Viewing: Class Updates
August 28, 2014
Getting started!
This afternoon, once we FINALLY finished sorting all the supplies that families generously sent in, we were able to “get to work” for the first time – just in time to copy down the night’s homework! I hope it isn’t too much for the first night! (The worksheet “The Big Day” will help us with an activity tomorrow.)
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
August 28, 2014
Bell Ringing
We enjoyed starting off the new school year with the traditional bell ringing ceremony in our courtyard. Our old school bell is sounded each year on the first day by members of each grade. We were excited to have one of our own students participate as Community Council chairperson this year! Well done, HR!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
August 28, 2014
Student Technology Survey
We use a lot of educational technology in Room 209 to further student learning, and there are times when homework assignments might also involve the use of technology. To help me better plan activities, I am asking all families to complete this student technology survey. Plus, this is the best way for me to collect your email addresses so that I can best keep you informed about class news and activities. (Click more if it doesn’t appear below.)
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
August 10, 2014
Welcome new fourth graders!
Hello! Welcome to the online home of PGS Room 209. During the school year, I will update this web site regularly with information about activities happening in Room 209, bulletins and news items, current events related to what we’re studying in social studies, online assignments, and much more.
About Me
I graduated from the University of Rhode Island summa cum laude in 2004 and have a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. I also have a Masters Degree in Educational Technology at Central Connecticut State University‘s Center for Innovation in Teaching and Technology. In addition to my teaching role at Pine Grove School, I am our school’s lead educational technology teacher and work to help teachers integrate technology into their teaching in meaningful and valuable ways.
This will be my eleventh year teaching at Pine Grove School. I taught third grade at PGS for five years before moving to fourth grade. While at URI, I taught grades 3, 4, and 5. I have also taught kindergarten, first, and second grade summer school, and I have interned with an elementary school principal in East Hartford. I have a background in experimental research in the field of social psychology, so you’ll probably see my interest in research and statistics come through this year during math lessons!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
July 21, 2014
Thank you!
Hello, room 209 alumni and families! I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start! After school ended on the last day, I had the bittersweet job of packing up the rest of our classroom for the summer. It gave me a wonderful opportunity to look back on the wonderful year we had and to remember some of the special moments we shared. Each year is unique for me, and each group of students leaves me with a terrific set of memories that I can revisit, from time to time. I’ll always remember creating Lucy the Elephant, proudly proclaiming “Huzzah”, using the iPads for amazing work, an outstanding collection of TUSS projects, creating our Humphrey video (here it is), and so much more! You were such a kind group of students and I want to thank you so much, not only for your thoughtful end-of-year gifts, but also for the enthusiasm, dedication, and effort that you showed all year long.
After I finished working in our classroom that day, I was excited to attend the Avon High School graduation to watch my very first class (from PGS) graduate. It was a remarkable experience, and I enjoyed seeing how much my first group of students had grown (both in height and in knowledge and skill). Like my first class, you, too, are bound for great things! I know that you’ll continue to do well as you continue your journey, whether at Thompson Brook School or another school, near or far. In only eight short years, in 2022, I hope you’ll keep an eye out for me at your graduation. I’ll probably be sitting in the back of the audience, and I hope you’ll come by to say hello!
Thank you for a wonderful 10th year at PGS! Enjoy your summer, and please stay in touch! (Be sure to enjoy a good book over the summer! Remember, like younger PGS students, you can log your summer reading at www.pgsreads.org!) Photos from our class graduation are available, below. (Click “More”)
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
June 16, 2014
Last Week Schedule
Hello, families! One week from now, the school will be empty and you’ll all be deep in summer mode! But until then, there’s a lot happening at school! Here are a few reminders and things to know:
- MONDAY: Kids should work on their poems! If they didn’t complete the assignment last week to complete the online poetry form, they should do that tonight.
- TUESDAY: Sycamore Day is tomorrow! The PTO asks everyone to bring:
- Small backpack to carry your stuff
- Sneakers or Sandals (NO flip flops)
- Sunscreen
- A Hat
- 2 Towels and a Bathing Suit (You may wear your suit under your clothes, but remember you will want to change and will need dry clothes and underclothes. Also, 2 towels will be necessary for all the water activities involved).
- You will receive your Sycamore Day 2014 T-shirt on the 17th – all students must wear them for the day!
- WEDNESDAY: I will be out on Wednesday to serve on a district interview committee. Miss Mitchell will be in for me and will help the kids during Hump Day Game Day! Kids are invited to bring in board games (labeled with their names) to play. Please remember that kids should only bring games that they’re willing to accept responsibility for. There’s always the risk that something will get stepped on or that a part might get lost in the shuffle, and I’d hate for there to be sad feelings.
- WEDNESDAY: We will start bringing home various things from the classroom. Please send kids in with some sturdy totebags or other bags they can use to bring home their belongings.
- THURSDAY: TBS Step-Up day! Kids will get to meet the TBS gr. 5 teachers and get a tour of the building! Kids must wear their tie dye shirts for Thursday for the class photo.
- THURSDAY: Lockers will be emptied and “closed” on Thursday, so be sure to send in enough bags to allow your fourth grader to bring home any buried snow suits, hidden papers, or sunken treasure that might be tucked away in their lockers.
- FRIDAY: Poetry Slam! Kids should come to school prepared to recite their poetry. Kids are welcome to bring in any of their props, but ALL PROPS MUST GO HOME ON FRIDAY. (If you need to come back after school to pick things up, please email me to make arrangements.) Please continue to send in empty tote bags!
- MONDAY 6/23: Last day of school! School is a half day. PLEASE, no early dismissals that day, if avoidable! I’d hate for your son or daughter to need to walk out in the middle of our festivities! Please continue to send in empty tote bags! Report cards will be distributed on Monday. Kids with missing school library books will not receive their report cards. (Report cards can be picked up at the office when library books are returned or paid for.)
- TUESDAY 6/24: HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
June 11, 2014
“Poetry Slam” Project
Your task is to use Mrs. Warner’s poetry page to choose a style of poetry and a topic for your own poem. You have plenty of choices of poetry types:
- A series of couplets (at least seven)
- Cinquains (at least two)
- Diamante
- Free Verse
- Limerick (at least three)
- Shape Poems (15 words minimum)
- Haiku (at least four)
- Color Poem
- Bio Poems (Mr. Moss must approve these in advance.)
Remember the requirements for your poem:
- It must be FUNNY!
- It has to be appropriate for school.
- NO POTTY HUMOR!
- If I am asking you to include more than one part to your larger poem (couplets, cinquains, limericks, and haikus) the different parts must be related to one another so they make a set.
By FRIDAY, JUNE 13, complete this form to tell me what kind of poem you’re going to write and what topic your poem will focus on.
All next week, work on writing and revising your poem. Be sure to share it with people at home so you can make it the best poem you’ve ever written!
On FRIDAY, JUNE 20th, we will have our Poetry Slam and you’ll be able to share your poem with the class. Props, costumes, artwork, or other additions are definitely welcome! 🙂
Posted in Class Updates, Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
June 9, 2014
Reminder: TUSS DUE TOMORROW!
Please remember: TEACH US SOMETHING SOMEHOW PROJECTS ARE DUE TOMORROW. For more information, resources, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, remember to visit our TUSS page.
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
June 2, 2014
A Wonderful Concert and Open House
The concert last week was outstanding! I enjoyed seeing everyone performing the songs that they clearly worked so hard to master! I appreciate so many of you braving the hot temperature to join us upstairs for open house! I hope you all had a chance to see all the different projects that we are working on! I’m so proud of the kids! Here are a few photos from the evening!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
May 29, 2014