Reading:
This week we started a new non-fiction unit. We are working on identifying text features (diagrams, maps, headings, etc.) and how these help us better understand non-fiction text. We are also working on summarizing the text using different strategies. We have discussed chunking the text and using the boxes and bullets format to come up with the main idea and details to help us summarize the text.
Writing:
We have also started a new non-fiction unit in Writing. So far, we have spent two days discussing the structure of an opinion writing. To get a feel for the structure of this type of writing, students created a flash draft on the topic of "I love ice cream." To finish out the week, we will be discussing how essayists collect their ideas, as well as, completing on inquiry on writing to learn.
Math:
Students have been learning all about multiplication. Students can multiply by a one-digit number by using different strategies (compensation and breaking apart). We will continue working with multiplication as we work through Topic 6. It is imperative that students know their math facts. Please work on mastering these facts at home. You might find the links below helpful when working with your child on math facts.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies, we have been discussing Missouri's Government. So far, we have discussed the Constitution and Bill of Rights and the three branches of government. We will finish up the unit by discussing decision making and problem solving. Our goal is to complete this unit before winter break.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Classroom Update
Reading:
We are continuing to read Tiger Rising by Katie DiCamillo. Students have been making inferences and identifying character traits that the main characters possess. We recently started comparing and contrasting. Last week, we used two picture books to practice the skill of comparing and contrasting. We did an activity that required students to find the similarities and differences between the main characters in both books. This week, we will do the same activity with the two main characters in Tiger Rising.
Writing:
Last week, we took a break from writing our rough drafts to our narrative stories to practice some grammar skills. Taking the time to practice these skills is only going to make our pieces of writing that much better! This week, we will continue working on rough drafts. We will have our pieces published in a couple of weeks.
Math:
In Math this week, we will begin Topic 4: Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers. This topic will teach us how to use mental math to add and subtract, and how to add and subtract multi-digit numbers with regrouping. Also, please continue to practice multiplication facts at home with your child.
Science:
In Science, we have been learning about Ecosystems and Adaptations. Students are using what they have learned in Science to research an animal of their choice. After students have finished researching, they will create a Prezi about their animal. Students will take the Ecosystems and Adaptations test on Tuesday, November 12th.
We are continuing to read Tiger Rising by Katie DiCamillo. Students have been making inferences and identifying character traits that the main characters possess. We recently started comparing and contrasting. Last week, we used two picture books to practice the skill of comparing and contrasting. We did an activity that required students to find the similarities and differences between the main characters in both books. This week, we will do the same activity with the two main characters in Tiger Rising.
Writing:
Last week, we took a break from writing our rough drafts to our narrative stories to practice some grammar skills. Taking the time to practice these skills is only going to make our pieces of writing that much better! This week, we will continue working on rough drafts. We will have our pieces published in a couple of weeks.
Math:
In Math this week, we will begin Topic 4: Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers. This topic will teach us how to use mental math to add and subtract, and how to add and subtract multi-digit numbers with regrouping. Also, please continue to practice multiplication facts at home with your child.
Science:
In Science, we have been learning about Ecosystems and Adaptations. Students are using what they have learned in Science to research an animal of their choice. After students have finished researching, they will create a Prezi about their animal. Students will take the Ecosystems and Adaptations test on Tuesday, November 12th.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Classroom Update
Reading:
Today, we read The Graves Family by Patricia Polacco. While reading, I stopped to have students make inferences about the book. Students made good inferences using context clues to support their thinking. We will finish the rest of the week with summarizing. We will discuss what makes up a good summary. I will read another book written by Patricia Polacco to help us practice this skill.
Writing:
This week during Writing, students will finish their character map and begin planning the beginning, middle, and end of their narrative story. The students are super excited about using their imaginative character in their narrative stories. I know this seems like a long process, but we are writing like real authors, taking time to develop our character and scenes in our story.
Math:
In Math this week, we will finish up Topic 2. Throughout Topic 2, students have learned how to extend shape and number patterns, continue number sequences, and find a rule given at least two pairs of numbers. Students will take the Topic 2 test on Friday, October 11th. We will start reviewing key concepts on Wednesday.
Please practice Math Facts at home with your child. It is important that students have multiplication facts memorized. Multiplication is the foundation for a lot of concepts we will study in Math this year. To assist with this, you might try to purchasing flash cards or using one of the links below.
Science:
This week, we are switching from Social Studies to Science. We will start our Science unit on Ecosystems. We will discuss parts of an ecosystem, as well as, identify characteristics of 5 different ecosystems. I think the students will really enjoy the switch from Geography to Ecosystems!
I look forward to another great week in Room 117! :)
Today, we read The Graves Family by Patricia Polacco. While reading, I stopped to have students make inferences about the book. Students made good inferences using context clues to support their thinking. We will finish the rest of the week with summarizing. We will discuss what makes up a good summary. I will read another book written by Patricia Polacco to help us practice this skill.
