4th+Grade+Blog

The following was originally published November 1, 2010 at []


 * Friday, November 5** T6W1 Spelling Test
 * Friday, November 12** T6W2 Spelling Test and Theme 6 Reading Test
 * Friday, November 19** Field Trip to Earthworks - All Day!
 * Monday, November 22** Nonfiction book report due
 * Wednesday, November 24 - Friday, November 26** No School

The book report is due on Monday, November 22. Please check the documents page for the rubric and information regarding this project. This project is done at home.
 * Nonfiction Book Report**


 * Reading**

We start a new theme this week discussing //The Land Shapes People’s Lives//. The guiding question is: How does geography influence how people live across the United States? Our comprehension focus will be Synthesizing. In addition, students will study homonyms in the word study. Click here for games to practice homonyms. Students will also work on fluency by using punctuation to inform meaning.

This week's words focus on homonyms, words that sound alike but are spelled and mean something different. The weekly worksheet is still posted on the documents page. Student will be given the words in a sentence and must spell the correct word for a traditional list test.
 * Spelling**

To further our discussion on non-fiction/expository texts, students will spend this week practicing writing a research report about a region in the United States. These skills will be transferable to their non-fiction project.
 * Writing**

This week we continue our Earthwork's curriculum with learning about habitats and how energy moves throughout the food chain.
 * Science**

Please help encourage your student to read each night for 15 to 20 minutes! Send back the weekly reading log in Monday's folder. If you need an additional one, please go to the documents page.
 * Red Carpet Readers**

Need to look up more information about books? See the new widget on the blog sidebar! The //**Book Wizard**// will give you information about a book you want to read or have already read. If you want more information about a book go to this [|link.]Try the BookAlike feature that has you type in books that you like and it gives you more suggestions!
 * Book Wizard**

The following was originally published September 7, 2010 at http://pre4th.blogspot.com/2010/09/weekly-update-for-98-913.html __**Weekly Update for September 8 and September 13**__

Monday, September 6 & Tuesday, September 7 - No School - Enjoy your LONG weekend! Friday, September 10 - Nutrition Food Party Tuesday, September 14 & Wednesday, September 15 Fall MAPS testing in morning Friday, September 17 Theme 2 Reading Test and Theme 2 Week 2 spelling test Friday, September 17 - Earthworks donations due Friday, September 24 Lap-a-thon, Spelling Test T3W1
 * __Important Dates__**

__**Reading**__ We are finishing about immigrants and why people moved to the United States this week! Students will wrap up learning about the two comprehension strategies of determining importance and making connections. We will continue to work on these skills throughout the year, yet as review.

The theme 2 test will be on Friday, September 17. __**Spelling**__ The spelling words were sent home today. Each student has a sheet with the words and activities to do. This is posted on the documents page.

If you need ideas on how to study at night, please check out this site.

__**Science**__ This week students will continue to evaluate the food groups, the serving sizes, and what nutrients the food groups provide. On Friday, September 10, students are asked to bring in a healthy snack for themselves or for the class. We will categorize the foods brought in and enjoy the wide variety of nutrients!!

Starting Monday, September 13, each class will start a study of a particular unit. Mrs. Viets' class will learn about Natural Resources Mrs. Shaffer's class will learn about Rocks and Minerals Mrs. Porras' class will learn about the States of Matter Mrs. Mulvihill's class will learn about Changes to Earth's Surface

__**Earthworks**__ We are planning on going to Earthworks on November 19. Please see the [|blog post] regarding donations. The donations are due by September 17. If you know you would like to donate and need to donate after this date, please let your teacher know. We are trying to determine if we can raise the money by donations or if we also need to fundraise as a 4th grade.

Thank you for helping make this possible! This field trip is not just one day; it is the 6 weeks leading up and the memories of that day will last for a long time!


