Seven...more...days!

The end of the year is upon us and we only have SEVEN more days of schools left (6 and half to be precise!).  With the year winding down, I want to remind you that we are still working hard in Room 25.  Here is what's going on this week:

Science/Social Studies

This week we will complete our Dam Projects (that is, engineering a working model of a dam).  The students have been working hard building the dams and think creatively to solve the problem of diverting the 2 Liters of water beyond the neighborhood of five houses without any water damage. The final dam test will be on Thursday morning!

Math

We just finished up Chapter 9 last week (Decimals, Fractions, and Money) and the graded tests will go home on Monday.  Due to MANY afternoon activities this week, we will only get to Math again on Thursday (see schedule of events below).  Chapter 10 involves Geometry and classifying shapes, lines, and angles.  Look for homework on Thursday.

Language Arts 

Word Study

Our formal word study activities are finished for the year (as of 2 weeks ago).  The students are still studying words in context through the group novel, Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.

Writing

This week we will focus on writing narrative stories about social situations that incorporate Second Step problem-solving strategies we have discussed this year.

Reading

The class is almost finished with our novel, Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.  Some days will require your student to finish reading a chapter at home, as well as complete taking notes.  This can also double as their 20-minutes of nightly reading.  We will have a culminating activity regarding the novel this week as well.

A few important reminders:

• Tuesday and Wednesday we will have our end-of-the-year MAP testing in Math and Reading.  These will take place during the afternoon on both days.  Attendance is critical for these tests, so please have your students in school!
• Friday is Field Day in the afternoon.  Please have your students dress appropriately for the physical activities involved.
• Theme days for the rest of the school year:
• Monday, 5/23 - Superhero Day
• Tuesday, 5/24 - Twin Day
• Wednesday, 5/25 - Uniform or Sports Shirt
• Thursday, 5/26 - Violet Day
• Friday, 5/27 - White Day (and Field Day...make sure it's nothing you want to stay clean!)
• Monday, 5/30 - NO SCHOOL!
• Tuesday, 5/31 - Extra Colorful Day
• Wednesday, 6/1 - Yellow Day
• Thursday, 6/2 - Zigzag Out of School!

Have a great week and let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

This week in Room 25

This week is a bit different in scheduling due to PARCC testing, the field trip, and the Walk-A-Thon on Friday.  Here is a breakdown of the week:

Math
With our afternoons full this week due to testing and other activities, we will be working on math in the mornings on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Look for homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday involving the relationship between fractions and decimals.

Language Arts
Word Study
We will have our Work Study quiz on Wednesday this week.  Due to the oddly-scheduled week, we will not start a new list until next Tuesday,  The words for last week can be found here.

Reading
This week we are starting a whole-class novel, Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.  We will use this text as a class to review character analysis, plot structure, conflict, theme, WWII history, and even some geography.  Look for the books to come home a few days this week the complete reading chapters we started in class (this can count for their nightly 20 minutes as well!).

Writing
Due to Math moving around and lack of time this week in the afternoons, Writing is being put on the back burner this week.  We will begin narratives next week based on what we have learned in Second Step this year.

Science/Social Studies
As a culminating activity to finish up our West Region unit in Social Studies, we will begin a Dam-building project on Friday that will last through the following week.  The students will plan and make a functioning dam using the information we have learned about how a dam works.  So, if your child comes home talking about their Dam Project, remember they are working on a model of a dam, not a project that they don't like!

In addition, here are a few reminders for the rest of the week:

• PARCC testing continues on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  Our final test will be Monday, May 16th in the morning.
• The field trip to the Chicago History Museum is Thursday, May 12th.  Make sure to send a lunch and non-glass drink (unless you have already paid for an Arbor lunch).
• The North PTA Walk-A-Thon is Friday afternoon.  Our theme color for 4th grade is BLACK.

Have a great week and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

And so it begins...

