Tuesday

Our students went to the track today to cheer for the other fourth grade class as they ran the track.  Tomorrow 4b will do the mile run.  Please make sure your child is dressed to run.

In language arts we learned more about Greek  root words.  Students learned that bio means life and tele means far off and phon means sounds.  So tele + phon means far off sounds.  It is fun when you see words which have meanings that are Greek.  Students have their spelling test tomorrow.

In math we were able to feel the difference between an ounce and a pound.  We had a granola bar to heft an ounce and a pound of butter.  We learned that the abbreviations for ounce and pound are from the Italian words libra and onza.

In the afternoon students worked on earning their reading points and then went over to the track.  I think this is a perfect week for running.  Please feel free to come tomorrow at about 1:25 to watch the students run at the high school.

On Thursday we will be going to the Gittins Farm in Weston at 12:30.

Monday

It is nice to have things back to regular as it was today.  Students wrote their spelling words and sentences to go with them.  Then we went to the computer lab where they finished up their Power Point Presentations.  In math today students learned how to do word problems with fractions and decimals.  This is something it would be good to continue covering at home.  When there is a sale and it says half off, have your child figure out how much that would be.

In the afternoon we reviewed the symbols for the state of Idaho.  We sang the Idaho State Song and then we did the counties.  Finally we ended with a review of different groups of immigrants that came into Idaho.  I hope we can finish that tomorrow.

On Wednesday, for PE, our class will be running the mile at the high school track.  If you would like to join us, our class runs about 1:30. Some of the students can't wait, they have been practicing all year.  The weather is supposed to be lovely, so feel free you come and join us.

Friday

We are looking forward to a normal week next week.  Students took their spelling tests today and then we worked on a project.  In math we are adding fractions and decimals in the tenths and hundredths place.  We also practiced our songs and dance before the program.

The program went pretty well, but it will be nice to get back to normal.  Please remember the students need to be reading!

Thursday

One might imagine that as school winds down, things would slow down.  That isn't very accurate.  But we are progressing well.  Today students took their spelling test.  The blue team struggled with doesn't.  Quite a few of the students would have earned 100% except for that word.  Tomorrow they will get it.  Students re-read their story about the California Gold Rush.  Then we did our vocabulary words.

In math students took a test.  We had a review for it yesterday. I will get those graded over the week-end.  After lunch we hurried to practice for the Spring Program.  I think our 4th grade students did quite well in the practice.  Remember, boys wear jeans and we have a shirt for them.  For the girls we have a poodle skirt and a hot pink shirt.  They will need leggings or shorts to wear under the poodle skirts.

We hope you can make it tomorrow.  I know you are all busy, but if you can make it, that would be nice.

Wednesday

Today was so busy that I feel like my feet should still be running.  Students are trying to catch up on their reading points. Most have achieved the required points for the trimester, but some have not achieved the yearly goal that they set.  So they read and tested.  Then, in math, we reviewed for the evaluation that will be on Thursday and Friday.

It was raining during lunchtime so one of Miss Lu's students built a tower in my classroom.  It got taller and taller, finally taller than him, then taller than me, then taller than Mr. D.  It nearly touched the ceiling before it fell.  By that time nearly half of the upper grades were in cheering him on.

After lunch we rushed to the auditorium and practiced for the singing part of the spring program.  Then after running back we went in the cafeteria to practice the dance for the spring program.  We were quite nervous about that at first, but I think, just maybe, we will have it down.

Please encourage your student to read and make their point goal.  We hope to see you at the program on Friday at 1:30.

Tuesday

This morning students read two stories, The California Gold Rush and The Golden Spike and then were asked to write an historical fiction story with them in the story.  They needed to use all of the writing skills we have learned this year.

In math class we learned about patterns.  We took the input number, looked at the output number and figured out the relationship between the two.  We are studying for the Evaluation Math test.  We took it at the beginning of the year and we are re-taking it to see if students have learned the information.  I thought a review was in order.  We have worked to review these things on our homework, but students tend to forget things they don't do everyday.

Students went to science and then we went to the library.  After recess the students went to practice our dance for the program.  We hope to see you there on Friday.

