April 28th - May 2nd, 2014

Flex Day testing: This Monday, April 28th. By appointment only. Students received 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, Friday, May 9th 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.

Student Celebrations instead of Student Led Conferences, These student led celebrations will be held Wednesday, May 14th from 4:00 - 5:30.  These celebrations will showcase work student’s have done . 

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 21 - 25, 2014

• Thank you to parent helpers for joining us Friday for the Disney Bear Movie.  Our student's behavior was outstanding at the theater.  I'm very proud of all of them.

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, Friday, May 9th  at 8:50-9:45 a.m. Students will come to school dressed as their notable person.  All parents and guests are welcome at this time. 

Assessment Day: Monday, April 28th. Students will attend school by appointment only. Students only with a testing time will be required to attend on the 28th. Testing takes about one hour. Notes regarding you son/daughters testing requirements already went home in last weeks Friday folder.

Early Release Day:  This Wednesday, 23rd, 1:00 dismissal.
Paw Party!  Students earned 40 paws and have earned a party!  The party is scheduled for this coming Friday, April 25th.  We would still welcome any donations of bowls, or toppings.


WE NEED PARENT HELPERS for the following dates:   Friday, May 16th: dissecting owl pellets, Friday, May 23rd solar ovens.   Please let me know if you would be able to help support our learning on these dates. 

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

April 14th - 18th, 2014

• Many students are not turning in either homework (reading Logs, President writing), and assignments given almost daily in math.  These missing assignments will reflect in final grades and also hinder students understandings of key concepts.  Please remind your son/daughter of the importance of completing assignments and the responsibility of turning their work in on time.
• BEARS MOVIE:  this coming Friday, April 18th.  Students are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. that day as we will board the bus as soon as all are here.  If students are planning on purchasing the snack pack, they will need to bring in $4.00.  Additional money can be brought in for other food options as well.  We will be back in time for our regular scheduled lunch time.

Notable person Biography:  Students have chosen 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, Friday, May 9th at 8:50-9:45 a.m. More information was sent home with your son/daughter in their planner.

No Word work this week due to acuity testing

• Young Writer’s Conference, April 18^th 8:00-8:50 a.m.: Student’s will share a published or polished piece of writing including small moments, short stories, poems, essays, or other writing pieces.  A light breakfast will be served, a certificate of participation, a journal and pen will be given to each student participating.  All students in my class are encouraged to attend and share a selection of their writing.
• Early Release:  Wednesday, April 23rd. 1:00.
• Flex Day Testing:  Monday, April 28th. Students will attend by appointment only.

1.  Science: .After  learning about the interactions between both living and non-living elements in ecosystems, read about some of the world's biomes at this website:

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769052.html

Choose one biome -   Now choose one animal that lives in that biome.  This animal goes in the center of your science sheet. Write the animal you selected in the center of the paper.  What elements (both living and non-living) are in this ecosystem?  Place these elements around the edge of your science sheet.  Write the interactions on the lines going from your chosen animals to the other elements in this biome.

2.  Writing:  Students are expected to bring home their notes on our class president Monday.  Students will plan, draft, revise and return their final president piece this coming Friday.

3.  Reading Log.  Each and every Friday these are due.  If students don't have, or can not find the independent reading log slip, they can either print one off this blog or write it on a piece of notebook paper.

March 17th - 21st, 2014

      Students did a fantastic job on TCAP testing this week.  I’m proud of their hard work and dedication to doing their best!  Thank you to all the many parents that provided healthy snacks.  

Spring Break, March 24 - 28

No School, March 31st, Teacher work day.

Students return Tuesday, April 1st.

Field Trip:  Earth Day Movie, Bears, April  18th.  Permission slip attached to this weeks reaction sheet.

No Homework over spring break, just the reading log! Also, no take home note or reaction sheet.  Enjoy!

1.  Create a flow map to represent the sequence of events that occur in the following activity. Oh, and have lots of fun doing it!! Your teachers sure did :)   Click on the following link:


http://www.drawastickman.com/?m=1

Now all you have to do is follow the directions that appear in front of you on the screen!

March 10th - 14th, 2014

·         Students did a fantastic job on TCAP testing this week.  I’m proud of their hard work and dedication to doing their best!  Thank you to all the many parents that provided healthy snacks.  

 Tuesday, March 11– Reading
              Wednesday, March 12 – Math
              Thursday, March 13 – Math
              Friday, March 14 – Math

TCAP celebration party:  Friday, March 14th.  Students may bring in $3.00 if they would like a pizza lunch.  Otherwise, they may just bring in a sack lunch for the celebration. 

• Parent/Teacher conferences, this Tuesday March 11th - 13th. Report cards will be given out at this time.  Please note you time through our sign up system and also the reminder note sent home with the reaction sheet. 
• http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA4AC2EA5FB6-niselys

Spring Break:  March 24^th – 28th.

• March 31st - Teacher work day, no students.

Solar System

Fourth Grade Science

Final Project

The final project for our Space Science unit will include your choice of the following projects:

·        You work at a calendar company and have been asked by your boss to create a calendar for your company.  You do not have a background in Space Science.  The calendar you will design will be marketed to lovers of Space Science.  The calendar can include photos of objects in space or drawings which demonstrate Space Science concepts you have learned.

·        You will create two models to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts of day and night, months, year, and seasons. Examples include clay (or other material) models, poster boards, etc.

In addition, you will be required to complete the following:

·        Write a Reflection on how the position of the sun, moon and position of the earth affects time.  This should be at least a paragraph in length and touch on all the concepts we have learned, including lunar phases, orbit, rotation, seasons, and time of year, as related to the position of the sun, moon and earth.

Your Final Project will include either 1) Space Science calendar and Reflection or 2) Two models and Reflection.  This will be due either March 13 and 14, 2014, depending on your science day.