Happy October

Fall is my favorite season so I am happy to see the arrival of October.
Upcoming Events/Activities:
October 8:  No school for students
October 19:  Mystery Literature Project due; end of quarter
October 24:  Field trip to Chilo
October 26:  Report Cards

October Chefs:
10/5:  Isaac
10/12:  Ajay
10/19:  Rachel G.
10/26:  Hannah

This week's reading selection is What Jo Did by Charles R. Smith, Jr.
For links to activities that go along with this selection, click here or here.

In math we continue our review of addition and subtraction both with and without regrouping.  The design process a.k.a. the scientific method is our focus in science.

Still The Best School Year

This week we will finish The Best School Year Ever by reading one chapter each day.  Students can earn three AR points by getting a 100% on the book.  This would help everyone's goal of 10 AR points for the first quarter.  Even though we are already halfway through the quarter, only two of our classmates have earned 5.0 points or more.  Please remind your child to read a little every night.  They also have time during the school day to read and earn these points.

In science we are practicing the scientific method a.k.a. the design process in Ohio education terms.  Watch the video below for a quick review:
The Scientific Method

Our math unit is a review of addition and subtraction with regrouping.  Lots of people need to practice the WITH REGROUPING part.
Subtraction Math Basketball
Hands-on Game Ideas

Our first Chef of the Week was Grace Thompson.  She made Butterfly Bounty using lots of delicious fruit.  Everybody loved it!

What you'll need

• Clothespins
• Glitter glue
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Small crackers, fruit-dried or fresh, trail mix, or your choice of snack items
• Snack-size ziplock bags
• Pipe cleaners

1.  For each bag, decorate one side of a clothespin (we used glitter glue). Glue two small googly eyes near the gripping end of the clothespin and let the glue dry.

2.  Put small crackers, dried fruit, trail mix, or whatever else you'd like into a snack-size ziplock bag until it's about half full. Seal the bag, cinch the middle with your fingers, and clip it with the clothespin.

3.  Fold down the tips of a 4-1/2-inch length of pipe cleaner, then bend the entire piece in half. Clip the pipe cleaner in the clothespin.

1. 
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The Best School Year Ever

Over the next two week's we will read The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson.  Find out more about the author and her books here.

We are finishing up chapter 1 in math this week.  I emailed the study guide to all of my parents.  If you did not receive the email, please contact me at putnam_s@cneschools.org.  There may have been some problem with typing or deciphering the emails.  Students will get a hard copy of the study guide tomorrow and we will review for Friday's test on Thursday.

The design process a.k.a. the scientific method is our focus in science.  Science experiments (and lab reports), here we come!!!

Don't forget that literature projects are due this week!  Students who do not complete the literature project will not be eligible for the monthly reward!

Back in the Routine

This week's story is The Horned Toad Prince by Jackie Mims Hopkins. Following are some resources to help aid in student comprehension.
Horned Toad Prince powerpoint
Horned Toad Prince test review 
Horned Toad Prince vocabulary review

 

Science brings a study of science safety and in math we are continuing with place value, money and decimals.  Students should continue to read their AR books, work on their literature projects and practice their multiplication facts.

Happy Labor Day!

I hope everyone is enjoying the day of work and school!  I am getting ready to can some pepper jelly, sauerkraut, and tomatoes with my sister.  This week students will present their scientist projects, continue working on place value and money, and read and write a lot!

Welcome Back!

We're off to a great start with 25 new faces smiling at me every day!  Don't forget that our first spelling and reading tests are this Friday.  Also, I hope to see as many parents as possible at our Parent Information Night this evening at 5:30 in the gym.

Winding Down

Can you believe there are only 18.5 days of school until summer vacation?  This year has really flown by!  I guess time flies when you're having fun!!!
We're still working really hard to finish up the fourth grade curriculum and make sure everyone is ready to move on to fifth grade.  Here's how we plan to finish the year:
Science:  Physical Science-states of matter, physical and chemical changes
Math:  Geometry
Language Arts:  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Social Studies:  Government

We have lots of other stuff going on too!
May 3:  Fourth Grade Evening of Music
May 4:  Grandparents' Day
May 7-11:  Right to Read Week
May 10-12:  Seussical the Musical
May 15:  Agricultural Day
May 16-18:  Washington D.C.
May 17:  Kings Island; Concert by the Lake
May 22:  Field Day
May 24:  Awards assembly