Dear 4A Families,
I hope you all had a nice weekend. We started getting into more of a regular routine last week. The students have been working hard and learning the expectations and procedures that will support their growth all year. Remember, this Friday the 18th is a half-day due to West Fest set up. I know the students are excited for this fun community event. Students have free dress on Friday and are encouraged to wear any WestFest gear or fall colors.
I have compiled the 4A Class Email Group. If you are reading this as the paper copy and did not receive a “Newsletter is Posted” email from me on Sunday afternoon please let me know right away so I can add your email to the group. There have been a few glitches with the new Microsoft program we are getting used to. Beginning next week the newsletters will only be online–hopefully!
MAP Testing: On Monday we begin our MAP testing in the area of reading. The MAP testing gives teachers valuable information regarding student progress in reading, math, and language arts. Please take a moment to remind your child about the importance of doing their best to show what they know. As always, please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast in the morning. Thank you for your support.
Headphones: Please make sure your child has corded headphones or earbuds that can be kept at school! Bluetooth headphones and earbuds are not allowed. When using iPad apps that support our math, reading and language arts programs, having headphones helps students stay focused and attentive to their skill work.
Be sure you are checking your child’s filer regularly. This Monday you will find corrected spelling tests and a grade sheet for the About My Name paper. The students did a wonderful job sharing the stories of how they got their names last week.
Picture Day: Tuesday, September 15th is individual class picture day. Students may come dressed nicely in free dress or wear their uniform for their picture. Check the eFC for ordering information.
Our Week of Learning:
As we begin our third week of school, the students are building an understanding of our classroom/school rules and procedures. We will continue to practice and review. Every student in our class has a right to learn and work without interruption, feel safe and enjoy school. The management plan is in place to ensure that every student in our class feels safe, included, and is able to work and learn without disruption. Our classroom and school rules are based on being SAFE, RESPECTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE.
When rules are not followed students receive (in the order):
- A reminder
- An individual conference/conversation
- Parent contact
Our goal is always to help students be responsible, respectful self-managers. Each new day is a new beginning. The less time we have to spend managing behavior—the more time we have for great learning! I will be holding students to high academic, behavioral, and social expectations. Thank you for your support.
Second Step: Our Second step lessons last week reviewed Empathy and Respect, and Listening with Attention. Empathy is a crucial foundation for healthy communication and interpersonal relationships. Listening with attention is a skill necessary for effective communication with others and academic success. This week we discuss the importance of being assertive (rather than passive or aggressive) when communicating your feelings. We are also infusing anti-bullying lessons
Math: Our classwork will continue to focus on place value. Fourth grade students are expected to be able to read and write numbers into the millions and higher. It is important that students be able to read large numbers as well as understand the difference between place and place value. (3,293: The 9 is in the tens place and the place value is 90.) Comparing, ordering and rounding whole numbers are also included in our lessons. Students will continue to receive daily homework that reviews the skills we learned that day. We will plan to have the Chapter 1 math test on Thursday.
XtraMath: All students will receive a letter, with log in directions for Xtramath. Please use the log-in information on the letter to sign your child up for XtraMath no later than Friday, September 25th We will start using this program in class that day. All instructions are on the school flyer that will be in your child’s filer. Check your child’s school/home section of the filer. Tip: Make sure you click “Enroll” (not sign in). Even if your child has used Xtramath in the past, I need you to sign up with the new information on the letter. Let me know if you have any questions.
Spelling: This week’s spelling words are short vowel sounds. In class we will do activities to practice the words. Nightly home review is encouraged as well. The test is this Friday the 18th.
Language Arts: The students will be finishing up their My Favorite Place stories this week. These pieces are used as a beginning of the year writing assessment that I will reference to help me plan our upcoming lessons. The writing is also a good benchmark for the students to compare their progress as they grow as writers this year. Our class work this week will also focus on grammar, punctuation, and cursive! Students are also learning about the 4 types of sentences: statements, questions, commands and exclamations. They will practice writing each type of sentence using their spelling words.
Reading/Language Arts: Charlotte’s Web: The students are learning to write quality written responses as they analyze the text, vocabulary and characters. As we work through the 3rd chapter this week, the students will also begin composing Postcards From the Barn, in which they will be describing the barn using their senses as well as the main event of the chapter while infusing themselves in the scene.
Social Studies: The continent and ocean test will take place next Friday the 25th. We will continue to review in class, and students are expected to practice at home as well. The test will have a word bank of the continents and oceans. Students need to know the locations. The 4A website has links to review the continents as well. Look under the “Map Skills” section on the left-hand links column. I will share these links with the students this week. The 4th graders are also memorizing the Continent poem which they all have a copy of in their filer. It is also available as a PDF on the 4A Website. I will give practice time in class for this, but the poem should be practiced at home as well. All students need to recite the poem by September 25th. Our class lessons will focus on latitude and longitude as we gain skills reading maps using coordinates.
Science & Reading:
We will continue to explore slow and fast earth changes. The first step to being a successful scientist is to thoroughly research the topic you are investigating. We will complete our research on the types of earth changes and then begin some hands-on explorations on how earth changes may occur in our world.
After our slow and fast earth change investigation, we will be asking the essential question of: “How do people respond to natural disasters?” We will read expository texts to learn about ways humans problem-solve solutions to fast earth changes.
The students are off to a fantastic start! We have a great week of learning ahead. Perhaps I will see you at West Fest this coming weekend!
The students are off to a fantastic start! We have a great week of learning ahead. Remember this Friday is half-day to allow for WestFest set-up. Perhaps I will see you there this weekend!
