SUPPLIES NEEDED

TISSUES

HAND SANITIZER

Saying for the week:

Finish Strong

While the break is fast approaching, students must finish strong, and continue to work hard until the last bell.

The remainder of the quarter:

History: Students will study Arizona. They will look at rivers and waterways, regions, and learn about the process Arizona went through to become a state. Students will also study about the 5 C’s, and learn about the Spanish influence in our state.

The Europe Project is due on December 14^th.

Science:  Students will finish up the meteorology unit. Students will look at the role of meteorologist and the difference between weather and climate. Students will spend the rest of the quarter reviewing prior units, and learning about topics that are cove red on the AIMS test.

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, 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 review of the topics covered to date.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

TISSUES

HAND SANITIZER

Saying for the week:

Finish Strong

While the break is fast approaching, students must finish strong, and continue to work hard until the last bell.

The remainder of the quarter:

History: Students will study Arizona. They will look at rivers and waterways, regions, and learn about the process Arizona went through to become a state. Students will also study about the 5 C’s, and learn about the Spanish influence in our state.

The Europe Project is due on December 14^th.

Science:  Students will finish up the meteorology unit. Students will look at the role of meteorologist and the difference between weather and climate. Students will spend the rest of the quarter reviewing prior units, and learning about topics that are cove red on the AIMS test.

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, 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 review of the topics covered to date.

The next three weeks in class:

History: Students will begin a four-week study on Arizona history. This is part of the state mandated curriculum. Students will also continue work on the Europe Project.

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  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 enter a three-week review session, wherein they will revisit the concepts that have been taught thus far. There will be nightly homework. 

WINTER CONCERT

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

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 begin the unit on Arizona history.

Science: Over the next two weeks, students will study meteorology. They have studied the water cycle. 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. Next, they will read about the atmosphere.

Language Arts: 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, followed by conjunctions. Spalding will bring more words and more markings.

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

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. They will also continue their study of meteorology. The project is due on November 16.   

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.

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:  During week 3, students will conclude their study of Arizona biomes and the life science unit. Students should spend time nightly studying for the unit assessment. Students will then begin their study of meteorology by learning about the water cycle during week 4.

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 pronouns. Spalding will bring more words and more markings.  

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

SUPPLIES NEEDED

TISSUES

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:  During week two, students will look at how animals adapt to thrive in their environment. This will include a study of different biomes and significant environmental issues. Students will also be assigned their Arizona Biome Project, which will be due toward the end of week four.

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-FRI

12:05/12:25 Dismissal

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

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.

This week in class:

History: Students will take a look at city life in the Middle Ages.

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: 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. 

FALL BREAK!

School Resumes on 10/16/17

Enjoy the break!

Mr. Posner

 

This Week:

Language Arts: In language arts, students will take a monthly Spalding assessment that helps us track their growth and then they will learn new words and review the phonograms. In literature, students will continue reading Ronia. In writing, students will begin the second opinion paper. 

Math: In math, students will finish the chapters on the four operations and will finish with a test covering the first two units. 

History: This week is Chilvary Week in history. Students were assigned their knight or maiden on Thursday. The focus this week is on the role of a knight in the Middle Ages. Chapters 6-10 will be tested on Friday. 

Science: The study of plants continues this week in science. Students will learn, and be expected to memorize, the parts of a flower. They will learn about plant reproduction and how seeds are dispersed. There will be a quiz toward the end of the week on plants. 

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 enjoy a serf/lord activity wherein they take on the roles of lords and serfs. This is in line with the theme of servitude and cooperation. 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.

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 discern the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit. They also 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 then spend time reviewing all they have learned about electricity, then move into a life science unit.

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. In Spalding, there are more words and more markings.

  

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

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 an 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 Tuesday.

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. 

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 four 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 the lab and apply it to a new lab. The goal is that they come to understand the differences between insulators and conductors. By the end of the week, students should grasp the concept of 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 final 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 students 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 close the unit on multiples and factors. WE will then begin a four week multiplication unit, focused on 2, 3, and 4 digit multiplication, number order, and mastery of the multiplication tables. There will be nightly homework, and much work dedicated to the multiplication tables. 

