Mr. Dylan B. Patterson
Academic year: 2016-2017
Grade level: 4
Homeroom : Mr. Kai Johnson




Kai Johnson, Nikki Spiers, Amy St. John and Jen Kandel
Trimester 2 To the Family of Dylan Patterson,
Dylan made substantial social progress this trimester. He is noticeably more comfortable in class and is forming
friendships with a wide variety of peers. His confidence and comfort is evident in his sense of humor and he relishes
moments where he makes a joke or comment that brings laughter to the class. He's made such quick progress on this
that he now needs to turn his attention to finding a balance between humor and focus. While many of his teachers
appreciate his wry sense of humor, he needs to be mindful of times where it might distract the class from a lesson.
Academically, Dylan appears more engaged throughout the day. He is quicker to locate materials and begin work on his
own, although at times Dylan needs reminders about the directions or next steps. The biggest challenge for Dylan is
maintaining this level of focus and engagement when working on more complex projects. If he needs to follow multiple
steps, he seems to tune out the linear progression of steps and then is unsure where to even begin. Working with Dylan
to help him develop a system for following directions, as well as planning his initial action, will be a major goal for the
remainder of the year.
In math this trimester, students used their mathematical foundation to read and create graphs, analyze data and calculate
with fractions. Dylan made great progress this term. He is increasingly attentive during lessons, asking questions and
offering his strategies to problems. As a result, he is understanding concepts more readily and can work more
independently throughout class. Precision in his calculations and in his use of mathematical vocabulary continues to be
an area of growth for Dylan, but he is showing some improvement. This term he met the benchmark for concepts on
probability and data and exceeded grade level expectations for our chapters on tables, line graphs and fractions.
Dylan consistently performs these skills with accuracy:
- Interpreting tables and line graphs
- Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators
- Renaming mixed numbers and improper fractions
Dylan is working on the following mathematical goals:
- Finding the mean, median and mode for a given set of data
- Creating line plots
- Solving real world problems
Reading instruction this trimester extended our work from the fall on strategies like monitoring understanding, asking
questions, and forming inferences, as well as learning to synthesize information across a text to understand themes.
Reading Wonder as a class book, students developed reading fluency and expanded vocabulary with a more rigorous
text. In class, students practiced annotating the texts with their thinking and questions and honed their listening and
speaking skills in group discussion. Wonder is a challenging book and Dylan's understanding is inconsistent. He is
grasping the overall themes and ideas of kindness and empathy, but he can be inattentive to the details in the book.
Although he is completing his annotation work when he reads, Dylan is prone to dashing off the work and needs 


reminders to write neatly enough so it is legible. Continuing to refine his focus and approach is essential to Dylan
understanding all aspects of class texts.
As a reader, Dylan's strengths include:
- Using text clues to form meaningful inferences
- Adjusting oral reading rate and tone to match story events and character feelings; he's made strong progress in his
reading fluency
- Synthesizing information in a text to infer themes
Dylan's reading goals for the final trimester are to:
- Participate more fully in class discussions after completing homework
- Asking questions that encourage re-reading or check comprehension; he needs to practice this more independently
- Monitor understanding while reading, using strategies like visualizing or re-reading to deepen comprehension
Our recent focus in writing is responding to literature. Consistency across his writing remains the biggest challenge for
Dylan. On some assignments he offers strong ideals with numerous details and examples, and at other times he offers a
few brief sentences. He is showing the greatest progress in the following areas:
- Rephrasing the prompt / question to form a clear topic sentence
- Offering original thinking and analysis
- Using key vocabulary from Wonder in responses
Dylan continues to need support to:
- Use details and events in the book to answer prompt
- Organize ideas to clarify analysis
- Edit accurately for run-on sentences and punctuation
- Revise content and add details to enhance writing
As part of our social studies curriculum, more time this trimester was spent doing in depth researching and projects.
Dylan's ability to research and record information showed improvement. He is able to put most of the facts into his own
words and is not copying and pasting like at the beginning of the year. He still needs assistance connecting the discrete
information into a big idea about history. Dylan is capable of thinking abstractly to understand big ideas when
presented to him directly, but he is not synthesizing information on his own into a clear theory about history. For
instance, he is able to list information about the climate and geography in the Connecticut colony, but he did not link
that information to the economies and industries that emerged as a result of the geography, natural resources, and
climate.
The greatest challenge for Dylan on our social studies project involved the directions. It is a complex assignment with
numerous steps over a long period of time. Even with clear instructions and consistent review and modeling by the
teacher, Dylan did not know how to initiate the work on his own. He also had a hard time going between his notes and
the reading, and then using those notes to write out his ideas in paragraph format. Going forward, it will be helpful for
Dylan to sit with a teacher on projects such as this and talk through a plan for how to keep track of his work and ensure
he knows what is coming next.
We look forward to Dylan's continued growth in the remaining months of the year.
Sincerely,
Kai Johnson, Nikki Spiers, Amy St. John and Jen Kandel 


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
Science Ms. Sarah Onstad


Trimester 2 In the second trimester, fourth grade science students continued to ask questions and research answers as they studied
animal adaptations. Students learned the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations and practiced
classifying animals into group orders. Our research project involved students working in pairs to create an animal
adaptations alphabet book for their kindergarten buddies. Students used digital and print resources to find an animal for
each letter of the alphabet, as well as information on that animal's habitat, group classification, and adaptations.
Students practiced how to carefully read sources to determine interesting adaptations that help animals survive in
different habitats. After they compiled their research, student groups wrote and illustrated their books and presented
them as gifts to their buddies.
Dylan continues to demonstrate a grade level understanding of our science concepts. He is motivated to achieve high
standards, makes good use of resources, and demonstrates a high level of independence. He displays a willingness to
make improvements and works well with others. At times he needs to be encouraged to concentrate on his own work
and use technology effectively. Thank you for being a partner in Dylan's education. 