Monday

This morning students worked on their spelling.  The yellow group is on DR list 33,  the green group is on list SA 33.  The blue group is on  WW list 44.  If you would like to find those words up, please paste the link on the bottom of the page.  After spelling we worked on the Power Point Presentations, those are coming along quite nicely.  This is a Common Core requirement and allows the students to become more computer literate.

In math we learned how to add decimals in the tenths place.  Students seemed to understand this easily.  In science they are learning about force and motion.  This will be the last week that they will go to science. The next two weeks the students will be in social studies where we will be covering the workings and positions in government.

We hurried to the auditorium to practice for the dance for the spring program.  This will be on May 9th at 1:30.  It would a good idea to be there by 1:30 as the auditorium fills up quickly.

Friday

I am including the address so students can go online and take the AR tests, I hope this helps so everyone is able to attend the party.  Some of the students are really working hard to make it.  The online sit to take tests is:   http://ar.wssd.k12.id.us/RenaissanceServer/

Just paste that into your address bar and it should get you there.  You can also go to the home page of the school site and that will direct you to Renaissance.

We have had a terrifically busy day.  Students took reading and spelling tests, learned how to change fractions into decimal fractions (those have a power of ten) and then changing that into a decimal.  Students watched the 3rd grade perform their version of Frozen, and then we practiced for the end of year dance.  We barely had time to run into our classroom and clean it before we left.  Our spring program is on the 9th at 1:30, best to be in your seats by 1:15, it gets very crowded.

Thursday - Happy May Day

May Day was first celebrated to welcome in the summer.  Of course, we know summer doesn't come for a while, but in May the weather begins to let us know that summer is coming.  For May Day our students made baskets and flowers and then quietly went down the halls and hung the flowers on the doors of each classroom.  It was fun.

In language arts students learned more about Latin Root words.  Then they got their vocabulary words done. In math we worked on putting decimals in order and understanding the difference between tenths and hundredths.  In science the students are learning about force and motion.

Wednesday

Students took their spelling tests this morning.  We learned that there really is a word, swum, and drunk, and sunk and that they require a helping verb to be used correctly.  We studied a little more about verbs and then reviewed the meaning of our vocabulary words.

In math we practiced locating decimal-fractions (decimals) on the number line.  Then students ran to the auditorium to practice for our spring program which is next week.  In the afternoon we relaxed a bit to get ready for May Day.

Tuesday

Thanks for getting the book orders in on Friday.  We will send out one more order, probably tomorrow.  That way we will get things back in time, before school is out.  It would be good for your children to have good books to read over the summer.

Today we read our play and each student had the opportunity to take one of the parts.  We also studied spelling.  In math we took our test, students appeared to understand the material quite well.  I will know better after grading.  If you  need a spelling list for tomorrow's pre-test, look on yesterday's blog for the list.

In math for the next 12 lessons students will learn about comparing decimals and fractions.  They will also learn about pounds, ounces, gallons, quarts and pints.

Monday

After reviewing our spelling words, students went to the computer lab to work on a power point research project.  This is one of the common core standards we are to teach.  Fortunately, the students quite enjoy it.  In math we did word problems using volume.  The students are doing a little better understanding these and it went quite well.  Most of the students worked on Khan Academy today.

In the afternoon students went to Miss Lu's class and had science, then we ran to the auditorium to learn a dance for the spring program.  It will be one week from Friday.  Students spelling is Blue WW 43  Green SA 32 and Yellow Dr 32.  The link to these words is: http://barton.mpls.k12.mn.us/words_their_way

Just choose the correct list and you will have what you need to make sure your child is studying. Please make sure the homework pages are getting done. Even if your child has faithfully read all week long, if it is not signed, and that is their job, we don't count it.

Friday and testing is done

This has been a crazy, busy, day.  We took reading and spelling tests, then ran to the Middle School for our math SBAC.  As soon as we were done we came back for the fine arts assembly and then went to lunch.  Our class had 80% of school colors so we got to go to lunch first!

In the afternoon the students went to the k-2 grade spring music program.  As I said, it was kind of crazy, but everyone had a great time.

