Week of 3/2/15

Highlights for the Week of 3/2/15

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Words with "-ed" & "-ing" Endings
This week's spelling lesson will focus on words that end with the suffixes "-ed" & "-ing". The cursive/workbook pages OR challenge work will be collected on Friday, 3/6. The final test for the lesson will also be that day.

Reading - Journeys Unit

Our focus will be text pairing poetry with Kate DiCamillo’s  The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  As we continue to work with difficult texts, we can practice our close reading skills.  Close reading is thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details or patterns in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the text’s form, craft, meanings, etc. Writing responses to the text will also be a focus this week.

English - Verbs

Spelling present and past tense verbs, and looking at past tense verbs with helping verbs are the topics in English this week.




Social Studies - The Ojibwa
Students will take the chapter 8 TEST on Monday, 3/2. We will take some time to complete the Midwest portion of our United States map before we move on to our study of the Native Americans of the Midwest region, The Ojibwa.

Science - Respiration
The respiratory system will be our topic this week. Students will learn the purpose of the respiratory system and how it functions. They will also create a model of the system. Ask your child to use the model to demonstrate how the movement of the diaphragm pushes air in and out of our lungs.

Mrs. Bell 's Math Class - Topic 10 - Developing Fluency - Dividing with 1-Digit Divisors

The fraction review that we worked on the week of 2/23 ran longer than anticipated, so we will begin Topic 10 next week. This unit begins with a look at Division as Repeated Subtraction, Dividing 2-digit by 1-digit numbers, and Dividing 3-Digit by 1-Digit Numbers. Look for a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of Topic 10 to be scheduled for the week of 3/9. 

Don't Forget...

March 6 - End of 2nd Trimester
March 6 - "Panther-Palooza" - 6:30-8:00 (4th & 5th grade)
March 13 - Report Cards Issued
March 19 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00





During the weeks of 3/2 and 3/9, students will be taking the new PARCC test. Please see that your child comes to school well rested and having eaten a healthy breakfast. Fourth grade testing begins at 8:10, so there is no time to eat snack before the tests begin.Thank you for your support!

Our classroom motto for the PARCC test is, "Do Your Best!". Please reinforce this idea at home with your child. There is no need to be anxious about the exam. We have practiced and are well prepared to take it!

Mrs. Karen Bell 

Week of 2/23/15

Highlights for the Week of 2/23/15

 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Compound Words
This week's spelling lesson will focus on Compound Words. Spelling homework will be assigned via Google Classroom in the Homeroom Spelling section. The final test & homework is due Friday, 2/27.

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys"

We have had many interesting conversation about vocabulary and use of language within the novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Our "Executive Archaeologists" will finish their close read of an Edward Tulane excerpt by working in small groups to respond to Text Dependent questions, and to create their own TDQs. The will also collaborate on a written response to the question, " How does the author make you think about Edward?". 





English- Verbs
Subject/Verb agreement, and Spelling the Present tense will be our focus in English. Students will independently complete a graded review of subject/verb agreement on Wednesday, 2/25.



Social Studies - Bountiful Midwest Farms. 
A close look at how the climate of the Great and Central Plains influences the crops that are grown there is our focus next week. A study guide for the chapter 8 test will be sent home. Look for the chapter 8 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 3/2.

Science - How does the Human Body get Nutrients?
Our study of the digestive system will continue with an activity that looks at how saliva breaks down starches. The QUIZ on the organs of the digestive system is scheduled for Friday, 2/27. Each student has a labeled and blank diagram of the digestive system that he/she should use to study. The quiz will be identical to the diagram they were given.

Students had a blast learning about magnets during our in-school present by DuPage Children's Museum. Below are a few pictures from the afternoon's learning activities:

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Fraction Fun / Topic 10 - Developing Fluency: Dividing by 1-Digit Divisors

Students have requested that we review fractions before taking the PARCC test the week of 3/2. We will review the following concepts at the beginning of this week: equivalent fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators, and multiplication and division of fractions. On Thursday, we will begin Topic 10 with a look at Division as Repeated Subtraction and Dividing 2-digit by 1-digit numbers.

Don't Forget...

During the weeks of 3/2 and 3/9, students will be taking the new PARCC test. Preparation for the test is the best way for them to feel confident about the process. We have, and will continue to practice using the PARCC online tools, and taking mock tests at school in order to help them to be comfortable. I recommend that students practice this at home as well. Students may access the practice test through the District 66 website. Click on the "students" tab & the drop down menu will display the choice of "PARCC Practice Tests". Your child knows what to do to complete the test. Thank you for your support!


THANK YOU to the parents who helped to make our Valentine's Day celebration so special!

Mrs. Karen Bell 

Week of 2/16/15

Highlights for the Week of 2/16/15

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - More VCCV Words
This week's spelling lesson contains words with the VCCV (Vowel-Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) pattern. Spelling homework will be assigned via Google Classroom in the Homeroom Spelling section. The final test & homework is due Friday, 2/20.

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys"
We will begin reading the novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This story tells the tale of a china rabbit who goes on an adventure and learns how to love. We will begin by close reading an excerpt from the first chapter. This novel is rich in vocabulary and underlying themes, and I look forward to sharing Edward's journey in our classroom.

English- Verbs
We will begin the verbs unit this week. Students will take the pretest on Tuesday, and those who demonstrate proficiency in this topic will be assigned challenge work. Action verbs and past, present and future verbs are the first two concepts in this chapter.

Social Studies - The Midwest - Bountiful Midwest Farms
Our focus in social studies this week will be how agriculture contributes to the economy of the Midwest.

Science - How Does Your Body Get Oxygen & Nutrients?
Our study of the human body continues with a look at digestion. Students will learn the name and function of each organ in the digestive system.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topics 9 & 10

The Topic 9 TEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/17. Students should prepare with workbook pages and extra practice in the textbook. We will spend two days with order of operations before beginning Topic 10 on Friday. Ask your child what it means when we say, "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally".

Don't Forget...

February 16 - No School - President's Day
February 17 - In-school presentation, "Magnets"

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2/9/15

Highlights for the Week of 2/9/15

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - None
There will be no spelling lesson this week due to the 3 1/2 day week.




Reading- "Journeys" Unit

We will continue our look at the story, Grandfather's Journey by comparing the two main characters. Students will write a response paragraph that describes the characters' similarities and how those similarities help the story's narrator to understand his grandfather. The response paragraph will be assigned in Google Classroom under the subject of "Homeroom Reading", and is due on 2/12. We will finish the week with a close read of the lyrics from the song, "A Whole New World".

English- Adjectives
We will finish our study of adjectives with a look at comparing with good & bad. Students will complete a review of the chapter on Tuesday. The chapter 4 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/11.
The next unit in English will be the study of verbs.




Social Studies - Badlands of South Dakota
The formation of the Badlands will continue to be our focus in SS this week. Ask your child how the Badlands have changed since dinosaurs lived there. Also...can your child tell you which famous fossil came from this region? 

Science - "Tissues to Organs"
A look at how cells form the building blocks of our bodies will begin our human body unit. The first body system that we will study is digestion.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 9

Topic 9 will conclude with a look at multiplication & division stories and the problem solving skill of draw a picture/write an equation. The Topic 9 TEST is tentatively scheduled for 2/17.

Don't Forget...

February 13 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 16 - President's Day - No School



Our Valentine's Day celebration will be on Thursday, 2/12 at 1:30. If your child chooses to bring cards to share, please be sure that he/she has a card for every student in our classroom. Any edible treats that accompany cards will be sent home to be eaten. 

Mrs. Karen Bell