Weekly Updates for August 29th

Happy last week of August!  One month of school down...Here is what is happening this week:

T-Shirt order forms are due this week! We need to get these ordered as soon as possible because we would like to have them back in time for our first field trip in October.  If you haven't sent in your money, please do so soon!  We use these shirts for field trips (3 x this year) as well as field day in May.  Thanks to all who have sent in a little extra!

Math:
We will continue with place value fluency and building foundations in place value to begin looking at addition and subtraction using an algorithm in a few weeks.  Mrs. Maestri and Mrs. Fortson will be giving a mid-module assessment on Friday.  Topic C newsletter was posted last week and is available under the Math page for reference.

Reading:
This week we will continue with Because of Winn Dixie.  
In writing, we have been working on writing and identifying topic sentences and relevant details.  We are also constructing narratives this nine weeks.

Science:
We will finish up our first unit on scientific method, tools and data collection this week. Fortson/Derry classes will have a science test on Wednesday.  A study guide will be given on Tuesday. DeBolt will announce his assessment date this week. Students should take home their interactive notebooks to look over material and to help complete the study guide.

Social Studies:
This week we will finish learning about the Mississippian Indians and how they compare to the Woodland Indians. Next, we will learn about the Cherokee Indians and their culture.  There will be an assessment over Indian Groups next Tuesday.  Students should take home their interactive notebooks to study the material.

UPDATED!!! Math newsletter for Maestri and Fortson math classes

We apologize for the link issues that were posted to the original blog post.  You should be able to access the math newsletter below without having to request access.  We are sorry for the mixup!

Here is a copy of the newsletter for our new topic that began with lesson 7. You can download a copy here  .  You can also download a copy on the math page!

4th Grade Tshirt order forms

Parents,
The fourth grade tshirt order form is going home this week.  Some students have already received this. The cost for this shirt is $6.  We want every child to have a tshirt!  Please let us know if there are any issues.  We would like to have these back by next week if possible. It will take a few weeks for these to be ordered and produced.  Thank you!

All Pro Dad update for this week!

Weekly Updates for August 22nd

Here is what we are doing this week in fourth grade:

Reading: 

Students will continue to read  Because of Winn Dixie. We will focus on character analysis and summarizing.  Students will work in small groups to answer comprehension questions about our story.  These questions and related materials are stored in their ELA binder which is kept at school. 

Writing:

This week will focus on paragraph writing in preparation for narrative writing.  

Social Studies:

This week we will work on the Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippi Indian groups.  Students are practicing taking notes in their Social Studies notebook.  A test will be given over this mini unit and will be announced. 

Math:

This week continue our study of place value and building number sense and fluency.  Students are taking timed tests/sprints to increase their fluency of concepts.  Please check with your child's math teacher for specific homework assignments each night.  Don't forget to check the Math page on the blog for additional information. 

Science:

We have been studying the scientific method and will begin learning about and using various science tools.  Your student will get hands on experiences to deepen understanding of how these tools work. 

Don't forget that Blue Folders go home on Tuesday.  Please sign and return the Dojo behavior report. 

Weekly Updates for August 15th

Welcome Back!  

We are looking forward to seeing everyone tonight at 5pm. We will start in the gym.  Team Derry-Fortson will be in the classrooms (start in your child's homeroom); Team Russ-Stansberry is planning to meet in an alternate location-this will be announced tonight; Team Maestri-Johnson-DeBolt will be meeting in the library.  You don't want to miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight into fourth grade and our content.  You will be able to ask questions!  If your child comes with you tonight, please make sure he/she has a book, work or something else quiet to do while we meet.
Here is what is happening this week:

Reading/ELA:
This week we will focus on writing good sentences and how to set up and write an outline.  We will also be starting our novel, Because of Winn Dixie.  Because we have limited copies of these books, your child will be reading this in class.  If your child has his/her own copy, he is welcome to use it.  You are also welcome to read along with us at home if you have your own copy.  This is a great way to reinforce what we are reading in class.

