May 19- 23

Let the End of the Year Madness Begin!

Sadly, it is our last full week, and my last weekly post.  I have so enjoyed having this class.  As much as I love summer vacation, I hate to see this school year end.  

This week in Social Studies, we finish up with our Open Book test on Monday.  This is a straight forward test about our government.  This will be our last grade in Social Studies for the year.

In Math, we are going to have so much fun!  Students will participate in the Metric Olympics.  We will use this opportunity to work on estimation, using metric units, finding the difference, and graphing.  This is a really fun activity and I can't wait for them to enjoy it as well!

In English Language Arts, we will begin a study of Jackie Robinson and the integration of the Negro Leagues and MLB.  We will complete several reading and writing activities, and end this week watching 42.  I have sent home a permission slip THAT MUST BE RETURNED BY WEDNESDAY, one way or the other.  If it is not returned, or if the note is returned with a "NO" response, students will be given an alternate assignment.  The following Tuesday, students will watch "The Jackie Robinson Story" starring Jackie himself.  This will allow us to discuss the difference between primary and secondary sources while comparing the two videos.

All library books are due back Wednesday, May 21.  Please make sure that these are returned.  If any books are still out, are fines not paid, students will not be allowed to receive their grade cards.  

Friday, May 23 is a 1:00 dismissal.

Tuesday is also Field Day.  4th grade's color shirt is red.  We will be participating in the afternoon, so keep an eye out on the weather so that the students are dressed appropriately.  I would hate for anyone to get too hot.

Of course, Wednesday is our last day.  We will have our assembly in the morning, with the talent show following.  We will dismiss at 12.  

Thank you all for sharing your children with me this year.  I am so blessed to have taught such an amazing class.  

Monday, May 19

Head's Up

Just a head's up....sorry for the late notice...  Monday, students will have an OPEN BOOK Social Studies test.  We completed a study guide in class on Friday, and we played several review games.  The lessons were rather straight forward, so hopefully the test will be a breeze!  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

May 12 - 16

The Home Stretch

We are beginning to wrap things up this week and next.  It doesn't seem possible that the end of the year is this close.  But, it is, and so we plug away.

This week is very simple.  On Monday, we will focus on our Social Studies Test, and on learning a little about Steamboat Arabia prior to our trip.  We will also begin NWEA testing.  For the rest of the week, we will begin a new (and final) unit in Social Studies, complete reading DRA testing, NWEA testing, and finish up Literature Circles.  As everything comes to an end, we still have a fun week of learning next week that will hopefully keep students in school mode!  

Of course, our field trip is tomorrow.  Most parents will be attending, and a reminder note will go home today.  (Hopefully...if their cubbies are cleaned out!)  We will leave at 8:30, so please be sure you are here by 8:20 if you are attending.  Also, bring a lunch.  All disposable isn't important, but convenient.  Please make sure all drinks have a lid.  SOOOO excited!

I want to say how impressed I am with the 4th graders and their presentation for the Wax Museum on Friday.  I know I am kind of sappy, but I was glowing all afternoon on Friday, and Saturday.  I bragged about our kids to anyone who would listen! I know that you  parents played a huge role in helping them to prepare for the museum, so I thank you.  What a way to end the week with a bang!

As a quick reminder, next Friday, May 23, we will dismiss at 1:00 for anyone hoping to travel over the memorial day weekend.    

May 5-9

Last Week of MAP Testing!

This week we will take the Math MAP test on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 8:30 to around 10.  We were really proud of all of the students last week.  Testing and schedules went smoothly!

We will prep for the MAP test on Monday, but then focus the rest of the week on our Famous Missourians presentation.

We begin Social Studies again this week.  We will look at Missouri's economy and workforce.  This being said, it will be helpful to know for grading purposes that we are finished with Science grades for the year.  If you happen to get onto Powerschool, the Science grades are up to date, and that will be their fourth quarter grade.  Social Studies will take us to the end of the.  Our Famous Missourians project will go towards the total Social Studies grade.We will end our week preparing for a Social Studies test next Monday.  Study Guides will be given out on Thursday this week.  

In English Language Arts, we will spend all of our time researching and preparing for our Famous Missourians.  Some students may ask to get onto the WebQuest at home.  They can get there through their Google accounts, then sites, or from the web address listed below.  I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Hope to see you on Friday from 1:30-2:30.   

https://sites.google.com/a/midbuchanan.k12.mo.us/mid-buchanan-fourth-grade-wax-museum/

As a reminder, AR ends on May 19.  Most students have their 10 points or more already, but I wanted to make everyone aware.  

Our Field Trip is next Tuesday, May 13.  We leave at 8:30.  We have an awesome number of parents attending!  I can't wait!

April 28 - May 2

MAP Time!  

The week we have been preparing for all year is finally here.  This week, we begin MAP testing in Communication Arts.  The kids have prepared for this, worked hard and they are ready to go!  

In Science this week, we begin with an open-book test today.  Hopefully, this will help them.  I am sorry that we didn't have time for the two-day study guide, but it is crunch time.  I have full confidence that they will do well.  Due to testing, and preparing for the Math MAP, this is the only Science we will have this week.  

In Math, we will work on adding angles, parallel and perpendicular lines and line segments, classifying quadrilaterals, and lines of symmetry, as well as preparing for the MAP test.  Next Tuesday and Wednesday we will test from 8:30 to around 10:00.   

Later this week, we are introducing a project that the students will begin work on, and present next Friday.  This is the Famous Missourian Project.  A note will be sent home about this project.  More on this next week!

We will try to keep a pretty relaxing beginning of the week so the kids can rest up for the test.  Thank you for helping ensure they will be here on Tuesday and Wednesday with a good night's sleep, a stress-less morning, and a full belly.  We are going to ROCK THIS TEST!!!

April 22- 25

Welcome Back

I hope everyone is rested after a nice break.  The ball keeps rolling as the end of the year approaches.

This week in Math, students will begin studying geometry.  We will study points, rays, angles, circles, and triangles.  We will also work on measuring angles.  There will be a Quick Quiz on Friday.

In Science, we will continue our study of matter.  We will talk about mixtures and solutions and chemical changes.  Due to time constraints, we will have an open-book test on Monday, April 28.  We will not have a study guide.

We will continue our MAP prep in communication arts.

Next week , we begin our MAP testing on Tuesday, and conclude on Wednesday.  We will test first thing in the morning until about 9:30.  Please try to make sure you child has a  good night's sleep, a good breakfast and arrives at school on time.  This helps to ease the student's mind, and gives them a stress-free testing day.  Please let me know if you have any questions.   

April 14- 16

Spring Break

Sorry for the late post...my computer was running updates all day!  

Ahhhh...spring is in the air...with a little snow.  Hopefully, the weather will work itself out so we can all enjoy a wonderful spring break this weekend.  

Although our week is short, plan on having a full three days for your child!

This week in Math, students will finish up chapter 7.  On Tuesday, students will have a Quick Quiz over the recently learned concepts.  This will be 5 simple questions that they can use their binders for.  They will then receive a chapter review.  On Wednesday, students will have a test that they many use their binders on.  I have tried to pull any students who seem to be struggling with concepts.  This isn't many, so I hope that this test goes smoothly.  

In Science, we will begin our new unit on matter and how it changes.  We will have an investigation or two on Wednesday.  

In English Language Arts, we continue with our MAP review.  So far, these are going well.  The students are noticing that some questions can be tricky, and require multiple answers.  Our biggest area to work on is reading closely, and paraphrasing any questions that they may not understand.  continue practicing this with your child at home.  Have them reword a difficult to understand word problem.  A sentence at a time can be helpful...maybe even a word at at time!

This week, look for two things in your child's backpacks:  a field trip note, and progress reports.  As a reminder, AR points end on May 19.  By the progress reports, I am concerned if students have fewer than 5.  

Thank you always for your continued support!  I am not looking forward to the end of my time with this class!  :(

Have a Blessed Easter!