First Quarter Recap

The first 8 weeks of school came and went so quickly! I never got a chance to blog about the experience. We did get a chance to capture some fun learning moments on Twitter. But with the 140 character limit tweets, only so much could be shared. So here is my attempt to creatively share the first weeks in my class:

First Quarter Review

School started super early with 30 lovely 5th graders and 19 sweet 4th graders ready to learn.

Three weeks were spent on classroom rules and procedures and getting to know each other.

A hectic daily commute led the path to Mrs. Lewis moving.

Regions of the U.S. are being taught in fourth grade.

Options for students to use creative talents and other modalities to show their knowledge are offered.

Fourth graders have put lots of work in their Southwest Region project.

Thanks to thoughtful parents who donate their time, efforts and STEM materials.

Having to save Fred was the first STEM activity of many this year!

Everyone is excited about future activities and labs.

Science Interactive Notebooks were all set up.

End of the quarter was celebrated with Spirit Week just before Fall Break.

Awesome students make this teacher happy to start another quarter at Star! 

Aloha, students, parents and community members of Star of Sea School! I am looking forward to my first school year at Star! I will be teaching 4th and 5th grade Science and 4th grade Social Studies. Prior to moving to Hawai'i, I lived and taught in Italy, Japan and Texas! I have an undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Houston and a Masters of Educational Technology from Michigan State University. I hold state teaching certifications in Hawaii, Texas, and the U.S. Department of Education Agency and have taught elementary school for 9 years.

Fourth grade is a transitional year therefore, my goal is to encourage and support ownership of my students' learning. Students will have opportunities to set personal goals, develop organizational skills and show their academic understanding through group projects and creative responses to learning.
Creating rigor within the fifth grade science classroom the focus this year.  We will learn to ask questions, make connections and solve problems creatively.

I look forward to an awesome school year!