Week of May 24-28

MATH:
Last week we didn't get to everything I said due to the ITBS testing. This week we will continue with reviewing division by two-digit divisors.
No timed test this week.

SCIENCE:
Students should be almost finished answering the questions about their cool place in space. They will then take the information they have learned and write it in a report that they will share with the class.

FIELD DAY:
Tuesday afternoon is field day. T-shirts will be provided. Please don't forget to bring in donations for the pizza.

FRIDAY:
Friday is the year-end assembly, free colours day, as well as early dismissal.

HAPPY LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

Week of May 17-21

MATH:
This week in math we will be reviewing long division as we take a look at dividing by 2-digit divisors. This is in preparation for 5th grade, as they do dividing by 3-digit divisors.

SCIENCE:
In Science we will be working on their solar system research projects/reports. Please make sure your child has chosen their "cool place in space" and has printed out at least one page of info from the internet. Because the computer lab is being closed down to start year-end clean-up, students will have to do the research at home, and bring the information to class so they can answer the assigned questions, and compose their reports.

Solar System Project

For the next week or so, we will be working on solar system research projects on strange and interesting places in our solar system.
Your homework this weekend is to choose an interesting (and non-popular) place to research. Here are some ideas of places you could look into:

- The moons of other planets
- An interesting star (other than the sun)
- Other galaxies beyond the Milky Way
- A specific Nebula
- A dwarf planet (other than Pluto)

http://www.space.com/ is a great place to search around for cool articles and places. Check out the dogo news site under "space" as well. Also, if you type "cool places (or things) in space" into a Google search, you may find some interesting things!

Once you have decided on a place, please print out some information on that place that you may use for starting an assignment on Monday. You MUST have something to work from on Monday as we will be spending an entire period on this project, and will continue the work all week.

Literacy Homework: Monday, May 10th

a) Go to http://www.popularchildrenstories.com/stories/Kids-Picture-Story-The-Wise-Mamma-Goose-0732.htm

b) Answer the following questions
1) What is the main idea of what you read?
2)List three events from the story
3) Did you like this story? Why or why not?
4)What is the problem?
5) How did the story end?

Week of May 10-14

MATH:
This week we continue with decimals. We will be looking at adding and subtracting decimals. Today it was adding and subtracting by first rounding the decimals to the nearest whole number. Tomorrow and Wednesday we will be adding/subtracting decimals by lining up the place value of each. Students will be quized on adding and subtracting decimals on Friday.

Timed Test: Students will have their timed test on Thursday and it will focus on 8 as a divisor.

Problem Solving: We will be having an Orders of Operations Quiz on Thursday during bellwork. This is something we've been doing for over a week now during our bellwork times in the morning. We're using the acronym BEDMAS (brackets, exponents, division, multiplication, addition, subtraction) to explain the order that equations should be solved.

SCIENCE:
We continue with our new Solar System unit. Friday we discussed the sun. Today and tomorrow we will be talking about the moon. Wednesday we will review both, then students will have a quiz on the sun and the moon on Thursday.

HOMEWORK:
Students who are involved in the musical will not be expected to complete homework this week. I have told all students, however, that if they are not using their time wisely in class, then I will require those students to complete the homework as well.

Literacy Homework: Thursday, May 6

Go to read this article:
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=9091906328414655512

Questions:
1. What are scientist worried about?
2. How can Earth be saved?

Read this article:
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/our_sun.htm

Questions:
1. How did the solar system get its name?
2. How old is the sun?
3. What is nuclear fusion?
4. What are sun spots?
5. What percentage of all matter in the solar system is found within the sun?

Literacy Homework: Monday, May 3rd

a) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,536985,00.html to learn about China.

b) Answer the following questions:
1) Why was the Great Wall built?
2) What is so special about the Great Wall?
3)What important athletic event took place in Beijing?
4)What is unique about the Forbidden City?
5) Which is China's biggest city? How many people live there?



c) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,1156560,00.html to learn about Thailand.

d) Do the following: There are 5 places you are going to click on Thailand. Write the most interesting fact you read about each one.

Week of May 3rd-7th

MATH:
This week we continue with decimals. Today we compared and ordered decimals. Tomorrow we will be rounding decimals. Wednesday is fractions as decimals. Thursday will be review and Friday will be our first decimals test. The test will focus on the following topics:

• reading and writing decimals
• decimal place-value relationships
• ordering and comparing decimals
• rounding decimals
• fractions as decimals

Please remember that I posted MANY online site (under the Math sites section at the side of the blog) so that students may practice these concepts at home. If you did not see my important note last week on the blog, it was about how most students have admitted that they are not practicing or studying at home. This is concerning. Please ensure that students are putting forth much effort at home as well.

Plato Test: Concludes Friday. Please review previous concepts using blog links, etc. to help improve the score :)

Timed Test: This week we will be doing 7 as a divisor. This is different than usual, as we normally combine two divisors before moving on, but at this point in the year we are running out of time to fit in all factors/divisors and I would like to move on. Please review these facts with your child.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Today students worked independently on interactive editing on 4 pages from their texts. Some students finished in class, although many will have some work to do at home tonight, as this is being collected as assessment.
Tomorrow we will be reviewing the Gold Rush that we started last week. Students will have a Gold Rush quiz on Wednesday. This will conclude our "West" unit in Social Studies.

SCIENCE:
Thursday we will begin our last Science unit - The Solar System! This will take us until the end of the year.
Science Fair: Projects should have been handed in today. I will be turning them in to the judges for judging. Friday, projects will be on display for parents and students to browse.



LITERACY:

Read Aloud
The Girraffe nd the Pelly and Me, by Roald Dahl, focus on exploring humor in literature, word play and comic effect

Shared Reading
An interview with Roald Dahl, focus on drawing conclusions
Roald Dahl's Biography, focus on chronological order, past tense verbs, and a recount (answers to fatual information, who, what, when, where, why)


Independent Writing
We will be working on a special gift for Mother's Day

Students will also participate in Independent Reading, Book Clubs, and Reading Cycles.

Important Note From Ms. Willett

Dear Parents,

I had a couple concerns from parents about the 52 Math problems that were sent home for homework this past week. In response to them, I told them that these problems were assigned as review IN class and that students were given over an hour to complete them. It was the students' choice to work on the Math or to work on their Science Fair Projects (which they had also been given time to work on in class). Some students chose to do Science. Many students chose to talk and fool around with their peers.

Last night, while grading their last Social Studies test, I noticed many students were not answering the questions correctly, which resulted in only a few A+s, Many As, and several A-s and Bs. Since we had used the lesson as a group Interactive Editing piece, and individual Interactive Editing piece, AND played a review game, I assumed most students would do well. Today I asked the class to please answer honestly... "How many of you honestly took home your Social Studies notebook and sat down to study for the test?" 4 students raised their hands. I then asked how many took their books home to study for TODAY'S test. 8 raised their hands.

I am very concerned, as although we only have 1 month left of school, this is the critical month where their grades count as their FINAL grade in all subject areas. Students seem to have given up and don't seem to be putting up the effort to achieve success.

Today in class they were again given time to work independently, finish homework, and ask for help. Only a handful of students actually did this effectively. Most had to be reminded on several occasions to use their time wisely and get to work.

Please talk with your son/daughter about the importance of trying their best, especially in these last weeks, as these are the weeks that truly count and I wish for all the students to succeed.

Thank you,
Ms. Willett

P.S. Plato testing is also this week (and next) and students would benefit GREATLY from studying old concepts via the links on the blog.

Literacy Homework: Thursday, April 29th

a)Go to http://www.dogonews.com/

b) Read three articles of your choice.

c) Write two interesting facts you read on each one.

Great Math Resources!

Students will be starting their Plato test for Math this week (tomorrow) and conclude next week. In order to review old concepts that students may have been struggling with, I am including this useful website for parents and tutors to use.

Please click on the textbook for 4th grade, then browse the chapters and lessons to find the topic of your choice. For each lesson there are activities/games, extra practice, online tutoring, as well as practice tests to check for understanding.

http://www.mhschool.com/math/mathconnects/index.html

I have also posted new links in the "Math Websites" section of the blog (on the right hand side) of useful sites to see.

