Today students took a social studies test, tomorrow it's math test day. On Friday we will complete our study of the design process (another term for scientific method).
In reading we began a literature unit for the book Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. Each day we will read one chapter (ten in all) and complete a worksheet guided by the state language arts indicators for fourth grade. During the two weeks we will spend on this unit, each student will also be working on his/her own literature contract. The contract is broken into five sections-one for grammar, one for vocabulary, one for research, one for art, and one for creative writing. Together, the students decided how many activities needed to be completed for each heading. The learning contract will be worked on each day in class and turned in next Friday, Nov. 2.
This week in science we will complete our Secret Formulas unit by inventing toothpastes. We read and discussed Toothpaste: From Start to Finish during science and discussed the feel/foam tests that will be completed in class tomorrow. On Thursday students will do a "clean test," and then Friday each student will invent his/her own recipe for toothpaste.
Because of the nature of labs, students who are absent during a hands-on activity are not able to complete that activity. Instead, they must find a peer with whom to discuss the process and gather the data. Every student is required to take the Accelerated Reader test on Toothpaste: From Start to Finish. For another cool science design process using toothpaste, try this link for extra credit.
During computer we continued googling scientists. On Wednesday, each student will commence research on the scientist of his/her choice.
Assignments:
Reading: worksheet chapter 1
Homework:
Spelling 50 points
Packet
Literature Project (due next Friday)
10/26 Interims
11/1 Grandparents' Day Program/Lunch; Evening Program
11/2 Literature Projects due (mystery)
11/5 Trip to United Dairy Farmer's Norwood plant (sorry, no chaperones)
11/5 Conferences 3:30-9:30
11/6 No School-Teacher Inservice
11/14 Two Hour Early Dismissal
11/16 End of Quarter
11/20 Report Cards
I am in the process of scheduling conferences. If you wish to have a conference with me, please let me know ASAP. If you would like for Mr. Fiore (math) or Mrs. Wood (social studies) to be present, please let me know also ASAP. Conference times fill are filling up quickly, but we want to meet with everyone who would like to confer about a student's progress.
