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!

Thank You

Thank You, Thank You!

I wanted to say thank you to this wonderful class that I have!  They have worked very hard to make my birthday special today.  I am very touched at their thoughtfulness.  I am posting because I know that their parents not only helped them out today, but also have helped shape them into the compassionate human beings that they are today.  So thank you all (students and parents) for your thoughtfulness.  It is much appreciated!  

I am sad already thinking about the end of the year.  I don't want this group of kids to ever leave my room!  :)  

April 7- 11

Happy Monday!

I hope that everyone enjoyed the beautiful weekend!  Here is a look at our week ahead!

In Math, we will begin looking at fractions as decimals.  Hopefully, this will help some students who struggled with fractions to see them a little differently.  

In Science, we will continue our study on matter.  By Wednesday, we will begin preparing for our test on Friday.

In English Language Arts, students will continue their practice for the MAP test.  It may seem a ways off, but it will be here before we know it.  So far, the students are rocking the practice tests!  That is a great sign!

Although this looks like a slim week, all of the lessons are packed full.  We will remain pretty busy.  

Have a great week!   

March 30- April 4

Warmer Weather

I am so glad that the weather is warming up, even if just for a day or two. It will come to stay before too long.  

We have only 9 weeks of school left!  Counting days, that may sound like a lot, but I cannot believe we are this close to the end of the school year.  That being said, it is important to note that the infamous MAP testing will begin soon.  We will begin our testing the week of April 28.  We will test Tuesday through Thursday in Communication Arts.  The next week will begin Math.  Therefore, our focus to the do our best on the test begins this week.  Look for a note with some tips to help at home this week.  

In Math, students will continue working with fractions.  We will continue work with equivalent fractions, and develop our skills into using fractions with line plots.  

We will swing back into Science this week.  Students will explore the world of matter that is all around them, and even how to measure it.  We will complete some investigations this week, which is always a big hit.  

In Spelling, we will have our test on Monday (today).  After that, we will focus on MAP test spelling, which involves multiple choice items looking for the correctly spelled, or incorrectly spelled word.  This will take some practice.  This also means that you won't see a spelling list for quite a while.  

In Reading, we will continue with our Literature Circle studies, and small group work.  The students really seem to enjoy reading and discussing in these small groups.  

In English Language Arts, we will begin focusing our energy on MAP test practice.  We have ways that we are going to approach this.  First, students will be given a new test test every other day until the MAP test.  Hopefully, the reminder of good test taking strategies will help students feel more comfortable by the actual test time.  Second, we will begin reviewing different test elements, and taking practice tests.  Another big focus will be on test-taking vocabulary.  Hopefully, knowing these words will help ease their anxiety during testing.  

As a heads up, another note will be going home this week about our field trip.  We will be going to Steamboat Arabia in Kansas City on May 13.  More information will head home this week.  

Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or comments.  Email is best.  akountz@midbuchanan.k12.mo.us.

March 24- 28

School Days

As the chill of winter continues into the spring, please remember to send your child to school dressed warm!  We will go out to recess unless the temperature is below freezing.  BRRR!  Some days it feels like it even if the temperature doesn't say that it is.  

This week in Math, we will prepare for a test.  On Monday, we will look at math practices.  On Tuesday, we will review the unit to prepare for our test in Wednesday.  On Thursday, we will begin our new unit of comparing and ordering fractions.

In Social Studies, we will finish up chapter 7.  We will receive a study guide on Wednesday to prepare for our test on Friday.  

In Spelling, students will receive a new list today. This unit, students will focus on ew and oo spelling patterns.  

In Reading, we will focus on the climax of a story.  This is the part of the story where it begins to turn around.  We will use several picture books to illustrate this text element.

In English Language Arts, we will focus on grammar practices such as; ordering adjectives, complete sentences, prepositional phrases, progressive verb tenses, and relative pronouns and adverbs.  

Have a great week!

Quarter Four Begins

Happy Monday!

Good morning.  I hope that everyone enjoyed a beautiful Saturday, and slightly cold Sunday.  The week ahead looks like it is going to be full of nice weather.