We started decimals today (and how they relate to fractions). Some students showed struggle with this and so practicing at home would benefit them greatly. New decimal links have been posted at the side as well.

Happy practicing! :)

Family Literacy Workshop!

Please read the invitation to the upcoming family literacy workshop. This one is held during school hours, so your child will still be in classes and will not be in attendance with you at the workshop. This is a very helpful workshop about reading aloud with your children!

Please RSVP to homeroom teacher ASAP.

Thanks!

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, April 28

a) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/

b) Read three articles of your choice.

c)List two important facts about each one.

d) Did you like each article? Why or why not?

Week of April 26-30

MATH:
Last week we were supposed to have our Math test of dividing with remainders, but due to the Earth Day assembly that went longer than expected, we had to move the test to this week. In order to give an extra day of review, I've scheduled the test for tomorrow (Tuesday).
Wednesday we will begin our next unit in decimals. This week we will focus on reading and writing decimals, decimal place value relationships, and ordering and comparing decimals.

Timed Test: This week will be division with 6 as a divisor.

Plato Testing: beginning this week, students will be completing the final Plato test during their computer periods - concluding next week.

SCIENCE:
Today was the last class period given to students to finish their science fair projects. This is also the last week that students get to work on their projects at all, because projects are due next Monday to homeroom teachers. Next Tuesday I will be handing them in to the Science Fair people. Judging will take place May 5-6 and the fair will be open to students and parents May 7th. All students have completed their projects and should be showing me their written reports so that I may check the spelling before they put the good copy on their boards. Information may be printed from the computer if I have already checked the rough copy of the report, then the printed sheets may be brought into school to be glued onto the board. Some students may need to stay at recess or lunch this week to finish.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Today we reviewed last week's lessons on the landforms of the West. Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be the test. This week we will be learning about the resources of the West. Students will be quizzed Friday. All lessons have been taken from their Social Studies textbooks but turned into interactive editing handouts that students have been given. To study, please review these sheets.

Literacy Homework: Monday, April 26

a) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/

b) Read two articles of your choice. Write a brief summary of each on your Reading Journal.

Very Important! Earth Day Activity!

Today each student received a young plant tree to take home. Please make sure it is handled properly and it is planted at home. If you do not have a place to plant it please send it back to school. It is very imporatnt than no young tree dies! Let' s all go green!! Let's protect our amazing and special planet, it is the only one we've got!

Literacy Homework: Thursday, April 22

Go to http://www.tooter4kids.com/classroom/earth_day_poems.htm to read great poems about Earth day.

Answer the following questions for each poem (not all poems are included)

Read Earth Day Badge
1)How does the author take care of Mother Earth?


Read Earth Day
2)What is the message of this poem?


Read Our Earth
3)According to this poem, what should we keep our planet free from?


Read Planet Earth and Save the Earth
4)Which poem do you like the most? Why?


Read Working on the Trash
5) List 2 ways we can recycle
List 2 ways we can reduce
List 2 ways we can reuse

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, April 21

Go to http://skaneatelesdesign.com/2008/05/02/the-lorax-dr-seuss/ to read The Lorax. Read all of it, try to read it with rhythm! It is fun!

Do the following:
1) Wite a few sentences explaining the author's purpose.
2)What advice does the Dr. Seuss give the reader.
3) Write three examples of allietaration you read in the poem.
4)Write two examples of onomatopeia you found in the poem.
5) Write one simile from the poem.
6)Write words that rhyme in stanza 6

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, April 21

Free Colors Day Tomorrow-Earth Day Colors: Blue, White, Green or Brown

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, April 20th

Today, your only homework is to complete the worksheets Come in and......

Week of April 20-23

MATH:
Last week we introduced 2-digit division (long division).

For students who don't understand, or parents who would like to see how we are doing this, please visit this website to get extra assistance from a personal tutor:

http://www.mhschool.com/math/mathconnects/assets/asset_view.html?s=mcg4_8_5_1&type=PT

I have also posted new links under the Math links at the side of the blog. Please visit these websites to assist your child, as this is a concept that is very difficult for students and students would benefit greatly from extra review/reinforcement at home. There are great self-check and readiness quizzes to help make sure students understand this concept. Visit the links!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be looking at 3-digit division, which is done in the same way, but is with one extra digit. Thursday we will again review these types of questions and on Friday, students will be tested on 2 and 3-digit division.


Timed Test: This week will be division of numbers from 1-5 as divisors.


SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week we start our new unit for Social Studies. We will be focussing on The West of the United States. Today, students completed a map of the West. This week we will be looking at the landforms of The West. We will review these concepts next Monday, then students will be tested next Tuesday.

SCIENCE:
Students were given all of last week to work on their Science Fair projects. Some students made good use of their time, while others wasted time fooling around. Students were told they were not going to be given anymore class time, and since this is an assignment that must be completed at school, students who are not finished will need to use parts of their recess or lunches to complete the assignment. They may also work on it during class time using the time they are given during Math or Social Studies to complete their homework - instead saving that homework for home.


LITERACY

This week we will celebrate Earth Day! Most of our activities will be related to this special day.

Read Aloud
The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, focus on using picture clues, features of poetry (rhyme, stanzas, lines, etc.), and alliteration.

Explore Antartica, focus on features of non fiction text (table of contents, glossary, index, etc.)

Shared Reading
A World in Danger, TFK article, by Melissa Kong, focus on identifying the main idea.

You Wouldn't Want to be a Polar Explorer, we will take an expedition to icy Antartica, focus on using context clues and drawing conclusions.

Interactive Editing
Students will continue to work in pairs to pepare the Oral Presentation - My Favorite Rainforest Animal. They are summarizing text and writing ideas on their own words to later present about the topic to an audience.

Independent Writing
We are working on a Mother's Day Gift! We will focus on ideas and voice.

Students will also participate in Book Clubs, Guided Reading, and Independent Reading.

Literacy Homework: Thursday, April 15

a) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/2010/3/10/rare-all-black-king-penguin-spotted-in-the-antarctica to read about a rare(strange) penguin.

b) Answer the following questions:
1) What does ornithologist mean?
2) Who spotted this strange looking penguin?
3)What does it mean: He realized he was like any other prenguin-except without the tuxedo.

c) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/2009/9/23/british-kids-can-t-get-enough-of-spiderman-look-alike-pet to read about a strange looking pet.

d) Answer the following:
4) What is so fun and special about this pet? Would you like too have one? Why or why not?
5) What is this animal's habitat?
6) What is its diet?

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, April 14

a) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/2008/11/16/walking-with-dinosaurs-the-live-experience to read the article "Walking wth Dinosaurs- the Live Experience"

b) Answer the following questions:
1) What is Pangea?
2) How were the Himalayas created?
3) How long ago did the dinosaurs roam the Earth?

c) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/2009/1/14/a-flying-vehicle to read the article " A Flying Vehicle!"

d)Answer the following questions:
4) What does the word alleviating mean?
5)What is one good thing about thhis flying car? What is a problem?
6) What would you do if you had a day to travel on the Tearrafugia Transition?

Math and Science for Apr. 12-16

MATH:
Today (Monday) students worked on review of dividing with remainders (started last week). Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will continue our review and practice of these concepts and then students will be tested on Wednesday. Thursday we continue with dividing, now extending our learning to include dividing with 3 digit numbers. This will be quized Wednesday of next week.

Timed Test: This Thursday will be our timed test of 5 as a divisor.

SCIENCE:
This week we continue work on our Science Fair Projects. By now, most students should be done writing their purpose, problem, hypothesis, research, materials, and procedure. Once this is completed, students may begin testing their actual experiment. Reminder: the students are performing all tasks of this project at school. Please send the materials to school if you have not done so already. This is very important. Also, students may need to bring a camera to school to take pictures of their experiment, as certain things cannot be displayed on/in front of their board for the judging. Please plan accordingly. All experiments should be finished by Friday at the latest, as students then need to write up their results and start putting together their board. Please send their boards to school this week as well. Thanks!

