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

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

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