Hi,
We had a wonderful first week of 4th grade. The children are doing a great job reviewing and following the school and classroom expectations. We worked on a bunch of academic things as well!
Thank you for returning the forms in the large envelope. A few children still need to send in a photo of themselves taken somewhere in Texas. We will be using these to locate and discuss different places in our state and to remember stories about that place for writing. Please send in the photo by Monday so that we can use them to help our learning and display them. The photo does not need to be from this year. It could be an old photo and it could also be taken at your home. A place that has stories that your child can tell and write about is best.
Reading: We set up expectations for our reading workshop. We have been reading silently each day and began writing reading responses in today. We will write tons of reading responses this year. A reading response is basically writing about the thinking done while reading. At first the children need to include connections, predictions, questions, and thoughts and feelings about what they read. Sometimes they will write a response about the entire book and sometimes their response will be about the chapter or pages that were read. Beginning after Labor Day, your child will need to write a reading response for homework on Mondays, and Tuesdays. I will be modeling more of these and giving the children feedback next week so that they will be ready!
Writing: We set up expectations for our writing workshop also and discuss the uses of our writer's notebooks. We read some books and poems that included great figurative language and lots of details. We read the books like a writer and noticed what the author did so that we can work on that in our own writing. Observations were done on the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the hallway using our senses as well as thinking about a place that is special to us and describing it using details and sensory words. We also wrote a free writing entry today. Some wrote poetry, some started new stories, some added to or extended the writing done earlier this week. Beginning after Labor Day, your child will need to write a writing entry for homework on Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We will talk more about this.
Your child should have brought home their writer's notebook and a blue half-size sheet of paper. Their assignment is to cover the notebook with paper and decorate the cover so that the book represents them. Photos, stickers, drawings, etc... can be used. The rubric has detailed information. They all need to return their writer's notebook on Monday. They can take it home again if they didn't get it decorated yet. Decorated writer's notebooks are due by Thursday, September 2 at the latest. The blue form had the wrong date. Wednesday would be ideal but Thursday is for sure when they have to be done. Thank you for your help with this and email me if you have any questions.
Math: In math we reviewed place value and began working with number patterns and larger numbers. We also solved a challenging problem about cows and chickens. Ask your child about it. Thank you for encouraging your child to work hard in math, turn homework in on time, and to practice facts at home. (addition, subtraction, multiplication) Each night (Monday-Thursday)your child will have a math paper or game to do for homework. It is due the next day.
Science: We are reviewing science safety and safety tools. We are also collecting data for a bioglyph. You will see these on Back to School Night next week. Next week we will begin geography in social studies.
We will go to the library on alternating Mondays starting with Monday, August 27.
Mon. and Wed.-Art/Music
Tues and Thurs-PE days-wear sneakers
Fri-PE and Art/Music-wear sneakers
Send a healthy snack each day and a water bottle.
Dates to remember:
Thursday, September 1-Back to School Parent Information Night at 6:00
Thursday, September 1-Decorated Writer's Notebooks are due
Monday, September 5-No School
Tuesday, September 6-PTA-6:00pm
Friday, September 9-Grandparent Day during lunch time 11:55-12:25
Wednesday, September 14-Early Release Day
Thank you for sharing your child with me. Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
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