Literacy Homework: Monday, April 12

1) Print information about your favorite rainforest animal. 1-3 pages of information is more than enough. Pictures are not needed because you already have the displays.

2) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/ and read at least two articles. Be ready to discuss them in class.

Week of April 12th - 30th

Literacy

Read Aloud

"Miss Rumphius", by Barbara Cooney, focus on story elements and plot summary



Shared Reading

Text on Jaguars, focus on using different kinds of context clues:

1) Definition or restatement

2)Using synonyms

3)Contrast or antonyms

4)Example or explanation

5)Word Analysis-root words, preffixes and suffixes



Text on Tropical Islands, Ice-capped Mountains, Jungles, and Desserts to learn more about the places Miss Rumpiuhs traveled to, focus on the different types of contex clues.



Read the biography of Barbara Cooney and plot summary of the story Miss Rumphius





Interactive Editing

We will finish our IAE Sample on Jaguars. This will serve as a model when students work independently on their own text-their favorite rainforest animal! We will focus on using correct punctuation( periods, commas, hyphens, parentheses, etc. ) and on writing a variety of rich ideas (developing ideas like good wirtes do! )



Independent Writing

Students will summarize and write their own ideas for the oral presentation. They will be using Interactive Editing to summarize the information.



Students will also respond to the following prompts bases on the story, Miss Rumphius:

1) Where would you like to live when you grow up?

2)What would you like to do when you are older?

3) What would you do to make the world more beautiful?



Oral presentation
We will continue to work on our oral presentation skills. This week we will focus on the preparation phase- summarizing and knowing the topic well!





Students will also participate in Independent Reading, Writing Cycles, and Book Clubs.

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, April 13

a) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/2010/4/11/13-year-california-boy-gets-ready-to-tackle-mt-everest

b) Read the article 13-Year California Boy Gets Ready to Tackle Mount Everest

c)Answer the following questions:

1) What is know as the Seven Summits?

2) What inspired Jordon to climb the Seven Summits?

3)In what 2 ways does he train or get ready to climb such high altitudes?

4) How does he keep up with his school work?

5) Would you like to have an extreme adventure like Jordon? Why or why not?

Literacy Homework: Thursday, April 8

a) Go to http://www.dogonews.com/

b) Read at least 3 articles. Choose the ones you like the most!!!

c)No writing is required. Just be ready to discuss them in class and share with a peer!

d) Enjoy!

Whiteboard Markers

We've had a big shortage of markers lately and have asked students to each bring in 2 markers from home. It was posted as homework, as well as in the blog. Only a few students have done this. PLEASE send along two whiteboard markers (of any colour) with your child this week.
Thanks a bunch!

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, April 7

a) Go to http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system



b) Click on each planet, the sun, meteroids, and comets to learn about them.



c) Answer the following questions:

1) How are Venus and Earth alike? How are they different?

2) Why do some scientist believe Mars used to have a wet, war, Earthlike climate?

3) When are there plans to visit Pluto?

4)What planet's blue hue (color) comes from methane?



d) Read the article " Our Cosmic Neighborhood" , below the diagram of the Solar System.



e) Answer the following questions

5) What were planets named after?

6) Describe Venu's atmosphere.

7)What did ancient astronomers believe regarding earth's position in the universe?

8) What planets have rings?

Science Fair Projects

In 4A, students are being required to participate in the Science Fair in order to achieve grades towards their understanding of the Scientific Method.

Please see the website listed below to view the slide-show presentation that was presented to students:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28756764/2010-Science-Fair-Workshop[1]

As well, please visit the site below to see more details about the fair itself:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/29499641/Science-Fair-Parent-Information[1]


Any questions, please e-mail me (swillett@amschool.org)

Thanks!

Week of April 6th -9th

Literacy

Read Aloud
"Cinder Edna", by Ellen Jackson, focus on reading with expression and reading and writing dialogue (using quotation marks).

Shared Reading
Articles about Anacondas and Scarlet Macaws, focus on summarizing facts - interactive editing
Excerpt from Cinder Edna, focus on writing dialogue
Time for Kids Articles, "Tracking Tornadoes" , focus on identifying the main idea

Interactive Editing
Anacondas
Scarlet Macaws

Oral Presentation/Independent Writing
Students wil be learning and implementing oral presentation skills:

• Preparation( summarizing & knowing the topic very well)
• Visual Aids(display, diorama, etc.)
• Practice
• Delivery (clear & audible voice, stand up straight, avoid reading, frequent eye contact)

Students will be using Independent Writing time to summarize the information about My Favorite Rainforest Animal.

Students will also participate in Book Clubs, Guided Reading, and Independent Reading.

MATH:
This week we continue with our unit in division. Before the break students learned to explore division patterns as well as estimate quotients. This was reviewed again today and will be tested tomorrow (Wednesday).
Thursday we will begin division with remainders. This includes learning long division, which is sometimes a hard concept for students. We will not be starting to assessment on this topic until later next week.

Timed Test: This week will be division with 4 and 5 as divisors

SCIENCE:
We have completed our Rainforest Unit, and will now be working towards the Science Fair. Tomorrow we will look at the student package of all the information and students will begin writing out their purpose, problem, hypothesis, materials, and procedure. Friday we will begin actually conducting the experiments (in class) so please ensure that your child starts to bring the necessary materials to school as soon as possible (Friday by the latest!) as this will all be completed in class. I will be posting a special note to parents about the fair as well in a separate blog.

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, April 6th

a) Go to http://www.brickartist.com/print/time_for_kids_article.html to read an interview TFK interview of Nathan Sawaya, an incredible Lego artists.

b) To take a look at the amazing sculptures, portarits and logos Nathan's made, you may click on gallery.

c) Answer the following questions:
1) Since when has Nathan Sawaya been building with legos?
2) According to Nathan, which pieces are more difficult to create, big or small?
3) What does Nathan like the most about his job?
4)What advice does he give kids who want to become artists?
5) Take a look at some of the pieces in the gallery. Which two do you like the most? Why?
6)Click on one of the other articles in the right column (orange text) and read it for fun!

Literacy Homework: Thursday, March 25

Today you will be reading about two other fabulous countries located in Europe: France and England!

a) Go tohttp://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,491279,00.html to read about France.

b) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal
1) What is Versailles? Would you like to visit? Wy or why not?
2) Name two facts about the Siene River.
3) What painting is recognized as the most famous painting in the history of art? Where is it found?
4)If you would like to visit the Arena (amphitheater) to what city would you go to?
5) If you had to decide whether to visit the city of Nice or Cannes, which would would you choose? Why?


c) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,605516,00.html


d) Answer the following questions:
6) Why is Liverpool most famous for?
7)Which city is the birthplace of the playwright William Shakespeare?
8)What are some of the many wonderful things you could see in London?
9)Why is the Thanes River known as "liquid history"?
10)What architectural landmark can you fid in Bath?

Science Fair Projects

I have posted a bunch of useful sites at the side of this blog. Please check these out to choose a Science Fair Project.

Remember:
- Your project must be a question; something you are trying to find out.
- You must use a question that you do NOT already know the answer to.
- You must be able to use the Scientific Method to test something to answer your question.
- Let me know your question once you have it.
- All experiments will have to take place IN school, as we are completing this project during class. This means you can't use big machines that we don't have access to in our classroom.

Happy Searching!

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, March 24

Finally!!! A different country!!!
a) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,1870511,00.html to read about Egypt's Great Sphinx, City of Cairo, Nile River, Luxor, Adriatic Desert, and Mt. Sinai.


b) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:

1) Describe the Great Sphinx.

2) What is so special about the Nile River? Why is its water precious to the Egyptians?

3) State an example of how Cairo blends new customs with old traditions.

4) List two interesting facts about the Adriatic Desert.

5) As a tourist waht can you find in Luxor?

c) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,536075,00.html to read about a boy's life in Egypt.

d) Answer the following questions
6) What sounds enjoyable about Amr Adel's Day?
7) Just like you, Amr Adel goes to school! What is similar to your school? What is different?

