Week of 12.3.18

Highlights for the Weeks of 12/3/2018
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Mythology Words
This week's list contains words pertaining to Greek Mythology. We will study the definitions of the words as they are used in myths and also look at several myths and their messages. Because this unit has many valuable activities, we will study it for 2 weeks. The spelling test for mythology words is scheduled for Friday, 12/14.

Reading- Unit 1 Courage - Greek Mythology



We will begin our study of Greek Mythology with a look at the myth of Hercules.  We will also focus on the skill of summarizing. A summary is a shortened version of a story that retells all the important parts of the story in sequence. We will work as a team to summarize the Hercules myth. On 12/10, I will be introducing a mythology project that focuses on personalized learning.

Social Studies - "Wildlife & Resources"
The final lesson on the Southeast will focus on the resources and the wildlife of the region. The chapter 6 TEST is scheduled for 12/12. Students should review their textbook, workbook pages, note pages, and review pages to prepare for the test.

Science - Energy Conversions

Use of energy in the past and present will be the topic in Science this week.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals


Metric conversions, place value patterns and writing division problems will keep us busy this week. The Unit 3 TEST is tentatively scheduled for the week of 12/10. Students should review their practice pages and spiral notes to prepare for the test.

Below are some pictures of mathematicians working together to use base ten pieces to plot decimal numbers on a number line...

FYI...

The pictures below show students working on problem-solving during one of our morning meetings this week. Ask your child how the team worked together to untie a "human knot"...

Some photos from our marble celebration. So much fun!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11.19.18 & 11.26.18

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/19/18 & 11/26/18
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling 
Week of 11/19 - There will be no Spelling lesson the week of 11/19. 

Week of 11/26 - Unit 13 - Homographs

This week's list will consist of homographs. Homographs are two or more words that are spelled the same but have different meaning and sometimes different pronunciations. For example, the word pitcher is a homograph. A pitcher is a player who delivers the ball to a batter or a large container with a handle used for holding and pouring liquids.  The final TEST for the homograph lesson will be on Friday, 11/30.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation

The chapter 5 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 11/19. Students should review textbook pages 166-187, the practice packet and workbook pages to prepare for the test. Extra practice for the concepts is also found on pages 189-202 of the textbook.

We will spend some time during the week of 11/26 catching up on some concepts in English. These topics will include prepositional phrases, relative pronouns, and relative adverbs.

Students will also continue writing and revising their narrative essays which are based on a small moment from their own life.

Social Studies - The Southeast - "Sunlight & Storms"

The week of 11/26 we will explore the diverse climate of the Southeast. Be sure to ask your child about the destructive nature of hurricanes.

Science - Energy Conversions

Writing arguments to support scientific claims and energy converters are the topics for the next two weeks. 

During the week of 11/12, students participated in an investigation in which they were asked to build a simple electrical system that would cause a fan to spin, an LED to light and a buzzer to make noise. Their supplies included a solar panel, wires, a buzzer, an LED light and a fan motor with a blade. Below are some photos of our junior scientists collaborating to design and test their systems.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals

We will continue comparing, ordering and rounding decimals will fill our time for the next two weeks. We will also take a look at fraction/decimal equivalencies and decimals on a number line.  A CHECKPOINT on decimal place value is scheduled for 11/20. 

A second CHECKPOINT that covers decimal place value is scheduled for 11/28. Time for students to "show that they know!".

FYI...

No School - 11/21-23

Classroom Marble Party - The time has come to celebrate outstanding behavior in our homeroom classroom. Students have earned a celebration and it is scheduled for the afternoon of 11/20. They have chosen to have a slumber party/movie. Students may wear school appropriate pajamas that day and may also bring sleeping bags, pillows, and stuffed animals. I will provide popcorn and a drink. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you & your families!

Mrs. Karen Bell 

Week of 11.12.18

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/12/2018
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 12 - Homophones

The week of 11/12, the list will contain words that are homophones. A homophone is a word that sounds like another word, but has a different spelling and meaning, for example, bear and bare.  The final TEST for the homophone lesson will be on Friday, 11/16.

"I before e, except after c, or when sounding like "a" as in neighbor and weigh!"  Watch as Anthony leads the class in this chant as they reviewed the rule for lesson 11 of Spelling...

Reading - "Courage"

Students will take the comprehension and vocabulary QUIZ for Lou Gehrig on Thursday, 11/15. The comprehension portion of the quiz will be open book. Students should review the word work on Google Classroom and the text-dependent questions from the story to help them prepare for the quiz. 

We will also close read Gehrig's farewell speech. 


English - Capitalization & Punctuation
We will finish this unit with a look at how to write titles correctly. The chapter 5 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 11/19.  Students should review textbook pages 166-187, the practice packet and workbook pages to prepare for the test. Extra practice for the concepts is also found on pages 189-202 of the textbook.

Social Studies - The Southeast - Coastal Plains to Mountains

We will continue our study of the geography of the southeast. 

Science - Energy Conversions

Forms of Energy and how to write an argument using claims and evidence are the topics for the week. Below are some photos of students working partners to use a simulation APP to create and modify electrical energy systems. 

 

Sharing their observations!

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals

Comparing, ordering and rounding decimals will fill our time for the next two weeks. We will also take a look at fraction/decimal equivalencies and decimals on a number line. Look for the first CHECKPOINT of Unit 3 to be scheduled for the week of 11/19.

FYI...

No School - 11/21-23 - Thanksgiving holiday

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11.5.18

 

Highlights for the Week of 11/5/2018
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 11 - Words with "ei" & "ie"

This week's list contains words that have the letter combinations "ei" and "ie". We will study the rule for spelling these words. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 11/9.

Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"

The next story that we will read in the Courage unit is a biographical piece about baseball player Lou Gehrig. While studying this text, we will continue to hone our close reading skills and focus on identifying statements that are facts and statements that are opinions. Students will work in small groups to respond to text-dependent questions and there will also be vocabulary work. Look for a QUIZ on the Lou Gehrig story and vocabulary to be scheduled for the week of 11/12.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation
Using quotation marks will be our focus this week. This skill can be quite challenging so we will spend extra time on it.

Social Studies - The Southeast
The Southeast Map QUIZ is scheduled for 11/7. Your child should study the map that he/she created and use the blank copy in the binder to practice. A word bank with names of states and water areas will be provided.

Science - Energy Conversions
Students will continue to explore electrical systems by completing a simulation online. We will also look at what uses electrical energy. This past week, students worked in small groups to create a system that would cause a fan blade to spin. They were given a solar panel, a motor, a fan blade, and two wires. Once they built their system, they had to hold the solar panel to a heat lamp to test it. They were all successful in getting the blade to spin in both directions. Below are some photos of their investigation...

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Addition & Subtraction of Fractions & Unit 3 - Place Value and Decimals
The Unit 2 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 11/5. Students should review their math spiral, workbook pages, and the U2 Pre-Assessment to prepare for the test. Unit 3 will begin with a look at strategies for adding and subtracting decimal numbers.

FYI - 

We will be spending some time next week as a class learning about the importance of Veteran's Day.  We will finish the week with a school-wide assembly to honor our veterans.  We are having a red-white-and-blue spirit day on Friday to show our support for the veterans and armed forces. FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR WHITE ON FRIDAY. Thank you to all who have served!

I hope you all enjoyed Halloween as much as we did!  Thank you to our amazing parents who took time out of their busy schedules to help out with our party.