Friday - Happy Spring Break

We took our spelling test this morning and the reading test too. In math we reviewed the different areas we have been studying, fractions, shapes, triangles, angles, area, perimeter, addition and subtraction.

In the afternoon we studied another cultural holiday, Passover. The children had never heard of it before. We ate matzohs and learned about the 10 plagues of Egypt. Then we had Easter cookies. Hope you all have a great Spring Break.

Here are some pages to check out during spring break Math book: Changing and comparing measures U.S. pg 596 Mass and Metric Units 565 Chapter 9 page 500 Fractions Chapter 10 page 562 More fractions Geometry chapter 8 pg 434 Perimeter area and volume chapter 8 464 also, you can go to www.prepdog.org Go to 4th grade and practice some of the available tests to see how you do.

Thursday - reading test tomorrow

Today was fun. For social studies/science, the students displayed the solar systems that they had made. Most of the students in the school came to see the wonderful creations. It was good.

In reading, we reviewed our vocabulary words, Mrs. Fuller helped with the fluency testing we do each month, and then the students went to prepdog.org and practiced the tests to help prepare them for the ISATs. We will review some of these things in class to make sure the students feel comfortable taking the tests. In math we learned the difference between liters and milliliters.

Wednesday

Students took their spelling test this morning. Those who missed words had to write them five times. Students should have the spelling test to take home with them so they can practice spelling missed words correctly. Then we worked to learn what similes mean. In math we compared capacities of teaspoons, tablespoons, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Students measured and recorded their measurements. Then we began to fill out the worksheets so they could see how to make equivalents between teaspoons, cups etc. At the end of the day we reviewed information to help the children prepare for their ISAT tests.

Tuesday - spelling test tomorrow, some math tonight

We studied our spelling words this morning and began the review for our vocabulary words. Then each student wrote about how the story, "Louis Braille," had a an affect on them and their lives. In math we learned how to convert inches to feet to yards and back again. We went around the room measuring and converting. Afterwards they all had a worksheet to practice the conversions using math. Those students who did not finish were to take this home as homework. It is due at the start of class tomorrow.

In science the students need to get their solar systems in. We are having a tour of all of them at 12:40 - 1:25 on Thursday if you would like to see all of the work these students did on their solar systems.

Monday - correct Math test for 1/2 points of all missed problems

We read a story about Louis Braille today. It took him three years, as a young boy, to create the system of reading for blind people. It is a good story and encourages the children to keep working at the things that are important. In the afternoon we watched a video about Louis Braille's life. We also reviewed the spelling and vocabulary words.

In math we reviewed the test we took last week. Any student who fixes any problems they missed will receive half credit for each lost point. We learned about metric measurements and will continue on this subject tomorrow. Then we will measure and weigh in both metrics and and U.S. measurements.

Students are in Science this week. Please make sure they all get their planet projects in on time.

Friday - it is cold

We took our reading and spelling tests this morning then the students read the next story about Louis Braille. Many students who finished early got their laptops and went into mathplayground.com On this site students can practice many fun math problems. In math we learned more about U.S. measurement and how it developed.

Please remind your children that it is early spring and likely to be very cold. Some children came to school without coats and then they are cold and miserable. I know we are hoping for warmer days, but the weather can change from rather pleasant in the morning to miserably cold and snowy by the afternoon. I have spoken to the students about this. Please remind them to dress appropriately.

Here is a good link for preparing for the ISAT tests. She has games and practice tests. http://ssoger.weebly.com/isat-practice.html

Thursday - Reading - spelling tests tomorrow

Today was very different, but quite enjoyable. We started class as usual with our morning Daily Oral Language and math review. Then students presented the vocabulary words they had prepared yesterday. We then went over to the auditorium to watch the play, "Hot Rod." The high school students did very well and the children quite enjoyed the play. I would suggest, if you need a night out to enjoy yourselves, that you make an effort to attend the play. After the play we had time to get ready for lunch.

After lunch we put on our coats and hats and went to the Dayton Cemetery. The students researched a list of different questions and wrote the answers. Thankfully Bill Salerno was able to go over with us. Then the students went to music. After music we did a quick lesson on converting inches to feet and feet to yards and yards to miles. We will be dealing with measurements for the next few weeks, although we will continue to review both fractions and geometry.

Wednesday and farewell to a friend

We took a spelling test this morning and then practiced identifying what a direct object was. In math students took their math test. Grades will be done in a few days.

In Social Studies students made posters about Idaho agriculture. They should finish those posters tomorrow. At afternoon recess a group of the girls put on a play as a last hurrah for one of their classmates who is moving. After recess we had a treat and just had time to visit before she left.

Tuesday - Geometry and Spelling test tomorrow

This morning we finished the story about Koko and his kitten All Ball. Then one of the students brought a link to a video about Koko so we watched that too. Next we moved on to our spelling words so the students will be ready for the test tomorrow. Finally, the students worked on an assignment about homographs, words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. We discussed that the "graph" part means "written" so they can distinguish between homographs and homophones, which are words that are sound the same but are spelled differently.

In math we prepared for the test. If you have any questions as to what will be on the test, please refer to yesterday's blog. Students are struggling as they confuse area (multiply lxw) and perimeter (add the length of all four sides) with each other. There will be a fraction problem, adding two fractions with different denominators. I will keep reviewing those so the problems become second nature to all of the students.

In Social Studies we finished the video about Idaho agriculture. Then, since the Russet Burbank potato was created by Luther Burbank, we watched a short video about him.

Monday - P.S. Report card information

Our new report cards are causing some concerns with grading. I thought I would take a minute out to explain. I will also send this letter home with the students. Your child's "Real" math grade is the number grades on the extra sheet of paper. The letter grade is simply the grade on the last two tests. I could have included all of the tests, but the idea is the child was to improve as the trimester went on.

Suppose your child had to do the problem 2/3 + 4/6. We all know that you can't add problems with different denominators, that you must get the denominator the same. This is one of the requirements for the students to learn and is listed on the grade sheet. Suppose your child showed in their work that they got the denominators the same, but then they reduced before they added. (This is an actual circumstance.) When I check the math paper, the answer is wrong. But when I look at how the child did the problem, I realize they almost have the concept, just not 100%. This child would not get a one. The child knows most of the steps, so I would give that child a 2. A 3 means they know and get the problem correct every time.

We are so used to grades, but this grading plan helps parents and teachers see exactly what it is that the child is not understanding. I am asking different children to stay in for a few minutes at different recesses to help those who did not understand fractions clearly. I am working with the first group right now and then will move onto the second group after spring break.

Monday Math test Wednesday

This morning students watched a youtube movie about Koko, the gorilla who knows sign language. Then we went over the fluency list and discussed words that the students didn't understand. Finally, we read the first half of the story about Koko. Students then wrote a short paragraph about the first half of the story.

In math we practiced finding area. The students did fine with rectangles, but they are still struggling with irregular figures. I will not be including irregular figures on this test. We need more work on those. However, the test will cover lines, line segments, points, rays, recognizing obtuse, acute and right angles and triangles, knowing a square, circle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, parallelogram and trapezoid. They will need to be able to determine the approximate angles of a triangle and know that all three angles add up to 180 degrees. They will also need to figure perimeter and area.

In Social Studies we learned a bit about agriculture in Idaho. We watched a movie that explained railroads, irrigation and better tools were the three things that improved Idaho's agriculture. We also learned that the two best known products of Idaho are sheep (we didn't know that one) and potatoes.

Friday

Students took their reading test this morning. Those who did not get 100% on their Wednesday spelling test had the opportunity to take it again. Your child should have brought home their hot pink homework paper, their reading test from last week, and their perimeter worksheet from yesterday. Please look at these things to make sure your child is performing up to his/her ability.

In math we learned how to find area by multiplying length x height. Then we did a week review where students were allowed to go to different stations around the room to review a math concept we learned this week.

Mrs. Wilde came in and gave the students a lesson on handling test stress. Then we went to a 4 -H meeting. Students should have brought a 4-H leaflet home to tell you about the meeting.

Thursday - Reading test on Friday

We reviewed for our reading test today and then discussed the difference between fact and opinion. It was interesting to see how often students thought something was a fact when it was an opinion. We corrected the work for the rest of the week. Then we started writing a story. The plot was to be that there were no more things to read. Students needed to include the characters, setting, plot, conflict and resolution in the pre-write.

In math students learned to measure perimeter. They started with four shapes they were to make and then moved on to items around the classroom. Tomorrow we will review the different areas of math we have learned this week while adding figuring out area to the mix.

Wednesday

We started the morning with a spelling test. Any student who missed more than 3 was required to stay in first recess and write their words five times. Hopefully this will help with them being more aware of the words. We also re-read our story and then watched a short film about the invention of the printing press and Johannes Gutenberg.

In math the students learned about symmetry. We had figures for the students to fold and find the lines of symmetry. Then they were given different shapes and made posters that show if a shape is symmetrical or not. Tomorrow we will be working with perimeter.

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At the end of the day we had a discussion about bullying. The problem is, no one realizes they are bullying, they just think they are being bullied. We talked about what to do if someone is picking on you. We also discussed what not to do.

Tuesday

We read an interesting piece today on how important the printing press is. Students couldn't imagine there being no books at all. We also reviewed spelling words so students can be ready for their spelling test tomorrow. In math we measured the angles of triangles. We also measured the sizes so the students could identify the angle and type of triangle.

Monday

We read a short article today about commercials. We will be reading another article for our test, but this one was interesting. It talked about the different ways that commercials try and get a child's attention. We learned about the Federal Communications Commission. Then we reviewed our spelling and vocabulary words.

Students learned about the different types of triangles and quadrilaterals today. Then we worked a little on measuring angles with a protractor. Tomorrow we will do a little bit more with that. There is a great site to practice the vocabulary of geometry at aplusmath.com There are flashcards and a few games that help with geometry. They also have other flash cards and games that will help with other areas of math.

In Social Studies we learned about some cemeteries in Idaho. We will be making headstones tomorrow. The students are going to decide what information they would want to have on their headstone 65 years from now.

Friday

Report cards are going home today. AR points were supposed to go inside, I didn't notice that till the last one, so I put them on the outside. We had four students in the AR Walk of Fame today, one with over 400 points. Keep reading!

Thursday

Students re-read the article about whales and elephants. We discussed the different ideas in the text. We also read a poem that went with the story. We are taking the second spelling test tomorrow, so students were reminded to study for that. Also, it is Spirit Day so students may want to wear maroon and white. It is also the Walk of Fame tomorrow at the end of the day. Ask your student if they are walking. Students are working hard on reading every Dr. Seuss book that they can find. The PTO is preparing them for the reading night on April 10th. In math we are starting to work on geometry.

Wednesday

We took our math test first thing this morning instead of doing English. We had the ballroom dance team come to do an assembly during math time. It was very well done and the students really enjoyed watching it. We also took our spelling test today. Report cards will be sent home on Friday.

Tuesday - Math test tomorrow

Today two of our students brought us information and links to watch and learn about the Mariana Trench. It was very interesting. Then we went over spelling and vocabulary. Finally students did their spelling pages in preparation for the spelling test tomorrow.

We will also take the math test tomorrow. Students were given a worksheet today that had them write the rule and then work a few problems. Hopefully this will remind them of the rules they forgot during the last test. Students were given their previous math test to take home, correct, and bring back tomorrow.

Monday

We started our new story today. It concerns how whales communicate with other whales many miles away. There is also some research on elephants. It was quite interesting. Then we did our frequency words. Please practice those with your children to help them be fluent with these words. We reviewed our vocabulary meanings today.

We took our math test. There are some areas we need work on so we will study tomorrow, and re-take a different test on Wednesday. Many students seemed to forget things that they know. This way we can make sure the grading in math is accurate.

Students will have a science paper coming home tomorrow. They are to use their ingenuity to come up with a way to represent the solar system. It should be fun for them to get done.