mrsjaffe12

It is hard to believe we are in the final month-and-a-half of the school year. The year seemed to fly by, and yet I see such visible changes in your children. They have matured, become more independent, and are certainly itching (if somewhat nervously) to start the next chapter of their lives.

April was an incredibly productive month, especially in the area of writing. Perhaps this is concrete evidence of your children’s growth as we were able to complete numerous assignments in class (see the Language Arts page). Given how much time we have spent this past month preparing for upcoming MCAS testing, it is amazing we have accomplished as much as we have.

Of course, there is still more curriculum to cover. In addition, I have a number of end-of-year activities and reflections planned that will encourage students to think back on the many positive experiences they’ve had at Fox Hill.

We look forward to seeing you at these school-wide events. Enjoy this update on the month of April. If you need to reach me, you know I am available by phone at: 781.238.5661 or by e-mail at: jaffe@bpsk12.org.\

Jamie Jaffe

I hope everyone has a wonderful week off. Whether you are planning an extended trip to a far off destination or are simply relaxing close to home, I wish you all a well-deserved break from the hectic pace of our regular schedule.

Please remember that we have a field trip scheduled for Monday, April 23 — our first day back from vacation. Make sure your child packs a lunch and snack on Monday. Write your child’s name on the outside of the bag, and please avoid packing glass bottles. Also, this field trip involves walking, so your child should wear appropriate footwear. Check the weather forecast, as well, in case a rain jacket is needed.

See you on Monday, April 23!

– Jamie Jaffe

I write to you after returning to school from what is normally referred to as our “winter break,” but this year it hardly feels like we have experienced winter at all. I hope all of you had an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other. Hopefully, your children are rejuvenated and ready for some focused and productive work ahead.

We are busy writing, computing, reading, and collaborating. While we have a lot of work ahead of us, we can also look forward to some enjoyable, grade-level activities. This month, students participate in D.A.R.E. graduation, an important fifth-grade rite of passage. Graduation is scheduled for Thursday, March 15. Your child has already received information from Office Sheppard about this event and more will follow in the next week or so.

This newsletter summarizes our accomplishments during the month of February and previews what’s coming down the road. Questions or comments? Contact me by phone at 781.238.5661 or by e-mail at jaffe@bpsk12.org.

Dream of spring!

– Jamie Jaffe

Greetings families!

A year ago this week, I was reflecting on how much snow we’d had so far and how many days of school had been canceled. What a difference a year makes. I’m not really complaining, because snow days are incredibly disruptive to students’ learning, but I do love the snow and miss having a realNew England winter.

We have been busy this month, and students are showing such signs of growth! I see this particularly in the area of their personal responsibility. This is evident in their school work as well as their relationships with each other. It is such a pleasure to witness!

At this point in the year, we inevitably see MCAS tests on the horizon; and, while I will work diligently to prepare your children for those experiences, I consider my greater goal to continue to develop their ability to think critically, read and analyze thoughtfully, and write passionately. This work transcends the importance of any given standardized test.

I hope you will take a few minutes to read my updates to each blog page. As always, feel free to contact me by phone (781.238.5661) or e-mail (jaffe@bpsk12.org). In the meantime, enjoy winter to the best of your ability and dream of the vibrant colors of spring!

Jamie Jaffe

 Welcome back everybody! I hope you enjoyed your holidays and vacation. I had to work hard to visualize this vacation as a “mid-winter” break given the unseasonably warm temperatures and lack of snow. I spent most of the month of December preparing for and then performing in a winter solstice production called The Christmas Revels. It was a wonderful way for me to satisfy my love of music. The last show was December 29, so I have been enjoying the last few days by relaxing and catching up. Hopefully, you and your family are well rested, and your children are ready for new challenges. We have much to accomplish in this second half of the year.

For now, I invite you to review each page of this blog for a look back at the major topics we completed in the month of December 2011 and a look ahead at what January 2012 has in store for us. As always, feel free to contact me during the day by phone at school (781.238.5661) or by e-mail at (jaffe@bpsk12.org).   – Jamie Jaffe

With our waistlines expanded from a well-deserved Thanksgiving break, we settle back into school for the final month of the calendar year. Considering the fact that there were only two, five-day weeks of school during November, our class has accomplished a great deal. I am beginning to see more signs that students are maturing, accepting and understanding their responsibilities, and rising to the challenges before them. It is exciting for me to see such an enthusiastic group of students.

I am looking forward to meeting with you all this week and next for parent-teacher conferences. Some of you may have questions about the new report card format, and if your conference with me precedes receipt of the report card and you discover you have further questions, feel free to call me to chat about it or to set up another conference.

On a personal note: I will be performing this month in The Christmas Revels. This annual, winter solstice celebration is held at Sanders Theater at Harvard University. It is one of the highlights of my year, and this year I have a featured part in one of the songs. Don’t be surprised if you see a slight let-up in the homework I assign starting next week. My rehearsal and performance schedule pick up the week of December 12.

I invite you to visit each page of this blog for a summary of the major topics we covered in November and a preview of some of the topics we are soon to explore. As always, feel free to contact me during the day by phone at school (781.238.5661) or by e-mail (jaffe@bpsk12.org).  – Jamie Jaffe

Yikes! It is hard to believe that today is Halloween, and an early storm has cancelled school for the day! Who would have thought we would have a snowstorm this early in the year. I am glad to have power back, though, because it was a mighty cold weekend.

