Week of 1/27/14 - 1/31/14

Highlights for the Week of 1/27/14

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Theme 4 Review

This week's spelling list will contain 30 words from the 4th theme in our reading text. Words will be chosen from lessons 15-17. Students must score 100% on the pretest to earn challenge work for the week. The final test will be on Friday, 1/31, and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework will also be collected on Friday.

Reading - I Can Identify the Problem and Solution
This week, we will continue working on the reading target of identifying the problem and the solution. Most stories involve a problem for the character to solve, and the solution to the problem may come after many others have been tried. We will be reading the novel, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (a favorite of mine!), as we practice this skill, and many of our reading strategies over the next few weeks.

English- Adjectives

The Monster Paragraph project is due on Monday, 1/27. We will continue our study of adjectives with a look at the correct usage of the adjectives, "a, an & the", & how to make comparisons using adjectives. 



Social Studies - The Midwest - Beautiful Midwest Farms
We will continue to focus on how agriculture impacts the economy in the Midwest. The chapter 8 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 2/4.

Science - The Human Body / How Does Your Body Think & Move?

Dem bones, dem bones...the skeletal system & muscular system will continue to be our focus this week. Students will be taking an open note/book  QUIZ on lesson 2 of chapter 4 on Thursday, 1/30. 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 6 - Divide by a 1-Digit Number

We will begin the week with a look at dividing greater numbers (three & four-digit numbers). Students will take a QUIZ on lessons 7-9 of Unit 6 on Wednesday, 1/29. At the end of the week we will take a look at quotients with zeros and solving multi-step word problems. We will also be implementing a new approach to learning called "Flip the Classroom". Flip teaching (or flipped classroom) is a form of blended learning in which students learn content online by watching video lectures at home, and what used to be homework (assigned problems) is then done in class with the teacher providing personalized guidance and interacting with students. I plan to implement this technique slowly, working towards using 1-2 video per week when students are familiar with the process. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Don't Forget...

January 24 - PV Bingo Night
January 27 - In-school presentation, "Wheels, Levers & Pulleys"
January 27 - Classroom Spelling Bee (Practice)
January 28 - Classroom Spelling Bee (Winner & First Runner Up compete in 4th Grade Bee on 1/30)



Mrs. Karen Bell