January 16, 2026

Dear Families,
As you know from previous entries, I often focus on the curriculum achievements my students accomplish each day. While those will certainly be included in today’s post, I would also like to take a moment to celebrate the amazing social and emotional growth I see in our classroom.
When I notice that a student has gone a long stretch of days without becoming frustrated by a challenging task; another student catches himself misreading a difficult word and corrects it without prompting; a friend volunteers to help a classmate because he knows they may have difficulty getting started on a math problem; a student explains her thinking and asks thoughtful questions with great care and patience to help a peer understand without giving away the answer; a student compares his i-Ready score with a friend’s only to offer advice on how to improve; or another student proudly shares that he has already completed his reading goal for the week (even though it’s only Wednesday and he wants to start a new book) my heart is filled with joy.
Every day is full of moments like these. They show that learning is happening through collaboration, reflection, discussion, and celebration. Even when moods and energy levels fluctuate, the strong habits my students are building allow them to continue making progress, and that is certainly worth celebrating.
Here are some of the things we have been working on:
Math:
We have continued making progress with multiplication facts, with several students earning certificates of achievement for completing multiplication assessments in under 12 seconds. We have also begun investigating fractions, including improper fractions, mixed numbers, and equivalent fractions. Students have completed the first checkpoint, which will go home in their portfolios next week.
Language Arts:
This week, students set new reading goals by estimating the number of pages to read per day, using sticky notes as reminders. Working in small groups, we have been identifying firsthand and secondhand accounts on the same topic and writing open-response answers using the R.A.C.E. method (Restate the question, Answer, Cite evidence, and Explain or Expand on the evidence). Students have also been working on new vocabulary words both with teacher support and during independent practice.
Writing:
We launched our Trickster Tales writing unit with a visit from Motoko, a storyteller who fascinated us with her narration of traditional folktales and taught us how to count in Japanese.
Science:
We finished our unit on sound waves by learning about high and low pitch and wavelength.
Reflection Questions

1. What is something you feel proud of learning or improving this week, and why?
   
   
2. How did you help a classmate, or receive help from someone, during your learning this week?
   
   
3. What is one goal you are working toward right now, and what strategies are helping you stay focused on it?