Our Week In Review

Phew! We made it through our first full week! This week was full of fun! In reading we got to listen to a few read aloud books. Mrs. Merten was impressed with our thinking! We talked a lot about choosing just right books, too.

In Math, we continued learning about geometry, and we have our first math test on Tuesday. We learned a few math games this week, including Polygon Pair Up. We will complete a review day on Monday.

Today we celebrated Constitution Day. We started our day listening to a guided imagery about the constitution. We also watched a Schoolhouse Rock video about the Preamble to the Constitution. Many of you might remember this video from your childhood! We worked with children from the other fourth grade classes to talk about the Bill of Rights. The groups had to remove five amendments- and decide which ones were most important. It was a tough task. We graphed our results. Ask your children about this activity!

From the teacher's desk:

Parents,
Our first week went smoothly in the classroom. The children have adjusted to the expectations of fourth grade, and are handling the workload in school. I realize that there is more responsibility in fourth grade, particularly with homework. I have noticed some difficulty in getting all parts of the homework finished, particularly with following written directions on the homework sheets. Please remind your child to reread the directions carefully to be sure all parts of the assignment are complete.

Below is an excerpt from an email from the Wellesley Booksmith. They are having a few children's authors coming to speak. I have been to their events, and find it very exciting to meet the authors of books I love.

EVENTS – The event season is kicking into high gear and below is a sampling of a few great authors that we are welcoming in the near future. John D'Auria - Ten Lessons in Leadership and Learning Join us at the store on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 4:00 pm (for an educator presentation) and 7:00 pm (for a parent presentation) as popular educator and former Wellesley Middle School Principal John D'Auria discusses his newly published book, Ten Lessons in Leadership and Learning. Co-sponsored by Teachers21. Patricia MacLachlan - I Didn't Do It and Word After Word After Word The Wellesley Free Library welcomes celebrated author Patricia MacLachlan on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 4:00 pm as she discusses two of her latest books in the Wakelin Room. Julie Berry - Secondhand Charm, The Rat Brain Fiasco and Curse of the Bizarro Beetle On Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 7:00 pm, enjoy an entertaining evening at Wellesley Booksmith with author Julie Berry as she celebrates the release of her latest books. Annie Barrows - Ivy & Bean #7: What's the Big Idea? Visit the store on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 4:00 pm and catch award winning author Annie Barrows as she discusses her latest book in the Ivy & Bean series. Sara Pennypacker - Clementine, Friend of the Week The Wellesley Free Library hosts author Sara Pennypacker for a reading of her latest Clementine book on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 2:00 pm in the Children's Room. Laurie Halse Anderson - Forge Join award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson for a stirring presentation on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 4:00 pm in the Wellesley Free Library's Wakelin Room.