Can you believe it's February already?

Happy 1st of February!
Literature projects were presented today. Great job on these biography reports!

There is a math test on Monday. Mr. Fiore also gave the students an opportunity to earn 5 points extra credit: Do p. 242-243 in the textbook.

On Tuesday, there will be a social studies test. We will also finish reading From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Wednesday is our field trip to the Cyclones game. Don't forget to pack a lunch and wear your school spirit!

Plan on a reading test on Thursday-Students will take computer tests on From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Friday brings a spelling test. Homework packets and spelling points should be turned in as well.

Conference notes were sent home today. I will only schedule meetings with those parents who request them, so make sure that you return the note promptly if you wish to have a conference. If you have specific concerns in math or social studies, be sure to note those so I can include Mr. Fiore and/or Mrs. Wood as necessary.

If you would like to send in treats or paper goods for the Valentine's Party, please return the note requesting help. Mrs. Nipper or I will be contacting parents for the party.

Marketplace Grand Opening

The students were very excited about the grand opening of the Marketplace today. Jared said he was so excited he could hardly sleep! The class worked very hard creating signs and organizing their stores before the other students made their pucrchases.

Congratulations to the following students who made their January goals and get to celebrate in the classroom during lunch tomorrow: Caitlin, Jared, Jenna, Riley, Jessica, Bryce, and Tim. It's not too late though. Any student who reaches his/her goal by tomorrow at noon is eligible for the January lunch.

Today's Assignments:
Science-water cycle worksheet
Reading-Chapter 7 in From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Math-Misleading Graphs (text 232-233); workbook p. 57
Social Studies-Finish map

Fund Raiser News:
Our school is selling Y-Ties to raise money. Each pair is $4.00 with 50% of the price going directly to our school. The classroom that sells the most wins a pizza party!

Rain, Rain Go Away

S.S. Finish map
Math workbook page
Reading Chapter 6; reader response journal; scrapbook
Science preassessment

Tomorrow we will begin Marketplace at noon.

Monday, Monday

Today we read chapter 5 From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. We also created water cycle models in science and completed a worksheet on antonyms.

This week:
Read chapters 5-8 in From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Present biography literature projects on Friday.
Homework packets and spelling due Friday

No More Snow!

Homework packets and spelling homework are coming home today.

In reading we completed chapters 3 and 4 in From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. We continued writing in our reading response journals as well.
In science we completed missing work and played Weather Jingo to become more familiar with weather vocabulary.
Math's focus was measurement and social studies' was map skills.

Our field trip to US Bank Arena to see the Cincinnati Cyclones is coming up on February 6. If you have not already sent in your child's permission slip and fee ($10.00), please do so before next Friday, February 2. It is a fun and EDUCATIONAL opportunity.

The next AR lunch will be January 31. Several students have already reached their goal!

Visit the Met

Click here to visit the Metropolitan Museum just like Claudia and Jamie. You may find some ideas for souvenirs to put in your scrapbook.

Assignments:
Weekly Reader
Math p. 55
Spelling worksheet
Read chapter 2 in From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Worksheet, reading response entry.

True, No Spelling

Yes, teachers make mistakes too. There will be no spelling this week because the list sent home is an old list. Students were told on Friday, but just in case someone "forgot", there is no spelling homework or test this week.

We are studying weather in science as well as in art and music. Your child made a cloudy graphic organizer in art and sang a cloudy song in music. We are collecting weather data this week in order to analyze it on Friday. This goes along with the your child's study of data and graphs in math.
Quick reminder-

• median=middle. Once the numbers are numerically arranged from least to greatest, the median will be the number in the middle (like the median in the middle of the highway).
• mode=most. A great way to find the mode is to create a line plot graph (basically a number line with Xs). The interval (number you are counting by) must be one. Each number in the data gets one X. The number that appears the most times is the mode.
• range=difference between high and low. A line plot graph is a great tool to use to find the range, but as long as your child can identify the highest and lowest numbers in a set of data and subtract, the range will be found. Many times adults will give a range as "between 6 and 10" but mathematically the range must actually be subtracted. If the number is between 6 and 10, then the range is actually 4 (10-6=4).

We began reading From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler today. We began writing in our reading response journals as well. Since we will be doing lots of writing with this novel, we will not be writing in our take home journals until we finish the book. Each day your child will be asked to choose a prompt and write a response considering what was read in the day's chapter. We will also be working on test-like items and creating a scrapbook based on the main characters' thoughts and ideas.

Next Wednesday we will begin Marketplace. To date your child has been earning money for his/her classroom job and attendance. He/she has also been paying fines for minor offenses like failure to push in a chair or needing an unscheduled trip to the locker. Due to the enthusiasm of some students and to test our economy, on Wednesday (1/30) we will open the Marketplace. In the Marketplace students who have purchased a business license may set up a school-appropriate business. For example, Lexie may choose to sell bags of stickers and pencils and set her own price if she has purchased her license to sell. If your child has missing work in any area, he/she will NOT be permitted to BUY or SELL. If your child wishes to sell items from home, he/she must have written permission from you to sell that item. Hopefully this will prevent the looting of brothers' and sisters' toys/stuff. NOTE: Real money is not involved. All items will be purchased using Fourth Grade Bucks.

Today's Work:
Reading-chapter 1 From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; Reading Response Log
Science-Weather-Lesson 2 worksheet
Social Studies-Extra Credit Weekly Reader