Week of 1/7/13 - 1/11/13

Highlights for the Week of 1/7/13

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the final /ē / Sound
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday,1/11. 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 - Adjectives
We will begin the study of adjectives this week.  Adjectives are words that describe nouns.  Adjectives tell us "what kind" & "how many".  Students will take a unit pretest on Monday to determine eligibility for challenge work.  The first topic in this unit will be "What is an Adjective?".

Social Studies - The Midwest

Our journey through the U.S. will take us to the Midwest.  Students will create their maps and learn about the waterways in this region.  Look for a MAP QUIZ to be scheduled the week of 1/14.

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 - Time & Temperature
Changing units of time will be the topic when we return to school.  We will also take a look at temperature.

Don't Forget...

Students will be taking the MAPS test during the week of 1/7. Our class will take the reading test on Wednesday, & the math test on Friday. Please encourage your child to do his/her best on the test, and be sure that he/she comes to school well rested. Thank you!

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

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/17/12 - 12/21/12

Highlights for the Week 

of 12/17/12 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the /k/, /ng/ & /kw/ Sounds
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 12/21. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Read with Fluency and Expression
This week, students will be working on performing a readers' theater version of a holiday favorite, The Polar Express. They have been split into two groups, and each group will present to the other on Thursday, 12/20.Simple props and/or costumes will be allowed.  Readers' theater is a wonderful tool for building fluency, confidence and for practicing how to read with expression.

English - Nouns
The Nouns TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 12/19. We will review for the test early in the week.  To prepare for the test, students should review all of the lessons in the textbook, found on pages 64-94. Your child should be able to tell you the difference between a common noun and a proper noun, and how to write both types. Spelling rules for writing plural nouns will also be on the test.  Finally, ask your child the rules for making singular and plural nouns possessive. Textbook pages 82-85 and 88-94 have excellent review exercises for test preparation. 

Social Studies - The Cherokee (Chapter 7, Lesson 1)

Our focus in Social Studies this week will be on the culture and heritage of the Southeastern Native Americans, The Cherokee.  Students will take a QUIZ on this lesson on Thursday, 12/20.

Science 

Our next unit in science will be "The Human Body". We will begin the unit after the holiday break.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Time & Temperature

Students will take a QUIZ on lessons 1 and 2 of chapter 6 on Monday, 12/17. The topics covered will include telling time and elapsed time.  They we will take a look at elapsed time on a calendar.  We will continue our study of time and temperature after the holiday break.

Don't Forget...

The Fourth grade BOWLING field trip is the afternoon of Wednesday, 12/19.  Students may bring a small amount of money to purchase snacks while bowling.

The "all-school" field trip to the TIVOLI Movie theater will be the afternoon of Friday, 12/21.  Students will enjoy watching The Polar Express. No money is necessary; snacks will not be available.

January 7 -- Classes Resume after Winter Break

January 21 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/10/12 - 12/14/12

Highlights for the Week of 12/10/12 

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Review Lesson
This week's spelling list will contain 30 words from the second theme in our reading text. Words will be chosen from lessons 8-12. Students must score 100% on the pretest to earn challenge work for the week. The final test will be on Friday, 12/14, and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework will also be collected on Friday.

Reading - I Can Evaluate Text & Review Strategies

The Because of Winn-Dixie timeline project will be collected on Monday, 12/10.  In reading this week, students will be reading stories about Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt & Duke Ellington as we review strategies that we have learned over the past few weeks. 

English - Nouns
We will finish the nouns unit with a look at plural possessive nouns.  The chapter test is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, 12/19.


Social Studies - The Southeast
On Tuesday, students will begin working on a descriptive writing assignment for the Southeast region. Look for the project description sheet to come home that day. The project is due on 12/17. We will finish the week by working on the Southeast portion of our large United States map, and "Chef Bell" will make another appearance by creating our Southeast Feast.

Science - Chapter 3 Assessment
The TEST for chapter 3 is scheduled for Thursday, 12/13.  We will review on Monday for the test, and students will receive their study guides that day.


Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
The chapter 5 TEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/11.  The next topic that we will visit in math will be time & temperature.

Don't forget...

Tivoli Field Trip forms are due on 12/12.

