Hi,
I attached the study guide for next Tuesday's science test. We haven't covered all of the topics yet but I wanted you to have enough time to go over the material with your child. I pasted some websites on the study guide so eventhough your child will receive a hard copy tomorrow, you may want to use this attached version so that you can get to the websites easily.
We are finishing up our published books! Every child will receive a free hard cover copy of their book. If you would like to order another copy, you need to fill out the form and send it in by Friday. If you didn't turn in a form yet (you need to check that you don't want another copy and sign it) then please do so by Friday.
I also attached a flyer about a service project that one of our staff's high schooler is doing. She is collected gently used coloring books, etc... for children at Dell's Children's Hospital. These items are due on Friday.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great day!!!!
Thanks,
Pam Bartholomew
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Newsletter March 25, 2011
Hi,
We had a talkative but productive week. Spring fever may have hit a few kids a little early. We have a wonderful class but many like to socialize A LOT. We will be having fun in the weeks to come but do still have a lot of work to do for the end of fourth grade. I will give them time to chat but we need to keep working and learning as well.
Our pen pal visit went very well today! We were able to glaze bowls together for the Empty Bowl Project. Reminder-The Empty Bowl project will be on Saturday, April 2 from 11-3 at the First United Methodist Church on Mays St. The Empty Bowl Project will benefit the Round Rock Area Serving Center. We will be having another pen pal visit at our school on Friday, April 8. We will be doing something in the computer lab with them. Many of our pen pals commented to me today about how much they love meeting with your children. They look forward to our visits very much and love interacting with them. You are welcome to join us.
We also visited with our 1st grade reading buddies today and helped them research frogs. Then we read together. Mrs. Garcia told me that her students told their Junior Achievement Teacher who much our class helps them with their reading and how much they appreciate us.
We talked a little today about how much of a positive impact they are having on others (young and old) by working together, being kind and helpful, and basically being themselves. It was nice to hear such positive comments about our class today! You should be proud of your child!
Reading-We discussed media literacy this week and played lots of games to see how producers and advertisers try to persuade us. We also learned that even when reading non-fiction we have to be aware of the author's point of view because the author decides what facts to put in or leave out based on what he/she thinks is important. Someone who loved sharks would write an article with a different feeling and possibly different information than someone who was terrifed of sharks.
Writing-We worked on our published books. A few of us are finished with the writing and illustrating of their books! They go to the publisher soon, so we will be finishing them up this week. We will also do some poetry.
Math-Measurement is still our topic. We will continue to think about appropriate units to use when measuring and solve some problems dealing with measurement. We will also continue to work on area, perimeter, and volume. Transformations (reflections, rotations, and translations) will be coming our way this week as well.
Science-We learned about weather this week and took our test today. (They did well) We will be talking about the sun and moon next week.
We are taking a released math TAKS test on Tuesday and a released reading TAKS test on Wednesday. This will give us information about specific skills that our students are mastering and which ones still need some review.
Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
We had a talkative but productive week. Spring fever may have hit a few kids a little early. We have a wonderful class but many like to socialize A LOT. We will be having fun in the weeks to come but do still have a lot of work to do for the end of fourth grade. I will give them time to chat but we need to keep working and learning as well.
Our pen pal visit went very well today! We were able to glaze bowls together for the Empty Bowl Project. Reminder-The Empty Bowl project will be on Saturday, April 2 from 11-3 at the First United Methodist Church on Mays St. The Empty Bowl Project will benefit the Round Rock Area Serving Center. We will be having another pen pal visit at our school on Friday, April 8. We will be doing something in the computer lab with them. Many of our pen pals commented to me today about how much they love meeting with your children. They look forward to our visits very much and love interacting with them. You are welcome to join us.
We also visited with our 1st grade reading buddies today and helped them research frogs. Then we read together. Mrs. Garcia told me that her students told their Junior Achievement Teacher who much our class helps them with their reading and how much they appreciate us.
We talked a little today about how much of a positive impact they are having on others (young and old) by working together, being kind and helpful, and basically being themselves. It was nice to hear such positive comments about our class today! You should be proud of your child!
Reading-We discussed media literacy this week and played lots of games to see how producers and advertisers try to persuade us. We also learned that even when reading non-fiction we have to be aware of the author's point of view because the author decides what facts to put in or leave out based on what he/she thinks is important. Someone who loved sharks would write an article with a different feeling and possibly different information than someone who was terrifed of sharks.
Writing-We worked on our published books. A few of us are finished with the writing and illustrating of their books! They go to the publisher soon, so we will be finishing them up this week. We will also do some poetry.
