August 31st

Happy last day of August! Here's what we did today:
Reading-We put a form in our Reading notebooks so that we can keep track of what we are reading throughout the year.  We also shared some of our second paragraphs from the reading letters.

Writing-We learned a bit about Allen Say, the author of the past two books we've read and discussed how sometimes we may remember things a little differently than they actually occured.  Students wrote about their memories.

Math-We began Chapter 2 by learning how to compare numbers.  Here's a picture of us playing a fun game in Math!

Social Studies-Students had some time to work on some worksheets about the NE and SE.  We'll start the MW tomorrow.

Word Study-We took a practice test today and groups will start tomorrow!  I also showed students how to access their spelling lists on spellingcity.com.

Homework:
Read!

Math-WS 2.1--Also, please correct your test.  Don't erase your original answer though!  I will award one point per corrected answer.  Some students need to get their tests signed.

Social Studies-Continue working on states and capitals.

*Students have a book order with them today that will be due next Wednesday.  There is a sheet on top explaining how you can also order books online and they will be delievered to our classroom.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a great night!

August 30th

Here's what we did today:
Reading-We wrote down our commitment book choices and put them on our desk so we remember the book we are focusing on right now.  This will help us from trying to start a new book every day or so.  We also shared some of our reading letters and learned how to write the second paragraph.

Writing-We read a book called Tea with Milk which was also written by Allen Say.  We learned that he wrote it about his parents.  Then we did a quick write about our lives and heard a great piece of writing from Abby.

Math-Students took the Chapter 1 test and worked very hard!  I will have these back to them tomorrow.

Social Studies-We talked about the important  features and landmarks of the Southeast like the Everglades and the great growing season they have.

Word Study-Students practiced giving each other a buddy check.

Homework:
Reading-Read!

Writing-I asked students to write a WN in at least one day of their planners to commit to writing in their Writer's Notebooks at home at least one evening.  Parents, ask your kids what they're writing about!  We have some great authors in the class!

Math-Because there is no worksheet tonight, students need to practice their multiplication facts tonight.

Social Studies-Study states and capitals of the NE and SE.  The test will be September 29th.  I gave students a packet to help them study.  I recommend filling it in shortly before the test as a study guide.  I will collect the packet the day of the test for participation points. 

Remember, tomorrow is gym so don't forget your tennis shoes!

Have a good night!

August 29th

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Here's what we did today:
Reading-We learned how to compose the first paragraph of our Reading Letter.  The first paragraph should include the title, author, and a short summary of what they've read in their independent reading book.  Tomorrow we will learn how to write the second paragraph, which will include students' thoughts of their book.

Writing-We read a book called The Bicycle Man and talked about how we can get ideas from our own life and write about them.

Math-We did a practice test and went over to review for the Chapter 1 test tomorrow.

Social Studies-We watched a video on the Southeast and wrote down all the states and capitals of that region in our passport books.

Word Study-Students used the words they had put in boxes to sort our class names by how many letters are in each name.  We will finish up our practice group and begin word study groups on Thursday and Friday.

Homework:
Reading-Read!

Math-Study Chapter 1.  Here is the link to our online math book.  Username: tfourth  Password: pass  The students also stapeled all their ws's from the chapter together and have the practice test with them. 

Social Studies-At the end of September, students will be taking a test on the states and capitals.  They will be given a list of the states and will need to write down each state's capital, without a word bank.  As we go through each region, I encourage the students to make flashcards at home and learn them in groups so that they don't have to learn all 50 at once.

Have a great night! 

August 25th

Here's what we did today:
Reading-We compared fiction and non-fiction and talked about different types of each.  Ask your child what genre of book he or she is reading!

Writing-The students wrote about one of the unusual questions we thought about yesterday.

Math-We talked about what a benchmark is and thought of some examples.  We also used the clickers to review some of the concepts from earlier in the chapter.  There will be a Chapter 1 test on Tuesday.

