Category: Newsletters

BIBA ES 2nd Cyclical Newsletter

These Past 2 Cycles we learned.

  • How to treat books with care
  • How to find books that are the right level for us to read.
  • How to set goals for our reading year.
  • What Writers do, and how they work effectively
  • How to use our Writer’s notebooks effectively.
  • The type of Writer I am right now, and what type of writer I want to be by the end of the year.
  • Simple Past Tense, regular verbs
  • That equal groups are used in multiplication
  • To relate the picture model to multiplication questions
  • To relate the array model to multiplication questions
  • How to interpret factors in a multiplication question.
  • How to understand the concept of the unknown in division questions.
  • How to understand the unknown in an array model.
  • What fossils are
  • How to understand what dinosaurs looked like.
  • How fast a dinosaur was, and compare that to ourselves
  • How animals inherit traits from their parents.
  • What future animals may look like.

We have not started our Social Studies Unit yet.

Next Cycle we will learn.

  • How to find the best ways to share books
  • Find people to effectively share books with
  • What a proper Writer’s Notebook entry looks like
  • How to effectively use a writing partner
  • How to generate ideas for a story.
  • Simple Past Tense, irregular verbs
  • The commutative property of factors in a multiplication sentence.
  • How to skip count using arrays.
  • How to find related multiplication facts
  • Modeling division questions in multiplication using unknown factors.
  • About natural and artificial selection of traits
  • About behavioral traits, and learned traits.

We have not started our Social Studies Unit yet.

Quote of the Cycle

Mr. Chad:  Love your classmates, you are stuck with them all year!

In class we are learning from “Stone Fox” If your child does not have access to this book please prepare one, or contact your Homeroom teacher.

A Review from the Parent Student Handbook:

Mobile Device Policy
Students are not allowed to use mobile phones, smartphones, smartwatches, MP3/4 players, portable CD players, radios, and other electronic devices on the BIBA campus unless permission is granted by the teacher for the use of such items for a specific purpose. Students in possession of these items during the school day, without permission, will have these items confiscated.

Confiscated items will be returned at the end of the school day. Parents may be requested to come to the school to collect confiscated items should the student commit repeated offenses and not respond to warnings by the school. Mobile phone and camera functions are not to be used, i.e. picture-taking, recording, etc. without the express permission of the classroom teacher or administration at any point on the school grounds.

Writing Celebration Update

On Friday we had an amazing event. I hope the parents had a great time. We had a scoring system that included everyone, because I knew that I would be distracted between hosting and keeping some of the children engaged.

The score sheet gave everyone present (Students, Parents, and myself) the chance to score everyone on 3 categories:

  • Was this a good topic for the child?
  • Did they present well (Can be heard, eye contact, didn’t read from their speech)
  • Did they convince the listener to agree with them.
  • Audience Skills (Only I did this one)

Our class parents brought a large amount of snacks for the children. The children would have a lot to eat while they listened.

We would have 5 presenters, then a snack break, and then repeat until we had gone through all of the speeches. This gave the children a brain break, and some time to see their parents between segments.

At the end of the day, I collected the score sheets and copied the scores into the computer. my vote only counted as 1 of the 47 votes. The scores below are a combine all the categories, and are presented by the speaking groups.

  • Emily Zou – 86%
  • Oscar Lv – 85%
  • Audrey Jiya – 86%
  • Joy Chen – 86%
  • Chris Wen 73%
  • Laurence You – 81%
  • Daniel Cui – Had Stage Fright.
  • Dido Wu – 74%
  • Lucas Wang – 79%
  • Ethan Wu – 62%
  • Meimei Li – 88%
  • Vivien Liao – 92%
  • Michelle Wang – 96%
  • Adam Wang – 84%
  • Stephenson Sun – 72%
  • Steve Zhang – 75%
  • Della Yang – 89%
  • Victor Xue – 92%
  • Rita Sun – 76%
  • Fang Zhang – 86%
  • Candice Zhang – 82%
  • Abigail Tang – 84%
  • Jason Wang – 76%

Now clearly, these are not the photos from the event. You can find those on our Class WeCom Social Group. I am still wary of posting photos of the children due to our school’s Social Media policy. Please understand.

