Link to ECO Newsletter

Here is the latest ECO newsletter from Northbranch Nature Center:   http://www.northbranchnaturecenter.org/downloads/ECO%20News%20December%2014.pdf

change of shoes

Every Monday and Wednesday we have PE.  Many students have been forgetting to bring sneakers to school on those days.  Please remember to send your child with sneakers.

Also, now that the ground is covered in snow, it is really helpful to have a pair of "indoor" shoes for your child to change into everyday.  This helps us preserve the floors, and keep the school clean.  If able, just send in a pair of sneakers that can stay at school for the duration of the winter.

Thank you for your help.

Short, yet busy Week

Today we have a packed day that includes a PE field trip to Woodridge Nursing Home to perform a dance for the residents, and a "Tasty Testers" activity in the afternoon with a parent volunteer.  Students will learn about nutrition and sample various types of pumpkin to give input that may influence what gets served in the cafeteria.

Tomorrow afternoon we will have our 1000 Hoot celebration.  Students chose to have an ice cream party with stuffed animals and a movie.  Please send in snacks and G-Rated movies for the event.  

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday school will be closed for Thanksgiving break.  I hope that families enjoy a relaxing and safe holiday break.

Delayed Openings

UES DELAYED OPENING PROCEDURES 

9:30     Teachers arrive 

10:00   UES doors open; buses begin to arrive; we're open for business!

10:00-  Students will begin arriving to class; transition time; Morning Meeting.

10:25

10:25   UES schedule officially begins.  Students will proceed as normal where the schedule would be normally at 10:25.  Lunches will not be affected.

Thanksgiving Lunch Today 11/19/14

Today is the annual UES Thanksgiving Lunch!  Our class is scheduled to go through the lunch line at 1pm, and prior to that we will be on the playground enjoying recess.

If you prepaid for a meal, please get your proof of purchase sticker from the office upon arrival.  If you did not order a lunch you are welcome to come and spend time with your child, but you will be unable to buy school lunch.  The cafeteria will be stretched as far as it can go to meet the demands of serving almost 500 students and their families.

We will enjoy the Thanksgiving lunch in our classroom.  Hope to see you there!

Snowy ECO Fun

We celebrated the snowy fall day by creating snow balls to roll down the sledding hill for one of our activities this ECO.  We also examined the landscape to see how topography affects where we find water, hiked, and noticed many animals tracks in the fresh snow!

Book Fair Today

Our class will visit the school book fair at 1:30 this afternoon.  Kids are able to visit the fair during their recess time tomorrow as well.  Proceeds from the book fair benefit the Parents' Group which funds a lot of opportunities at our school.

Book Fair next Friday Night

Parents Group is hosting a Family Movie Night featuring The Muppets Take Manhattan with book fair hours between 5:30 and 8:30 on the 14th.

School Directory

If you plan on including your family in the school directory, but haven't done so yet, then click on this link to complete the information online.  http://goo.gl/forms/RW97k99Juc You can also complete the directory information on paper.  Please let me know if you need a new form sent home.

First Winter ECO

Brrrr... It is starting to feel like winter.  We have ECO this morning, and students need to be prepared!  Please send your child with a jacket, long underwear or snowpants, a hat or earmuffs, gloves or mittens (it helps to have an extra pair in case of moisture), wool socks, and boots for every ECO until Spring.

Please let me know if you need help obtaining any of these items.

Thank you.

Fun Friday

Students brought in creative fruit and vegetable creations today.  This afternoon we had the opportunity to visit all the fourth grade classrooms to see what others came up with.  Thanks to all who participated to bring some creative fun to our Friday!

Opinion Writing District Writing Prompt

Over the next three days fourth graders are going to research and write their opinions about a topic and use evidence to support their claims.  Students will watch a video and read two articles about school lunches and then decide: should students bring lunch from home, or should they eat lunch at school.

Students will research during reading and writing time (morning and afternoon).  Because of this, we will not have our regular mini lessons during Readers' Workshop.  We will continue to complete grammar work, read, and complete spelling work throughout the week.

A Halloween Message from the Principal

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  Halloween is coming this Friday, and it's time to be thinking about how we'll approach this special day as a school community.  As much fun as it would be to celebrate with costumes and parties, we believe that such revelry would be simply too disruptive to the learning environment for an entire day.  We ask that students keep the costumes and candy at home so they can be ready for the fun on Friday night.  Please help us maintain a healthy learning environment the following days as well; we ask that all candy remain at home when the children return to school on Monday.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or stop by.

From Chris Hennessey

Picture Retakes

This is a reminder that the class will have our group photo taken tomorrow morning.  Also, have your child bring in the envelope if you would like the individual photo to be redone.

Engineering Walls

For the past few weeks, students have learned about properties of rocks in science.  Over the next few weeks, they will apply what they have learned about the properties of rocks to construct walls. 

First, the kids are going to discover that different materials are suited for different jobs and test mortars of different compositions.  Then, they will design and build rock walls with mortar that can pass a demolition test.  Along the way, students will learn about and apply their knowledge of the engineering design process, which is depicted below:



Image Source:  http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/theengineeringplace/educators/

ECO on Monday

We will have ECO from approximately 9-12:45 on Monday.  Volunteers are always welcome!  

Last ECO, many kids realized that they were not wearing sufficient clothing for autumn.  Boots are better than sneakers for damp grass, and please pack multiple layers for your child.  Hats and gloves are a great idea to pack for times when we are not actively moving around in the park.

If you need help obtaining outerwear items, please let me know.

FIT Begins Today

For those of you who do not know, FIT stands for "focused instruction time," and it's an important part of our schedule.  For a half hour four times per week, students who need a double dose of instruction that has already been taught are able to work with teachers in small groups.  Meanwhile, students not needing interventions work with Instructional Assistants on enrichment work.

The focus of FIT for two weeks is place value and multi-digit addition with regrouping.  Students in the enrichment groups will focus on math problem-solving.

Please let me know if you have any questions about FIT.

Great Field Trip

We had a great field trip to Barre's Rock of Ages granite quarry and museum today.  Ask your child about what he/she has learned today.

Also, we explored the beautiful Hope Cemetery where we saw unique graves and sculptures made from granite and other stones.

This field trip links to our rocks science unit, and also to our social studies curriculum which focuses on all things Vermont.

ECO TODAY

This is a reminder that we have ECO today.  We will head out as close to 9am as possible, and will return to school by 12:45 in time for lunch.

Today we will head to Hubbard Park and apply what we know about the properties of rocks to build miniature rock walls.

Please make sure that your child has layered clothing to stay comfortable today.

A message from the school about playground fundraising

Our Union Elementary School/Community Playground Raising Begins----

But only with your help!

As anyone can see when they visit our school/city playground at Union Elementary, our two playgrounds are in dire need of repair and improvements. For the upper playground, building  a sun shelter and replacing our beloved, 20-year old amphitheater would be a terrific start.  As for the lower playground, our wish to build a Naturescape area for our younger children to engage in more imaginative, nature-based play, has been a dream waiting to happen.

We have just learned about the opportunity to receive matching funds, up to $25,000, from the state’s 2015 Recreational Facilities Grant Program. This means we have the potential to match dollar-for-dollar any funds we raise between now and Oct 10th. That’s right...Oct 10th, which doesn’t leave much time!

To make this happen, we need your help:

• People to work on completing the grant application.
• People to solicit letters of support (i.e from the City Council, School Board, community members)
• People to help develop a budget for the projects
• People to help get the word out about this fundraising event
• People to contact area agencies and donor organizations

We need donations in ANY amount from community members, friends, relatives ( payable to the UES Playground Improvement Fund)

If you are able to help out at all, please contact theresa@mpsvt.org

Grammar Videos

In order to reach visual and musical learners, we have learned about some parts of speech with the help of short musical videos.  Here are the links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byszemY8Pl8 (prepositions)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdUXxdmhIsw (subject and predicate)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koZFca8AkT0 (pronouns)

In addition, we have learned about nouns, verbs, adjective, and adverbs.  There are fun and helpful YouTube videos for those as well (all of Schoolhouse Rock is available).  If your child seems confused about a certain part of speech, I encourage you to show a video to him/her and to have a discussion to help him/her understand better.

We will practice grammar throughout the year starting in October with Daily Language Review, which will help your child develop a strong understanding of English grammar.

October 28th is Picture Retake Day

On Tuesday, October 28th we will take our class photo, as there was no time on the original date.  Also, children will be able to re-take individuals photos if needed.