Writing:
This week during Writing, students will finish their character map and begin planning the beginning, middle, and end of their narrative story. The students are super excited about using their imaginative character in their narrative stories. I know this seems like a long process, but we are writing like real authors, taking time to develop our character and scenes in our story.
Math:
In Math this week, we will finish up Topic 2. Throughout Topic 2, students have learned how to extend shape and number patterns, continue number sequences, and find a rule given at least two pairs of numbers. Students will take the Topic 2 test on Friday, October 11th. We will start reviewing key concepts on Wednesday.
Please practice Math Facts at home with your child. It is important that students have multiplication facts memorized. Multiplication is the foundation for a lot of concepts we will study in Math this year. To assist with this, you might try to purchasing flash cards or using one of the links below.
This week, we are switching from Social Studies to Science. We will start our Science unit on Ecosystems. We will discuss parts of an ecosystem, as well as, identify characteristics of 5 different ecosystems. I think the students will really enjoy the switch from Geography to Ecosystems!
I look forward to another great week in Room 117! :)
Fall Party
The PTA Fall Party is on Friday, October 18th from 2 pm - 3 pm.
Donations are needed for the party. Below is a link for SignUpGenius.
**Please Note: If you volunteer to bring in bagged apples, please bring them in as soon as possible. They need to be prepared before the day of the party.**
Donations are needed for the party. Below is a link for SignUpGenius.
**Please Note: If you volunteer to bring in bagged apples, please bring them in as soon as possible. They need to be prepared before the day of the party.**
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Classroom Update
Reading:
This week during Reading, we discussed how to create a movie in your mind as you read, how to be empathetic with characters, and we noticed how author's change the image of characters throughout the text. We finished reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and we will begin reading Tiger Rising (during Reading) and The Whipping Boy (during Read Aloud).
Writing:
We finished publishing the Best Part of Me early in the week. The rest of the week the students were allowed free writing time. I wanted to give the students time to write without any stipulations. I am impressed with how well the students have been working during independent writing time!
Math:
During Math this week, we talked about how multiplication relates to division. We finished our first Math unit, and we will review and take the topic test on Wednesday. On Thursday, we will start our second unit which focuses on patterns. We will study both shape and number patterns. I am eager for you to join our Math lessons during Mighty Math Week! If you have not yet signed up using SignUpGenius, please do so this week.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies this week, students paired up and started a PowerPoint project. The project covers urban, suburban, and rural areas. Students are really excited about this project! They will present their projects to their fellow students later this week.
I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend with your family!
Friday, September 13, 2013
We had another great week in Room 117!
Here is an update on what we are learning:
Reading:
In Reading this week, we worked on retelling stories. We discussed retelling stories two different ways. One way to retell a story is by starting at the beginning, and another way to retell a story is by starting with where you are at and backing up. We also discussed how to be a good listener by listening intensely. We created a list of ways to show you are a good listener. We practiced these skills throughout the week in all subject areas.
Today, we met with our reading buddies in Mrs. Thompson's First Grade Class. The students enjoyed eating skittles and getting to know their reading buddy. Here are some pictures from this morning:
Writing:
All week, student worked on their Best Part of Me writing. We brainstormed, drafted, revised and edited this piece of writing. We started publishing, but we will finish next week. The pieces of writing look great so far!
Math:
This week students reviewed the properties of multiplication (commutative, identity, zero, and distributive). We discussed shape and number patterns. Today, we talked about the meaning of division. We will continue working on multiplication as it is related to division.
Social Studies:
This week in Social Studies, our emphasis has been on the four geographical regions of Missouri. We have discussed the history, land, agriculture, and other facts about each region. On Tuesday, the students will take a quiz on Missouri's cities, rivers, and regions.
Have a great weekend! :)
Here is an update on what we are learning:
Reading:
In Reading this week, we worked on retelling stories. We discussed retelling stories two different ways. One way to retell a story is by starting at the beginning, and another way to retell a story is by starting with where you are at and backing up. We also discussed how to be a good listener by listening intensely. We created a list of ways to show you are a good listener. We practiced these skills throughout the week in all subject areas.
Today, we met with our reading buddies in Mrs. Thompson's First Grade Class. The students enjoyed eating skittles and getting to know their reading buddy. Here are some pictures from this morning:
Writing:
All week, student worked on their Best Part of Me writing. We brainstormed, drafted, revised and edited this piece of writing. We started publishing, but we will finish next week. The pieces of writing look great so far!
Math:
This week students reviewed the properties of multiplication (commutative, identity, zero, and distributive). We discussed shape and number patterns. Today, we talked about the meaning of division. We will continue working on multiplication as it is related to division.