Math-Measurement is still our topic. We will continue to think about appropriate units to use when measuring and solve some problems dealing with measurement. We will also continue to work on area, perimeter, and volume. Transformations (reflections, rotations, and translations) will be coming our way this week as well.
Science-We learned about weather this week and took our test today. (They did well) We will be talking about the sun and moon next week.
We are taking a released math TAKS test on Tuesday and a released reading TAKS test on Wednesday. This will give us information about specific skills that our students are mastering and which ones still need some review.
Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
Monday, March 21, 2011
Great Day!
Hi,
We had a wonderful first day of the fourth marking period in fourth grade! We played a game using a balloon, teamwork, and focus to remind us that we need to continue to work hard, work together, and pay attention to our goals so that we can continue to learn everyday from now until the end of the school year and for the rest of our lives.
Everyone was excited to see each other and we talked a lot but worked hard as well.
We are working on measurement in math. Talk to your child about measuring at home whenever possible. Practicing measuring in real-life situations helps in many ways. We have created this chart and refer to it to help us as we measure in class.
Units Tools Types
Inches, feet, miles, Ruler, yard stick, meter stick LENGTH
yards, meters, centimeters, odometer, tape measure, pedometer
kilometers, millimeters
Pounds, ton, ounces, gram, Triple beam balance, scale, WEIGHT or MASS
kilogram, metric ton pan balance
Liter, milliliter, pint, Eye dropper/pipette, CAPACITY/VOLUME
fluid ounces, gallon, quart, graduated cylinder,cup
measuring cups
months, days, weeks, Stop watch, clocks, calendar TIME
minutes, hour, seconds,
years
Fahrenheit, Celsius Thermometer TEMPERATURE
We will be having a science test on Friday. It will be on weather and study guides came home before spring break. Try to watch weather reports on the news this week and discuss some of the terms used.
The students brought home a TV Diary today. They need to record at least one show that they watch and rate it. They also should be describing some commercials. A peper with questions about commercials will be coming home tomorrow. We will be using a PBS website to discuss media literacy and reading information critically.
Our pen pals are coming to school on Friday to glaze their bowls for the Empty Bowl project on April 2. Feel free to come and visit with our wonderful pen pals.
Rising Star Entries are due on April 1. Artwork, poetry, and narratives can be submitted. Three pieces from each category will be selected by each grade level. We will be having a Rising Star Night in May. Encourage your student to submit some of their great pieces.
Writing Club-on Thursday afterschool in the library!
Have a great week and I'm glad that everyone had a nice spring break.
Sincerely,
Pam
We had a wonderful first day of the fourth marking period in fourth grade! We played a game using a balloon, teamwork, and focus to remind us that we need to continue to work hard, work together, and pay attention to our goals so that we can continue to learn everyday from now until the end of the school year and for the rest of our lives.
Everyone was excited to see each other and we talked a lot but worked hard as well.
We are working on measurement in math. Talk to your child about measuring at home whenever possible. Practicing measuring in real-life situations helps in many ways. We have created this chart and refer to it to help us as we measure in class.
Units Tools Types
Inches, feet, miles, Ruler, yard stick, meter stick LENGTH
yards, meters, centimeters, odometer, tape measure, pedometer
kilometers, millimeters
Pounds, ton, ounces, gram, Triple beam balance, scale, WEIGHT or MASS
kilogram, metric ton pan balance
Liter, milliliter, pint, Eye dropper/pipette, CAPACITY/VOLUME
fluid ounces, gallon, quart, graduated cylinder,cup
measuring cups
months, days, weeks, Stop watch, clocks, calendar TIME
minutes, hour, seconds,
years
Fahrenheit, Celsius Thermometer TEMPERATURE
We will be having a science test on Friday. It will be on weather and study guides came home before spring break. Try to watch weather reports on the news this week and discuss some of the terms used.
The students brought home a TV Diary today. They need to record at least one show that they watch and rate it. They also should be describing some commercials. A peper with questions about commercials will be coming home tomorrow. We will be using a PBS website to discuss media literacy and reading information critically.
Our pen pals are coming to school on Friday to glaze their bowls for the Empty Bowl project on April 2. Feel free to come and visit with our wonderful pen pals.
Rising Star Entries are due on April 1. Artwork, poetry, and narratives can be submitted. Three pieces from each category will be selected by each grade level. We will be having a Rising Star Night in May. Encourage your student to submit some of their great pieces.