Social Studies-We watched a short video on the Northeastern region of the US and filled in a map with the abbreviations for those states. 

Word Study-The students wrote our word list in boxes, cut them out, and are now ready for their first word sort.

Homework:
Reading-As always, read!

Math-WS 1.4

*A Highlights form should be in  your child's file folder.  Please return the form to school and we will get some fun things for our class.  If you don't wish to purchase a subscription, please check the NO box and sign.  You only need to fill out your personal information if you are purchasing a subscription.

*Unfortunately, I will be out tomorrow for medical reasons, but will be back on Monday.  Miss Bergin will teach in the morning and we have a wonderful sub, Mrs. Nikodem, coming in the afternoon. 

Have a great night and a great weekend!  Don't forget to like the class facebook page.  Click here to like the page.  Thanks!

August 24th

We had a great day today!  Here's what we did:
Reading-We discussed when it's a good idea to abandon a book and met again in groups to talk about our reading.

Writing-We learned about the author of Wizzil  and Gorky Rises and discussed his writing style.  We then wrote and answered some unusual questions to help give us some writing ideas.

Math-The students participated in stations today to review the place value concepts we've been learning about.  I'm anticipating a test on Chapter 1 next Tuesday.

Social Studies-We read a book called A River Ran Wild to discuss some of the geography themes.  I'm looking forward to assessing the United States maps the students worked on yesterday!

Word Study-We continued learning about some of the activites on the contract.  We are completing this contract together and it will not be graded.  We will begin Word Study groups next week.

Homework:
Reading-Read for 20 minutes or more.  Also, please post on the blog about a book you've abandoned before and why you abandoned it.

Writing-Write for at least 10 minutes.

Have a great night and I hope to see many parents at curriculum night tonight!

Curriculum Night

Just a reminder that tomorrow night is Curriculum Night.  Parents are invited to attend a town hall meeting with Dr. Stryjewski at 6.  At 6:30, classroom presentations will begin.  We are in Room 40.  For those new to the district, Curriculum Night is a chance for the teacher and parents to discuss the 4th grade curriculum and classroom expectations and happenings.  This evening is meant for adults so please refrain from bringing students along.  I hope to see you all tomorrow evening!   

August 22nd

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Here's what we did today:
Reading-Students used the clickers to text in some things they think about as they read such as connections and evaluations.  They had some time to read independently and then discuss their thoughts with a partner.

Writing-We saw many great Writer's Notebooks today!  I encouraged the students to add directions throughout the year as they find more things to help them get writing ideas.

Math-After going over our homework, we moved on to place value through the hundred thousands and learned how to write numbers in standard, word, and expanded form. 

Social Studies-We watched a Brain Pop to learn about the continents, oceans and hemispheres.  Tomorrow students will begin creating a map of the US by referring to other maps in their text.
Homework:
Reading-Read for 20 minutes or more.

Math-WS 1.2  Students circled the numbers they are supposed to do as they don't have to do all of them.
           Remember, the book is online.  The username is 'tfourth' and the password is 'pass'.

*As a reminder, when you check your child's file folder at night, please don't remove the papers that are not in the take home or return to school folder.  We use the subject folders for papers that are needed in class throughout the week.  Thanks!

Have a great night and don't forget about Curriculum Night on Wednesday!

August 19th

We made it through our first week of school!  Here's what we did today:
Reading-We talked about how we know if a book is too easy, too hard, or just right and spent some time reading independently and conferencing.

Writing-Today we read a story called Gorky Rises about a magic potion.  We made a list in our Writer's Notebooks of ideas for magic potions and what ingredients we might use for them.  Monday we will share our decorated notebooks!

Math-We began Chapter 1 by talking about place value to the ten-thousands place.  A big distinction is knowing the difference between value and position.  The math book is online at eharcourtschool.com.  The username is tfourth and the password is pass.  The online book has many great resources that are not in the textbook and I encourage students to use it for extra help or a challenge!

