This is a video that I showed the class today, about being a child with Autism.  It is quite profound and spurred some great classroom discussions.  I'd encourage you to watch it and continue the discussion with your child, at home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_GXVzZ0Unk

I am long overdue for a post, for that I extend my apologies.  Certainly this post would be about nothing other than, Coloma!  What a trip! Literally and figuratively.  After arriving to the site, we unpacked and were debriefed about the expectations of the next two days.  The students were given a 'gold pouch' on which they wrote their Coloma name (Quick-Find Christensen, reporting!).  After the debrief the students met in learning groups and did various stations that, for lack of a better description, re-enacted the life and times of people in the Gold Rush period.  They had to work together to build a shelter, purchase items from the general store, make cornbread on a dutch oven, wash clothing by the river, keep copious notes in their logs, and of course, PAN for GOLD!

The night concluded with a hoe-down and bon-fire.  We sang songs, watched skits (involving one nameless 4th grade teacher ::eh hem::) and had just a general good time!

The next day we packed up and headed out to the State Park.  We looked at the original sites (mills, homes, general stores) and had a quick lunch before heading back.

After the long drive... and the long stay... I was pleased to be met with Thanksgiving (break).

Ask your child to tell you the chant they learned... "Gold-panning, gold-panning, drinking coffee-coffee-coffee-coffee, Gold-panning. Eureaka! Eureaka! Uh huh, uh huh".

Things have been quite busy around here.  With Halloween over, Coloma is about to begin. And we're counting down!  We also had a wonderful presentation by the Tuolumne River Foundation.  We learned about our water sources and how we can conserve them.  Our book clubs are well underway - it's so exciting for me to see the students take charge of their learning.  Even the more timid students, when in a smaller group setting, are really thriving and facilitating great discussions.

These past few weeks have been packed for me, as I'm sure you can imagine.  I've been busy writing report cards and conducting parent teacher conferences, which, admittedly, have taken up the bulk of my time.  Hence the delayed post.  Sorry.

Next Friday we'll get to start our Cultural Kaleidoscope program which exposes us to art and students from another school.   I'm excited about what is in store. 

As you have a long weekend ahead of you (no school on Monday), please take note of what needs to be packed for Coloma.

Suitcase:                                                                      Backpack (no wheels please):
1 pair of light weight pants (when hot)                         Reusable waterbottle
1 pair long pants                                                          chapstick
2 sents underwear                                                       disposable camera (optional)
1 t-shirt                                                                        hat / cap
1-2 pair socks                                                              lunch for arrival day
book                                                                             pencils
close-toed walking shoes-no skate shoes                    sunscreen
fitted single-size mattress sheet (optional)                  waterproof rain jacket / poncho
hair brush/comb
laundry bag or plastic bag
non-spray insect repellant
sleepwear
slippers (optional)
student handbook
toothbrush & paste                                                             Please DON'T bring:
warm sweater/sweatshirt                                                    candy; jewelry/watches;
washcloth, towel & soap                                                     playing cards;
long sleeve shirts                                                                recreation equipment;
warm coat (nothing too bulky)                                           open-toed shoes;
warm hat                                                                            comic books; matches;
gloves / mittens                                                                   anything valuable
waterproof boots
thermal underwear

Happy Halloween!  As you can imagine, the energy was high today.  We did a fun math / writing activity, in which we made a multiplication 'number house' and then wrote a story about it.  We had fun during our Halloween parade this morning - and certainly had fun doing some Halloween activities.  Please note that your forms for our Coloma trip are due tomorrow.  We also have a fun presentation from Tuolomne tomorrow as well. 

This week we made our salt maps.  We had fun mixing salt and flower and forming the valleys and mountains of California.  After the maps dry, we will be able to paint them and add much more detail.

We're just about finished with Unit 3 and will be taking our unit assessment on Friday.  Ms. Christensen and the 4th grade team won't be here on Monday, because they will be participating in a district wide 4th grade staff development. 

Have a fun night!

Book club anyone?

This week I've introduced a new approach to our language arts block. Traditional practices were, that students sit around the teacher and choral read in order to develop fluency. That model, at one time effective, is now viewed as passé.

What does reading, in the real world, look like? We (adults) read alone. Hardly ever to we read aloud except to our children, or to share a short interest piece with someone. Should we discuss our reading, we do so conversationally.

We go to a book store and pick up a book. Either because it was recommended, we've read the author before, or the jacket looked of interest. After reading it we may discuss it with a friend, or a book club perhaps.

Creating these authentic reading experiences is important. Practicing how to engage with each other, pose insightful questions and making relevant selections, is what helps students to develop autonomy in their reading. The idea of literature circles fosters that.

As the kids read, they assign their task / homework (how many pages they will read). They are each assigned a role and are expected to come to the discussion prepared and ready to participate.

I am slowly introducing these roles to the students. We are modeling mature and insightful book discussions. After we get comfortable with each one, I hope to allow them to work in groups to discuss and check in with one another about their reading.

I'm really excited for what's in store!

