May 04, 2008

MAY and THE END OF OUR YEAR!!

Welcome to May and the end of our year!!!Flower

Congratulations to my Fourth Graders

Our CRCT tests are behind us and they are looking forward to finishing the remaining part of our year with as much enthusiasm and effort as they have shown thus far. A quick note of appreciation for your support with the children's attendance during that testing week. No absenteeism and tardiness made the testing situation standard and each child paced themselves beautifully. They seemed rested, confident, and focused on doing their very best. THANK YOU!!!

CURRICULUM UPDATE

ReadowlREADING WORKSHOP 

  We are almost finished with our Informational Text for this nine weeks and our focus on the study of one specific nonfiction author, Gail Gibbons. The children continue to be surprised as they open, what appears to be simple picture books, and find a wealth of information and amazing pictures and details, as well. At this point, the children have completed the many strategy sheets in the classroom as we have enjoyed Pirates, Sunken Treasure, Dragons, and The Honey Makers. They have been visualizing, predicting, summarizing, choosing specific vocabulary, sketching to stretch, and determining cause and effect through these amazing books. Mr. N., the husband of one of our teachers, is a "Beekeeper" and brought his materials and patience and answered the many questions of the students. This week, the children will need to independently read 4 additional books and complete the summaries and learnings about Ms. Gibbons.

     To finish our year and allow the children an opportunity to practice all of their skills, they have previewed 5 Revolutionary War novels and made a choice to read a novel and work in a book group. Graphic organizers will accompany each assignment and the students will need to work on them in class as some teacher/student one-on-one testing (DRA'S) will be completed.    

WriterWRITING WORKSHOP 

   We are in the process of developing our Persuasive Essays that are our curriculum writing focus this final nine weeks. The topics chosen are ones that the children have strong feelings about. From laptops for every child, to a football field for Nicholson, to a convincing paper about an unusual pet, the children are writing three reasons and three specific supporting details on a graphic organizer. Add a engaging beginning with a thesis statement and a summarizing conclusion on their graphic organizer and they will be standing up for what they believe.

EnglishENGLISH AND GRAMMAR

An adjective test this past week made me confident that the children really are able to identify an adjective when they see it.  The remaining parts of speech I would like to quickly review before the year draws to a close is PRONOUNS AND PREPOSITIONS. Subject, object, and possessive pronouns will be practice for us this week so look for it to come home. Although the study of prepositions will be a target for next year, I find that their mobile (a year long project) would be in complete without it. The study brief, but fun, as we draw some objects in relation to a central object.

Numbers This Fourth Nine Weeks,

With our last posttest coming soon, we are spending our math period reinstructing solid figures and determining the number of faces, edges, and vertices of various space figures. Graphing statistical information and using that information to create a line graph, bar graph, circle graph, and pictograph will be part of our assignments this next few weeks. Hope to also spend some time with probability before we close our math concepts for this fourth grade year. Still some students that have not yet become members of the 100  and 100+Club, so remind them to practice. There is still time!!!                   

       SpeSpellinglling

Unit 16 gave the children plenty of practice with homophones and the meanings and spellings of the /er/ suffix. We will be giving the children the final Achievement Test on the fourth grade Core Words next week. Be sure to look at their Spelling Word Wizard Notebook to daily practice these words as they a part of the expectations for fifth grade.

Screw.

                       SCIENCE

It is a science week for the children this week too. Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Alcala have developed a terrific unit study on ecosystems. It begins with worms, newspapers, and the very funny book, The Diary of A Worm. Need I say more? Please be looking at weekly assignment sheets for homework and check out Mrs. Jackson's and Mrs. Alcala's blog for updates on the unit.

HEALTH  

For the last unit of study, we will be using our textbook and one of our  previous year issues of our TFK to learn about the effects of tobacco use. With that, their project will be to complete a poster encouraging others not to smoke. Be looking for it to come home and encourage them to use the time given in the classroom wisely. 

Ship We have headed back to the textbooks to study the events that led to the Revolutionary War. The Stamp Act and taxes led to an interesting simulation that forced the children to pay a tax for things that they normally do each day. With a Tax Collector and British Soldier watching their every movement, they began to get frustrated and resentful and emotions made the colonist situation easy to understand. The test and questions about that important time in our history will be a part of their final grade. Hope to also watch the movie, Johnnie Tremain, to extend that study. If time permits, we will spend time on the most important battles and leaders of the Revolutionary War.   

March 30, 2008

Important Dates and letter from Mrs. Crowder

           MAY

MAY 8th TARGET DAY (Changed from Monday)

MAY 9th  ABIGAIL ADAMS VISITS (Performance Series) 9:15-10:15

MAY 10TH RELAY FOR LIFE (COME JOIN OUR NICHOLSON TEAM -JIM MILLER PARK)

MAY 11TH HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

MAY 14th MOVING UP DAY 1:30-2:15 oUR 4TH GRADE VISITS A 5TH GRADE)

MAY 16th FIELD DAY

MAY 20th FOURTH GRADE AWARDS ASSEMBLY ALL PARENTS AR INVITED 8:15-9:30

MAY 23rd LAST DAY OF SCHOOL /PICTURE PARENT (MRS. G.)AND ICE CREAM SUNDAE PARTY IN PM.

Dear Parents,

The greatest indicator of a terrific year of teaching bright, creative, special young minds and people, is that you are sorry to see it come to an end and cannot believe that it has gone by so quickly. Such is the case for me. it has been a remarkable year, thanks to your support and the amazing children you have entrusted to me this year. We have all learned so much and truly became a family that applauded the success of each other and encouraged our members to do their best. Like any family, there have been some differences of opinion. However, I am happy to say that they did it with respect. Please come to the year's end activities and share in our celebrations. Do not hesitate to call or write if there are any questions and concerns. Report cards will be mailed home and your stamps are sorely needed.

In conclusion, I stand appreciative and humbled by the many letters and demonstrations of support you constantly have showered me with. Please know that I will forever be a part of your child's educational success and hope, that as the years go by, you will stay in touch.

With utmost sincerity,

Joy Crowder

March 08, 2008

Happy Birthday AND CONGRATULATIONS

CatbdayHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ....

MAY 17th Evan C.

MAY 21st Tanner G.

  CHARACTER KID FOR April

                          Gerardo M.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

RILEY M. WRITING FAIR WINNER (POETRY)& DIAMONDS   FOR MOM

      

      

November 30, 2007

Learning Websites

Click on the bold phrases below to travel to sites for some extra practice...

Harcourt Math -This site ties into our text book and the curriculum we are teaching.

Math Fact Practice -Online flash cards to reinforce basic math skills.

Multiplication Practice -Work on your multiplication skills through online games.

Math Games -BBC practice on different math skills.

English Practice -BBC practice for grammar and sentence construction.

Scholastic -Learn more about your favorite book characters and play games that include those characters.

Funschool -This site has fun games that deal with a variety of academic skills.

May 2008

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