PARCC testing is upon us!  Obviously this affects our weekly schedule tremendously, but we will still be learning...no worries!  Here is what is happening in Room 25 this week:

Math
This week we will finish-up Chapter 8: Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers.  Although we are testing on Tuesday and Thursday during our math time, we will have plenty to learn on Monday. Wednesday, and Friday. Here is the breakdown:

• Monday - Multiplying Whole Numbers by Mixed Numbers - This is nothing new to the kids as far as the math...there are just a few more steps than what they are used to. Here's the video.
• Tuesday - PARCC - no homework!
• Wednesday - Lesson 8.5 - Problem Solving - Comparison Problems with Fractions.  This lesson is taking everything we have learned in Chapter 8 and turning them into word problems. Expect homework on Wednesday as well.
• Thursday - PARCC - no homework
• Friday - Short Math quiz over Chapter 8

Language Arts

Word Study 

Last week's words and activities were extended until today and the quiz will be tomorrow.  Additionally, the new words for this week will be introduced tomorrow as well.  This week's words focus on the prefixes non-, en-, post-, trans-, and multi-.  Here are the words for the week.

Writing

Writing will also take a hit this week due to PARCC testing, but we will still be writing!  This and next week we will shift our writing focus from informational and persuasive to narrative writing; specifically from a character's perspective.  We are currently reading the book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick.  The story is written in first person from a character's point of view.  We will be writing this week using this text as an example in the perspective of another character.

Reading

Due to the PARCC testing being in the afternoons, we still have a full week of reading instruction and lessons.  This week we will be reviewing informational text structures; where cause/effect and problem/solution are used to present the information.  I will also be administering the individualized end-of-the-year Fountas and Pinnell reading level test during Reading Workshop time.

In addition, thank you to all the parents that volunteered to bring in snacks and drinks during PARCC testing.  I sent home a schedule for the participating parents on Friday, but in case you need it, here is a digital reminder:

Have a great week!  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

And the fun continues...

This is our last week before end-of-the-year testing begins and we are heading into it extremely prepared!  If you have not checked already, I posted the testing schedule at the bottom of last week's blog.  I also had the students write the dates in their assignment notebooks.  But before we delve into the tests, here is what's happening this week in Room 25:

Math

Your students received their graded Chapter 7 tests back today (Monday) and I was pleased with the scores as a class (their teacher must really know what he is doing!).  This week we start Chapter 8: Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers.  This chapter will only last this week, and into next Monday.   I will give periodic quizzes throughout the week to check for understanding instead of a large chapter test at the end.

Tuesday/Wednesday Lesson

Thursday/Friday Lesson

In addition, throughout the next 4 weeks, I will be exposing the students to many Geometry and Measurement standards as well (during morning work and math workshop time).  I want to make sure that the students are exposed to all that is on the upcoming PARCC and MAP tests that has not been completely covered in our math curriculum yet.  So, if you see additional homework that is related to those two topics, don't be alarmed!

Social Studies/Science
Last week we were unable to start our new Social Studies Unit:  The West due to completing our Human Body Science Unit.  We are still working on finishing our body models in class and should be done by this Friday.  In addition, we are starting out Social Studies unit this week.  Monday we began our unit with the geographic maps with the capitals.  These will be sent home Wednesday for at-home studying.  The map below includes all the states except for Texas and Oklahoma (Austin and Oklahoma City are the capitals).

Language Arts

Word Study

This week's words focus on the prefixes of super-, semi-, uni-, dis-, and pre-.  The quiz will be next Monday, April 25th.  Here are the words for at-home practice.

Reading

This week we are focusing on primary and secondary sources within nonfiction texts.  There will be some homework on Monday and Wednesday regarding these topics.

Writing

We will be taking the District Writing Assessment this week on Thursday.  Until then, we will be reviewing what it takes to write an appropriate persuasive essay.