Almost everyone did amazingly, and even those who did not meet the expectations made me proud. They had been working on these speeches for a couple of months, and some students where meticulous in their research and note taking, and others had more difficulty with their organization.

On Tuesday is a Competition pitting Our Michelle and Victor against the other Grade 3 Class winners, to earn the trophy!

The top four students from our class will earn Medals even if they do not win the Grade level contest. On top of this, our “Most Improved” student will win a medal, but I would like to keep that student a surprise until Tuesday. They deserve it and have had a lot of personal struggles to overcome.

Writing Celebration

亲爱的家长们，

我们班诚邀您参加BIBA学校的特别活动，共同庆祝我们三年级3B班学生在说服类写作方面不可思议的旅程。

日期：2024-05-10
时间：8:20 – 10:00
地点：3B classroom (UES 304)

我们的三年级学生一直在努力提升他们的说负类写作技巧，将他们的创造力和想象力融入到自己的故事中。相信您会很期待见证并庆祝他们的成就。这个活动将为您提供一个机会，让您亲自体验孩子作为一名作家的成长和发展，以及认可他们对这一重要技能的奉献。

活动日程包括：

  1. 欢迎和介绍：我们将以简短的欢迎词和说服类写作单元的概述开始。
  2. 学生说服类写作总结：您的孩子将有机会向观众总结他们的说服类写作，并讨论他们在该单元中的优点和挑战。
  3. 分享阅读：学生可以在此时与朋友和其他家长分享并朗读他们的说服类文章。我们鼓励您认真聆听，并提供积极的反馈，以增强他们的信心。
  4. 茶点招待：我们班将提供轻松的茶点招待，让您与其他家长、老师和学生交流互动。

请带上任何想要分享这个特别庆典的家庭成员或朋友。

我们期待着与您一起庆祝我们年轻作家的成就，并希望在 日见到您。如果您有任何问题或需要额外的信息，请随时联系我。

感谢您继续支持我们的学生和他们的教育之旅。

我希望在那里见到大家
Mr. Chad Baldwin
Grade 3B Homeroom Teacher

Dear Parents,

Our class invites you to join us for a special event at BIBA as we celebrate our students’ incredible journey of persuasive writing in Class 3B

Date: May 10, 2024
Time: 8:20 – 10:00
Location.: Class 3B Classroom (UES 304)

Our third graders have been working diligently on their persuasive writing skills, pouring their passionate opinions into their speeches. We believe that it’s essential for you to witness and celebrate their accomplishments. The event will serve as an opportunity for you to experience the growth and development of your child as a writer and to recognize their dedication to this important skill.

The agenda for the event includes:

1. Welcome and Introduction: We will start with a brief welcome and an overview of the opinion writing unit.

2. Student Opinion Writing Summaries: Your child will have the chance to summarize their opinion to the audience and discuss their strengths and challenges throughout the unit.

3. Speech Presentations: Students will present their speech to the class and other parents during this time. We encourage you to listen attentively and provide positive feedback to help boost their confidence.

4. Refreshments: Light refreshments will be served, allowing you to mingle with other parents, teachers, and students.

Please bring any family members or friends who want to share in this special celebration.

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our young writers with you and hope to see you on May 10. If you have any questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and their educational journey.

I look forward to seeing everyone there,
Mr. Chad Baldwin
Grade 3B Homeroom Teacher

AR

We have been working with AR for a few months now, and I have noticed some confusion still surrounds it. I will try to make things a bit clearer for everyone.

我们已经与AR合作了几个月，我注意到它仍然有一些困惑。我会尽量让每个人都把事情说得更清楚一些。

AR stands for Accelerated Reader, and it is a reading assessment system. It is a quick way to check the children’s reading comprehension, and fluency. The AR Program is used in conjunction with STAR and MyOn. But these are not the same things.

AR代表Accelerated Reader，它是一种阅读评估系统。这是检查孩子阅读理解和流利程度的快速方法。AR 程序与 STAR 和 MyOn 结合使用。但这些不是一回事。

AR, as mentioned is a Reading comprehension system.
STAR is the online platform that can test the children using a computer instead of the pen and paper like AR used to be. Using STAR, children can read almost any book, then look it up on their website and do an AR Quiz on the computer or iPad.
MyOn is a digital library, like our Raz-Kids. Here the children can read books on their iPads or computers, and then immediately do an AR quiz from the website.