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, March 23

a) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,726919,00.html

b) Click on Italy's 6 cities (Turin, Milan, Venice, Pisa, , Florence, and Rome), region(Tuscany) and mountain (Mt. Etna) to read about them.

c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:
1) What problems is the city of Venice encountering?
2) In what city did the 2006 Winter olympic Games take place?
3) What city is Italy's economic and fashion center?
4) Where can we find Micahelangelos famous statue, David?
5) If in Rome, what places would you like to visit?
6) List two interesting facts about Mt. Etna.


d) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/aw/wr/article/0,28138,734211,00.html
to read about a girl's day in Italy.

e)Answer the following questions:
7) What did you like about Ilaria Ritzi's day?
8) How is her day similar to yours? How is it different?

PS. Promise next time we will read about other countries! I just love Italy! Don't you?

Literacy Homework: Monday, March 22nd

Today you will be reading two articles from the Time for Kids magazine! Remember to visualize! Enjoy!

a) Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,1970540,00.html

b) Read the cover story of TFK magazine: Chile: A Shattered Nation

c) Answer the following questions on your reading journal:
1) What is the main idea of the article?
2) What is the epicenter?
3) The quake was extremely powerful!!! What difference this this earthqauke cause on our 24-hour day?
4) What other natural disaster followed the quake?

d) Now, go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,1970541,00.html

e) Read the article I am an Astronaut

f) Answer the following questions:
1) What is the main idea of the article?
2) According to Megan McArthur, how is exploring the ocean similar to exploring space?
3) In the year 2000, what did the NASA call Megan for?
4) What were two exciting things about traveling in space that Megan mentioned in the article?

Charla: "Preparando Hijos Adolescentes"

A reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday March 23rd, our school is offering a VOG presentaion: "Preparando Hijos Adolescentes", by Lic. Roger Martinez, at the Multipurpose Room, from 5:00-6:30 pm.

Week of March 22nd-26th

Literacy

Read Aloud:
We will finish reading Plantzilla, focus on parts of a letter and letter punctuation
We will also read Cinder Edna, by Ellen Jackson, focus on quotation marks and using context clues

Shared Reading:
IAW Charts- Plural Rules and Suffixes
We will be reading the two articles from TFK magazine assigned for homework this Monday to practice identifying the main idea.

Interactive Writing:
Suffix Chart- We will list common suffixes: -ful, -less,-er, -ly, and -ish. We will discuss and write their meanings and write various words that are written using the suffixes.

Independent Writing:
Continue Writing the final draft of the essay: My Favorite Rainforest Animal

Science Project: Students will finish working on the projects and display this week in class.

Oral Presentations:
Students will be presenting about their Favorite Rainforest Animal. We are hoping we can finish all oral presentations this week!

Students will also participate in Centers, Guided Reading, Independent Reading , and Book Clubs.

MATH:
We have been working lots on the Rules of Divisability. This was also sent home on a sheet to help students review at home. We reviewed it again today and students will be tested tomorrow. To review with them at home, do this 2 ways: by writing a number for them, and asking them to go down the list saying if that given number is divisable by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, or 10 (7 and 8 will not be test) and as well as telling THEM to draw the numbers: ex. "write a 4 digit number that is divisable by 3." or "write a 6 digit number that is divisable by 2."

Wednesday we will continue our new unit of division, looking at 'Exploring Division Patterns' and 'Estimating Quotients'. These two lessons will be quized Friday.

Timed Test: This week students will be tested on 4 as a divisor.

SCIENCE:
Monday (today) we attended a presentation on the Scientific Method. This is in preparation for the Science fair. ALL students will be required to work on a Science Fair project, using the scientific method. Students will be working on their experiments by themselves or in partners, and ALL work will be completed IN CLASS, including the display board. This week students will be choosing partners and experiments. After Semana Santa, students will begin bringing materials and starting their Scientific Experiment. Display boards may be brought in after Semana Santa

This week we are finishing our Rainforest Unit. Tuesday (tomorrow) is a quiz on the animal groups of the rainforest. This was an interactive editing lesson as a class, and then students were given the handout to complete the last groups on their own using interactive editing and finding key points. A great way to review this lesson would be to pull random facts from their page in their Science notebooks and ask which group that fact belongs to... example: which group of animals has hair? Which group has scales all over their body? etc.

Wednesday we will be finishing Lesson 5 on the food chain, predators, and prey. Thursday we will review and Friday will be the quiz.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:
This Friday will be early dismissal at 11:15am. Please take the time to sign up for a conference for this week. Ms. Leary's list is posted outside of the classroom and will take place Friday. Ms. Willett's sign-up is in the office. Please e-mail Ms. Willett (swillett@amschool.org) to set up a meeting time for any other day this week as well (instead of Friday).

Literacy Homework: Thursday, March 18th

a) Go to http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdking.htm

b) Read the biography of Martin Luther King

c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:
1) What does the word heritage in he second paragraph mean? Use a dictionary to help you!
2) What similar incident to that of Rosa Parks happened to Martin Luther King Jr. when he was in school?
3) The article says "Blacks and whites were segregated", state some examples of segregation that took place in those days.
4) Where did Martin Luther Kig Jr. deliver his famous speech "I Have a Dream" ?
5)What important action did Ronal Reagan take as a president to honor Martin Luther King Jr. ?

UPDATES for TESTING

The test for the Rainforest will not be this Friday. Due to photocopying problems, Father's Day celebration, and some lessons taking longer than originally expected, we will not be ready to write our test this Friday. Instead we will move the test to Wednesday of next week. Thanks for your understanding.

On another note, thank you for a wonderful Father's Day celebration. It was great to see so many special guests in our classroom today, and I know it meant a lot to the students.

Felicidades to all the Fathers. Happy Father's Day.

Father's Day Celebration & Empty Bowls

A few reminders:

Tomorrow, March 18th, we will celebrate Father's Day in our classroom from 9:00-9:50 am.

If they bought a t-shirt for Empty Bowls, students may wear it tomorrow (March 18th) with jeans. The Empty Bowls activity will take place tomorrow at 5:00 pm.

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, March 17

a) Go to http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdannef.htm

b) Read the biography of Anne Frank

c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Jouranal:
1) What did Anne's father decide to do for a living ( a job) when they moved to Amsterdam?
2) What did the Jews wear to be identified?
3) List some of the difficulties the Jews encountered when the Germans invaded the Netherlands?
4)How did they hide the door through which they entered their headquarters?
5)What did Anne mean by "nightly freedom"?
6)Where were the 8 peolpe taken when they were arrested?
7)What does the term "Holocaust" refer to today?

d) When you finish your homework you may play online games! There are plenty to enjoy: Jigsaw Puzzle, Crroword Puzzle, Word Search, Word Scramble, Matching, Flashcards, and the Concentration game! You may also view a slideshow. This is optional, however, they are lots of fun!!!

Ms. Leary - Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place Friday, March 26th, 2010, from 12:00 to 3:30 pm. A sign-up sheet will be posted outside our clasroom on Monday, March 22nd. I am looking forward to meeting with you so we can discuss your child's progress. Thank you very much!

Special Requests

As the weather gets warmer, many students have been complaining of headaches or not feeling well. This are very much symptoms of dehydration. Students are not drinking as much water as they should be. It is recommended that we drink 6-8 glasses of water a day - more if we are exercising or it is warm outside.

Please ensure that your child is bringing a waterbottle to school every day, so that we may encourage them to stay hydrated, avoiding unneccessary headaches and sickness.

ALSO...

We have been going through MANY whiteboard markers, as students use them on a daily basis. Our supply has run short! Please send 2 whiteboard markers to school with your child so that we may replenish our stash.

Thank you for your assistance!

Literacy: Week of March 15th - 19th

Literacy
Dear Parents,

I am very excited after the opportunity of visiting several schools in California where they are implementing the Cell/Exll project our elementary school is working with. I aslo had the opportunity to meet other Litearcy Coaches. We shared experiences and I obtained feedback from them. Later, I presented in the International Literacy Conference in Mexico city. Overall, the experience was very productive and rewarding. I would like to thank you for your undestanding and support while I was away.

