Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We had a great morning enjoying cookies and milk and watching "The Polar Express"!  Then students went to the PBS event where they made ornaments, raced in the obstacle course, and dance their hearts out.  It was a great way to end 2013.  I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I sent students home with two books and a math review page.  If your child reads both books, takes AR tests on both on Tuesday, January 7th, and makes an 80% or higher they will receive ten Wildcat cash.  Also, if the math page is completed correctly and your child shows all of their work, they will receive an additional ten Wildcat cash.

This is a busy week ahead!

As we are preparing for the Winter Break (Dec. 21st - Jan. 6th) please keep in mind that we have two weeks left in the nine weeks and each and everyday is extremely important.  Although we have three early release days (12/18, 12/19, 12/20) this week, we will be covering new and important concepts.  Please make sure that your child is coming to school ready to learn and work.  Also, your child needs to have at least 9.0 AR points by Wednesday, January 8th in order to meet the nine week minimum requirement.

On Friday, we will have a movie morning and enjoy cookies and milk.  If your child would like, they may wear pajamas that follow the school dress code policy including closed toe and heel shoes. Notes went home today with further information about Friday.

Please remember that on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we have early release!

Our Reading LIA Results were AMAZING!!!

I am very proud of my class, each and every child worked hard on the Reading LIA this past week.  In their binders, you can see the progress they have made if you refer to the data sheet.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Also, we will continue with the SAME spelling words (Prefixes) this week.  Spelling homework is a little different so please refer to the Homework tab for details.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our class feast was a huge success, thank you for everyone that came and had lunch with us!  I wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Reading LIA will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 3rd and 4th.  Please encourage your child to read carefully and use their strategies.

Upcoming Events!

Wednesday is Early Release and our class feast at 10:30 a.m.  Please bring your food item in at 10:00 a.m. warmed and with a serving spoon.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

We will be taking our first Science test of the year without the use of textbooks on Friday, please make sure that your child is reviewing and completing the Study Guide.  Study Guides will be collected and graded on Wednesday, but returned to your child before the end of the day so that they have them to study from.

The following week, we will be out of school for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Over the week long break, have your child read and study the Multiplication facts daily.

Our Thanksgiving Feast!

Our Thanksgiving Feast will be on Wednesday, November 20th at 10:30 a.m.  I sent home notes on Friday about the feast, please look it over and let me know if you are able to send in the item marked and whether or not you will be attending.

Next Week is SUPER Busy!

The week of November 4th is extremely busy!  Please mark your calendar for these upcoming events/activities/assignments...

Monday, November 4th - Begin Text Features Unit in Reading and Expository Writing
Tuesday, November 5th - Planet Brochures are Due!
Wednesday, November 6th - Early Release and the 4th grade Veterans' program presented in school to the 3rd and 5th grade students.
Thursday, November 7th - Veterans' Program performance at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room for friends and family.
Friday, November 8th - Science Chapter 5 test, Classroom Speech Contest, Veterans' program performance for the Veterans' after ceremony at the flagpole in the morning., Math CIM test on Expressions and Equations (4.2).

We have had a very productive week!

The first round of LIA Math and Science testing are complete!  I will be sharing the results with your child and helping them set goals for the next go-around in the upcoming weeks.  Also, many students have already surpassed the weekly AR goal for next week, keep up the great reading!  Thank you to Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Kline,and Ms. Blackburn, our Fall celebration was a YUMMY success because of you ladies!!!

Don't forget to support our PTO by participating in the fundraiser that was sent home last week.  Our PTO is awesome and needs our support!

LIA Testing!

We will have Math and Science LIA testing this upcoming week.  Please remind your child to use their strategies and take their time.  This is their time to show how much they have LEARNED!!!

Also, Wednesday is Early Release and Friday is AR and Honor Roll Assemblies at 8:00 am in the multi-purpose room.  I will send invitations home on Tuesday.  Friday, we will also enjoy our yummy Fall treats during snack time.

The End of the Nine Weeks is Here!

All grades and AR points will be final on Friday.  Please make sure that your child has 7.0 AR points with an 85% average or better, and has turned in any missing work.

Parent conferences are on Thursday evening.  Please remember that these are set to review your child's progress and discuss any questions or concerns you have.  I look forward to seeing you!

As the Month Winds Down...

Later this week, conference notices will be sent home for October 17th.  I scheduled each conference on the time requested and/or the closest time that was available.  These conferences will be 15 minutes long.  I will share your child's academic progress, as well as the latest data.  This will also be a great place to discuss any questions or concerns that you have.

We will have a "Fall" gathering on October 25th.  Please let me know if you are sending in something for this.  We already have cupcakes!

Also, the nine weeks is winding down, please make sure that your child completes all assignments and has their AR points each week.  Your child should have six points by the end of the week.  You can check the front of their planner or online (I sent this information home on Progress Reports.) for your child's reading record.

Adoption Day is Wednesday!

