Busy week...and two tests!

Another busy week is upon us!  This is what's going on in Room 25 this week:

Language Arts

Word Study
This week's words are all homophones.  Homophones are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently.  We will be doing some fun activities during the week with these types of words along with the daily Word Study work during center time.  Remember to review the meaning of these words, as well as the spelling throughout the week/weekend in preparation for next Monday's quiz. Normally spelling isn't a top priority with the words, but with homophones, the students need to know the spelling differences between the pairs.  Here are the words for the week.

Reading
We are focusing on plot structure and story elements this week.  Guided Reading is now fully-functioning int he classroom, so everyone will have a chance to meet with me at least three times a week during our Language Arts block to work on plot structure at their own reading level.  Attached is a graphic organizer we will be using this week to support this focus and strategies.  You may see one of these coming home this week to work on with a short reading passage.

Writing
We are finishing up our 5-paragraph persuasive essays this week and will be publishing them on Thursday and Friday.  In case you are interested and want to talk it over with your child, here is the article we are using as a foundation.

Social Studies
We are finally finishing up our Northeast Region chapter.  On Tuesday, the students will begin reviewing for the test that will be on Friday.  A review sheet will be coming home on Wednesday to help in preparation for the test.  Along with the study sheet, the kids will be making flashcards for centers.  These will come home Thursday for last-minute practicing and reviewing.  I will post the study sheet tomorrow when I get to school.

Math
The Chapter 1 test is now scheduled for this Thursday.  During our math time this week, we will be reviewing skills and practicing vocabulary and strategies learned in the past five weeks.  Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be big days for homework in order to review at home.  Below I have broken down the skills with additional practice websites and videos to help out at home.

• Place Value - What is the value of the underlined digit? Here's an online quiz!
• Writing Numbers - Can you write the number in standard, expanded, and word form?
• Compare and Order - What number is highest? Lowest?  Can you order the numbers from greatest to least? A cool online challenge!
• Rounding - Can you round the number to the underlined place value?
• Renaming - How many __________ are in __________? Here's a fun survey to practice!
• Adding Whole Numbers
• Subtracting Whole Numbers - What do I do when I need to borrow?
• Problem Solving - Can I add/subtract using the numbers in a word problem?  How do I know if I should add or subtract? A chart to help out!

I will send home progress reports this week to give you all an idea of how your child is doing in each subject (by Friday).  Make sure to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Another week of Awesomeness! (Sept. 21-25, 2015)

Another week is upon us and it is a busy one!  Here is what's going on in Room 25 this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
Remember that Word Study work is dome primarily at school during our Language Arts center time.
The class has brainstormed this past week to make sure the work can be completed in-class, and I believe we have come up with a system that will work for the rest of the year.  The quizzes will usually be on Mondays; which will be meaning and context-based, rather than purely spelling.  Last week's test was matching the words with their synonyms.  This week will be using the words correctly in sentences.  New words will be given on Tuesday.  Make sure to review the words with your students throughout the week and weekend in preparation for the quizzes.  The words for this week can be found here.

Writing
We are continuing our persuasive essays this week revolving around the argument of whether wild cats should be aloud to be kept as animals.  We read this article, and the students are choosing a side.  If your student tries to convince you on getting a tiger as a new pet...encourage the persuasion and let them explain!

Math
This week we are focusing on subtracting whole numbers, problem solving with word problems, and preparing for the Chapter 1 test on Friday.  Look for math homework every day this week for review of the Chapter 1 skills.

Social Studies
We will be wrapping up the Northeast Region chapter this week.  Each student has vocabulary flash cards to study from, and will have a review study sheet on Thursday to bring home for practice. The test will be Friday as well.

A few more reminders:

• Please sign your student's assignment notebook nightly for ongoing communication and as a way for me to monitor their daily 20 minutes of reading at home.
• There is a fundraiser kickoff assembly on Tuesday - look for the packet coming home!
• Early dismissal on Wednesday - kids get out at 12:30.
• Thursday is Curriculum Night - reminders will be sent home this week.
• Friday is Picture Day!

Have a great week!

What's Happening in Room 25? (Sept. 14-18)

Hello Parents!  Hopefully this blog reaches a few more parents than last week.  I will continue to add e-mail addresses to my list as they come in.  Here's what's going on this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
Last week we began Word Study, instead of the "old" Spelling work.  In order to keep a better handle on making sure my students are understanding the work associated with Word Study, we are now going to handle all of the "homework" in class, as part of our Language Arts centers.  Additionally, quizzes will now be mostly on Mondays, giving the kids time to study over the weekends.  If there is ever any changes to the schedule, it will be indicated in their assignment notebooks.  The quiz for this week will be Monday, and new words will be given on Tuesday.  There may be occasional word study homework, but not as frequent as in the previous weeks.  Click here for this week's new words!

Reading
This week we will begin guided reading and centers during our Language Arts block.  The students have worked hard to focus on the routines and strategies needed to make this process run smoothly!

Writing
We will be working to prepare for the Fall district Writing assessment this week.  Our focus will be argumentative writing; where we will be reading a passage that gives two sides of an issue and then writing to support one side.  If your child argues with you at home this week...make sure they give you evidence to support their side of the issue!

Math
Our topics of study for this week will be renaming numbers, and adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers.  Look for practice homework this week on Monday and Thursday.  We only have three days of Math due to MAP testing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We are taking the MAP test from 1:00-2:15 on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Keep this in mind if you plan to take your student out for an early dismissal.

Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday, September 24th for Curriculm Night!

Room 25: What's new this week?

I hope everyone had an enjoyable long weekend.  Here is what's new and happening in Room 25 for this week:

Spelling/Word Study
Spelling is going to get a reboot in my classroom this year.  After last week's trial of the spelling homework, I've decided to change things up for the rest of the school year.  Starting this week, "Spelling" as you know it will now be referred to as "Word Study".  The emphasis will be more on using the words correctly in context, rather than simply spelling them accurately.  My philosophy is that simply spelling a list of words at the end of the week does not build a better reader and thinker; but if those words are used throughout the week in different contexts, the words will eventually become a part of the students' own everyday vocabulary.  With this being said, the pretest at the beginning of the week will be a fill-in the blank format; challenging the students to use new words correctly in context.  The test on Fridays will consist of the same format. Homework will still be expected Monday-Thursday (click here for this week's homework).  This week's theme is short and long e words.

Math
Last week we took our first Friday quiz over place value and comparing numbers through the hundred thousands place.  Those will come home on Tuesday.  For the rest of the week, we will be covering:  rounding, renaming numbers, and adding and subtracting whole numbers.  You can expect a short homework sheet daily for at-home practice (Monday-Thursday).

Social Studies
The focus in Social Studies this year is Our Nation: States and Regions.  The first region we are focusing on is the Northeast.  More flashcards will be created as we get through the chapter for upcoming quizzes.  Along with vocabulary, the geography of each region will be studied and tested upon.  On Friday, the states and capitals of each of the Northeast states will be tested.  Make sure to study with your students throughout the week in preparation for the test.  Click here for a map you can study from!

Reading
During our whole group instruction the past two weeks, we have been practicing strategies to help us during class discussions, read alouds, and independent reading.  A big focus for my 4th graders this year is the use of Cornell Notes.  This note-taking tool was introduced this week and will be a staple in the reading process for my students to keep track of what is being read, as a class and independently.  This week we will continue to practice these skills, along with beginning the rotation process for centers and guided reading groups.

Feel free to comment below about what a great job I'm doing!  Also, send me an email at pholmes@d45.org if you would like to get a hold of me personally.  Have a great week!