Social Studies:
This week in Social Studies, our emphasis has been on the four geographical regions of Missouri. We have discussed the history, land, agriculture, and other facts about each region. On Tuesday, the students will take a quiz on Missouri's cities, rivers, and regions.
Have a great weekend! :)
Friday, September 6, 2013
Mighty Math Week
As we are beginning the new school year, I want to make sure you have had the opportunity to view our classroom's Virual Parent Orientation that I sent just before Back-to-School Night.
This year most elementary schools in Park Hill decided to try a "Virtual" Parent Orientation approach due to the significant decline in parent attendance maintaining an average of 60% attendance at English Landing during the past three years. Before English Landing transitioned to this "Virtual" Parent Orientation approach, the English Landing Leadership Team facilitated two focus group meetings with PTA Executive Board members and spent much time in Leadership Team meetings preparing for this change collaboratively.
At the end of September we are excited to host a Mighty Math Week, so parents will have the opportunity to join their child for a math lesson in the classroom on September 30, October 1 or October 2. Then on October 3 from 6:30-7:30pm, parents and their child are invited to come back to EL to participate in a math lesson if they were unable to attend the regular math lesson during the day. Hopefully this event will give parents another reason to visit English Landing and spend time with their child in an academic setting.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
This year most elementary schools in Park Hill decided to try a "Virtual" Parent Orientation approach due to the significant decline in parent attendance maintaining an average of 60% attendance at English Landing during the past three years. Before English Landing transitioned to this "Virtual" Parent Orientation approach, the English Landing Leadership Team facilitated two focus group meetings with PTA Executive Board members and spent much time in Leadership Team meetings preparing for this change collaboratively.
At the end of September we are excited to host a Mighty Math Week, so parents will have the opportunity to join their child for a math lesson in the classroom on September 30, October 1 or October 2. Then on October 3 from 6:30-7:30pm, parents and their child are invited to come back to EL to participate in a math lesson if they were unable to attend the regular math lesson during the day. Hopefully this event will give parents another reason to visit English Landing and spend time with their child in an academic setting.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Important Dates and Information
The following is a list of important dates and information:
4th Grade Musical
Mrs. Carney has asked me to share the musical's Sign-Up Genius with you electronically. She will be sending home a hard copy of the link along with costuming information soon.
4th Grade Musical
Mrs. Carney has asked me to share the musical's Sign-Up Genius with you electronically. She will be sending home a hard copy of the link along with costuming information soon.
Room Party Hosts
Room Parent
We are also in need of a Room Parent for this school year. If you are interested, please sign up using the Sign-Up Genius link below.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Weekly Update
We had a great week in room 117!
Reading -
In Reading this week, we discussed reading a book as a curmudgeon versus treating the book like gold. We noted that welcoming books into our lives will make us better readers. Yesterday, our minilesson was "Buzzing About Books". Ask your child how he/she can "buzz" about a book in our classroom. This week, we also reflected on the things that we were doing well during Reader's Workshop, as well as, the things we needed to improve. We will be working hard to make our Reader's Workshop the best that it can be.
Writing -
Our main focus during Writing this week was decorating our writer's notebook. We talked about how the notebook needed to reflect the writer's personality and interests. Students used stickers, pictures, magazines, and many other crafty things as decorations. Students had the opportunity to share their writer's notebooks with their writing partner. Students enjoyed taking the time to personalize their notebooks!
Math -
We finished setting up Math Workshop this week and started our first topic. Students participated in "Topic Opener Day" yesterday. We watched a short video to introduce the topic, and they answered some essential questions for the topic. Students also completed a topic pretest. The first topic covers Multiplication and Division: Meanings and Facts.
Social Studies -
In Social Studies this week, we discussed Missouri's location, neighboring states, plains, highlands, and rivers. We also reviewed how to use a map grid.
Popcorn Friday! Students enjoyed their first Popcorn Friday of the year! :)
Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!
Reading -
In Reading this week, we discussed reading a book as a curmudgeon versus treating the book like gold. We noted that welcoming books into our lives will make us better readers. Yesterday, our minilesson was "Buzzing About Books". Ask your child how he/she can "buzz" about a book in our classroom. This week, we also reflected on the things that we were doing well during Reader's Workshop, as well as, the things we needed to improve. We will be working hard to make our Reader's Workshop the best that it can be.
Writing -
Our main focus during Writing this week was decorating our writer's notebook. We talked about how the notebook needed to reflect the writer's personality and interests. Students used stickers, pictures, magazines, and many other crafty things as decorations. Students had the opportunity to share their writer's notebooks with their writing partner. Students enjoyed taking the time to personalize their notebooks!
