connections to what's being read. We are also learning about Text Structures - Problem/Solution, Main Idea/Details, Cause/Effect, etc. These concepts directly connect to our Expository Writing.
- Social Studies - We have finished discussing the foundations of the colonies and will begin moving into the beginning of the American Revolution & the establishment of our government.
- Science - We will begin our 2nd Science Unit this week. In this unit we will be covering Earth Systems and Human Impact.
Coming back from break can always be a rude awakening for students, as well as teachers. :) We have a long stretch between now and our April vacation, a complete marking period. I encourage you to reinforce strong routines & study habits at home, if Mrs. DesRoches and I can help in any way please don't hesitate to contact us. We'd also like to remind students to be making the best possible academic & social choices while at school. In the next week I will be sitting with each child to set individual goals for the New Year and the rest of the school year.
Other Activities
- 1/9/18 - Geography Bee Preliminary Round
- 1/12/18 - No School for students, Staff In Service
- 1/15/18 - No School, Martin Luther King Day
- 1/23/18 - Geography Bee Final & 5th Grade Concert
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer
October 24, 2017
Good afternoon parents - I hope this post finds you all well. We continue with our Ecosystem Unit in Science this week. Math we are beginning to wrap up Unit 2 - Computing with Whole Numbers and will be testing in the next week & a half. In Language Arts, we are also beginning to wrap up Unit 1, there will be a Study Guide for one portion of the assessments going home tomorrow. The rest of the assessments will be over the next 2 weeks. We are currently working on our Explorer research information folders, this will bring us up to Early Colonization in time for Old Sturbridge Village.
In regards to Old Sturbridge Village, I've received a few emails with interest in chaperoning field trips but no confirmations regarding whether or not anyone can join us for OSV. If you are fingerprinted or in the process of getting fingerprinted and are interested in joining us please email me. First come, first served. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time, it will be a wonderful time! As always if there's anything that Mrs. DesRoches & I can do please don't hesitate to email us.
October 10, 2017
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying the day back after the long weekend. I'm taking a moment to email you any news and/or updates that we have for the classroom and TBS.
Academics
Math - We've begun Unit 2, which will focus on Computing with Whole Numbers. Students will revisit strategies (standard algorithm's & partial product/quotients), estimation, word problems and multi-digit problem solving. This would be a great time to reinforce basic multiplication / division facts, this can be done through the nightly Web Math Minute practice. We also continue with Math Labs every Friday, it's small group instruction where students rotate through various stations practicing and reinforcing the skills covered in the current unit of study.
Language Arts - We are moving through Unit 1 in our Language Arts curriculum, we're continuing to discuss Theme this week, as well as, compare/contrast, written response and story mountain mapping. We continue to read our mentor text Wonder. Today we began our new Words Their Way word study program - the structure is small group word study instruction, when meeting with one small group to go through the lesson the remaining small groups have tasks related to their word study words to complete.
Science - We will begin Science next week! To begin this Science Unit - Matter & Energy in Organisms & Ecosystems, we will be constructing Ecosystems in our classroom. To do this teachers ask if students can bring in 1 clean, clear 2 liter bottle with cap. Any help would be appreciated, if you have more than 1 bottle we'd love that as well, the extras always get used! It's really quite an exciting unit for the kids.
Social Studies - We continue our discussion related to Early Explorers, why they came to the New World and what they learned/shared from that experience.
Social / Other
As a class we worked hard this last week to revisit our Social Contract. There seems to be an early onset of "5th grade-itis", usually reserved for later in the school year. As this "treatable though contagious -itis" spreads we want to be sure to contain it early on. The symptoms typically include, but are not limited to, uncontrollable chatter, lack of self control, disorganization and/or distracting peers. All light-heartedness aside, you can help at home by reinforcing respectful behavior/choices for self/peer & adult, that they can be their own best-self advocate and to help each other. This will help to continue to foster a safe, inviting learning environment for all.
Fun is on the way! Coming home today is a permission slip for a field trip on October 27th. We will, with Mr. Lynch's class, be attending the annual Junior Achievement More Than Money Conference at Aetna. We will be leaving TBS around 8:45 and returning around 2pm, lunch is provided by Aetna as well. If you are interested and fingerprinted, we are looking for 2 chaperones to join us. This field trip is free of charge, though the turn around on the forms is rather quick - October 13th.
- Mrs. Spencer
September 2017!
I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying the last vestiges of a wonderful summer! My name is Megan Spencer and if you're receiving this email, I have the honor of having your child in my 5th grade class for the 2017-2018 school year. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, welcome you all and touch upon a few notes of interest.
This is my class website is http://mrsspencerswebsite.weebly.com, I've been working to update it for this school year as I've moved this year from the Red Team to the Blue Team. Feel free to browse through the site for schedules, curriculum, and get to know a little more about me and my background. Throughout the school year I will send "News/update" emails to you, as well as, post them on my class website. I've used the email contacts that were given to me by the main office, if you notice any errors or would prefer an alternate email address please don't hesitate to let me know. I've also listed the emails by your child's name. I communicate primarily via email, as it tends to be the easiest mode to connect quickly. I've received a couple of emails requesting the class list that was sent home on Step Up Day in June. The supply lists have now been uploaded to the TBS website, here is the active link - http://www.avon.k12.ct.us/thompson-brook-elementary/news/2017-18-grade-5-teacher-supply-request.
One last note of interest we will be having our Meet & Greet on August 29 from 9-10 at TBS, feel free to have your child bring some (or all) of their supplies with them on that day. It might help with the first day jitters on the 30th. :) Looking forward to a great school year & meeting you all. If you have any other questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy the rest of the day & the final moments of summer!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Spencer