I will be sending home sign-up sheets on Tuesday for any parents that would like to provide healthy snacks on the days of PARCC testing for the class.  If you are interested, please fill out the slip and return it by Thursday.

The upcoming testing schedule:

• PARCC Test (state) - Weeks of April 25-May 16 (3 English/LA Tests, 4 Math Tests).  Due to the classes sharing Chromebooks, the test is spread out over 3 weeks in order for all 3rd-5th grade students to complete the test.  Here is the upcoming schedule:
• April 26 - ELA 1
• April 28 - ELA 2
• May 2 - ELA 3
• May 4 - MATH 1
• May 10 - MATH 2
• May 11 - MATH 3
• May 16 - MATH 4
• MAP Test - Math and Reading (district) - Week of May 23

Have a great week!

It's Warming Up!

As the weather finally decides to warm up, so is Room 25.  We are warming up for a Math test on Friday, a writing assessment next week, and PARCC and MAP are around the corner!  Here is a break down of what's happening this week:

Language Arts

Reading

Last week we ended with a Unit Test over poetry.  After looking over the test this weekend, there are a few things I would like to review with the class this week before moving on.  With this being said, Tuesday we will be reviewing some of the key ideas and misunderstandings with poetry and we will have an additional quiz on Wednesday.  Thursday we will begin our unit on Cynthia Rylant.  This author study unit will focus on the writing styles of Cynthia Rylant, as well as comparing the themes, topics, ideas, and characters in many of her stories.

Word Study

This week's words revolve around the Latin Roots "geo" (earth), "auto" (self), "photo" (light), and "tele" (far).  The test will be next Monday, April 18th, and a take-home list will be sent home on Tuesday.  When studying at home, make sure to focus on the spelling, as well as meanings, synonyms, and using the words in sentences.  Here are the words for the week.

Writing

Since we will be finishing up Poetry Tuesday and Wednesday, we will add one more poem to our poetry portfolio, Haiku.  We were unable to get to this type of poem last week, so it will be a fun and challenging way to end the Poetry unit.  On Thursday and Friday we will work on persuasive writing  again.  We will also be dissecting our own essays in workshop to make sure we have all the components of a sufficiently PERSUASIVE essay.

Science/Social Studies

We will finish up our Human Body Unit this week by Wednesday.  Both days we will be constructing body models based on what we have learned so far about the major organs and systems that make up our bodies.  On Thursday we will begin our final Social Studies Unit, The West.  The unit will start with the geography of the western states (including some of the southwest states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico).  Look for a map coming home this week for studying the location and capitals of our final region in the United States.

Math

This week we will finish Chapter 7: Add and Subtract Fractions with a final test on Friday.  The lessons this week will be broken down as follows:

• Tuesday - Subtraction with Renaming - "Borrowing" with fractions (video from last week)
• Wednesday - Adding Mixed numbers using the properties of Additions (with parentheses)
• Thursday - Multi-Step Word Problems and Chapter Review
• Friday - The Test!

As we draw closer to the end of the school year, testing season is upon us.  In an effort to keep you all informed, below are the dates that we will be completing State-wide, as well as district assessments:

• Writing Assessment (district):  Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd (after lunch)
• PARCC Test (state) - Weeks of April 25-May 16 (3 English/LA Tests, 4 Math Tests).  Due to the classes sharing Chromebooks, the test is spread out over 3 weeks in order for all 3rd-5th grade students to complete the test.  Here is the upcoming schedule:
• April 26 - ELA 1
• April 28 - ELA 2
• May 2 - ELA 3
• May 4 - MATH 1
• May 10 - MATH 2
• May 11 - MATH 3
• May 16 - MATH 4
• MAP Test - Math and Reading (district) - Week of May 23

Have a great week!  As always, let me know if you have any questions of concerns.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had an enjoyable Spring Break last week.  We are in our last quarter on fourth grade and will be hitting the ground running.  Here is what's happening in Room 25 this week:

