September 16th - 20, 2013

 ·    After giving the first round of our acuity test to students this past week, I noticed that many students struggle with determining the main idea, summarizing, and author’s point of view in reading and writing.  We will continue to spend time in class working on these skills.  Spending time at home to reinforce these strategies will only benefit your son/daughter.  I appreciate your help. 

·    Most students have done an awesome job keeping up with the weekly blog and completing the homework assigned. Included in this week’s blog is a rubric for at home writing prompts (under the important forms tab). Please encourage your son/daughter to read the rubric and edit and revise their writing before turning it in.

·    Thank you for helping your son/daughter study their multiplication facts!

·    Parent Teacher Conferences are October 16 - 17th. If you haven’t already signed up for a time, let me know.

·    Friday, September 27^th, early release at 1:00.  Limo Ride.

FIELD TRIP to Denver Museum of Nature and Science:  Friday, October 18th.

1. Please read below and complete the web on a piece of paper: 

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3. Writing Prompt: If you found $20 on the ground, explain what you would do with it.

• Notice that below we have attached the rubric for your writing prompt. Please share with your parents the discussions we had in class about following the prompt! This will also remain as a link under "Classroom Resources" on the top left side of the blog. 
  
  
  
  
  

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September 9th - 13th, 2013

Thank you for helping your son/daughter study their multiplication facts!

Parent Teacher Conferences, October 16 - 17th. If you haven’t already signed up for a time, let me know.

• Friday, September 27^th, early release at 1:00.
• 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 homework.  This is a fourth grade expectation and a sign of responsibility.
• Students are doing an amazing job completing their homework and getting it in on time.  Thank you for your continued at home support with this.
• Picture Retakes:  September 11th.

• Please read the following text. Complete the graphic organizer on a sheet of notebook paper writing the main idea and supporting details:


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• In math, we are focusing on determining place value. It is so important that we understand how to determine place value before moving on to new concepts in math (such as division).   Mrs. Nisely had fun watching and playing this game about place values. Tell us what YOU think!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/maths/number/place_value_headings/play/

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.
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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.