This week in Math, students will add and subtract mixed number with like denominators, and practice with fractions and mixed numbers. We will then have a "Quick Quiz" to see how the students are doing with adding fractions, and mixed numbers.  (This is a 5 question quiz just to see where they are at.)  We will then begin multiplying fractions by a whole number.  So far, the grades that I have seen from the new book's assignments have been pretty good.  I am pleased with the student's transition.

On Monday, students will begin preparing for a Social Studies test on Wednesday.  On Thursday, we will begin chapter 7 in Social Studies, looking at Missouri in the 1950's.  

In Reading, students will practice work with noticing genre of a text.  We will first try this by studying books on our shelves.  Later in the week, students will be given short passages to determine the type of text that is written. 

In Spelling, we will give out  new list of words today.  These are the words that will be used for the Spell-a-Thon test on Friday, for those students choosing to participate.  This unit focuses on /ou/ and /ow/ spelling patterns.  There will be NO bonus words this unit.  

In English Language Arts, students will practice opinion writing.  We will look at advertisements that demonstrate persuasive writing in the real world.  

The end of the quarter in March 18.  Grade Cards will go home on March 20.  Look for those.  The last quarter begins.  I am becoming sad already.  

Have a great week!  

March 10- 14

The Last Full Week of the Quarter

Happy Monday!  I hope that everyone had a great weekend!

This week in Math, we will dive into fractions.  We will study like denominators, and mixed numbers.  Hopefully the new Math is going well at home.  I have asked the students to take their notebooks home daily so parents have an example of the lesson with completed work if students are in need of help.  I know some questions are challenging, and require whole application of skills, but I think that all in all, the students are doing well!

In Social Studies, we will look at primary resources, reference materials, unequal rights, and growth in Missouri.  We will wind up our unit this week, so we will begin preparing for a test next week.  

In Reading this week, we will study the genres of historical fiction and biographies. This ties in well with our study in Social Studies.  We will use a historical fiction book about a young slave girl, and a picture book biography of Anne Frank.  We will study the text's features, and how to pull information from the text to answer questions.

In English Language Arts, students continue their work on writing fluency.  They will be able to select from previously introduced strategies to promote thought and build time at the task of writing. 

In Spelling, we will work on /j/ spelling patterns, ch endings, and will prepare for a test on Friday.  

Our quarter end has moved to next week, but our AR points are still due March 13.  10 is still the required amount.  Most students have already achieved this, but are still working towards goals of doubling or tripling their points. 

As some may know, our High School Special Education Teacher, Lori Godfrey, has passed away.  Her funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.  So that staff may attend, we will dismiss at 1:00 on Wednesday, March 12.  We have a half day(Noon out) on Friday.  Hopefully we can all enjoy a beautiful weather week!  

  

March 4-7

A little late...

Sorry this is late.  We had a few technical difficulties yesterday.  We have a short week this week due to our snow day on Monday.  

In Math, we will begin using a different resource.  Students will have copied pages rather than a book.  These pages include the lesson, and instruction, as well as problems that we worked on together in class.  These lessons are to be placed on their binders, and their binders are to go home any night that they have homework to be used as a resource.  Their lessons will consist of a page on the day's lesson, and the back page is a spiral review.  (Concepts that students have learned earlier in the year.)  Hopefully this change flows smoothly.  All of that being said, our lessons this week will cover area and perimeter, solving measurement problems, using mathematical practices (so a review of using measurement in daily life), and on Thursday we will have an area and perimeter quiz.  On Friday, we will begin fractions.  This can be a challenge for some students, but we will start off slowly, and hopefully students will learn fractions through their own discovery, making the learning process more meaningful.  

In Social Studies, we reviewed yesterday, and we have a test today, Wednesday.  On Thursday we will begin chapter 6 learning about our state's growth, slavery, and plantation life.  This topic is a tough one to hear about, but I love that the students quickly understand the mistakes of our nation's past.  We end the week learning about the Civil War, and its ties to Missouri being a border state.  

In Reading, we are working on a small group project continuing our lessons on sequencing with flashback.  We have three small groups that are reading a picture book that have flashbacks.  Students will create 7 or so event cards.  They will then read the book to the class, and the class will work together to place the cards in sequential order.

