Interims

We received post cards from Santa Rosa, California and St. Louis, Missouri

I sent interims home on Friday attached to the Friday Folder Report. Please be sure to sign and return the bottom portion of the interim and the left side of the Friday Folder Report.

We are working on decimals this week. For fun decimal practice, click here.
The math test to be given on Thursday will probably take 2 days as it is a lengthy test. Things to know in order to do well:

• How to write numbers in standard, word and expanded form
• How to find the value of each digit in a number
• How to order numbers from least to greatest
• How to compare numbers using <>
• How to round numbers to the nearest 10, 100, 1,000 or 10,000
• How to estimate
• How to decide whether an answer is reasonable
• How to write money amounts using $ and .
• How to find change
• How to count money
• How to name decimals in word form and standard form
• How to compare decimals
• How to order decimals

We read chapter 6 in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing today.

Quiz tomorrow on the Scientific Method aka the Design Process.

To do well, students should be able to:

• correctly identify the steps of the design process IN ORDER
• understand the concept vocabulary (inference, hypothesis, theory, variable, conclusion, observation)
• explain how many variables should be changed during an experiment
• explain what should be done if data does not support the hypothesis
• make observations and inferences

End of Units

This week we began reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. The students really seem to enjoy hearing about fourth grader Peter Hatcher and the antics of his brother Fudge. We will take a quiz tomorrow on the first 5 chapters of the book.
In math we have spent our time counting money and making change. We will finish up this chapter on number sense next week with decimals and take a test on Thursday. The test will be the same format as Ohio's fourth grade math achievement test. To see what these look like, click here and scroll down to grade four. You can then choose to download the math tests that have already been given as well as the reading and writing tests.
On Tuesday students will take a science test on the scientific method. We have practiced using the design process (aka scientific method) on two labs and will continue to use it throughout the year. The test will reflect questions on the fifth grade science achievement test which can be accessed through the above link. Just scroll down to fifth grade and select science.

Black Out Over!

Thank goodness we are back in school! It seemed like most of the students and teachers were ready to get back in the routine.
Literature Projects will be presented this week with all of them expected to be completed by Friday. I'm sure everyone used the extra time last week to make their projects top notch!
We are reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing for the next two weeks, so there will not be a reading selection using the basal reader during that time.
In math we are working with money and decimals this week.
In science we continue to focus on the scientific method also known as the design process.
Don't forget that students are allowed/encouraged to correct graded work for extra points. This is the only type of extra credit that I offer, so please remind your child to take advantage of the opportunity.
Homework
Math-spiral review and workbook p. 9
Reading-draw the three main characters from Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing that were introduced in chapter 1
Science-review scientific method mini coloring book
S.S.-State Dailies (due Friday) and Weekly Reader

Postcard Alert!

We received our first two postcards today from the Esteps in Bradenton, Florida and Ms. Judy Browning in Rising Sun, Indiana! Thanks for participating!

Another Day Off

If you are reading this, congratulations-you have power! I hate missing this much school, especially when the forecast this winter is for lots of snow. If we are lucky enough to have school tomorrow, I will expect everyone to have finished their literature projects-you certainly have had plenty of time. Hope to see you tomorrow!

3 Days and Counting

This is for those of you who are lucky enough to have electricity right now and the time to check this site. We will NOT have a spelling test this Friday. We will begin reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing whenever school resumes, but there will not be a quiz on this book until we have finished reading up to chapter 5. We WILL still have our literature project presentations on Friday.
Hope to see you soon!

Spahr's Stars

Today many friends and family walked in memory of Mrs. Charleen Spahr. Mrs. Spahr was an inspiration as a teacher and as a person and is sorely missed.