Welcome to 4th grade at Hardin Valley Elementary School in Knoxville, TN!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Derry Updates for the week October 26th
I hope everyone had a great weekend. I can't believe that October is coming to a close. This week is getting underway with the Pumpkin projects coming in today. Everyone is excited to see the pumpkin creations and the student's were real proud of their hard work. As a parent, I know that you guys have to put in some effort as well, so thanks for being so amazing!
Here is what's going on this week:
ELA: We are starting a new story Horses Heroes. We will be discussing fact and opinion, and working on possessive plural nouns.
Math: Topic 5: Multiplying and Rounding
Science: We will begin our new unit...check out the Blog PAGE!! Students will be taking notes and the textbook will be a great resource for some of this material. Mrs. Fortson will upload material as she get's it scanned into the computer.
Social Studies: We are finishing up with the Colonies. Mrs. Derry's class is taking a quiz tomorrow on labeling the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. Mrs. Fortson's class will do this on Thursday. Both classes will take a content test on Friday.
Late work: I have a sheet that students will sign and date when they are missing work. This is just another way for parents to beware that something is missing.
Here are our awesome pumpkins:
Here is what's going on this week:
ELA: We are starting a new story Horses Heroes. We will be discussing fact and opinion, and working on possessive plural nouns.
Math: Topic 5: Multiplying and Rounding
Science: We will begin our new unit...check out the Blog PAGE!! Students will be taking notes and the textbook will be a great resource for some of this material. Mrs. Fortson will upload material as she get's it scanned into the computer.
Social Studies: We are finishing up with the Colonies. Mrs. Derry's class is taking a quiz tomorrow on labeling the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. Mrs. Fortson's class will do this on Thursday. Both classes will take a content test on Friday.
Late work: I have a sheet that students will sign and date when they are missing work. This is just another way for parents to beware that something is missing.
Here are our awesome pumpkins:
Fortson Updates for October 26
Happy last week of October! Here is what is happening this week:
Math- Fortson math class will continue with division. There are some great websites on my math page as well as the Website Resource page. Last week's division quiz was given out for students to redo. Please check with your child about this quiz. There will be homework assignments this week.
For all other students, please check your child's agenda for daily assignments.
ELA/Reading: For reading, we have started a new story with a new story packet. We work on this during the week and students must turn it in on Friday to receive full credit. We are also working on some small group reading work that should also help students on Friday's SS test.
Spelling words went home today. We we over these and there is a homework assignment that combines practice with these words as well as our grammar focus of singular possessive nouns. I also emailed this list to parents on Sunday night and you can download a copy of it on the ELA page if you need one! There will be a spelling/grammar test on Friday,
Writing: We will be assessing opinion writing this week. Students will receive a timed prompt and are expected to use the strategies and graphic organizer that we worked on in class for the past two weeks. This assessment will count as a grade.
Science: We will begin our new unit...check out the Blog PAGE!! Students will be taking notes and the textbook will be a great resource for some of this material. I will upload material as I get it scanned into the computer.
Social Studies: This week will be the last week of the Colonization unit. Please visit the SS page for updates from Mrs. Derry. Just a reminder that part 1 of the SS test is Wednesday. Part 2 will be on Friday.
Check out our pumpkins:
Math- Fortson math class will continue with division. There are some great websites on my math page as well as the Website Resource page. Last week's division quiz was given out for students to redo. Please check with your child about this quiz. There will be homework assignments this week.
For all other students, please check your child's agenda for daily assignments.
ELA/Reading: For reading, we have started a new story with a new story packet. We work on this during the week and students must turn it in on Friday to receive full credit. We are also working on some small group reading work that should also help students on Friday's SS test.
Spelling words went home today. We we over these and there is a homework assignment that combines practice with these words as well as our grammar focus of singular possessive nouns. I also emailed this list to parents on Sunday night and you can download a copy of it on the ELA page if you need one! There will be a spelling/grammar test on Friday,
Writing: We will be assessing opinion writing this week. Students will receive a timed prompt and are expected to use the strategies and graphic organizer that we worked on in class for the past two weeks. This assessment will count as a grade.
Science: We will begin our new unit...check out the Blog PAGE!! Students will be taking notes and the textbook will be a great resource for some of this material. I will upload material as I get it scanned into the computer.