One note of classroom business: if you are willing and able to help out with our Monster Mash fundraiser please see me / read the next newsletter to find out who you can contact for more information.

Let there be food!

This week was the heritage potluck. We had fun learning the classic tune, "I'd like to teach the world to sing". We had even more fun performing it!

Many thanks to you wonderful parents for supporting us and helping put on such a wonderful event.

This week we're also creating our maps of California for our upcoming salt map creations. If you have yet to being in materials for that (salt and flour) please feel free to bring those in at anytime.

We also had fun with the Walk and Roll and filled out a survey on Schoology.

This week we've also been working on paragraph writing. Formulating a proper paragraph. Topic Sentence. ->Details->Concluding sentence.

Tomorrow we will be performing a song at the Heritage Potluck.  We were introduced to it today and will be practicing it tomorrow, please give your child a head start and practice it with them at home.

"I'd like to build the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves

I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company

I'd like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
For peace throughout the land

That's the song I hear
Let the world sing today
A song of peace
That echoes on
And never goes away"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a8F28WVXlk

To Do or Not to Do?

What is homework?

home·work/ˈhōmˌwərk/

Noun:

Schoolwork that a student is required to do at home. Work or study done in preparation for a certain event or situation

O.k, let's find out what schoowork is...

school·work/ˈsko͞olˌwərk/

Noun:

Work assigned students by their teachers in school.

“The amount of free reading done outside of school has consistently been found to relate to growth in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information”

(Anderson, Wilson, and Fielding 1988; Greaney 1980; Guthrie and Greaney 1991; Taylor, Frye, and Maruyama)

American Association of School Librarians

 

Post this!

"Well Ms. Christensen, if you're interested in documenting the situation might I suggest taking a picture of it and posting it to your blog"? -Anonymous Student

I'm thrilled with their insights. The students never cease to surprise me. Even in their mature 9 years of age, they maintain the innocence of a 6 year old, with the confidence of a 16 year old.

I'd like to use this forum to quickly remind you that picture day is tomorrow. Also, please confirm with your child (and by that I mean, double and triple check), that he / she has competed all of their homework. We've been having discussions around the consequences of not reading their Classroom Connection thoroughly.

Thank you all for your continued support. Also, if you would like to schedule an informal time to meet with me, please feel free to send me an email.

*Coloma deposit monies are due next week.
*Turn in your scholastic book orders (or pay online). I will be submitting them next week as well. Please be sure to include the classroom code.

I'm sorry that my post is a bit overdue.  As you can imagine, things are well underway, which means, I'm well... way-under.

Today we focused primarily on our Magnetism and Electricity Unit.  We looked at a website http://goo.gl.BLhvU and wrote 3 new / interesting facts that we learned while reading the site.  Then we watched some fun BlogSpot videos as a whole class.  It was especially "fun" when I paused the videos mid-stream and quizzed no student in particular, about the facts just said.  It was pleasant to see some students, frantically adding those facts to their lists that they had generated in their science notebooks.

As a math review, we went outside with all 4th grade classes and made a "70-agon".  Each student had a straw and we constructed a polygon on the playground.  That was really fun.  Then, we labeled various attributes - concave; parallel; vertex; side; obtuse and right angle.

What a fun activity.  Next Monday we will review for our Chapter test - so please review with your child at home.

We also had our Coloma meeting (if you were unable to attend, please see me for more information).  Please note there is also a typo in the interest survey.  Please make checks out to our school (e.g. B----- ---- School) rather than the PTA.

Have a great weekend

-Ms. Christensen

Station Rotations

This has been our first full week and it's been quite busy for all of us.  We are starting to get into the routine though we are continuing to discuss and put into practice our class norms.  This week was Back to School Night.   The students wrote notes to their parents welcoming them to our classroom. This was also a wonderful opportunity for parents and I to get to know one another a bit. 

We also started our "Station Rotations" this week.  We are going to be having various groupings for Language Arts and Math activities.  I'm excited for these rotations and I'm certain they will make the curriculum more engaging for everyone.

Up and running

This week we are well into our Everyday Math Curriculum. We are discussing angles, quadrilaterals and parallelograms. We have also been focusing on "small moments" during our reading mini-lessons. Using the imagery of a watermelon we compared those small moments to watermelon seeds.

Map of My Heart

Today we did some more community building activities. This time with the other 4th grade classes!

We also read a wonderful story titled, "My Map Book", by Sara Fanelli, after which we made maps of our own hearts. <3

We also brainstormed how "reading is thinking" (Fountas and Pinnell).  Our later discussion on what prompts us to choose books (our interests, recommendations, the 'blurb' on the back - their words not mine) lead to productive silent reading time.

First Day of School

Wow! What a wonderful first day. We spent the day getting to know each other, creating community and establishing our class norms. Here are some pictures of what we did.

At morning meeting I asked them four questions: what should kids in our class be doing to make it run smoothly? What do you hope to learn in our class this year? What will YOU need to be successful this year? What will Ms. Christensen need to do to help you this year.

Their posts were eyeopening, for both me and for them.  I'd like to continue to encourage them to be more introspective.



