Play 60 Challenge Assembly

This assembly promoted physical fitness.  Members of the Rams organization joined us for this event!

Congratulations to Isabella, Logan, and Lauren for their their great Prism projects!

I 

String Concert!

We got to see a string concert today.  Students enjoyed listening and thinking about what instrument they might want to play in fourth grade.  Look for sign up papers coming home tonight!

Weekly Update 2/18/14 - 2/21/14

     Thank you, parents, for a lovely Valentine's Day party.  The class was very appreciative and excited about the day.  It seems like February is speeding past, and before we know it, it will be March, spring break, and the end of the third quarter.  My goal this weekend is to put grades onto SIS so that they are available to you by Monday evening.  Let me know if you have any concerns.
Here is what is happening this coming week:
Writing - Students are publishing either their short story or letter, both of which were written to a prompt.  After that we will begin persuasive writing.  However, that may not begin until next week.  We'll see how it goes!
Math -  The geometry test will be this coming Friday.  Because chapter 20 is so short, the test for ch. 19 and 20 has been combined.   Ch. 20 focuses on symmetry and congruent figures.  We will also learn how to flip, slide, and turn figures to check to see if figures are congruent.  Review for the February evaluate test will also take place.
Reading - Students continue to practice close reading as we read and respond to test like questions.  We will also continue to read the selected literature for each group.
Science - We will begin our study of the water cycle.
Social Studies - We will complete the ch. 9 study guide on Tuesday and test on Thursday.  On Friday we will begin the second chapter on economics - ch. 10.  In this chapter we will learn about producers, consumers, and supply and demand.
Important Events:
Mon. - No School!
Tues. - SS. study guide comes home;  7x flash card come home!  Show practice times on new log!
Wed. -  Fact review test / 5x, 6x, and 9x facts;
Thurs. - Library;  Math Evaluate Test;  social studies test;
Fri. - Math test over ch. 19 and 20;
  

Valentine's Day Party. Thanks for a wonderful time and for all of your hard work in planning!

 

Our Food Web!

  

     You are going to love the creativity that went into this food web project.  The only parts of the mural that I did were the sun, sky, and sand.  Everything else was kid produced.  Have fun following the sun's flow of energy!

 

 

Weekly Update 2/10/14 - 2/14/14

    I am excited about all that we accomplished last week in spite of the snow day.  I feel we are advancing in every academic area, and I am so proud of everyone's effort!  I am also thankful for parents who are so supportive!  Now a look at this coming week:
Writing - The class is doing a nice job writing to a prompt.  They are handling it like pros!  This coming week we will write to a second prompt and then choose one of the two to publish.
Math -  Geometry continues as we learn more and more important geometric vocabulary.  Students need to begin studying for the next test well in advance so that they are not caught with too little time too prepare. I will assign a few words to master each night between now and the test.  The test is tentatively planned for this Thursday.  Students should also be working on the 6x facts and reviewing all others.  Remember to mark practice times on the math log.  Both the log and the  Hamby Special math sheet are due on Friday!
Reading - Every reading group is reading an article about timber wolves.  They are practicing their close reading and responding to the text through questions/answers.  Students are doing well so far!
Spelling:  Look for a new spelling list on Monday.  It will be a short list due to an early release day and Valentine's Day party later in the week that will cut into our practice time.
Science:  This week we will finish the food web mural and then do a chapter 5 check.  We always use the book as a tool to help with these quizzes.  After that, we will study the water cycle in chapter 6.
S. Studies: The economics business plan was taken home Friday.  The front side of this page should be completed and returned by Friday.  We will finish chapter 9 on economics this week, but will not test until next week. You will received the study guide before the weekend.

Important Events:
Mon.  - Library;  last session of the Building You and Me Program;  new spelling list;
Wed. - Early Release at 1:40;
Thursday - Special close reading lesson by Mrs. Valter, guest teacher;  tentative math test over
                   chapter 19;
Friday - Valentine's Day party at 1:45;  social studies study guide comes home;  Hamby Special
              and multiplication math log are due;

Weekly Update 2/3/14 - 2/7/14

     We had a very good week last week.  It actually felt good to have five days of school!  

     I will be needing your help in social studies this week.  Students will be given a typed note showing the brainstorm they compiled for possible business ideas for Economics Day.  Hopefully this will help you and your child decide on a product to make and sell on this day.  Return the attached note to indicate what your child's business will be.  Please do not feel confined by the choices on the brainstorm. You may do whatever you like.  

 

Writing: This week we continue working on writing to a prompt.  Students must master this skill before taking the MAP test. 

Math:  We will begin Chapter 19, which is a study of geometry.  There will be a lot of vocabulary to learn, and we will keep a geometry journal to help us keep the vocabulary straight.  Also, this week will be a review of all facts learned thus far in multiplication.  Students may mix their fact cards together now so that they can practice them in random order.  We will have at least two review tests this week. Please mark all practice times on the new log that came home on Friday.

Reading:  We are learning more about the importance of close reading in test taking situations and practicing the implementation of close reading marks.

Spelling:  No spelling this week!  That way everyone can practice more on their math facts!

Science:  We will learn about food chains and food webs.  If time allows, we will make a food web mural.     

S. Studies:  We are continuing our study of economics.

Important Events:

Mon. - Library;

Tues. - SPTG Meeting at 6:45;

Wed. - Mixed fact review test;

Fri. - Mixed fact review test;  "Hamby Special" math page due;   

Abilities Awareness Day

Our class enjoyed learning about people with abilities that differ from ours.  We learned about autism, Braille for the blind, and met a man with many abilities as a paraplegic.  Students enjoyed the day!