May 18th - 25th, 2017

As you know, this is a super busy last week of school,  so make sure you know what's happening and are prepared and ready! Please let me know if you have any questions. 


• Wax Museum: Student's final project will be our “wax museum” presentation and a written biography, tomorrow, Friday, May 19th at 8:50 -9:45 a.m. Students will come to school dressed as their notable person. School clothes need to be brought to school to be changed into for the remaining day. Hope to see you there!

• Owl Pellet Dissection: We will be dissecting owl pellets Monday, May 22nd  from 10:30 - 12:10. Old clothes, and hair ties for the ladies is encouraged. We need parent helpers if you are free to come into our class and help!  We would love to have you!
• Assembly:  Final fourth grade assembly will be Thursday, May 25th from 10:00-10:45.

• End of the year Party!  Our last day of school is this Thursday, May 25th. Around 11:00 a.m. we will head out to the park by the ball fields.  Students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch, drink, sun block, beach towel,  and any board games or outdoor equipment (No bats or baseballs, please)  for an end of the year celebration with the two other fourth grade classes!

• A Final Goodbye ....  I'm always so sad as the year draws to a close!  It has been my privilege and honor to be your son/daughter's fourth grade teacher.  This year has been one of my most special!  I love my job and love your kids!  Thank you for sharing them with me.  We have all grown tremendously this 2016-2017 year! It's with mixed emotions I leave Van Arsdale.  I am however, looking forward to reinventing myself and will continue to be in education in one form or another. Have a wonderful summer!    Fondly,  Suzanne Nisely

May 1st - May 5th, 2017

• Fourth Grade Musical - This Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m.  See you there!

• Final Fourth Grade Field Trip - This coming Thursday, May 4th, 2017 to the Golden City Trading Post Museum. Scheduled classes are from 10:00 - 12:00.  Students need to pack a lunch to eat in the park.  The tour and class goes on rain or shine, however, if the weather is bad, we will take our sack lunches back to school to eat in our classroom.

• Chaperones Needed for Golden Field Trip: We need a total of 5 parent chaperones to join us Thursday.  If you have not already signed up to help, please consider joining us and meeting us in Golden.

Flex Day Testing is this week and next week! If you haven't signed up, please do so as soon as possible via SignUpGenius. If you don't remember your time slot, please check the SignUpGenius, linked below:     - Friday, May 5th and Monday, May 8th. 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084fa4ac2ea5fb6-may2017

Science mini sand Critter due Friday, May 12th.  Students were given supplies and instructions during science class this past week.  Due date for all projects is the 12th of May.

For our biography projects, student's final presentation will be our “wax museum” presentation and a written biography, on Friday, May 19th at 8:50 - 9:55 a.m. Students will come to school dressed as their notable person. School clothes need to be brought to school to be changed into for the remaining day.

Owl Pellet dissection:  Monday, May 22nd.  If you are able to help with fantastic dissection lab, please let me know.  Times are from 10:45 - 12:10.

The coming weeks are going to be incredibly busy, and will be going by quick, so please be prepared and aware of what's happening!

Upcoming Events:

• Golden City Trading Center Field trip - Thursday, May 4th.

• Flex Day Testing:  May 5th and 8th
• Mini Sand Critter habitats due Friday, May 12th.
• Field Day for Fourth Grade:   Wednesday, May 17th.
• Wax Museum:  Friday, May 19th, 8:45 - 10:00
• Owl Pellet Dissection:  Monday, May 22nd in the morning

• Science:  Mini sand critter habitat and write up (Due on the 12th)  See supplies and notes that students brought home. 

March 20th - 24th, 2017

• Our State testing begins this week and after Spring Break.  The tests are all online and they will provide teachers with information as to how students are doing with meeting the State Standards.  Students are allowed to bring their own headphones or earbuds to school as they can be used during the test.  It would be great if they could leave their cell phones at home on testing days.  If not, we have a process to collect them before testing.  Please help us by ensuring that your child is well-rested and has a good breakfast on test day.

• HEAD PHONES NEEDED FOR PARCC TESTING NEXT WEEK:

           Students will need working headphones or earbuds for the PARCC test that begins Monday  

           morning.  Please check with your son/daughter to be sure they have these!

