Ms. B’s Classroom

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  At our November assembly in the morning, students in 4KB teamed up with Mr. Davis, our fabulous Art teacher, to present a skit about our Eagles.  Students showed how be EMPOWERED to do whatever you want to set your mind to!  They helped explain this idea to the entire elementary, to the tunes of “Baby you can do it!”

After that, students were treated to a delicious turkey lunch by Eurest.  In the fourth grade project area, parents sent in an array of sweets and fruit for the children to enjoy while they watched Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving.  Thanks to all of the parents who sent in food, came to help out and serve, and helped to organize this afternoon’s events.

On Tuesday, we visited the museum at the base of the Pearl Tower.  The theme of our trip, photos, and project were: Shanghai; Yesterday and Today.  Students took photos of scenes depicting Shanghai’s amazing and lengthy past, and will be using Google images and personal photos to represent Modern Shanghai.  Mr. Power will be helping kids put these images together in a Photostory.  Ask students what their favorite parts were!

The day here is done,

But for the kids and you,

It has only just begun!

Happy Halloween!!!

Thanks to ALL OF THE AMAZING PARENTS

who made today such a fun and special day for all of the 4th grade kids!

Report Cards are headed home today!  Your children are a combination of excited, nervous, proud, and full of Halloween spirit!  Enjoy sitting down and going through your child’s report card with them.  I asked them to tell you about what they are extremely proud of and find 3 areas that they can make a goal for growth in.  I look forward to meeting with everyone for conferences next week. 

For the last several weeks in technology, students have been learning about landforms, geography, and Google Earth capabilities.  They are currently completing definitions and photos of a variety of landforms, which will then be transferred over to Google Earth Placemarks.  Students who have been diligently working have completed around 9-10 of their 18 total landforms.  If your child is not at this point, they will be working on these at home and also might want to focus a bit more in class!  They are due in class on their USB by Monday.

This Friday from 10:30-11:30 is our class visit to the World- at UN Day!  This is a day for students to celebrate their culture and also to explore and learn about other countries.  Your child is welcome to dress in their culture’s traditional clothing or has a flag, symbol, etc. from their home country.  Students will travel around the world, getting their passports stamped.  You are more than welcome to come and enjoy!

iowa-letter.pdf

Next week, from Monday to Thursday, students will be taking the IOWA Standardized Test.  This will measure proficiency in the Language Arts and Mathematics subject areas.  Please make sure your children get a great night’s sleep and a hearty, healthy breakfast!  For specific details, please see the attached letter.

Hello all!  I hope you are viewing this on my Classroom Blog

that I finally have up and running!  I will start posting

updates on this site.  Please check it every few days for

updates, links, highlights of learning, and important

announcements! 

The Week Ahead: October 20-26

10/20 to 10/24 IOWA Testing* More info on Blog

10/23 Bobby’s Birthday

10/24 UN Day 10:30-11:30 *More info on Blog

             End of First Quarter

Upcoming Events:

10/2 8 Library Reading of Chris VanAllsburg Book

10/31 Halloween Parade, Halloween Party

             Report Cards go Home

The first full week of school was a great success.  The kids are getting to know each other, the routine, their Specials, make friends, and LEARN.

I am finishing the email list and should be sending out updates and emails next week.  If you have not received an email by next Wednesday from me, please send me an email.  If you have any questions at all, please email me.

Open house will be on September 25.  Please mark your calendars for that evening.  You will be invited to come to the school, learn about the curriculum, see the classrooms, and meet the teachers.  We will cover everything you wanted to know, and more…

The Week Ahead:

September 1-5

Monday: School Photos (11:00 am)

   *If you have not returned your photo order forms, please send them in on Monday with your child.  If you do not want to order forms, do not return the form. 

Tuesday: Fun Store

This is a store where small items and toys are sold to fund the elementary end of the year fun store day.  Students can bring in money if they want to buy items at recess on Tuesdays.  This is optional.

Thursday: Treat Day

            This is an opportunity for grade levels to raise money for activities throughout the year.  5^th Grade is hosting this treat day.  5^th graders bring in homemade treats (With NO NUTS) and they are sold for 5RMB at lunchtime.  If you want your child to be able to buy a treat- send them in with 5RMB per treat!

SCHEDULES

Hopefully your children gave you their copy of their “Team” schedule for the year.  They are on team A, B, C, or D.  They need to know which team they are on and which specials they have on each day of the week.  PE is very important to know the day, as they need to wear appropriate tennis shoes/sport shoes on those days. 

Curriculum Update:

Math:

• Unit 1: Geometry; Including lines, angles, polygons, and circles.
• Memorization for quick recall of multiplication facts *Ask your child to tell you about “5 Minute Math”

Writing:  Introduction to different types of Writing: Narratives and Expository, beginning Writer’s Workshop, The Writing Process, and beginning to write Personal Narratives.

Reading:

• Independent Reading: How to choose “Just Right” books, enjoy reading time, and actively think while reading
• What is Reading Comprehension and Reading Fluency???
• Use of Internet to find book levels, different books by the same author, and other literature information.
  

Grammar/ Vocabulary/ Spelling:

·        Beginning to study prefixes, suffixes, and root words

·       Nouns

Open and closed syllables and vowel rules that go with each