Sincerely,
Ms. Leary



This week we will be working on:

Read Aloud:
Plantzilla, by Jerdine Nolen, focus on parts of a letter and making inferences


Shared Reading:
Rainforest Poem, focus on elements of poetry

Interactive Writing:
We will be writing and understanding the plural rules and examples for each rule: when we add -s, -es, -ies, -ves, and irregular plural nouns.

Independent Writing:
Our students have been working very hard on their Father's Day Project and on the essay: My Favorite Rainforest Animal. They will be finishing both projects this week.

Students will also participate in Centers, Independent Reading, Guided Reading and Book Clubs.

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, March 16

a) Go to http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdtub.htm

b) Read the biography on Harriet Tubman.

c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:
1) What bad incident happened to Harriet Tubman when she was 12? What was the consequence?
2) What does the word covert on the 4th paragraph (besides the map) mean? Use context clues!
3) What did the slaves use as a guide when fleeing?
4) Why was Harriet known as Moses?
5) What different jobs did she undertake during the Civil War?

Week of March 15-19th

MATH:
Today we reviewed Perimeter, Area, and Volume in preparation for tomorrow's test. Students were informed Friday (and today) that there would be 2 parts to the test. The first part will be Volume and the second part an assessment of all 3: perimeter, area, and volume.
Wednesday we will be starting our next unit in Math: Division. We will be looking at rules of divisability then eventually into patterns in division as well as estimating. First test next week (not sure of exact date).


Timed Test: This week's test will cover 3 AND 4 as divisors. Please review these daily with your child.


SCIENCE:
We continue with our unit in Rainforests. Tomorrow we will discuss 'Animals of the Rainforest', Wednesday will be 'Food Chains'. Thursday will be a review day and then students will be tested on Friday. Next week we will hopefully be wrapping up our Rainforest unit.


PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES WITH MS. WILLETT:
Due to the amount of students and parents that I have, I would like to begin conferences before the scheduled date of next Friday, March 26th. If you would like to meet beforehand (especially those who know they are going away for Semana Santa and won't be able to make the conferences), please e-mail me to set up a meeting time (swillett@amschool.org). Meetings can begin after this Wednesday when students' third quarter grades have been input into the computer. Thanks.


FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATIONS:
We will be showing our appreciation to all Fathers this Thursday, March 18th from 9:00-9:50AM. All fathers are invited to join us for this special celebration!

Week of March 8th - 12th

MATH:
We finished our lesson in perimeter and have started on Area. We discussed area in general being the square units that cover a space by counting each square. Tomorrow we will be instead looking at the formula to find the area of a rectangle (Area=length x width, or A=LxW). We will continue and review this concept. The test will be Thursday. Friday we begin looking at Volume.
During the extra literacy blocks that we have once every 6 days, we've been having extra Math periods, during which time I have mostly been covering problem solving and word problems. Starting today, we are changing things up a bit and students will be working independently on Math centres, while I pull small groups for problem solving. I am hoping this will help to improve students' problem solving skills, but also gives students more one-on-one attention while others are reviewing past concepts in the forms of centres.

Timed Test: This week we continue with division: 3 as a divisor

SCIENCE:
Today we reviewed our first 2 lessons on the Rainforest. As stated last week, tomorrow will be the quiz for these lessons. In order for students to be able to study at home, I have made copies of both interactive editing/shared reading lessons that we used for these topics. They have glued them into their Science notebooks and have been reminded to take them home to study. Please review material with your child so that they are well-prepared for tomorrow's quiz.
Wednesday we will begin to dicuss (through an interactive editing piece) the Rainforest Strata (layers of the rainforest). Thursday, students will be working on an assignment where they have to draw the layers of the forest, including the plants and animals that live there. This will be done during class time. Friday will be a quiz on the layers (strata) of the rainforest.

LITERACY:

Dear Parents,

This week, I will be attending a Literacy Training in California and will be presenting at the International Literacy Conference in Mexico. I have planned projects, activities, and the daily homework assignment. Mrs. Bradley will be in charge of all these activities and will be teaching Literacy this week. We are very grateful for her help and hope she enjoys working with our students. As always, Ms. Willett and Ms. Aguilar are there for you if you need any help.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Leary

This week students will be working on:

Read Aloud
So You Want to be President?, by Judith St. George and David Small

Shared Reading
Fascinating Facts about the Rainforest, Animals, and Plants

Independent Writing
Father's Day Project
The children have been working with much effort and love on this project. They will continue to work on it throughout this week. Well done 4-A! Keep up the good work!

Rainforest Project
Students are working in groups on a Rainforest Project-My Favorite Rainforest Animal. It includes a written report and an oral presentation. The guidelines have been explained to the students in detail. They will have enough time to work on it at school. Other than to research online (to be done individually), it is not necessary to work on it at home.

Plato Test Results

Many teachers have been having problems collecting all the e-mails of parents in order to e-mail the plato test results for each child. Instead, we have decided to print out the results and send them home with each child. These results have gone home today.

I have attached this cover letter from the curriculum office that better explains the results of this test. Please use these results as a reference for the sections/areas where your child may be struggling. Remember that those areas may be things we have not yet covered.

If you would like to discuss these results more with me, please bring the paper with the results to the parent/teacher conferences and we can discuss them at that time. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns (swillett@amschool.org)

Thanks,

Ms. Willett

Literacy Homework: Monday, March 15

a) Go to: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/education/story/alex/index.cfm


b) Read the story Alex Goes Exploring in El Imposible. Do the same as on the previous stories to go to the next page and the prevoius page.


c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:



1) Where does Alex live?



2) Why do you think El Imposible is a good name for that forest?



3) How or why did Alex become interested in the park El Imposible?



4) What interesting and strange animals did he see?


5) Oh, my! Did you see el rey zope? What can you tell me about it?



6) After visiting El Imposible, what does Alex want to be when he grows up?



7) What does Alex want to convince his friends Tirso and Luis of? Would you do the same?

Literacy Homework: Thursday, March 11

a) Go to http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/education/story/chayo/index.cfm



b) Read the story Chayo's Andean Home. Click on the illustartions to go to the next page. Click on the edge of the page with text to bo back to the previous page.



c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:


1) In what ways are you an Chayo alike? In what ways are you different?


2) Chayo is a very busy girl! Make a list of all the responsibilities she has on the farm.


3) Why is Chayo ALWAYS happy when school starts? Do you feel the same about school?


4) Of all the birds Chayo observes, which one do you like the most? Why?


5) Why do some birds live in Colombia for only half of the year?


6) Why do you think Chayo believes the Oso Andino should be called the spectacled bear? Look up the word spectacles on the dictionary if you do not have a clue! That will help you!

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, March 10

a) Go to http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/education/story/clara/index.cfm



b) Read the story Clara y El Armadillo. Click on the illsustrations to move to the next page. Click on the edge of the page with text if you need to go back to the previous page.



c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:


1) In what ways is Clara similar to you? How is she different?


2) What did Clara want to do with the armadillo?


3) What did the armadillo do every time it felt scared?


4) What did Clara do to become the armadillo's (Arturo's) friend and gain its trust.


5) What are some of the difficulties Arturo told Clara about when describing how dangerous his life can be?


6) What did Clara do to save Arturo from Sr. Matanzas' dogs?


7) What is the moral in this story?

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, March 9

a) Go to http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/education/story/ranger/index.cfm



b) Read the story My Dad the Ranger. Click on the pictures to move to the next page. Click on the edge of the page with text to move to the previous page if neccessary.



c)Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal


1) What is a reserve?



2) What does Akeem's father do in the reserve?



3)What are some of the things Akkem likes about being a ranger?



4) Why did Akeem say it is important to protect the red mangroves?



5) Of all the animals Akeem's has seen when in patrol which one would you like to see the most? Why?



6) Why do you think people are not allowed to fish near the islands that have corals?



7) Why do you think fishermen are not allowed to use nets when fishing?

Literacy Homework: Monday, March 8

a) Go to http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/education/story/manny/index.cfm

b) Read the story Manny Manatee and the Mystery of the Murky Water. Click on the illustrations to go to the next page. Click on the edge of the page with text to go to the previous page if you need to.

c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal.

1) After reading pg. 3, what do you think the word murky means?

2) In the beginning of the story, what problems are the sea animals facing?

3) Why is Manny sent to the rainforest? What does she hear when entering the rainforest?

4) What causes Manny to fall asleep?

5) What news does toucan bring after investigating the cause of the murky water?

6) What different things does TIDE do for wildlife?

7) Do you think there should be more organizations like TIDE? Why?

Litearcy Homework: Thursday, March 4

a) Go to http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/animals.html



b) Click on the spider monkey, toucan, poison arrow tree frog, macaw, and sloth to read about these rainforest animals. It is 5 in total!! Or, you may click on the spider monkey first and then on next every time you are ready to read about the next animal.



c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal.

1)Where do spider monkeys spend most of their time? Why?

2)Why are macaws diclining in number?

3)What are toucans distinguished for?

4)Why are toucans important to the rainforest?

5) Where did the poison arrow frog get its name from?

6) How do sloths sleep?

7) Which one of these animals do you like the most? Why?



Remember!!! Research on your favorite rainforest animal online. You will begin working on your project on Monday!!

Updates on Quizes

The perimeter quiz that was supposed to be Thursday, will be moved to Friday, as I would like to spend more time reviewing this with students before they are assessed.

Thursday's (tomorrow's) timed test was originally listed as 3 as a divisor (division) but we hadn't yet completed 2 AND 3 together on the same test, so tomorrow's timed test will be 2 AND 3 as divisors.

Monday was listed as a test for Science. This test will be moved to Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, depending on how long the interactive editing pieces in class take us.

Thanks for your understanding!

Ms. Willett

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/endangered_animals/endangeredanimals_2.htm March 3

a) Go to http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/endangered_animals/endangeredanimals_2.htm



b) To read, click on each one of the animals. It is four animals in all, plus the map!! Do not forget to click on Australia's map!



c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal.

1) Why do sea turtles return to shore each year?

2)When reading about sea turtles (second paragraph), use context clues to figure out the meaning of scramble.

3) Why are dugongs' habitat threatened?

4) What 2 talents do humpback whales possess?

5) State one reason corals die.

6) Write one interesting fact you learned about Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Virtual Manipulatives!

http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF-Interface.html

I've added this site to the side under our Math websites as well. Students can go here to play around with manipulatives like the geoboards and elastics that we used today in class to practice perimeter!

This is a great way to practice the skills learned at school and reinforce at home.

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, March 2

a) Go to http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/endangered_animals/endangeredanimals_3.htm

b)To read, click on every animal of the African Savvana. There are 5 animals in all. If you do not see the Black Rhinos, give it some time to come into view! Be patient! Click on the map of Africa! There's great information there too!

c) After reading, answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:
1) What are the different roles of male and female lions?
2) Why are there less zebras in the wild?
3)What fact did you like the most about the African Wild Dogs?
4) Why are African elephants hunted for?
5) Write 2 interesting facts about the Black Rhinos.
6) How were some parts of the African Savvana formed million of yeras ago?
7) How is a group of lions called? How is a group of elephants called?

Literacy Homework: March 1st

a) Go to http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/endangered_animals/endangeredanimals_1.htm

b)Click on each one of the rainforest animals you see on the screen to read and learn about it! Click on the map of America too!!! There are five animals in all, plus the map!!
c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:
1) What is the difference between jaguars and leopards?
2) What is the most amazing fact you read about Golden Lion Tamarins?
3) Why are Hyacinth Macaws endangered?
4) What do Poison Dart Frogs do when they hatch?
5) Why doesn't the Three Toed Sloth have to eat too much food?
6)What do people get from the rainforest?

Week of March 1-5

MATH
We wrote our 3rd geometry test today, focussing on lines, and quadrilaterals.
Our next unit in Geometry will be exploring perimeter, area, and volume. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week we will focus on perimeter, Thursday will be a test on Perimeter. Friday and Monday of next week will be area, then a test will follow Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Then we will finish off volume next week as well.

Timed Test: This week's timed test will be division with 3 as a divisor.

Plato Results: As I posted on the blog last week, I am requesting that all parents send me an e-mail (swillett@amschool.org) to confirm your current (and functioning) e-mail address. I would like to then make a class list of these e-mails and sometime in the next week or so, Plato results for your child will be e-mailed to you. Thank you for your support in this.

SCIENCE
We finished our unit of the Southwest in Social Studies, and so this week we will be starting our next Science unit on The Rainforest. We will start by pulling from our previous knowledge of the rainforest from our last unit of Weather, when we talked about the climate zones. This week we will be looking at characteristics of the rainforest including the temperature, climate, and different layers. Monday of next week will be a quiz on these concepts. Please check the blog this week for any changes.
I have also added a GREAT website under the Science links at the side of our blog for more information and study of these concepts at home.


LITERACY

Read Aloud

The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds, focus on making connections.
Read Aloud for fun!!!! Math Curse, by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
A Rain Forest Food Chain, by Rebecca Hogue and Donald Wojahn, focus on reading features of non fiction text ( table of contents, glossary, and index) and information resources ( maps, diagrams, and captions)

Shared Reading
Welcome to the Jungle, focus on identifying the main idea and supporting details

Interactive Editing
Welcome to the Jungle

Interactive Writing
Continue to write samples for our Father's Day gift.

Independent Writing
Students will be hard at work writing for the gift they are preparing for dad! Lots of writing and creativity are involved!

Students will also participate in the following: Independent Reading, Centers, Book Clubs, and Guided Reading Groups.

Plato Test Results

***IMPORTANT NOTICE***

In order to be able to send out the Plato Test Results, it is incredibly important that we get a recent e-mail address from all parents. This e-mail address needs to be one that is checked on a regular basis so that our e-mails will not bounce back.

Please take this time to send me an e-mail (swillett@amschool.org) from your current functioning e-mail address so that I can save the address for sending the Plato Math Test results very shortly.

Thank you,

Ms. Willett

Literacy Homework: Thursday Feb. 25

Go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,1956443,00.html



b) Read the article from the Time for Kids Magazine about Haiti



c) Answer the following questions on your Reading Journal
1)What does the word devasted on the first paragraph mean?
2)What was the aftermath (consequences) of the earthquake?
3)How did aid groups help Haiti?
4)Who is helping Haiti? How are they helping?
5)How are kids helping Haiti?

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, Feb. 24

a) Go to http://www.pocanticohills.org/italy/about.htm

b) To read the picture book about Italy click on next each time you want to go to the next page. Enjoy the book and pictures!

c) Answer the following questions on your reading journal:

1) Where is Italy located?
2) Why do people throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain (located in Rome).
3) What famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci is found in Milan?
4) What is the city of Florence known for?
5) What is the city of Venice known for?
6) How many world Cup Championships has Italy won?
7) BONUS: What is Ms. Leary's favorite country?

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, Feb. 23

a) Go to http://www.imahero.com/herohistory/christopher_herohistory.htm

b) Reread the article about Christopher Columbus.

c) Copy and answer the following questions on your Reading Journal:

1) In the time of Christopher Columbus what did people celebrate instead of their birthdays?
2) What is a caravel?
3) What did people believe the Atlantic ocean contained?
4) Why was America called the "New World"?
5) How do Spain and South America celebrate his accomplishments?
6) On what voyage did Columbus discover Honduras?

Literacy Workshop

Parents, you are all invited with your children to attent our Literacy Workshop: I Like to Write. It is an excellent opportunity for you to learn about methods to encourage and support writing at home. Please read the invitation below. We hope to see you all!

Literacy Workshop - This Thursday!

In order to RSVP, you can print the jpeg and fill out attached form, or you can simply RSVP with your name, child's name, and section.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!

Literacy Homework: Monday, Feb. 22

1) Go to http://www.imahero.com/herohistory/christopher_herohistory.htm

2) Read the article about Christopher Columbus

3) List the 5 most interesting facts you learned about Christopher Columbus on your Reading Journal

Week of Feb. 22nd - 26th

Literacy

Read Aloud
-Encounter, by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by David Shannon. This is a story of the first encounter between Spaniards and Indians told from the perspective of a Taino boy. We will focus on Author's Purpose, Point of View, and Drawing Conclusions.