 * Please remember to sign all tests to let us know you saw it and the students get a ticket. Thanks!**

The following was originally published August 30, 2010 at http://pre4th.blogspot.com/2010/08/weekly-update-8302010.html This week in Rigby students are learning about immigrants and reading stories about Ellis Island. A great talking point with your kids will be about your family's heritage.
 * Ellis Island**

Tuesday, August 31 - Picture Day Friday, September 3- Spelling Test Theme 2 Week 1 Monday, September 6 & Tuesday, September 7 - No School - Enjoy your LONG weekend! Friday, September 10 - Nutrition Food Party Tuesday, September 14 & Wednesday, September 15 Fall MAPS testing in morning Friday, September 17 Theme 2 Reading Test and Theme 2 Week 2 spelling test Friday, September 17 - Earthworks donations due
 * __Important Dates__**


 * __Spelling__**

The spelling words were sent home today. Each student has a sheet with the words and activities to do. This is posted on the documents page.
 * __Reading__**

We are now on Theme 2. This theme is focusing on the skills of determining importance, consonant blends, and strategic listening. Students are continuing to learn about immigrants and why people moved to the United States.

This week we start a unit on nutrition! Students will be learning about the food groups, portion sizes, and the nutrients we need from each food group. Please use this as a time to discuss with your kids good choices on eating. There will not be a test at the end of the unit, instead a nutrition food party. Look for a note coming home in the Monday folder!
 * __Science__**

Please review the previous blog for information on [|Earthworks.]

We have made a slight change in our daily schedule. Due to the need for more time in science and social studies due to a state assessment for science in the spring, we have moved writing to the morning and science to the afternoon. This will also allow us to integrate reading and writing more closely! The reading/writing block will now be 2 hours! Please see the updated schedule here.
 * __Change in Daily Schedule__**

The following was originally published August 16, 2010 at http://pre4th.blogspot.com/2010/08/weekly-update-8162010.html

As one way of communicating, we will post the weekly newsletter and information on the 4th grade blog. Please check this every Monday to gain further knowledge of what we are doing in 4th grade!


 * __Important Dates__**
 * Thursday, August 19 -** //6:45 Parent Information Night//
 * Friday, August 20 -** //Spelling Test (Theme 1 Week 1 - Short Vowels)//
 * Friday, August 27 -** //Theme 1 Reading Test, MAPS Quiz, Theme 1 Week 2 Spelling Test (Initial Consonants)//

__**Reading**__ This week we start first theme in Rigby Literacy by Design. This week we start the theme //American Dreams//. In addition, we are working on the reading comprehension skills of **Making Connections** as well as the listening skill of **precise listening**. Students will also be discussing **short vowels** each day. The short vowel lessons correspond with the spelling list this week.

__**Spelling**__ Expect to see a spelling list come home on Monday to study for the test on Friday. We will explain more about spelling at Parent Info Night. Please visit the [|Documents page] to find a copy of the spelling words and worksheet. Students are expected to write down the spelling words in their agenda.

Need ideas of how to study for spelling? Check out Mrs. Viets' site for more ideas!

__**Math**__ The first twenty lessons of Saxon are mainly review, so we will go through them two lessons at a time. We will begin ability grouping after those twenty lessons. Ability groups will be determined by last year’s state assessment scores, as well as the pre-assessment given by Saxon.

__**Writing**__ This week we are working on I am Poems. These poems have the students explore who they are, what they like to do, and express it in a poem format. Look for them at Parent Info Night! __**Social Studies**__ This week we start a two week unit on MAPS. This unit has students learning about directions, latitude, longitude, and using maps of the United States to locate physical and political features. The quiz over this unit will be on Friday, August 27.
 * __Parent Info Night__**
 * When:** Thursday, August 19
 * Time:** 6:45
 * Where:**4th/5th Grade Pod

After a short presentation by your 4th grade team of teachers, we will disperse to the classrooms. //If you are unable to make it, the packet will be sent home on Monday.//

//Have a great week!//

//Reminder- please check agenda's each night! Thank you! :)//

The following was originally published August 10, 2010 at http://pre4th.blogspot.com/2010/08/welcome-to-2010-2011.html
 * 2010-2011**

We can't wait to meet our students and parents!!