CURRICULUM NIGHT

WEDNESDAY

 August 30, 2017

You are cordially invited to our Curriculum Night event, taking place on Wednesday, August 30th. Please note, that this is a parent only event. I look forward to seeing you all at this event. Look for more info coming soon.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Tissues

Wipes

More 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 students 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. Last week they averaged 17 seconds from desk to hallway! Not too bad!! 

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 unit test will be near the end of the week. Students should study their notebooks 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. 

This week’s class motto is: Enter Silently/Exit Silently

Each week we will discuss a class motto. This is the second weekly motto. We will talk about how it is very important to move silently when exiting and entering the room. Silence assists in keeping order. It allows for instruction and ease of exiting. Upon entering the room, students understand the importance of remaining silent and engaging the next task.

I have a very strict classroom organization plan. I do not allow pencil cases, markers, crayons, rulers, or sharpeners in the desks. We have many books and notebooks, and space is limited. I will teach the students the order of their desks, and I will expect the desks stay this way. This organization plan truly helps students to not lose work, and stay on top of assignments.

This week in Class:

History: Students will continue the unit on maps. This is a great unit to begin with, as students will use maps throughout the year, even learning and memorizing ALL European countries and capitals, locations of great battles of the American Revolution, and kingdoms and cities of medieval Europe.

Science: Students will continue the unit on chemistry. This will lay a foundation for future units. Through observations, inference, and data collection, they will set the base for experimentation and discovery in the realm of science.

Language Arts: Spalding phonics continues. Students will take to task the phonograms, the pronunciations, and begin their spelling words. In grammar, we will take what we learned about what makes a good sentence, and further it into classifying. Literature continues with the next four chapters of The Princess and the Goblin.

Math: Students will continue to learn about whole numbers, number sense, ordering, and place value. 

WELCOME TO MR. POSNER’S CLASS.
4C

This is the first official blog of the 2017-2018 school year.

Arete means moral virtue and excellence. This is what we will strive for this year in my class. My goal is to help your child grow in all areas, not just academically. Organization, study skills, study habits, virtue, and overall growth are all things we will take on as tasks.

This week’s class motto is: Transition is Silent and Efficient

Each week we will discuss a class motto. This is the first weekly motto. We will talk about how it is very important to move quickly and silently when we change from one subject to another. This not only makes for a cohesive classroom, but saves time as well. Every minute is important. Transition is also important in moving from specials to class, class to lunch, and all around the building. This can be practiced at home.  

I have a very strict classroom organization plan that will be put into place this week. I do not allow pencil cases, markers, crayons, rulers, or sharpeners in the desks. We have many books and notebooks, and space is limited. I will teach the students the order of their desks and I will expect the desks stay this way. This organization plan truly helps students to not lose work, and stay on top of assignments.

The following is important information- Please read all the way through.

Snack- I ask that you bring in healthy snacks for your child. In addition, I ask that these snacks be "dry" snacks. By this, I mean snacks that, if spilled, would not create a mess on the carpet, i.e. no yogurt, fruit cups, pudding, jello, juice, etc.

Volunteers - I am so pleased to have so many parents ready and willing to volunteer this year! I want to remind everyone that all volunteers are required to have fingerprint clearance here at Archway Classical Academy. This policy is strictly monitored, and even applies to those who think they might like to chaperone on one of our field trips. If you are interested, and have not obtained the necessary clearance, please see the Archway website for more information, or ask at the front office.

This week in Class:

History: Students will begin a unit on maps. While no one may become the next great cartographer, all will hopefully gain an understanding and appreciation for maps, how maps work, and what purpose maps serve. This is a great unit to begin with, as students will use maps throughout the year, even learning and memorizing ALL European countries and capitals, locations of great battles of the American Revolution, and kingdoms and cities of medieval Europe.

Science: Students will engage a unit on chemistry. This will lay a foundation for future units. Through observations, inference, and data collection, they will set the base for experimentation and discovery in the realm of science.

Language Arts: Spalding phonics begins this week. Students will take to task the phonograms, the pronunciations, and begin their spelling words. In grammar, we will begin a study on what makes a good sentence. Students will also learn about the rules of discussion. Literature begins with our first book, The Princess and the Goblin.

Math: Singapore Math begins this week. We will dive right into whole numbers, number sense, ordering, and place value. Students will get a taste for the modeling system as well.

Onward and Upward!!!