September 3rd - 6th, 2013

Picking a "Just Right" Book

What can we do to make sure that we grow as readers? How do we know if the books that we are reading are the best for our level? Mrs. Nisely and Mrs. Atkins recommend using the following methods for choosing the best books for you!

Thursday, August 29th was our school wide cookie dough kick off! What a fantastic fundraiser this has been for our school! Keep selling those cookies.

Monday, September 2, Labor Day, no school.

September 11th, individual picture retakes.

Early Release Day:  September 27th, dismissal, 1:00.

Parent Teacher Conferences, Wednesday, October 16th, Thursday, October 17th.

Students are working on getting their class work and homework in on time. Students are responsible for bringing a late assignment note home for any missing work. This is a fourth grade expectation and a sign of responsibility.

Homework Due:  Friday, September 6th, 2013.

a.  Look for a meaningful object or photo to bring and share.

b.  Write a paragraph describing a special time spent with a friend.

c.  Please go to the link below and play Meteor Multiplication. I worked through all six sates and final score was 23 math meteors in one minute.  See if you can beat me!? If you complete all six stages there will be an opportunity for your to print out a completion certificate. Print out the certificate and bring it to me by Friday and I'll pay you 5 paws!

http://www.hoodamath.com/games/meteormultiplication.html

May 13th - 17th, 2013

NO REGULAR HOMEWORK or WORD WORK (reading log is still required through the 24^th): will be given for the rest of the school year due to the fact that students need to be working on their ecosystem habitat project,   and other in class work. Directions for ecosystem habitat project will be given Monday, May 13th.

Early Release, Wednesday 15th, 1:10 p.m.

Downtown Aquarium field trip, Friday, May 24th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30. Students will be taking the bus on this field trip.  Please return the permission slip as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

• Student led conferences/celebrations were a huge success!  Thank you to all the parents that attended.  I appreciate all your support and help this year. Your son/daughter has grown trememdously this year.
• Thank you to all the parents that were able to join us at the Lakewood Center this past week!

1.  For Science:  Please watch the following video on food chains and food webs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE6wqG4nb3M

 

2.  Also, watch this movie on Carnivores, Herbivores, and Omnivores:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VejLXTsJrJc

3. Practice 3 digit by 3 digit multiplication. (Example:  284 x 398 = ?)Make-up 6 problems and solve them.  Check your work with a calculator. Due Friday.

4.  Study for your bone quiz. Study sheets will be given out Monday, May 13th.

May 6th - 10th, 2013

• Student Led Conferences:  May 8th. Between 4:00-6:00 p.m. A Student-led conference is a time for your child to be in charge!  These conferences highlight the most important person in the assessment process – the student. What should a parent expect at a Student-Led Conference?

1.  Your child will do most of the talking.

2.  Your child will tell you the goals he or she is working on in class.

3.  Your child will discuss his or her progress.

4.  Your child will share and explain different types of work that he or   she performs throughout the day.

5.    This conference is a celebration of learning.

We look forward to seeing you!

A confirmation note was sent home in your son/daughter's friday folder.

• Wax Musueum was a huge sucess!  Thank you to all who could attend and also the time and effort from parents  to help prepare costumes, and final biorgraphies.
• Field Trip:  Lakewood's Heritage Center, Tuesday, May 7th. Students will need to bring a sack lunch and dress for the weather and comfortable walking shoes. If you have agreed to drive, you need to check into the front office for a copy of your driver's liscense and insurance card.  Please be at Van Arsdale by 8:50 a.m. as we will meet in the classroom.
• Student Celebrations instead of Student Led Conferences.  These celebrations will showcase work student’s have done .  We have designated the time being from 4:00-6:00 on May 8th. 
• Early Release, Wednesday 15th, 1:10 p.m.
• Downtown Aquarium field trip, Friday, May 24th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30. Students will be taking the bus on this field trip.  Please see the attached field trip form to the reaction sheet.
•  

1.  Please complete Investigations notebook work book pages: Unit 6 pages 35, 37, 38. These pages are due, along with your reading log Friday, May 10th.

April 29th - May 3rd, 2013

Flex Day testing: This monday, April 29th. By appointment only. Students receieved a note indicating their time if they were to be tested. Testing will take about one hour.


Notable person Biography: Student's final project will be our “wax museum” presentation and a written biography, Thursday, May 2nd at 9:00-9:45 a.m.  Students will come to school dressed as their noteable person. School clothes need to be brought to school to be changed into for the remaining day.

Field Trip:  Lakewood's Heritage Center, Tuesday, May 7th. Students will need to bring a sack lunch and dress for the weather and comfortable walking shoes. If you have agreed to drive, you need to check into the front office for a copy of your driver's liscense and insurance card.  Please be at Van Arsdale by 8:50 a.m. as we will meet in the classroom.

Solar Ovens: Parents Needed! Students will be building solar ovens from 10:30-12:00 on Friday, 23rd. We are in the need of several parents that are free to facilitate this undertaking.  Please email me if you are free to help on this day. snisely@jeffco.k12.co.us

Student Celebrations instead of Student Led Conferences.  These celebrations will showcase work student’s have done .  We have designated the time being from 4:00-6:00 on May 8th. 




Writing

1.Please work on your costume for the wax museum. 

2.Construct a simple 3-D ON button for your desk.  Your ON button cannot make a noise, it's just for show.  Remember our chat, it should be about the size of a small jewelry box or a child's block.

3. If needed, continue to research your notable person on line.  Bring any additional research to school to add to your essay.
READING

It is a fourth grade expectation that you are reading independently at home at least 150 minutes per week.  Please record your minutes, total them, and then present your reading to your parent for their verifying signature.  Independent Reading Slips should not be signed before Thursday night or Friday morning.  The number of missing reading slips is on the rise, let's all work together to fix this problem.  Thank you!

April 22nd-26th, 2013

Lakewood Heritage Days field trip - Tuesday, May 7th. We will leave the school at 9:15 and return around 2:00 p.m. Due to the extended time of the field trip and in the attempt to keep costs down, we would like parent drivers for the activity.  Cost per student is $8.00, while parent drivers are without a charge.

• Notable person Biography:  Students will choose their famous person from history. They are required to read a book on their notable person and complete research through the Internet and our wireless laptops. Their final project will be our “wax museum” presentation and a written biography, Thursday, May 2nd  at 9:00-9:45 a.m. More information to follow.

Assessment Day: Monday, April 29th. Students will attend school by appointment only. Students only with a testing time will be required to attend on the 29th. Testing takes about one hour. Notes regarding you son/daughters testing requirements will go home Monday, April 22nd.

Early Release Day:  This Wednesday, 24th, 1:10 dismissal.

1.  The Wax Museum and completed biography report deadline is fast approaching, Thursday, May 2nd. Many students are on target with gathering information and working on first drafts of their notable person writing.  Several students need to spend extra time at home with  completing more on-line research and gathering props and costume items.  First drafts will be due on Friday, April 26th.

3.  ALL SCIENCE Students:   Play the following game to reinforce our studies on ecosystems:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/gamesforkids.htm