This is my third post of the new school year, and I am delighted to see so many families using the blog as a means of communication. I hope it continues to be useful to you. I love the comments and questions from students and parents, alike; it will help me know how to make the blog as user-friendly as possible.

We have had quite a productive month in our classroom and have settled into a rhythm for the year. And yet, we still make time to convene in morning meeting to celebrate our community. I am continually impressed with this class’s thoughtfulness and compassion toward each other. It makes coming to school each day a real joy for me.

In the weeks ahead, you can expect to hear from me about the upcoming parent-teacher conference. Many of you signed up for a conference (on Friday, December 9, as well as other times during that week) at Back-to-School night; I will be sending you reminders. Those who did not pick a conference time already will hear from me about suggested meeting times. Meanwhile, some highlights for the month of October include:

► The Science Center delivered our classroom pets! We are now proud hosts to two male gerbils and two large goldfish. Students have been quick to assume responsibility for animal care, and some highly motivated and enthusiastic handlers even sacrifice their recess time to play with the gerbils. In addition, while we are studying vertebrates in science, we are also hosting a pet turtle.

► A great deal has been accomplished in each of the academic areas (check these blog pages for details), and the changes to this year’s fifth-grade schedule has helped enormously. In particular, we have more time for writing, and students have embraced the Writer’s Workshop model which has freed them to cultivate more ideas for compositions, poems, reflections, and narratives. Sharing these gems from their writer’s notebook is something students seem to especially love.

► By October we were in full swing switching classes for both guided reading and math. This is quite a change for this group of fifth graders. The goal is to group children according to their instructional needs, providing more attention in smaller groups. As teachers, we love the opportunity to get to know students from other classes; however, the challenge it presents us is to help students learn better organizational skills as they transition from one subject and one teacher to the other.

While I love keeping you informed through this blog, I will always favor a more personal communication style. So, feel free to connect with me by phone (781.238.5661) or via e-mail (jaffe@bpsk12.org). Face-to-face meetings are always welcomed, as well.

Jamie Jaffe

Greetings! At yesterday’s weekly, grade-level gathering — Wall of Fame — I shared a poem called October. It was my way of ushering in the new month. However, looking out at a sea of flushed-faced fifth graders — just in from recess — one would have thought it was still summer. We enjoyed unseasonably warm weather at the end of September, but now there is no doubt that fall is here to stay.

With the change of season comes increasing comfort in the new routines your children are learning as fifth graders. They are working hard to meet the expectations set for them; and, with each passing day, they are encouraged to assume more personal responsibility. When children come up to me in class asking, “What should I do with this paper?” I often reply, “See if you can figure it out yourself.” In almost all cases … they can!

We have bee reading, writing, and computing, and students are adjusting to a daily schedule that has them changing classrooms and teachers. This week we begin guided reading, and on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, children may also be working with a different fifth grade teacher. I’m continually impressed by their resilience.

I hope you find this blog useful as a way to keep informed about classroom happenings. Of course, the homework page is updated daily. View each page to find out what we have been working on in class. If your child is working with other fifth grade teachers, their blogs (with links to the right) will be useful to you, as well. Last but not least, I respond immediately to your comments or questions. As always, feel free to call me directly at: 781-238-5661 or e-mail me at: jaffe@bpsk12.org.

Mrs. Jaffe

This is my first new “post” of the 2011-12 school year. Welcome! This blog is an easy way for you to stay connected to what your child is doing in my classroom. The blog contains useful information about what we’re learning, dates of important upcoming events, and what you and your child can expect throughout the year.

If you look to the right of this home page, you’ll see a link to each curriculum area. There you’ll find more specific information about what we’re studying in class and any tests or projects that have been assigned. These pages are revised monthly. However, the homework page is updated daily. This makes it easy for you to keep abreast of your child’s responsibilities. Finally, the “important dates” box in the lower right-hand corner highlights imminent deadlines or events. This provides extra reinforcement and helps to keep you “in the know.”

Why is this so important? Information about what your child is learning and is responsible for is key to opening the door for regular conversations about school. Keeping you in the loop makes it that much easier for you to work with me in supporting your child. 

However, don’t think for a minute that this blog replaces old-fashioned communication like phone calls and conferences. I employ every and all means to connect with you and to help you stay connected to your child. You are always welcome to touch base by phone (781.238.5661) or e-mail (jaffe@bpsk12.org). I’m also available before and after school for conferences.  You — or your child — may also communicate with me through this blog by adding a comment or asking a question.

The first month of school is a time for me to get to know your child. I do this through one-on-one conferences with each student, surveys, games and activities, and testing. Also, we spend an enormous amount of time in September clarifying expectations and routines. This ensures that your child always knows exactly what is expected of him or her. In addition, certain classroom traditions, such as morning meeting, give your child a voice in creating the life of our classroom.

I’m sure this is a lot to digest, but rest assured I’m thrilled to start another school year, and I’m looking forward to meeting and working with all of you.

– Jamie Jaffe