·         Winter break starts on Thursday, December 22^nd through Sunday, January 8^th.  School will resume on Monday, January 9^th.

·         Quarter 2 Evaluations will be sent to parents by Friday, January 6^th at noon. 

To 4^th and 5^th grade families:

We are holding a grade-level team competition called “Royalty for a Day” to see who can bring in the most tax credits to support Archway Arete’s extracurricular clubs and sports.  If 4^th and 5^th grades bring in the most tax credits, I will be crowned “King of Clubs” for a day when we return from our holiday break.  As the King, I plan on holding a dodge ball tournament for all my royal subjects!  I will also hand out a special treat at the end of the tournament.  I appreciate all your help in asking friends, neighbors, and family to help support Archway Arete and help us win this competition! 

Most Gratefully, Mr. Naaktgeboren, King of Clubs

The remainder of the quarter:

History: Students will study Ancient China. They will look at the emperor Shihuangdi and some of his accomplishments, as well as the role of technology and trade in the growth of China. Students will take a close look at Chinese culture and economy, as well as the role of Chinggis Khan in the Mongol Invasions. Students will finish up the unit on Ancient China with a look at Khubilai Khan and Marco Polo, the Forbidden City, and the last dynasty. They will begin reviewing for the unit test on Monday.

Science: This week, students will finish up the meteorology unit. Students will look at the role of meteorologist and the difference between weather and climate. Students will take the meteorology test next week. After the meteorology test next week, student will spend the rest of the quarter reviewing prior units.

Language Arts: In Literature, students will discuss whether or not they feel Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter finishes with a reading of Pollyanna. In grammar, there is an assessment on chapter 8 this week, then students will write a personal narrative essay. In Spalding there are more words and more markings.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework. The quarter ends with fractions and 4 digit multiplication.

The next three weeks in class:

History: Over the next three weeks, students will study Ancient China. They will look at the emperor Shihuangdi and some of his accomplishments, as well as the role of technology and trade in the growth of China. Students will take a close look at Chinese culture and economy, as well as the role of Chinggis Khan in the Mongol Invasions. Students will finish up the unit on Ancient China with a look at Khubilai Khan and Marco Polo, the Forbidden City, and the last dynasty. They will begin reviewing for the unit test on Monday.

Science: In science over the remainder of the quarter, students will continue their study of meteorology. Students will learn about air pressure, wind, fronts, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. As a demonstration, students will learn how to build and use a barometer. In groups, students will build and use anemometer.

Language Arts: In Literature, students will discuss whether or not they feel Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter finishes with a reading of Pollyanna. In grammar, there is an assessment on chapter 8 this week, then students will write a personal narrative essay. In Spalding there are more words and more markings.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework. The quarter ends with fractions and 4 digit multiplication

11/13/16

WINTER CONCERT

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

The next two weeks in class:

History: This week in history, students will close out the Middle Ages unit with the study of Joan of Arc and relevant literature, as well as learning about the Black Death and the role it played in Europe toward the end of the Middle Ages. Students will take a test next week on chapters 17-21, for which they have the study guides. Next week, students will briefly survey the birth and culture of Islam and compare it to what they've learned happened concurrently in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Science: Over the next two weeks, students will study meteorology. They will begin by learning about the water cycle. Then, students will consider how limited earth's drinkable water considering the globe's surface is mostly water. The student's study will then transition to clouds, which will include a demonstration on how clouds formulate and a foldable about the different types of clouds. 

Language Arts: Over the next two weeks, students will continue reading about Robin Hood, his merry men, and the adventures they encounter. Is Maid Marian his true love? We will find out. In grammar, students will master pronouns, and the understood you. Spalding will bring more words and more markings.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework.

11/6

This week’s class motto is: Be Confident

Each week we will discuss a class motto. This week we will discuss confidence. We will discuss how the students can show confidence in their attitude, ability, and overall performance. We will temper this with humility, of course.

The next two weeks in class:

History: This week in history, students will close out the Middle Ages unit with the study of Joan of Arc and relevant literature, as well as learning about the Black Death and the role it played in Europe toward the end of the Middle Ages. Students will take a test next week on chapters 17-21, for which they have the study guides. Please note that this test is largely composed of short-answer questions--students should be prepared to explain concepts we discuss in class and on the study guides.

Science: During the fourth week of the second quarter, students will learn more about Arizona regions, biomes, plants, and animals. This information will be useful for the project due on November 16. Students will review for a test on Wednesday and be tested on Thursday.  

Language Arts: This week in Language Arts, students will work on perfecting the descriptive essay. In Literature, students will continue with the adventures of Robin Hood and the band of merry men. In Spalding there will be words and markings.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework.

