Tuesday, October 30th

This morning we used transition words to tell how a witch rides a broomstick or how to get a bat out of your attic.  The students' creativity was put to the test!  Their writing turned out to be quite entertaining!  After that, we reviewed words with -our and did a making words activity.  We made a web about cooking.  Then, we learned this week's vocabulary words.  We also read Hedgehog Bakes a Cake.  After art class, we completed our DLP and worked on a proper nouns worksheet.  This afternoon we went to gym and music.  Then, we started regrouping to subtract two-digit numbers in math.  Students do not have math homework as we will be working on this skill again tomorrow.

Don't forget that the Dinosaur Projects are due on FRIDAY. 

Monday, October 29th

This morning we wrote about baking cakes.  We will read a story this week about a Hedgehog who makes a cake with his friends. We will be talking a lot about making foods in the kitchen this week.  Try including your son or daughter when preparing for meals in your home this week.  Explain the steps you go through when making a certain dish and especially show your child the recipe!  We then learned our phonics pattern for this week -our.  We completed a worksheet together using words with our and then introduced our spelling words.  We did a spelling word sort.  Then, we completed our DLP and talked about proper nouns (people's names).  In Social Studies we worked on and nearly finished our Landform Models.  They look great!  This afternoon we set up our Book Bags for this week and then went to math.  We used fact families to add higher numbers. Students do have math homework. We took a timed test, too.   At the end of the day, we went to the computer lab. 

4 DAYS UNTIL THE DINOSAUR PROJECTS ARE DUE!!!!!  Don't forget that your child needs to turn in the diorama with a paragraph written in his or her own words by Friday!

Thursday, October 25th

We wrote about what we would do in a toy store this morning and then we shared with the class.  We talked about predicting outcomes, practiced writing abbreviations, and alphabetical order.  We completed our DLP and read with our Book Buddies.  We also had centers/guided reading.  This afternoon we learned about herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.  Then, we read about animals that are extinct and some that are endangered.  We also worked on the lesson outline.  In math, we took our Chapter 3 test.  We also took a timed test.  Don't forget that in order to meet the standard, your child needs to be on their +6's by the end of the trimester! 

There will be a reading and spelling test tomorrow.  The dinosaur dioramas and paragraphs are also due on November 2nd.  If your child needs a shoebox, please have him/her let me know!

Wednesday, October 24th

This morning we wrote about what we would do if we could fly a plane.  I'd like to travel to some of the places your children mentioned!  We had some very creative ideas!  Then, we re-read our story Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane in small groups.  We also completed a scavenger hunt.  The children illustrated their vocabulary words as well.  We went to the library and we had centers/guided reading.  In Social Studies we started planning for our Landform Model project.  In groups, the children will create landforms out of clay.  They were very excited to get started!  This afternoon we decorated a pumpkin as Pete the Cat for our Pumpkin Decorating Contest!  It looks really cute!  Then, we acted as paleontologists and made some fossils!  Meanwhile, we worked in a dinosaur packet.  In math, we reviewed for our math test tomorrow.  Make sure your child can add two-digit numbers!

Don't forget that the spelling packet is due tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 23rd

After we wrote in our journals today, we practiced using abbrevations.  We talked about the months of the year, days of the week, people's names, street names and added some math abbreviations as well.  Then, we made a web about how animals help people.  We introduced the vocabulary words for this week and talked about predicting outcomes.  Then, we read Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane.  The children really enjoyed it.  After art class, we completed our DLP and worked on a page about plural nouns.  This afternoon we silent read and then went to music and gym class.  During math, we worked on more two-digit addition and problem solving.  We will be having a math test on Thursday.  Tomorrow we will review.  Mrs. Bognetti's math class does not have math homework tonight, but Mrs. Walter's class does.

I apologize for the goofy spelling packets this week!  The pages must have duplicated when I put them through the copier!  Please ignore the repeated page in the packet.  Students do not have to do it twice!  It will still be due on Thursday.

Make sure you are working on the dinosaur project.  They are due on November 2nd.

Monday, October 22nd

We wrote in our journals about things we like to do with our best friends.  Then, we learned about abbreviations.  We will be practicing writing abbreviations for the days of the week, months of the year and for people as well this week.  We will add more difficult ones as we start to realize that all abbreviations need capital letters and periods.  You will notice on your child's papers that we will be practicing writing the date with abbreviations every day.  Then, we completed the DLP, talked about adjectives, and learned about irregular plural nouns.  We also set up our Book Bags for this week and completed a handwriting center.  In Social Studies, we worked to finish our Landform Booklets.  We will be planning to make Landform Models in groups this week.  This afternoon we read more of Matilda.  Then, in math we learned how to add multiple two-digit numbers.  It was challenging!  We are about to wrap up our addition unit and will move on to two-digit subtraction. At the end of the day, we went to the computer lab.