In Spelling, we received a new list.  For this unit, we will focus on silent letters, homophones, and /k/ sounds in words.  We will be ready for a test next week.

In English Language Arts, we will continue to work on fluency with writing.  Students will be writing from the point of view of different objects.  This usually leads to a pretty fun writing piece.  

February 24- 28

Our Last Week of February

This year is really flying by! I am posting early because I will not be at school Monday due to meetings for the new Common Core Standards.   

I pushed the students very hard this week, as we are preparing to take the BIG TEST!  Some of the things that we are focusing on for the state test in English Language Arts are; 1. reading the questions first to find important words or details that we can think about while reading, 2. reading the passage twice- once for flow, and once for content, 3. going back to the text to find answers, 4. restating the questions in our constructed response answers to ensure that we are answering the correct question, and that we are trying our best to use proper grammar.  All of these take significant time.  And for some, it takes longer than others.  This can make for a longer period of focus time.  Hopefully by the test, they will have the confidence they need and will be prepared to ROCK IT!  

In Math, students will learn the problem solving skill of Logical Reasoning.  They will then work on measuring temperature.  We will begin preparing for our chapter test on Wednesday, and will then test on Thursday.  I have added a link under the spelling words to help with measurement.  Third grade is challenging enough, and hits metric units of measurement.  The students have used the site in computers, so they will be familiar with navigating this.    

We will venture back into the world of Social Studies!  I am soooooo excited!  We will begin the unit by discussing about how Missouri becomes a state, and move into Missouri's role in Westward Expansion.  

In Spelling, students will focus in adding suffixes and prefixes, and homophones.  We will test on Friday.  

In Reading, we are going to tackle the tough!  Although sequencing is something most students at this stage are fluent at, sequencing with FLASHBACKS can be more difficult.  We are going to take some time to help students recognize that sometimes, characters think back to an event in their life to help the story develop.  The hard part is being able to sequence all of it together.  Mrs. Kelly and myself have located several picture books to assist in this.  Hopefully, this will be a piece of cake by the end of the week! 

In English Language Arts, students will discuss different genres, and how these can change the way we write.  As readers, they are very familiar with the different reading genres, and what to expect as we read them.  This week, we hope to bridge the gap and help students see that they are able to write in different ways, for different purposes.  We will do something called "Genre Switch".  Students will begin writing in their notebooks about any topic- fiction, or nonfiction.  I will periodically call out a new genre, and they are to continue with the same story, only write as the new genre asks them to.  These can be super fun...and funny...  by the time we are through!

On Friday, our Accelerated Reader program is having a competition to try to have five MILLION AR tests taken in one day.  Any school in the United States that uses the Accelerated Reader program will be working towards this goal.  I will encourage students to wait for quizzes until Friday to see that their test scores will help make the goal (or work towards it!)!  We will have extra computers (hopefully working) to make sure that students have the opportunity to test.  

February 17- 21

Progress Report Week

Good morning!  I hope that everyone enjoyed their weekend.  We should have had a longer weekend, but we are using today (President's Day) as a Make-Up day.  

This week in Math, we will start our week off with a test.  The students will use their notebooks for this unit.  The test involves conversions, so hopefully they will feel better about the test with the weight of knowing unit conversions off of their shoulders.  On Tuesday, we will begin our unit on metric units.  We will work with capacity and mass, and their conversions.

In Science, we will get back into the book.  They are ready for the Science Fair (hopefully) which is on Wednesday evening from 6-8.  I would say that arriving just a few minutes early would be plenty.  Everything will be set up for them.  In the book, students will be learning about nonrenewable resources, and how to conserve those resources.  On Wednesday, we will give students a study guide for their test on Friday.  

In Spelling, we will prepare for our test that will be on Tuesday.  Students will receive a new list on Wednesday.  I will update the list after the test on Tuesday.  This unit will focus on /k/ and /s/ sounds, as well as adding suffixes.  

 In Reading, we will focus on MAP-like questions and answers.  We will take advantage of the President's Day holiday and read about several presidents this week.  Our focus will be on eliminating multiple choice options, and answering constructed response questions by restating the question, and answering in complete sentences with details from the text.  This is something that most students are in need of!