Our class Adoption Day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Students will be able to adopt a Fiddler Crab or a Dwarf African frog. In order for your child to adopt a pet, he/she must bring in a signed note stating that you are allowing them to bring this pet home. Also, the student will need to bring a habitat for the pet and you can find the required supplies for each listed below. On Adoption Day, students will need to be picked up in the car line and cannot take the bus home with their pet.  Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Required Supplies for Each Animal Habitat:

Fiddler Crab:

                Disposable container

                Small Dish for water

                Sand

                Water Bottle (for salt water that will be provided)

                Food: Freeze dried Plankton (small amount will be provided)

Frog:

                Disposable container with a few small holes

                Water

                Rocks

                Food: Flaked fish food (small amount will be provided)

I am SUPER PROUD!!!

Our class is leading the school with Success Maker on students making 80% or higher on the sessions.  Keep up the great work.  Remember to sign and return the Progress Reports on Monday.  Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns or would like to schedule a conference.

A busy week ahead!

Our animals arrived Friday afternoon!  Students will get to observe and interact with butterflies, ladybugs, Fiddler crabs, Dwarf African frogs during Science for the next couple of weeks.  AR notices were sent home in your child's planner on Friday, they should have two points already and on their way to at least three points by Friday.  There is no school on Monday and Social Studies projects will be sent home on Tuesday.  Please make sure your child is working on this at home as we will not have much time in class to work on it.  Picture Day is Wednesday, Parent Writing night is Thursday at 6 p.m. in my room, and Progress Reports will go home on Friday.

Important Reminders!

AR is finally up and running, yeah!  Your child should have earned one AR point by today, September 6th and will be expected to earn one point per week, each week of this nine weeks.  Each student should be checking out at least one chapter book worth one or more points.  Also, they are allowed to check out a half point book, but it should be nonfiction.  There is an AR log in the front pages of your child's planner where you can check their progress.  I will initial by their score when your child has tested in my room and I have check the results with them.  I will send home point notices every so often to let you know where they stand, but of course, let me know if you have any questions.

I have sent home your child's user name, password, and directions for accessing Math Connects (our Math textbook) in the "Take-Home" folder, as well as, DOJO directions again.  Please let me know if you are having trouble with either one of these sites and I will try to help you.  In the coming weeks, I will send home information for the Science and Reading textbook websites as well.

We finished Reading LIA this week and have begun FAIR testing which should be done by the end of next week.

We will be building animal habitats from Dwarf African Frogs, Fiddler Crabs, butterflies, and ladybugs this week in class in preparation of their arrival towards the end of the week.  Please look for a safety contract the first part of next week.  This must be signed and returned in order for you to participate in the Animal unit.

Thursday, September 12th at 6:30 pm will be a parent training on Common Core Standards.  This will be a hour training and free child care will be provided.

Parent Writing Night will be Thursday, September 19th at 6:00 pm in my classroom.  Please make plans to attend, we will discuss how to help your child with Writing this year.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

SAC/PTO meetings will be held Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:00 pm in the Music room, as well as pizza in the cafeteria, I hope to see you there.  We will begin the Reading LIA testing on Wednesday, September 4th and will be completed on Wednesday, September 5th.  Please remember to encourage your child to do their best! Also, classroom donations for the Treasure Box (small trinkets, candy, sodas, snacks) are needed.  Any small items would be greatly appreciated!

Off to a GREAT Start!

Last week we focused on rules and procedures and will continue this this week as we transition into centers and interventions later in the week.  We did a great job with filling out planners, returning important paperwork, and completing homework.  Please remember that planners must be signed daily and they are a great way to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  If you are going home a different way, please make sure that your note is on a separate sheet of paper, not written in the planner.  Also, you can email me anytime, my email is at the bottom of the Welcome Letter and on every Newsletter.

The First Week of School!

"Meet the Teacher/Open House" was a great success!  I enjoyed meeting most of my students and their families on Thursday evening and I can't wait to meet the rest of you in the upcoming week.  The first week we will focus on procedures and rules in the classroom, as well as dive right into our curriculum for the year.  On Monday, you will receive the Take-Home folder with many important papers to read and some to sign and return.  Please try and send those forms back on Tuesday, as they are very important.  Remember that breakfast and lunch are free to all of our students this year and this class page will have valuable information on it through out the year for you.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am super excited for this upcoming year and can't wait to start working with each of you!

Also, I am collecting items for our class Treasure Box.  We need small toys/chap sticks/hand sanitizers, snacks, and individual sodas/juice boxes.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated!

Let me know if you have visited this site by telling me the secret code, "4th grade rocks" and you will get a prize between now and Friday, August 23rd!  Shhhh, don't tell your classmates the secret code.
 

Welcome to 4th Grade!

I hope that you are enjoying your summer break!  I look forward to meeting you at "Meet the Teacher" on Thursday, August 15th at 4:oo p.m.