Week of 9/29/14

Highlights for the Week of 9/29/14
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling -  Short and Long "u"

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 10/3. Cursive and workbook pages and/or contract work will also be collected that day.

Reading - "Courage" - Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

We will continue digging deeper into the treasure chest of text with the story, Happy Birthday, Dr. King! Students will work with partners and independently to respond to Text Dependent Questions (TDQs) and build their personal collection of vocabulary. We will also study the text structure of cause and effect. 
A vocabulary QUIZ is scheduled for Thursday, 10/2. Your child may practice for the quiz with activities that have been set up on the following link: 
http://quizlet.com/49368630/happy-birthday-dr-king-flash-cards/ 

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!  A look at simple predicates and run on sentences will finish our work in this unit. Look for the chapter 1 test to be scheduled the week of 10/6.


Social Studies - Resources of the Northeast / The Plentiful Sea


The last lesson in this chapter focuses on the how the people of the Northeast depend on the sea. We will look at how pollution and overfishing in Chesapeake Bay has changed fishing practices in the area. 






Science - The Scientific Method

Be sure to check out the pictures of students working with their straw models at the end of the blog. We will begin preparing for the worm unit this week. I will be sending home information about creating a worm habitat that your child will bring to school on Monday, 10/6. Look for information about the Worm Races to come home as well.





Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 2 - Generate & Analyze Patterns
Extending tables, writing rules for patterns and geometric patterns will be our focus next week. Below are pictures of your children exploring patterns during center activities this week.

FYI...

Our junior architects collaborated to construct buildings that would hold the weight of pennies. After testing the strength of their buildings, they had to make a hypothesis about how to make it stronger, then carry out their theory. Ask your child about the results...

 

 

 

 

Another great week...Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Highlights for the Week of 9/30/13 
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling -  Short and Long "u"

The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 10/4. 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. On Friday they will "show what they know" by taking a QUIZ in which they will identify types of text organization and recognize the vocabulary learned in an authentic nonfiction passage.

English - What is a Sentence?
I have been 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!  We will finish this chapter with a look at run on sentences. Look for the chapter 1 test to be scheduled the week of 10/7.

Social Studies - Land & Water in the Northeast
This week, we will take a look at the resources of the Northeast. Students will learn the process by which cranberries are grown, how maple syrup is harvested, and why the climate of the Finger Lakes region in New York makes it a perfect location to grow grapes.  We will also study the minerals that are a huge resource in this region.


Science - How are Animals Classified?

Be sure to check out the pictures of students working with their worms at the end of the blog. Students will finished their study of worm behavior on 9/27.  They will take an open book QUIZ on the Scientific Method on Monday, 9/30.  The WORM RACE is scheduled for Monday, 10/7.  Look for an information sheet about how to build the worm track to come home on 9/27.  Meanwhile, we will be moving on to the classification of animals with a look at vertebrates and invertebrates.



Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class
We will finish Unit 2 on Monday with a look at solving multi-step word problems. The Unit 2 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 10/2. The next unit that we will cover in math is Understanding Multiplication & Division.

FYI...

Our class will be taking our field trip to Brookfield Zoo on Thursday, 10/3. Students MUST bring a completely disposable lunch that day.  Please see that your child dresses for the weather (rain or shine), wears comfortable walking shoes, and brings a watch with a second hand.

WORM, WORMS, WORMS...

Another great week...Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/22/14

Highlights for the Week of 9/22/14
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Short & Long "i" and "o"
The final TEST for this lesson will be on Friday, 9/26. Cursive and workbook pages OR contract work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Courage
I am so pleased with the work that students did while conducting the close read of the poem, "Casey at the Bat". Their enthusiasm for the material coupled with their perseverance with the challenging text was a pleasure to watch.  Below are some of our classroom archaeologists "Digging Deeper" into the text while close reading the poem.

 

 

This week in reading we will begin the fourth grade Courage unit. The unit revolves around the essential questions of "What does it mean to show courage?", "Can Courage be shown in more than one way?" and "How can one person make a difference?". The first text that we will explore is the story, Happy Birthday Dr. King, which tells the story of a young man who learns a life lesson from the example of Dr. King. 

English - What is a Sentence?
On Tuesday,  students will be completing their "Snapshot Sentences" project that is a review of the four types of sentences.  Please be sure to send a 4 X 6 photo to school on or before that day. We will be using glue with the photos, so please do not send one that is too special! Subjects and predicates is the next topic in our English unit, and that means that Mr. Morton will be coming to town! Ask your child to sing one of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs for you . We will be focusing on complete subjects  to end the week.


Social Studies - Resources of the Northeast

Cranberries, grapes, sap and minerals are all resources that come from the Northeast. We will study how cranberries are grown and harvested from bogs, why the Finger Lakes area is conducive to growing grapes, and the process through which tree sap becomes maple syrup. We will also look at the minerals that are harvested from the quarries in the NE.

Science - The Scientific Method
Our junior scientists/architects used their inquiry skills this week to work together to create a model of a building using straws, paper clips and masking tape. Check out what they created...

 

 

 

Next week, they will use the steps of the Scientific Method to test the strength of their models. They will also answer the question "Does Popcorn Float" in an activity that also focuses on the process of the Scientific Method.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Multiplication and Division: Meanings and Facts
The Topic 1 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 9/24. Students should review class notes, practice pages and workbook pages to prepare for the test. We will begin Topic 2, Generating and Analyzing Patterns on Thursday. 

FYI...

Magazine turn in dates are Tuesday, 9/23 and Thursday, 9/25.

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 9/15/14

Highlights for the Week of 9/15/14

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long and Short "a" and "e"

The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/19.This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/19. These pictures show students using the Chromebooks in the classroom to complete a spelling assignment for this week.

Reading - Close Reading

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...!!! Close reading is the careful, sustained interpretation of a piece of text, and one of the cornerstones of the Common Core State Standards. This week we will continue our close read of the poem, "Casey at the Bat". Students will read and reread this piece of rich text, dissecting it to gain understanding of the author's words. The will also compare it to other text and try to understand the author's perspective.

The following pictures are from an "Apples & Oranges" activity that practiced the reading skill of comparing and contrasting...

 

 

 

 English - What is a Sentence?

This week's focus in English will be on the four types of sentences: Statements, Questions, Commands and Exclamations. Students will independently complete a review of lessons 2-3 on Thursday.  We will do a small project related to the four types of sentences on the week of 9/22.  The project is called "Snapshot Sentences", and will require that a 4x6 photo be sent from home. The photo will be taped to the project, so please do not send a photo that is valuable.

Social Studies - The Beautiful Northeast

The Northeast Map QUIZ is scheduled for Monday, 9/15. We will then focus our attention on the resources of the region. Be sure to ask your child how cranberries are grown...it's an amazing process!

Science - The Scientific Method

Inquiry skills will be our focus this week. We will also begin working in groups to construct houses out of straws, paper clips and tape to be used in another investigation during the week of 9/22.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 1 - Multiplication & Division: Meaning and Facts
Topics in math this week include multiplication and division comparison problems, special quotients and using multiplication facts to find division facts. Look for the Topic 1 test to be scheduled the week of 9/22. The following photos are from when we made "human arrays" to represent multiplication facts. Ask your child to identify the fact being shown in each photo!

 

 

FYI...

The Brookfield Zoo field trip is scheduled for Friday, 9/19. Please send a 100% disposable lunch to school with your child. We will be outside come rain or shine, so please have him/her dress for the weather!

Another wonderful week!  Happy weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Highlights for the Week of 9/12/11 - 9/16/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long & Short "a" & "e"
The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/16. This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/16.

Reading - Identifying the Elements of Story Structure
This week we will focus on story structure. We will use a story map to look at how a problem and its solution affect the story's plot and characters. When your child is reading at home, you can practice and review story structure by asking them to identify characters, setting, and plot (which includes the problem, sequenced events, and the solution.)

English - What is a Sentence?Subjects and predicates is the next topic in our English unit, and that means that Mr. Morton will be coming to town! Ask your child to sing one of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs for you this week. We will be focusing on complete subjects and predicates, and simple subjects.

Social Studies - Strength of Our Freedom
We will finish chapter 2 with a look at the responsibilities and rights of citizens in the U.S. Students will continue to practice their skimming and scanning skills. We will review the chapter on Thursday. The chapter 2 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/16. Look for a study guide to come with your child early in the week.

Science - The Scientific Method
We're off to the races...worm races, that is! We will be studying the steps of the Scientific Method while learning about worms and how they are affected by their environment. Students should bring their worms to school in their habitats on Tuesday, 9/14. They will receive the project description sheets for their race tracks on that day as well.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 1 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 9/12. We will then move on to chapter 2, which covers the topic of addition and subtraction of whole numbers. The first three concepts we will study are inverse operations, rounding numbers through the millions, and mental math strategies for estimation.

FYI...

The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/12. An information packet will be sent home with your child that day.

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Highlights for the Week of 9/12/11 - 9/16/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long & Short "a" & "e"
The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/16. This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/16.

Reading - Identifying the Elements of Story Structure
This week we will focus on story structure. We will use a story map to look at how a problem and its solution affect the story's plot and characters. When your child is reading at home, you can practice and review story structure by asking them to identify characters, setting, and plot (which includes the problem, sequenced events, and the solution.)

English - What is a Sentence?Subjects and predicates is the next topic in our English unit, and that means that Mr. Morton will be coming to town! Ask your child to sing one of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs for you this week. We will be focusing on complete subjects and predicates, and simple subjects.

Social Studies - Strength of Our Freedom
We will finish chapter 2 with a look at the responsibilities and rights of citizens in the U.S. Students will continue to practice their skimming and scanning skills. We will review the chapter on Thursday. The chapter 2 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/16. Look for a study guide to come with your child early in the week.

Science - The Scientific Method
We're off to the races...worm races, that is! We will be studying the steps of the Scientific Method while learning about worms and how they are affected by their environment. Students should bring their worms to school in their habitats on Tuesday, 9/14. They will receive the project description sheets for their race tracks on that day as well.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 1 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 9/12. We will then move on to chapter 2, which covers the topic of addition and subtraction of whole numbers. The first three concepts we will study are inverse operations, rounding numbers through the millions, and mental math strategies for estimation.

FYI...

The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/12. An information packet will be sent home with your child that day.

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Highlights for the Week of 9/16/13

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long and Short "a" and "e"

The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/20.This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/20.

Reading - Identifying the Elements of Story Structure / Summarizing

We will continue to study story structure this week. Students will explore characters and setting in depth. There will be a QUIZ on Akiak on Tuesday, 9/17. The quiz will cover the vocabulary words from the story, and on the skill of identifying story structure. The Akiak diary project will be collected on Wednesday, 9/18.  We will finish the week with by practicing our "skimming and scanning" skills using the Time for Kids magazine.  We will also begin working on the Daily 5 task of  "Read to Someone".

English - What is a Sentence? 

This week's focus in English will be on the four types of sentences: Statements, Questions, Commands and Exclamations. Students will independently complete a review of lessons 2-3 on Thursday.  We will do a small project related to the four types of sentences on the week of 9/23.  The project is called "Snapshot Sentences", and will require that a 4x6 photo be sent from home. The photo will be taped to the project, so please do not send a photo that is valuable.

Social Studies - Strength of Our Freedom

We will finish chapter 2 with a look at the responsibilities and rights of citizens in the U.S.  The chapter review is scheduled for Tuesday, and students will take the chapter TEST on Wednesday, 9/18.  Look for a study guide that was sent home with your child on 9/12.

Science - The Scientific Method

Our focus this week will be on Scientific Method.  Students will use the method while exploring the age old question of "Which floats better...a pumpkin, or an orange?". We will also begin working in groups to construct houses out of straws, paper clips and tape to be used in another investigation at the end of the week.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will be starting Unit 2, which covers the topic of addition and subtraction of whole numbers. The pretest for the unit is scheduled for Monday.  The first few topics in this unit include Properties of Addition & Subtraction Rules, Patterns in Addition, and Using Mental Math to Add & Subtract.

FYI...

The turn in dates for the district Magazine Drive are September 17, 19 and 24.

I am looking forward to seeing parents at Curriculum Night on Tuesday, 9/17 from 6:30-7:30.

Another wonderful week!  Happy weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Highlights for the Week of 9/12/11 - 9/16/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long & Short "a" & "e"
The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/16. This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/16.

Reading - Identifying the Elements of Story Structure
This week we will focus on story structure. We will use a story map to look at how a problem and its solution affect the story's plot and characters. When your child is reading at home, you can practice and review story structure by asking them to identify characters, setting, and plot (which includes the problem, sequenced events, and the solution.)

English - What is a Sentence?Subjects and predicates is the next topic in our English unit, and that means that Mr. Morton will be coming to town! Ask your child to sing one of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs for you this week. We will be focusing on complete subjects and predicates, and simple subjects.

Social Studies - Strength of Our Freedom
We will finish chapter 2 with a look at the responsibilities and rights of citizens in the U.S. Students will continue to practice their skimming and scanning skills. We will review the chapter on Thursday. The chapter 2 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/16. Look for a study guide to come with your child early in the week.

Science - The Scientific Method
We're off to the races...worm races, that is! We will be studying the steps of the Scientific Method while learning about worms and how they are affected by their environment. Students should bring their worms to school in their habitats on Tuesday, 9/14. They will receive the project description sheets for their race tracks on that day as well.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 1 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 9/12. We will then move on to chapter 2, which covers the topic of addition and subtraction of whole numbers. The first three concepts we will study are inverse operations, rounding numbers through the millions, and mental math strategies for estimation.

FYI...

The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/12. An information packet will be sent home with your child that day.

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Highlights for the Week of 9/12/11 - 9/16/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Long & Short "a" & "e"
The final test for spelling this week will be on Friday, 9/16. This is the first week that we will be using the spelling words from our reading series. Students who score a 90% or above on Monday's pretest will have the opportunity to do challenge work via the contracts that we used for our first two lessons. Workbook pages and contract work will also be collected on 9/16.

Reading - Identifying the Elements of Story Structure
This week we will focus on story structure. We will use a story map to look at how a problem and its solution affect the story's plot and characters. When your child is reading at home, you can practice and review story structure by asking them to identify characters, setting, and plot (which includes the problem, sequenced events, and the solution.)

English - What is a Sentence?Subjects and predicates is the next topic in our English unit, and that means that Mr. Morton will be coming to town! Ask your child to sing one of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs for you this week. We will be focusing on complete subjects and predicates, and simple subjects.

Social Studies - Strength of Our Freedom
We will finish chapter 2 with a look at the responsibilities and rights of citizens in the U.S. Students will continue to practice their skimming and scanning skills. We will review the chapter on Thursday. The chapter 2 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 9/16. Look for a study guide to come with your child early in the week.

Science - The Scientific Method
We're off to the races...worm races, that is! We will be studying the steps of the Scientific Method while learning about worms and how they are affected by their environment. Students should bring their worms to school in their habitats on Tuesday, 9/14. They will receive the project description sheets for their race tracks on that day as well.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 1 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 9/12. We will then move on to chapter 2, which covers the topic of addition and subtraction of whole numbers. The first three concepts we will study are inverse operations, rounding numbers through the millions, and mental math strategies for estimation.

FYI...

The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/12. An information packet will be sent home with your child that day.

Happy Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell