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Hello!

Hello!  I am Kristina Virgilio!  I am a fifth-grade ELA teacher.  This is my ninth year here at Richland; my 20th overall year in education!  As I child, I walked these very halls and was inspired by so many wonderful teachers. I am honored to follow in their footsteps!

After graduating from Richland High School, I went on to earn my bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2001. I then spent the next year as an AmeriCorps volunteer, helping nonprofits and in-need communities across the Midwest. In 2003, I followed my heart, moved to New York City, and entered the classroom as a third-grade teacher. For the next four years, I taught at PS 199 in the South Bronx and then moved on to Harlem Village Academies, where I taught 5th-grade math. I went on to work at Readworks as a literacy coach and teacher trainer in schools all over New York City, helping schools and teachers write curricula and improve teaching practices.
 
I began teaching fourth grade at Richland in 2015.  I love teaching and working with students every day.  The classroom should be a place where every student feels safe and inspired to learn. In my classroom, students are challenged to work hard and maximize their potential. I encourage accountability and respect for oneself and others. Above all, I try my best to foster a positive and long-lasting love of learning.

I look forward to working with you and your students. Please feel free to communicate any questions or concerns you may have regarding our curriculum and/or your student's progress at any time. Here's to a great year!
 

Posts

Week of November 27 - December 1

Upcoming Due Dates and Assessments - 
 
11/28 - Extra Credit Reading Log Due
12/1 - Unit 2.5 Spelling Homework Packet Due
12/1 - Unit 2.5 Spelling Test
 
 
This week in reading we will continue learning about nonfiction text structures.  We will examine several reading passages to analyze the text structure by looking for clue words and the organization of information.
 
In ELA, we will begin to outline our next five-paragraph essays.  This essay will help students get into the holiday spirit!  
 
The spelling words with week include open vowel sounds.  
 
Band, chorus, and orchestra lessons will be held this week.  Please see the schedule below - 
                             
                11/28 - Day 2 - Trombone and Viola
                11/29 - Day 3 - Trumpet/French Horn and Cello
                11/30 - Dau 4 - Percussion and Bass
                
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Week of October 23rd - 27th

Upcoming Due Dates and Assessments - 
10/23 - Parts of a Plot Quiz (ALL GROUPS)
10/24 - Shiloh Comprehension Quiz (BLUE and YELLOW ONLY)
10/25 - Bud, Not Buddy Slides - Chapters 14-15 Due (RED ONLY)
10/25 - Extra Credit Reading Logs Due
10/26 - AR POINTS ARE DUE!!!!
 
This week in reading we will continue learning about the parts of a plot.  This will include the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  We will outline the plot of our novels using "plot mountain" graphic organizers.  Students will be able to apply this understanding independently to their own reading.  
 
In ELA, we will continue to outline our first five-paragraph essays.  By the end of the week, we will be working on our body paragraphs.  
 
There are no assigned spelling words for this week. 
 
Band, chorus, and orchestra lessons will be held this week.  Please see the schedule below - 
                10/23 - Day 1 - Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Oboe and Violin               
                10/24 - Day 2 - Trombone and Viola
                10/25 - Day 3 - Trumpet/French Horn and Cello
                10/26 - No lessons due to Halloween activities
                
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Week of October 16th - 20th

Upcoming Due Dates and Assessments - 
10/17 - Shiloh Comprehension Quiz - Chapters 10-12 (BLUE and YELLOW ONLY)
10/20 - Bud, Not Buddy Slides - Chapters 11-13 Due (RED ONLY)
10/20 - Reading Logs Due
10/20 - Unit 12.1 Spelling Packets Due
10/20 - Unit 12.1 Spelling Test
10/20 - Parts of a Plot Quiz (ALL GROUPS)
10/26 - AR POINTS ARE DUE!!!!
 
This week in reading we will be learning about the parts of a plot.  This will include the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  We will outline the plot of our novels using "plot mountain" graphic organizers.  Students will be able to apply this understanding independently to their own reading.  
 
In ELA, we will begin to outline our first five-paragraph essays.  By the end of the week, we will be working on our introduction paragraphs.  
 
This week's spelling words practice variant vowels and diphthongs.  Please remind students to practice all 25 words on their lists.  
 
Band, chorus, and orchestra lessons will be held this week.  Please see the schedule below - 
                10/16 - Day 1 - Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Oboe and Violin               
                10/17 - Day 2 - Trombone and Viola
                10/18 - Day 3 - Trumpet/French Horn and Cello
                10/19 - Day 4 - Percussion and Bass
                
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Week of September 11th - 15th

Upcoming Due Dates and Assessments - 
9/15 - Run-on Sentences Quiz
9/15 - Reading Logs Due
9/15 - Unit 1.2 Spelling Packets Due
9/15 - Unit 1.2 Spelling Test
 
This week in reading we will review first-person, second-person, and third-person points of view by looking at a variety of examples.  By midweek, we will be ready to begin reading our novels.  Through our novel studies, students will learn a variety of skills and strategies that they can apply independently to their own reading.  
 
In ELA, students will practice identifying and fixing run-on sentences.  
 
This week's spelling words practice long vowel sounds.  Please remind students to practice all 25 words on their lists.  
 
Band, chorus, and orchestra lessons begin this week.  Please see the schedule below - 
                9/11 - Day 2 - Trombone and Viola
                9/12 - Day 3 - Trumpet/French Horn and Cello
                9/13 - Day 4 - Percussion and Bass
                9/14 - Day 1 - Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Oboe and Violin
 
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Week of September 4th - 8th

Upcoming Due Dates and Assessments - 
9/5 - Subject/Predicate Quiz
9/8 - Reading Logs Due
9/8 - Unit 1.1 Spelling Packets Due
9/8 - Unit 1.1 Spelling Test
 
This week in reading we will be continuing to work our way through the textual analysis process.  Textual analysis is a series of steps students work through when reading passages and texts.  We will also be learning about and discussing the events of September 11, 2001.
 
In ELA, students will practice identifying and fixing sentence fragments.  
 
This week's spelling words practice short vowel sounds.  Please remind students to practice all 25 words on their lists.  
 
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Week One - Welcome Back!

Welcome to fifth grade!  I am so excited for this year to begin. 
 
This first week in ELA we will be getting to know each other and a bit about the classroom.  We will also discuss my expectations for learning and effort.  By the end of this first week, students will know their AR reading levels and will receive their first homework reading log.  Reading logs will be due on Thursday, August 31st.  
 
Please don't hesitate to reach out if any questions should arise.
 
Thank you,
Ms. Virgilio