Math
Before break we took the week to introduce adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators (look for a graded quiz to come back on Monday).  Here is what is in store for this week in Math:

• Monday - Review of Adding and Subtracting Fractions
• Tuesday - Renaming Fractions and Mixed Numbers - Kahn Academy video

also, a trick I will show them is:

• Wednesday - Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers (adding like-denominators with whole numbers)
• Thursday and Friday - Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Renaming -"borrowing" with fractions video

All the lessons this week obviously focus on mixed numbers, which is a new concept for 4th graders. I am introducing them all to the Front Row online practice program this week in the computer lab, as well as practicing throughout our Math workshop.  I am encouraging the students to practice at home as well.  I will also be sending you access to the program via email so you can stay updated with your child's progress throughout the rest of the school year.

Language Arts

Word Study

This week's words use the Latin roots "aqua" (water), "pop" (people), "port" (carry), and "art" (to create).  The quiz will be Friday, the 8th, and a take-home list will be given on Monday as well.  When studying the words, make sure to focus on the meanings of the words, the words used in sentences, as well as the spellings.  Here is the word list for the week.

Reading

Before break we completed a week-long overview of poetic devices (hyperbole, personification, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, rhyme scheme, and imagery).  This week we will review the meanings behind poetry (specifically metaphors and similes) on Monday through Wednesday (with some fun projects), and then take a summative test over poetry on Thursday and Friday.  

Writing

The beginning of the week we will be writing "I am" poems; where the writer takes on the perspective of an inanimate object (i.e. a pencil, tree, leaf, chair) and explain what it is like to be that object on a given day.  We will also work on Haiku poems to add to our poetry portfolios.  Look for the graded persuasive essays about ear "buds" to come home this week as well.

Science

This week we start our Human Body unit.  This is not "the health talk" that will come eventually to all the 4th graders, but rather an in-depth look at some of the major systems in the body and how they work and interact.  The systems we are focusing on this week are the skeletal and muscular systems.

Have a fantastic week!  Remember that all field trip forms are due by Friday, April 8th, and if you are paying for an Arbor lunch, the money is due by Wednesday, April 6th!  Thank you again for all of your support so far this year, and I'm looking forward to the next couple months as we get ready for 5th grade!  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  Thanks!

 

Lights, Poems, Fractions!

Welcome to another great week of 4th grade fun!  Two more weeks until the end of the marking period and Spring Break!  Here is what's going down in Room 25 this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
This week's words are all synonyms for "yell" or "whisper" (click here for the complete list).  Along with using the words in sentences and identifying the corresponding synonyms, students will continue to work on using analogies with the words (i.e. yell is to angry as whisper is to calm) and identifying the connotation of the words; where they will "rank" the words in order from loudest to softest. Below is an example of the connotation activity from a few weeks ago:

Reading

Continuing our Poetry Unit, this week we will be delving into figurative language such as alliteration, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, idioms, and onomatopoeia (my favorite!).

Writing

Getting back to persuasive writing, we will be writing essays concerning the debated topic of "Should earbuds be used to listen to music?"

Math

This week will conclude Chapter 6: Fraction Equivalence and Comparisons.  Thursday will be a review day of the chapter and Friday will be the test.  Here is a breakdown of the week in Math:

• Monday - Comparing and ordering fractions (video)
• Tuesday - Problem Solving with Comparing Fractions
• Wednesday - Review of Problem Solving with Equivalent Fractions and Common Denominators
• Thursday - review Chapter 6 (Jeopardy Game)
• Friday - Chapter 6 Test

Anticipate homework for Monday through Thursday.  There will be a short quiz on Tuesday to help me see where everyone is performing to plan the rest of the review week as well.

Science

Last week we discussed and experimented with the origins of sound and how sound travels through waves.  Building on that concept, this week we will study light, its sources, and the different types of light energy (visible light and invisible light waves).

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!