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
Art Ms. Andrea J. Crane



Trimester 2 We began our trimester with a lesson on miniature painting, examined historical art works from the Book of Hours and
spoke about the miniature painting traditions of India and Pakistan. Students were introduced to artists Ayesha Durrani,
Shahzia Skinader, and Aisha Kalid, all contemporary miniature painters. After looking at these artists, students created
their own miniature paintings. For the next project, students were shown how to handle X-Acto knives. They used this
tool to create a positive vs. negative abstract image using Contrast-o paper. Then, students moved on to create
landscape drawings that demonstrated their understanding of foreground, middle ground, and background.
I continued to enjoy Dylan's abstract thinking and unique approach to his works of art. For his Contrast-o piece, he
created an image of a giant saw. It was easily recognizable in it's simplistic form. This was a concept shown in class.
However, I encourage Dylan to work on his communication with me. He sometimes came across as disrespectful and
unwilling to take feedback. I look forward to seeing his work up for the Spring Art Show.


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
Drama Mr. Daniel P. O'Neill
Trimester 1 This trimester, we worked on group building exercises and projects in the rehearsal process that included short plays
written and directed by students. This exploration is the first step in preparing students for more in-depth public
performances of Annie Jr. later this school year.
Dylan is a confident and talented young actor. He is comfortable working solo and is proficient at group improvisation
exercises. He is doing an outstanding job in rehearsals and is in fine shape as we begin to close in on the spring musical
production. 


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
Music Mr. Joshua E. Gaffga



Trimester 2 Music and drama students combined into a performing arts class second trimester, working in ensemble to prepare for
"Annie." Students rehearsed twice a rotation and developed the following skills: collaborating with a team;
understanding and recording stage directions; projecting one's voice; memorizing lines and songs; and participating
actively in rehearsal even when not on stage. In addition to the work completed in class, students were asked to take
the initiative to rehearse on their own using practice mp3's. We have enjoyed watching both casts learn and grow
during our rehearsals and are proud of every student for the work they have put into this performance.
Dylan's strength during our rehearsals has been self-motivation. His initiative to work on the material outside of
rehearsal is paying dividends during our class time. We have loved watching him develop his character in "Annie" and
encourage him to keep up the same hard work in the final trimester. Dylan was wonderfully effective in creating
sounds for the radio scene.


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
Spanish Ms. Kelly Viseur


Trimester 2 Fourth grade students continued to learn vocabulary and conversation skills through the study of Cuba. They learned
the names of the rooms of a house and whether a house is in the city or the country. Students memorized and recorded
a short skit about the rooms of the house and incorporated some of their new vocabulary words such as fried plantains
(plátanos fritos) and a Cuban sandwich (sandwich cubano). They had the opportunity to sample both of these Cuban
staples during the trimester. The pet unit was popular as students learned to describe different domestic pets and
prepared to read an animal book to their kindergarten buddy in Spanish.
Dylan was a good participator in Spanish class this trimester. In his filmed dialogue with a classmate, Dylan accurately
said his first line, "Hola Alberto, ¿Dónde estás?" (Hello Alberto. Where are you?) They enjoyed using old telephones
as props. He had numerous errors in pronunciation for verbs and nouns but ultimately completed the assignment. It
appeared that if he didn't know a line, he would mumble the words to move on. His partner was able to keep the
rhythm and they worked well together. He and his partner chose to use the creative green screen for their background
and learned how to use that app on the iPads. Dylan is a kind, quiet student and I will continue to monitor his Spanish
pronunciation in the final trimester.


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
PE Mr. Christopher J. Hecht


Trimester 2 During the second trimester, fourth graders spent three weeks learning the various skills of basketball and competed in
small game situations. The focus was to develop their skills, as well as, enhance their sport knowledge. Students
enjoyed ample opportunities to develop their sense of positioning and to work with others. The other units students
participated in, were climbing, tumbling, fitness, and floor hockey.
Dylan continues to be a good student in P.E. class. He is starting to show that he can play with good intensity, and he
has been able to show signs of improved physical development and skill since the first term. Dylan's listening skills
have diminished a bit, as he is often distracted by his classmates thus causing him to miss instructions or rules. If Dylan
keeps his focus, this will be an easy adjustment for him in the final term, and put him back on track toward becoming a
complete student


Course Teacher TRI-1 TRI-2 TRI-3
Content Summary
Library Ms. Elizabeth J. Leddy


Trimester 2 In the second trimester, fourth graders participated in the Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to computer science
where students use critical thinking, logic, persistence, and creativity to solve problems. In preparation for research
projects in science and social studies, students learned about the research process. The process starts by brainstorming
questions, then using online databases, books, and websites to find information to answer their questions. Fourth
graders learned how to refine keyword searches on the internet in order to find the most pertinent information. At the
end of the trimester, they learned about persuasive techniques that the media uses to promote their product or idea.
Students used what they learned to create a print advertisement for the favorite special.
Dylan has many insightful ideas to share with the class and thinks creatively. He used critical thinking to complete the
coding tutorials and thought of alternative methods to solve the puzzles. Dylan participated in discussions about
keyword searches and helped brainstorm ways to find answers to the research questions. In the final trimester, I
encourage Dylan to continue to display a positive attitude when collaborating in the library.