Week of 1.28.19

Highlights for the Weeks of 1/28/19
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 17 - Words with the Suffix "-tion"
This week's list includes words with the suffix "-tion". Students will learn that when the suffix "-tion" is added to a verb, the word becomes a noun. When "-tion" is added to a word that ends in an "e" or "t", the "e" or "t" is dropped. The final TEST for this lesson will be on Friday, 2/1.

Reading - Unit 2 - Journeys

What does it mean to go on a journey? How can a person be changed by a journey they have experienced? These are the questions that we will pose to students as we begin the second unit in Reading titled "Journeys".  We will begin by reading and discussing the short story, Grandfather's Journey by Alan Say. 

This week in English we will begin a unit on Explanatory writing. The purpose of this type of writing is to demonstrate comprehension of a topic, concept, process, or procedure. We will start by looking at how to write a "hook" at the beginning of an essay to create interest for the reader.

Social Studies - The Midwest

Our study of the Midwest region will begin with a look at how the Great Lakes were formed. Students should prepare for the Midwest map QUIZ on 1/30 by studying the map they created and by practicing with the blank copy of the map in their binder.

Science - Energy Conversions
As we continue to search for a solution to the blackout in Ergstown, we will focus on how engineers solve problems in the real world.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 4 Multiplication & Division of Whole Numbers and Decimals
Students will take their second multiplication and division CHECKPOINT on 1/28. They should look over the Strategies Review note-taking sheet that we completed in class, spiral notes and workbook pages to prepare for the quiz. 

We are coming to the end of Unit 4. The concepts covered during the week of 1/28 will include using multiplication to divide and divisibility rules. Look for the Unit 4 test to be scheduled during the week of 2/4.

FYI...
1/31 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1.21.19

Highlights for the Week of 1/21/19
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 16 - Greek Roots
This week's list includes words with the Greek Roots micro, mega, hydro, astro, hydra and path. Students will study the meaning of these roots and words that contain them. The final TEST for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/25.

ELA / Reading - Narrative Writing / Unit 1 Posttests

Students will revise and edit the narrative writing pieces that we have been working on in class. We hope to "publish" their pieces next the week of 1/28.

We have completed Unit 1 (Courage) in Reading, so it is time to take the unit posttest. On Wednesday, students will take the informational text portion of the unit posttest, and on Thursday, they will take the literary text portion. These tests are simply a data gathering tool for teachers in order to measure student growth. They will not be entered in the grade book.  We will begin Unit 2 in Reading, which is called Journeys, the week of 1/28.

It was a pleasure to view the Profile in Courage presentations. The students have grown tremendously in their research and speaking skills. Below are some photos from the presentations...

Princess Diana

"Molly Pitcher"

Sitting Bull

Lewis & Clark

Jane Addams

Moses

Elizabeth Blackwell

Theodore Roosevelt

Alexander Hamilton

Abraham Lincoln

Nelson Mandela

Anne Frank

Amelia Earhart

Jane Goodall

Sacagawea

Winston Churchill

Abraham Lincoln

Helen Keller

Mother Theresa

Franklin Roosevelt

Helen Keller

Thomas Jefferson

Social Studies - The Midwest
Our study of the Midwest will begin with students creating their regional maps and taking a look at how the Great Lakes were formed. Look for a QUIZ on the Midwest map to be scheduled for the week of 1/28.

Science - Energy Conversions
Backup electrical systems and engineering practices will be our focus in Science this week.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 4 Multiplication & Division of Whole Numbers and Decimals

Unit 4 in Math will wind down with a look at the relationship between multiplication and division. The Unit 4 TEST is tentatively scheduled for the week of 2/5.

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 1.14.19

 

Highlights for the Weeks of 1/14/2019
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 15 - Greek Roots
This week's list includes words with Greek roots. Students will study the meaning of the roots audi, bio, geo, ology, meter and thermo, and words that contain them. The final TEST for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/18.

ELA / Reading - Unit 1 - Courage

Students will present their Profile in Courage projects on 1/16 and 1/17. Please refer to the rubric to see how they will be assessed.  

Social Studies - The Cherokee

An open book/note QUIZ on the Cherokee is scheduled for Wednesday, 1/16. Students should review their textbook and note-taking sheets to prepare for the quiz.

Science - Energy Conversions
Investigating energy sources is our topic for the week. Students will complete a simulation that looks at types of energy sources and how they are used. 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 4 Multiplication & Division of Whole Numbers and Decimals

This week we will look at the relationship between arrays and partial products for double-digit multiplication and then move from using arrays to the algorithm.

FYI...

1/21 - No School - Martin Luther King Day.

Students in fourth grade will take the reading MAP test in homeroom on Tuesday, 1/15 and the math MAP test in their math classroom on Thursday, 1/17. Please see that your child comes to school well rested and with a fully charged Chromebook on those days. Thank you!

Mrs. Karen Bell