10/30/16

This week’s class motto is: Be Confident

Each week we will discuss a class motto. This week we will discuss confidence. We will discuss how the students can show confidence in their attitude, ability, and overall performance. We will temper this with humility, of course.

The next two weeks in class:

History: Students will explore the shift in power in government in the late Middle Ages and consider the role of the Magna Carta and the rule of King John in this shift. 

Science: In science, students will learn how organisms interact with, and impact, their environments. For example, students will understand how animals adapt to changes. Students will also study different types of biomes, with a focus on Arizona. 

Language Arts: This week in Language Arts students will read more about the adventures of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws. in Grammar, the focus turns to diagramming of prepositions. Spalding will bring more words and more markings. 

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework.

10/23/16

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Printer Ink: HP 60 Black

                  HP 60 Color

This week’s class motto is: Back to Basics

Each week we will discuss a class motto. This week we will talk about going back to basics. The break is a time of rest, but also a time to forget the structure and guidelines that are in place. We will go back to basics and review the rules and guidelines of the class.

The next two weeks in class:

History: Students will explore the shift in power in government in the late Middle Ages and consider the role of the Magna Carta and the rule of King John in this shift. 

Science: This week in science students will learn the defining characteristics of animals and how they are different from other living organisms. Students will then learn the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates, which should be a review from lessons in third grade. The lessons during the rest of the week will cover habitats, ecosystems, and population. 

Language Arts: This week in Literature students will discuss conflict resolution. They will read chapters 3-5 of Robin Hood. In grammar, they move into deeper classifications and diagrams. In Spalding, there are words and markings.

Math: Students will continue working on multiplication and division. There will be nightly homework, and much work dedicated to the multiplication tables. 

WELCOME BACK!

HALF DAYS MON-THURS

12:05/12:25 Dismissal

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Printer Ink: HP 60 Black

                  HP 60 Color

This week’s class motto is: Back to Basics

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The next two weeks we will talk about going back to basics. The break is a time of rest, but also a time to forget the structure and guidelines that are in place. We will go back to basics and review the rules and guidelines of the class.

The next two weeks in class:

History: Students will take a closer look at important figures in Europe this week, including William the Conqueror, Henry II, and Thomas Beckett.

Science: Students will spend the first week of the quarter learning about the classification of living things. They will start by defining what a living thing is and what it needs to survive. They will end the week by learning how and why scientist classify living things. 

Language Arts: In Language Arts, students begin the adventures of Robin Hood. This is a great story full of action, adventure, and love! In Spalding, there will be more words and more markings. In grammar, students will continue the classifying and diagramming of sentences, turning their focus to more parts of speech.

Math: Students will continue working on multiplication and division. There will be nightly homework, and much work dedicated to the multiplication tables. 

This week’s class motto is: Organization is the Key!

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The next two weeks, as well as the entire year, are spent working on organizational plans. Desks are organized a specific way, folders are organized, and backpacks are neat. Organization is a skill that can lead to success.

This week in Class:

History: Students will take a closer look at the lives of knights and the role of cities and guilds during the Middle Ages. They will also participate in Chivalry week--this is a fun week full of activities in which they explore the importance of community and honor during the Middle Ages.

Science:   During the last week of quarter one, students will take a closer look at the flower with consideration of the plant's life cycle and plant reproduction. Students will do a plant dissection toward the end of the week. 

Language Arts:  This week in Language Arts students will write an opinion essay. In Literature, students will read Emil and the Detectives. This is a wonderful story. This is a read aloud and students are not required to have a copy of their own. In Spalding there will be more words and more markings.

Math:  Students will continue the unit on order of operations and then move into multiplication and division.

This week’s class motto is: Organization is the Key!

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The next two weeks, as well as the entire year, are spent working on organizational plans. Desks are organized a specific way, folders are organized, and backpacks are neat. Organization is a skill that can lead to success.

This week in Class:

History: This week, students will take a test on chapters 5-8 and begin discussing knights. Students will have a peer discussion about the Code of Chivalry and the values it was based on. 

Science:   Having completed their study of electricity, students will now begin their study of life sciences. Students will start with a unit on plants, photosynthesis, and vascular versus non-vascular plants. 

Language Arts:  This week in Language Arts students will write the first major essay of the year. This is a step-by-step process and each step is monitored by the teacher. In Literature, students will read Emil and the Detectives. This is a wonderful story. This is a read aloud and students are not required to have a copy of their own. In Spalding there will be more words and more markings.

Math:  Students will continue the unit on order of operations and then move into multiplication and division.

9/18

This week’s class motto is: Organization is the Key!

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The next two weeks, as well as the entire year, are spent working on organizational plans. Desks are organized a specific way, folders are organized, and backpacks are neat. Organization is a skill that can lead to success.

This week in Class:

History: This week in history, students will read about Charlemagne and discuss his impact on Europe in the Middle Ages. They will also study the rise of Feudalism in the Middle Ages and explore what life was actually like for a serf. There will be an annual activity in which students take on the roles of serfs and lords.

Science:   This past week in science, students were able to visit the lab twice to discern the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit. On their second trip, they had to create a parallel circuit on their own with two lights individually controlled by their own switches. They finished this week with a reading on electromagnetism. 

This week, students will experience a teacher led demo. The demo will show students how to build an electromagnet and how a piece of metal can be turned into a magnet. Students will then spend time reviewing all they have learned about electricity.

Language Arts: This week in Language Arts students will continue the adventure with Curdie and Princess Irene. What plans do the nasty little Cobs have? Will Curdie survive? Who is Great Grandma Irene. All of these questions are answered as the students come to the conclusion of the book. In grammar, students will take a test on chapter 2 of their grammar books. On Friday, they begin the first major writing assignment of the year. In Spalding, there are more words and more markings.

Math:  Students will continue the unit on order of operations.

9/11

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

This week in Class:

History: This week in history, students will continue their study of the Byzantine Empire studying mosaics, Empress Theodora, and the Hagia Sophia. They will write a one paragraph essay on the Empress and the church. There is a quiz on the Byzantine Empire unit. Additionally, students will test their knowledge of the countries of Europe on Monday.

Science:  This week in science, students will use their lab observations to solidify their understanding of circuits. By the end of the week, students will be able to explain how a series circuit is different from a parallel circuit, and the advantages of parallel circuits in building a home. On Friday, students will learn how electricity can turn metal into a magnet. 

Language Arts: This week, in Language Arts, students will continue to deepen their understanding of sentence classification and sentence diagramming. Students will be able to use adverbs and adjectives properly in sentences. In Literature, the mystery surrounding Great Grandma Irene is revealed. In Spalding, students will do more words, with more markings.  

Math:  Students will begin the unit on order of operations.

9/3/16

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

This week’s class motto’s are:  

Enter Silently/ Exit Silently, Silent/Facing Front/ Close Together, and Transition is Silent and Efficient

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The first three weeks we covered these three mottos. This week we solidify these mottos as part of our classroom culture. We will talk about how it is very important to line up quickly and quietly in the hallway. Students stand silent, facing front, and are close together. I like to allow my scholars some more freedom, as they are older, so I often allow them to set their own lines, or walk ahead, etc. In the early part of the year, though, it is vital they learn how line up quickly and silently.

This week in Class:

History: This week in history, students will complete the maps of Europe. They begin a journey into a brief two-week unit on the Eastern Romance Empire.  Students will study the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and Theodora, and the Hagia Sophia.

Science:  Students will take the information they gathered from Friday's lab and apply it to a new lab on Tuesday. The goal is that they come to understand the differences between insulators and conductors. By the end of the week, students should grasp series circuits and the flow of electrons. 

Language Arts: This week, in Language Arts, students will deepen their understanding of sentence classification and sentence diagramming. Students will be able to use adverbs and adjectives properly in sentences. In Literature, the plot thickens, as Curdie discovers the plot that has been hatched by the Cobs. Will Princess Irene be safe? In Spalding, students will do more words, with more markings.  

Math: Students will go through a week of review in multiplication and division before starting a unit on order of operations.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

This week’s class motto’s are:  

Enter Silently/ Exit Silently, Silent/Facing Front/ Close Together, and Transition is Silent and Efficient

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The first three weeks we cover these three mottos. We will talk about how it is very important to line up quickly and quietly in the hallway. Students stand silent, facing front, and are close together. I like to allow my scholars some more freedom, as they are older, so I often allow them to set their own lines, or walk ahead, etc. In the early part of the year, though, it is vital they learn how line up quickly and silently.

This week in Class:

History: This week in history students will continue their study of the countries of Europe. They will look more closely at the early Middle Ages with a study of the split of the Catholic Church and the effect that this had. They will learn about the contributions of monks and nuns, and how books were written. The week ends with a study on Charlemagne.

Science:  Having successfully completed the unit on chemistry, students will review their notes, and the class will have one final discussion on the topic. They then begin their study of electricity. The prior knowledge of atoms will come into play as they consider what a charge is, and how static electricity is produced. They end the week with a lab that will help them consider what makes something a conductor or insulator.

Language Arts: Spalding phonics continues. In grammar, students will master the noun and verb, and begin classifying and diagramming sentences. In Literature, they go deeper into the mines with Curdie and Princess Irene. This week, students discuss characterization. 

