Sept. 25 to Sept. 29, 2023

We are looking forward to Rocky's Road Race on Friday, Sept. 29.  Our class is doing a fantastic job with the fundraiser! If you are able to donate and have friends and relatives who would like to donate, please use the link below.  Your support is greatly appreciated:  

                              https://one.bidpal.net/rockysroadrace2023/welcome

Our class is doing amazing things in school!  Students are all working together, supporting each other, and being respectful listeners.  We're on a great trajectory of all the best in 4th grade!  Your support at home with homework, planners,  student positive behavior, and communication is always appreciated!

Here is a brief overview of what we'll be working on this week:

MATH:
- We will work on the last lessons of Unit 1 in math, and students will test on the Unit 1 math concepts towards the end next week.  We have been working on multiplication strategies and multiplication facts through games, activities, and timed tests.

- We continue daily work with ancient Egyptian Symbols, Multiples, and Inches, Feet, and Yards.

*Math HOMEWORK:   
Homework will come home on Monday that will be due on Wednesday.
Homework will come home on Wednesday that will be due on Friday.  

SCIENCE:
Our first unit in Science is titled Earth Features, and this week we will learn about geologists and how they study fossils and rock formations.

READING:
-We continue to read daily for our 40 book challenge.  

Students should have at least 4 books/entries in their reading notebooks by the end of September to be on target for the 40 book challenge.

-Our lessons this week focus on genres and comprehension strategies to use when responding to reading.  We'll complete our first word work lessons in Benchmark Word Work through lesson work in class on hyphenated words.

*Remember to read for 20 to 40 minutes each day at home for daily reading homework.

WRITING:
-The bio poems that students created are FANTASTIC!  You'll get to see them displayed in our hallway during conferences.  Students will work on September writing prompts and daily language practice.    

ART:
Students will study and examine line of various artists and will create a line design artwork using a variety of lines and colors. 
(We did not  have time for this project last week.)

  

Sept. 18 to Sept. 22, 2023

                              

Welcome Fall!

    Our class is working so well together that we will have our first reward extra recess this week!  I'm proud of their efforts and kind hearts towards one another.  We're also working with our Chromebooks daily, and we will now incorporate Chromebook activities into our lessons. 

*Reminder:  Picture day is on Thursday, Sept. 21.  Our class time is at 1:30 pm.

This is what we will be working on this week:

MATH:
- Continued daily work with ancient Egyptian Symbols, Multiples, and Inches, Feet, and Yards.
- We continue to work on factors and factor pairs and practice our computational skills with a variety of math games. 

*Math HOMEWORK:   
Homework will come home on Monday that will be due on Wednesday.
Homework will come home on Wednesday that will be due on Friday.  

Health: 
During health lessons this week,  we'll study bike, bus, and pedestrian safety as it is BUS SAFETY WEEK.

READING:
-We continue to read daily for our 40 book challenge.  Students should have at least 4 books/entries in their reading notebooks by the end of September to be in line for the 40 book challenge.
*Remember to read for 20 to 40 minutes each day at home for daily reading homework.

-This week, we´ll study the reading genres for the 40 book challenge by reading sample stories of each genre as we work with thinking maps and comprehension strategies.

-We will begin Word Work study this week.  We will alternate weeks to study Latin roots and spelling patterns through Benchmark spelling.  This week, we´ll study the Latin roots ¨ped/pedi¨.  Students will receive a study guide on Monday, and they´ll work on the words throughout the week with a final quiz on Friday.

WRITING:
-Students will work on September writing prompts and daily language practice.  We'll create a biography poem and use our Chromebooks to publish the final copy in Google Docs.  We will practice and review cursive writing.

ART:
Students will create a line design artwork to display in our classroom and a hot air balloon art project to add to our school display of hot air balloons.

  

Sept. 11 to Sept. 15, 2023

   

    We had a fantastic first full week of school.  The students are building their classroom skills by listening and cooperating, and I'm proud of their successful efforts.  I look forward to students sharing their Brown Bag biographies during the week.  Six students will share per day, and students will be able to sign up for a time on Monday, Sept. 11.  WE HAVE A GREAT CLASS!
    We are getting close to  our first reward party for getting all of the monkeys in the jar, and students are getting Rocky's Way slips for their respectful, responsible, and personal best behavior.
    Students received their Chromebooks on Friday, and we are excited to start using them in class.  Chromebooks will remain at school unless needed at home for remote learning or special projects.  During the next few weeks, we'll have lessons about Chromebook apps, usage, and expectations.  We will also use the Chromebooks for learning activities.
    Thank you for checking planners and signing them each day.  It is so helpful to have parent involvement as we continue our great learning in 4th grade.

Here are some reminders for the week:
1.  Remember to send in $5 for the cost of the student planner if you have not already done so.
2.  Order birthday books by Sept. 30. (Attachment of letter on parent email.)  
3.  Book Orders :  Please use the links and information in the email I have sent you if you are interested in ordering books.  The online orders are due by Oct. 11. 
(By November, we should fliers to send home as well as the online order forms.)  

These are other areas we'll be working on this week:

MATH:
- Continued daily work with ancient Egyptian Symbols, Multiples, and Inches, Feet, and Yards.
- We will work on factors and factor pairs and practice our computational skills with a variety of math games. 

*Math HOMEWORK WILL START THIS WEEK:   
Homework will come home on Monday that will be due on Wednesday.
Homework will come home on Wednesday that will be due on Friday.  

SOCIAL STUDIES/Health: 
We will complete our 4th grade time capsules, and in Health we'll study bike, bus, and pedestrian safety.

READING:
-Lessons this week will focus on choosing "JUST RIGHT" books, the 40 book challenge,  genres, and comprehension.
(Students will complete the aReading and Autoreading test to help determine current reading proficiency by September 15).

WRITING:
-Students will work on September writing prompts and daily language practice.  Students will write a bio-poem so we can continue to learn about one another and build class community.  We will practice and review cursive writing.

ART:
Students will complete a self portrait western style to be displayed as Westrum´s Wonderful Wranglers.