The "Buzz" from Mrs. Bell's Class

Week of 1/30/12-2/3/12

2012-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/30/12 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Review Lesson
This week's spelling list will contain 30 words from the 3rd & 4th theme in our reading text. Words will be chosen from lessons 15-18. Students must score 100% on the pretest to earn challenge work for the week. The final test will be on Friday, 2/3, and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework will also be collected on Friday.

Reading - I Can Summarize
The reading strategy that we will be studying this week is summarizing. When reading passages, it is not necessary to recall every word. Instead, we will practice using main ideas and supporting evidence to summarize a passage. While reading, a good reader finds the main ideas, whether they are stated or implied. Then, the reader must find supporting evidence to support the main idea. This support may be in the form of details, examples, explanations or descriptions. We will continue our novel study of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing while practicing this skill.

English- Expository Writing

Students will begin independently writing an expository essay that responds to the prompt, "Who is Your Hero?". They will brainstorm and organize their ideas, and complete the expository organizer. Next, students will write and proofread the rough drafts of their essays. The final copy will be due on Monday, 2/6. This will complete our study of expository writing. The next topic we will study in English is Adjectives.

Social Studies - Native Americans of the Midwest
We will be finishing our study of the Ojibwa tribe by tasting wild rice that was one of the staples of their diet. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lesson 1 of chapter 9 on Tuesday, 1/31.

Science - The Human Body
Students will be working on a partner project creating a mural of the internal organs of the human body. Look for the chapter 4 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 2/6.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 19 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/1. The next topic that we will cover in math will be motion geometry.

Don't Forget...

February 20th - President's Day - No School
February 21st - Early Dismissal

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/23/12 - 1/27/12

2012-01-18T16:57:00.001-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/23/12 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the "VCCV" Pattern
Words this week will have the "VCCV" or Vowel/Consonant/Consonant/Vowel pattern. The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/27. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading
The reading skill that we will work on this week is the identification of character, setting & plot. Students will fill out story structure maps as they read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to help them organize their thoughts and identify the main characters, setting & plot. We will also practice writing an extended response, which is a skill that will be assessed on the ISAT tests in March.

English- Expository Writing

Students will work in pairs to write and edit an essay that asks the question, "What Would You do if You had a Robot?" We will finish this unit with each student independently writing their own expository essay.

Social Studies - The Midwest

The Midwest Travel Poster project is due on Monday, 1/30. Students will then spend two days completing the Midwest region portion of his/her U.S. map. At the end of the week we will begin our study of the Native Americans of this region, The Ojibwa. Be sure to ask your child how the Ojibwa used the "talking stick" in their culture.

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

The nervous system, skeletal system & muscular system will be our focus next week. Students will take an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 2 of chapter 4 on Thursday, 1/26.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will continue our study of geometry with a look at line relationships, polygons, classifying triangles & quadrilaterals and circles. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 19 on Wednesday, 1/25. Look for the chapter 19 test to be scheduled the week of 1/30.

Don't Forget...

January 25 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/16/12 - 1/20/12

2012-01-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/16/12 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the final /j /& /s/ Sound
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday,1/20. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading- I Can Draw Conclusions

The comprehension skill that we will be focusing on this week is drawing conclusions. Good readers use details in a story to draw conclusions about characters and events. Students may use graphic organizers to gather details from a story to draw conclusions. They will learn that it is possible to draw more than one conclusion from the same details. We will continue reading the novel, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, as we work on this skill.

English- Expository Writing

As a class, we will write the rough draft of the essay about what makes a dog a good house pet. Then, students will work in pairs to begin organizing ideas for an essay that asks the question, "What Would You do if You had a Robot?".

Social Studies - The Midwest

The TEST on chapter 8 in Social Studies is scheduled for Thursday, 1/19. Students received a study guide for the test on 1/13. At the end of the week, I will introduce the writing project for this region, which is a travel poster for the Midwest.

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

Students will take an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 1 of chapter 4 on Wednesday, 1/18. The quiz will cover cells to systems, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the circulatory system & blood. On Thursday, we will move on to lesson 2 which begins with a look at the skeletal system.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will begin our week by writing T-Charts with partners. Students will share their work, and it will be critiqued by their classmates using the ISATrubric. As we move on to chapter 19, we will take a look at the basics of geometry. Concepts that we will study include lines, rays, angles, planes & how to measure & classify angles.

Don't Forget...

January 17 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School

Congratulations to all of my "super spellers" who demonstrated good sportsmanship & character while participating in our classroom spelling bees. The winners of of our "practice" spelling bee were Jordan & Brennan. Students who won the "final" bee & who will participate in the 4th Grade Spelling Bee are Melanie & Michael.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/9/12-1/13/12

2012-01-05T06:12:00.001-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/9/12 Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the final /ē / Sound
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday,1/13. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Identify the Problem and Solution
This week, we will be 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 others have been tried. We will be reading the novel, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, as we practice our reading strategies over the next few weeks.

English - Expository Writing
Our review of the components of an expository essay will continue with a look at how to write a "hook", and using transition words. As a class we are writing an essay about what makes a dog a good house pet. We will be using a graphic organizer to format our ideas for the essay.

Social Studies - Bountiful Midwest Farms

This week we will finish lesson 3 of chapter 8. Students will be learning about crops that are grown in the Central & Great Plains. Look for the chapter 8 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 1/16.

Science - The Human Body / How Does Your Body Get Oxygen & Nutrients?

Our study of the human body will begin with an investigate that will demonstrate how pulse rates increase and decrease with activity. Lesson 1 of chapter 4 takes a look at cells, tissues, organs and body systems. The first body system that we will study is the digestive system.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Interpret & Graph Data

We have completed our study of graphs and the coordinate plane in chapter 8. The TEST for this chapter is scheduled for Thursday, 1/12. Our next unit of study will be geometry, specifically the study of lines, rays, angles & plane figures.

Don't Forget...

January 17 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School

Students will be taking the MAPS test during the week of 1/9. Our class will take the reading test on Thursday, & 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!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/2/12 - 1/6/12

2011-12-14T07:35:00.001-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/3/12 Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the /k/, /ng/ & /kw/ Sounds
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/6. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Predict Outcomes
This week, we will be working on predicting outcomes. Readers can often guess ahead of time, or predict, what will happen in a story, based on information the author has given. Additionally, readers can change or adjust their predictions as they read.

English - Expository Writing
We will be taking a break from the English textbook to study expository writing. During this unit we will study the different components of an expository essay, practice together, and eventually write a 5 paragraph essay. This week we will focus on how to brainstorm and organize ideas, and how to write a "hook".

Social Studies - Badlands of South Dakota / Bountiful Midwest Farms

This week we will look at lessons 2 & 3 of chapter 8. These lessons cover the terrain & climate of the South Dakota Badlands, and how the farms of the Midwest contribute to the economy of the region.

Science - Adaptations

Students will be taking the chapter 3 TEST in science on Thursday, 1/5. They will receive a study guide on Tuesday, and we will review as a group on Wednesday. Students should review their notes, quizzes & the textbook to prepare for the test.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Interpret & Graph Data

We will begin chapter 8, which focuses on how to interpret and graph data. We will begin with a look at bar, double bar, and circle graphs. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-3 of chapter 8 on Friday, 1/6.

Don't Forget...

January 3 -- Classes Resume after Winter Break

January 17 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School

When we return from holiday break, we will have a new member in our classroom family. Miss Kristin Johnston, a student teacher from Lewis University, will be joining us until early May. Many of you met Miss Johnston at Open House at the beginning of the year. She will spend her first few weeks at PV observing our classroom, & getting to know the students. Little by little, she will assume teaching responsibilities, under my supervision.

Have a happy, relaxing & safe holiday break!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/12/11-12/16/11

2011-12-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 12/12/11 in Mrs. Bell's Class

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 8-13. Students must score 100% on the pretest to earn challenge work for the week. The final test will be on Friday, 12/16, and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework will also be collected on Friday.

Reading - I Can Evaluate Text & Review Strategies

In reading this week the students will evaluate the text. They will think about the author's writing and decide if he/she did a good job of helping them to understand the story. They will also review the strategies used throughout the theme.

English - Nouns
We have finished the chapter on nouns, and the TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 12/15. We will review in class on Wednesday.

Social Studies - The Midwest
The Midwest map QUIZ will be on Monday, 12/12. We will finish lesson 1 of chapter 8 by completing a lesson review in school.

Science - Chapter 3 Review
We will discuss the chapter 3 review on Monday. The test for this chapter will not be given until after holiday break.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Students have had a lot of fun exploring the concepts of mean, median, mode & range. These pictures show them working in small groups to manipulate weather data that they collected from the internet.
Choosing a reasonable scale for graphs will be the last topic that we will look at in chapter 7. The TEST for this chapter is scheduled for Wednesday, 12/14. We will finish the week with T-Charts that focus on finding mean, median or mode.

Don't forget...
Winter Break begins on 12/19.

We will be watching the movie "Hachi" on Friday, 12/16. Students may bring a pillow or stuffed animal to sit on during the movie.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Posted by Mrs. Karen Bell at 4:46 PM

Week of 12/5/11 - 12/9/11

2011-11-30T07:28:00.001-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 12/5/11 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - The ôr/ ür / yŏŏr sounds
The words this week will have sounds like the words, "more", "hurt" & "pure". The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 12/9. Cursive and workbook pages OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Strategies Review
Our reading strategies for this week are questioning, categorizing and classifying. Recognizing the question a story may raise is a good way to make sure you understand it. Also, as people read they wonder about the things they are reading and they form questions in their mind. Good readers usually do this without thinking. The students will practice the questioning strategy this week. Classifying involves grouping like items, and categorizing involves naming the group. Grouping the items makes it easier to remember them. Students will also classify and categorize information in the stories they read this week.

English - Nouns
We will cover the last two lessons in the Nouns chapter this week. The topics we will focus on are Singular and Plural possessive nouns. Students will review how to write each of these types of nouns and how to use apostrophes correctly. Look for the Nouns TEST to be scheduled the week of 12/12.

Social Studies - The Midwest
Our journey through the regions of the U.S. has brought us to the Midwest. Students will create their own Midwest Map, labeling the states and important water areas in the region. The QUIZ on the Midwest Map is tentatively scheduled for Monday, 12/12. We will also look at the impact that the Great Lakes has on this region.

Science - How do Living Things of the Past Compare with Those of Today?
Next week, we will take a look at how scientists use fossils to study plants and animals of the past. We will also learn about extinction. Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on Lessons 2 & 3 of chapter 3 on Thursday, 12/8

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Classifying data by using Venn diagrams will be our first topic this week. Then we will move on to the study of Mean, Median, Mode & Range. Students will be collecting weather data from cities around the world for an activity scheduled for Wednesday. There will be a QUIZ on lessons 1-3 of chapter 7 on Thursday, 12/8.

Don't forget...

Our BOWLING FIELD TRIP to Brunswick Zone is scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, 12/9. Students may bring money to purchase snacks at the bowling alley. Brunswick Zone is offering a concession special: 2 slices of cheese pizza & a 16 oz. drink for $3.23 (including tax). Please keep in mind that we will be going bowling after lunch.

The Tivoli Movie outing on Friday, 12/16 has been canceled. The fourth grade teachers have decided to show movies in our individual classrooms that afternoon. Our class recently
completed reading aloud the book, Hachiko Waits. This novel is based on a true story, and tells the tale of a dog who shows tremendous honor and loyalty. It is one of my favorite read alouds, and the children truly enjoyed it. For this reason, I have chosen to show the movie Hachi on the afternoon of the 16th. The movie is based on the book, and is rated G. I will be serving popcorn and juice boxes to the children that afternoon. If you would like to send in a bag of popcorn or some juice boxes that day, please contact me.
Thank you in advance !

Mrs. Karen Bell

Posted by Mrs. Karen Bell at 4:46 PM

Weeks of 11/21/11 & 11/28/11

2011-11-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/21/11 & 11/28/11 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling
There will be no spelling the week of 11/21. The following week, the rule for the lesson is words with the patterns of îr/är/âr , which are words that have the sounds like the words, "ear" &"glare". Cursive and workbook pages, as well as challenge work for the lesson will be collected on Thursday, 12/1. The final test for that lesson will also be that day.

Reading
Over the next few weeks, we will be reviewing the skills that we have gone over since the beginning of the year. The students will also work on summarizing and making generalizations. In writing summaries, the students will learn to pick out the main points or events of a story or passage and concisely put them in their own words. In making generalizations the students will learn that generalizations are broad statements that are true most of the time, and are based on fact or good reasons, and may include words like always or most. We will finish the novel, Because of Winn-Dixie with a "Friendship Celebration" modeled after the one in the book. Look for the invitation to come home with your child.

English - Nouns
Singular and plural nouns, and spelling rules for nouns that end with the letter "y" will be our focus over the next two weeks.

Social Studies - The Southeast
The Southeast Postcard project will be collected on Monday, 11/21. Students will also be working on completing the Southeast portion of their United States Map. Then, we will take a look at the Native Americans who live in this region, the Cherokee. Students will learn about their history and culture. Look for a QUIZ on this topic at the end of the week of 11/28.

Science - TFK - "Bats on the Brink" / Behavioral Adaptations
We will read & discuss a Time for Kids article that describes how a mysterious disease is endangering the lives of bats in the United States. Then, we will move on to the study of how the behavioral adaptations of animals help them to meet their needs.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
We have had a lot of fun this week using internet games to practice telling time. If your child would like to play the games at home, try these links:

TIME CLOCK: http://www.primarygames.com/math/timeclock/start.htm

CLOCK RACER GAME: http://justkidsgames.com/play.php?ClockRacer

We will be taking a look at how to measure temperature as we finish chapter 6. Look for the TEST on this chapter to be scheduled the week of 11/28.

Wishing you & yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/14/11-11/18/11

2011-11-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 11/14/11 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - The /ōō/ & /ŏŏ/ Sounds
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/18. Cursive and workbook pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Make Inferences
This week, we will once again focus on the reading strategy of making inferences. Authors do not always tell the reader everything. They may give clues instead. The reader must use the clues and their own knowledge to make inference about people and events. Students will be taking a comprehension/vocabulary QUIZ on chapters 1-10 of Because of Winn-Dixie on Tuesday, 11/15.

English - Nouns
This week in English we will take a look at what is a noun and common & proper nouns. Students will be introduced to a new Schoolhouse Rock song that we will sing to remind us of how to find nouns in sentences. We will also take a look at "invisible" nouns, which are words that are not normally thought of as nouns, such as the words "excitement" and "honor".

Social Studies - The Southeast
The chapter 6 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 11/14. Students were given a study guide to let them know what facts to focus on while studying. Reviewing notes, workbook pages, and textbook pages is the best strategy to prepare for the test. On Wednesday, students will begin working on a descriptive writing assignment for the Southeast. Look for the project description sheet to come home that day. We will finish the week by working on the Southeast portion of our large United States map.

Science - How do the Bodies of Animals Help Them Meet their Needs?
We will complete our study of how animals' physical adaptations help them to survive. Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on chapter 3, lesson 1 on Thursday, 11/17.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Chapter 6 begins with a look at telling time and elapsed time. Students will be taking a QUIZ on the first two lessons of the chapter on Wednesday, 11/16. Then, we will move on to elapsed time on a calendar, and changing units of time.

Don't forget...

November 23, 24, 25 -- Thanksgiving Holiday -- No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/7/2011-11/11/2011

2011-10-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 11/7/11 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - The "ou" & “Ô” sound
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/7. Cursive and workbook pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Sequence of Events
This week, we will focus on the reading comprehension skill known as sequence of events. Recognizing the order of events in a story makes it easier to understand. Clue words such as first, later, then, and finally signal sequence. We will be working on this skill as we begin our study of the novel, Because of Winn-Dixie.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation

The chapter 5 TEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 11/8. Students should review their practice pages, workbook pages & textbook to prepare for the test. There is a very helpful chapter review on pages 189-190 in the textbook. Also, pages 194-202 contain extra practice for each lesson. Students will be taking the pretest for our next chapter, Nouns, on Wednesday, 11/9. Students who show proficiency in at least 4 concepts for the chapter will have the opportunity to do challenge work during this chapter.

Social Studies - Wildlife & Resources
The wildlife & resources of the Southeast will be our focus this week. Be sure to ask your child why the alligator became an endangered species, and how it has made a comeback. The chapter 6 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Monday, 11/14.

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

Our week in science will begin with an investigation that will demonstrate how birds' beaks are adapted to their diets. We will also study how adaptations help species to survive.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
On Monday, we will look at finding patterns, and writing multiplication & division equations to match those patterns. The chapter 5 TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 11/10. Our next unit, Time & Temperature, will begin with a look at how to tell time.

Don't forget...

November 11 -- Veteran's Day -- No School
November 23, 24, 25 -- Thanksgiving Holiday -- No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 10/31/11-11/4/11

2011-10-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 10/31/11 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - More Short & Long Vowels
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/4. Cursive and workbook pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading
Mysteries will be the focus in reading for all fourth grade students next week. We will begin by learning vocabulary words that are typically associated with mysteries, such as “suspect”, “evidence” and “suspense”. All students will read & study “The Case of the Purloined Pachyderm”. While reading this mystery and other mystery stories, students will be studying the format of a mystery, and using the reading strategies of monitoring and clarifying.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation
We will finish this unit with a look at how to write titles. Students will complete a chapter review at the end of the week. Look for the chapter test to be scheduled the week of 11/7.

Social Studies - The Southeast Coastal Plains to Mountains
Our journey through the Southeast will begin with a look at the geography of the region. Students will learn how the land changes as we move from the coast to the mountains. The SE map QUIZ is scheduled for Friday, 11/4.

Science - What are the Life Cycles of Plants and Animals?
The chapter 2 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/2. Students received a study guide for the test, and should focus on reviewing their notes, quizzes & the textbook to prepare for the assessment. The chapter test is NOT open book. At the end of the week, we will take a look at an issue of Time for Kids that focuses on the migration of the monarch butterflies.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally...Order of Operations is the first topic that we will look at this week! Ask your child what the first letter of each of those words stands for, & if he/she can explain the order of operations to you! We will also look at multiplication and division equations before taking the QUIZ on chapter 5, lessons 1-4 on Thursday, 11/3.

Don't forget...
November 11 -- Veteran's Day -- No School
November 23, 24, 25 -- Thanksgiving Holiday -- No School

Have a "Spook-tacular" Halloween!
Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 10/24/2011-10/28/2011

2011-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 10/24/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Theme 1 Review

This week's spelling list will contain words from the first theme in our reading text. Included in this group are words with long and short "a","e", "i", "o", "u", and homophones. The final test will be on Friday, 10/28, and homework will also be collected that same day.

Reading

This week, all fourth grade students will read the story of The Parcel Post Kid, by Michael O. Tunnel. This piece is a nonfiction story set in 1914, which tells the tale of a young girl whose parents mail her to her grandmother because it is cheaper than paying her train fare. While reading the story, students will be reviewing the strategies and skills that we have studied so far this year, with particular emphasis on predicting and making inferences.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation

This week's topics in English will include more uses for commas and how to use quotations.

Social Studies - The Southeast

We are traveling south to begin our study of the Southeast region. Students will be creating their own SE maps naming the states and other important landmarks in the region.

Science - Life Cycles of Animals

We will wrap up our study of the life cycles of animals with a look at metamorphasis. Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 2 of chapter 3 on Tuesday, 10/25.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
The TEST on chapter 4 is scheduled for Monday, 10/24. As we move on to chapter 5, the concepts that we will focus on this week are multiplication properties and multiplication and division expressions. It is imperative that students continue to practice their multiplication and division facts.

Don't Forget...

10/27 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00

The Halloween celebration will be on Friday, 10/28. The traditional PV parade will begin at 1:00, and parties will start at 1:30. Students must be able to put on their Halloween costume in 5-10 minutes by themselves. Fourth grade will have designated classrooms for girls to change in and for boys. They will NOT be allowed to change in the bathroom. No props that resemble a weapon should be brought to school.

THANK YOU to all the parents who are helping to make this a special afternoon for our classroom!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 10/17/11-10/24/11

2011-10-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 10/17/2011 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Homophones
This week's spelling list will consist of homophones, which are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently & have different meanings. The final test for the week will be on Friday, 10/21. Workbook & cursive pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - "I Can Question & Note Details"

In reading this week, the students will focus on noting details in a story. They will learn that details may give information, explain ideas, and reveal characters' feelings. They will also work on the "Questioning" comprehension strategy. Good readers ask themselves questions about important ideas as they read. The students will practice asking questions about a passage as they read the passage to the end.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation

We continue our study of capitalization & punctuation with a look at abbreviations and using commas in a series.

Social Studies - People of the Northeast

The descriptive writing piece for the Northeast will be collected on Monday, 10/17. Be sure to ask your child to share their passage with you & to show you the grading rubric that I will be using to assess their project. Then, we will move on to chapter 5, which focuses on the Native Americans of the Northeast Region, the Narragansetts. Students will learn about the culture and traditions of the Narragansetts. They will also learn about the Iroqouis americans & will compare & contrast their culture with the Narragansetts. On Friday, students will receive guidelines for a project in which they will illustrate a Narragansett Village. The project will be collected on 10/25.

Science - Life Cycles of Plants and Animals

There will be an open note/textbook QUIZ on lesson 2 of chapter 2 on Tuesday, 10/18. Students should review their notes and text to prepare for the quiz. At the end of the week we will move on to the study of the life cycles of animals.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Our study of multiplication and division continues with a look at facts through 12. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-5 of chapter 4 on Wednesday, 10/19. We will be finishing up chapter 4 by focusing on the problem solving strategy of "choosing an operation", and how to find missing factors. Look for the chapter 4 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 10/24.

Don't Forget...

October 27 - Early Dismissal - 11:00
November 11 - Veterans' Day - No School

The Prairieview Book Fair is scheduled for Thursday, 10/20 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Classrooms will not be open that evening.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 10/10/11-10/14/11

2011-10-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 10/10/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling
Due to the 3 day week, there will be NO spelling lesson this week.

Reading - Review of Story Structure, Author's Viewpoint & Text Organization
We will continue focusing on the reading strategy of text organization. Many non-fiction authors organize their selections in time order. They also use features such as headings, pictures, captions, and charts to help the reader better understand the information.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation
Capitalization of the names of places & things is the topic for the week !

Social Studies - "The Beautiful Northeast"
Students will be doing some descriptive writing in Social Studies this week. They will be imagining what it would be like to take a "road trip" through the Northeast, and writing a descriptive paragraph about the experience. The assignment will also require two illustrations to go with the paragraph. Look for the assignment sheet for this activity to come home on Wednesday. The rough draft is due on Friday, 10/14, and the final copy will be collected on Monday, 10/17.

Science - "What are Some Life Cycles of Plants?"
Students will make their last observation for our "Sprouting Seeds" investigate on Wednesday. The lab report for that activity will be collected on Thursday, 10/13.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
We will begin chapter 4, "Multiplication & Division Facts", this week. The concepts that we will cover include relating multiplication & division and multiplication & division facts through fives.

Don't forget...
10/10 - No School - Columbus Day
10/11 - No School - Teachers' Institute

Enjoy the long weekend!
Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 10/3/11 - 10/7/11

2011-09-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 10/3/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Short "u" /"yoo" / "oo"

The final test for this week's list will be on Friday, 10/7. Workbook pages, cursive pages and challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Text Organization
This week in reading our story is "Finding the Titanic" by Robert D. Ballard. The reading strategy that we will focus on is text organization. many non-fiction authors organize their selections in time order. They also use features such as headings, pictures, captions and charts to help the reader better understand the information. Students will be studying these elements of text organization and will complete an independent assessment on this skill on Friday.

English - Capitalization and Punctuation
Our new unit in English is Capitalization and Punctuation (Chapter 5). On Monday, students will be taking a pretest that will assess their expertise in the topics that we will study. Students who demonstrate proficiency on the pretest will have the opportunity to do independent challenge work in place of the regular lessons. The first two topics in this unit will be writing correct sentences and capitalization of proper nouns. Be sure to ask your child what happens when punctuation takes a vacation!

Social Studies - The Beautiful Northeast
We have finished the last lesson in chapter 4, so students will be taking the TEST on Wednesday, 10/5. Students will be receiving a study guide for the test, and should focus on reviewing the textbook pages, workbook pages & notes to prepare for the test. At the end of the week, we will begin working on creating individual U.S. maps that will be a year long Social Studies project.

Science - What are Some Life Cycles of Plants?
Photosynthesis and life cycles of plants are the first two topics that we will study in our new science unit. We will also be conducting an investigate to find the answer to the question, "Does a Plant Need Water to Germinate?".

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

There will be a QUIZ on lessons 1-3 of chapter 3 on Monday, 10/3. We will take a look at the problem solving skill of "Working Backwards" and how to find a rule, which will finish the chapter. We will also revisit everyone's favorite...the T-Chart! The TEST on chapter 3 is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 10/7.

Don't Forget...
October 10 - Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL
October 11 - Teacher's Institute - NO SCHOOL
October 27 - Early Dismissal

Field trip $ and movie slips are due back on or before 10/7.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/26/11 - 9/30/11

2011-09-21T18:30:00.001-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 9/26/11 - 9/30/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Short & Long "i" and "u"
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 9/30. Cursive and workbook pages and/or contract work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Author's Viewpoint
This week we will be focusing on the reading strategy of determining author's viewpoint. Author's viewpoint refers to the author's opinion, ideas of what is important or attitude. The author might give his/her opinion directly, or the reader might have to infer the information by finding clues or other information that the author provides. Students will be reading various stories consistent with our "Journeys" unit theme.

English - What is a Sentence?
The TEST for chapter 1 is scheduled for Wednesday, 9/28. Students should prepare by reviewing the textbook, practice pages, and workbook pages for the unit. There is also a chapter review section in the textbook (p. 56-62) that covers all of the topics on the test. At the end of the week we will revisit the concept of how to write a friendly letter. Students will be writing a letter to my nephew, who is in the Army & stationed in Afghanistan. I will be setting up a pen pal relationship with him and his unit.

Social Studies - Land & Water in the Northeast
A BIG thank you to Jordan's mom for coming to school to share the story of how she became a citizen of the United States. Her story captivated the children, and was a perfect tie-in to the chapter that we just finished in Social Studies. The last lesson in our new chapter takes a look at the "plentiful sea", and how people that live in the Northeast make a living from the oceans. We will also focus on how pollution effects the fishing industry and the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay.

Science - How are Animals Classified?
The worm races last week were a huge success. I was very impressed with the creativity & effort that students showed with their racetracks. The actual races were a little chaotic, but, we had a "blast" (please see the pictures from the race at the end of the blog). For me, the best part of the afternoon was when students told me that they didn't care if they won or lost, they just had fun racing! I'm so proud of their great sportsmanship. We have moved on to the study of classification of animals. Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on this topic on Tuesday, 9/27.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
The TEST on Chapter 2 is scheduled for Monday, 9/26. Reviewing the note packet and workbook pages should be sufficient in preparing for this test. We will begin chapter 3, which focuses on using addition and subtraction in algebra, on Tuesday. The chapter begins with the concepts of the properties of addition and how to write addition expressions and equations.

FYI...

Picture Day is on Thursday, 9/29. Magazine turn in days are 9/27 & 9/29.

WORM RACE PICTURES...

IT WAS SUCH AN EXCITING DAY, EVEN YOSHI STOOD UP AND TOOK NOTICE!

Happy Weekend!
Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/19/11 - 9/23/11

2011-09-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 9/19/11 - 9/23/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Lesson 4 - Review
This week's spelling lesson will include words from the two commonly misspelled words lists & the long and short "a" & "e" list. All students will be completing activities from the contract list. The final test for the lesson will be on Friday, 9/23.

Reading - Identify Elements of Story Structure
We will continue to focus on story structure this week. The children will also explore characters and setting in depth. When your child is reading at home, you can practice and review story structure by asking them to identify characters, setting and plot (which includes the problem, sequenced events and the solution). Students will be taking a vocabulary QUIZ on the words from the story Akiak on Thursday, 9/22. The Akiak diary project (which will be assigned on 9/19) will be collected on 9/23.

English - What is a Sentence?
Simple predicates and how to correct a run on sentences will be our focus this week. Students will be completing a graded review of subjects and predicates on Wednesday. This will complete the unit on sentences, so look for the chapter 1 test to be scheduled the week of 9/26.

Social Studies - The Beautiful Northeast
We will begin our study of the Northeast by taking a look at the land and water of the region. Students will be honing their map skills by creating a map of the region that includes the names of the states and important waterways. We will also look at the mountain ranges and coastline. Students will be taking a map QUIZ on Thursday, 9/22.

Science - The Scientific Method
We have had a ball learning about our worms! Our study of the Scientific Method will be completed with Worm Races on Tuesday, 9/20. Students should bring their tracks, and the pink project sheet that day. I am also recommending that they bring a "fresh" worm in a habitat to school for the races. If your child cannot find a new worm, I will provide one for him/her. There will be a QUIZ on the steps of the Scientific Method on Monday, 9/19. Students should be able to describe each step of the process, as outlined in the overview sheet that I gave them. At the end of the week we will begin a new unit..."How are Animals Classified?"

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Add & Subtract Whole Numbers
Students will be taking a QUIZ on Monday, 9/19. The quiz will cover lessons 1-3 in chapter 2 which include the topics of inverse operations, fact families & rounding to the millions. We will then move on to addition and subtraction of 3 & 4 digit numbers, choosing a method for problem solving. The TEST on chapter 2 is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/23.

FYI...
Turn in days for the magazine drive are 9/20, 9/27 & 9/29. Check out the District Website for details on this important district fundraiser.

The following pictures are from our model building & worm observation activities:

Students are building models from straws, paper clips and tape to use for an activity to learn about the Scientific Method. We then applied what we learned to making observations about worms. Students will build tracks for the worm races based upon what they observed during the activities.

Happy Weekend!
Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/12/2011 - 9/16/2011

2011-09-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 9/12/11 - 9/16/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long & Short "a" & "e"
The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/16. This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/16.

Reading - Identifying the Elements of Story Structure
This week we will focus on story structure. We will use a story map to look at how a problem and its solution affect the story's plot and characters. When your child is reading at home, you can practice and review story structure by asking them to identify characters, setting, and plot (which includes the problem, sequenced events, and the solution.)

English - What is a Sentence?
Subjects and predicates is the next topic in our English unit, and that means that Mr. Morton will be coming to town! Ask your child to sing one of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs for you this week. We will be focusing on complete subjects and predicates, and simple subjects.

Social Studies - Strength of Our Freedom

We will finish chapter 2 with a look at the responsibilities and rights of citizens in the U.S. Students will continue to practice their skimming and scanning skills. We will review the chapter on Thursday. The chapter 2 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/16. Look for a study guide to come with your child early in the week.