• PROMPT WRITING:   Writing this past week has been centered around how the writing prompts may look on PARCC testing next week.  Two samples of your son/daughters writing are included in Friday folders. Please look over these samples with your child and discuss their strengths and goals.
• NEWS FROM MRS RUSS:This week we assessed our learning and discoveries in Chapter 3 or our Social Studies Text.  We learned about the Spanish, French, and American explorers who visited the area that would become Colorado.  We also learned about Colorado's first industry, the Fur Trade and the mountain men who risked life and limb to hunt and trap beaver.  We explored the purposes of exploration and how exploration leads to population growth, which ultimately leads to statehood.  Our next topic will be the Colorado Gold Rush and Pioneer/Settler history.You student took a Plickers quiz this week.  I shared their score with them immediately after the quiz.  Student were then given the opportunity to retake the test the following day.  They were responsible for seeing me after school, checking out a textbook, then meeting during their recess to retake the Plickers Quiz.  A HUGE WELL DONE to those who took me up on the offer and dramatically improved their score.  I love it when students take ownership of their academic success.  Good Job!!

What is happening ?

• 3/20 - 3/22  PARCC testing begins (Language) 
• 3/27-3/31 Spring Break
• 4/3 Students return from Spring Break
• 5/5 Field Trip Colorado History Museum
• 5/10-5/13 PARCC testing continues (Math)

Math:  IXL.COM:  

                          1.  Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (R.1-R.17)

                          2.  Patterns and sequences  (L.1-L.9)

                          3.  Decimals  (T.1-T.20)

March 13th - 17th, 2017

• Our State testing begins the week before Spring Break, March 20th thru March 22, from 9:30 to 11:45 each morning.  The tests are all online and they will provide teachers with information as to how students are doing with meeting the State Standards.  Students are encouraged to bring their own headphones or earbuds to school as they can be used during the test.  It would be great if they could leave their cell phones at home on testing days.  If not, we have a process to collect them before testing.  Please help us by ensuring that your child is well-rested and has a good breakfast on test day.

• Click the link below and Check out the on line practice of PARCC testing......

https://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/english/

Select fourth grade for english.  There are three sections students will be asked to complete on their scheduled testing days.  

This link provides not only student practice for questions on the PARCC but navigation thru this rigorous test.

What is happening ?

• 3/17  Early release Day, 1:00.

• 3/20  PARCC testing begins 
• 4/3 Students return from Spring Break

1.  PARCC Practice test for fourth grade english.  Some of the same questions will be on the in class test:

https://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/english/

2.  IXL:   Area and Perimeter:  BB. 1, BB.2, BB3, BB.4, BB.6, BB.9

                Angles:    Z.1, Z.2, Z.3, Z.4, Z.5

       

February 27 - March 3, 2017

• PARCC Testing is coming up next month, before and after Spring Break. The ELA portions are March 20, 21, and 22nd 9:30 - 11:30. The math portions are April 10th through 13th from 9:30 - 11:30 each day. These are state standardized tests, so make sure your child is getting a good breakfast and is well rested! Teachers have noticed that as students log on and complete portions of fourth grade IXL math and language, this has proved to be an amazing resource to support student understanding.
• Upcoming Field Trip:   Wednesday, April 5th, Colorado History Center. Please be sure to fill out the permission slip and send in trip costs, if you haven't already done so.

Dates to Remember:

• PTSA sponsored Read- a -thon through March 10th. 
• March 3 - Report Cards
• March 3 - Awards assembly 10:00-10:30
• March 10th - Talent Show Drake Middle school 6:00 p.m.
• March 17 - Early Release
• March 18 - Science Fair  9:00-12:00
• March 27 - 31st - Spring Break

MATH HOMEWORK:

•             Students will continue to bring some weekly assignments home. These assignments are given as additional practice to reinforce in class learning and are due the next school day or a late assignment note will be written.
• IXL:  For this week, the topics to be covered can be found on:

J6, J7, J8, R1, R2, R4, R9, P9

February 21 - 24th, 2017

• We have three upcoming field trips.  Fourth grade field trips always seem to fall towards the end of the year...

 Here are the dates for your calendar:

Colorado History Center Wednesday, April 5

Denver Aquarium Friday, April 21

Golden History Center Thursday May 4

• PARCC TESTING DAYS and TIMES:  Though it is not completely set in stone yet, here are our PARCC dates for fourth grade...

