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