Weekly Update: February 2 - February 13

Hello Parents,

I hope you are having a happy weekend with your families.

This month it is our turn to bring store-bought, individually wrapped items for the Snack Cart. Proceeds go to the 8th grade class trip to Washington, D.C.  Please send in items if you can.

The school is participating in "Pasta for Pennies" again this year, a fundraiser to aid cancer research.  Each classroom is competing to collect money.  (Any coins or bills are acceptable.) Andrew Stambuk is our Class Ambassador.

Last week our students visited the public library, Imaginon.  They checked out a LOT of books, which shows how much they love to read.

This coming week in Math students will develop skills in Measurement and Fractions.  They will work individually, in small groups with me, or with an Intervention Specialist.
Parent References:
EveryDay Mathematics, Grades 3 or 4, Volumes 1 & 2.
Buckle Down to the Common Core Standards, Mathematics, Grade 3.

In Literacy students will continue to develop analytical and writing skills, using the Jr. Great Books program, the Jacob's Ladder program, and Grammar Island.
Parent References:
Jr. Great Books, Level 4, Volume 1
Jacob's Ladder, Level 4-5
Grammar Island, by Michael clay Thompson

In Science students will study how volcanoes are formed, how glaciers and ice erosion create landforms, the annual cycle of a lake, and what happens when fresh and saltwater meet.  Students should be working on their Landforms Booklets, which are due February 17.  A Study Guide for the Unit Test will be passed out Monday.
Parent References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgktM2luLok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDAjVbSLfoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNOrFy17WE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R48zYr-S7v0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X26ocQkhNH4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx3yNjd7jE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfBH9OBV-p4

Here are some daily reminders for the coming weeks:
On Monday, February 2, Reading Records are due.
Jacob's Ladder work is  due from all my Literacy students.
I will be out of the classroom during the afternoon.  Ryan Moschel will be my substitute.

On Wednesday, February 4, my Homeroom students will visit our Scholars Library.

On Monday, February 9, Reading Records are due.

On Tuesday, February 10, Junior Great Books work is due from students in my Literacy class, the Tornadoes group.

On Wednesday, February 11, Class Pictures will be taken.  Please dress your child accordingly.

On Friday, February 13, students will exchange Valentines.  There will be no formal party, but treats are always welcome.

I think that's all the news for now.
Have a great weekend!
Kathy

Weekly Update: January 26 - February 6

Hello Parents,I hope you are enjoying your long weekend with your children!

Last week our students visited our Scholars Library, and this coming week they will visit Imaginon. Please check to make sure any overdue books are returned and any fines are paid.

Note about Report cards:
The Grading & Reporting Committee met recently and decided that any "extra" work a student does to keep on grade level will not be given a Level "4" grade for Homework.  Any extra work that takes the student beyond grade level will earn a Level "4" grade under Homework.

This coming week in Literacy students will continue to develop their analytical reading and writing skills, using Jr. Great Books, Jacob's Ladder, and Time for Kids magazines.  In addition, they will work on grammar skills using Grammar Island. Students will work individually, with partners, and in small groups.
Parent references:
Jr. Great Books, Series 3, Book 1
Jacob's Ladder, Grades 4 - 5
Grammar Island, by Michael Clay Thompson
Time for Kids magazines

In Math students will practice skills in interpreting graphs, multiplication & division, or fractions. They will work individually, in small groups, and with an Intervention Specialist if needed.
Parent References:
Everyday Mathematics, Grade 4, Volumes 1 & 2, or
Grade 3, volumes 1 & 2.

In Science students will learn how plate tectonics form landforms.
Parent References:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjmQ3JS0yDI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3c3t3bi2aI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f3sX9lK4pU

Here are some daily reminders for the coming weeks:

On Monday, January 26, Reading Records are due from students in my Literacy class.

Science assignment about wind and water erosion is due from students in my Homeroom.

On Tuesday, January 27, Jr. Great Books work is due from students in my Literacy class, Tornadoes Group.  (Changed from Jan. 26.)

On Thursday, January 29, Time for Kids assignment is due from students in my Literacy class.

Third grade students will visit the public library, Imaginon.

On Friday, January 30, Jr. Great Books work is due from students in my Literacy class, Thunderbolts group.

I will place your child's Second Quarter Report Card in his/her orange "Take-Home" folder. 

On Monday, February 2, Reading records and Jacob's Ladder work are due from students in my Literacy class.

I will be out of the building in the afternoon.  Ryan Moschel will be my substitute.

On Wednesday, February 4, my Homeroom students will visit our Scholars Library.

On Friday, February 6, Jr. Great Books work is due from my Literacy students, Tornadoes group.

I think that's all the news for now.  

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Kathy

Weekly Update: January 19 - January 30

Good Morning Parents,

I hope you are enjoying this long weekend!  Last week our students viewed the Science Fair projects. The projects were so exciting and inspiring that some of our students want to begin a project right now!