English/Language Arts    March 20, 21, 22    9:15 to 11:30

Math    April 10, 11, 12, 13    9:15 to 11:30

• Valentines Party - Thank you to all the parents that donated items for our in class party.  A big thank you to Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Drogsvold and Anna's grandmother for planning and helping during the party.
• READ-A-Thon:  A form will be sent home today for students to log on and record the amount of time they spend reading at home.  All students are encouraged to participate.  Prizes are included!

Dates to Remember:

• March 3- Report Cards go home and Awards Assembly
• March 17th  - Early Release (1:00 pm)March 11 - Talent Show
• March 20 - PARCC Begins
• March 27 - 31- Spring Break

Literacy - Weekly Reading Log (150+ minutes)

Math - IXL   Students may log in and spend time on practicing any of our past learning. Currently our unit is on Fractions and decimals. 

February 13th - 17th, 2017

• Valentines Party, this Tuesday, February 14th 2:30-3:30. Students may design a box, or bag and bring to school that day to collect and hold their valentines. 

• Parent Teacher Conferences are by invitation/appointment only on Friday, February 17th.  If you need to attend, you will receive an email with a link to a sign up genius. If you feel like you would like to sign up for a conference, let me know and I will send you the link and add you will be added to the time slots. 

• PARCC Testing is coming up next month, immediately after Spring Break. The ELA portions are March 20, 21, 22. The math portions are April 10th through 13th. These are state standardized tests, so make sure your child is getting a good breakfast and is well rested! 

Dates to Remember:

• Feb. 14         Valentines’ Day parties
                    Class parties -  Class pictures
• February 17- Early Release (1:00 pm)
• February 17th - Parent-Teacher Conferences by invitation only! (1:00-5:00)
• March 4 - Report Cards
• March 27-31 Spring Break
• April 3rd - Students return from break
• 

Literacy - Weekly Reading Log (150+ minutes)

Math - Complete the following math fraction problems.  This thinking is due Friday. 

1. Mary and 4 of her friends want to share 6 pizzas. How much pizza will each girl get? 
2. Bob and his 2 brothers want to share 8 cherry pies. How much pie will each boy get?
3. John eats 1/2 of a PB&J every day for 9 days. How many sandwiches did he eat all together?
4. Clarissa eats 1/3 of a Snickers bar every day for 10 days. How many Snickers bars did she eat in all?

February 6th-10th, 2017

• Valentine's Day Parties (February 14th, 2:30-3:30) - If students are planning on bringing in valentines for friends this day, they must bring in a valentine for each member of our 22 student class. Students may create a valentine bag or box to bring to school on the 14th. Thank you Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Drogsvold. 

• Students that take make the time and effort to practice IXL each day or each week have consistently had more success with in class math learning and confidence. Thank you for encouraging your son/daughter to make the time for this math thinking!!
• 
  

Dates to Remember:

• February 14 - Valentine's Days Parties (2:30-3:30)
• February 18 - President's Day Weekend, No School
• February 20 - President's Day, No School
• February 14 - Class Pictures
• February 17 - Early Release (1:00 pm)

Literacy - Weekly Reading Log (150+ minutes)

Math - IXL -J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8, P10, P11, Q10

 As always, continue to practice your multiplication facts! See the "Classroom Resources" on the left hand side for math games and videos.

January 30 - February 3, 2017

• Valentine's Day Parties (February 14th, 2:30-3:30) - If students are planning on bringing in valentines for friends this day, they must bring in a valentine for each member of our 22-student class. A class list will be sent home in this weeks Friday Folder.  Students may create a valentine bag or box to bring to school on the 14th.  A sign up genius will be sent out soon with an opportunity for you to sign up to help!

• IXL:  Most all students have shown tremendous effort solving the IXL problems in their homework assignment.  Amazing Thinking!  I can definitely see these math skills transferring over in class.  Keep up the good work.  See the new letters to visit this week in Homework. 

