Our Week In Review

After three weeks, our classroom community is really coming together!  We are taking our time, learning our routines and becoming a community of learners.  As you may have heard, the focus this year is independence and responsibility.  This is our year long goal, and we will be taking steps toward this every day!

Dance Party Friday!

 This week, we had our first math assessment.  The children worked really hard, despite some nervous feelings about this first test.  Your child took home the work space sheet for the test yesterday. There was a grade listed on the test, and your child used the space to show work.  Directions were sent home yesterday for how to access the test online, and this was also reviewed during class. Beginning next week, our math focus with be addition and subtraction.  If your child is not automatic with his/her addition and subtraction facts, there are some links on our curriculum pages which help provide practice in a fun way.  Additionally, your child could use the website/app quizlet, which is a way to create and use electronic flash cards.  Many children use this app on an ipod/ipad.  To use this, go to Quizlet.com and search for "addition facts" or "subtraction facts". There are many options for flash cards.  This tool can be used for all subjects, and students can even make their own flash cards to help with studying in other subject areas. 

 During Writer's Workshop we have been working on our Hopes, Dreams and Goals for fourth grade.  We enjoyed brainstorming and beginning our writing this week.  During this process, we will be focusing on writing clear, descriptive sentences.  

In addition to practicing the routines of Reader's Workshop, we have been working on various reading strategies.  This week we practiced checking books to determine if they are "Just Right". This can be challenging, as some students have a goal to read "long" books, and they may not be ready for those yet.  We will continue to learn and practice our routines while reviewing strategies for reading. In the coming weeks,  all students will have books in their book bags (added with Mrs. Merten), and should have an established routine at home for evening reading.  If you have any questions about reading or your child's book choice, please contact Mrs. Merten. 

 Each week, on Friday, we end our week with an End of the Week meeting, where each students shares a "High, Low, Bet You Didn't Know" from the week.  After our meeting we celebrate one student's accomplishment (this may be kindness, being a good friend, demonstrating excellent effort or something more that the teachers notices).  Way to Go!!!!!

Congratulations!  (Some students wrote their names with their #, so we needed to "erase" #goodperson)

Looking Ahead ~

• On Monday we will celebrate Constitution Day-- learning about the history of our Constitution.
• Next Friday, we will have a visit from our "Engineers in Residence". We will begin our first engineering project next week.
• We will begin our Map Skills unit in Social Studies 
• We will continue working on our Hopes and Dreams during writing.
• Conference Dates will be open for sign up after Curriculum Night on 9/20.