In English Language Arts, students will write a movie review using facts that support their opinion about a topic (the movie).  These should be really fun!

Math Test

UPDATE

Our Math test will be Monday.  I will allow them to use their binders, since it involves conversions.  Have a great weekend!

Progress Reports

The date that progress reports go home has changed.  They will now go home on Tuesday, February 18.  Look for them then!

February 10- 14

Repeat!

Since we missed the majority of the week last week the scheduled plans will remain.  The only difference for our week involve our Friendship Party on Thursday at 2:00, and a half day (make-up) on Friday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I am unsure at this time if progress reports will still go home on Thursday, but I will update the blog if this date changes.  Expect it on Thursday unless otherwise updated here.

Have a great week!

February 3- 7

It's beginning to look a lot like....February?!

From the forecasts for this week, I am not sure how much of this will be done this week.  I hope that the meteorologists are giving us worst -case -scenarios and that we will be here more than a few days this week.  But, as it is, we will plan on a full week until otherwise noted.  If we happen to have a few snow days, whatever we do not get to this week will be carried on to next week.  Unfortunately, that could mean a really busy week next week, and possible homework on Friday.  I hate doing that, but we are at crunch time.

This week in Math, we will continue our unit on measurement.  We will discuss capacity and weight.  We will also begin to convert customary units.  We will spend a couple of days on this since it is a more challenging task.

In Science, we will be preparing for our Science Fair.  On February 19 from 6-8, students will present a group experiment.  We have completed these all in class, and will showcase our knowledge of the scientific process at the Science Fair.  

In Spelling this week, we will begin with a new list of words.  We will work with contractions, r following a vowel, and suffixes.  

In Reading, students will work on fact and opinion.  We will use the newspaper to determine the difference in vocabulary and presentation of each.

In English Language Arts, students will continue working on their Fractured Fairy Tales, and hopefully have their final drafts completed by Friday.     

January 27- 31

BRRRR!!!

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone can stay warm today.  It is cold outside!  Here is a look at our week ahead.

In Math, we start Monday off with a test over Ch 14.  On Tuesday, students will look at order of operations.  We looked at this briefly earlier in the year, so hopefully this lesson will go well.  After this lesson, we go straight into measurement. Students will start with non-stand unit of measurement, such as three paper clips long or five big steps.  We will then go into customary unit of measurement to 1/4 inch.

In Science, we will send home a study guide for the test on Wednesday.  We will study on Tuesday as a class.  On Thursday, students will begin to learn about Earth's Resources.  Friday, students will investigate the water cycle.

In Spelling this week, students will read and illustrate the true meanings of proverbs or idioms.  We will take a closer look at properly using their, there, and they're. Students will also look at the differences between oi and oy.  Thursday we will touch briefly on Latin Roots, and send home a Dear Parents.  Our test will be on Friday.  

In Reading, students will continue their work with Point of View.  We will look deeper into identifying the difference between first and third person.  We will work through our lessons and then have a quick assessment project in class using books to identify which point of view the story is told from.  

In English Language Arts, we are going to work on beginning a new draft.  This draft will be teaching students to write from another point of view.  They will take a classic tale, and write from a new characters perspective.  We will read a few examples of these, such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.  These should be a fun way to work through the drafting process.

Have a great week!

January 20- 24

I Have a Dream...

Due to snow days, we are in school today, Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  I actually appreciate the learning opportunities that this day allows us in the classroom.  So for today, we will center our Reading and English Language Arts lessons on a very courageous man.  In Reading, students will take an excerpt from the "I have a Dream" speech, and complete a "Close Read".  This is something we have been working on.  It allows students to look deeper into a text as they read it several times over, and then discuss with partners, and the class to determine the meaning of more complex texts.  The students are doing awesome!  I can't wait to hear their interpretations of this monumental speech.  In English Language Arts, students will listen to the story, "Martin's Big Words".  This text includes several quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.  They will then use the opportunity to write about what they have heard. For the rest of today's lessons, I will place then in the paragraphs for each subject.