• This year Ralston Valley’s Make-A-Wish Week is the week of January 30th - February 4th.  Ralston Valley is fundraising for Make-A-Wish on behalf of a sixth grader attending Van Arsdale. Jennifer’s wish is for her and her family to take a Disney Cruise.  Ralston Valley is aiming to raise an incredible $17,000 in the name of Jennifer and her family.
  Ralston Valley and Van Arsdale will be coming together to fundraise at Texas Roadhouse on Tuesday, January 31st. Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of proceeds to our cause when families eat there and bring in the fundraiser’s flyer, which will be available in friday folders. We look forward to this unique opportunity, and seeing all of you there!
          If you are not available to attend that night or are able to contribute more to this life-changing cause, please submit a donation through our online form. Checks can be made out to Make-A-Wish Colorado and can be dropped off at Van Arsdale or Ralston Valley High School no later than Thursday, February 2nd. 

• Parent/Teacher Conferences, by appointment Only.  February 17th, 1:00 - 5:00.   This conference is designated to allow time for select student conferences and not needed for everyone.  Please feel free to let me know if you would like to schedule a time, otherwise I will contact you if I need to set up a time. 

Dates to Remember:

• January 31st - Make-a-Wish Fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse for Jennifer
• February 3rd - PTSA Parent-Child Dance 6:30-8:30
• February 4th - Spelling Bee at 10:00 a.m.
• February 14th - Class pictures
• February 14 - Valentine's Days Parties (2:30-3:30)
• February 18 - President's Day Weekend, No School
• February 20 - President's Day, No School
• February 17 - Early Release (1:00 pm)
• February 17 - Parent/Teacher conference by appointment only - not needed for all students. 

Literacy - Weekly Reading Log (150+ minutes)

Math -   IXL Practice:  
P.1, P.2, P.3, P.4, P.5, P.13, Q.6, Q.7, Q.8, Q.9, Q.10.

January 23rd - 27th, 2017

• Students are expected to continue working on their multiplication tables at home until completely mastered! Many students have studied for the in class test, and then have forgotten their facts during math! As we work on division and fractions in our math unit, a complete recall of multiplication facts is critical for success!

• Classroom Supplies: We have run out of spiral notebooks for math! If you have any extra unused spiral notebooks at home, we would appreciate if we could use them for math.

Dates to Remember:

• February 4 -   Spelling Bee, 10:00 LMC 
• February 14 -  Class Pictures / Valentines Parties
• February 17 - Early Release, 1:00
• February 18 - President's Day Weekend, No School
• February 20 - President's Day, No School

• 150 minutes outside classroom reading, due Friday recorded in students planner.
• MATH -  IXL locators:  Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6.  Students that take the time and put effort into this IXL practice are showing significant gains in understanding our in class concepts.  

January 16 - 20, 2017

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a marvelous winter break!

• Van Arsdale night at Chipotle, this Wednesday, January 18th!  The Chipotle on 64th and Ward is offering an amazing 50% of the proceeds back to our school if you show the following flyer!  Thank you Chipotle.  See you there!

• Mrs. Nisely out of the building this week:  I will be out of the building all week!  My dear friend and fellow teacher, Mrs. Burner, will be filling in for me.  I will be at a reading and writing conference on Wednesday and the other days I will be helping my daughter as she just had a baby and is home from the hospital.  I'll still be checking in with Mrs. Burner and also checking my emails. 
• Classroom Supplies: We have run out of spiral notebooks for math! If you have any extra unused spiral notebooks at home, we would appreciate if we could use them for math.
• Genius Hour Update:  Students are currently wrapping up their projects by using Screen Castify and revising as they listen to their presentations.  They are becoming experts by teaching each other and Mrs. Curran.

Dates to Remember:

• January 16- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
• January 28- Spelling Bee

• Remember, students will need to continue to complete their weekly at home reading and record their reading minutes by each Friday in their planners. The requirement is still 150 minutes of reading to meet fourth grade standards!

Science - 

• Please watch the following YouTube videos about the rotations of the planets in the solar system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT49AiYFV98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_RAEESmsrs

• Math:  Students must spend some time on IXL.com this week practicing the concepts we have been learning during Math Workshop.  Our final test on unit 4, algebra will be this week.  Here are the concept letters: J.5, J.6, J.7, F.2, F.4, F.6, G.1, G.2, G.3, G.4, G.5.   These locators are all indicators of what we have been working on.  10 or 15 minutes a day on one of these has proven to be an amazing support!