Please enjoy these pictures from the Winn-Dixie friendship celebration.  We had a ball!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/3/12 - 12/7/12

Highlights for the Week of 12/3/12

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, 12/7. Cursive and workbook pages OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Summarize & Make Generalizations

We have finished reading Because of Winn-Dixie, and are ready to begin the final project for the novel. The project will focus on using the skill of summarizing, as students create a timeline. During the week, we will work on how to summarize and make 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. Students will be given time in school to work on the project, which will be collected on Monday, 12/10.  We will also have our "Winn-Dixie Friendship Celebration" in the classroom on Friday, 12/7.  The celebration is modeled after the party thrown by the main character in the book.  Student chefs will recreate the book's menu of egg salad sandwiches, dill pickles & "dump punch". We will finish our celebration by watching the movie while comparing and contrasting the novel with the movie.  Please watch for movie permission slips & a request for menu item donations to come home today.

English - Nouns
We will continue our study of how to spell plural nouns, and take a look at singular possessive nouns.

Social Studies - The Southeast
Our focus this week will be on the wildlife and resources of the Southeast.  Students will learn about the crops that flourish in the Southeast's long growing season, and how the alligator was saved from becoming an endangered species. The chapter 6 TEST is scheduled for Friday, 12/7. The topic in this week's Time for Kids magazine is a recap of the election.  Students will read about election results & use a chart to interpret information.  The comprehension QUIZ on the TFK magazine will be on Thursday, 12/6.  Please be sure that your child has his/her magazine at school that day.

Science - "How do Living Things of the Past Compare with Those of Today?"

Looking at how scientists use fossils is the topic for the week. Students will be taking an open note/textbook QUIZ on lessons 2 and 3 of chapter 3 on Wednesday, 12/5.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Students will be taking a quiz on lessons 1-4 of chapter 5 on Tuesday, 12/4.  The QUIZ will include properties of multiplication, multiplication and division expressions, and order of operations.  Ask your child what PMDAS stands for!  We will also take a look at the problem solving skill of "predict and test", inequalities and finding patterns and rules.  Look for the chapter 5 test to be scheduled for the week of 12/10.The following pictures are of a collaborative activity that we did while practicing order of operations...

Don't forget...

December 11 - PTO Dine Out Fundraiser 

December 24 - Winter Break Begins

January 7, 2013 - Classes Resume

Mrs. Karen Bell


Posted by Mrs. Karen Bell at 4:46 PM

Weeks of 11/19/12 & 11/26/12

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/19/12 & 11/26/12 

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling 
There will be no spelling the week of 11/19. 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 Friday, 11/30. 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 continue to read the novel, Because of Winn-Dixie as we practice these skills.

English - Nouns
Students will be taking the pretest for the Nouns unit on Monday, 11/19. Those that are proficient in at least half of the lessons will have the opportunity to do challenge work. 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 next region on our journey across the U.S. is the southeast.  We will begin with a look at the geography of the region, focusing on the how the land changes as you move inland from the coast.  Students will take the map QUIZ for the Southeast the week of 11/26.

Science -  Behavioral Adaptations / TFK  - "Sandy Strikes"
We will continue to study how the physical and behavioral adaptations of animals help them to meet their needs. Students will also be reading a Time for Kids that focuses on the impact that Hurricane Sandy has had on the northeast. 

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

As we move on to chapter 5, the concepts that we will focus on are multiplication properties and multiplication and division expressions. We will also take a look at order of operations. It is imperative that students continue to practice their multiplication and division facts.

FYI...
November 21-23 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday Break

On Monday, November 19, all fourth grade students will attend an in school presentation titled, "Life on the Appalachian Trail". This presentation is given by John Lynn, and it will feature a slide presentation that illustrates the history, geography and nature of the Northeast and Southeast regions of the U.S.

I am so thankful for the privilege of having your child as my student. Wishing you & yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Mrs. Karen Bell

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

Highlights for the Week of 11/12/12

 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - The /ōō/ & /ŏŏ/ Sounds
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/16. Cursive and workbook pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.


Reading - Because of Winn-Dixie Novel Study
We will be reading chapters 5-10 in our novel this week.  The skills that we will practice while reading include clarifying and visualizing.  We will also be studying several new vocabulary words. Students will be taking a comprehension/vocabulary QUIZ on chapters 1-10 of Because of Winn-Dixie on Friday, 11/16.

English - Nouns
The chapter 5 English TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/14. The next unit that we will study is nouns.

Social Studies - People of the Northeast
We will continue our study of the Native Americans of the Northeast.  Students will learn about the culture and traditions of the Narragansetts. They will also learn about the Iroqouis Americans, and will compare and contrast their culture with the Narragansetts. On Tuesday, students will receive guidelines for a project in which they will illustrate a Narragansett Village. The project will be collected on 11/19. There will be a QUIZ on Thursday, 11/15, that will cover lesson 1 of chapter 5.

