Weekof9.3.18

Highlights for the Week of 9/3/2018
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling -  Words that End in Suffixes "-ible" and "-able"
This week's spelling/vocabulary list will include words with the suffixes -ible & -able. We will study the word pattern and how the suffix impacts the meaning of the base word. Most word work will be done in class. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 9/7.

English - What is a Sentence?
Our study of the sentence continues with a look at statements, questions, commands, and exclamations. Ask your child if he/she can describe the difference between these types of sentences. 

Reading - Close Reading- "Casey at the Bat"

Our close read of Casey at the Bat continues with a look at using context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words, author's perspective and text to text comparison. 

Students' first exposure to close reading in fourth grade involved "close reading" an Oreo cookie. For their "first read" they were given a cookie and were told to eat it quickly. This simulated reading text for the "gist". Then we shared words to describe the cookie. For their "second read" they took their time eating another cookie. They ate it with their eyes closed, thinking about the texture, ingredients, taste, uniqueness and other attributes of the yummy treat. This simulated what a close read of text is like. Students then listed words to describe their second read. Below is a picture of the poster we created during the activity. Please note the difference between what was observed in the first and second "read". Also included are some pictures of students close reading their Oreos...I think they enjoyed the activity!

Social Studies  - The Beautiful Northeast

We have begun our journey across the United States...first stop is the Northeast! Students will label and color their own maps of the region in preparation for a map quiz scheduled for the week of 9/10. The Northeast region is tricky with a lot of small states. I highly encourage students to be well prepared for the quiz. They will each receive a blank copy of the map that they should use to practice with. We will also take a look at the geography of the Northeast. 

Below are some photos from when students collaborated to complete a scavenger hunt of their Social Studies textbooks. They used their detective skills to search the text to answer questions regarding different sections of the book. 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 1 - Expressions, Equations & Volume

The first  CHECKPOINT is scheduled for 9/5. The checkpoint will review lessons 1-5 of Unit 1. Students should review their "textbooks" to review for the quiz.

PDF copies of the Bridges workbooks are always available via Google Classroom. Copies of the pages may be printed using a desktop or laptop computer.

Collaboration is key in math class and below are some photos with partners using manipulatives to problem solve a volume question and playing a workplaces game that reinforces multiplication concepts. 

FYI...
9/3 - No School - Labor Day

Mr. Pagel paid us a visit and led a conversation about kindness. 

Enjoy the Holiday Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 8.27.18

Highlights for the Week of 8/27/2018
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling -  Prefixes: un-, non-, dis-
This week's spelling unit focuses on spelling rules for words that begin with the prefixes 
"-un", "-non", and "-dis". We will also study word roots and how the prefixes change the meanings of the words. In addition to the spelling list, students will learn several vocabulary words that follow the same prefix pattern.  The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 8/31.

English - What is a Sentence? / Writing a Friendly Letter
We will begin the year with a short unit on writing sentences. They will also learn the format for writing a friendly letter and write one to share with you on Curriculum Night.

Reading - Close Reading- "Casey at the Bat"

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. On Wednesday we will review this skill with an activity in which students will close read Oreo cookies...as you can imagine this activity has been quite popular in the past! Then, we will begin a close read of the poem, "Casey at the Bat". Students will read and reread this piece of rich text, dissecting it to gain an understanding of the author's words. They will also compare it to another text and attempt to understand the author's perspective.

Social Studies  - The Beautiful Northeast
Fourth grade Social Studies is the study of regions of the United States. This week, students will become familiar with our Social Studies text by working with partners on a "textbook scavenger hunt". 



Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 1 - Expressions, Equations & Volume
Numerical expressions and investigating volume will be our focus this week. Look for the first CHECKPOINT to be scheduled the week of 9/3. The checkpoint will review lessons 1-5 of Unit 1.

PDF copies of the Bridges workbooks are always available via Google Classroom. Copies of the pages may be printed using a desktop or laptop computer.

FYI...

Fourth-grade students will take MAP tests during the week of 8/27. The Reading portion of the test is scheduled for Tuesday, 8/28 and the Math portion will take place on Thursday, 8/30. Our classroom motto for MAP testing is "Don't stress...just do your best!" 

Picture Day is Wednesday, 8/29. An order form was sent home with your child. If you choose to order pictures you may do so online or send payment in the envelope to school on or before 8/29.

Please be sure to mark your calendar for Curriculum Night, which is scheduled for Wednesday, August 29th from 6:30 to 8:00. You will have an opportunity to visit our classroom, and to meet your child's math teacher. 

Our first week included "Getting to Know You" activities, team building and learning classroom procedures. The students and I have been getting to know each other, sharing some laughs and working hard. Below are some pictures from "Back to School" activities:

Mrs. Nino led a discussion about how we should be Bucket "Fillers", not Bucket "Dippers".
Ask your child how he or she can be a Bucket Filler.

These pictures are from one team-building activity in which students had to build a pyramid from cups without using their hands and another in which they had to work as a group to keep a balloon from touching the floor. Ask your child how they accomplished these tasks...

Enjoy the weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell