Back to School - already????

A number of my teacher friends live in other states where school ends earlier and begins again earlier. They're all talking about starting back to school this week and next.  I have a few more weeks before I get to go in and start setting up for the new year and almost exactly a month before I welcome you in person.


In the meantime, I wanted to say hello here and respond to any questions you may have about 4th grade.

Hi to Alyssa who sent me a comment last week. Sounds like you're having a fun vacation. I'm eager to hear what book you ended up choosing.

Also hello to Anthony who sent me a message just to say hello.

I read all your letters and I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to know you all.

If anyone has any questions about 4th grade or just wants to say hello and tell me about your summer, just send me a comment in the form below. I won't publish yours because I need your parents' permission to do that, but I will answer.

This picture is for all of you who are enjoying the summer and aren't too anxious to come back.

NYS Test scores

I've had a few questions about the ranges for the scores so I'll post them below.

Just so you know, in Math you needed to score 26 points higher this year to get a 3 and in ELA you needed to score 18 points higher than last year.  That's an incredibly high bar so everyone who scored a 3 or 4 should be VERY proud of themselves.

The cutoffs were as follows for Grade 4 (they vary by grade):

Math  (1) 485 - 635;   (2) 636 - 675;  (3) 676 - 706;   (5) 707 - 800; 

ELA    (1) 430 - 636;   (2) 637 - 667;  (3) 668 - 719;   (5) 720 - 775;


ETA - for those wanting to understand what it took to get a 4 - If you had a perfect score on Days 2 and 3, you could afford to get 2 wrong on Day 1. If you lost any points on Days 2 and 3, you could only get one wrong on day 1 to still get a 4. 

I'm sure this is very confusing. I've spent a lot of time analyzing the numbers to figure it all out.   

NYS Test scores - still waiting

7/29   NEW UPDATE:  We have the scores. I'm headed into school now to pick them up and will mail them out today to those who gave me an envelope or who dropped one off at school.



7/28  UPDATE:  I know there are articles in the press that the scores have been released by the state, but we have not yet received individual scores.



For anyone who may drop by looking for info on the test scores - still nothing.  NYS sent out a memo last week saying they'd be out sometime this week. I'll let you know when I send them out.

In the meantime, I hope everyone's having a great summer.

Welcome to the New 4th Grade

Note - *waves hello* to all my old students who have been stopping by to say hello. I'm answering you in the comments section.

Update - new picture 7/20/10

So how well do you know me? What's missing from this picture (besides me)?
HINT: Isabelle and Stephanie would guess right away.  If you think you know, post it in the comments.)

Hi to my new class!  I see some of you have stopped by and left comments for me. I can't post your comments until I have a permission slip from your parents, but I can answer your questions and respond to what you say.

Annushka - yes! I certainly plan to do the butterflies again in the spring. We really had a lot of fun with them and learned a lot about their life cycles.

Charlotte, I can't wait to hear about your book club. You'll have to write and let me know what book you choose. I love to do book clubs in class so that's something we can both look forward to.

Hope everyone is having a great summer so far (even if it is WAY too hot!)

And if anyone from the old class is still checking in - hello to you too!  You're always welcome to visit and comment!

NYS Test scores

NYS has announced that individual scores will not be released until July 26th.

Students will receive the printouts of their scores in September.

Anyone who would like their children's scores sent to them over the summer should send in a self-addressed stamped envelope and we will be happy to send them when they are released.

ETA - if anyone didn't remember to send in an envelope, just leave me a comment with the address you want the scores sent to.

Week of June 14 - 18

Monday Homework-

2 grammar sheets on possessive nouns.

Final copy of essay comparing and contrasting life today with life in Colonial New York.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!