Weekly News
11/17/25-11/19/25
Due to the short week for students, there is no class news this week. We will resume our weekly Class News post with the next newsletter on Monday, Dec. 8.
We are grateful for our students and families and hope you all have a safe and joyful break!
Calendar Reminders
Friday, Dec. 12 - Trimester 1 Parent/Teacher Conferences, No school for students*. Conference sign-up links were sent via email and are posted above.
Friday, Dec. 19 - ½ day early dismissal at 12:15 p.m.
*Extended Care is open and included in full-time plans; otherwise, advance sign-up is required the Friday before each date.
11/10/25-11/14/25
In Literacy, we are wrapping up our units. Students in both grades are taking end-of-the-unit assessments (reading, grammar, morphology), and they have completed culminating writing projects. For example, third graders went through a research and writing process to write an informational paragraph about an animal and how they would classify the animal into a vertebrate group (mammal, reptile, bird, etc.). Fourth grade historians wrote a persuasive paragraph in which they chose a type of person from the Middle Ages (serf, monk, knight, nun, craftsman), and then they supported their choice with facts from their unit reader. Also, fourth graders had an end of the unit test that covered the main content of Part I of the Middle Ages unit. In preparation, we spent class time reviewing the unit with a study guide and we brainstormed study strategies. For the test, we brainstormed and practiced test taking strategies.
Horizon mathematicians worked hard to finish module two. Third graders finished their topic on vertical addition and subtraction. They enjoyed playing a variety of games and showing work together through problems on the whiteboard. When we return from Thanksgiving break, we will begin Module 3 on Multiplication and Division with Units of 0, 1, 6, 7, 8, and 9. To learn more about our first topic, multiplication and division with an emphasis on 6 and 8, check out this Family Math Letter. Fourth graders ended their module by learning about factors, multiples, and patterns. They were able to apply their knowledge of math facts and their ability to use a multiplication chart to quickly pick up this skill. After break, we will begin Module 3 where we will learn about Multiplication and Division of Multi-Digit Numbers. To learn more about our first topic, multiplication and division of tens, hundreds, or thousands, check out this Family Math Letter.
Last week in Morning Meeting, we introduced our annual Simple Gifts Exchange that occurs the last day before winter break. In preparation for this beloved tradition, students and teachers filled out a “Likes and Interests Form.” Later, each student and teacher randomly drew these forms to determine for whom they would make a simple gift. Students were instructed to place their giftee’s “Likes and Interests Form” into their homework folder and take it home and to share the form with their caregiver(s). A more detailed explanation of the Simple Gifts Exchange and list of due dates was sent out in an email to families on Friday (11/14). You can review the email here, and it is also posted above in the Class Emails section.
11/3/25-11/7/25
Third grade mathematicians finished our topic on simplifying strategies for addition and subtraction. We have moved on to our last topic of this unit where we will learn to add and subtract two and three-digit numbers. To learn more about this topic, check out this Family Math Letter. Fourth grade mathematicians finished our topic on measurement where we focused on finding area and perimeter. On Friday, we began our final topic of this module, learning about factors and multiples. To learn more about this topic, check out this Family Math Letter.
In Literacy, both grades are wrapping up their second units - Animal Classification (3rd) and The Middle Ages (4th). Students have spent time in recent weeks practicing teacher-led “close reading” of their non-fiction text. In doing this, third grade has focused on text features, such as bolded words and illustrations and pictures. Fourth graders have focused on topic sentences and cueing words, such as “however” or “nevertheless.” Next week, third graders will work on informational writing, while fourth graders will work on persuasive writing.
During our cafe block rotations, Horizoners extended what they have been learning in the classroom. Third graders made informational posters about the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates. They also dissected owl pellets and were able to identify different mammals that the owl had consumed. Fourth graders made their own coat of arms. They learned about what the different colors and symbols represent so that they could design something that felt true to them. They also sketched out a medieval castle, highlighting all of the important structural pieces that they would want to include.
Upcoming Events
Study Session: weekly on Wednesdays, 3:10-4 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
Field trip to see the Greensboro Symphony
Friday, March 27
GrandFriends Day, RSVP here