First Assembly of the Year Coming Up

Next Monday, September 29th, we will have our first assembly of the year.  The goals of the assembly will be to reaffirm our commitment to our school-wide rules (C.A.R.E.S. or Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control) and to have fun as a community.  The assembly for grades 3-5 will be at 8:30 on Monday morning in the auditorium.  While you may have to stand, families are very welcome to participate in all assemblies.

ECO Rocks and Giant VT Map

Today we had our first ECO.  We walked to Sabin's Pasture and learned about how different rock properties are valuable for making various tools out of rocks.

We also conducted a science experiment today to explore how abrasion contributes to the weathering of rocks.

We have a giant map of Vermont at our school this week, and I mean GIANT!  The map covers an entire classroom floor, and is made of sturdy material that allows us to walk on it in our socks.  We rented the map from Vermont Geographic Alliance (http://www.vtgeoalliance.org/giant-traveling-map-of-vermont.html). Today we walked the perimeter of the map, noticed what borders VT, studied the compass rose, and learned about some features found in a map legend.  We will use the map again throughout the week for math and social studies activities.

First ECO on Monday

Our class will head out for our first ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) session on Monday.  We will leave before 9am and return in time for PE at 11:35.

All are welcome to join and help out!  Please let me know if you are able to come (wendym@mpsvt.org or 225-8238).

Sorry for the late notice about the time.  We have been trying (and are still trying) to figure out a way to extend our time outside.  With Interactive Arts in the middle of the day, we are currently locked in to brief ECO sessions.  I will update families in the next few weeks about this issue.

Our next ECO session will be on October 6th and will be in the afternoon after 12:30.

Picture Day Rush

Hello Families, 

Because the picture day schedule became backed up, students were able to take their individual photos, but we were unable to take the group photo before dismissal time.

We will take our class photo on picture make-up day.  I will update you as soon as I am given that date.

Thanks!

Picture Day Next Week

Tuesday, September 16th will be school picture day!  A form will go home with your child today, Friday September 12th.  You can order online or have your child bring the form in on Tuesday.

Please note that we are scheduled to get our pictures taken near the end of the day.  If you would like your child to wear something special, I suggest having her/him change into the nice clothes after lunch.

Save the Date for Open House: 10/2/14

Our UES principal, Chris Hennessey, has just announced the date for Open House.  Please join us on October 2nd from 6:15 to 7:15.  Come see what your child has been doing in school and meet all of his/her teachers.

I look forward to seeing all of you there!

First Full Week Begins

Today kicked off our first full week of school.  Students drafted goals that we will refine and publish as the week goes on.

Your child has homework this week.  The assignment is to collect and bring in three unlike rocks by Friday.  This assignment is in anticipation of our first science unit on the properties of rocks.

Also this week, we will go to the Tunbridge Fair on Thursday.  Students will be able to visit agricultural and historical exhibits that feature Vermont's rich farming legacy.  Students will not be able to go on rides, play carnival games, or buy food at the vendors, so there is no need to send your child with money.  Your child does need a bagged lunch unless he/she has ordered one from school.

Settling into Routines and Setting Goals

I am enjoying getting to know the individuals that make up our class.  Every kid is adjusting to the routines, and many are really excelling!

During this second week of school, students are demonstrating responsibility by using their daily planners to record and help them complete homework.  Please help support your fourth grader by checking his/her planner on a daily basis.

This week students have reflected on their personal strengths and weaknesses in school.  We will use those reflections in order to create goals to help students work toward doing their personal bests academically and socially.

Looking Back on the First Week

At the end of the day today kids took time to reflect on and thank those who have helped them have a successful first week.  It is clear from that exercise that students are making new friends and starting to become a classroom community.

Today we also started thinking about our personal goals for how we want to grow and what we'd like to accomplish this year.  We read one of my favorite books, Miss Rumphius, to explore how it's important not to just set goals, but to work toward achieving them.

Today you should find that your 4th grader has a home-school folder and an academic planner.  These items should go home every night and come to school every school day.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Important Information that Has Gone Home

In your child's home-school folder today you should find a permission slip for our first two field trips (Tunbridge Fair and Rock of Ages).

You will also find your child's first homework assignment, which challenges him/her to find objects that inspire memories.

Information about PE and the lunch calendar also went home.

Please remember to turn in your ECO paperwork as soon as possible.

Thank you, and please email (wendym@mpsvt.org) or call (225-8238) with questions or concerns.

