Week of October 28th Update

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. The field trip on Friday was very fun and cold! Thanks to those who braved the weather and volunteered! Check out some of the learning stations that we visited:

In Social Studies, we will be studying the causes of the French and Indian War.

In ELA, the students will be writing an "I Am" poem and learning new "close reading" strategies. *We are beginning word study this week! The students will be given a spelling menu each Monday. They are required to choose 1 activity per night. All spelling homework is due on Fridays. The students will be given a spelling test on Fridays over ten of their words.

In science, we got behind at the end of last term! We'll be finishing our unit on outer space and have the test on Friday. They will have review materials in their science folders.

In math, we'll be working on patterns and function tables. We'll have a quiz Thursday. Go to these websites to practice at home:
    http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/algebra/function-tables.htm
    http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/stop-creature/
    http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/amy/algebra/3-4/activities/functionmachine/functionmachine3_4.html

Week of October 21st Update

The students and I have been enjoying ourselves this week...Here's a recap from when Lemony Snicket came to see us! -Miss Ary

Week of October 7th Update

From Mrs. Broman-Fulks:
Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! I can't believe we're half way through the second term! The students are learning so much, and I hope they've shared all of it with you!
General Information:
•    Go to broman-fulks4thgrade.weebly.com for an update on the standards we are teaching this term, IB unit information, and links to Compass learning and instructions for accessing Quizlet for Spanish
•    If you haven't signed up for a conference and would like one, go to missaryandmsbromanfulks.youcanbook.me

Math: We will continue learning various strategies for multiplying 2-digit numbers. We may or may not start division strategies. It depends on students' needs. They have impressed me so far with their ability to complete area models and partial products. They will have homework again this week! The homework will review factors and multiples. Please continue to drill multiplication facts! Also, try to complete two sessions on Compass Learning - math - each week. I'd recommend 15 minutes per session.

Science: We're moving our study through the planets and will continue with moon phases, day/night cycles, and season. I've really enjoyed students' enthusiasm during this unit. It's a popular one among teachers and students! The students will also be working in class on a technology project for a learning celebration at the end of this term. Students should be reviewing their daily notes each night. Continue working on the moon phase calendar!

From Miss Ary:
Happy Fall! We are well into term two, and learning something new every day! This week's homework includes: read 30 minutes, fill out weekly reading log, work on reading contract that is due October 23rd.

In social studies, I have been blown away with the students' interest in the European explorers. Last week, the students wrapped up their presentations. Many of the students chose to share information on their favorite explorer using the Pages app. Others blew me away with short pop quizzes at the end of their presentations. We definitely have a few future teachers on our hands! This week, we will be studying the 13 colonies, and how the colonists' lives varied from region to region. The students will be taking a "Map of the 13 colonies" quiz on Friday.

In writing, the students will continue drafting their first narrative. This week, our focus is on using specific strategies to revise and edit. The students should continue to add to to their writing by incorporating dialogue, description, and compound sentences. Later in the week, students will conference with their writing partner using a peer editing checklist found here: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/Editing%20Checklist.pdf

In reading, I will begin re-assessing each student's accuracy, fluency, and comprehension using the school-wide fiction reading assessment that I used during term 1. The students will also be studying how point of view affects the way you understand the characters and plot within a story. On Friday, the students will have a point of view quiz and will be asked to determine between 1st and 3rd person.

Have a great week! As always, contact me with any questions via sary@csdecatur.net

 

Week of September 30th Update

In Math, we will be reviewing factors and multiples, prime and composite, and addition and subtraction. We will begin learning strategies for multiplying 2-digit numbers. The students will be learning several strategies for this, and they'll be given the option of choosing the one that works best for them. The traditional algorithm is not a fourth grade standard. Typically, students like to use strategies called area models and partial products.
**The students will have addition and subtraction homework this week.
**Remember, students can do Xtramath at home: xtramath.org.

In Science, we'll be finishing up our study of planets and stars. We'll have a quiz on Friday. They will have a lot of notes in their journals, so be sure to ask them! They need to know characteristics of stars (sizes, temperatures, colors) and the order and sizes of the planets (including dwarf planets). They also need to know the major differences between planets and stars. Check out the Science Techbook at discoveryeducation.com and studyjams.scholastic.com if you're looking for information at home!