Shared Reading
-Author's Note, from Encounter. Focus on identifying the main idea and supporting details.

Interactive Editing
-Author's Note, from Encounter.

Interactive Writing
-We will finish working on the funneling activity we began last week.
-We will write a story about the first encounter from a Taino's boy point of view. We will focus on integrating voice as we write.

Independent Writing
-Students will write their own story about the first encounter. They will pretend they are a Taino boy at the time Christopher Columbus landed on our lands.
-We will also begin working on the Father's Day gift! It is a surprise! It includes lots of writing the kids will be working on for several weeks!!!

Students will also participate on Independent Reading, Book Clubs, Centers, Writing Cycles, and Guided Reading Groups.

MATH
Today students had a geometry quiz on similar and congruent shapes, translations, rotations, and reflections.

Tuesday (tomorrow) will be the fraction word problem quiz. Some students were struggling with these, as word problems and fractions are two difficult concepts in which we have now combined. In preparation, we've done an interactive editing piece to remind students in the steps in solving words problems, as well as worked on fractions as bell work for the past 2 weeks. Students were given an assignment (in which most struggled) and so I have given each student a practice booklet for extra practice at home, as well as holding special "fraction club" meetings at recess to provide extra practice to those who ask for it. Students have been given back their previous assignment, and should be correcting their mistakes for homework and practice for tomorrow's quiz.

This week we then continue with Geometry - looking at lines, line segments, quadrilaterals, and line symmetry. Friday we will be reviewing these concepts, then there will be a quiz on Monday.

Timed Test: Dividing numbers by 2. Please practice these at home! I've included a website under "math links" to help as well. Here it is:
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Mathmagician/mathsdiv.html


SOCIAL STUDIES
Today we started focussing on the deserts of the Southwest - specifically on the water in the desert. Tuesday and Wednesday we will be doing interactive editing on 'Water in the Desert' and 'Desert Resources'. Thursday will be review, then Friday we will be having a quiz on these 2 lessons. This will conclude our Social Studies unit of "The Southwest".

Literacy Homework: Thursday Feb. 18

a) Go to http://www.kidsastronomy.com/our_sun.htm and to http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mercury.htm

b) Read about the Sun and Mercury.

c) Copy and answer the following questions on your Reading Journal

1) How long ago was the sun born?

2) What is the difference between sun spots and solar flares?

3) What is the Aros Cycle?

4) List 4 facts that show how Earth and Mercury are different.

5) What is the most interesting fact you read about Mercury?

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, Feb. 17

*** All of the Literacy Homework assignments must be presented neatly on the Reading Journal every day. If you ran out of pages on your journal, please buy a new one, or use any notebook in good condition you may find at home. Thanks!!!

a)Go to http://www.zooschool.ecsd.net/elephant%20information.htm

b) Read all the information about elephants. Enjoy the pictures!

c) Copy and answer the following questions on your Reading Journal
1) Why do male elephants fight?
2) Why can elephants walk so quietly?
3) What do elephants use their trunk for?
4) How many times during the day do they sleep? How do they sleep?
5) Why do elephants roll in the mud?
6) What was the most interesting fact you read about elephants?

Don't Laugh At Me

Today in our classroom meeting we watched a clip of the song "Don't Laugh At Me" by Mark Wills. This song has also been made into a storybook (see the photo above). Our library does not yet have this book, but we watched some clips online with photos from the story, as well as this video made by someone using photographs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzMX8ZzYQko&feature=related

I believe this song/story has a beautiful message of being accepting of each other. At one point it says "You don't have to be my friend, but is it too much to ask: don't laugh at me. Don't call me names. Don't get your pleasure from my pain. In God's eyes we're all the same." It's unrealistic to ask our students to ALL be friends with EVERYONE, however it's not too much to ask that we all show respect to our peers.

Please share this message with your family and feel free to discuss the importance of its message.

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, Feb. 16

1) Go to http://www.candlelightstories.com/storybooks/hans-christian-andersen-stories/
2)Reread the story The Nightingale to describe what happened in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Write at least three sentences to describe each part on your Reading Journal.

Literacy Homework: Monday, Feb. 15th

1) Go to http://candlelightstories.com/storybooks/hans-christian-andersen-stories/
2) Under Select a Story from the list, select The Nightingale (it is one of the last stories on the list), then click on show story.
3) Read the stroy The Nightingale, do not forget visualize as you read along!
3) Make a list of unknown words. Write them down on your Reading Journal.

Week of Feb. 15th -19th

Literacy

Read Aloud

• Zathura, by Chris Van Allsburg, we will focus on identifying past tense verbs as we read along , identifying the Author's Purpose, and Point of View.

Shared Reading

• We will read our School's Mission Statement and Philosophy to understand it and discuss it as a class.
• Excerpts from Zathura, focus on identifying the main idea

Interactive Writing:

• We will finish the chart about abbreveations
• We will write our ideas/steps to funnel a topic (an activity done to narrow a broad topic to a more specific topic to make it easier to write about)
• We will write an interpretation about our school's Mission Statement and Philosophy

Independent Writing

• We will write 10-12 topics we call "Things that are close to our heart..." , which are topics students feel strongly identified to, are special to them, or they know a lot about. They will write this list to refer to when doing free writng (student selected topic) in class. We will later funnel some of these topics to get acquainted with this technique.
• Students will write their own interpretation of the School's Mission Statement and Philosophy.
• Students will select a topic from "Things that are close to my heart..." and write about it.

Students will aso participate in Centers, Independent Reading, Book Clubs, and Writing Cycles

MATH
This week we continue with our Geometry Unit. We are moving from solid figures, polygons, and triangles, to identifying triangles by their angles (right angle, acute, or obtuse). Students should be able to identify and name different angles, as well as these angles within a triangle. They will be quized on this on Wednesday.
We will also be reviewing congruent figures and motions (flip, slide, turn) but calling them by new names (reflection, rotation, translation). Going beyond this, students will be exploring similar figures. Next week will be a quiz on these topics.

IMPORTANT: Last week we tried to do a problem solving activity using fractions. Many students forgot how to add or subtract fractions that had different denominators. This week (as bellwork) we will be reviewing adding and subtracting fractions (mixed and improper fractions included), as well as focusing on problem solving. Next week there will be a problem solving quiz on fractions. Please have students review these at home. They can use any of the past websites (still listed under Math sites on the right side of our blog page) to help.

Timed Test: This week we will begin the division timed tests. We will begin with 1 as a divisor. The nice thing about 1 as a divisor, is that any number divided by 1 stays the same! This should be an easy week, but please prepare students for 2 as a divisor, which will be next week.

SOCIAL STUDIES
This week we continue our study of the United States, and specifically the Southwest region. We will be learning about different landforms and resources of the region.

Valentine's Day Celebration

We will be celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow. If they wish, students may bring candy and/or cards for every student in the class. Please bring a bag, basket, or any other container to collect candy and cards. Tomorrow is a free Valentine's Color's Day and a regular school day (no early dismissal). Thank you very much.

Literacy Homework: Wednesday, Feb. 10

Go to http://www.candlelightstories.com/Stories/Thumbelina.htm

a) Reread/review the story
b) Identify the following Literary Elements and write them on your Reading Journal:

1) Setting
2) Protagonist
3) Antagonist
4) Author's Purpose
5) Point of View
6) Conflict
7) Solution

Literacy Homework: Tuesday, Feb. 9

1) Go to http://www.candlelightstories.com/2009/09/08/storybook-thumbelina/

2) Read the story Thumbelina. Enjoy!

Literacy Homework: Monday, Feb. 8th

You need to read The Rajah's Rice, from your Readng Textbook, pg. 18.
Then, you need to identify the following literary elements in your Reading Journal:
1) Setting
2) Protagonist
3) Antagonist
4) Author's Purpose (Authors write to entertain, persuade or inform!)
5) Point of View ( It refers to the narrator of the story. It may be one of the characters using first person point of view-I, or it may be a Third Person Point of View when it is narrated from a different and outside prespective.
6) Conflict
7) Solution

Week of Feb. 8th -11th

Literacy:

A reminder that Friday, Feb. 12 is a Holiday!