We had a great second day.  Kids switched classes for math successfully, and it's clear that students are getting the hang of 4th grade routines and expectations!

First Day: Routines and Procedures

Today was a packed day!  Instead of academics, students learned about the procedures, expectations, and routines that they will engage in throughout the year.  Our class was full of energy this morning, yet very tired by the end of the day.

The only mail that went home today is in regard to ECO.  Please return page 2 as soon as you are able and keep pages 3 and 4 at home for your reference.  Our first ECO will be September 22nd.

One challenge was that our room is very hot in the afternoon.  If any family has an extra fan that they can loan to our class through August and September, please let me know (wendym@mpsvt.org).  Thank you.

Get Ready For Our First Day!

The first day of school is finally here!  Students will look for my sign which says "Wendy" on the upper playground at 8:20.  This week we will focus on learning the routines of our classroom and on building community.  I hope you are as excited to begin as I am!

Back to School Shopping

It's hard to believe that the summer is just about over and school begins next week.  As you go shopping for school supplies, please consider purchasing any of the following items to contribute to the classroom if able:

• number 2 pencils and ballpoint pens (black or blue ink)
• erasers (the large pink ones and the caps)
• skinny markers
• dry erase markers
• bottles of white glue
• wide-ruled paper (with or without three-hole punch)
• boxes of tissues

In addition to items listed above which will be shared, each child will need:

• a backpack
• a three ring binder
• a water bottle
• appropriate clothing for ECO (details will go home the first week of school)

Please let me know if you need assistance obtaining school supplies.  You can reach me at wendym@mpsvt.org or 225-8238.

Thanks!

August 19th: Meet and Greet

I hope to see everyone at our Meet and Greet tonight!  Mrs. Parker and I will be on the upper playground at 6pm.  After enjoying some snacks and informally getting to know one another, families will have the opportunity to visit our classrooms.  Feel free to come for all or part of the Meet and Greet tonight from 6-7.

About Me

Welcome to our class blog!  Throughout the year you will find important information about what we are learning about in school and about special events.  The blog will be updated at least once a week during the school year, so be sure to check it regularly.

In this first entry of the year, I'd like to introduce myself.  I grew up in Massachusetts, but came to settle in Vermont five years ago because my husband was attending UVM.  After he completed his studies we decided to stay in this beautiful state.  This is my 4th year teaching at Union Elementary, and I am excited to be back in 4th grade this year.  It is my favorite grade to teach, and I am really looking forward to the start of the year.

One thing that people often ask me is, "How do you say your last name?"  While I hope everyone feels comfortable calling me Wendy, here is the pronunciation for McGuiggan: mik-GWIG-en.  I hope that helps!

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family.

Here is a picture of me with my husband John and our dog Lola when she was still a puppy.

Some of the things that I enjoy doing with my family are hiking, camping, and playing disc golf.

Here is a snapshot of Lola and me playing disc golf during the winter.

This is Lola and me on a windy summit.

As you might have gathered, I spend a lot of time outdoors with my dog.  I also have two wonderful cats named Desmond and Molly.  They love to snuggle while I'm reading a book (sometimes sitting on the book) or join me on the yoga mat while I'm doing yoga (cats are really good at getting in the way).

This picture is several years old, but it's one of my favorite shots of them because they form a heart as they curl up together.  

I hope that my introductory blog and the pictures have helped you get to know me better.  I look forward to meeting everyone on August 19th.  See you then!

End of Year Post

As I reflect on the past two years, I am awed by the growth of every student academically, physically, and emotionally.  Thank you for entrusting me with your child these past two years.  While there have, of course, been bumps along the journey, each student has successfully reached the end of elementary school.

The students in our class are all moving on to middle school as caring, kind, thoughtful problem-solvers who look critically at the world around them.  I am so glad to know each and every one of them, and I expect great things from this empowered group of learners.

Enjoy your summer!


-Wendy McGuiggan

Last Day Details

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of 5th grade.  At 9:45, 5th graders will parade through the halls, then walk to the middle school for a step-up day activity with their new 6th grade teachers.

Students will be dismissed from the middle school.  Please note that there are no buses at the middle school.

Field Day Cancelled due to Rain

Due to the weather, we will not be able to have Field Day today.  Because we are unable to reschedule, we will have a movie afternoon today instead.  We will relax and celebrate a successful year by watching a "G" or "PG" movie chosen by the kids while snacking on some popcorn.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility regarding this change!