We established our class norms from that conversation.

Later we read a story titled, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?". This book encourages students to be bucket fillers rather than dippers.

With so many other things we did today, I'll wait to post about them later, or rather, ask your child about them!

I left exhausted but smiling today, I hope your child did as well.

-Ms. Christensen

Sneak Peak

School is about to start and I've finished setting up the classroom.  Here is a sneak peak of the classroom as you will see it the first day.

I'm excited to meet all of your happy faces on Thursday!

-Ms. Christensen

 Welcome to Room 20!  Come on in...

 Here is where we will showcase the fabulous work of all students in Room 20.

 This is what I like to call our, "interactive bulletin board".  A board designed for students to use and respond to (questions, games, skill review, etc.).

This is my favorite place of all.  The reading corner.  Pick up a good book, find a good nook and enjoy!

Curriculum Vitae

LARA CHRISTENSEN, M.A.
Palo Alto, CA

STATE LICENSURE

Multiple Subject – CLAD - CLEAR

Education Specialist – Mild Moderate: Level II

Education Specialist – Deaf / Hard of Hearing (expired)

EDUCATION

Gallaudet University

Master of Arts, Deaf Education – Multiple Disabilities Washington, DC. 05/06

Completed 01/04 – 05/06

Credentials: Deaf Education Specialist and Mild-Moderate Special Needs: Completed

4.0 GPA - with Honors

Loyola Marymount University

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies Los Angeles, CA. 5/03

Liberal Studies – Education

Concentration / Minor: Dance

Credentials: Multiple Subject: Completed 8/03-12/03

3.6 GPA

Oxford University, Queens College: Oxford, England 07/02

Loyola Marymount University Summer Scholars Program

EXPERIENCE

4th Grade Teacher, Barron Park Elementary School, Palo Alto, CA – 08/12 – present

* Teaching 4^th grade students, in multiple subjects.  Implementation of curriculum: Lucy Calkins; Fountas and Pinnell; Everyday Mathematics.  Assessments: Formal - DRA; ERB; STAR; MARS   Informal - Running Record; Anecdotal Record; Checklists; Conferencing

Kindergarten Teacher, Carden West School, Pleasanton, CA 08/09 - 05/12

* Teaching students, aged 4-6, across all curricular areas. In an academically accelerated private school classroom.  Modify / individualize instruction for each student, in the areas, of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Character Education.   Curriculum: Lucy Calkins; Mc-Graw Hill; Carden

Special Day Class Teacher ESY – DHH Preschool, Santa Clara, CA 07/11

* Teaching 3 year old and 4 year old preschool classrooms.  Creating an engaging and language rich classroom environment, during Extended School Year.

Special Day Class Teacher, Lower Elementary ESY, Milbrae School District, Milbrae, CA 07/10

* Teaching students with Mild-Moderate disabilities.  Created / implemented curriculum, implemented I.E.P. goals, in a summer school environment.

Special Day Class Teacher, K / 1, Los Altos School District, Los Altos, CA 08/07 - 06/09

* As a new teacher, in a new classroom, I  was challenged to develop my own curriculum, and worked with a team in implementing behavior plans.   Curriculum: Write Tools

Deaf / Hard of Hearing Infant Specialist, East Whittier City School District, Whittier, CA 08/2006 – 06/07

* This employment provided me with the knowledge and experience of Early Childhood development and the foundations needed to build upon, for success in the future.

SKILLS

Language: American Sign Language - fluent

Technology Experience: SMARTBoard; Document Camera

ORGANIZATIONS / HONORS

Toastmasters International, Lee Emerson Basset - Active Member Palo Alto, CA

Kappa Delta Pi – International Honor Society in Education: Pi Rho Chapter

Graduate President’s Scholar – Fall 2005

INTERESTS

I enjoy participating in various outdoor / indoor activities (running marathons, hiking, playing the guitar). I also enjoy travel and the arts.

All About Me

As I get the opportunity to learn about your child this year, I wanted to let you know a bit about me.  I began my career as a teacher of Deaf and Hard of Hearing special needs students.  I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Arts degree in Deaf Education/Multiple Disabilities from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.  I am joining the district after 6 years in Early Childhood Education, five of which I spent teaching Kindergarten.  

When I'm not working, I enjoy running distance events and hiking as well as travelling and pursuing my love of the arts.   I am excited that your child and I will be beginning 4th grade together.

I believe in providing students with a well rounded education.  I believe in a constructivist approach, in creating an environment where learning is a social and dynamic experience. I believe in children taking responsibility for their own learning and allowing them to make mistakes. Overall, I believe in a healthy dialogue between teacher-and-student, teacher-and-parent and parent-and-student.  

It does take a village - so lets create one! 

Kilgoris, Kenya - June 2012

Let the Countdown Begin!

As the summer wraps up, I am thrilled about everything that has happened and I am excited for what's to come. Over the next year, I hope to use this blog as a forum to communicate with families about all that is happening in Room 20.   Stay tuned for announcements, assignments and general musings.

Here's to a wonderful school year!


-Ms. Christensen

   

2011-12 school year