Social Studies-We discussed how to use a compass rose on a map and learned the cardinal and intermediate directions.

We also practiced all of our schoolwide saftey drills this afternoon.

Homework:
Reading-Read, Read, Read!

Write-Decorate your notebook.

Math-WS 1.1

Blog Post: Try to figure out what direction the front door of your house is facing and post below!
*Entertainment books were sent home today.  If you would like to purchase the book or additional ones, please read the notice in the bag.  If you are not interested, just return the bag with the book.  Thanks!

Have a great weekend and enjoy our pictures of Writer's Workshop today!

August 18th

Sorry for posting later than usual tonight!  It was a busy afternoon!  Here's what we did today:

Reading-We discussed ways readers choose books and I began conferencing with the students to listen to them read and discuss their reading styles.  The students did a great job reading independently and are reading some great books!

Writing-The kids signed a contract and pasted it into their Writer's Notebook.  They will be keeping their notebook in the Writing portion of their file folder so that they can write in it at home and at school and will always remember to have it with them.  We also began a special project for display on Curriculum Night!

Math-Students shared their Math interviews and finished up yesterday's test.  We heard some great examples of Math in the real world!

Social Studies-We discussed the 5 themes of geography and the students got to use clickers to text in their answers to some questions!

Word Study-I gave students an assessment which will help me to group them based on what spelling principles they need to work on.

Homework:
Reading-Read for 20 minutes.

Writing-You may write in your notebook!

Please respond to the following question: Where is your favorite place at home to write?

See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 17th

We had another great day today!  Here's what we did today:
Block-The kids had gym with Mr. Loos today.  They will have gym every other day so please make sure they wear or bring tennis shoes for these days.

Reading-We talked about what readers think about when they read.  Ask your child to tell you some of the things we thought about!  Students also chose a book from our classroom library to read.

Writing-We talked about our Writers' Notebooks.  These are one of the composition notebooks the students brought in.  They will be a place where the kids can write anything they'd like.  If they bring them home, they should come back to school each day.  By Monday, students need to decorate the outside of their notebook.

Math-The students worked on a test from the Math Intervention teachers to see who may need some additional support in Math this year.  We also did a Math scavenger hunt where the students asked other classmates how they used Math this summer in various ways.

Social Studies-Students went on an A-Z search throughout their Social Studies book to find out some of the things we will be learning about this year.  We will start learning about maps and the regions of the US tomorrow.

Tonight's Homework:
Reading-Either post a comment below or write on a piece of paer what you thought about as you were reading for at least 20 minutes tonight.

Math-Interview an adult at home about how they use math in their lives and write a paragraph explaining their response.

*If you did not return the form about the Rights and Responsibilities handbook today, make sure you bring it back tomorrow. 

Have a great night!

First Day of School!

We had a great first day in fourth grade at Concord!  We learned all about our classmates, teachers and our new school!  We have a student teacher, Miss Bergin, who will be working with us until December!  Check the blog daily for updates on what we're working on and homework.  Tonight's homework is just to read something of your choice for 20 minutes.  I also asked the students to make a comment on tonight's blog post.  They should click on 'anonymous' when posting, but sign their first name on their comment.  Here's tonight's topic: Comment on your favorite activity of the first day of fourth grade.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again tomorrow!

Check out our Oscar pictures!

Ice Cream Social

It was great to meet all of you tonight!  I hope you enjoyed seeing your new classroom, school, teachers and friends.  I can't wait for Tuesday when the school year officially begins!  I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll see you Tuesday morning!

Classroom Pictures

Here are some pictures of our classroom!  It's coming along great and is almost ready!

The Reading Corner

This is the back of the room and has the Writing Center materials.

On the left is the Word Study board (in progress) and on the right is some important information.

Here's our group table, Star of the Week board, and our new sink with a drinking fountain!

Our amazing cubbies and the table where you'll hand in your homework and get your mail each day.

This is the front of the room.  The old desks up there should be out of here soon!