Writing Club-on Thursday afterschool in the library!
Have a great week and I'm glad that everyone had a nice spring break.
Sincerely,
Pam
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Reminders-Cereal Box Biography due Wednesday, Early Release on Wednesday, SS test on Friday, then Spring Break
Hi,
Our cereal box biographies are due tomorrow. The websites that we used in class are on our webpage under the reading/writing links section. There is also a website that helps with making bibliographies called citation maker.
The project can be typed but doesn't have to be typed. Neatly handwritten is completely fine.
Three sources should have been used to find information. If you need to find a library book that your child used, you can find the bibliographical information can be found on I-Bistro which is the online catalog for our library. Look on the library webpage.
Because the each person in class researched one of four people, we will be breaking into small groups and sharing projects. We will rotate groups at least two times. We will try to start tomorrow but due to early release and a reading benchmark, we may not get many done.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Pam Bartholomew
Our cereal box biographies are due tomorrow. The websites that we used in class are on our webpage under the reading/writing links section. There is also a website that helps with making bibliographies called citation maker.
The project can be typed but doesn't have to be typed. Neatly handwritten is completely fine.
Three sources should have been used to find information. If you need to find a library book that your child used, you can find the bibliographical information can be found on I-Bistro which is the online catalog for our library. Look on the library webpage.
Because the each person in class researched one of four people, we will be breaking into small groups and sharing projects. We will rotate groups at least two times. We will try to start tomorrow but due to early release and a reading benchmark, we may not get many done.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Pam Bartholomew
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Happy Texas Independence Day!!!!!
Hi,
Happy Texas Independence Day! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
In Social Studies we are learning about The Republic of Texas and Statehood. We will be having a test on this material on Friday, March 11. Look for papers about these topics coming home to use to study. I will send a study guide home this Friday.
We have been researching at school for our cereal box biography projects. Many of the students are taking great notes looking in books, at websites that I bookmarked, and even using some info. from Brainpop.com. We will continue researching in school on Thursday and Friday. They need to have information from at least three sources. Most of the students will finish their research at school and many have already begun working on their timelines, summaries, etc... for their finished cereal box project. After Friday, we will not be using school time to work on this project. They are due on Wed. March 9. Each student will be presenting their project to the class.
We are beginning to work on our individual published books. The children are creating anthologies using their writing from this year. They will be sent to the publisher and created into hard bound books. Thursday folders will have order forms if you would like to order extra copies of your child's book. The pages that he/she makes in school will be bound into a FREE book for you but you are welcome to order extra copies as well. Please return the form, signed whether you want to purchase a copy or not. Remember each child will receive one FREE copy.
Dates to remember:
Saturday, March 5-Explore UT in Austin-http://www.utexas.edu/features/2011/02/28/explore_ut2011/
Wednesday, March 9-Cereal Box Biographies are due-Early Release Day
Friday, March 11-Hoe Down for k-2, Cookout at lunch time (not eating outdoors), SS test on The Republic of Texas and Statehood, Beginning of Spring Break
Friday, March 25-Pen Pals coming to Forest Creek to glaze our bowls for the Empty Bowl Project
Saturday, April 2-Empty Bowl Project
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
Happy Texas Independence Day! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
In Social Studies we are learning about The Republic of Texas and Statehood. We will be having a test on this material on Friday, March 11. Look for papers about these topics coming home to use to study. I will send a study guide home this Friday.
We have been researching at school for our cereal box biography projects. Many of the students are taking great notes looking in books, at websites that I bookmarked, and even using some info. from Brainpop.com. We will continue researching in school on Thursday and Friday. They need to have information from at least three sources. Most of the students will finish their research at school and many have already begun working on their timelines, summaries, etc... for their finished cereal box project. After Friday, we will not be using school time to work on this project. They are due on Wed. March 9. Each student will be presenting their project to the class.
We are beginning to work on our individual published books. The children are creating anthologies using their writing from this year. They will be sent to the publisher and created into hard bound books. Thursday folders will have order forms if you would like to order extra copies of your child's book. The pages that he/she makes in school will be bound into a FREE book for you but you are welcome to order extra copies as well. Please return the form, signed whether you want to purchase a copy or not. Remember each child will receive one FREE copy.
Dates to remember:
Saturday, March 5-Explore UT in Austin-http://www.utexas.edu/features/2011/02/28/explore_ut2011/
Wednesday, March 9-Cereal Box Biographies are due-Early Release Day
Friday, March 11-Hoe Down for k-2, Cookout at lunch time (not eating outdoors), SS test on The Republic of Texas and Statehood, Beginning of Spring Break
Friday, March 25-Pen Pals coming to Forest Creek to glaze our bowls for the Empty Bowl Project
Saturday, April 2-Empty Bowl Project
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Reminder-TAKS Writing Test on Tuesday Yeah!!!!
As you know, TAKS writing in on Tuesday, March 1 for 4th graders. Your children are ready to show off their great writing skills and strategies.
Thank you for encouraging your child to do his/her best, take their time, take breaks as needed, and work hard.
Be sure to have your child get a good night's sleep on Monday evening and a healthy breakfast on Tuesday morning. Send a healthy snack or two to keep them going throughtout the day. I will provide some trail mix (cheerios, goldfish crackers, raisins, pretzels, M&M's) in small bags. Would someone like to donate small bottles of water? Let me know ASAP.
Remember that NO VISITORS will be allowed on campus on Tuesday and no one is allowed to drop off lunch for their child that day. Thank you for helping us with test security.
Most of let your child know how proud you are of their progress in writing this year. They all write with great details, good sequencing, strong words, and thoughtful reflections! I am certainly proud of all of their hard work!
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
Thank you for encouraging your child to do his/her best, take their time, take breaks as needed, and work hard.
Be sure to have your child get a good night's sleep on Monday evening and a healthy breakfast on Tuesday morning. Send a healthy snack or two to keep them going throughtout the day. I will provide some trail mix (cheerios, goldfish crackers, raisins, pretzels, M&M's) in small bags. Would someone like to donate small bottles of water? Let me know ASAP.
Remember that NO VISITORS will be allowed on campus on Tuesday and no one is allowed to drop off lunch for their child that day. Thank you for helping us with test security.
Most of let your child know how proud you are of their progress in writing this year. They all write with great details, good sequencing, strong words, and thoughtful reflections! I am certainly proud of all of their hard work!
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Newsletter-February 21, 2011
Hi,
We had a wonderful time at writing camp! The kids worked so hard on their writing and did a great job. Thank you to everyone who donated time and/or items to help make our camp a success. The students loved receiving camp mail from you and thought our classroom looked awesome.
Each morning we started our day with camp songs with the entire fourth grade in the cafeteria. We had a guest reader on Tuesday. (Ask your child about Oraha Mae) Mrs. Lunkin and Mrs. Lehnick both talked to us about writing as well.
On Tuesday we did prewriting to gather our ideas, made a plan, and drafted a composition about a time when we were brave. We watched some Brainpop and Barry Lane videos about writing strategies and read some books with great writing to use as mentor texts. We also did a science demonstration with stream tables in the science lab with Mrs. Harper's class. We learned more about weathering, erosion, and deposition.
On Wednesday, we did prewriting to gather our ideas, made a plan, and drafted a composition about a time when we had an adventure. We wrote and practiced strategies like Show, not Tell, Explode the Moment, Use Strong Words, Use Thoughtshots and Feelings to engage the reader, etc... We also watched a movie about erosion and landforms.
Then on Thursday we read over both of our drafts and chose one of them to publish. We continued to revise and used our toolbox of writing strategies to be sure we were using our strategies and tools in our drafts. I conferenced with most of the children everyday (at least once a day) and we talked about all the wonderful things in their writing drafts and ideas for improvement. We also began editing for correct capitalization, punctuation, usage, and spelling. Some students began their final copies and/or created a cover for their story while they were waiting for a conference. Mrs. Brandt's kindergarten class came to visit our camp and brought us bat notes. They let us read our drafts for them and asked us questions about our writing.
Then on Friday, we continued to revise and edit our drafts, work on our final copies, and on our covers. We had a wonderful assembly about Africa and then came back and wrote some more. We had a visit from our first grade reading buddies in Mrs. Garcia's class. They also wrote us notes and we read our writing to them. After specials we were ready for our Writing Camp Celebration! Thank you all of the parents and grandparents who were able to attend. We all sat around our campfire while many of the children shared their creative, detailed, focused writing and everyone, at least, told us about their topic. We ended camp with some smores! I am so proud of the children and their hard work. They wrote some of their best pieces this week. They wrote with focus so they stayed on topic. They added thoughts, feelings, and details that helped the reader connect with the writer and feel like he/she was there. They made sure to tell the setting (when and where the story was taking place) and added some reflection at the end. (what did I learn from this experience, what did I notice or realize, what will I always remember) I was very impressed with the way they pulled together all of the strategies that we have been practicing this year and I am excited for them to be able to show off all their hard work on the Writing TAKS on Tuesday, March 1.