Science - The Scientific Method
We're off to the races...worm races, that is! We will be studying the steps of the Scientific Method while learning about worms and how they are affected by their environment. Students should bring their worms to school in their habitats on Tuesday, 9/14. They will receive the project description sheets for their race tracks on that day as well.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 1 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 9/12. We will then move on to chapter 2, which covers the topic of addition and subtraction of whole numbers. The first three concepts we will study are inverse operations, rounding numbers through the millions, and mental math strategies for estimation.

FYI...

The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/12. An information packet will be sent home with your child that day.

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/5/11-9/9/11

2011-08-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 9/5/2011-9/9/2011 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Words Often Misspelled #2
This week's list will consist of a second list of words that are often misspelled by fourth grade students. Students will be taking a pretest consisting of 20 words on Monday. Homework will be collected on Friday, and the final test for the week (20 words) will be given on Friday.

Reading - Skimming & Scanning

Next week in reading your child will learn to use skimming and scanning skills to locate answers. During science, social studies, and reading, the class will be given tasks where they will have to locate answers in the text. They will practice highlighting key words in the questions or clues, and then skim the headlines, subtitles, captions, and passages to help them find the answers to those questions.

English - What is a Sentence?
The first unit that we will study in English focuses on the sentence. We will begin by taking a look at how to write and punctuate a sentence. Then we will study the four types of sentences, which include the statement, the question, the command, and the exclamation. On Thursday, students will independently complete a graded review of lessons 1-3. Finally, students will need a 4X6 photo of themselves for a project on Friday. Please send a photo that does not need to be returned to you.

Social Studies - "We the People / Strength of Our Freedom"

Students will finish their study of the U.S. government by taking a look at the three branches of government and the Constitution. We will then move on to a study of citizens' rights in the U.S.

Science - "Getting Ready for Science"
We will wrap up our focus on tools used for Science and safety in the lab, by taking a QUIZ on Wednesday, 9/7. Students will be allowed to use their notes for the quiz. The next topic we will cover is the Scientific Method.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Due to the holiday and MAPs testing, we will only have two days of math this week. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-5 of chapter 1 on Tuesday, 9/6. After looking at some problem solving techniques, we will spend Friday preparing for the chapter 1 TEST which is tentatively scheduled for 9/12.

FYI...

Curriculum Night for 4th grade is scheduled for Tuesday, 9/6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with your child's math teacher, and to spend time in our classroom. You will also be able to sign up for Fall conferences that evening.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 8/29/11-9/2/11

2011-08-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 8/29/11 - 9/2/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Words Often Misspelled List #1
This week's list will consist of words that are often misspelled by fourth grade students. Students will be taking a pretest consisting of 20 words on Monday. Cursive work will also be assigned on Monday, and contract activities will come home on Tuesday. Homework will be collected on Friday, and the final test for the week (20 words) will be given on Friday. Look for a sheet titled "All About Spelling" in the Spelling pocket of your child's binder for details on how spelling will work this year.

English - Friendly Letter / Paragraphs

This week in English we will review how to write a friendly letter. Students will learn about the different components that make up a friendly letter, and we will write one together. Then, they will write their own friendly letter to be shared with parents on Curriculum Night. We will also review how to write a paragraph, with an emphasis on using main ideas and details. Students will have the chance to practice by writing a short autobiographical paragraph.

Reading - The Pumpkin Runner
This week in reading the students will review and practice their reading strategies as they read the story The Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Diane Arnold. The reading strategies that we will focus on include: preview/infer, phonics/decoding, questioning, monitor/clarify, summarize, and evaluate.

Social Studies - "We the People"
Students will become familiar with our Social Studies text by working with partners on a "textbook scavenger hunt". At the end of the week we will begin our study of the structure and purpose of the U.S. Government with a look at chapter 2, lesson 2.

Science - "Getting Ready for Science"
Our focus this week will be on how tools are used for science, and safety in the science lab.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Students in my class will be taking an "Inventory" test at the beginning of the week. The test will cover many of the concepts that we will be studying this year. The test will not be entered in the grade book, but will give me an idea of where your child's strengths and weaknesses in math are. The first topic in math this year will be understanding place value. Since this is review, we will be moving quickly through the chapter. Students will be studying place value through the millions period and how to compare & order numbers. Our first QUIZ in math is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/2. The quiz will cover lessons 1-5 of chapter 1 in the textbook.

FYI...

It was such a pleasure to meet many of you at Open House. Please be sure to attend Curriculum Night, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6th from 6:30 to 7:30. You will have an opportunity to visit our classroom, and to meet with your child's math teacher.

MAPS testing for our class will take place on Tuesday, 8/30. Students will be taking the math portion of the test first thing in the morning. Please see that your child is well rested, and has a healthy breakfast that day.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Have a Great Summer!

2011-06-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

To all my students & their families...

Thank you for an

amazing year in 4th grade!

I hope that you have a

safe and relaxing summer.

Good luck in 5th grade, and be sure

to come back and visit

me whenever you have a chance!

Mrs. Karen Bell

FYI...

Students who ordered yearbooks will receive them next week. There will be a limited supply of yearbooks available for purchase on June 7th for $11.00. Students who wish to purchase a yearbook will have their names entered into a drawing.

Week of 5/30/11-6/3/11

2011-05-17T06:41:00.001-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 5/30/11-6/3/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Pronouns

The last topic that we will study in this chapter is object pronouns.

Social Studies - The West

The climate and resources of the West will be our focus this week.

Science

We have finished Science for the year!

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling

We have finished Spelling for the year :)

Reading

As we wrap up reading class for the 2010-11 school year, we will review all of the reading strategies we have covered. Friday, June 3rd will be our last day of reading.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators the addition and subtraction of mixed numbers will be the two last lessons of the year. On Friday we will play a challenge game that will test students' knowledge of all of the topics that we have studied this year!

Don't Forget...

5/30 - Memorial Day - No School

6/1 - Fourth Grade Bowling Field Trip - 12:00 - 2:00

6/7 - Last day of school - Students dismissed at 9:30

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 5/23/11 - 5/27/11

2011-05-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 5/23/11 - 5/27/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Pronouns

Students will be introduced to our new unit, which is Pronouns. The first two topics include, "What is a Pronoun?" & Subject Pronouns. Ask your child to tell you about our new Schoolhouse Rock friend, Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla!

Social Studies - The West
We're moving on to our last region, The West. This week we will study the geography of the region, primarily the mountain ranges. Students will also create a map of the region, and complete the United States map that they have been working on since the beginning of the year.

Science - Rocks & Minerals
What are the properties of minerals? This is the question that we will be investigating this week. Students will participate in hands on activities to explore the characteristics of different minerals. They will also study the three types of rocks: Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic. An open note/book QUIZ on chapter 7, lesson 1 is scheduled for Friday, 5/27.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Final /er/, /l/ & /el/

This week's final test will be on Friday, 5/27. The spelling homework packet will also be collected on that day. This will be the LAST spelling lesson of the year !!!

Reading
This week, in addition to reviewing all reading strategies, students will be focusing on identifying the elements of fantasy and realism. Students will learn that fantasy involves events that could not happen in real life, and that realism involves events that could happen or that have happened in the past.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1 & 3 of chapter 11 on Monday, 5/23. These two lessons cover division with remainders, and 2-digit by 1-digit division. Fractions (Chapter 15) is the next concept that we will study. Reading and writing fractions, equivalent fractions, comparing & ordering fractions, and reading and writing mixed numbers will be our focus. There will be another QUIZ on lessons 1-3 of chapter 15 on Thursday, 5/26.

Don't Forget...

5/30 - No School - Memorial Day

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 5/16/2011-5/20/2011

2011-05-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 5/16/2011-5/20/2011 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adverbs & Prepositions
We will finish this chapter by taking a look at prepositions and prepositional phrases. The TEST on this unit is scheduled for Friday, 5/20.

Social Studies - The Navajo
Students will study the culture and traditions of the Navajo, the Native Americans who lived in the Southwest.

Science- Simple Machines / Rocks & Minerals
Students will take the chapter 17 TEST on Tuesday, 5/17. After reading a Time for Kids about the Space Shuttle program, we will move on to our next unit, Rocks & Minerals.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Review
This week's spelling lesson is a review list that consists of 30 words. The final test on Friday, 5/20, will have 20 words from the list. The spelling homework packet will be collected on 5/20.

Reading
This week we will focus on the reading target skill of comparing and contrasting. Comparing means showing similarities. Contrasting means showing differences. By comparing and contrasting one thing with another, readers can remember more of the information.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class
The TEST on chapter 9 is scheduled for Wednesday, 5/18. We will begin our next unit, division, at the end of the week.

Don't Forget...
Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day - No School
Tuesday, June 7 - Last Day of School

Don't forget to sign up for the 2 mile Walk Day on Tuesday, May 24th at Prairieview School. All proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross to help the victims of the earthquake in Japan. There will also be a raffle to help raise money for the cause, and any donations would be appreciated. (gift cards, sport items, games, services, small goodies). Anyone who would like to volunteer on May 24th, please e-mail Mrs. Cavoto at ccavot@ccsd66.org or Mrs. Sulima at ssulima@ccsd66.org to let them know.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 5/9/11 - 5/13/11

2011-05-05T05:14:00.001-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 5/9/11 -5/13/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adverbs & Prepositions

This week we will take a look at using negatives and how to use prepositions. Look for the Adverbs and Preposition test to be scheduled for the week of 5/16.

Social Studies - The Southwest
Students will be taking the chapter 10 TEST on Wednesday, 5/11. They should review their notes, workbook pages & the text to prepare for the test.

Science - Simple Machines

Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 2 of chapter 17 on Monday, 5/9. We will finish the chapter with a look at inclined planes and screws.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling
Due to the short week (we will only have three days of reading because of testing and early dismissal), we will not have spelling this week.

Reading
Our focus this week is on the reading strategy of monitor/clarify. Students should monitor how well they understand a story. If they don't understand something, they can reread or read ahead for help.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We are beginning a new chapter this week that will focus on multiplying by 1 digit numbers. The topics that we will cover include multiplication patterns, strategies for estimating products, multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit numbers, multiplying 3 & 4 digit numbers & money, and multiplying with zeroes! Knowledge of math facts will be of the utmost importance during this chapter!

Don't forget...