In Social Studies, we are presenting research projects on the European Explorers that the students have been working on. Later in the week, we will begin discussing the opportunity costs of early exploration.

In Reader's Workshop, we are learning how to identify the theme in a fiction story. We are also learning how to use a 5 word summary strategy to summarize various texts.
Ask your child to re-tell you what happened in The Lorax using the strategy: "Somebody...wanted..but..so...then"



In Writer's Workshop, we are drafting our first narrative piece. We have been busy looking at mentor texts for ideas and strategies to mimic! This week, our focus is on adding transitional words and adding details to the characters in our story.

Some Important Annoucements:

Keep track of your child’s behavior via www.classdojo.com

Parent Codes are being re-sent home today! 

From the Spanish Department:  Please make sure your student studies the assigned vocabulary/sentence structures daily.  Language acquisition requires constant practice.  Students can find the assigned words on the Spanish Website and on www.quizlet.com.

Conferences are optional, but we would be happy to sit down to discuss your child’s progress. Due to limited time frames, please email your child’s homeroom teacher to set up a phone conference if needed. Please visit the following link to set up a convenient time to meet in the classroom: http://missaryandmsbromanfulks.youcanbook.me/

Have a great week! -Miss Ary

Week of September 16th Update

Wow! I cannot believe we are already in term two. I hope you all enjoyed your Fall break as much as I did! Report cards will go home September 23rd, so be on the look out for those in communication folders.

This week:
 In Writer's Workshop, we are looking at mentor texts, and checking out the various techniques writers use in narrative writing. 

In Reader's Workshop, we are learning how to describe the story elements in a fictional story. Check out the "5 things" song we have enjoyed learning: http://www.flocabulary.com/fivethings/

In Social Studies, we are looking at the relationship between the Native Americans and the Europeans when the explorers first arrived. The students have enjoyed learning about sponsorships, and the many obstacles the European explorers faced. 

Some important announcements: 

-Keep track of your child’s behavior via www.classdojo.com  Parent Codes are being re-sent home again next Monday!

-You're invited to join us for optional Parent Sessions about Edmodo on our Ipads at F.AVE!  Edmodo is an Ipad app that we will be utilizing throughout the year. Check out this link to sign up:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4BA5AD23A46-ipals

-Ms. Broman-Fulks and I will be sending out a link via email to sign up for conferences. If you still have not received an email from one of us, we do NOT have your email on file. Please send it in!

-Keep track of your child’s reading at home. They should be reading at least 30 minutes a night as well as taking home their reading contract and working on book assessments while they read.

-xtramath.org is a great way for your child to practice fact fluency. They know their log-in information!

It is going to be a great term! -Miss Ary

Practice Correcting Fragments & Run On Sentences

 On both of the websites:

1. Read the text on the page

2. Click on the flower at the bottom of the page to practice on your own

Click Here to Practice Editing Run-Ons!

Click Here to Practice Editing Fragments!

August 26, 2013 Update

A special thank you to those who volunteered to help out with communication folders. I am set for the next month and a half! I'll keep you updated as we need more help around the classroom.

Curriculum Night: Please join us for Curriculum Night this Thursday, August 29th (6-7:30) If you cannot make it, no worries! I'll send home any necessary information in the communication folders.

A message fom the Spanish Department:  Students will take the Spanish test (listening and reading) for the first term the week of Sept 3-6.  Please make sure your student reviews the vocabulary learned for Unidad 1on www.quizlet.com and be sure he/she is present on those days.  ¡Gracias!
*Please email your child's Spanish teacher if you have any questions related to this!

In Reader's Workshop, reading contracts are due on the 29th! We will be focusing on making inferences and finding "just right" books!

In Writer's Workshop, we are in the drafting portion of the writing process. The students are busy writing their first informational piece. We are also focusing on identifying homophones, fragments, and run-ons!

In Social Studies, we are busy learning about six Native American tribes and how they used their environment for survival.

Have a great week! -Miss Ary