This week we will be continuing to practice writing skills and strategies. We will begin researching as a class on topics dealing with Civil Rights and Discrimination. We will be learning about 3D solids in math and weathering, erosion, and deposition in science. There will be a science study guide coming home tomorrow and a test on Thursday. We also will be having the ICAN students from University of Texas coming in to work with us tomorrow.
Dates to Remember:
Return TAKS writing form ASAP
ICAN activity=Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Writing Club afterschool=Thursday, February 24, 2011=2:45-4:00pm (Pick up at back car rider line)
FCE Service Club meeting=Monday, February 28= 2:45-4:00 pm
Writing TAKS for fourth graders=Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Cook-out for lunch and Hoe Down for K-2=Friday, March 11, 2011 (12:05-12:35 lunch)
Spring Break=March 14-18, 2011
Pen Pals to Forest Creek on Friday, March 25 to glaze our bowls
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
We had a wonderful time at writing camp! The kids worked so hard on their writing and did a great job. Thank you to everyone who donated time and/or items to help make our camp a success. The students loved receiving camp mail from you and thought our classroom looked awesome.
Each morning we started our day with camp songs with the entire fourth grade in the cafeteria. We had a guest reader on Tuesday. (Ask your child about Oraha Mae) Mrs. Lunkin and Mrs. Lehnick both talked to us about writing as well.
On Tuesday we did prewriting to gather our ideas, made a plan, and drafted a composition about a time when we were brave. We watched some Brainpop and Barry Lane videos about writing strategies and read some books with great writing to use as mentor texts. We also did a science demonstration with stream tables in the science lab with Mrs. Harper's class. We learned more about weathering, erosion, and deposition.
On Wednesday, we did prewriting to gather our ideas, made a plan, and drafted a composition about a time when we had an adventure. We wrote and practiced strategies like Show, not Tell, Explode the Moment, Use Strong Words, Use Thoughtshots and Feelings to engage the reader, etc... We also watched a movie about erosion and landforms.
Then on Thursday we read over both of our drafts and chose one of them to publish. We continued to revise and used our toolbox of writing strategies to be sure we were using our strategies and tools in our drafts. I conferenced with most of the children everyday (at least once a day) and we talked about all the wonderful things in their writing drafts and ideas for improvement. We also began editing for correct capitalization, punctuation, usage, and spelling. Some students began their final copies and/or created a cover for their story while they were waiting for a conference. Mrs. Brandt's kindergarten class came to visit our camp and brought us bat notes. They let us read our drafts for them and asked us questions about our writing.
Then on Friday, we continued to revise and edit our drafts, work on our final copies, and on our covers. We had a wonderful assembly about Africa and then came back and wrote some more. We had a visit from our first grade reading buddies in Mrs. Garcia's class. They also wrote us notes and we read our writing to them. After specials we were ready for our Writing Camp Celebration! Thank you all of the parents and grandparents who were able to attend. We all sat around our campfire while many of the children shared their creative, detailed, focused writing and everyone, at least, told us about their topic. We ended camp with some smores! I am so proud of the children and their hard work. They wrote some of their best pieces this week. They wrote with focus so they stayed on topic. They added thoughts, feelings, and details that helped the reader connect with the writer and feel like he/she was there. They made sure to tell the setting (when and where the story was taking place) and added some reflection at the end. (what did I learn from this experience, what did I notice or realize, what will I always remember) I was very impressed with the way they pulled together all of the strategies that we have been practicing this year and I am excited for them to be able to show off all their hard work on the Writing TAKS on Tuesday, March 1.
This week we will be continuing to practice writing skills and strategies. We will begin researching as a class on topics dealing with Civil Rights and Discrimination. We will be learning about 3D solids in math and weathering, erosion, and deposition in science. There will be a science study guide coming home tomorrow and a test on Thursday. We also will be having the ICAN students from University of Texas coming in to work with us tomorrow.
Dates to Remember:
Return TAKS writing form ASAP
ICAN activity=Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Writing Club afterschool=Thursday, February 24, 2011=2:45-4:00pm (Pick up at back car rider line)
FCE Service Club meeting=Monday, February 28= 2:45-4:00 pm
Writing TAKS for fourth graders=Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Cook-out for lunch and Hoe Down for K-2=Friday, March 11, 2011 (12:05-12:35 lunch)
Spring Break=March 14-18, 2011
Pen Pals to Forest Creek on Friday, March 25 to glaze our bowls
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
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