Week of 4/30/18

Highlights for the Weeks of 4/30/18
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Contractions

This week's spelling list consists of contractions, which are words resulting from shortening an original form. The vocabulary focus will be on types of figurative language. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 5/4

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys" - A Poetic Journey

We will begin our poetry unit with a look at author's viewpoint through the eyes of poet Shel Silverstein. We will also revisit first and third person point of view. This will be followed by a look at characteristics of poems. We will discuss and review poetic elements such as rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. Types of poetry (for example lyric poem, haiku or ode), will also be discussed. 

Social Studies - The Southwest
The chapter 10 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 5/2.  Please see the study guide that was sent home for areas that your child should focus on when preparing for the test.

Science - How Does Your Body Think & Move?

Students will participate in an activity that asks the question, "Why Do Your Biceps Bulge? " They will construct a "robot finger" that models how bones and muscles work together to create movement.

We will learn about electricity and magnets when the SciTech Hands-On Museum comes for an in-school field trip on 5/2.

The Invention Convention was a HUGE hit! I loved seeing the creative ideas of our young scientists. A big THANK YOU to parents for supporting your child's efforts with this project!

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 7 - Division & Decimal

We will revisit multiplying mixed numbers and fractions this week. A CHECKPOINT is scheduled for 5/2. Look for the Unit 6 test to be scheduled for the week of 5/7. 

Students have been learning about the hierarchy of polygons. Below are some photos of mathematicians working together to classify quadrilaterals based on their characteristics.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 4/23/18

Highlights for the Weeks of 4/23/2018
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Latin Roots: port, form, trans & flex
This week's test will contain words with the Latin roots listed above. We will learn the definitions of the roots and study words that contain them. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 4/27.

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys" - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

We will finish reading the novel this week and spend some time reflecting on the various themes of the text. Students will take an open book QUIZ on chapters 15-18 of the novel on Monday, 4/23. 

Social Studies - The Southwest

Resources of the Southwest is the topic for this week in Social Studies. Students will learn how oil impacts the economy and how the technology industry is present in many locations in the region. 

The brochure is due on 4/23 which means it should be SUBMITTED to Google Classroom by 7:00 that morning.  I'd like to share some pictures of students working on the project in class. It is truly a pleasure for me to observe the progress they have made in working independently on technology projects. They certainly have come a long way since September...

Science - Invention Convention
Inventions are due on 4/24. Students will present their inventions on 4/25. They should be able to speak about their invention and to demonstrate how it works. All inventions will be on display for Open House on 4/26.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 6 - Graphing, Geometry & Volume 

The Classifying Shapes CHECKPOINT is scheduled for Tuesday, 4/24. Students should study their shapes hierarchy and review characteristics of triangles and polygons to prepare for the quiz. Volume will be the next concept that we will look at. 

FYI...

Bring the Change Spirit Week- April 23rd- April 27th!
Prairieview is raising money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation while raising school spirit! Bring change for a great cause and wear something fun!  

Monday- PJ Penny Day (wear your pajamas and bring in pennies)
Tuesday- Neon Nickels Day (wear bright colors and bring in nickels)
Wednesday- Dazzling Dimes Day (wear something shiny or unique and bring dimes)
Thursday- Crazy Quarters Day (wear crazy socks or a hat and bring quarters)
Friday- Team up for Leukemia (wear team jerseys or colors and bring all coins)

4/26 - PV Open House / Book Fair - 6:30 - 8:00

We look forward to seeing you at the Prairieview Open House on Thursday, 4/26 from 6:30 to 8:00. The students have been working hard to create a "Southwestern Fiesta" in the Fourth-grade wing. Be sure to ask your child to show you his/her Midwest Look Book, and all of the other work (including inventions) displayed in our room. Don't forget to stop at the book fair in the gym!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 4/16/18

Highlights for the Weeks of 4/16/18
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 26 - Words that end in "-el", "-al" and "-le"

Words that end in "-el", "-al" and "-le" are on the list this week. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 4/20.

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys" - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Students will take an open book QUIZ on chapters 7-10 of the novel on Tuesday, 4/17. We will be reading through chapter 18 of the novel in school this week.

We will also read a Time for Kids magazine in which the main article focuses on how the National Aquarium in Baltimore is preparing to move its dolphins to a more natural habitat. The comprehension QUIZ for the TFK is scheduled for Thursday, 4/19.

Social Studies - The Southwest
Research for the brochure project will continue. The projects are due and must be submitted on or before 4/23.




Science - "How Does Your Body Get Nutrients & Oxygen?"
The skeletal and muscular systems are our focus this week. Below are some photos of an activity in which students tested their reaction time to a ruler being dropped between their fingertips. They learned that their reaction time decreased with each repetition because their brain was learning to respond more quickly. Ask your child to try the "dollar bill trick" with you!

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 6 - Graphing, Geometry & Volume
PARCC testing will take up most of our math time this week (please see the "FYI" section below for the schedule). On Friday we will continue our study of how to classify quadrilaterals.

We used a new learning game called "Showdown" to review characteristics of triangles and quadrilaterals. The game stresses collaboration, communication, and cooperation. Below are photos of students working together to answer the questions that I prepared.

FYI...

4/17 - Early Dismissal / Students dismissed at 11:00

PARCC testing will continue this week. The schedule is as follows: 4/16 - Math #2, 4/18 - Math #3, 4/19 - Math #4. All testing will be in the morning. Please make sure that your child comes to school each day with a fully charged Chromebook and headphones. 

Your child will be able to do his/her best when he/she is well rested and has had a healthy breakfast before coming to school. There will be no time for a snack before the tests, as we are taking them first thing in the morning. And just a reminder that our classroom motto is..."Don't stress - just do your BEST!"

Sometimes we just need a moment to relax and to have a "soft start" to our day. Homeroom students were given the opportunity to wind down after testing by playing a game, reading a book or just visiting with a friend. These few minutes helped them to relax and get ready for the rest of their day. As you can see, they enjoyed the time to just be kids!

Mrs. Karen Bell