Tuesday, Another Hot One

Who would have thought that it would still be this hot in September? Hopefully the weather breaks as predicted!

If you have any items that you would like to donate to our first student auction, we will gladly accept them. Individuals drinks or snacks would be great!

FYI: Deposits for the trip to Washington D.C. must be made by October 8.

Assignments:
Social Studies- text p. 27; study for test
Math-workbook p. 16
Reading-Why is it paste?
Science-Begin flip book on scientific method

Homework:
Packet
Spelling
Finish literature projects!

Think Link Testing

Starting off a week with testing, not an easy thing to do, but fourth graders are amazing-they always put forth their best effort. Today's test was a diagnostic test in reading. Its purpose is to show where each student's strengths and weaknesses lie. This will help me determine which indicators to teach and how much emphasis to place on each. On Wednesday we will do the same thing for math. These tests are not graded, but they do give us some indication as to how well each student would perform on the Ohio Achievement Tests if they were given today.

FYI: Deposits for the trip to Washington D.C. must be made by October 8.

Assignments:
Math-workbook p. 15 (We began chapter 2 today.)
Language-Journal entry (We played a game called Baffle Gab.)
Reading-Read chapter 1, 2 in Toothpaste Millionaire. (We will be using a tradebook, not the textbook, for the next two weeks). Complete worksheet.
Social Studies-Crossword puzzle review

Homework:
Packet
Spelling
Finish literature projects!

1, 2, 3, 4 Let's Start a Thumb War!

Mr. Fs Thumb War Champs are Quinten and Elliott!

Today we did test prep for reading (Lesson 3) and writing (Lesson 6). We also took our spelling test, reviewed our math test and practiced ordinal directions in social studies. Instead of p.e., we went an assembly "Tall Trees" during which we learned some Native American sign language, songs, and stories. The best part was when we got to sing along with Robert and Terry Lynn Talltrees.

Homework:
Spelling 50 points
Work on literature project...speaking of- a rubric is in today's Friday folder!

Thumb Wars and the Scientific Method

If your child came home and told you that we are thumb wrestling in science, well, it's true! As we get used to using the scientific method, we are doing fun things too, including eating M&Ms and thumb wrestling. In Mrs. W's class, Phillip and Katlin are the Thumb War Champions. In Mrs. P's class, Jared and Holly took top honors. Mr. F's class will finish their wars tomorrow.

Today we:

• took our reading test.
• took our math test.
• worked in our Writing Buckle Down-lesson 6, activity 1.
• wrote about fall for a hallway display.
• continued to study about the regions of Ohio.

Tomorrow we will:

• take our spelling test.
• turn in our spelling packet.
• turn in our homework packet.
• bring home our Friday Folders.

Today's All Stars:

Holly and Bryce

Congratulations to Morgan and her family! Her baby brother was born on Monday!

Early Release Day

Don't forget today is Early Release Day and the students will be dismissing two hours earlier than ususal.

For tomorrow:

1. Study for reading test.
2. Study for math test. If you want extra credit, do text p. 48 and 49.
3. If you did not finish the social studies paper on Regions, then do so.
   
4. Work on homework packet.
5. Work on spelling packet.

Tomorrow is Talk Like a Pirate Day (and Early Release Day)!

September 19 really is Talk Like a Pirate Day! Fourth grade students have permission to dress like a pirate as well as long as the attire does not go againgst the dress code! My pirate name is Red Bess Rackham. Find your own at http://www.piratequiz.com/.

Speaking of pirates, we will be attending the new "Real Pirates" exhibit at the Museum Center on Wednesday, October 3. While there we will also see the Omnimax film The Alps. Permission slips will be coming home in this week's Friday folder.

Today we began a new experiment to practice using the scientific method-Thumb Wars. We measured the circumference of each student's thumb and wrist and the length of each person's thumb in order to compare the data and make a prediction about who would be the Thumb War Champion. On Thursday we will form a hypothesis about who will win based on our data and then test our data.

Football No More: Due to a rash of incidents on the playground, there will be no more playing of American football. Also, students are NOT permitted to bring their own recess equipment to school. Equipment is provided every day.

Caterpillar Update: We have been hosting a monarch caterpillar for the past two weeks. Last night "he" went into a chrysalis! When we arrived this morning, what a surprise! The sickly looking caterpillar had formed a beautiful, jewel-like chrysalis! Thanks to all who provided milkweed for our caterpillar, especially Holly!

Assignments:

Math-Study for chapter test Thursday. Text p. 48-49 are for extra credit.

Science-Begin thumb war lab

Reading-Discuss "Coyote School News"; Quiz Thursday

Social Studies-finish Ohio relief map; worksheet

Homework:

Packet

Spelling

Week of Sept. 17

Lots of students were exceptionally well-dressed today, but sorry, pictures are not until NEXT Monday:)

Homework packets are coming home today- one math page, one social studies page (front and back), and two pages of science-one to read, one to answer.
Spelling came home in the Friday Folder last week. Please remember that the spelling activities are not optional. If your child chooses to complete only one 5 point activity, that equals a 10%.

Assignments
Math p. 11-12
Reading-Read The Coyote School News; vocab. 64
Science-Observation/Inference Quiz; debrief M&M lab

Homework
Packet
Spelling
Both due Friday
Literature Project
Due September 28