May 13 - Early Dismissal - PV Students dismissed at 11:00

The entire PV family enjoyed an assembly called "Wheel of Wisdom" on April 28th. Click on this link to read an article about the assembly that appeared in the local tribune:

http://triblocal.com/downers-grove/community/stories/2011/05/wheel-of-wisdom-comes-to-prairieview-elementary-school/

Project Challenge will be selling "Lifesaving Grams" through may 25th. They are raising money to help the earthquake victims in Japan. The forms for the "grams" may be printed from a link on the District 66 website.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 5/2/11 - 5/6/11

2011-04-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 5/2/11 - 5/6/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adverbs & Prepositions
Students will be taking the pretest for the Adverbs & Prepositions unit on Tuesday. Students who get perfect scores in two or more lessons will be given challenge work for those lessons. The first few topics that we will cover in this unit include what is an adverb and comparing with adverbs.

Social Studies - The Southwest

Resources and the economy of the Southwest region will be our focus this week. Students will learn about how the oil and technology industries have shaped the economies of this area.

Science - Simple Machines

Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 1 of chapter 17 on Tuesday, 5/3. Then we will take a look at two more simple machines, the pulley, and the wheel & axle.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Silent Consonants

The test for this lesson will be on Friday, 5/6. The homework packet will also be collect on that day.

Reading - Earthquake Terror

Our reading strategy for next week is making inferences. Readers must make inferences, or "read between the lines", when the author doesn't tell the reader everything. Readers can do this by applying what they already know to story clues given by the author.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will finish up chapter 23 with a look at how to estimate and find the volume of prisms. Students will be taking the TEST for chapter 23 on Thursday, 5/5.

FYI...

May 13 - Early Dismissal - PV students dismissed at 11:00

May 30 - Memorial Day - No School

Prairieview School is helping to reduce what goes into landfills by recycling shoes. Old gym shoes will be given to SCARE's (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) annual Gym Shoe Rescue for Nike's Go Places Program. Regular shoes, in good condition, will be given to 2nd hand stores that benefit those in need. Collection dates are 5/2 - 5/11. When bringing shoes to donate, please tie them together, or place each pair in a plastic grocery bag so they do not become separated.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 4/25/11 - 4/29/11

2011-04-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 4/25/11-4/29/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Expository Writing

Students will be writing their third and final expository essay this week. They will be writing about their heros. They will be planning their essay using the organizer, writing the rough draft and proofreading on their own. The final draft will be due on Friday, 4/29.

Social Studies - Land & Climate of the Southwest

The Southwest Region map QUIZ is scheduled for Monday, 4/25. Students should use the map that they created to prepare for the quiz. The next topic that we will focus on is the climate of the Southwest.

Science - Why is the Force of Gravity Important? / Simple Machines

We will be finishing gravity with a QUIZ on chapter 16, lesson 3 on Tuesday, 4/26. Simple machines is the next topic that we will study in science, beginning with a look at the lever.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Unusual Spellings

This week's list consists of words with unusual spellings. The final test on this list will be on Friday, 4/29. The cursive page & workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading - "I Can Identify Topic, Main Idea & Supporting Details"

Our reading target for the week is to identify topic, main idea, and supporting details. Topic is what the whole text is about. The main ideas are important points about each topic. Each paragraph can have its own main idea. Supporting details are facts and examples that support each main idea.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will be taking a look at using formulas to calculate area at the beginning of the week. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 23 on Wednesday, 4/27.

Don't Forget...

April 29 - Marble Party Celebration (Mrs. Bell's Homeroom) - Pizza & Movie

May 13 - Early Dismissal

I am so proud of my homeroom students who have earned a second "Marble Party", celebrating good behavior in our classroom. Students have voted to watch the movie, "Marley & Me" after enjoying a pizza lunch in the room. Please be sure to return the movie permission slips on or before April 27th. I will be providing pizza and popcorn, but students must bring their own healthy drink. Congratulations to my amazing students!

Students will be taking the Spring MAPS test for reading and math this week. My homeroom students will be testing on Tuesday and Friday. Please make sure that your child comes to school well rested, and has a healthy breakfast on those days.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 4/18/11 - 4/22/11

2011-04-13T07:13:00.001-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 4/18/11 - 4/22/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Expository Writing

Students will be working in partners to write a second essay. They will be using the skills that we have studied, which are brainstorming & organizing ideas, including a hook, supporting details & transitions, to respond to a prompt that asks "What Would Do if you Had a Robot?".

Social Studies - The Southwest

This week we will take a look at the geography of the southwest region, in particular the Grand Canyon. Students will study how the canyon was formed and who were the first explorers to travel through the area.

Science - Electricity / Gravity

The chapter 15 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 4/18. Students should review their notes & the text book to prepare for the test. Later in the week, we will move on to studying gravity.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Three-Syllable Words

The final test for this lesson will be on THURSDAY, 4/21. The cursive pages and workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading

This week in reading, we will be focusing on two important skills: following directions & summarizing. When reading a passage that describes how to complete a task, readers should look for clue words such as first, next and finally to clarify the order of steps. They also must understand that steps must be followed in the correct order in order to complete the task. Summarizing involves retelling a story in your own words, and including only the most important events. All students will study these skills using appropriate instructional-level materials.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 22 TEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 4/19. Our next unit of study will be chapter 23, which covers perimeter, area & volume.

FYI...

April 21 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00

April 22 - No school

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 4/11/11 - 4/15/11

2011-04-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 4/11/11 - 4/15/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Expository Writing

We will continue writing our pet essay together by adding transitions and support for our second key idea. At the end of the week we will write the rough draft.

Social Studies - The Southwest

Students will create and color their own map of the Southwest this week. Look for a quiz on the map to be scheduled for the week of 4/18. They will also take a "video field trip" to the region.

Science - What are Some Sources of Electricity?

Our focus this week will be the last lesson of chapter 15, which describes sources of electricity. There will be an open note/book QUIZ on this lesson on Thursday, 4/14. The test for this chapter will take place the week of 4/18. INVENTIONS are due on Tuesday, 4/12. Students will write their descriptions in class that day, and presentations will begin on 4/13. I will be giving sheets to students on Monday that describe how to give the presentations. I look forward to seeing all of their creations!

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - More VCV Words

This week's list contains more VCV (vowel-consonant-vowel) words. We will be focusing on how to divide these types of words into syllables. The final test for this week will be on Friday, 4/15, and the cursive pages and workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading - "I Can Understand Different Genres"

Our focus in reading this week will be on understanding different genres, specifically pourquoi tales. Pourquoi is a French word meaning "why". Pourquoi tales are stories that tell how, long ago, something in nature came to be. Often times these tales contain animals or natural forces that speak or have personalities.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We are finishing the portion of Chapter 22 that deals with customary measurement, so...it's time for a quiz. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 22 on Monday, 4/11. We will continue our study of measurement with a look at metric measurement, specifically measurement of mass and capacity.

Don't forget...

April 14 - Prairieview Open House/Book Fair - 6:30-8:00 p.m.

April 21 - Early Dismissal - 11:00 a.m.

April 22 - No school

On Tuesday, 4/12, all fourth grade students will be taking the OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test) test. This test is designed to measure abstract thinking and reasoning ability. Please make sure that your child eats breakfast & comes to school well rested that day.

The PV Open House & Book Fair will be on Thursday, 4/14, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please be sure to stop by our classroom to your child's creations. I look forward to seeing you there!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 4/4/11 - 4/8/11

2011-03-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 4/4/11 - 4/8/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Expository Writing

We will be taking a break from studying parts of speech to study expository writing. We will begin by reviewing the traits of expository writing, and taking a look at how to write a "hook" and supporting details. We will apply these concepts by writing an essay together that responds to the prompt, "What type of animal makes the best house pet?".

Science - Invention Convention / Electricity & Magnetism

Students should continue to work on their inventions at home. Don't forget that the inventions are due on 4/12. Students will be presenting their inventions to the class on 4/13 & 4/14, and displaying their creations at the PV Open House. Our focus in school this week will be to look at the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Students will be taking a QUIZ on chapter 15, lesson 2 on Friday, 4/8.

Social Studies

We will begin our study of the Southwest region the week of 4/11.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Theme 5 Review

This week's lesson is a review of previous lessons. The spelling list consists of 30 words. The final test for the week will be on Friday, 4/11, and will contain 20 words from the larger list. Cursive pages and workbook pages will be collected on Friday, 4/8.

Reading

This week in reading the students will read two more selections with unexpected heroes. We will discuss their character traits, and compare them with people we know that may possess the same traits. We will also review cause/effect and fact/opinion this week.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Customary and Metric measurement is our new unit of study in math. We will focus on measuring fractional parts, converting customary units, and customary weight and capacity this week. Look for a quiz on these lessons to be scheduled the week of 4/11.

Don't Forget...

March 28 - Spring Break begins

April 4 - Classes resume

April 5 - No School - Teachers' Institute

April 14 - PV Open House / Book Fair, 6:30-8:00

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/21/11 - 3/25/11

2011-03-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 3/21/11 - 3/25/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Verbs

Our study of verbs will conclude on Monday with a review of the unit. The TEST on verbs is scheduled for Tuesday, 3/22.

Social Studies - Southwest Region

We will be leaving the Midwest and moving on to the Southwest region after spring break.

Science - Electricity

Creating series & parallel circuits, using switches with electricity, and conductors and insulators will be our topics this week. Students will take the QUIZ on chapter 15, lesson 1 on Thursday, 3/24.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - VCV Pattern

Words this week will follow the VCV (Verb-Consonant-Verb) pattern. We will focus on how to divide these types of words into syllables. The final test for the lesson is scheduled for Friday, 3/25. The spelling packet will also be collected that day.

Reading

Next week in reading, students wil be focusing on the skills of identifying fact and opinion, and evaluating. A fact is a statement that can be proven to be true. An opinion tells what a person thinks, believes or feels. Good readers should be able to identify when an author is using a fact or an opinion in a story. Evaluating text involves considering how well the author expresses and supports ideas. Students will be practicing these skills while reading the third story in our "heroes" theme, Lou Gehrig, The Luckiest Man.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Motion Geometry & Solid Figures

The TEST for chapters 20 & 21 is scheduled for Friday, 3/25. Earlier in the week, students will study how to draw and make patterns for solid figures, and different views of solid figures.

Don't forget...

March 28 - Spring Break begins

April 4 - Classes resume after spring break

April 5 - No School - Teachers' Institute

April 14 - PV Open House

April 21 - Early Dismissal

April 22 - No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/14/11 - 3/18/11

2011-03-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 3/14/11 - 3/18/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Verbs

Students will finish the verb tense project at the beginning of the week. Then, we will move on to studying the special verb "be" & contractions that use the word not.

Social Studies - The Ojibwa

This week we will take a look at how the Ojibwa and other Native Americans from the Midwest keep their culture and traditions alive in modern times. Later in the week, we will "wrap up" our study of the Midwest by sampling some of the resources of the region, including corn, dairy products, berries and Ojibwa rice.

Science - Electricity

What does it take to make a light bulb glow? That is the question that students will answer this week. After investigating this question, students will work in small groups to create a poster that illustrates different ways to light a bulb. At the end of the week, our focus will be on parallel and series circuits.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling- Changing the final "y" to "i"

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 3/18. The cursive page & workbook pages will also be collected on that day.

Reading

Next week, students will read about Gloria Estefan, a famous singer whose acts of kindness have made her a hero to many people. Our strategy will be making judgments. Making judgments involves deciding whether or not a character's actions are appropriate for a situation. Readers can ask themselves, "Do I agree with this? is this right or fair?"

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Motion Geometry will be our new topic this week, as we move through chapter 20. We will begin by looking at congruent and similar figures, turns and symmetry, and transformations. Students will be taking a QUIZ on the first three lessons of chapter 20 on Thursday, 3/17. Chapters 20 & 21 are short, so I will be combining those two chapters into one test.

Don't Forget...

March 19 - District Fundraiser - "Spring Fling"

March 28-April 1 - Spring Break / No School

April 5 - Teacher's Institute / No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/7/2011 - 3/11/2011

2011-03-02T08:41:00.001-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 3/7/11 - 3/11/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Unit 3 - Verbs

Students will have a graded review in class on Thursday, 3/10, that will cover lessons 1-8 in the unit. Topics on the review will include action verbs, main & helping verbs, use of and spelling ov present, past & future tense, subject/verb agreement, and irregular verbs. On Friday we will begin a small project reviewing verb tenses that requires writing three paragraphs about the same topic using past, present and future tense. The project's title is, "Tomorrow, Today will be Yesterday".

Social Studies - The Ojibwa
We will begin our study of the Ojibwa Native Americans who reside in the Midwest region of the U.S. Students will learn how they came to live in the Midwest, and how their lives changed when the Europeans settled in North America. They will also create their own traditional "talking stick" that is modeled after a tool used by the Ojibwas.

Science - ISAT Testing / Electricity

Students will be taking the science portion of the ISAT test on Wednesday, 3/9. We will finally begin studying electricity on Friday :)

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Words with a Prefix or a Suffix

The final test for this lesson is scheduled for Friday, 3/11. The cursive page and workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading

Next week we will be using the predict/infer strategy, as well as cause and effect. Thinking about story events and personal knowledge helps readers predict likely events. With cause and effect, students will focus on why story events happen and what happens as a result. We will be reading a story about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to practice these skills. Students will also write the last two poems for their poetry project.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We are returning to the textbook to finish chapter 19. On Tuesday, we will review the problem solving strategy of comparing strategies. There will be no math on Wednesday, due to the science ISAT tests. We will review for the test on Thursday, and take the TEST on Friday, 3/11.

FYI...

March 4th - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 7th - No School - Casimir Pulaski Day

March 28th - Spring Break Begins

Enjoy the long weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2/28/11 - 3/4/11

2011-02-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 2/28/11 - 3/4/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Verbs

This week we will take a look at past tense verbs with helping verbs and irregular verbs.

Social Studies - Midwest Region

Students will finish the Midwest Travel Poster project, which is due on Thursday, 3/3. They will also work on completing the midwest region portion of their large U.S. map in class. We will be reading a TFK that focuses on the changing government in Egypt.

Science - ISAT Preparation

The week will begin with a look at solubility, and comparing solubility in different substances. We will begin our electricity unit the week of 3/8.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling

There will be no spelling lesson this week due to ISAT testing.

Reading

Students will begin the week by taking the final TEST for the novel, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. They will be taking the reading ISAT tests on Tuesday-Thursday.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

On Monday, we will review the characteristics of solid figures. Students will be taking the ISAT tests for math on Tuesday-Thursday. PLEASE ask your child if he/she has a working calculator at school. They will be allowed to use calculators for the tests.

Don't Forget...

3/1 - Report Cards

3/4 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

3/7 - No School - Casimir Pulaski Day

ISAT testing will take place on March 1 - 3. Students have been working very hard all year to prepare for the tests. Please make sure that your child gets a good night's sleep and eats breakfast before coming to school. He/she should also have a water bottle & a working calculator at school.

I look forward to meeting with parents during conferences during the week of 2/28.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2/21/11-2/25/11

2011-02-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 2/21/11-2/25/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Verbs

This week we will focus on rules for spelling present and past tense verbs.

Social Studies - The Midwest

The TEST for chapter 8 will be on Thursday, 2/24. Students should review their notes, workbook pages and the textbook to prepare for the test. On Friday, I will introduce a travel poster project for the Midwest region. Students will be creating a travel poster that highlights information about the Midwest. They will be given some time in school for this project, but will also be working on it at home.

Science - ISAT Preparation

In preparation for the ISAT tests, we will be reviewing scientific concepts that we have not yet covered this year. Focus will be on the topics of gravity, space, rocks & minerals and the water cycle.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Words that end in "-ed" & "-ing"

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 2/25. The cursive page & workbook pages will also be collected on that day.

Reading

In reading this week our target genre continues to be poetry. The students will study the elements of peetry, and will work with figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification and idioms. A poetry project will be assigned, and students will be working on that in class, and at home over the next few weeks. We will continue to work on writing on extended responses which will connect with their reading passages. Also, we will begin the final project for the book, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Circles is the next topic that we will cover in math. Then we will take a short break from the textbook and review some topics in preparation for the ISAT tests. Concepts that we will review include measurement, money, and fractions. We will also revisit T-Charts and the answering the short answer question for the standardized tests. Please make sure that your child has a calculator at school. Students will be allowed to use calculators on the ISAT tests, and must have one at school.

Don't forget...

February 21 - No School - President's Day

February 25 - End of the Second Trimester

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2/14/2011 - 2/18/2011

2011-02-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 2/14/11-2/18/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Verbs

Verb tenses and subject/verb agreement will be the topics we will cover in English this week.

Social Studies - Bountiful Midwest Farms

We will complete our look at the geography of the Midwest, and move on to the resources of the region. Students will study the impact that the agriculture industry has on the Midwest.

Science - The Human Body / Electricity

The chapter 4 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/16. Students have received a study guide for the test and should use it to guide their preparation for the test. Our next unit will be electricity, which we will start on Friday.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Compound Words

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 2/18. Cursive pages and workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading

In reading this week our target genre is poetry. The students will understand the elements of poetry, and will work with figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification and idioms. A poetry project will be assigned, and students will be working on that in class and at home over the next couple of weeks. Along with poetry, the students will also be working on writing extended responses which will connect with their reading passages. We will also finish Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing while studying these skills.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Measuring and classifying angles, line relationships, and polygons will be our focus this week. Students will take a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 19 on Thursday, 2/17. Then, we will move on to classifying triangles.

Don't Forget...

February 21 - President's Day - No School

February 25 - End of Second Trimester

March 1 - Report Cards

The Valentine's Day celebration will be on 2/14 at 1:30. Students may bring "non-edible" holiday greetings to share with their classmates.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2/7/11 - 2/11/11

2011-02-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 2/7/11 - 2/11/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Verbs

Main & helping verbs and verb tenses will be the topics this week in English.

Social Studies - The Midwest

Resources of the Midwest will be our focus this week.

Science - The Human Body

Students will be working in partners to create a life size human body mural. They will build the mural one organ at a time.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - More VCCV Pattern Words

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 2/11. The cursive page and workbook

pages will also be colected that day.

Reading

This week we will begin our study of poetry. We will focus on some of the elements of poetry including rhyme, sensory words, figurative language and wordplay. The children will also begin a poetry projject. In this project they will be learning about and writing nine different kinds of poems. Time will be given in class, but students will also need to work on this project at home. we will be working on Poetry and Figurative Language for the next few weeks. We will also be working on how to write an extended response, in preparation for the ISAT tests at the end of the month.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will finish chapter 8 with a look at how to make a line graph. The TEST for chapter 8 is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/9. Then, we will move on to chapter 19, which focuses on geometry. The chapter begins with the topics of lines, rays, angles, plane figures, and how to measure angles. Please check that your child has a protractor and a calculator at school. We will be needing both for this chapter, and for the ISAT tests at the end of the month.

FYI...

Dates to remember:

February 14 - Valentine's Day Celebrations
February 21 - President's Day - No School
February 25 - End of the Trimester
March 1 - Report Cards

Have a Relaxing Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/31/11 - 2/4/11

2011-01-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the week of 1/31/11 - 2/4/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Prediction Paragraph / Verbs

We will begin our week by writing a paragraph that makes a prediction about what the groundhog will do on February 2nd. Students will write about what their prediction is, why they made that prediction, how they will feel if their prediction comes true, and why they will feel that way. Midweek we will switch gears and begin the verbs unit. Students will take a pretest to determine if they will do challenge work in this unit. On Friday, we will begin our new chapter with a look at, "What is a Verb?".

Social Studies - The Midwest

There will be a QUIZ on the map of the midwest on Thursday, 2/3. Students should use the map that they created in class to prepare for the quiz. We will also take a look at how the waterways in the midwest are used for shipping and transportation.

Science - The Human Body

We will finish our study of how the body thinks and moves. Students will take a QUIZ on chapter 4, lesson 2 on Tuesday, 2/1. They will be allowed to use their notes for the quiz. We will also be starting a "partners project" in which they will create a lifesize replica of the human body.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Review Lesson

This week's lesson is a review of the Theme 4 words, so the list contains 30 words. The final test will consist of 20 words selected from the list. The final test will be on Friday, 2/4, and the cursive page and workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading - Summarizing

The reading strategy that we will be studying next week is summarizing. When reading passages, it is not necessary to recall every word. Instead, we will practice using main ideas and supporting evidence to summarize a passage. While reading, a good reader finds the main ideas, whether they are stated or implied. Then, the reader must find supporting evidence to support the main idea. This support may be in the form of details, examples, explanations or descriptions. In addition to practicing our summarization, students will be taking a QUIZ on chapters 3-4 of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing on Monday, 1/31.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Our focus in chapter 8 is on interpreting and graphing data. This week we will study circle graphs, the coordinate grid and line graphs. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-3 of the chapter on Tuesday, 2/1. The quiz will cover bar graphs and circle graphs.

Don't Forget...

February 14 - Valentine's Day Celebration

February 21 - President's Day - No School

February 25 - End of the Trimester

Our classroom celebration for Valentine's Day is scheduled for Monday, 2/14. Students may bring in cards to share with all of their classmates. We have 25 students in our class. I will be sending home a class list to help with names. Administration has asked that students do NOT bring in any edible treats to share. That includes any valentine card that has candy attached to it. Any student that brings in cards with candy will be asked to remove the candy before distributing the cards. Look for a letter from Mrs. Schultz to come home soon.

Last week, students attended an assembly that focused on the issue of bullying. Click on the link below for the story that ran in our local paper about the presentation.

http://triblocal.com/downers-grove/community/stories/2011/01/dan-kirk-%e2%80%93-juggler-comes-to-prairieview-elementary-for-pbis-assembly/

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/24/11 - 1/28/11

2011-01-20T05:13:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/24/11 - 1/28/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adjectives

We have finished this chapter and will have the adjectives TEST ON Tuesday, 1/25. We will review all of the adjectives concepts on Monday. Later in the week, we will do a project in which students list positive adjectives to describe their classmates, and create a character using those adjectives.

Social Studies - The Cherokee / The Midwest

Students will be taking an open book QUIZ on chapter 7, lesson 1 on Monday, 1/24. The quiz will cover the culture of the Cherokee Native Americans in the Southeast. We will then move on to our next region, The Midwest. Students will create a map of the midwest and learn about the waterways in this region.

Science - The Human Body

We will finish up focus on the circulatory system and blood on Monday. Students will take a QUIZ on chapter 4, lesson 1 on Tuesday, 1/25. Lesson 2 of this chapter will focus on the skeletal, muscular & nervous systems.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Reading - Identifying Character, Plot & Setting

The reading skill that we will work on this week is the identification of character, setting and plot. Students will fill out story structure maps as they read fiction to help them organize their thoughts and identify the main characters, setting & plot. We will be using the novel Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to practice this skill. Please note that students will have a QUIZ chapters 1 & 2 of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing on Monday, 1/24. The quiz will cover vocabulary, the problems/solutions, and conclusions that were discussed in class and are in their packets.

Spelling - The VCCV Pattern

This week we will study words with the "VCCV" (Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel) pattern. The final test will be on Friday, 1/28, and the cursive & workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

They're back...everyone's favorite..."T-Charts"! Last year, students were introduced to writing "T-Charts", which is also know as the extended response in math on the ISAT tests. At the beginning of the week, we will review the requirements of T-Charts, and how to write one. We will practice this several times before ISAT testing at the end of February. We will also begin chapter 8 with a look at bar graphs and double bar graphs.

Don't forget...

February 21 - President's Day - No School

February 25 - End of Trimester

THANK YOU to the parents who chaperoned our field trip to Argonne on 1/19. We had a fabulous time learning about the science of toys, light waves & states of matter.

GO BEARS!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Reading - Identifying Characters, Plot & Setting

Week of 1/17/2011 - 1/21/2011

2011-01-13T05:47:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/17/11-1/21/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adjectives

We will be finishing this chapter with a look at comparing with more & most, and comparing with good & bad. Students will have a graded review on lessons 4-6 on Friday. Look for the adjectives test to be scheduled for the week of 1/24.

Social Studies - The Cherokee

Chapter 7 begins with a look at the people of the Southeast. We will focus on the Cherokee people. There will be a quiz on lesson 1 of chapter 7 during the week of 1/24.

Science - The Human Body

Our new chapter covers the human body. We will start with a look at how cells, organs and systems are related. Then we will begin studying the individual body systems, beginning with the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - The Final /j/ & /s/ Sounds
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/21. Workbook pages and the cursive page will also be collected that day.

Reading - Drawing Conclusions

The comprehension skill that we will be focusing on this week is drawing conclusions. Good readers use details in a story to draw conclusions about characters in events. Students may use graphic organizers to gather details from a story to draw conclusions. Students will learn that it is possible to draw more than one conclusion from the same details. While studying this skill, we will be begin our new novel study with the book, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will finish chapter 7 next week with a look at how to choose a reasonable scale when creating a chart. The chapter 7 TEST is scheduled for Friday, 1/21.

Don't Forget...
1/17/2011 - Martin Luther King's Birthday - No School

1/17/2011 - PTO Dine Out Fundraiser at Papa Passero's

1/19/2011 - Argonne Field Trip (Mrs. Bell & Mr. Trinco's Classes)

2/21/2011 - President's Day - No School

Field Trip to Argonne
Our class will be taking a field trip to Argonne on January 19th. Students must bring a COMPLETELY DISPOSABLE SACK LUNCH on that day. Also, they must wear LONG PANTS and CLOSED TOE SHOES. We have high expectations for student behavior on that day, and remind students to remember our PV Pact: Be Respectful, Be Responsible & Be Safe!

Congratulations to Kurt & Stewart, our classroom spelling bee winners! They will represent our class in the fourth grade spelling bee on the afternoon of 1/18.

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/10/11 - 1/14/11

2011-01-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/10/11 - 1/14/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adjectives

Students were pretested in this chapter last week, and many will be doing enrichment work during the unit. This week all students will have a graded review on lessons 1-3 of the chapter. This will include the lessons: identifying adjectives, adjectives after the verb "be", using "a", "an", and "the". We will also study how to make comparisons with adjectives.

Social Studies - The Southeast

Students will be taking the chapter 6 TEST on Monday, 1/10. The test will cover the geography, climate and resources of the southeast region. A study guide for the test was sent home on 1/6. At the end of the week students will work on filling in the Southeast Region of their large United States map.

Science - Adaptations

Students will take an open note QUIZ on lessons 2 & 3 of Chapter 3 on Tuesday, 1/11. We have finished the chapter, so review will take place on Wednesday, and the TEST for chapter 3 will be on Thursday, 1/13. A very busy week!

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - The Final Long "e" Sound

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/14. Student will be completing a cursive page and workbook pages that will also be due on that day.

Reading - Problem & Solution

This week the children will work on identifying the problem and solution of a story as they are reading. Most stories involve a problem for the characters to solve. The solution to the problem may come after otheres have been tried. We will practice this skill with a read aloud story called, "The Bear", and continue to work on this skill as we begin the novel, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Ch. 7 - Collect & Organize Data

Due to field trips and the MAPS testing, our math schedule is limited this week. Students will be taking a QUIZ on chapter 7, lessons 1-3 on Wednesday, 1/12. This will cover collecting & organizing data, Venn diagrams & mean, median & mode. On Friday, we will study line plots.

Don't forget...

January 17 - No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

January 17 - PTO Dine Out Fundraiser at Papa Passero's

February 21 - No School - President's Day

Field Trip to Argonne

Our class will be taking a field trip to Argonne on January 19th. Students will be participating in two hands-on labs exploring the Scientific Method and Electricity. Permission slips were sent home, and are due back by 1/11. Students should bring a completely disposable SACK LUNCH on that day. They must also wear LONG PANTS and CLOSED TOE SHOES.

We will be having our classroom spelling bees on 1/12 & 1/13. The top two spellers in our class will earn a chance to compete against other fourth grade students in our grade level bee.

Thank You!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1/3/11 - 1/7/11

2010-12-14T17:50:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 1/3/11 - 1/7/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Adjectives

We will be pretesting for our new chapter on 1/3. Students who get 100% correct in three or more lessons will have the opportunity to do alternate challenge work to the textbook lessons. The first three lessons in this chapter will cover the definition of adjectives, adjectives used after the forms of the word "be", and using the adjectives/articles "a", "an" and "the".

Social Studies - Wildlife & Resources of the Southeast

We will be finishing chapter 6 with a look at the wildlife and resources of the Southeast. The chapter 6 TEST is tentatively scheduled for the week of 1/10.

Science - How Behaviors of Animals Help Them Meet their Needs

This week we will be focusing on lessons 2 & 3 of chapter 3. Students will study behaviors of animals that help them to survive, such as migration and hibernation. We will also look at instinctive behaviors versus learned behaviors.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Words with the /k/, /ng/ & /kw/ Sounds

Beginning with this lesson, we will no longer be pretesting in spelling. We spend more time focusing on the rule for the week, and with the definitions of the spelling words for the week. Workbook pages and the cursive page will be due on Friday, 1/7. The final test for the lesson will also be on 1/7.

Reading

This week, we will be working on predicting outcomes. Readers can often guess ahead of time, or predict, what will happen in a story, based on information the author has given. Additionally, readers can change or adjust their predictions as they read.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will be reviewing for the chapter 6 test on Monday, 1/3. The TEST is scheduled for 1/4. Our next unit will be chapter 7, which focuses on the collection & organization of data. This week we will focus on venn diagrams, and finding the mean, median and mode for data sets.

Don't Forget...

January 3 -- Classes Resume after Winter Break

January 17 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School

Have a happy, relaxing & safe holiday break!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/13/10 - 12/17/10

2010-12-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 12/13/10 - 12/17/10 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English

Students have been busy studying figurative language while preparing to write their, "I Remember When..." descriptive paragraphs. The rough draft of their paragraph is due on Monday, 12/13. We will write the final copies in school that day.

Social Studies - The Southeast

We will be finishing our study of the climate of the Southeast.

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

We will be finishing chapter 3, lesson 1 with a look at natural selection. Ask your child why it is rare to see a light gray peppered moth. Students will have a QUIZ on this lesson on Wednesday, 12/15.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling

Our reading class will only be meeting 3 days this week due to the bowling & Tivoli field trips. Therefore, there will be NO spelling lesson this week. When we return from holiday break, we will begin a new routine for spelling. Due to the low number of students that have passed the pretest, we will no longer be taking it. We will use that time to focus on reviewing the spelling rule for the week, and familiarizing ourselves with the meanings of the words. All students will be completing the same cursive page and the workbook pages for each unit.

Reading

The first strategy that we focus on this week in reading is making inferences. A writer doesn't always explain every fact or detail about when writing a story. The writer expects that readers will fill in missing information from their own experience. Good readers do this by putting together what they already know and what they have read to make the best guess they can. When readers add information from their own experience to what is stated in a text, they are making an inference. We will also study the reading skill of comparing and contrasting. Students will practice comparing pieces of literature that are similar and different. After studying these skills, students will practice them with the story of The Polar Express.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Chapter 6

Elapsed time on a calendar, changing units of time and temperature are our topics for this week. We will not be testing on this chapter until after the holiday break.