Read Aloud

• Zathura, by Chris van Alsburg, focus on identifying the main idea and author's purpose
• Slinky, Scaly, Slithery Snakes, by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, focus using picture clues and authors's purpose

Shared Reading

• Excerpts from Zathura, focus on identifying the main idea
• Ant Notes- Interactie Editing

Interactive Writing

• We will write abbreviations for days, months, and titles
• We will also write a summary for the book we read last week, Pinduli

Independent Writing

• Students will write sentences using the abbreviations we write during Interactive Writing
• Students will write a summary using the adjectives and nouns we wrote during Interactive Writing last week.

Students will also participate in Writing Cycles, Centers, and Independent Reading

MATH:
Last week we started our new unit in Geometry. We discussed Solid figures and their characteristics. Today we looked a polygons (triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, octagon). Tomorrow we will be discussing the different types of triangles (equilateral, isosceles, and scalene). Wednesday we will review these lessons and then Thursday will be a quiz on solid figures, polygons, and triangles.

Thursday Timed Test: this week's timed test will include all multiplication tables from 0-12. Students will have 2 minutes to answer 30 questions from a variety of tables.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week we are starting a new unit in Social Studies. We will be talking again about the land of the United States, although this time we will be discussing the Southwest. We will begin Tuesday by looking at physical maps of the United States. We will then focus on the Southwestern regions, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. We will focus mostly on the desert qualities of these areas, and will be discussing resources and landforms in the deserts. This week we will be looking solely at the landforms and the physical maps.

Week of Feb. 2nd - 5th

LITERACY

Read Aloud:

• Pinduli, by Janell Cannon, focus on identifying adjectives and the nouns they describe
• Zathura, by Crhis Van Allsburg, focus on reAding with expression and visualizing
• Slinky, Scaly, Slithery Snakes, by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, focus on using pictures to enhance comprehension

Shared Reading:

• Excerpts from Zathura, focus on identifying the main ideas
• Snake Notes - Interactive Editing Sample

Interactive Writing:

• Adjective/Noun Chart
• Identifying and writing the main idea as we read Zathura

Independent Writing:

Students will be defining unknown words used as adjectives and will be writing sentences with the adjectives and nouns we write on chart paper.

Students will aslo participate in Independent Reading, Centers, and Writing Cycles.

MATH:
Tomorrow students will be tested on multiplying by multiples of 10, as well as multiplying by 2-digit numbers. This is something they learned all last week and reviewed today.

We will also looking at estimating greater products (rounding bigger numbers to make it easier to multiply).

This week we will also begin our geometry unit. We will be starting with solids (cone, cube, prism, etc); polygons (quadrilateral, pentagon, octagon, etc.); and triangles (isosceles, scalene, equilateral). Students will be tested on these concepts sometime next week.

Timed Test: the timed test will be on the 12 factors this week.

SCIENCE:

This week in Science, we will be trying a learning technique called "Jigsaw". Students have been divided into "home groups" of five to six students, each of which is also given a number. Individual members of each group then break off to work with other group members with the same number. These are their "expert groups". In these "expert groups", students will take time to research different climate zones for our weather unit. Each expert group has a different climate zone. Afterward, they return to their home groups in the role of instructor to teach the other members about the climate zone that they are now an "expert" in.

The jigsaw strategy is an efficient teaching method that also encourages listening, engagement, interaction, teaching, and cooperation by giving each member of the group an essential part to play in the academic activity. Both individual and group accountability are built into the process. In ESL classrooms, jigsaws are a four-skills approach, integrating reading, speaking, listening and writing.

Thursday we will review all of the climate zones as a class (in case any important details were missed by any groups, and to assure we are all on the same page) and then Friday students will be quizzed on this material.

Virtual Day #2

MATH:
Assignment # 1)

a) Go to
http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-4-multiply-1-digit-numbers-by-larger-numbers

b) Get a piece of paper and pencil to solve each problem.

d) Play the game! Solve at least 20 problems to practice.

Asssignment # 2)

a) Go to http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/print.php?w=1779&ID=16132

b) Copy the problems on a sheet of paper

c) Solve problems 1-15


SCIENCE (Precipitation):
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/%28Gh%29/guides/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml

http://www.wxdude.com/page3.html

Using the two website above, answer the following questions on a piece of paper (don't forget your name at the top!) Answers will be collected on Thursday for assessment.

Click the links on the page to read more information about each type of precipitation:

1. What is precipitation?

2. Name 4 different kinds of precipitation and give me one or two sentences to explain what each one is.

3. Precipitation always forms as snow in the clouds, but when it falls to the Earth, sometimes we get snow, sometimes we get sleet, and sometimes we get rain. Please explain why this happens.

4. Draw and label a diagram to show the process of precipitation. This should include: humidity/water vapor, evaporation, condensation, clouds, thunderclouds, precipitation.


SPANISH:
http://espanoltrescuatro.blogspot.com/

WRITING:
Please go to the link listed below. Read the description of adverbs and complete question #1.

http://kiwiyert.tripod.com/adverb_activities.htm

You must choose 10 of the adverbs from the list at the bottom of that website. Choose ones that you don't already know. You must then use a dictionary from home (or a website like http://dictionary.reference.com/ ) to find the definition of these words. You must copy down the definitions onto a piece of paper as well. Then you must write meaningful sentences using those words. When you are finished, you should have 10 adverbs, 10 definitions, and 10 sentences. This will be collected for assessment on Thursday.

ESTUDIOS:
http://esoes1a4.blogspot.com/

ART:
http://amschoolelementaryart.wikispaces.com/Wednesday+January+27+Class+Assignments

READING:

a) Go to http://www.chunkymonkey.com/rainforest/toniwatoucan.htm

b) Read the story Toniwa Toucan. Visualizing caps on!!

c) Copy the following questions about the story and answer them on your Reading Journal:

1)Where in the rainforest did Toniwa live?

2) Why wouldn't the other animals play with Toniwa?

3) What happened when Toniwa visited the forest floor?

4) What did Toniwa learn from the butterfly?

5) What does Toniwa plan to do at the end of the story?

Assignment #2

a) Go tohttp://www.english-zone.com/reading/elefants.html

b) Read the article Elephants

c) Choose the correct answer for each question on the column to the right of the article

d) When finished, click on the Check Answers Button

e) Answer the following journal entry on your Reading Journal:

- List 4 interesting facts you learned about elephants

Week of Jan. 25 - 29

LITERACY

Read Aloud:
-We will finish the book I' ve Seen the Promised Land, by by Walter Dean Myers, we will focus on identifying the main idea.
-Verdi, by Janell Cannon, we will focus on character traits
-The Secret World of Snakes, we will focus on reding features on non fiction text and reading captions and diagrams to enhanace comprehension

Shared Reading:
- Chronology of Civil Rights Movement, focus on reading and understanting informational resources
-Snake Notes to read and learn more about snakes, we will focus on summarizing text

Interactive Writing:
We will write the main idea of pieces of text as we read I've Seen the Promised Land

We will be introducing adverbs to the students this week. We will be doing this through shared readings, interactive writing, and independent writing samples.

Interactive Editing:
-Snake Notes


Independent Writing:
Students will practive writing adverbs to make simple sentences more interesting, as well as to change/show different meanings in our writing.

Students will also participate in Reading Cycles, Independent Reading and Centers.


MATH:

We will be covering the following:
-Multiplying by Multiples of 10
-Multiplying with 2- Digit Factors
- Estimating Greater Products.

We will interactively write the steps for multiplying by multiples of 10, two-digit multiplication, and estimating greater products. Students will learn to round to the tens and hundreds place to estimate greater products.

Timed Test: this week will be 11s and 12s together.


SCIENCE:
This week we continue with our Weather Unit. Today we talked about humidity, thunder, and lightening. Tomorrow we will take a closer look at how lightning is made, and why we hear thunder after the flash of light.

Wednesday we will dicuss Precipitation.

Thursday will be a quiz on lessons 7 and 8: humidity, thunder, lightening, and precipitation.