Social Studies Assessment (in November)
Fifth
Grade Faculty |
|
.gif){kind=small} D. Elk |
S. Coshal |
| E. Karczmit |
L. Mahon |
| K. Schlobohm |
L. Dessi |
| D.
Claasen |
N. Pratley |
| G. Bayersdorfer |
F. LaMorte |
| P. Clapes |
J. Bayersdorfer |
| D.
Smith |
J.
Johnston |
Fifth
Grade Teams |
| G. Bayersdorfer,
L. Dessi, D. Elk Special Education |
| P. Clapes, S.
Coshal, J. Johnston Special Education |
| F. LaMorte, N.
Pratley, J. Bayersdorfer Special Education |
| E.
Karczmit, L. Mahon, K. Schlobohm |
|
M. Wood, C. Olson, Special Class |
Trips
Music
Faculty/Teams
Curriculum
C.V. Starr's fourth grade students take several exciting and educational trips. In October, they visit the Pequot Museum, learning about the lives of Native Americans. In June fourth grade visits The Old Sturbridge Village! Here students learn about the people and times of the 1800's. They travel around the village and observe colonial workers and their dwellings.
Special 4th Grade Field Trips and Programs
Several live-event learning programs and field trips are planned around the 4th grade Social Studies curriculum:
Native American Study: In October, 4th grade students have a field trip to Pequot Museum in Connecticut. This enhances their classroom study of Native Americans; it is an extended day field trip. Students leave before the regular school day starts and return after the regular school day ends.
Colonial Fair: Combine creativity, hard work and collaboration from teachers with funding support from the Brewster Education Foundation and you have the key ingredients for a successful educational experience that fourth grade students remember for years to come. During the Fourth Grade Colonial fair, students participate in two days of hands-on workshops and presentations designed to immerse them in the life and times of the colonial period.
The days' activities start with a town meeting in which Music teacher Christine Kayler Smith leads a fife and drum presentation embellished with storytelling. Students then demonstrate colonial dancing that they learn in their physical education classes. Dressed in colonial garb, fourth grade teachers then lead a variety of workshops in which students learn a trade and created related craft items.
In their stenciling workshop students create their own stenciled designs on wood blocks. Marbleized paper was often used in colonial times to cover books. Students learn that the dyes used in the mid-nineteenth century were actually made from berries. Students in this workshop stitch their own journal books covered with their marbleized paper. In Colonial America, a whitesmith, or tinsmith as he is now called, used his skills to create basins, tea canisters, candle molds and much more. Fourth graders love the tinsmithing workshop in which they hammer nails through tin and copper plates to create their own designs and patterns that are then framed. In the colonial cooking workshop, students make homemade butter and mixed corn meal to make their own Johnny cakes, eaten, of course, by students proud of their efforts. In the quilting workshop students learn about various quilting patterns and gain firm hand knowledge of the sewing skills that were so important in colonial times. The smell of heated wax permeates the art room where students learn the art of candle making. Their efforts are rewarded with beautiful tri-color candles that are proudly displayed in drying racks. In the cidering workshop, apples are placed in a "scratcher" and shredded. Students then crush the pulp with an apple press. Apple juice and fresh syrup are the spoils that go to the students who participate in this workshop.
In addition to the hands on workshops, each fourth grade student attends two interactive presentations offered by historical interpreters.
Revolutionary Encampment Days: The Revolutionary Encampment Program was developed by our 4th grade teachers three years ago after they visited Fort Ticonderoga as part of a living history program. The Brewster Education Foundation supported the initial purchase of materials for the encampment program. Students get to set up tents, make a fire and cook soup, attend workshops with historical interpreters and end their day with a march.
Maple Sugaring Program: For the past 25 years 4th grade students have been participating in a Maple Sugaring Program. Students get to tap trees, collect sap, boil the sap to convert it to maple syrup, and this culminates with a 4th grade special pancake breakfast. Student learning during this unit is extended through Science and Writing experiences.
Sturbridge Village: In June all 4th grade students visit Sturbridge Village where they see a working village from the colonial time period.
Parent volunteers are needed to assist with each of these programs.
Students at C.V. Starr can select to participate in either Band or Orchestra. Please visit the music teachers' web site for additional information about instruments available and rentals.
Band - Mr. MacCrae
Orchestra - Miss MorelloStudents who participate in Band or Orchestra will have one rotating 45 minutes small group lesson each week. This is a pull-out program and our teachers work closely with the band and Orchestra teachers and their students to make sure students are able to make up the work. At the mid-point of 4th grade the students start their full Band rehearsal and this takes place one day a week during recess. Band 4 and Orchestra 4 students have their first performance in June.
Students can also participate in Chorus. Our vocal music teacher is Mrs. Kayler and her web site will give additional information about Chorus.
Chorus students have a performance in December and in June.
TEAMS- Generally, one person on the team teaches English Language Arts to both classes and the "Switch" teacher, as the students call them, teaches Math and Science to both classes. Each teacher teaches Social Studies to their own homeroom. You will receive your child's placement about the second week in July. At that time, you can then reference your child's teacher's web site to pick up a welcome/introduction letter as well as a listing of the supplies your child will need in September.
Students at C.V. Starr have the following specials: Physical Education (twice a week), Art, Health, Library and Music. Students receive grades in these subjects only during quarters 2 and 4. During the 1st and 3rd quarters, you will receive a comment from the special area teacher on your child's report card.
All 4th grade teams have two designated 45 minute periods each week, called PASS. During this time, forward instruction stops and all students receive individual support during this time, whether it is Academic Interventions Services (AIS) in Reading or Math or enrichment.
Lunch and recess are each a half-hour in length. Students are scheduled with their team and sit at lunch with their homeroom.
D. Bloom