Social Studies: This week will be the last week of the Colonization unit. Please visit the SS page for updates from Mrs. Derry. Just a reminder that part 1 of the SS test is Wednesday. Part 2 will be on Friday.
Check out our pumpkins:
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Fortson Updates for October 19th
As I am typing the date, it is hard to believe that we are over half way through the month of October! Here is what is happening this week:
Math: Fortson math class will continue with division practice. We are working on using place value understandings with the standard algorithm. The best way to learn division is to practice it. Students will have several nights of homework this week. I will also assess this week to see where we stand with students' understanding.
**Homeroom parents, please check your child's agenda nightly for math assignments**
Reading: This week we are doing a play together. Students are assigned parts and will perform this small play on Friday. We will do a status of the class on Friday, so students need to have their books with them at school.
Writing: We are working together on opinion writing this week. We are creating a model piece as a whole class as we learn how to set up an opinion writing prompt. Students will be writing to an opinion prompt that will be timed next week. This is good practice for future writing assessments.
Science: This week, students received a study guide on Tuesday. This is due on Wednesday. Both Derry and Fortson classes received this and should have written in the agenda. We will have a lab this week on Tuesday (Fortson) and Thursday (Derry). The unit test will be on Friday, October 23rd. Students should be studying nightly.
Social Studies: We will continue with the colonization period. Please see Mrs. Derry's updates on the blog for more detailed information. You can also check the blog for downloads and resources to help your child through this unit.
PUMPKIN PROJECT!!! The pumpkin projects are due on Monday, October 26th. Students will receive a grade for this project. Hopefully, the students are already planning the creation of their explorer pumpkin. Please make sure not to carve and cut open the pumpkin in any way. Students must take home the pumpkin on Friday, October 30th.
Report cards went home on Tuesday. Please sign and return these to us in the next 2 days.
Math: Fortson math class will continue with division practice. We are working on using place value understandings with the standard algorithm. The best way to learn division is to practice it. Students will have several nights of homework this week. I will also assess this week to see where we stand with students' understanding.
**Homeroom parents, please check your child's agenda nightly for math assignments**
Reading: This week we are doing a play together. Students are assigned parts and will perform this small play on Friday. We will do a status of the class on Friday, so students need to have their books with them at school.
Writing: We are working together on opinion writing this week. We are creating a model piece as a whole class as we learn how to set up an opinion writing prompt. Students will be writing to an opinion prompt that will be timed next week. This is good practice for future writing assessments.
Science: This week, students received a study guide on Tuesday. This is due on Wednesday. Both Derry and Fortson classes received this and should have written in the agenda. We will have a lab this week on Tuesday (Fortson) and Thursday (Derry). The unit test will be on Friday, October 23rd. Students should be studying nightly.
Social Studies: We will continue with the colonization period. Please see Mrs. Derry's updates on the blog for more detailed information. You can also check the blog for downloads and resources to help your child through this unit.
PUMPKIN PROJECT!!! The pumpkin projects are due on Monday, October 26th. Students will receive a grade for this project. Hopefully, the students are already planning the creation of their explorer pumpkin. Please make sure not to carve and cut open the pumpkin in any way. Students must take home the pumpkin on Friday, October 30th.
Report cards went home on Tuesday. Please sign and return these to us in the next 2 days.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Week October 19th
Derry's Class: I just wanted to say what an awesome event the Hoedown was and thank you so much for everyone's participation. I have never seen so many people in one place for a school event. I know that we raised so much money for our amazing school. This week's focus:
ELA: We will be working on opinion writing, plural nouns, and concentrating on correct punctuation in everything we write.
Advanced Word study: We are focusing on ar, or, er words and how the sounds are different. The students will be working with these words in work stations and will do a dictation test on Friday.
Reading: This week we are doing a Reader's Theatre. "Colonial Time Machine," will focus on historical periods and events, bringing history alive.
Math: Finishing up Topic 4: Fact Families
Social Studies: Colonial Times: This week we will talk about the Triangular Trade and what life was like in the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.
Monday's Homework:
ELA/Reading: If your child did not finish the Advanced Word Study, it was homework. The Advanced Word Study was a word sort.
Math: Worksheet on Division
Social Studies: We went over five sheets on New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. We went over together. They had to cut out and put in interactive notebook. If they did not finish this, it is homework. All they need to do is cut and glue in notebook.
Reminder: The pumpkin project is approaching and their are several students who have not turned in their timeline and personality web. The timeline was due last week and the personality web was due today. Please know that this is a grade and we are preparing your child to be able to hit deadlines. It is important that they are held accountable. Please encourage them to do this on their own.
ELA: We will be working on opinion writing, plural nouns, and concentrating on correct punctuation in everything we write.
Advanced Word study: We are focusing on ar, or, er words and how the sounds are different. The students will be working with these words in work stations and will do a dictation test on Friday.
Reading: This week we are doing a Reader's Theatre. "Colonial Time Machine," will focus on historical periods and events, bringing history alive.
Math: Finishing up Topic 4: Fact Families
Social Studies: Colonial Times: This week we will talk about the Triangular Trade and what life was like in the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.
Monday's Homework:
ELA/Reading: If your child did not finish the Advanced Word Study, it was homework. The Advanced Word Study was a word sort.
Math: Worksheet on Division
Social Studies: We went over five sheets on New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. We went over together. They had to cut out and put in interactive notebook. If they did not finish this, it is homework. All they need to do is cut and glue in notebook.
Reminder: The pumpkin project is approaching and their are several students who have not turned in their timeline and personality web. The timeline was due last week and the personality web was due today. Please know that this is a grade and we are preparing your child to be able to hit deadlines. It is important that they are held accountable. Please encourage them to do this on their own.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Fortson Weekly Updates for 10/14
As you can see, we have changed the blog to reflect both Mrs. Derry's class information as well as our class information. We have also worked very hard to provide you resources and the latest information on the pages...especially the Social Studies and Science pages. These are works in progress! When you check the blog, take a minute to scroll down through the last few posts. Often we post more than one in a week. Some of the information belongs to both classes as well!
Math: Fortson math class has continued with division practice. We have worked on the standard algorithm with one digit divisors into 2, 3 and 4 digit dividends. We have connected the inverse operation of multiplication with the process of division. We also learned another strategy- the place value block strategy. While this might seem tedious for those of us who learned math the "old" way, this really allows students to understand the importance of place value and what is happening in division, not just memorize an algorithm. I will try to update the math page this weekend with some helpful videos and information.
Reading: We started over with our reading challenge for 2nd nine weeks. Students are required to read at least one chapter book every nine weeks and submit a comprehension activity sheet. Status of the Class n Friday.
ELA/Writing: We have begun our opinion writing unit. Students will critique another student's writing and will get feedback on their own writing. We are developing a use graphic organizer to help students organize their thoughts.
Science: DERRY and FORTSON-We continued with our Ecosystem unit. The plan is to assess this unit next Friday. Students will receive a study guide next week. They received a packet that we worked on in class and that they will need to finish and turn in completed no later than Wednesday of next week.
Social Studies: See Mrs. Derry's SS update on the blog!
Math: Fortson math class has continued with division practice. We have worked on the standard algorithm with one digit divisors into 2, 3 and 4 digit dividends. We have connected the inverse operation of multiplication with the process of division. We also learned another strategy- the place value block strategy. While this might seem tedious for those of us who learned math the "old" way, this really allows students to understand the importance of place value and what is happening in division, not just memorize an algorithm. I will try to update the math page this weekend with some helpful videos and information.
Reading: We started over with our reading challenge for 2nd nine weeks. Students are required to read at least one chapter book every nine weeks and submit a comprehension activity sheet. Status of the Class n Friday.
ELA/Writing: We have begun our opinion writing unit. Students will critique another student's writing and will get feedback on their own writing. We are developing a use graphic organizer to help students organize their thoughts.
Science: DERRY and FORTSON-We continued with our Ecosystem unit. The plan is to assess this unit next Friday. Students will receive a study guide next week. They received a packet that we worked on in class and that they will need to finish and turn in completed no later than Wednesday of next week.
Social Studies: See Mrs. Derry's SS update on the blog!
Field Trip: Mrs. Maestri, Ms. Clauss, Mrs. Fortson, Mrs. Derry will be taking their students on a field trip to Fort Loudon and The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, TN. Here the students will learn about how our area was involved in the French and Indian War as well as gain a deeper appreciation for accomplishments of the Cherokee people of East Tennessee. The date of the trip is Monday, November 23. The students will need to order a sack lunch from the cafeteria or bring one from home. We will leave at 8:00 and return to school by about 2:00. The admission fees will be 6.75 for students and 1.50 for chaperones. Please sign and return this slip by Friday, November 6.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Derry Weekly Updates for October 14th
Hello Mrs. Derry's class. I am officially sharing the blog with Mrs. Fortson. Yay!!! I hope everyone had a relaxing Fall Break. I have updated the Social Studies page with your homework that is due Friday. Please also remember to turn in your timelines for the Pumpkin project. The next part of the pumpkin project "the Personality Web," is due Monday, October 19th. Thanks to all who sent in money or items for our basket. All I can say is "WoW!!!" It truly is amazing and should make a great silent auction item. Don't forget you can purchase Hoedown tickets before school. I am looking forward to seeing you all there.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Weekly Updates for week of October 5th
Conference Week! We are looking forward to meeting with all of our parents this week. If you are unable to make it or didn't schedule a time with me, please contact me and we will work out a time to meet together. This is a great opportunity for use to communicate about what is happening in class.
Here is what is happening this week:
Math: Please check your child's agenda for specific assignments this week. Fortson Math class will begin division understanding and practice this week. There will be several homework assignments.
Reading: Students needs to turn in their reading comprehension sheets by Friday to receive credit for books read. I am counting one of these as a quiz grade. This week we will start a new story and work on drawing conclusions.
ELA: This week we will focus on forming plural nouns spelling patterns as well as identifying common and proper nouns. We will have an assessment on Friday over this concept.
Writing: We are working on opinion piece writing.
Science: We will focus on types of consumers and will have a lab that helps us to understand the needs of animals.
Social Studies: This week we will work through early settlers and settlements.
Here is what is happening this week:
Math: Please check your child's agenda for specific assignments this week. Fortson Math class will begin division understanding and practice this week. There will be several homework assignments.
Reading: Students needs to turn in their reading comprehension sheets by Friday to receive credit for books read. I am counting one of these as a quiz grade. This week we will start a new story and work on drawing conclusions.
ELA: This week we will focus on forming plural nouns spelling patterns as well as identifying common and proper nouns. We will have an assessment on Friday over this concept.
Writing: We are working on opinion piece writing.
Science: We will focus on types of consumers and will have a lab that helps us to understand the needs of animals.
Social Studies: This week we will work through early settlers and settlements.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Homework for October 1st
Happy 1st of October! Our school year is moving along quickly! Here is what is happening:
Math: Fortson Math class- No homework. We took an assessment today that we will finish tomorrow.
ELA/Reading: Don't forget that your child must finish one chapter book this nine weeks and complete a comprehension activity sheet. They should be reading each night if possible.
Science: Derry's class- Students need to finish the Reading comprehension worksheet over the plant experiment. This is due on Friday. I will not be meeting with Mrs. Derry's class tomorrow.
Fortson Class- no science today.
Social Studies: Mrs. Derry started the new unit today. There is no homework assigned. Please take a moment to visit the SS page. We have put some of the standards that we will be covering over the next weeks. We will be adding the remaining standards next week. As you will see, this is a large amount of content that we have to cover!
4th grade class t-shirts order forms were sent home today. We want every student to have a t-shirt and need to get these order as soon as possible. We want to have these for our field trips and other school related events. T-shirts are $6 each.
Conferences start next week. Please make sure that you have a time scheduled...I am looking forward to seeing all of my families.
Math: Fortson Math class- No homework. We took an assessment today that we will finish tomorrow.
ELA/Reading: Don't forget that your child must finish one chapter book this nine weeks and complete a comprehension activity sheet. They should be reading each night if possible.
Science: Derry's class- Students need to finish the Reading comprehension worksheet over the plant experiment. This is due on Friday. I will not be meeting with Mrs. Derry's class tomorrow.
Fortson Class- no science today.
Social Studies: Mrs. Derry started the new unit today. There is no homework assigned. Please take a moment to visit the SS page. We have put some of the standards that we will be covering over the next weeks. We will be adding the remaining standards next week. As you will see, this is a large amount of content that we have to cover!
4th grade class t-shirts order forms were sent home today. We want every student to have a t-shirt and need to get these order as soon as possible. We want to have these for our field trips and other school related events. T-shirts are $6 each.
Conferences start next week. Please make sure that you have a time scheduled...I am looking forward to seeing all of my families.
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