  

Math: Students will begin a unit on multiples and factors. There will be nightly homework, and much work dedicated to the multiplication tables. 

CURRICULUM NIGHT

THIS WEDNESDAY

 August 24, 2016

You are cordially invited to our Curriculum Night event, taking place on Wednesday, August 24th. The event begins at 6:00 p.m., with opening remarks from Headmaster Gillingham, in the Marley Gymnasium at Arete Prep. The purpose of this event is to acquaint you with the school's curriculum, and individual classroom procedures. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of your child’s teacher. Please note, that this is a parent only event. I look forward to seeing you all at this event.

Curriculum Night Schedule

6:00-6:25     Welcome and opening remarks by Mr. Gillingham, Ms. Mason, and Ms. Pantalena

This is a schedule for where you go:

LAST NAME	6:30-7:10	7:15-7:55
A-L	Mr. Posner’s Class	Specials in MPR
M-Z	Specials in MPR	Mr. Posner’s Class

I hope to see you there!

______________________________________________________________________

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

This week’s class motto’s are:  Enter Silently/ Exit Silently, Silent/Facing Front/ Close Together, and Transition is Silent and Efficient

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The first three weeks we cover these three mottos. We will talk about how it is very important to line up quickly and quietly in the hallway. Students stand silent, facing front, and are close together. I like to allow my scholars some more freedom, as they are older, so I often allow them to set their own lines, or walk ahead, etc. In the early part of the year, though, it is vital they learn how line up quickly and silently.

This week in Class:

History: Students just wrapped up the unit on using maps. This week, they will begin studying Europe. They will create their own maps of the countries and waterways. These will be memorized. We enter our study of Europe in the Middle Ages. This is a major unit of history. Studies begin at the fall of the Roman Empire. Students will explore the Dark Ages.

Science:  Students will continue the study of chemistry. Having arrived at an understanding of the periodic table, students will now consider what happens when different elements mix. The latter part of the week will be spent reviewing for the upcoming test. Students should study their notebooks, pages 1-11, in preparation for this assessment.

Language Arts: Spalding phonics continues. In grammar, students will master the noun and verb, and begin classifying and diagramming sentences. In Literature, they go deeper into the mines with Curdie and Princess Irene. This week, students discuss characterization. 

Math: Students will begin a unit on multiples and factors. There will be nightly homework, and much work dedicated to the multiplication tables. 

CURRICULUM NIGHT

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

You are cordially invited to our Curriculum Night event, taking place on Wednesday, August 24th. The event begins at 6:00 p.m., with opening remarks from Headmaster Gillingham, in the Marley Gymnasium at Arete Prep. The purpose of this event is to acquaint you with the school's curriculum, and individual classroom procedures. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of your child’s teacher. Please note, that this is a parent only event. I look forward to seeing you all at this event.

Curriculum Night Schedule

6:00-6:25     Welcome and opening remarks by Mr. Gillingham, Ms. Mason, and Ms. Pantalena

This is a schedule for where you go:

LAST NAME	6:30-7:10	7:15-7:55
A-L	Mr. Posner’s Class	Specials in MPR
M-Z	Specials in MPR	Mr. Posner’s Class

I hope to see you there!

______________________________________________________________________

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

This week’s class motto’s are:  Enter Silently/ Exit Silently, Silent/Facing Front/ Close Together, and Transition is Silent and Efficient

Each week we will discuss a class motto. The first three weeks we cover these three mottos. We will talk about how it is very important to line up quickly and quietly in the hallway. Students stand silent, facing front, and are close together. I like to allow my scholars some more freedom, as they are older, so I often allow them to set their own lines, or walk ahead, etc. In the early part of the year, though, it is vital they learn how line up quickly and silently.

This week in Class:

History: This week in history we will continue our study of maps with hemispheres, time zones, coordinates, and wrap up our unit on maps with a test on Friday.

Science:  During the second week, students will continue to study chemistry. The content builds-up to a discussion on the periodic table. On Friday, students were able to observe matter, and studied concepts like mass, volume, and density. This week, they will take concepts from the lab and apply scientific terms. With that knowledge, they will be able to discuss what elements are at the atomic level, which will enable them to understand how the periodic table was created. Students are encouraged to study their notes by making notecards on main points of information. 

Language Arts: Spalding phonics continues. In grammar, students will master the noun and verb, and begin classifying and diagramming sentences. In Literature, they go deeper into the mines with Curdie and Princess Irene. This week, students discuss characterization.

Math: Students will begin a unit on multiples and factors. There will be nightly homework, and much work dedicated to the multiplication tables.