Week of 1/5/15

Highlights for the Week of 1/5/15

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the final / ē / Sound
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday,1/9. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Unit 1 - Courage
The final story that we will read in the Courage unit is a biographical piece about baseball player Lou Gehrig. While studying this text we will continue to hone our close reading skills and focus on identifying statements that are facts and statements that are opinions. A statement of fact can be proven by looking it up in a reference source. A statement of opinion tells what a person thinks, believes or feels.

English - Explanatory Essays

Students will work in partners to respond to the prompt, "What Would You Have a Robot Do?". They will use the techniques of brainstorming and organizing ideas that we practiced as a group. Then, they will use the explanatory organizer to format their ideas and to write their rough drafts. Finally, they will conference with teachers before writing their final copies.

Social Studies - Native Americans of the Southeast

We will begin our study of the Cherokee people. Students will learn about the traditions and culture of this Native American group that originated in the Southeast. On Tuesday, we will have our "Southeast Feast" when students will sample the resources of the region, including peaches, corn, rice & orange juice.

Science - "How do the Bodies of Animals Help Them Meet their Needs?"

Animal adaptations is the next topic that we will study in Science. We will begin with an investigation that takes a look at how the shape of a bird's beak  determines the type of food it eats.  

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 7 - Number Sense: Multiplying by 2-Digit Numbers
Our new unit begins with a look at using arrays and mental math to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. Then, we will move on to using rounding and compatible numbers to estimate and how to solve a problem that has multiple steps. This is a short unit, and I am anticipating that students will take the Topic 7 TEST the week of 1/12.

Don't Forget...

Students will be taking the MAPS test during the week of 1/5. Our class will take the reading test on Wednesday, & the math test on Friday. Please encourage your child to do his/her best on the test, and be sure that he/she comes to school well rested. Thank you!

Wishing you & your family a happy, safe & relaxing 
holiday break!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/15/14

Highlights for the Week 

of 12/15/14 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the /k/, /ng/ & /kw/ Sounds
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 12/19. Spelling homework on Google classroom is also due that day.

Reading - The 12 Labors of Heracles
It has been such a pleasure for me to watch students create the slides for their presentation on the Labors of Heracles. They have learned a great deal about how to use the Presentation software to create interesting slides. I look forward to the presentations, which will take place on Monday, 12/15.

English - Explanatory Writing - "What Type of Animal Makes a Good House Pet?"
We will continue writing our first explanatory essay together. After studying types of support and transitions, we will write the final draft of the essay. We will continue this unit after winter break.

Social Studies - The Southeast

The Southeast slide presentations are scheduled for Wednesday, 12/17. Students will be graded on the content of their slide presentation, and on their presentation skills. Ask your child to see the copy of the rater for details. We will also work together to complete the Southeast portion of our United States maps.

Science - "How do the Bodies of Animals Help Them Meet their Needs?"

Animal adaptations is the next topic that we will study in Science. We will begin with an investigation that takes a look at how the shape of a bird's beak  determines the type of food it eats.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - T6 - "Developing Fluency: Multiplying by 1-Digit Numbers"
The Topic 6 TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 12/18. We will review for the test on Monday by taking the online version of the test in the classroom.

I often assign videos from the Pearson website as homework. Having students preview concepts by watching a video ("Flipping the Classroom") enables us to spend more time in class practicing the concept. Students should consider watching the video as important as completing any other homework assignment. I am able to monitor who does and does not watch the video. If your child is unable to watch a video due to an issue with technology (slow to load, lost internet connection, etc.) please send me an email/note to let me know that he/she was unable to to complete his/her homework due to circumstances beyond his/her control. Late slips will be given to students who do not view the assigned video for any other reason.

Don't Forget...

December 16 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00

January 5 -- Classes Resume after Winter Break

The Fourth grade BOWLING field trip is the afternoon of Wednesday, 12/17.  Students may bring a small amount of money to purchase snacks while bowling. Brunswick is offering a concession special of 2 slices of cheese pizza and a 16 oz. drink for $3.00. 

The "all-school" field trip to the TIVOLI Movie theater will be the afternoon of Friday, 12/19. Students will enjoy watching "Miracle on 34th Street". No money is necessary; snacks will not be available.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/8/14

Highlights for the Week of 12/8/14

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Review Lesson
This week's spelling list will contain 30 words from the second theme in our reading text. Words will be chosen from lessons 8-12. Students must score 100% on the pretest to earn challenge work for the week. The final test will be on Friday, 12/12, and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework will also be collected on Friday.

Reading - Courage Unit - The 12 Labors of Hercules
We will be digging deeper into mythology with a project about the labors of Hercules. The twelve labors will be divided between students, and they will be responsible for creating a slide presentation about the labor, and for presenting it to the class. Some students will work with partners, and others will work individually. Presentations will take place the week of 12/15.

English - Nouns

The nouns TEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/9. The textbook is a helpful resource when preparing for the test. The nouns chapter is found in the text on pages 63-94. Included in these pages are lesson specific reviews. We will be taking a break from parts of speech with the next unit in English, which will be Explanatory Writing. Explanatory writing is text written to give information, or to explain a topic. We will begin exploring this topic by writing an essay about what type of animal makes the best house pet.

Social Studies - The Southeast

We will wrap up our study of the Southeast with a slide show project. Students will collaborate with partners to create a slide show/scrapbook that highlights information about the land forms, climate and resources of the Southeast. Students will be given time in school to work on the project, but will also have to complete work at home. The slide show presentations are scheduled for Monday, 12/15.

Science - Chapter 2 Test / "How do the Bodies of Animals Help Them Meet their Needs?"
Students will take the science TEST on Monday, 12/8. The test will cover chapter 2, lessons 2-3. Tests in science are not open book/note. Your child was given a study guide to help him/her prepare for the test. The next unit in Science will focus on Animal Adaptations.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 6 - "Developing Fluency: Multiplying by 1-Digit Numbers"
Using expanded and standard algorithms for multiplication and multiplying 2-, 3- and 4-digit by 1-digit numbers will be our topics for next week. Look for the TEST for Topic 6 to be scheduled the week of 12/14.

Don't forget...

Field Trip forms & fees are due on 12/12.

"Collaborating with Chromebooks"

Pictures of students working together to create responses to 

text-dependent questions from the myth, "Athena & Arachne"

Mrs. Karen Bell