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
We will finish multiplication facts through 12, and take a look at how to find missing factors in equations.  The chapter 4 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 11/20.

Don't forget...

November 12 - Veterans'  Day - No School
November 21, 22, 23 - Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

Mrs. Karen Bell

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

Highlights for the Week of 11/5/12

in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - The "ou" and “â” sound 
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/9. 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 one of my favorite novels, Because of Winn-Dixie.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation
We will finish chapter 5 with a look at how to write titles, and a review of the chapter.  The chapter 5 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 11/13. 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. 

Social Studies - People of the Northeast
We will be studying 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. 

Science - Life Cycles of Plants and Animals
The TEST on chapter 2, lessons 2 & 3 is scheduled for Thursday, 11/8.  Ask your child to see the study guide that was given out to help prepare for the test.  Tests in science are not open book or open note.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class 
We are nearing the end of multiplication facts.  Students will be tested on threes and review on Tuesday, 11/7. The facts for the numbers 4-8 will finish up the week. We will also work on some problem solving.

FYI...

November 5 and 6 - No School
November 12  -- Veteran's Day -- No School
November 21-23  -- Thanksgiving Holiday -- No School

This week students will be "filling their buckets" by giving to others. Andrea's cousin has been deployed to Afghanistan for the fourth time.  We will be making holiday cards to send to him and his company of Marines. 

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 10/29/12 - 11/2/12

Highlights for the Week of 10/29/12

 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - More Short and Long Vowels
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/2. Cursive and workbook pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading
Mysteries will be the focus in reading 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 and 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. Students will take mystery vocabulary  QUIZ on 11/1.

English - Capitalization and Punctuation
We will continue this unit with a look at how to use quotation marks, and writing quotations.

Social Studies - Election 2012
Students will be learning about the presidential candidates. We will begin by taking a look at their personal and professional lives, including their education and families.  Then, we will move on to the important issues in the election such as taxes, education, taxes and health care.  Students will compare and contrast the ideas held by each of the candidates on these topics.  On Friday, we will hold an election in our room, and a winner will be declared!


 
Science - What are the Life Cycles of Plants and Animals?
This week, we will finish the lesson about life cycles of animals with a look at metamorphosis. Students will take an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 3 of chapter 2 on Friday, 11/2.  We will also spend some time reviewing a Time for Kids magazine that takes a look at how eating insects has become popular !  The comprehension QUIZ for this magazine will also be on 11/2.  Please make sure that your child has his/her magazine at school that day.

Many students have been asking about how to access the online Science textbook.  The steps are as follows:

From the internet, go to http://www.thinkcentral.com
On the left side of the menu choose SCIENCE AND HEALTH
From the books, choose HSP SCIENCE
On the next screen choose: State: ILLINOIS;  District: CENTER CASS 66; School: PRAIRIEVIEW
User name is your child's ID number WITHOUT THE LEADING ZERO
Password is ccsd66
When you get to the main page, choose LIBRARY, and the book will come up for your child to view.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
We will continue learning multiplication facts by moving on to the facts for fives - twelves. Watch for the letters that give details about the program to come home with your child.

Don't forget...
Week of 10/29 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Homeroom Students)
November 5 - Conferences - No School
November 6 - Teacher's Institute - No School

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

Week of 10/22/12-10/25/12

Highlights for the Week of 10/22/12

 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. Students must score 100% on the pretest to do challenge work.  The final test will be on Friday, 10/28, and homework will also be collected that same day.

Reading - I Can Predict and Make Inferences

This week, we will be reading 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 abbreviations and commas in a series.  Students will be taking an independent assessment on Monday which will cover capitalization of people, pets, places, and things.

Social Studies - The 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 Monday. The rough draft is due on Thursday, 10/24, and the final copy will be collected on Monday, 10/29. On Thursday we will have our "Northeast Feast", when students will get to sample some of the products of the region, including cranberries, grapes and maple syrup.  "Chef Bell" will be whipping up some pancakes to go with the syrup :-)

Science - Life Cycles of Animals

The life cycles of different animals is the new topic in science. Students will be taking an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 3 of chapter 23 on Monday, 10/29.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Chapter 4 begins on Monday.  This chapter focuses on multiplication and division facts.  We will review our facts using a program called "Multiplication Facts in 7 Days", although we will stretch the system to a longer period of time.  Look for a letter explaining the system to be sent home with your child on Monday. I will also be sending home flash cards with students whose parents were unable to attend curriculum night.  Please use the flash cards to review facts with your child.

Don't Forget...

10/25 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
11/29 - PICTURE RETAKES

Mrs. Karen Bell