Friday, October 19th

We learned how to evacuate a bus today in case of an emergency.  After our drill, we added a new poem to our binders and turned in our Book Bag logs.  Thanks for helping your child complete his/her activities every night!  I appreciate your support!  We reviewed words with -ack and -ock and finished our DLP for this week.  Then, we took our Spelling test.  We had centers/guided reading.  We also took our Reading test.  This afternoon we had gym and music.  Then, in math, we learned how to rewrite math problems from horizontal to vertical.  All students have one page of math homework. 

Don't forget to start planning with your child about what dinosaur he/she would like to research for the dinosaur project!  It is due on November 2nd, two weeks from today.

Thursday, October 18th

We learned how to write acrostic poems today! Students chose to either write one about pumpkins or ghosts. We will hang them in the hall until Halloween. Then, we clapped out words in syllables and wrote them down in our workbook packet. We reviewed main idea and details and practiced finding them. We completed our DLP and watched a BrainPop video on nouns and plural nouns. We had centers/guided reading. In Social Studies, we started working on a Landform Booklet.  We are writing definitions for and illustrating each type of landform.  After lunch we read Matilda.  Then, we introduced the dinosaur project.  Today you will receive a packet of information about the project.  The final paragraph and diorama is due on November 2nd.  Please make sure your child gives you the information today so you can plan your time in the next two weeks to work on the project.  The children are VERY excited to get started!  In math, we added two-digit numbers with another two-digit number.  The lightbulbs are going on!  It was a very exciting day to feel the energy of children learning.  All students have one page of math homework.

Reading and Spelling tests will take place tomorrow.  Reading books were sent home with the children.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

This morning we started a using a new tool called a "whisper phone" to help us with our fluency when we read. Ask your child how it works.  We re-read our story Helping Out.  Then, we drew pictures to show the meanings of our vocabulary words.  We completed a worksheet on nouns, too.  After we went to the library, we had centers/guided reading.  Some of us got to read books about dinosaurs!  In Social Studies, we started learning about landforms.  We will make a landform booklet in class.  This afternoon we read more of Matilda.  Then, in Science we learned how to research dinosaurs on zoomdinosaurs.com.  Tomorrow, a dinosaur project will be presented to the students and it will be due on November 2nd.  Be on the lookout for details.  Then, we acted like paleontologists and attempted to put together dinosaur skeletons.  It was fun!  In math, we learned how to add two-digit numbers with regrouping. All students have one page of math homework.

Don't forget that the Spelling Packets are due tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 16th

We got a lot done today!  This morning we made a list of jobs we do in our journals.  Then, we reviewed words with -ear.  We did a Making Words activity to practice our spelling words.  Then, we made a web about ways we help out at school.  We learned our vocabulary words for the story Helping Out.  We talked about the main idea of paragraphs.  Then, we read our story for this week.  After art class, we finished our DLP, talked about adjectives and plural nouns.  This afternoon we read more of Matilda.  Then, we went to music and gym class.  In math, we used manipulatives to add two-digit numbers.   Both classes have one page of math homework.  It was a great day!

Don't forget the spelling packet is due on Thursday. 

Monday, October 15th

This morning we wrote about different ways we help at home.  We will be talking a lot about chores and jobs children can help with.  Take this opportunity to have your child help at home!  We learned about words with -ear and sound like -ur.  This is a very difficult phonics pattern and students will need lots of practice with their spelling words this week.  The packet is being sent home today and is due on Thursday, as usual.  We introduced the spelling words and added words to our word wall.  We completed our DLP, talked about writing personal letters, and about plural nouns.  In Social Studies, we started a new unit.  We cut apart vocabulary cards, read about cause and effect, and completed a geography packet together.  This afternoon we started reading a book by Roald Dahl, Matilda.  We're off to a good start!  Then, in math we learned how to regroup numbers.  We used tens and ones blocks to show that we can trade ten ones for a ten stick.  Since this concept is so important, we are taking two days for this lesson.  There will be no math homework tonight and we will continue regrouping tomorrow.  At the end of the day, we went to the computer lab.

Happy Monday!

Friday, October 12, 1012

This morning we had many things to do!  After we wrote in our journals and shared, we talked about sequencing, practiced our vocabulary words, and completed our DLP.  We got a new poem about dinosaurs for our poetry binders.  Make sure your child is reading those over the weekend.  Then, we took our Spelling test.  We had centers/guided reading.  Then, we took our Reading test.  This afternoon we had music and gym class.  Then, we learned how to take numbers apart to add two-digit numbers.  There is no math homework over the weekend.  We will practice more adding next week!  It was a busy week!

Wednesday, October 10th

This morning we made a web of words with -ack and -ock.  Then, we completed a workbook page together using words with the same pattern.  We practiced making our spelling words with letters we cut apart and used the pattern to build other words.  We learned our vocabulary words and used a Power Point to help illustrate the meanings of the words.  We talked about sequencing, a skill that is important for reading comprehension.  Then, we read the story The Enormous Turnip.  We told about the order in which the characters were introduced into the story.  Then, we completed our DLP and completed a page together on nouns.  We visited the library.  After, we reviewed for our Social Studies test that we will take tomorrow.  Practice the geography packet that is coming home, too.  This afternoon, we learned about finding fossils, putting them together, and were introduced to dinosaurs.  We have one page of science homework.  At the end of the day, we took our math tests.  Tomorrow we will begin learning about a new standard in math, therefore we will be changing the classes. 

Don't forget that the Spelling packet is due tomorrow and we will be taking our Social Studies test as well.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

There are several things coming home with your student today!  Please go through all the papers so that you don't miss any important information.  I will highlight a few of them for you.  A half sheet is coming home with the scores of your child's Theme Test.  If you would like to view the test, please email me and we can set up a time for you to come in.  The reading portion was on main idea and compare and contrast skills.  The language portion was on identifying parts of sentences and types sentences.  Next, another half sheet is coming home to let you know what needs to be studied for Thursday's Social Studies test.  We will also have a math test on skip counting, arrays, number patterns and even and odd numbers tomorrow.  Vocabulary cards and review sheets were sent home with your student to study.

This morning we wrote about farmers in our journals.  Then, we read a story called the Enormous Potato.  It is a folktale like this week's story The Enormous Turnip.  We learned about words with -ack and -ock and introduced our spelling words.  We completed our DLP, talked about dialogue within a story, and nouns.  We also set up our Book Bags for this week.  If your child lost his/her word ring, please purchase another one for him/her, as they are quite expensive to replace class sets.  Then, we went to art class.  This afternoon we had music and gym class.  In math, we reviewed for our test tomorrow.  It will be a busy week!

Friday, October 5th

This morning we finished our Theme Test.  The tested skills were main idea and compare and contrast.  Then, we did a number of Christopher Columbus activities including a map, sequencing, writing, and we even put on a play!  For Celebration Day, we made hats like Columbus' sailors might have worn.  It was a lot of fun learning about Columbus Day!  This afternoon we went to gym and music.  Then, in math class, we used doubles to find out what two addends make up different even numbers.  Most students have math homework, but some did finish in class. 

Have a wonderful three day weekend!  Ask your child what he/she learned about Columbus!

Thursday, October 4th

This morning we reviewed types of sentences and punctuation.  Then, we took our Theme 1 grammar test.  We did a sequencing activity using events from Christopher Columbus' adventures.  We read with our 4th grade Book Buddies.  In Social Studies, we finished our posters from yesterday.  Some students did a map activity as well.  This afternoon we finished our book, Frindle.  We shared about our favorite parts of the books, too.  In Science, we learned more about fossils.  We completed a worksheet together and then the students completed a vocabulary page in class.  The lesson outline was assigned for homework.  Science books were sent home with your student.  In math, we learned about even and odd numbers.  All students have one page of math homework. 

Wednesday, October 3rd

This morning we learned a lot about Christopher Columbus!  We read two books and watched a video clip about Columbus and how his adventures changed the world. We also visited the library.  Then, we started making a poster in Social Studies to show where we live (in a home, in a neighborhood, in a city, state and country).  We will finish them tomorrow.  This afternoon we read more of Frindle.  In Science, we started learning about fossils.  We read in our textbook, discussed how fossils are formed and watched a video clip of palentologists digging up fossils as well.  In math, we worked more on arrays.  Everyone has one page of math homework, but Mrs. Walter's class has two. 

Tuesday, October 2nd

This morning we learned how to write letters using all five parts: heading, greeting, body, signature and closing.  We wrote Mr. Langman a letter about all the things we love about Wesley School as a class.  Then, each individual student wrote me a letter telling about things they like in our classroom.  Then, we completed an activity called "Airmail Delivery" to see if the students could identify the parts of a letter.  We also practiced writing the printing letters "t" and "o".  We need to be sure that we are starting our letters from the top!  Then, we glued pictures of the governor in our Illinois Booklets and worked on pages we have not completed.  Before lunch, we went to art class.  After lunch, we read more of Frindle.  Then, we went to gym and music.  In math, we learned how to do repeated addition using arrays.  All students have math homework.

Monday, October 1st

We wrote fun paragraphs about fall today!  I showed the students how to use a four-square graphic organizer to write down their ideas first.  Then, we wrote "final copies" of our paragraphs.  It took a lot of concentration!  We learned about the continents and oceans in Social Studies.  We read about them, looked at a map, and completed a Daily Geography Packet together.  Then, the students completed a worksheet on their own.  We set up our Book Bags for the week.  Don't forget to initial each box they complete!  The parent log is turned in every Friday along with the math fact sheet.  This afternoon we read some more of Frindle.  Then in math, we learned how to use repeated addition.  All students have one page of math homework to complete.  If your child finished it in class, please take this opportunity to go over it with your child and make sure the answers are correct!  At the end of the day, we went to the computer lab to finish our Illinois booklets.  We researched the governor of Illinois. 

**There is no spelling packet this week since we do not have new spelling words.