Week of 10/31/2016

Highlights for the Week of 10/31/2016
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 10 - Suffixes -ment, -tion and -ly
This week's list contains words with the suffixes -ment, -tion and -ly.  Students will study the definitions of the suffixes and how they change the root words that they are attached to. We will also look at antonyms of the spelling and vocabulary words. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 11/4.

Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"
Our junior archeologists have been digging deep into the text of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Below are videos of students working together to find meaning in the words that they are reading...

Ashlyn, TJ & Jordan have a conversation using their background knowledge to determine the meaning of Dr. King's words: "...the sons of former slaves". 

Students were asked, What does the word "creed" mean in this quote:  "...I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." 

Lindsy, Ashley & Monika work together with a little help from the "senior" archeologist to find the meaning of the word "creed":

Next week we will finish our work on the speech and move on to writing a response to the prompt, "What lesson about courage is Dr. King trying to share in his I Have a Dream Speech?".

Science -  "How Are Animals Classified?"
How many drops of water will fit on a penny? This was the question that students investigated using the Scientific Method this week. Be sure to ask your child about the results...the answer might surprise you! Below are pictures of students conducting the experiment...

Vertebrates & Invertebrates will be our topic the week of 10/31. There is an open note/book QUIZ on Chapter 1 / Lesson 3 scheduled for Thursday, 11/3. On Friday, I will assign the Invertebrates project. This is a slide presentation highlighting a variety of invertebrates. Students will collaborate in small groups to complete the project. Some time will be given in school, but they should expect to also work outside of class to complete the project, which will be due the week of 11/7.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Adding & Subtracting Fractions

Fraction story problems will be our focus as we near the end of Unit 2. Students will complete a CHECKPOINT on 11/2 that covers strategies for adding and subtracting fractions. Look for the Unit 2 TEST to be scheduled the week of 11/7.

The Queen & her subjects taking a break from our hard work in math to take a group photo !

FYI...

Week of 10/31 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Homeroom Students)

The Halloween celebration will be on Monday, 10/31. Students will change into their costumes at 12:50, and the parties will begin at 1:10. The traditional PV parade will begin at 2:10. Students must be able to put on their Halloween costume in 5-10 minutes by themselves. Fourth grade will have designated classrooms for girls to change in and for boys. They will NOT be allowed to change in the bathroom. No props that resemble a weapon should be brought to school. THANK YOU to all the parents who are helping to make this a special afternoon for our classroom!

Have a "Spook-tacular" Halloween!
Mrs. Karen Bell