Math -
We finished setting up Math Workshop this week and started our first topic. Students participated in "Topic Opener Day" yesterday. We watched a short video to introduce the topic, and they answered some essential questions for the topic. Students also completed a topic pretest. The first topic covers Multiplication and Division: Meanings and Facts.
Social Studies -
In Social Studies this week, we discussed Missouri's location, neighboring states, plains, highlands, and rivers. We also reviewed how to use a map grid.
Popcorn Friday! Students enjoyed their first Popcorn Friday of the year! :)
Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Happy Friday!
Here is an update on what we learned about this week:
Reading -
Our first unit in Reading focuses on building a reading life. We have discussed different strategies to help us become better readers. We talked about our best and worst reading times, as well as, what it means to read longer, stronger, and faster. We discussed what it means to find a "just right" book to read, and how to awaken ourselves to the text. Similar to a New Year's resolution, students made a reading resolution for the school year. The students added these resolutions to their Data Notebook.
Math -
This week in Math, we set norms (rules) for Math Workshop. We used our 5 senses to help us determine what our norms would be. Since students will be working individually, in partners, and in groups, I thought it was important for us to set norms for all of these learning styles. I introduced the term "accountable talk." We discussed what this meant and how to use it everyday during Math. Accountable talk will ensure that our conversations are focused on Math during work time. Another main focus of this week was learning to play the games that go along with the curriculum. Each day students will have the option of playing a game that corresponds to the lesson. Students seemed to enjoy this part of the day!
Social Studies -
We covered an introductory unit in Social Studies. It focused on Geography. We discussed geography and what it is, types of maps (physical and political), what maps show (distance and location), and the difference between latitude and longitude.
We ended the week with a STAR Celebration! Ask your child how they can earn this each week.
Next week, we will continue our Reading unit, and start our first units in Writing, Math, and Social Studies.
Have a great weekend! I can't wait to see the kiddos on Monday!
Reading -
Our first unit in Reading focuses on building a reading life. We have discussed different strategies to help us become better readers. We talked about our best and worst reading times, as well as, what it means to read longer, stronger, and faster. We discussed what it means to find a "just right" book to read, and how to awaken ourselves to the text. Similar to a New Year's resolution, students made a reading resolution for the school year. The students added these resolutions to their Data Notebook.
Math -
This week in Math, we set norms (rules) for Math Workshop. We used our 5 senses to help us determine what our norms would be. Since students will be working individually, in partners, and in groups, I thought it was important for us to set norms for all of these learning styles. I introduced the term "accountable talk." We discussed what this meant and how to use it everyday during Math. Accountable talk will ensure that our conversations are focused on Math during work time. Another main focus of this week was learning to play the games that go along with the curriculum. Each day students will have the option of playing a game that corresponds to the lesson. Students seemed to enjoy this part of the day!
Social Studies -
We covered an introductory unit in Social Studies. It focused on Geography. We discussed geography and what it is, types of maps (physical and political), what maps show (distance and location), and the difference between latitude and longitude.
We ended the week with a STAR Celebration! Ask your child how they can earn this each week.
Next week, we will continue our Reading unit, and start our first units in Writing, Math, and Social Studies.
Have a great weekend! I can't wait to see the kiddos on Monday!
Monday, August 19, 2013
First Week of School
We had a great first few days in fourth grade!
Here is a collage of the photos I took on the first day of school:
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We played a fun "Get-To-Know-You" activity using M&Ms. The students had fun sharing facts about themselves based on the color of M&Ms they selected.
I want to express the importance of working together (teamwork), diversity, and building friendships in our classroom. Last week, we read several books that dealt with these themes. The students participated in a teamwork activity, in which, the students divided up into groups and were assigned the task of building the tallest freestanding structure using 25 straws and some tape. The key was they had to complete this without talking! If a group member spoke, I took a straw away. This was a challenging exercise, but a great learning experience for the students!
It has been fun getting to know each student! We have a great class, and I am looking forward to the days and weeks ahead in Room 117!
Here is a collage of the photos I took on the first day of school:
We played a fun "Get-To-Know-You" activity using M&Ms. The students had fun sharing facts about themselves based on the color of M&Ms they selected.
I want to express the importance of working together (teamwork), diversity, and building friendships in our classroom. Last week, we read several books that dealt with these themes. The students participated in a teamwork activity, in which, the students divided up into groups and were assigned the task of building the tallest freestanding structure using 25 straws and some tape. The key was they had to complete this without talking! If a group member spoke, I took a straw away. This was a challenging exercise, but a great learning experience for the students!
It has been fun getting to know each student! We have a great class, and I am looking forward to the days and weeks ahead in Room 117!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Welcome Back to School!
Hello Everyone! I am excited to get this school year started! Below is the link to the Virtual Parent Orientation. After watching, if you have any additional questions, feel free to email me.
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