Social Studies:
This week we are working on geography-land forms.  Your child will have a notebook for this class.

Math:
We have started our math curriculum and our first unit is Place Value.  This concept builds on previous grades and is creating a foundation of number sense that will help your child be successful in fourth grade.  The MATH page on the blog is filled with great resources for each unit.  Please check it out if you have any questions!

Science:
We began our science content talking about the Engineering Design Process, inventions and innovators.  We are working on the importance of understanding and planning before we actually start to create or design.  This carries over into all of our subject areas!  We will be moving into the scientific method, how scientists collect and record data and science tools.  Students have a science notebook that they can use to review before quizzes and assessments.

We have LOVED getting to your know your child this past week.  We have an amazing group of kids this year and we know that there are many memories to be made.  Please remember that your child's teacher(s) are available any time via email to answer questions or concerns that you might have.

Harmony Hawks

Parents, tomorrow is the last day to sign up to audition for Harmony Hawks.  Please see the information we received below from Ms. Whitson:

1) These are sign ups for the AUDITION.  Just because they sign up does not mean they are a Harmony Hawk member. 

2) Audition date(s) and audition requirements will be set when I see how many students are signed up.  To give you an idea...last year, we had 84 sign up, 55 auditioned, and it took almost 4 hours.

3) We do NOT have a set number of singers that we take each year.  I will try to stay around the 30 range.  Some years it will be a little more, some a little less.

4) Practices will be on Mondays until 4:00 pm in room 100.

If your child plans to audition, he/she must sign up with the homeroom teacher by tomorrow.  Please pass the word to any 4th or 5th grade parent.  Thank you!

Weekly Updates for August 8th

Welcome back!  Today was a fantastic first day! We hope that your student had good things to tell you about his or her first day in fourth grade. We know that this year will go by very quickly.  Just a few things to note:

Please return all signed papers as soon as possible.  You can also send in school fees.

Sign up for Class Dojo and follow the blog by email.  Our students are already earning points for exceeding expectations.

Blue folders go home on Tuesday.  Please check this each Tuesday night and return on Wednesday. Starting next week, you will need to sign the behavior report and return also.

Check your child's agenda and red folder nightly.  Homework assignments should be written down each day and homework stored in the red folder.  These are to go home each night.

TUESDAY, August 16 from 5-6pm is our Parent Night. Please come prepared to receive good information about your child's classroom and curriculum.

We are off to a wonderful start....

Wonderful Meet and Greet Night

It was an amazing night!  We loved meeting all of our new fourth graders! Please take this weekend to go ahead and complete all necessary paperwork and return with your child on Monday.  Don't forget that Monday is a half day.  By fourth grade, we expect students to know how they are going home on the first day of school and for the remaining days.  Please make sure you have communicated with your child about this.  See you on Monday!

Meet your new Fourth Grade Teacher Teams!

This team is located in the learning cottages. These can be accessed through the Yellow Wing!
(from left to right)

Mrs. Angie Stansberry- Reading/ELA/Social Studies
Mrs. Kerry Russ- Math/Science

*Each teacher will teach one block of 120 minutes

(from left to right)

Mrs. Melissa Fortson (ROOM 502)- Math/Science
Mrs. Kalea Derry (ROOM 504)- ELA/Reading/Social Studies

*Each teacher will teach one block of 120 minutes

(from left to right)

Mrs. Catherine Maestri (ROOM 501)- Math
Mr. Brian DeBolt (ROOM 505)-Writing/Science/Social Studies
Mrs. Kristy Johnson (ROOM 503)-ELA/Reading

*Each teacher will teach one block of 90 minutes-see below

Mrs. Maestri/Mrs. Johnson/Mr. DeBolt

7:45-9:15 Block 1

9:15-9:45 HawkEye

9:45-10:10 Recess

10:10-11:40 Block 2

11:40-12:20 Encore

12:25-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:30 Block 3