Field Day Friday

This Friday, June 13th, we will have a field day at the recreational fields.  Families are welcome and encouraged to help out for the day if able.  We will leave UES before 10 and come back after 2.  Please let me know if you would like to help out for all or part of the day.

Though we had originally planned a pool party, the pool was unavailable because not enough lifeguards were able to work during the school day.  We are looking forward to spending the day playing games together instead.

Hope to see you there!

Art Portfolio Pick Up

Art portfolios are here!  They will be held in the classroom until Thursday to allow parents to pick them up.  On Thursday, any remaining will be sent home with students.

Update: Revolutionary War Unit

We are immersed in Revolutionary War history in our classroom.  We have learned about the events leading up to the war, the first battles of the war, and the decisions of the Continental Congress.  We are currently analyzing the Declaration of Independence while writing opinion pieces of our own that mirror the structure of the document.

Next week we will finish our own "Kids' Declarations" and select important figures to study more in depth.  Each student will research and make a poster to present about influential figures in the war.  We will also learn about the Battle for New York.

Ask your child what he or she has learned so far!

ECO with Buddies

We have rescheduled ECO with our first grade buddies to Wednesday, June 4th.

No ECO this Week

ECO is cancelled this week.  We will have ECO next Friday, May 30th.

Tick Season: Information on Prevention

Now that Spring is finally here, we need to take measures to prevent tick bites.  Here is a link to the Vermont Department of Health's site on Ticks and Lyme Disease:

http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/documents/preventing_lyme_disease.pdf

6th Grade Orientation

On Thursday May 8^th the middle school will be hosting our annual Sixth Grade Orientation for parents and students beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the middle school gymnasium. At this time parents will have an opportunity to meet the faculty and staff to hear from them about the sixth grade experience. Students will participate in their own orientation on the same evening in a separate room. At 7:30 p.m. everyone will come together on the main floor for refreshments.  

"Our Town" at the Lost Nation Theater

Our class will walk to the Lost Nation Theater on Main Street on Thursday, April 17th to see a performance of Our Town. Ask your child to tell you about the play afterward.

Celebrate Poetry Month April 7th at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Young Writers Project is sponsoring a FREE poetry workshop with Leland Kinsey at Poem City in Montpelier on Monday, April 7 from 4-5:30 pm and 5th grade students are invited to attend!

It will be a fun, interactive event with a renowned Vermont poet, followed by pizza for the kids, and a time for the young writers to read their own work for an audience, if they so choose.

I will send a flyer with more information home.

Here are the details:

Time: Monday, April 7, 4-8 p.m.

Place: Kellogg-Hubbard Library
East Montpelier Room
135 Main St., Montpelier

Poetry Workshop with Leland Kinsey 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Pizza 5:45 p.m.

Readings by YWP Writers 6:30 – 8 p.m.

(Readings are open to all who want to share their words. Family and friends are invited to listen!)

Baked Goods for Friday Fun Night

For this Friday's Fun Night, we are looking for some baked good donations to serve for dessert.  If you (or your 5th grader) chooses to bring in goodies, the $3 volunteer dinner fee will be waived.  It might be a fun thing to do with your child while you enjoy the snow day tomorrow.

ECO Olympics Rescheduled One Last Time

Wednesday, February 19th has the best weather forecast this week, so we will have the ECO Winter Olympics in Hubbard Park tomorrow.  Students should come prepared with layers of winter gear, a lunch, and a drink.  We will also need some long hard plastic sleds for an event.

Thank you.

-Wendy McGuiggan

ECO Rescheduled

Due to Friday's cancellation, we will have ECO this coming Friday, February 21st.  We will head to the park around 10:15 to enjoy the 5th grade Olympic Games!

The Great Pencil Shortage of '14

Once again, our pencil supply has been depleted.  If you can donate any pencils to our classroom, please do. Every little bit helps.  Thank you for your consideration!

-Wendy McGuiggan

Report Cards

First semester report cards went home on Friday, January 31.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress.  Also, please return the signed report card envelope by Wednesday, February 5.

Force and Motion

We have been focusing on force and motion in science.  In class, we have been building and testing vehicles with wheels.  Our past two ECO days have served as great opportunities to explore how sleds are designed to interact with snow.  Students are learning about friction, gravity, mass, inertia, and how these interact.