Last week of September 2011

Thanks to all the wonderful parents who made sure my students had a healthy snack each day of testing week.  Thanks to Mrs. Pellicano for organizing us so well!!! Please read all of the blog because I am trying something new with how I post the week's work.  It will be organized by subject then by day rather than day then subject.  Hope this works ok....Thanks for your patience.

******If your child doesn't already have watercolor paints (was on the class list) We need them Monday
for a watercolor project in art.  Thank you. 

Upcoming this week:
Writing- final draft due this Tuesday
Spelling unit 5 test Friday
Reading test- "Kettle of Hawks" Friday


Upcoming next week:
Science Ch A/2 test will be on Tuesday10/4
We will begin another writing unit - Indian legend stories

1-Monday, 2- Tuesday, 3- Wednesday, 4-Thursday, 5-Friday

Religion

1. ch 1 read pages 27-29, FJ p 29
2. pgs 30-33, FJ pg. 33
3. ch 1 ws
4. preschool reading
5. music

Science-Test next Tuesday 10-4- students should study a little each day, not just the night before the test!!!!!

1.  finish lesosn 3 notesheet, do wb pg 27
2. Ch A/2 review pgs A62-63  #1-25
3. Start study guide
4. finish study guide
5. Quiz game - review for test

Math

1. pgs 42-43 evens, homework wb pg 7
2. pgs 46-47 , homework wb pg 8 evens only
3. pgs 48-49, homework pg 9
4. pgs 50-51
5. wb pg 10

SS

1. library/computers
2. finish lesson 1 outline sheet
3. wb pg 13
4. Begin lesson 2 outline, may have some for homework
5. finish lesson 2 outline

Spelling

1. unit 5 -3x each
2. pgs 36-37
3. pgs 38-40
4. study and review
5. test

English

1. writing- rewrite final draft essay-DUE TOMORROW!
2. none
3. none
4. nouns- pgs 78-79 all
5. nouns- pgs 80-81

Reading- test friday on story- review pkbk pgs especially pg 53 with the vocab that is half the test!

1. writing
2. read "Kettle of Hawks", do pkbk wb pgs 53-54
3. pkbk wb pgs 57-59
4. pkbk wb pgs 60-61
5. reading test on story

Art /PE
Art- watercolors, they need to finish their Indian coloring sheet at home- by WED.

ITBS TESTING WEEK!!!!

It's that time again-----to see all your child knows.  This test is very important because it is used to plan curriculum for effectively.  Please have your child get to bed early and make sure they eat breakfast.  I have parents bringing in healthy snacks for our break, but this is not a substitute for a good breakfast!

This blog will not be a detailed day to day plan because we will be working on activities in class that will not go home as homework. 

Things you should know

• Friday is a 12:30 dismissal 
• my students are in great need of practice with their multiplication facts---Wow we need work on this .  It would be great to drill them at home, in the car, at the dinner table....anywhere you can catch them.  Haha.  Yes I know that on regular nights( not during testing)  there is homework, but some nights there isn't math......... There should be.  This is where that drilling comes in.  To help your child, this is to be done regularly at home. Thank you for helping your child!!!!

Here is what we will be working on this week in class:

Science- lab activities, and lesson 3 notes

SS- I will begin teaching outlining using the next chapter in social studies.  I have a fill in outline to start with so they can see what it should look like.  We will read, discuss the main points, then add them to our outlines.  Again this will be done in school this week.

Writing- we will learning how to write a 3 paragraph essay.  It will be about an event they have experienced.  In order to teach them this narrative essay I will give them a easy topic that we can group write a sample in class, then I will guide them in other steps in the writing process.  By the end of the week they will bring home the rough draft for you to read.......and help them improve their technique.
Thank you in advance for this reinforcement at home!

Handwriting- we will continue to practice our cursive in class.  Starting 2nd quarter, all work will be in cursive.

PLEASE REMIND YOUR CHILD ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SLEEP AND EATING A GOOD BREAKFAST EACH MORNING!!!!

A SHOUT OUT AND THANK YOU TO THE PARENTS WHO BRING IN SNACKS THIS WEEK!!!!

Week of 9-12-11

Welcome Back!! I have enjoyed teaching your children very much.  Many are working so hard.  Planners are signed, homework/classwork is completed each day, and so many are great helpers.  I can tell that some students are having a bit of trouble with the daily responsibilities.  This is where you, that parents, must step in.  Fourth grade is the year that we MUST help your child go from a dependent to an independent learner.  They will need help by going through their planners and checking that all work is completed.  If you are not sure, check the blog.  All unfinished and finished work/homework MUST  be in their homework folder.  Please do not sign the planner unless all work has been check for completion, especially if your child is having trouble with remembering to complete their work.  It really doesn't help to just sign a contract without reading through it, right.  The planner is like their work contract. Yes, red cards are given for their planner not being signed, but they are also given for unfinished work.  So please sign the planner when you have checked the work.  That would help them see the importance in being responsible and truthful.  When they complete their work on time they will a great sense in pride and accomplishment that only they can give themselves!!!!!!!
The ITBS test will begin next week and go through Thursday.  I would like to serve yummy and healthy snacks during a break each day of the test.  I need volunteers to sign up to bring a snack.  Holly Pellicano is our head room mom so please call to set this up with her.  Thanks again.  The kids love this and will really appreciate it too!

 
This week:
Tuesday- We will be visiting Cherish to entertain - We will leave at 10:45 and return by 11:30
Wed- SS test on vocabulary
Thurs- English test- on types of sentences etc
Fri-BOOK PROJECT IS DUE
      Unit 4 spelling test
      Seal Journey reading test

PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME ON FRIDAY

Monday 9-12

Rel- saints pgs 372-373; FJ pg 373
Sci- finish lesson 1 and do the rev#1-5 on notesheet, draw a diagram of photosynthesis on their notesheet
Math - place value wb pgs 5-6
library & computers- in the library they will need to check a new book and do sp unit 4 3x each with pg 30 for homework
Reading- read "A Seal's Journey" and do pkbk pg 34 (vocab for the test!)
Art- finish seal painting and start watercolor color wheel

Tuesday 9-13

Rel- pgs 374-375; FJ pg 375
Sci- wb pg 19 together, Lab- we will be planting plants to watch as they start to grow
Math - rev
SS- Quiz game- STUDY FOR TOMORROW'S TEST
VISITING CHERISH
Eng- finish reviewing for the test Thursday- do pg 35
Reading do pkbk? ( if an assignment is given it will be in their planner.
PE- Cooperative games- we are working on good sportsmanship

Wednesday 9-14

Rel- pgs 376-377
Sci- begin les 2 notesheet
math- rev
SS- Ch 1 test
Sp - pg 31
Eng- practice pretest
Reading- pkbk 35,36,37, handw "F"
Art

Thursday 9-15

Rel- reading tho preschool
Sci- finish lesson 2 notesheet
math- rev
SS- begin ch2 vocab cards-I will give them the words, so remind them to get them all down today
English- Test
Sp- pg 32
Reading-Begin narrative writing unit- they will be doing work from a packet in class
PE

Friday 9-16

Rel- Music
Sci- wb pg 23, drawing of parts of a plant on notesheet
Math- rev
SS- finish ch 2 cards
Sp- unit 3 test
Reading- Test, work on writing packet in class
              BOOK PROJECT DUE

Art or PE


******IF YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAS READ THIS BLOG- HAVE THEM GIVE ME A SIGNAL FOR ONE OF OUR SS VOCABULARY WORDS!!!!! THIS IS FUN!!!!!************

short but busy week 9-6 to 9-9

This will be a few busy weeks to come.  Please jot down the following dates so you can help your child stay organized and up-to-date.  Print out the blog and make sure the dates are written in their planner to help. If you have read this put dates in the planner and ask your child to make up a signal for "done" and have them show it to me to let me know they have done it and read the blog!!!!! Two raffle tickets for the students who have this done by Tuesday!!! Fun Fun fun!!!

***We are going to begin a canvas painting project.  Each child will need to buy a very thin brush from Michael's or other craft store.  If you can't provide a brush, please let me know ASAP.  We will hopefully begin this project Wed of this week if we get enough brushes.  ***


This week

WED. 9-7 AND 9-8 ARE PICTURE DAYS- WE COULD BE EITHER DAY
Wed. 9-7 science vocabulary test ch a/1 test
Fri 9-9 spelling test on unit 3


Next week:

Tuesday 9/13 is our visit to Cherish.  I have sent home a letter listing the parents who will be driving.  Please be at school at 10:40. We need to be there by 11:00.  Thanks for your help!!!
 
Wed 9-14 Social Studies ch 1 vocabulary test
Thursday 9-15 English test on sentences
Friday 9-16 Book Project is due
                    spelling test on unit 4
                     reading test on story of the week

Tuesday 9-6-11

Rel- pgs 364-365; do 365 in faith journal
Sci- Quiz game; study tonight
Math- measurement pgs 15,16,17,18 orally
Ss- Read lesson 4 and learn new vocab words** Ch 1 vocab test - next Wed.
sp- unit 3 3X each this week1
English- pgs 26-27
Reading- read "Sarah, Plain and Tall" start a practice book project sheet
PE

Wednesday 9-7-11
Rel- pgs 368-369; do pg 369 in FJ
Sci- test
Math-review geometry topics
SS- skills lesson read 38-39; do wb pgs 8-9
Sp- pgs24-25
English- 28-29
Reading- finish practice book  project, do handwriting "C"
Art?

Thursday 9-8-11

Rel- Mary, our mother's Birthday , write a poem to Mary
Sci- Ch 2 vocab cards all- due tomorrow
Math - begin place value pgs 36-37; #1-30, #32-39
SS- read lesson 5, do wb pg 9
sp- pgs 26-27
Eng- pgs 30-31
Reading - listen to Indian Legend stories, handwriting "D"
Pray the decade of the Rosary for Our Mother , Mary

Friday 9-9-11

Rel- Sept 11th prayer service
Science- Begin Ch A/2- lesson 1 notesheet- Check cards
Math- pgs 38-39- orally
SS- wb review pages 10-11
Spelling unit 3 test
Eng- pg 32, begin 34 - review for the test *****English test next Thursday 9-15
PE OR ART