Welcome back after the Thanksgiving break! Students listened so well and gained a wealth of new knowledge on Nov. 20 as we spent time with the Elm Creek Naturalist learning orienteering skill. To top off the week before Thanksgiving, the fourth graders were the best buddies and teachers to our first grade buddy class as we created Thanksgiving decorations. Now, we are ready for the last week of the fall trimester.
*Remember, no school on Friday, Dec. 1, due to report card marking day for staff.
As posted in the last blog update, here are reminders if your child will be absent for the day:
1. Make sure to let the office know either with an email or through ParentVUE.
2. Contact me if you would like homework sent home with a sibling or another student. Another option that you may request is for homework to be ready to be picked up in the office at 1:30 or the end of the day.
*If you do not request homework, I'll send home the work with your child when they return to school.
Our week will include the following:
READING:
- Our focus this week will be reading fluency as we review sequencing skills while reading a readers´ theater story. We will complete Unit 2 in the Benchmark curriculum, and the test for this unit is scheduled for next week.
- Word Work - Students will work on words with long and short a patterns. Students will bring home a list to help them study on Monday, Nov. 27, and the test will be on Thursday, Nov. 30.
-We continue to read daily for our 40 book challenge. Students should be at 13 to 14 books by the end of the fall trimester to be in line with the 40 book challenge. If students are able to read and document 1 book per week, they will be able to reach the 40 book goal.
*Remember to read for 20 to 40 minutes each day at home for daily reading homework.
WRITING:
Students will complete their "How To" story using sequencing words. Stories will include an introduction, materials needed, step-by-step instructions, and a conclusion.
*Students have access to Typing Club to develop and hone their keyboarding skills, and they continue reviewing cursive to develop their handwriting skills.
MATH:
- We are working on fractions including mixed numbers and improper fractions. This week, we will use geoboards to explore and create fractions and find equivalent fractions.
- Many students have demonstrated mastery of multiplication facts by passing the 5 minute timed test with 95% accuracy or better. We continue taking a one minute and five minute timed tests to develop speed and efficiency with multiplication.
- Ms. Wilder will work with students on Wednesday as they solve and complete Concept Quest problems. This week, students will begin to work on problems that will focus on the fraction concepts they are learning during our math lessons
*Math HOMEWORK:
Nov. 27 to Nov. 30
Homework will come home on Monday and will be due on Wednesday.
(No Homework on Wednesday due to the short week.)
*CONTINUE TO STUDY MULTIPLICATION FACTS IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO PASS THE 5 MINUTE TIMED TEST.
Science
Our new science unit is titled ¨Waves, Energy, and Information.¨ We will study sound waves and patterns of sound waves as we learn about dolphin communication.
ART:
Students will create winter decorations and display them with winter lights to brighten up our classroom as we near the winter solstice on Dec. 21.