During this coming, short week, in Math students will work on skills in either Multiplication & Division, or Decimals, or Fractions.  Students will work with myself, another adult, an Intervention Specialist as needed, individually, and/or in small groups.  Students may take their Math Binders home to work on them every other day.  They must return the Binder every day to use during class, and for me to correct and monitor.  Please review your child's work when they bring home completed work, and when they bring home their Binders.
Parent references:
EveryDay Mathematics, Grade 4, Volumes 1 and 2.
NCDPI website, for practice EOGs and problems.

In Science, students will learn how moving plates in the Earth's crust form landforms.
Parent References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_UBLFUpYQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO-OoSVZ9Tk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVqfaUWurSs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8CT3UHp0IE&index=2&list=PLZ6PJLBbxJnep9_yFw3U_giCMwekELZF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEumMkAhwzA

In Literacy, students will continue working in the Jr. Great Books and Jacob's Ladder programs, to analyze literature.  They will read Time for Kids magazines to locate and understand informational text.  They will take a grammar test analyzing parts of speech, parts of sentences, prepositional phrases, and clauses.  Students will continue to learn strategies from the Future Problem Solving program.
Parent References:
Jr. Great Books, Level 4, Volume 1
Jacob's Ladder, Level 3
Time for Kids magazines
Grammar Island, by Michael Clay Thompson
Future Problem Solving books (contact Ms. Harrison)

Here are some daily reminders for the coming weeks:
On Monday, January 19, there is no school due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

On Tuesday, January 20, Reading Records are due from my literacy students.
Jr. Great Books work is due from the students in the Thunderbolts group in my literacy class.

On Wednesday, January 22, my Homeroom class will visit our Scholars Library.

On Thursday, January 23, students in my literacy class will take a grammar test.
Jacob's Ladder work is due from all my literacy students.

On Friday, January 23, there is no school.  Teachers will be preparing Second Quarter Report Cards.

On Monday, January 26, Reading records are due from my literacy students.
Jr. Great Books work is due from the students in the Tornadoes group in my literacy class.

On Thursday, January 29, all third grade students will visit the public library, Imaginon.

On Friday, January 30, I will place your child's Second Quarter Report Card in his/her orange "Take-Home" folder.

I think that's all the news for now.
Have a lovely weekend!
Kathy




 

Weekly Update, January 12 - January 23

Good Morning Parents,

I hope you are all having a very nice weekend!
Last week our students enjoyed a trip to the public library, Imaginon.  A few students had outstanding fines and were not able to check out books.  They were very disappointed, so please check with the library and pay any fines you may have.

Thank you to those who sent in bandages!  We are now well-stocked.

It is not too early to begin thinking about the EOG Tests in Math and Literacy.  They are scheduled for May 19 - 22.  Last year's tests and practice questions are available on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website.  ncdpi  I encourage you to review the tests and practice with your child any weak skills they may have.  Note:  The EOG tests will be given on the THIRD GRADE LEVEL.

Next week in Math, students will develop skills in multiplying two and three digit numbers, measurement, or decimals, or fractions.  Students will work individually, in small groups, and one-on-one with an adult, myself, or an Interventions Specialist.
Parent References:
Everyday Mathematics, Volume 1, Grade 4.

In Literacy, students will develop analytical and writing skills using Jr. Great Books, Jacob's Ladder, and Time for Kids magazines.  On Friday, I sent home a list and explanation of skills covered in the Jacob's Ladder program.  Reviewing this will help you understand what your student is doing in class.  Students will also work on grammar and cursive handwriting.
Parent References:
Jr. Great Books, Series 3, Book 1
Jacob's Ladder, Grades 4-5
Grammar Island, by Michael Clay Thompson
Time for Kids magazines

In Social Studies, students will review for, and complete a written Unit Test on Colonial North Carolina. The test is open-note, open book.  (The "book" is the zeroxed copies made for each student.) Students received a study guide last Thursday.  Time for the test will be limited to one class period.  Students should review notes, organize them, and know their content.  They may prepare note cards, written practice answers, graphic organizers, or whatever they want, to assist them while they take the test.
Parent References:
Student notes and zeroxed copies from the text.

We will begin a short Science Unit about Landforms.  Students will learn how wind and water erosion create landforms.
Parent References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kLoZShDr0o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQmon7Rj6ns

Here are some daily reminders for the coming weeks;
On Monday, January 12, Reading records are due from my Literacy students.

On Tuesday, January 13, I will be out of the classroom during the morning, at a meeting of the Grading and Reporting Committee.

On Wednesday, January 14, Jr. Great Books work is due from the Tornadoes group in my Literacy class.

On Thursday, January 15, my Homeroom students will take the Social Studies Unit Test on Colonial N.C.

On Friday, January 16, I will be out of school attending the Mock Trial Competition.

Monday, January 19, is a holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.  There is no school that day.

On Tuesday, January 20, Reading Records are due from y Literacy students.
Jr. Great Books work is due from the Thunderbolts group in my Literacy class.

On Wednesday, January 21, my Homeroom students will visit our Scholars Library.

On Thursday, January 22, Jacob's Ladder work is due from all my Literacy students.

On Friday, January 23, there is no school.  It is a "Teacher Work Day".  We will be preparing Second Quarter Report Cards.

I think that's all the news for now.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Kathy