Don't Forget...

December 16 - Bowling Field Trip (afternoon)

December 17 - All School Field Trip to the Tivoli

December 20 - Winter Break begins

January 3 - Classes Resume after Winter Break

The permission slip and fee for the Tivoli field trip is due by Monday, 12/13.

Hot lunch will be available for students on the day of the Tivoli Field trip on 12/17. However, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that your child bring a sack lunch that day in order to avoid the long lines in the lunch room.

There is a test in PE on Tuesday, 12/14. The test will cover the bowling unit.

Thank you to all the families who have contributed to the Project Challenge collection for the needy. They will be collecting food, toiletries & toys through 12/13.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/6/10 - 12/10/10

2010-12-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 12/6/10-12/10/10 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Descriptive Writing

We will be taking a break from our English textbook to learn about figurative language. Students will study adjectives and similes, and will then use what they have learned to write a descriptive paragraph about a favorite winter memory

Social Studies

We will continue our study of the Southeast with a look at the resources of the region.

Science

Adaptations is our new unit in science, found in chapter 3, lesson 1. We will study how physical and behavioral adaptations of animals help them to survive.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling

The spelling test for this week will be on THURSDAY, 12/9. Workbook pages & contract work will also be due that day.

Reading
Next week our story will be Two-Star Day, by Veronica Freeman Ellis. It is the story of a boy who has a two very occasions falling on one day...his birthday & becoming a United States citizen. Our reading strategies are questioning, categorizing and classifying. Recognizing the question a story may raise is a good way to make sure you understand it. Classifying involves grouping like items, and categorizing involves naming the group. Grouping the items makes it easier to remember them. Students will classify and categorize the many characters and countries named in the story to help understand the story better.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The graded assessment for Chapter 5 is scheduled for Monday, 12/6. We will then move on to chapter 6, which covers the topics of telling time and elapsed time.

Don't forget...

We can now raise money for our district by recycling paper! You can help us out, too! Please collect any paper you are going to throw away or recycle (office and school paper, newspaper, magazines and catalogs, and construction paper---NO CARDBOARD!) and send it in with your child to school or drop it off at the green and yellow Paper Retriever bin in the Lakeview parking lot (near the fence by the Prairieview playground). The bin is available for drop offs 24/7. The more paper we recycle, the more money we can make! Do something good for our schools AND the environment! Thank you

Mrs. Karen Bell

Weeks of 11/22/10 - 12/3/10

2010-11-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the WEEKS of 11/22/10 - 12/3/10 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Nouns

We will be finishing this unit the week of 11/22. We will be reviewing the material on 11/29, & the TEST for chapter 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, 11/30.

Social Studies - Chapter 6 - The Land of the Southeast

We will be moving on to a new region in Social Studies, the Southeast. Students will be creating their own map of the region at the beginning of the week of 11/29. Next, we will study the landforms from the coast to the mountains in the SE.

Science - Life Cycles of Plants and Animals
After finishing lesson 3 of chapter 2, we will have a QUIZ on the material on Monday, 11/22. The chapter TEST is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 12/2.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling

There will be no spelling lesson the week of 11/22. Our next lesson will be the week of 11/29. Due to the short week, the final test will be on Thursday, 12/2, and the cursive page, workbook pages, and contract work will also be due that day.

Reading

Over the next couple of weeks we will be reviewing the skills that we have gone over since the beginning of the year. The students will also work on summarizing and making generalizations. In writing summaries, the students will learn to pick out the main points or events of a story or passage and concisely put them in their own words. In making generalizations, the students will learn that generalizations are broad statements that are true most of the time, based on fact or good reasons, and may include words like always or most. We have already begun working on our summarizing skills with the Because of Winn-Dixie timeline project.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 5 on Monday, 11/22. The following week, we will cover the topics of predicting and testing, exploring inequalities & finding a rule. The test for chapter 5 is tentatively scheduled for the week of 12/6.

FYI...

Dates to Remember:

November 23 - Report Cards

November 24, 25, 26 - Thanksgiving Holiday - No school

November 29 - December 3 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

December 3 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - No school

Conferences are scheduled for the week of November 29th. I will be sending home confirmation slips.

From the students in Project Challenge...

The students of Project Challenge grades 3-5 are participating in a Lions' club Holiday Drive. we are looking for donations such as new toys, new games, toiletries, and food for the needy families in the Darien area. If you wish to participate you will need to bring the donations in by December 13th. Remember that some of these families live right her in Darien. So let's help these families have a happy holiday season. PLEASE DONATE.

Click on the link below to read a story from the local paper about the PBIS program at PV:

http://triblocal.com/downers-grove/communitystories/2010/11/prairieview-school-receives-pbis-award/

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/15/10 - 11/19/10

2010-11-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the Week of 11/15/10-11/19/10 in Mrs. Bell's Class

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Nouns

Singular & plural possessive nouns will be covered this week.

Social Studies - The Narragansett People
Finishing lesson 1 of chapter 5 is our mission this week. Students will be creating drawings of a Narragansett village and will have a QUIZ on lesson 3 on Thursday. Next stop...the Southeast region!

Science - Life Cycles of Plants and Animals
We will be moving on from plants to animals in our study of life cycles. This week we will look at different types of growth and development, including metamorphasis. We will learn about the four stages of human development, and what the characteristics of each stage are. Look for a QUIZ on chapter 2, lesson 3 during the week of 11/22.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling
The final test this week will be on Friday, 11/19. The print/cursive page and workbook pages 137-139 OR contract work will also be collected that day.

Reading

We will work on making inferences and evaluating during reading this week. Good readers should always think about their reactions to what they are readning and why they are reacting that way. This strategy is called "evaluating". As you are reading the story, think about these things: How does the author make the story come alive and make you want to keep reading? What was entertaining, informative, or useful about what you read? How well did you understand what you were reading? Did you enjoy reading it?

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Algebra: Use Multiplication & Division Facts
This week we will begin chapter 5 with a look at the properties of multiplication. Lessons to follow include multiplication & division expressions, order of operations and multiplication & division equations. I have tentatively scheduled a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 5 for Monday, 11/22.

FYI...

Dates to Remember:

November 23 -- Report Cards

November 24, 25, 26 -- Thanksgiving Holiday -- No School

December 3 -- Parent/Teacher Conferences -- No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/8/10 - 11/12/10

2010-11-02T17:10:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the week of 11/8/10 - 11/12/10 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Nouns

Singular and plural nouns will be our focus this week. We will study the rules of spelling for plural nouns, including nouns that end in "s", "x", "ch", "sh" and "y". Plural nouns that do not follow any pattern will also be studied. Ask your child how to pluralize the words sheep & ox!

Social Studies - The Narragansett People

Lesson 1 of chapter 5 will include information about the Narragansett people, native americans who lived in the Northeast region. We will learn about their culture and then compare and contrast it with the culture of the Iroquois people.

Science

The QUIZ for chapter 2, lesson 2 will be on Monday, 11/8. We will be moving on to the next lesson, Life Cycle of Animals, later in the week.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - The "ou" & "aw" sound

The final test for this lesson is on Friday, 11/12. The print/cursive sheet, workbook pages and/or contract work will also be collected that day.

Reading

This week we will focus on two important reading strategies. The first reading strategy that we will discuss is to make predictions, or educated guesses, about what will happen next in the story. The second reading strategy that we will apply is the use of inferences, or the ability to figure something out, even though it isn't exactly stated in the story. Additionally, we will focus on sequencing events in literature. Our reading class will be studying the novel Because of Winn-Dixie while we work on these strategies.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Early in the week, we will finish chapter 4 by taking a look at the problem solving skills of choosing an operation and finding missing factors. The TEST for chapter 4 will be on Friday, 11/12. Students will not be allowed to use their multiplication table for the test.

FYI....

Dates to Remember:

November 8-- Roller Skating Party
November 11 -- Veteran's Day -- No School

November 12 -- End of 1st Trimester

November 16 -- Report Cards issued

November 24, 25, 26 -- Thanksgiving Holiday -- No School

Students attending the roller skating party on Monday, November 8th, will need to report to school at 3:45 p.m. to check in and to have their hands stamped before boarding the buses. Students should bring their fast pass with them at check in, which will go home with them on Monday. Please remember not to park in the bus lanes when dropping your student off, and for pick up.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/1/10 - 11/5/10

2010-10-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

Highlights for the Week of 11/1/10 - 11/5/10 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

English - Chapter 2 - Nouns

Our new unit in English is nouns. We will begin by taking a look at the definition of a noun, then continue on to common and proper nouns, and singular and plural nouns. Ask your child about the new Schoolhouse Rock song that is being sung in our room!

Social Studies - Chapter 5 - People of the Northeast

Students will finish creating the Northeast portion of their U.S. maps early in the week. Then we will move on to chapter 5, People of the Northeast. The first lesson in that chapter will focus on the Narragansett people.

Science - Chapter 2 - Life Cycles of Plants and Animals

Plants that reproduce by means other than seeds is the topic for this week. Our studies will include a look at ferns and tubers (potatoes). There will be a QUIZ on lesson 2 of this chapter the week of 11/8.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Reading

Mysteries will continue to be the focus in reading for all fourth grade students next week. We will review bocabulary words that are typically associated with mysteries. While reading other mystery stories, students will review the format of a mystery and continue using the reading strategies of monotoring and clarifying to understand story maps. A story map is a strategy that uses a graphic organizer to help students learn the elements of a book or story. By identifying story characters, plot, setting, problem and solution, students read carefully to learn the details.

Spelling - More Short & Long Vowels

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 11/5. The print/cursive sheet and workbook pages or contract work is also due on that day.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will begin the week with a look at multiplication facts from through 12. Students will be creating their own multiplication facts table, and should be practicing their facts at home. There will be a QUIZ on lessons 1-5 of chapter 4 on 11/4.

FYI...

Don't forget...no school on Tuesday, 11/2 due to teachers' institute.

Book Club orders are due on Friday, 11/5. If you would like to order online, our class activation code is HDNTK. Order forms & an information letter were sent home with your child.

A huge thank you goes out to all of the parents who gave of their time and talents to make our Halloween celebration a success. I'm wishing all of my little "goblins" a happy & safe Halloween!

Mrs. Karen Bell

The "Buzz" from Mrs. Bell's Class

Week of 1/30/12-2/3/12

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