Week of 10/1/12-10/5/12

Highlights for the Week of 
10/1/12 - 10/5/12 
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Short and Long "u"
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 10/5. Cursive and workbook pages and/or contract 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 while reading a variety of non-fiction passages.
 

English - What is a Sentence?
The TEST for chapter 1 is scheduled for Wednesday, 10/3. Students should prepare for the test 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. 

Social Studies - Land & Water in the Northeast
Early in the week, we will take a look at the resources of the Northeast. The last lesson in our new chapter focuses on  the "plentiful sea", and how people that live in the Northeast make a living from the oceans. We study how pollution effects the fishing industry and the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay.

Science - How are Animals Classified?

The worm races 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 Wednesday, 10/3. We will also be reading a Time for Kids magazine that discusses the problems caused by the lack of rain last summer. Students will take a comprehension QUIZ on the magazine on Friday, 10/5.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
We will complete chapter 2 with a look at addition and subtraction of 3 and 4 digit numbers. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 4 (Break Apart Strategy) and  6 (Addition and Subtraction of three and four digit numbers) on Wednesday, 10/3. After looking at how to choose a problem solving strategy, we will review on Thursday.  The TEST on Chapter 2 is scheduled for Friday, 10/5. Reviewing the note packet and workbook pages should be sufficient in preparing for this test. 

FYI...

There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, 0ctober 8 in observance of Columbus Day.

The PV Book fair is scheduled for October 18 from 6:30 to 8:00.  Classrooms will not be open, but be sure to come out and support our PTO !

WORM RACE PICTURES...

WATCHING THE LAST "HEAT"

WHO WILL WIN ???

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/24/12 - 9/28/12

Highlights for the Week of 9/24/12 - 9/28/12 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Short & Long "i" and "o"
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 9/28. Cursive and workbook pages OR contract work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Author's Viewpoint
This week we will be focusing on the reading skill of determining author's viewpoint. Author's viewpoint refers to the author's opinion of what is important, or the attitude toward the topic. 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. We will begin the week by looking at some fun poetry by Shel Silverstein that expresses his point of view towards topics such as the dentist and school.  Then, we will be reading the story "Grandfather's Journey" as a whole group to practice this strategy.  Finally, students will be working in small groups reading various stories from the "Journeys" unit theme, where they will practice this skill on their own.

English - What is a Sentence?
I am quite impressed with our class's singing abilities as we sing along with Mr. Morton and his lesson about subjects and predicates!  Ask your child to sing a few notes for you!  Simple predicates and run on sentences will be our topics this week. Look for the chapter 1 test to be scheduled the week of 10/l.

Social Studies - Land & Water in the 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, 9/27.

Science - The Scientific Method
Be sure to check out the pictures of students working with their worms at the end of the blog. Students will finish their study of worm behavior on Monday.  They will be taking an open book QUIZ on the Scientific Method on Tuesday, 9/25. Worm races are scheduled for Thursday, 9/27.  Look for the Worm Track Project sheet to come home with your child on Friday, 9/21. 

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
Our topics for the week include mental math strategies, how to use exact answers vs. estimations and the addition and subtraction of 3 and 4 digit numbers.  


FYI...

Picture Day is on Thursday, 9/27. Magazine turn in days are 9/25 & 9/27.

 

 

 

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/10/12 - 9/14/12

Highlights for the Week of 9/10/2012 - 9/14/2012 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 -Identifying the Elements of Story Structure / Summarizing

This week we will focus on the elements of story structure while reading a story called Akiak, by Robert Blake. Akiak is about a famous Iditarod race that takes place in the Alaskan silderness. We will use a story map to examine how a problem and its solution affect the story's plot and characters. Students will also work on sharpening their summarizing skills while writing a "diary from the point of view of the story's hero, Akiak the dog. We will also be working with the following vocabulary words: blizzard, checkpoint, courageous, experienced, musher, and rugged. Your child may review these words with an e-game at

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr06/gr4/gr4_th1_sel1.html.Click on the e-game tab to play the game.

English - What is a Sentence?

We will continue our study of sentences by taking a look at the "command" and "exclamation".  On Friday, students will independently complete a graded review of lessons 1-3. Finally, students will need a 4X6 photo of themselves for a project on Monday, 9/17. 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 with a peek at the branches of government, and the Constitution.  We will then move on to the 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 Monday, 9/10. 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

We will be practicing some problem solving strategies early in the week.  The strategies will include using a Venn diagram, making a chart and making a list. On Wednesday we will review in class to prepare for the chapter 1 TEST which is scheduled for 9/14.

FYI...

We will be taking the second and last MAP test on Monday, 9/10. The test will be on reading. Please see that your child comes to school well rested & with a healthy breakfast that day.

The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Tuesday, 9/11. An information packet will be sent home with your child that day.

If your child is interested in joining the band, please plan to attend the information meeting being held at PV on Monday, 9/10 at 7:00 p.m.


Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell