Week of 1/6/14 - 1/10/14

Highlights for the Week of 1/6/14

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the final / ē / Sound
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday,1/10. 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 skill 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 using the story, Marven of the Great North Woods to practice this school. After several close readings of this story, students will practice answering text dependent questions. They will focus on developing the meaning of vocabulary words as they reread the story.We will also be reading a Time for Kids magazine that reviews 2013 in pictures.  Students will take a comprehension QUIZ on the magazine in school on Wednesday, 1/8.

English - Nouns 
We will finish our study of nouns with a peek at singular and plural possessive nouns. Singular possessive nouns show that something belongs to ONE person, place or thing (the boy's books). Plural possessive nouns show that something belongs to MORE THAN ONE person, place or thing (the students' books). We will review the chapter on Wednesday. The nouns TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 1/9.

Social Studies - The Midwest

Our journey through the U.S. has brought us to the Midwest.  We will finish our study of the Great Lakes, and continue on to lesson 2 of chapter 8. This lesson covers the terrain & climate of the South Dakota Badlands.

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

The circulatory systems will be the topic in science this week.  We will study the different components of blood, how the blood travels through the body, and the heart.   

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 6 - Divide by a 1-Digit Number
Our new unit will focus on division. The pretest will be given on Monday, 1/6. This week's lessons will cover division with multiples of 10, 100 & 1,000, and how to estimate quotients. 

Don't Forget...

Students will be taking the MAPS test during the week of 1/6. Our class will take the reading test on Wednesday, & the math test on Thursday. 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 12/16/13 - 12/20/13

Highlights for the Week 

of 12/16/13 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with the /k/, /ng/ & /kw/ Sounds
The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 12/20. Workbook pages & the cursive page OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Use Text Proof to Respond to Comprehension Questions
This week in reading, students will be reading a Time for Kids magazine about the storm in the Philippines. During Daily 5, students will read the main article with a partner, independently read the main article, and work on analyzing a chart. The comprehension quiz will be assigned for homework on Monday. 

English - Nouns
Students will take a QUIZ on plural nouns on Monday, 12/16. They should review and remember the rules for spelling most plural nouns (add -s), for plural nouns that end in -s, -x, -ch, and -sh (add -es), for plural nouns that end in a vowel and "y" (add -s), for plural nouns that end in a consonant and "y" (change the "y" to an "i", and add -es), and irregular plural nouns such as children, mice, deer, and moose. They have practice sheets in the English folder of their binder that should be helpful when preparing for the quiz.

Social Studies - The Midwest

We will begin our study of the Midwest with a look at the formation of the Great Lakes. The Midwest map QUIZ is scheduled for Thursday, 12/18. 

Science - How Does Your Body Get Oxygen & Nutrients?

The respiratory system will be our focus this week.  Students will create a model of the respiratory system that will show how the diaphragm pushes air in and out of the lungs.  Ask your child to demonstrate it for you! 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class 

Students will take the 4th, and final, division "Mad Minute" on Monday, 12/16. The Unit 5 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 12/18.

Don't Forget...

December 17 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
January 6 -- Classes Resume after Winter Break

January 20 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School

The Fourth grade BOWLING field trip is the afternoon of Wednesday, 12/18.  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, 12/20.  Students will enjoy watching "Tale of Despereaux". No money is necessary; snacks will not be available.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 12/9/2013 - 12/13/13

Highlights for the Week of 12/9/13

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, 12/13, and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework will also be collected on Friday.

Reading - I Can Review Strategies

We will be very busy in reading this week! The Because of Winn-Dixie timeline project will be collected on Monday, 12/9. We will also have our Winn-Dixie Friendship Celebration that day. Students will enjoy the same menu that the characters in the book shared: egg salad sandwiches, dill pickles, "Dump" punch & Littmus lozenges. Your child should plan on bringing a lunch that day in case the menu does not appeal to him/her. Students will take a QUIZ on making generalizations on Tuesday, 12/10. 

English - Nouns
We will continue to study spelling patterns for plural nouns with a look at how to spell nouns that end with the letter "y", and irregular plurals. Students will also be writing a descriptive paragraph about their favorite holiday or winter memory.


Social Studies - The Cherokee & The Midwest

Students will take an open note/book QUIZ on the Cherokee (chapter 7) on Wednesday, 12/11. On Thursday, we will begin the Midwest unit with a look at the map of the region. Look for the Midwest map quiz  to be scheduled the week of 12/16.

Science - The Human Body / How Does Your Body Get Oxygen & Nutrients?
The first body system that we will study is the digestive system. We will take a look at all of the organs that comprise the system, and learn their function. Students will take a QUIZ on the the organs of the digestive system on Friday, 12/13.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
We will finish Unit 5 with a look at multiplying by two-digit numbers, multi-step word problems, and making a table to solve a problem. Students will also take the third "Mad Minute" for division on 12/9. Check the Google Doc that I shared with your child to monitor his/her progress with the division timed tests. The Unit 5 TEST is scheduled for the week of 12/16.  

Don't forget...

Tivoli Field Trip forms are due on 12/11.

"Goo, Globs & Guts" - On Friday, 12/13 fourth grade will participate in a special program presented by High Tech, High Touch.  Students will learn about the body systems, and will participate in some hands on activities in the classroom. 

Mrs. Karen Bell