Thursday Scholastic Book Orders due tomorrow

We went to the Larsen-Sant library today. We were shown all through the library and learned a lot. The students were all given a free book. The good news is that if a parent takes the child back to the library and tells the librarian that the child came to the 4th grade library tour, the child will get another free book!

We worked on math today. Students were learning about less than and greater than. This new program has started with ordering four digit numbers, which for a few of the children is easy. But we will be advancing quickly to the million place. Also, I think I have figured out more about the math program we are using and should be able to give the advanced students more challenging work.

Although we missed language arts today, we still found some time to finish our vocabulary words. We will take our reading and vocabulary test tomorrow along with the spelling test.

Wednesday - Book orders by Friday

Tomorrow we will go to the Preston Library first thing in the morning. Students will learn how to use the library and all of its resources. Today students worked on their vocabulary words. We are practicing using a dictionary and a thesaurus. We also worked on our spelling words.

In math we continued reading and writing four digit numbers and the place value of each number. These activities should allow all students to catch up so we can move forward. Students went to music class today.

Make sure you get your book orders in this week. They need to go out on Friday morning. Reading to your child, at any age, helps them read better too. Even better, read together, both at the same time reading aloud. This helps children speed up to your level and to start recognizing words they already are familiar with, they just don't know how the words look.

Tuesday

This morning in our language arts block students learned how to fingerspell their spelling words. This will enable them to have a new way to practice their words. Then we read the excerpt from the story "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh." We read the story aloud, as a class. Each student is expected to read the story aloud with me. It is a little hard for the fast readers, but they also learn new words this way, instead of just rushing past them. After our reading was done we practiced writing a paragraph, as they are required to do in their homework, so they could practice how it is to be done. We will continue to do this so students will learn how to do their homework, and how to write a good summary paragraph.

In math we continued working on understanding larger numbers. Students used the blocks to make the number I wrote on the board. Then we did a worksheet together. The students should have taken it home. Please look at it and see if you can figure out the last problem. Our teams worked on it until finally they began to understand it. It was exciting to see how involved students became to get it right. In the afternoon students wrote a hypothesis as Mrs. Lindsey's class did a science experiment for us. Then we came back and wrote the conclusion. It should be interesting to check this.

Monday

Students took their Star tests this morning. They have set their AR goals. Parents, please talk with your student about this goal and help them attain it.

In math we finished our test and then moved on to place value. Students are learning place value and will be able to move up to the millions place. We used hundred, ten and ones blocks to actually see what each place value represents.

Students started learning the song, "Here We Have Idaho" in our Social Studies class. Finally the students were given their homework sheet. They are to read twenty minutes each day. Parents, you are asked to sign the reading. Then the student is to write a brief summary each day including setting, characters, plot, conflict and resolution. We are currently learning to understand first person and third person. They should understand this within the week.

Friday

Students took the first half of the math assessment test today. They will finish it on Monday. Then we learned how we will do our vocabulary words. It always takes longer the first few times. Children need to practice looking up words in the dictionary. We also study synonyms and antonyms while we do this assignment. We practiced doing our Daily Oral Language. The students had P.E. today. Please make sure all of the papers with signatures are returned by Monday.

Thursday

Welcome to 4th grade. Today in school we reviewed expectations in our class. Students learned why we say the Pledge of Allegiance and then we practiced saying it with allegiance. Next we talked about Patriotic Songs and we sang, "My Country Tis of Thee." We took an elementary assessment spelling test so that we can figure out where the children are and what they need in spelling.

I then told the students a little bit about me. They saw some pictures. Then they started writing a five paragraph essay about them. Each paragraph had to have a minimum of four sentences. By the end of this year we will be writing a good five paragraph essay. We then went out and learned the expectations for walking down the hall quietly and how to come in from recess acceptably.

After lunch students worked on their essays and made name tags for the outside wall. They went to the library and practiced, again, the correct way to go down the hall. At the end of the day we read from the book, "Poppy."

We have received most of the notes back. We still need a few more class room helpers and another room mother. Please contact me with that information. Thanks!

Summer Vacation is here!

Let me know if you come to my blog! There are games and activities for you to do. Please take the time to use them. They will help you so much during the summer.

Tuesday Assembly 12:35 on Wednesday

Today went to an assembly with Gary Hogg. He is a children's author and is excellent. Then we worked on our math, and catching up on any missing assignments. In the afternoon we went to the Music Assembly. Tomorrow will be the end of year assembly at about 12:30. On Thursday students will watch a movie in the morning and then have Field Day in the afternoon. Report cards will go home on Thursday, so watch for them.

Friday

Today we did the regular, reading test, spelling test, reviewing math and show and tell. For our activity this afternoon we learned about how people in other countries get to school. I did not send home a homework page as we will not have spelling next week. We will do our reading and work on our power point presentations and math. However, please keep track of the reading your child does so they can earn their points.

Thursday

The field trip was so much fun. We had a great time at the Jump Zone. Aggie Ice Cream is the best. We had a nice walk to the museum, and while waiting, the students rolled down the hill. Everything went very well. You can be pleased with the behavior of your children.

Wednesday Field Trip tomorrow - permission paper required

Our field trip to Logan is tomorrow, Wednesday. Students need to bring their own lunch and something to drink. Their clothing must not have anything on it that will cause damage to the trampolines. This includes gems, buckles, or anything that is sharp or has edges that will cause problems. Also, earring, bracelets, necklaces, watches, anything like that is not to be worn into the trampoline. If it is lost, it is gone. We will remind children to take these things off in the bus and put them in their lunch boxes.

In class today we took our spelling test. All the tests have been recorded and sent home to study. We took fluency tests and students wrote their paper on the reading assignment. In math we continue working on evidences to find what the students understand. In the afternoon we went to music practice. Our program will be on May 21, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Spelling Test tomorrow

We studied our spelling words this morning and then began to work on a Power Point Presentation. This is a requirement in the new Common Core Standards. Students must be able to make a presentation and include pictures and sounds. In math we continued to work on our evidence. The students are doing quite well on this, but it is seriously time intensive. In the afternoon we reviewed symmetry and the different geometrical shapes.

All the library books need to be turned in tomorrow. Please make sure yours are here.

Monday

We went over the fluency words this morning and then read an interesting story about the Golden Spike. It is more interesting because the commemoration was on Friday of last week. After we read the story, we watched a short video about the transcontinental railroad. During math most students finished up year-end test. I have graded all those which have been turned in and every student, so far, has improved a lot. Then we began working on our proofs to make sure each student knows the information taught this trimester.

We used our I-Pads this afternoon to practice our math facts. The nice part about that is I can make sure each student is working at their own level. The homework pages went home today.

Friday

Today was just mixed up. We started with our math test and ended with our reading and spelling test. The we celebrated Zeth's summer birthday.

Spelling words for next week are: fact, factor, manufacture. factory, satisfaction, obtain, entertain, maintain, contain, motel, motor, promote, remote, motion, porter, transport, portable, import, important, support. I would send the words home but the copy machine is having a struggle today. If I get the homework paper done, I will send it. If not, these will do.

Thursday School Colors tomorrow

This morning we read our story and reviewed our vocabulary words. In math we continued to work on our math requirements. Students will work on each requirement until they can pass it off. They have been given a chart to help them understand what needs to be done. The can take it home, but it must come back everyday.

Some of the areas students need help is changing inches to feet to yards, elapsed time (if Johnny left home at 3:30 and it took him 45 minutes to get to Logan, what time would Johnny arrive in Logan?)

They need to know that a rectangle has angles equaling 360 degrees.

If they know three of the angles of the rectangle, without measuring, how would you figure out the fourth angle?

All triangles have 180 degrees, if you know that two angles equal 105 degrees, what does the third angle equal.

Students need to be able to change seconds to minutes to hours and back again.

They need to be able to draw or identify points, rays, lines, line segments, right, obtuse, and acute angles, perpendicular and parallel lines.

This afternoon students went on their mile run. Some did really well. It was kind of warm outside, so most of the students celebrated by dumping their water bottles on their heads. It seemed like a smart thing to do.

Spelling words: autograph - graphics - geography - paragraph - photograph - phonograph - biology - apology - technology - geology - graph - bicycle - tricycle - recycle - motorcycle - telegraph - television - telegram - telethon - telescope

Wednesday - Mile run is Thursday; dress appropriately

Today the students took their spelling test. We re-read the story, "The California Gold Rush." Then the students used their I-Pads to look up their vocabulary words and fill out their vocabulary papers for tomorrow. We will have the I-Pads for two weeks to see if they are useful in the classroom. I know the students enjoy them, and the math games are really exciting. It was fun using the dictionaries too, but we still need practice using the regular dictionaries so the students know how.>p/>

In math we continued working on our evidences so the children can prove what they have learned. These evidences will go on the report cards as a 1: don't understand the concept, 2: Coming to understand the concept, and 3: Completely understand the concept. They have their I Can papers so they can see how they are doing.

The mile run is tomorrow, if the weather is good. Please encourage your student to dress appropriately and to bring a water bottle.

Monday - tomorrow mile run at 1:30 at the high school

We had an exciting day today. We put in on a grant for IPADS and they came. This will give the students the opportunity to focus on work at their own level. This will also help us as we research. We read a story today about the California gold rush. Students should have taken home their fluency words to practice. In math we are going through and reviewing all the information that will be an evidence piece for their grades. I gave each student an "I Can" chart so they can mark off the information they feel comfortable with and then they can get help on the things they are struggling with. This afternoon we got out the I-Pads and got to know how to use them. Tomorrow we will do this in a more student specific fashion.

Tomorrow we will be our turn for the mile run at the high school. Students have been warned to dress appropriately as they will have to run no matter what their shoes or clothing feel like. Please help them to be aware of their shoes.>p/>

Friday

Students finished their reading and spelling tests today. They are getting much better at writing complete sentences and checking their own spelling. In math we reviewed how to put fractions in order, how to use the metric system, and then we started a sheet that will review elapsed time, identifying points, lines, etc and measuring angles using a protractor and subtraction.

In the afternoon students did Show and Tell and then went to the k-2 music program in the auditorium. The exciting news today was that on our field trip, in addition to ice skating and the museum, we also get to spend 90 minutes at the jump zone! On Monday we will send home release forms that must be signed for any student to play at the jump zone. Please make sure your student returns these on Tuesday so we can get that paper work done quickly.

The pink homework forms should be coming home today. Students have been cautioned that these pages are their responsibility. However, when you sign them, please take a glance and make sure they are doing their work well. Thanks!

Thursday

Students read their story, Going West, today in preparation for their test tomorrow. They also studied spelling words and got their vocabulary words done. In math we reviewed the use of metrics. In the afternoon students worked on states and capitals. It was a fun activity.

Wednesday Done with ISATS!

For the majority of the 4th grade, ISATs went very well. We still have a few students who want to race through and that hurts their scores, but the majority took their time, and it showed. Congratulations to all those who succeeded.

This morning we did the regular routine, studied grammar and math, took our spelling tests, had recess and then went to the ISAT tests. We had studied hard this year, trying to make the students so comfortable with the knowledge that they didn't need to fret. They did well and we are pleased.This afternoon we relaxed, we finished our May Day project and dropped off flowers we made to each class to celebrate the first of May. We also had a nutrition lesson with some very interesting information about how to get seeds from our plants.

Notes went home today about the field trip. There might even be a surprise!