如前所述，AR是一个阅读理解系统。
STAR是一个在线平台，可以使用计算机而不是像AR那样使用笔和纸来测试孩子。使用 STAR，孩子们几乎可以阅读任何书籍，然后在他们的网站上查找并在计算机或 iPad 上进行 AR 测验。
MyOn是一个数字图书馆，就像我们的Raz-Kids一样。在这里，孩子们可以在iPad或电脑上阅读书籍，然后立即从网站上进行AR测验。

The Quizzes can only be completed during school hours, so normally we do these in class time. But on Holidays or other days, the children can still try them before 5:00.

测验只能在上课时间完成，所以通常我们会在课堂上进行。但在节假日或其他日子，孩子们仍然可以在 5：00 之前尝试。

What we are asking for at home, is that the children spend their time reading. Not doing the quizzes, but just reading. Making notes in their Reading Logs, is also beneficial, and can help the children remember books to be quizzed on in school.

我们在家里要求的是，孩子们把时间花在阅读上。不做测验，而只是阅读。在他们的阅读日志中做笔记也是有益的，可以帮助孩子们记住在学校要测验的书籍。

Statistics say that 25 minutes of reading is necessary for a good study habit. More if possible is always good, but less is detrimental to the child’s education.

统计数据表明，25分钟的阅读对于良好的学习习惯是必要的。如果可能的话，多一点总是好的，但少一点对孩子的教育是有害的。

Text Translated by Bing Translator

Newsletter – March 22nd 2024

Quote of the Week:

“I am proud of my Art”
~Rita Sun (In Social Studies Class.)

This week in class:

In Reading Class we learned:

  • Organization of a story using Story Mountian
  • How Characters React to trouble, and how this is shown in their character traits.
  • Read Matilda Chapter 6 and analyzed the family’s characters.
  • Read Matilda Chapter 7, discussing the reasons behind the character’s actions.

In Writing Class we learned:

  • How to show your meaning with examples.
  • Organizing your work and discarding details that don’t focus on your Thesis.

In Math Class we learned:

  • Using the distributive property in area.
  • Using the Associative property in area
  • Word Problem Practice

In Social Studies Class we learned:

  • About the Gaelic Language used in Ireland
  • The Beliefs of Ireland
  • River Dancing
  • Research on Ireland,
  • Worked on our Brochures for Ireland.

Next Week’s Plan:

In Reading Class we will learn:

  • How Secondary Characters affect the story and the main character
  • How Illustrations help portray a story and the characters.

In Writing Class we will learn:

  • Paraphrasing as a method to organize thoughts.
  • Mini-Publishing & Assessing our strengths and weaknesses
  • Using Petitions as a method to gain information.

In Math Class we will learn:

  • Finding the area of a room
  • Review for the Test
  • Final Test.

In Social Studies Class we will learn:

  • Finishing our Brochures
  • International Day: See other countries and learn about the world.

In Science Class we will learn:

  • What is a Natural Disaster?
  • What is an Earthquake and how to stay safe in one.

To Support Your Child at Home:

  • Set aside 15 or more minutes every day for quiet reading.
  • Set aside 20 minutes to review the Home Review book each night.
  • Read. Children like to copy what they see, if they see their family enjoying reading, they will be more motivated to read themselves.
  • Make sure your child is getting 9~10 hours of sleep every night.
  • Keep a steady routine at home with your child. This will help them understand and appreciate the times they have.
  • Review the past vocabulary words we learned.

Something Special that happened in class:

On Wednesday we had a very short tutorial on Irish Dancing.
On Friday we had our Social Studies Field Trip.

Newsletter – March 17th 2024

Quote of the Week:

“I want more people to be like my mom.”
~Vivien Liao (About her Persuasive Speach)

This week in class:

In Reading Class we learned:

  • Read Matilda Chapter 4 and analyzed the family’s characters.
  • Read Matilda Chapter 5, discussing the reasons behind the character’s actions.