If your student did not get their homework page in today, the purple one, please talk to them and get it in.

Thursday Last tests are tomorrow

Don't forget to wear maroon and white tomorrow!  This morning we read the story, Two Drawings and students were to read Pocahontas.  We did our vocabulary words and worked on our limericks.  In math we continued working on the relationship of liters to real life containers.

In the afternoon half of our class went with the honor choir to prepare for the program tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 for the k-2 grades music performance.  The rest of us worked on our May Day flowers and I read to students about Lewis and Clark.

Tomorrow is the last day to order books for this month's Scholastic order.  There were a lot of interesting books available.

Wednesday - Last test on Friday

Students took the second part of their reading test today.  I think, for those who took their time, it went well.  We next did math and learned more about liters.  The assignment was easy so I included another division sheet.  I really hope they can practice on this so next year it is easier for them to do division.

In the afternoon we finished our limericks and diamante poems, took our spelling tests and went to music.  Please talk to your student about spelling.  Those who are struggling really need to study.

We sent information for a book order, it needs to be back on Friday because we have one more to send out before year's end.  You can complete the order online using the code L8J7V

Tuesday - Testing first thing Wednesday morning

Just for your information, our class will be testing Wednesday morning at 8:15.  Please make sure your child gets the sleep they need and are well-fed and at school by 8:10.

Today students read Pocahontas, reviewed their spelling words, wrote sentences using their spelling words and wrote their genre paper.  In math we reviewed changing Kilograms into grams and Liters into Milliliters.  They seemed to get the idea easily.

In social studies students worked on their Limerick and Diamante poems.  Those are both due tomorrow.  Afterwards they went to the library.

Monday Testing Thursday and Friday

Our testing went well this morning.  Students took their time and seemed to move through the questions as expected.  After we got done, we had a longer recess to clear everyone's brain.  In math we changed Kg to g and then read and completed story problems.

In social studies the students learned about diamante and limerick poems.  We will be doing those tomorrow.

Remember we have testing on Thursday and Friday at 8:30.  Please make sure your student is ready for these.

Friday

This morning instead of having a reading test, we watched a movie on Louis Braille.  I believed they learned much more from the movie than they would from the test.  It is on youtube and shows his life and what he did to invent braille reading.  We also took our spelling test and worked on our narrative essays.

In math we worked on converting kilograms to grams.  I brought a scale and we determined the mass of different objects.  Then students held the objects so they could feel the difference.  We talked about the difference between mass and weight.

In the afternoon we started our May Day art project, it is fun.  We will be taking our second yearly test on Monday at 8:30 a.m. It will be a math test.  Please make sure your child is ready with a good breakfast and a good night's sleep so the test will be easier for them.

Thanks, Catherine Winward

Thursday

This morning students learned more about adjectives.  They also studied about intensive, reflexive and demonstrative pronouns.  Then they worked on their genre papers, did fluency testing and started the rough draft of their narrative essay.

In math we combined decimals with meters.  They jumped and then measured the jumps in hundredths.  That was fun.  Then they were able to complete the paper to see if they understood the information.

In social studies we looked at rocks and learned about the three different types of rocks.  Then we learned a song.  So often these children compare themselves to each other and only see the other's best side and their worst side.  So we sang a song to encourage the students to realize that it is good to be different.

Wednesday and we are back online

This morning students took their pre-spelling test.  Seven students earned 100%  Next we worked on our vocabulary words. Students also had about 15 minutes of reading time.

In math we worked on hundredths again.  We compared 2.05 to 2.50.  The students are understanding this quite well.  With a little more work they will have it.

After lunch students took their first SBAC test.  It was reading and writing.  Students seemed to finish fairly easily.  Mrs. Royer and Mrs Waldron were in there the entire time making sure all went well.  The SBAC tests the standards we have been teaching all year.  If you would like a copy of them, come and see me.  I have plenty.

Remember the last day to turn in projects for the Fine Arts Festival is Friday.  We have some great artists in our class and it would be nice to have them represented.  Remember, it doesn't cost anything.