In Math this week, students will take the time to work on a guess and check strategy, finding the better buy between two items, and work with exploring the mean.  By Friday, we will begin preparing for a test that will be on Monday.   

In Science, we will learn about identifying different types of rocks by their qualities.  Students will then learn about the changes to the earth's surface, both quick and slow, and how these changes occur.  We will complete a few investigations this week to aid in the comprehension of these two concepts.   

In Spelling, we will test today.  Tomorrow, students will work on any missed words.  We will introduce the new list on Wednesday.  (I will post that list after our test.)  The concept that we will study this week is the /or/, /ore/ spelling patterns.  

In English Language Arts, we will work on comma usage, and quotation usage.  On Friday, students will have a chance to create a quotes, using macaroni noodles to show their knowledge of the comma and quotation usage.  

In Reading, students will continue their work on "Close Reading" for the first couple of days.  On Wednesday, we will begin studying reading from different points of view.  For instance, first person can be identified when the words " I , me, or my" are used.  If the story is told from the third person, it uses the character's name, the pronouns "his, her, or they".  We will use a few small picture books to help illustrate this concept.  Hopefully students will be able to easily notice these in their own reading.  

At the start of our new quarter, AR begins again.  Students are asked to earn 10 points before the end of the third quarter, March 13.  

January 13- 17

Chugging Along

I am sorry this was not posted until today.  I was gone yesterday with a sick child, and when this crossed my mind, I didn't have the week's lessons with me.  

With no school last Friday, we continued out lessons for that day on Monday.  We will start our week's lessons today, Tuesday.

In Math, we will continue with unit reviews until Thursday.  On Friday, we will get back into dividing.  Hopefully, the review time gave students the opportunity and confidence to get back into the swing of things.  We have been practicing multiplication facts, so hopefully division will continue smoothly.  

In Social Studies, students went over the Louisiana Purchase yesterday.  Today, we will complete a study guide for our chapter 4 test.  We will review again on Wednesday, and test on Thursday.  

In Reading, we have started Literature Circles again.  Students have their independent reading level books to complete these "jobs".  As a whole class in reading, students will learn the difference between summarizing and retelling.  For the most part, students will be asked to summarize more in class.  We will work on this as a class, and independently.  We will also take some time this week to read and understand poetry.  Sometimes the language can be tricky, but students are going to work together to discuss possible meanings in different types of poetry.

In English Language Arts, we will finish up letter writing to start the week.  Students will study author's craft.  They will look at a piece of literature, and pull out the things that make the writing stand out.  Students will then try to mimic what they see "good writers" do.  As a grammar lesson, we will also take some time to review verb tenses, and their usage in sentences.  

In Spelling, we will discuss apostrophes, and their use in the English Language.  We will also use selling to go over irregular verbs.  We will prepare and have a test on Monday.  

The end of the quarter is TODAY, Tuesday, January 14.  Students AR points are due at the end of today.  Look for Grade Cards on Thursday.  

Also, a note is going home today about Friendship parties in February.  You may ask your child about this note as well.  Sometimes, things tend to linger in their cubbies....  :)

We're Back!!

Welcome Back!

I was beginning to wonder if we were ever going to make it back to school!  Nevertheless, I am glad to get back on track.  I hope that all of you enjoyed your time off!

In Math, we will start our time back with some review.  We will complete unit reviews of what we have covered so far this year.  These should help students ease back into math before we get back to division.

In Social Studies, we will cover the arrival of Europeans in the state of Missouri.  This is a really fun part of Missouri's history.  I enjoy teaching it, and hopefully, students will enjoy learning about it!

In Spelling, we will begin a new unit.  In this unit, students will learn about contractions, apostrophes, and a little more on irregular verbs.  Expect a test on this unit Friday, January 17.  

In Reading, students will learn an in depth look at reading known as "Close Reading".  We will begin this strategy as a class, and then gradually allow the students to complete this on their own.  This strategy helps students look deeper into the texts by questioning, and noting comments or thoughts.  

In English Language Arts, we will revisit letter writing.  This should be a basic review of a friendly letter and its parts, but is always needed.  

Our assembly that was scheduled for Friday, December 20, has been moved to Friday, January 10 at 2:15.