In Writing Class we learned:

  • Information Gathering (Research) for our Writing.
  • Organize the information we gathered into meaningful chunks for our writing.

In Math Class we learned:

  • Focus on Arrays and incomplete information in Math related to area.
  • Different Models of Area in Math. Using new tools.

In Social Studies Class we learned:

  • Research on Ireland,
  • Worked on our Brochures for Ireland.

Next Week’s Plan:

In Reading Class we will learn:

  • Organization of a story using Story Mountian
  • How Characters React to trouble, and how this is shown in their character traits.

In Writing Class we will learn:

  • How to show your meaning with examples.
  • Organizing your work and discarding details that don’t focus on your Thesis.

In Math Class we will learn:

  • Using the distributive property in area.
  • Using the Associative property in area
  • Word Problem Practice

In Social Studies Class we will learn:

  • About the Gaelic Language used in Ireland
  • The Beliefs of Ireland
  • River Dancing

To Support Your Child at Home:

  • Set aside 15 or more minutes every day for quiet reading.
  • Set aside 20 minutes to review the Home Review book each night.
  • Read. Children like to copy what they see, if they see their family enjoying reading, they will be more motivated to read themselves.
  • Make sure your child is getting 9~10 hours of sleep every night.
  • Keep a steady routine at home with your child. This will help them understand and appreciate the times they have.
  • Review the past vocabulary words we learned.

Something Special that happened in class:

Pi Day Math activities happened on Thursday Recesses.
Jason Wang won our Relationship Star Award!
We learned about e-Safety
Joy, Michelle, and Candice Won Music Awards!

Newsletter – March 8th 2024

Quote of the Week:

“I love Minecraft and want to write about how it can help people. Can you help me?”
~Stephenson Sun

This week in class:

In Reading Class we learned:

  • to use our Character Analysis Skills on the Novel: Matilda
  • to theorize why a character acts the way they do.
  • to Assess our own reading, and gauge how we are doing.
  • to give ourselves good goals for this unit.

In Writing Class we learned:

  • to think about our Audience, and what they need to hear to agree with us.
  • to edit as we go, but if we run out of steam, to go back and read and edit our work.
  • appropriate abstract nouns to use in our writing.
  • to assess ourselves, and give ourselves good goals for this unit.

In Math Class we learned:

  • how to use square centimeters to find the area of a rectangle.
  • how to use square inches to find the area of a rectangle.
  • how to find the area of a rectangle from an incomplete picture.

In Social Studies Class we learned:

  • Learned about the 17 Sustainable goals set by the United Nations.
  • We learned about Irish dancing, and music.

Next Week’s Plan:

Monday:

  • Bilingual Book Swap!
  • Information Gathering for our Writing.
  • Start Matilda Chapter 4 and decide where we need our individual help.
  • Review what we have learned in Math class.

Tuesday:

  • Continue Gathering information for our Writing.
  • Continue with Matilda Chapter 4.
  • Focus on Arrays and incomplete information in Math related to area.
  • Discover Irish Food.

Wednesday:

  • iPads needed.
  • Weekly Check in on Reading. AR Quizzes,
  • Different Models of Area in Math. Using new tools.

Thursday:

  • Pi Day: Math Activities on the break times!
  • Begin Matilda Chapter 5
  • Organize the information we gathered into meaningful chunks for our writing.
  • Grammar Review.

Friday:

  • Assembly: Relationship Star.
  • Learning about the parts of a story.

To Support Your Child at Home:

  • Set aside 15 or more minutes every day for quiet reading.
  • Set aside 20 minutes to review the Home Review book each night.
  • Read. Children like to copy what they see, if they see their family enjoying reading, they will be more motivated to read themselves.
  • Make sure your child is getting 9~10 hours of sleep every night.
  • Keep a steady routine at home with your child. This will help them understand and appreciate the times they have.
  • Review the past vocabulary words we learned.

Something Special that happened in class:

During our Indoor Recess on Tuesday, a group of the students finally convinced me to teach them the basics of my favorite game: Dungeons & Dragons. So, we did a (very) simplified adventure for them. I promised I would do another soon.

Audrey had her Birthday Party With us! Congratulations Audrey!

We celebrated International Women’s Day during the class.