Tomorrow's the first day!

Hi boys and girls!



I am so excited for the first day of school! I am looking forward to meeting each of you!



Reminders:



-If you are buying lunch, please remember to have your parents put money on your "lunch card" either by going to the website http://www.paypams.com/ OR they may write a check made out to the "Burlington Food Service" and bring it with you tomorrow



-You have Physical Education tomorrow with Ms. Govoni, so please remember to wear or bring sneakers to school



-Bring in your family's homework, the "Handle with Care" sheet I sent to you and your families over the summer



It's going to be a fantastical year! =)

Hello 4th graders!

Dear 4th grader,

Hello! My name is Miss Comunale and I am your fourth grade teacher. I hope you are having a great summer and have been reading and writing every day. I also hope that you are getting excited about the fourth grade! I know you will think it is interesting, challenging, and fun learning in our classroom. Just check out last year’s classroom blog to see all the wonderful things we did! www.comunale206.blogspot.com

I have been very busy this summer spending time with my nieces, camping, planning my wedding and taking classes to make learning more exciting for you and your friends. I have been working really hard getting our classroom ready. I hope you like it!

If you are going shopping before school starts, here is a list of school supplies you will need. If you have already purchased supplies that do not match the list, don’t worry! Just bring what you have! J I was at staples just the other day and bought each of you a pack of 12 pencils. I couldn’t resist! I love sales!

· 1 spiral FIVE subject notebook (this will be your “Learnal”)
· 3 - two pocket folders (any color or design)
· A “soft” pencil case (fits better in your desk)
· Pencils
· Scissors (optional)
· Post-its
· 2 black sharpie markers
· 2 highlighters (any color)
· 1-2 glue sticks
· 1 box of colored pencils
· 2 boxes of tissues
· 3 containers of “cleaning wipes” (no baby wipes please J)
· You may also want to buy crayons and markers, although we have some =)

For YOUR first homework assignment, I would like for you to write me a letter about your summer vacation and mail it to me! Your letter should include:

-At least 3 things you have done over your vacation
-A book your are reading (or have read)
-At least two things you look forward to about the fourth grade
-Anything you think I should know about YOU!

Mail your letter to:
Miss Comunale, Room 206
Pine Glen Way
Burlington, MA 01803

I look forward to hearing from you! Enjoy the rest of your vacation and start looking forward to a fantastic year! See you on the first day of school, Wednesday September 1st!

Invention Dates to Remember!

Students were given a packet to help them follow the "Design Process" for their Invention. Below are dates to remember and the steps in the "Design Process".

1)IDENTIFY: Identify your problem or task DUE: Monday, May 17th

2)ASK: (questions & brainstorming) DUE: Friday, May 21st

3)PLAN: Sketch your design on the “Student Design Sheet.” DUE: Monday, May 24th

4)CREATE: (This step will be done at home) DUE: Wednesday June 15th

5)IMPROVE: DUE: Friday, June 17th

Invention Convention-NEW DATE!

Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 9:45am and ending promptly at 10:45am. We hope to see you there!

Students completed inventions are due:

Tuesday, June 15th

Our Luna Moth

We had an opportunity to view two different life cycles, the luna moth and butterfly. Check out our amazing pictures! Thank you Science Center for another great experience! "Science is Life!"

We identified the luna moth as female, by looking closely at the antennae

Setting the luna moth free...

Invention Convention Letter for Familes

Invention Convention!

Dear Families,

The 4th graders will be participating in an Invention Convention! They will embark in a Science Challenge! During the next few weeks they will have the opportunity to design and build their own original invention. This process will help them learn the design process, which is an important part of the Massachusetts State Frameworks in Science and Technology.

Student Objectives:
-Students will solve an everyday problem or make a task easier to accomplish.
-Students will need to use at least two simple machines in their invention.
-Students may use any variety of materials to make their own invention.
-Students must follow the important Design Process (provided in a packet to the student in -school) to complete the invention process.
-We ask that you please provide guidance and support with their inventions. However, the student should try to produce as much of the invention on their own as possible.
-Be sure to have fun and be creative!

At the end of the process, Pine Glen will hold an Invention Convention for the students to demonstrate their inventions. All students, teachers and families will be invited to attend. The date for the 4th grade invention convention will be Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 9:45am and ending promptly at 10:45am

If you have any questions, please let us know. Thank you again for your continuing support!

Anna Lisa Comunale
Aimee Coutu
Sarah Hayes

Cindy Fitzgibbon visits

Cindy Fitzgibbon visited the Pine Glen yesterday and talked about WEATHER with the 4th grade! We're famous!...we were on the morning news on Fox 25. Did you see some familiar faces! Thank you Cindy for an amazing hour of fun and learning.

If you missed it, click the link below:

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/weather/school_visits/how-weather-works-burlington-20100512