Our Week In Review

Fall has arrived!  We have been very busy in room 24.

This week we had our first math assessment.  The children worked really hard, despite some nerves with this first test.  On Monday, you will receive the corrected assessment.  You may also see your child's work online at www.pearsonrealize.com.  Beginning next week, our math focus will be on addition and subtraction.  If your child isn't automatic with his/her addition or subtraction facts, there are some links which provide practice on our curriculum page.  Another idea is to use the website Quizlet. Here your child can search for various sets of "electronic flash cards". Many students enjoy using these cards on an ipod or ipad.   A quick search of "addition facts" or "subtraction facts" gives your child 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.  We will explore Quizlet in the coming weeks during Technology on Fridays.

This week we began and ended our week with our fourth grade friends.  We enjoyed our weekly grade level meeting Monday, and ended with Dance Party Friday (many children's "high" of the week). We also met at the end of the day to discuss Constitution Day.  You can find more information about the grade level activities on the "Fourth Grade News" page (use the link to the right). There you will find information about Creative Arts Friday for this week as well.

We have been working on various reading strategies during Reader's Workshop, and we will continue to work on our routines for the next week.  By the end of the week, all students should have books in their book bags, 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.  We had a "guest teacher" this week...Mrs. Richards came in to share some strategies for looking at words.  We enjoyed her teaching!

On Wednesday we celebrated our summer reading with story teller Len Cabral!  He was wonderful.Your children should have many stories to share.

We continue to work on our classroom community, and we have really grown!  Students are feeling more and more comfortable working with one another and talking about their thinking.

Looking Ahead ~

• On Monday 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 and our unit about Weather in Science.
• We will continue working on our Hopes and Dreams during writing.
• As soon as conference dates are confirmed, you will receive a message along with a link to sign up for a date and time that is convenient for you.

Author Alert!

If you ar a fan of Rick Riordan, you will LOVE this! Scroll down for other author information.
(Information was taken directly from the Unlikely Story website.  More information can be found here.)

Rick Riordan

We've got an event of mythological proportions with bestselling author Rick Riordan to celebrate the newest book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, The Hammer of Thor. Please know that our seating capacity is limited to a maximum of 200 people, so not all who would like to attend will be able to purchase tickets.

Important Details:

• Tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 20th at 6:00pm.
• Tickets are $23.41 and include admission for two (2) people and one (1) copy of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: Hammer of Thor. Additional copies will be available before and after the event.
• The presentation will consist of a Powerpoint by Rick with Q & A, lasting about 45 minutes.
• Rick will be signing and personalizing books following his presentation.
• Photos will be allowed while in the signing line.
• Rick will sign any books purchased at the event, and you can bring 2 books from home to be signed.

In addition to Rick Riordan, there will  be some other great authors at the bookstore in September and October.

• CeCe Bell (author of El Deafo) 
• Tom Angleberger, her husband (author of the Origami Yoda series) 
• Click here to scroll through the events calendar. 

***Keep in mind that some of these events require preregistration.